#and then seeing everyone exchanging little things that are symbolic to them

[sqlmn]

Since Fulj and Holly exchanged chokers and then Ananza bought Oh a necklace (but looser than the girlfriends bc she still values whimsy and freedom in the AU)... Oh bought her a lil bracelet. And she is SO happy and adores it and them and she is very happy to show Deacon her cute friendship bracelet.

Cause. Ananza still adores Deacon in the AU and wants to dote on him like a mom despite how much taller he is (and probably the same age tbh).

[cupidcures]

When Tulips Kiss | Hwang Hyunjin SMAU

CHAPTERS: 𝜗𝜚 THIRTY-FIVE | THIRTY-SIX | 𝜗𝜚 THIRTY-SEVEN

WORD COUNT: 2.2k (not proofread)

better off

“Will you move over?” Beomgyu vocalized his agitation towards the young man in front of him, but he still didn’t budge from the spot.

The last thing either of them expected was to see one another here at Jisung’s place, yet here they both were, standing face to face.

“I’ll give her the flowers, thanks. What are you doing here, anyway?” Hyunjin grumbled and eyed him up and down in a somewhat indifferent way.

“No thanks man, I’d rather do it myself. Mind calling her down for me? I don’t wanna waste my time here talking to you when I could be with Y/N.” Beomgyu smiled fakely and tilted his head to look past his shoulder, making eye contact with Jeongin.

“Yo Jeongin!” He waved, “Mind getting this dude out of the way for me?”

Jeongin glanced between the two boys, deadpanning at their immature bickering.

‘There’s no way these two guys are grown…’ he thought to himself before shaking his head and exchanging a glance with Jisung, who was sitting across the couch opposite of him.

“You wanna go get your wife?” Jeongin joked as Jisung crackled in amusement before nodding his head.

“On it. Go take care of whatever is happening over there.” He pointed his lips toward the front door where Hyunjin and Beomgyu stood before making his way upstairs to grab you.

“Yo baby, I’m coming in, alright?” Jisung knocked on the door of his bedroom—where you were currently staying—before turning the knob and opening the door.

You were tucked inside the comforter of his bed, scrolling through your phone without a care in the world. You tore your gaze away from your phone and directed it to the quokka boy standing by the door.

“Sungie?” You mumbled and he grinned.

“Hey, wifey! The dude that’s courting you is downstairs to take you out. You should hurry, though. He and Hyunjin might kill each other with their glares.” Jisung approached you with light footsteps as you hooked your arm around his with a nod.

“Shall we?” You giggled and so did Jisung. “We shall!!!!!”

The two of you enthusiastically skipped out of the room and down the stairs, greeting the three boys (hehe Omar Apollo ref) downstairs with a princess wave. “Hey Jeongin! Beomgyu, Hyunjin!”

The arguing pair immediately stopped at the sound of your voice as they both turned their attentions to you, mesmerized and smitten.

“Y/N! Hey.” Hyunjin blushed and stood in front of Beomgyu, blocking your view of him.

“Hi Y/N. You look pretty.” Beomgyu pushed past Hyunjin and gave him a petty glare, which he returned with no hesitation. “I brought you some roses!”

White roses. Easy to spot due to their brightness and the way the light of the sun would easily reflect off of them. White roses symbolize purity and innocence. Beyond this, white roses are used in funerals because it is also a way to bid someone farewell. Being brought white roses was certainly new to you, but you appreciated the gesture nonetheless. It’s not like he knew and studied the flowers’ languages like you did.

Taking the flowers off of Beomgyu’s hand and bringing them to your chest, you thanked him graciously, “Thank you Gyu!”

He rubbed his sweaty palms on his shirt. “Of.. of course! Can I take you out?”

“Ooh actually… we’re all hanging out here you know… It’s a shame! Come back some other day.” Hyunjin responded for you, eye twitching in irritation.

The three other people in the room were caught off guard by his statement, and it bestowed an awkward silence in the tense atmosphere.

“Uh… yeah! Sorry Gyu, maybe next time?” You were confused, to say the least, it’s not like Hyunjin made plans SPECIFICALLY for everyone to hang out, the only plans that were made were between him and Jisung. But you still decided to hide his little lie nonetheless. You could always just ask him about it later, but you had a feeling you already knew what it was about.

“Oh. Okay, I see. Well, you guys have fun then!” Beomgyu offered a weak smile sided with a look of disappointment plastered on his delicate facial features.

“Actually! You could always just hang out with us, none of us have a problem with an extra person! Right, guys?” Jeongin spoke up before Beomgyu had the chance to leave, and his eyes lit up.

“Can I?” He asked for confirmation from everyone else. And by everyone else, he looked to you and Jisung, ignoring the look of disbelief on Hyunjin’s face.

“Uhh…” Jisung’s lips pressed together awkwardly, forming a thin line, inspecting everyone’s faces before hesitating, “I mean I guess it’s alright?”

“Great! It’s settled then, go ahead and sit down, Hyunjin was just about to put on a movie.” Jeongin grinned mischievously and ushered Beomgyu further into the house before closing the front door, making sure to lock it.

“Thanks for letting me stay over,” Beomgyu thanked enthusiastically and wrapped his arm around your shoulder, causing you to blush a little.

Hyunjin scoffed at the action and rolled his eyes, walking himself to the far end of the couch and picking up the remote to choose a movie to watch.

Jisung followed close behind and took a seat next to him, patting his back. Jeongin sat down on the other, smaller couch and reached for a blanket.

“What kind of movie are we feeling?” Hyunjin asked.

“Romance!” Beomgyu suggested as he sat down on the opposite side of the same couch Hyunjin and Jisung sat at, bringing you along beside him.

“Horror it is.” He decided with a monotone voice, resulting in Jisung choking back a laugh at his antics.

God, he was so petty. But it was humorous, who could get mad at that?

The movie started a little after Jisung turned the lights off to properly adjust the environment accordingly to the movie.

You were cuddled up against Beomgyu, more for warmth than anything. You couldn’t deny the attraction you had for the boy that pulled you in. You found yourself spacing out, deep in thought. This was something that occurred frequently whenever you were with Beomgyu. He made you dreamy and you would often drift away to your thoughts. He brought peace and serenity to you, so you were naturally much more comfortable around him. With his arms wrapped tightly around your waist and his head resting on top of yours, it felt like second nature.

All of the tension directed towards each other had died down, and it instead projected onto the movie. The jumpscares evoked jolts and screams now and then, often followed by the sound of laughter due to the high-pitched shrieks that would fill the air for a moment or two.

Everyone let loose and focused on the movie. Everyone but Hyunjin.

He did his best to enjoy the movie much like everyone else, but he would constantly find himself sparing glimpses into your direction.

He noticed the way you were snug against Beomgyu, and there was nothing he could do but stare and wish it was him you were with instead. He knew it sent pangs to his chest whenever you played with Beomgyu’s hair and held his hand, but still, he struggled with tearing his gaze off of you, and you never seemed to notice. You looked happy, comfortable. You were content, and maybe it would just be better off for everybody if he were to just back off and leave you be.

He was being immature, trying to keep the two of you apart—when it was clear that you and Beomgyu had something, even if it was only a little.

Hyunjin quietly dismissed himself to the kitchen to grab a drink of water with ice, his throat had gone dry as a consequence of watching the PDA you shared with Beomgyu.

“You good bro?” A hushed voice broke the silence in the kitchen as Hyunjin turned around to face whoever it was, the sound effects of the movie playing in the distance.

“Dry throat.” He responded as Jisung nodded slowly and skeptically.

“Uhuh… And you think I’m stupid enough to believe that? Don’t think I didn’t notice your little attempts at trying to inconvenience that dude she’s with. Beomgyu, is it?”

The two boys chuckled lightly. Hyunjin didn’t expect anyone to follow him, but he was glad that Jisung was there to prove him wrong and lighten the mood.

“You still in love with Y/N?” He pulled a bar chair from under the island and sat down, leaning himself on the table.

“Unfortunately.”

“Woah, unfortunately? It’s a privilege to love Y/N, buddy,” Jisung joked but cleared his throat right after noticing that he didn’t laugh along.

“Not when she doesn’t love you back,” Hyunjin took a sip out of his glass. “It’s hard. Unrequited love is hard.”

The faint buzzing and the bright light above stimulated his senses more than they should, inducing a headache.

“I was gonna try to win her back, not gonna lie,” he chuckled. “But who am I to do that?”

“What do you mean? Why give up?” Jisung pursed his lips and scrunched his face, confused.

“I lost her the first time because I was scared that someone was gonna take her away,” Hyunjin circled his glass around on the kitchen counter, creating a small vortex in an attempt to rush the ice’s process of making the water cold, just how he liked it. “I may not like Beomgyu—but to instill the same fear that I struggled with—in him, that’d be real fucking shitty, don’t you think? Now, I’m not saying he’s not secure in himself and in whatever they have going on, I’m almost sure he’s better than me when it comes to that. But just thinking of attempting to steal her away, when I know exactly how it feels to be scared of that happening, it doesn’t feel good. Makes me feel like shit.” Hyunjin inhaled deeply, watching as the ice cubes struggled to keep afloat with the miniature whirlpool dragging them down.

“Everything I’ve done for her, relating to her, it was all to do what’s best for me…” He trailed off and halted the movement of his hands, the whirlpool slowly dissipating. “I’ve been selfish and it has done nothing but drown me and add to my struggles.”

The ice cubes in the glass were finally resting on top of the surface, the water now still and calm, lacking disturbance.

“I love her. But I don't want to be selfish, not anymore. I want what’s best for her, even if it isn’t me. I need to learn to stop meddling with things just because I’m not satisfied with how it’s going. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. But I’m backing away, and I’ll do my best to move on.”

The outside of the glass was now moisturized with small droplets due to the coldness of the water meeting with the warmth of the air.

“I didn’t know that was how you felt.” Jisung grimaced at the thought of how he used to hate him for what he had done to you, when in reality, it probably affected him more. “I understand, honestly. I know what it feels like to have your fears and insecurities get the best of you. I think it’s really mature that you’re deciding to do this when you’re still in love with her.” Jisung got up from the stool and walked over to Hyunjin to pat his back.

“It’s good that you acknowledged your wrongs. Wanting to do better is already one step ahead, you’re already improving. I know we’re not close dude, but damn… am I proud of you. I would love to get closer. I appreciate all your efforts in trying to do what’s best for Y/N, it seriously warms my heart.” Jisung playfully placed his hand on his chest where his heart would be with a soft expression on his face—the two boys burst out in laughter after that.

“I love Y/N, platonically of course. And seeing how much you love her now? I was wrong about you,” Jisung hummed. “I’ll be right here for support! I have your back.”

He gave Hyunjin a thumbs-up, who then returned it with a smile.

“It’s gonna be hard to move on from her. THAT, I know. Especially since we’re still gonna be friends? Fuck, bro. I might just be setting myself up for failure.” Hyunjin laughed before bringing the glass of water to his lips and drinking it all, the cold water bringing a shiver down his spine. “But it’ll happen eventually. That way, everyone is happy. I should just leave it be. As long as she’s happy, no matter who she’s with, I’ll be happy too. It’s better off like this. And she’s better off with him.”

“That’s the spirit! Now come on, let’s go back to watch the movie.” Jisung placed his hand on the back of Hyunjin’s and pushed him towards the living room where the three others were.

a/n: THIS IS SO SHORT I’M SORRY LOL

𝜗𝜚 WTK series masterlist

TAGLIST (OPEN)! @jeonginplsholdmyhand @jeonginsgirl @mlrroh @mafiulaputaama @seungzsmin @hannie-bees @skz1lov @porang-poranglinos @sillyhal @mitchii @soulphoenix1618 @gnab-nahc @hyunjins-dimples @nappynapnaps @15092000volcano @livixcore @linocvp1d @yaorzu-blog @scallywag1299 @boo-ven9eance @lys4lix @kirbrary @4ln-stay8 @sellomaybe @aznstoner @saintcosette @starseungs @syedazarintasnim @elqivxstxr @ivydoesit23 @weirdowithaphone @hyuneee3 @nhyunn @velvetmoonlght @amarecerasus @skzstan12345 @ravengxbss @sweetbokji @wondering-out-loud @girlblogger-04 @soaplickerrr @oddracha @realrintaro @hyukazwifey @manuosorioh @qu4ckqu4ck

[neuroprincess]

Under The Skin - Rebecca Welton/Reader

Rebecca Welton/Female Reader

Summary: It's secret, away from everyone's eyes and just between them, a simple gesture that symbolically changes Y/N and Rebecca's lives.

Classification: Fluff

Warnings: Alcohol consumption, tattoos

Word count: +1000

Unrevised

Maybe it's the alcohol coursing through the veins or the gentle smile that is directed at her, but it seems so right that Y/N doesn't care about the pain and even less about tomorrow. The needle begins a little uncertainly on the skin until the woman learns to handle it with real dexterity and without trembling, both of them a little nervous. The first scratch is outlined and marked forever, halfway there. With care, Rebecca traces the half circle in the same way she saw the boys do and feels proud to see it taking shape on the forearm, small and simple, but cute and full of meaning.  

"I'm almost there, darling." she whispers and hums in anticipation, looking a little petty at how excited and proud she is.  

"It's crazy, isn't it?!" the younger stares at her, a moment of sobriety hitting for a second and the weight of the act weighing in the balance "Are we really doing this?"  

In response, Rebecca leans in and brings their lips together in a gentle kiss, taking time to leave them, there's nothing so sweet and addictive as her girlfriend. She could stay like this forever, feeling and loving her in every way, from the soft words to the burning touches.  

"God, better stop or we're not going to finish this any time soon." she laughs, reluctantly separating, and brings eyes together to analyze the next step, just one to complete "And..." turns the pen back on, drawing the last curve, this time a bit of blood comes out of the line "Done!" 

"How did it look?"  

"Beautiful, just like you, sugar." a kiss is placed on the girl's forehead and elegant hands stroke her hair "My good girl, you did great."  

Y/N sighs and smiles happily, the sparkle in the blonde's eye making the slight burning and eventual post-drinking pain worthwhile. She'd never imagined herself doing anything like that and is sure the other one hadn't either, nevertheless after two years here they are hiding in the dark at Jamie's party with the tattoo equipment borrowed, in fact temporarily stolen, exchanging secret wedding vows, marking their rings eternally under skin and exposed to the world.  

"Your turn, sweetheart."  

They change the needles and following instructions from the internet the moisturizer is applied to the arm, Y/N's fingers spreading the cream along strong and delineated muscles, memorizing again every part she knows by heart, the sensitive points she caresses in cuddles on the sofa and squeezes when they're almost reaching an apex. The couple stare at each other for a millisecond in a silent request for permission, to be sure that it's really wanted.  

"Go ahead." Welton encourages, trying to sound confident "I can handle the pain."  

"You will not regret it?" the question is fraught with concern, fear that her partner will regret the folly of a somewhat youthful nature.  

"Never, darling! Loving you is the most certain thing I have in my life." they smile complicitly and Y/N nods, continuing with the mission "We need to go to the pharmacy for ointments, which reminds me that we're also out of cotton and saline solution."  

"You're really drunk."  

"Drunk with love for you..."  

It's not exactly pain, maybe discomfort or something, but totally bearable... if it weren't for Rebecca's hidden fear of needles. She tries to disguise it by looking away, convincing herself that it's only to be surprised. Quickly and with calculated movements, a small initial in a fine line forms on the place, she still can't turn around, half paralyzed in disbelief, having her own moment of sobriety caused by shock.  

"You don't have to hide, it's okay to be afraid." the younger whispers, trying to confront her in some way, the worst part is over and the woman insists on keeping up her brave mask "Sweetheart..."  

"Is it over?"  

"Yes, it's over." she smiles and stretches up to place a kiss on the flushed cheeks "My good girl."

"Hey, that's my phrase!"  

"That doesn't mean you're not a good girl, and totally mine."  

Finally gathering courage, Rebecca looks down and almost chokes as she realizes that something really is there, engraved on her forever. The initial of Y/N's name on her and hers on Y/N. Eternally marked in a symbolic gesture, the union of their souls with homemade tattoos, sounded almost silly when the idea came up on the bar counter, but is the promise of their love for each other.  

"So we..."  

"We're married. My goodness, we're married!"   

"It's symbolic, but..." the blonde rambles, settling on the floor so that they're face to face "Soon I'm going to put a ring on your finger, give you my surname."  

"Try to imagine, Mrs. & Mrs. Welton."  

"I like the sound of that, I can't wait for this moment." 

"Me too, I'm really looking forward to it." Y/N whispers and closes the space between them with a passionate kiss, full of emotions that come through in every touch, barely able to contain the enthusiasm. She has married the person she most admires and as much as it was just between them, it's priceless, kind of magical "I love you! So much that I almost cry just thinking that we're wives now." manages to say when the air is needed. 

"I love you more! More than anything, I don't think there are enough words to describe how deeply and passionately. And I stole a champagne to celebrate."   

A bottle is taken from the handbag, chilled to the point of sweat. It's impossible not to be touched by the businesswoman's cheeky smile, who has had a lot of fun searching for the necessary items around the mansion, committing innocent little crimes for the sake of love and getting her first tattoo. All this with and for her girlfriend, engaged for half an hour and now wife.  

"We've probably got about 15 minutes before someone comes looking for us, what do you think?" Rebecca nods suggestively towards the immaculate king-size bed.  

"Oh, you want to go straight to the nuptials? Tempting."  

"No more tempting than the things I'm thinking of doing with you when we get back home, lovely wife."  

And that's another promise. 

taglist: @inlovewithmiddleagewomen @unexpected-character @spenc-is-bi @imaginesmultifandoms @dvrkhcld @lovelyy-moonlight @peggy082023 @willowshadenox @storiesofsvu

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[aesethewitch]

Personal Protection: Surviving the Holidays

I'm of the opinion that far too many people around this time of year are fucking around, and it's high time they get to the finding out part. With major holidays right around the corner, many of us will be facing relatives we'd rather not see, parties we'd rather not go to, and conversations we'd rather avoid or exit as soon as possible. Political spats, unwanted opinions, snide remarks -- I believe that what you give out, you ought to receive back.

So, obviously, let's do some magic about it.

There are three main components to my method:

The Bubble;

The Quills; and

The Shake

The Bubble

Exactly what it sounds like, "the bubble" is the outermost layer of protection around you. It's the barrier between you and the unpleasantness you're trying to keep out.

The bubble can be one item carried or worn (such as a hat, crystal, or charm), or it can be multiple. I usually spring for two items, one to absorb/recycle and one to bounce/return to sender.

Absorb:

I've got a relative who is, at their essence, a fucking downer. That would be fine if not for the fact that if they're having a bad time or are mildly uncomfortable, it's about to be everyone's problem. This kind of negativity is something to absorb, not bounce. Sending it back would only double their misery, and that's no good for anyone.

So, instead, I have a special charm that I make for occasions when I know they're going to be around. It consists of a little piece of sponge that's sat in salt for a while atop a transformative sigil. The sponge, once fully charged and ready, will absorb the negative energy and recycle it into more positive feelings.

This means that their negativity won't impact me at all, and I actively improve the atmosphere. Their bad attitude can't do anything if everyone around us is only getting good vibes. The charm is powered by the exchange of negative to positive energy, so it requires no charging. However, it's smart to discard the sponge once it's done its job.

Bounce:

But sometimes, somebody's got to face real consequences. There are some things I don't want to deal with at all. Like gross political opinions from my conservative, religious family members. Or questions about having children.

The idea of the bounce is to reflect things before they reach me. It's a sort of glamor spell that projects an aura of "don't bother." It essentially lets me be passed over for conversations I want to leave or avoid entirely by bouncing attention away from me.

Negative energy, bad vibes, whatever you want to call it -- the goal is to return it to where it's coming from. Someone who's being an asshole will feel like an asshole. If it works right, they'll stop talking altogether because they're so irritated with what they're saying. I've had aggressive, vocal relatives go completely silent because they were receiving their own rancid energy back to themselves instead of the attention they were hoping for.

For me, this spell takes the form of a charm on my keys. It's a form of an evil eye charm -- not the blue-eyed stare you most likely think of, but another symbol meant to distract attention from me to it. It's a little pewter casting of the fig sign, an old and obscene gesture. It works on malevolent spirits best, but it does a great job of repelling unfortunate people, too. It bounces their nonsense back to themselves, often causing confusion, which forces them to reconsider what they're saying.

Again, this lives on my keys, which live in a key bowl when they're not clipped to my pocket or belt loop. The key bowl has a multi-purpose charging setup for the keys, my wallet, and other assorted charms I might wear when I go out.

The Quills

Sometimes, things get past our main line of defenses. That's fine, it happens. But under these circumstances, it happens because someone has deliberately crossed a line. So now, they get the quills.

When I say "the quills," you should be picturing something like a porcupine. Adorable, yes, but fuck with it at your own risk. Those quills aren't just for show, and neither should yours be. This is your second line of defense, and it's where we turn to offense.

Accordingly, the quills aren't passive spells like the bubble. These require conscious activation and direction to give you maximum control over their output. You can make your quills passive, but I often find that baneful workings work best when you're specifically choosing to use them.

Yes, baneful, and let me be perfectly clear: The goal is to harm whoever's crossed the line. You're not just returning to sender. You're catching what they've thrown at you, lighting it on fire, and pitching it back at full force.

To that end, there are two approaches I typically take (and are you sensing a pattern? I like to do things in twos). One spell to sharpen the tongue and give as good as I've gotten, and one to induce the smallest of lingering curses on the target.

Sharpen

The whole point of the quills is to make yourself an inconvenient, difficult target. Part of being difficult to swallow is not going down easily. Often, the answer is to avoid the conversation or problem altogether, but it isn't always possible. Or satisfying.

Sometimes, you gotta take a bitch down.

For me, this charm needs to do two things. It should boost my confidence in standing my ground and add some oomph to my argument. I have a pin with a particular design on it charmed for this purpose. The needle operates as the quill for stabbing (the oomph), and the design provides the confidence. Anointed with my Fuck Off Oil and laid in a dish of salt, garlic, and red chili flakes, the pin becomes extra spicy and effective.

This one has to be recharged each time it's used. It always lives on the same jacket, but I'll anoint it regularly to keep it fresh. If I use the charm on someone, I'll take the pin off at the end of the night and set it in the spicy salt mixture.

Linger

By far one of the most effective methods for reducing nonsense from unpleasant people I interact with regularly is lingering consequences. When someone associates bad luck with interacting with you, even on a subconscious level, they tend to avoid you.

Consider this the "slow poison" on the quills. The goal isn't to ruin their life by any means (although, I suppose you could...). It's just to make yourself unpalatable on an instinctive level. Think of how poisonous frogs are brightly colored to display that they're, you know, deadly. That's what we're doing here.

I prefer to use something kind of dangerous. Something you can hold onto and point with is best, in my experience. I've used a broken piece of glass, a rusty nail or screw, and various thorns. Right now, I'm using one half of a rusty pair of old cooking shears. The handle broke, but the blades are still sharp as hell. Waste not, and all that.

Anoint whatever the sharp, dangerous thing is in an oil infused with herbs and spices of your choice (again, the Fuck Off Oil is a good example). Or, if you prefer, coat it in something like hot sauce, urine, rust, or other corrosive and unpleasant things. Once prepared, stow it in your bag. Or your glove box, if you drive, since this makes a nice on-the-go curse to cast at shitty drivers.

You don't need to pull it out for it to work, but if you can get to a safe, secluded space (like a bathroom), it can help you focus. When you're creating it, you should set up an activation word, phrase, or motion. I prefer a motion -- something like tapping wherever the object is, a swirling movement with my hand, and then pointing at the target.

The curse you place is up to you. I tend to go for something like feeling nauseous or getting a headache. The spell should draw a connection between them being nasty to you and the unpleasant feeling, whether overt or subconscious. They'll be more cautious and reluctant to be a dick to you afterwards.

The Shake

Like a dog. Get that shit off of yourself.

No matter how thorough you are, there are always gaps and particularly stubborn people getting into them. Something they say just sticks to you like a burr, sharp and irritating. Or depressing, maybe.

The idea behind the shake is literal. You're forcibly removing the heavy weight or annoying itch someone else has placed on you. The shake isn't necessarily an item like with the bubble and quills. It can be, but it doesn't have to be.

Essentially, the steps to the shake are:

Identify what feels bad

Shake that shit

Resume normal activities

Maybe it's the neurodivergent in me, but physical movement is incredibly soothing. Self-regulation tactics are essential for survival. Transforming that into a little spell ritual at the same time is just two birds with one stone.

When things get overwhelming or I can feel my bubble failing to keep everything out at once (such as if a fight breaks out or someone decides to go in depth about one of my triggers), I remove myself from the situation. That's the first step. Retreat to a safe place, whether that's outside, in my car, in the bathroom, or elsewhere that's quiet. The second step is to figure out where in my body the anxiety or bad feeling is sitting. Often, it's in my shoulders and hands, but sometimes it's elsewhere.

Step three is to fucking shake. Shake those hands, roll my shoulders, jump up and down. Whatever it takes. As I do, I'm forcibly dislodging everything unpleasant out of myself and into the open air. And because I've got the negativity-absorbing bubble, it'll take the bad feeling and repurpose it into something more positive. Then, once I'm better, I can go back.

Again, you don't need an object for this, but you can certainly create one. Options would be comforting items, fidget toys, or even something like a joint. Sometimes, you just gotta blow smoke about it. You know?

Fun fact, though: You could also carry a vessel to contain the Bad Feelings for later use instead of letting your bubble absorb them. This comes in handy for people who are particularly abusive... as an example of what you want them to experience under the force of a more involved cursing.

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[dira333]

First Touch - Midorima x Soulmate! Reader

Trope: Soulmark at first touch confirms your bond. At the age of eighteen, you automatically gain your soulmark. The marks do not match but are a symbol of your partner.

Requested by @shoulmate

🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.

First Class together

“What’s your problem?” 

Ridiculous green eyes lift to look at you. “What?”

“What’s your problem?” You repeat, your tone a little sharper now. “You think you’re too good for me?”

“Ah,” the girl on his right turns around, “Midorima-kun probably didn’t hear-”

“Oh, he heard just fine, didn’t you?” You ask him, ignoring her. “The teacher told us to break into pairs. You’re working with me.”

“You’re clearly a Scorpio-” Midorima starts but you’ve already pulled your chair over, knees knocking against his under the table. 

“Exactly,” you tell him sharply, “Which means I’m going to stab you if you don’t work with me here. Have you read the first paragraph already?”

-

First test

“How many points do you have?” You ask sharply, test clutched in your fist. “Hah?”

“I’ll see you at practice, Shin-chan!” A dark-haired boy winks at you before skipping away but you don’t care about him. 

“I-” He starts but you just wave your test around like a flag. “Your score, Midorima! I’m waiting.”

“99.”

“99?!” You take a shaky breath. “Just so you know, next time I’ll beat you.”

“It was a bad day for Scorpios-”

Your finger digs into his shirt, not that there’s much to dig in underneath, just muscles and bones. “Don’t give me that. If I lose to you it’s because I didn’t give my best.”

-

First time being questioned

“Why are you so obsessed with Midorima anyway?” One of your friends asks as you glare across the Cafeteria.

“I’m not obsessed,” you argue, “I’m just goal-oriented.”

She snorts. “Or in love.”

“Take that back!” You gasp. “Take that back immediately!”

“Why?” She cackles loudly, “Your favorite vegetable’s the carrot, it fits!”

“That’s got nothing to do with each other!”

She’s still snickering and you can’t help but glance over.

There’s nothing there to tell if he heard this discussion. Not that it’d matter anyway. You’re most definitely not into him.

You just want to be the best one time, is that too much to ask for?

-

First time being offered

A large palm swallows your math test.

You’re barely quick enough to pull your hands out of reach, left to stare in shock as Midorima picks up your test and peers down at the paper.

He’s hard to read, his face a passive mask. 

“If you need help with math, you can just ask.” 

You bristle immediately but he talks on before you can get a word out.

“I’d be willing to tutor you in exchange for your help in English.”

You fall silent, all fight running out of you. 

You don’t like the idea of having to need a Tutor. But on the other hand, if he’s willing to give you a boost to get on his level - or even surpass him - you’d be stupid to decline. And English is your best subject after all.

“Fine,” you snarl, “I can be convinced to help you.”

-

First honest conversation

Midorima is a good teacher.

It’s not something you’ll ever disclose, but he’s good at explaining difficult subjects in a way that makes them easy to understand.

He’s nice too, in a polite, distanced way. As if he’s not used to socializing. It suits him though, you can’t help but think, just like the green of his eyes. 

But you don’t like thinking about his eyes, or his soft green hair or the way he looks when he bends over the table to check your answers, so you think about something else instead.

Your teaching, for example. It could defnitely use some polishing.

“You have many friends,” Midorima points out one evening, in English, as you asked.

“I do?” You ask back.

“How do you do it?”

“Make friends?”

He nods stiffly.

“Well, as you might have been able to notice, I am being myself. Not everyone’s able to deal with me being loud and in your face about things, but those who do just… flock to you.”

“I am being myself,” he says and there’s something to it, a tension you haven’t heard in his voice before.

“And people like you for it,” you try to argue but he levels you with a glare.

“They do not like me.”

And he’s probably right. The teachers might be proud of his accomplishments, but the students don’t really care much for him. They think he’s too stiff, doesn’t care about others, always gets his way. You know because you used to think that too. But where others use it as a reason to keep a distance, you only wanted to put him in his place. Loosen him up, if you will.

And if you dare to be think about it, you’d say you like him most out of all the boys at this school. He’s at least honest with his thoughts, doesn’t try to hide them. But you can’t very well say that, right? 

“What about Takao?” 

-

First touch

“Do you have a soulmark?”

You bristle, but Midorima points at the book in front of him.

“I just read the question, don’t get mad.”

“Well, you would have gotten mad too!”

“I wouldn’t have.”

“Would too.”

“No. I don’t have a soulmark.”

You still. You wouldn’t have expected that comment in a hundred years, even though you should have, probably.

“What?”

“I don’t have a soulmark. Yet.”

You can’t help but look at his hands, his fingers taped into oblivion.

“Well, you cannot touch anyone if you’ve got your fingers taped. And you’re always wearing long-sleeved stuff, of course you don’t have a soulmark yet.”

“I wear no sleeves at training.”

“And I’m sure all you do there is hug the other players. You need to be touched, no fabric between, to receive your mark. Like that.”

You reach out and press two fingers against the inside of his wrist.

His skin is warm and the contact leaves you tingly, as if you’d just got shocked. When you pull back, realizing just how stupid this is, there’s something new on his skin.

There, on the sensitive, soft skin covering the inside of his wrist, sits a mark. A soulmark.

“No way!” You gasp, jumping back from the table. “No way!”

Midorima’s green eyes turn to you and maybe it’s the light in here, but they look almost transparent right now, filled with something you can’t think about right now. Or maybe never.

“I- I have to go home now.” You grab your bag and run.

-

Second touch

“How many points do you have?” Midorima’s voice has a weird undertone to it. 

You’d been able to avoid him for the last few days, your mind still reeling.

He couldn’t be your soulmate, could he? 

You might be a bit too loud sometimes and a bit too bossy most of the time, but you never went around touching people like your friends. If anything you’d have had no problem waiting for your eighteenth birthday to see the little mark pop up only to forget all about it right after.

You’ve never put much thought into it other than that you’d wanted to pick the love of your life yourself. 

And now that…

“How many points do you have?” Midorima asks again, his voice strangely gentle.

“85,” you press through your teeth, hands curled into fists. “You?”

“80,” he drops his test on your desk as if he knew you’d want to see the proof.

And there it is. There’s even a big, fat, red question mark next to it, the teacher just as surprised about this score as you are.

Math is his best subject after all.

“Didn’t you study?” You ask.

“I did,” he offers quietly, adds a few more words under his breath, “I just had something else on my mind.”

“Listen,” your mouth opens before your brain has finished the thought, “about us.”

“It’s okay,” he nods as if to himself. “I understand.”

“No, I don’t think-” But he’s already turned away.

You run after him only a second later, a memory replaying in your head like the world’s worst earworm. 

How he had looked when he had said, all matter of factly, “They do not like me.”

“Midorima?” You catch him at the stairs, almost grabbing him by the elbow but thinking better of it at the last second.

“I do like you.”

He blinks slowly but says nothing.

“I didn’t think I’d ever find… my soulmate. I thought I’d just get my mark at eighteen and fall in love when I was ready for it. Do you… Do you want to have a relationship now? As a first year?”

He shakes his head slowly, understanding blooming over his face.

“Could we…” He’s chewing on his lips now, “Could we be friends then?”

“Yeah,” relief washes over you and you offer your hand, “Friends.”

He shakes your hand and it sends a tingling sensation up your arm, your mind following a second too late.

“Oh,” you both exclaim in unison and you pull back your hand to look at it. There, on your palm, sits a tiny, scowling carrot.

“It could be worse,” you say, and you think he agrees.

-

1095th touch

Your hand finds Shintarou’s on the way in, his fingers untapped, warm against yours.

Takao’s talking about something, but you can’t really focus on the words, too busy realizing that Shintarou had been holding something in his hand before you took it, the item now pressed in between.

It’s a button.

You look to check and his cheeks turn pink when he notices.

The second button of his blazer is missing.

“Are you even listening?” Takao asks to your left and you shake your head.

“No, never. Shintarou, did you just hand me my lucky item of the day?”

“I did,” he says, clearing his throat. But he does not pull his hand away. 

Knowing him, he will keep it where it is until he has to let go in the classroom.

“You’re no fun,” Takao whines, throwing an arm around you, “Save me a seat at lunch, lovebirds, okay?” You can see him winking at Shintarou from over your shoulder before he turns and walks away, calling after some girl.

-

You’re not really sure when you started holding hands regularly. You do remember, however, the first time you did. 

The thrill of anticipation, anxiety bubbling up in your throat until, finally, your hands mold against each other, fit like they were meant to be like that since the beginning. He usually runs a little warm and you usually run a little cold and you know he’d taken off the tapes around his fingers only for you.

You know for a fact that everyone thinks you two are dating. And maybe you are. You never really bothered to talk about it after that first awkward discussion in the hallway.

There are other things to talk about.

Which College to go to after High School and what to major in. If you’re going to work during the break or not, using your free time to bother him instead. What to get his little sister for her own graduation and how to make sure Takao doesn’t interrupt what you’ve begun to call “Nap time”.

No one ever naps during nap time. 

But no one needs to know that but the two of you, snuggled up on his or your bed, pretending that what you’re doing right now isn’t cuddling and that brushing your lips over his isn’t kissing.

Because friends don’t do that kind of thing, right? 

But who are you kidding, if you cannot hide your feelings even from yourself?

-

You’re almost at the door of your classroom when you pull in the other direction.

Shintarou could easily drag you through the door but he follows your lead, up the stairs and to the roof, silently accepting that he’ll miss the first class of his last day.

The air is already thick outside, the summer heat turned all the way up. 

But it’s a little easier to breathe out here where no one else is watching, where you have to focus on nothing else but his warm green eyes.

“I am in love with you,” you tell him, hand still in his, “I think we should clear this up. I don’t want to be just friends any longer.”

His smile grows slowly but surely and it’s like watching the sun rise over his face.

“Does that mean I can call you my girlfriend now?” He asks after he’s pulled you in and kissed you, spoke all the words he couldn’t say into his touch.

“I’ll bite you if you don’t.”

🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.🥕.

If you ever saw the first version of this on AO3, no you don't.

My Kofi if you'd like to tip me

[littlediscoveredstars]

Alright I’m on my Yugioh shit, but I think what Pegasus did to Seto Kaiba was waaaay more personal than any other Yugioh villain.

None of my thoughts are organized, but I’ll try to get it out in some kind of way that makes sense.

Let me first start by saying that Seto Kaiba is a minor through the whole series. This is important to his character, almost more than the others, because it is exactly what he’s trying to erase about himself.

Kaiba dresses himself up in outfits that accent his masculine features similar to how an adult will. His shoulder pads make his shoulders seem broader. His coat goes inward to give a very triangular shape to his torso. He’s got belts everywhere (and while yes, this is just the style of Yugioh, I believe it cannot be completely written off as just that).

At the base of it, Kaiba wants to be seen as an adult. He NEEDS to be. He runs a company and is in near constant threat of being taken advantage of by others. We see this many times throughout the show, especially by Pegasus.

Now, to connect things once again. Kaiba is a minor who was thrust into adulthood far too early, yet, he engages in child-like activities. Duel Monsters, while used for their ancient shadow games, is still just a game. A game Kaiba is OBSESSED with, to the point he becomes the face of the Blue Eyes White Dragon.

(Which is his symbol of power and autonomy over others, which further proves why he so badly hates the ancient talk, but that’s another essay)

Pegasus is the created (re-created, technically) of Duel Monsters. He made the paintings, the cards, the rules. He shows in many tournaments (assumed based off episode 2) and given how much Kaiba has won? I’m guessing they met before becoming business partners.

In short, it makes sense that Pegasus would be an important figure to Kaiba. Maybe an idol, an inspiration, or whatever it might be. Kaiba saw Pegasus and saw a man who’s game kept him alive through his years with Gozaburo, who gave him a connection to his own brother.

Pegasus is powerful. Pegasus has full control of his own actions. He is everything Kaiba wants and changed KaibaCorp. to be.

A little ways down the line, Pegasus becomes his business partner. Kaiba gets to work a littler closer with him. We never see what exactly that entailed besides letting Kaiba use the Blue Eyes (and other cards) without copyright issues and Pegasus using the holographic stages, but even that is a significant exchange.

(Makes me wonder if things hadn’t turned out the way they did, would Kaiba and Duke Devlin view him the same way?)

Then, Pegasus starts Duelist Kingdom. He uses Kaibams vulnerability to his advantage and steps in to take over. He kidnaps Mokuba, then takes his soul and shows it off like a trophy.

Pegasus has not just betrayed Kaiba’s trust, but he turned into a real person for Kaiba. It shows him that, just like everyone else, Pegasus is greedy and selfish. He takes what Kaiba worked so hard for, what he loves, just because he can. And he does so with the same smiles and teasing as before.

It’s beyond disappointment. This is heating your favorite person side with your abusers. This is a childhood hero watching you get kicked and laughing as he kicks you alongside them.

So, naturally, Kaiba won’t forgive him. We see in Battle City how bruised Kaiba’s ego is. He’s mad at Yugi, he’s mad at Izushi, no one is saved from his ire. Even Mokuba gets the short stick every so often. He is compensating BIG TIME and it’s directly connected to how things went over last season.

Might I add that Duelist Kingdom takes place less than a year after Kaiba took over KaibaCorp? This is a still pretty fresh CEO with some very big trauma that he simply has not dig into yet.

I think in a world where Pegasus was not so disillusioned by his own desperation to revive Cecelia, he would’ve been a good mentor to Kaiba. They both have a love for games, for the visual experience (painting and holograms) and they’re both very particular. Honestly, their traits would work relatively well, all things considered.

But it didn’t and we see Kaiba go through cycle after cycle of trying to get better and stumbling every step of the way.

Anyway, that’s my TedTalk. As a Pegasus enjoyed and Kaiba analysis, I found this topic very fascinating.

[rascalentertainments]

Wish Granted 🌟👩🏾🎶 (Wish Reimagined)

Chapter 1: Once Upon A Time...

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

We open up our story with the Disney 100th anniversary logo:

Then it transitions to the Walt Disney Productions title with the overture from Snow White playing, followed by the casts of the story and the people who worked together to create it. The next shot brings us a message from Walt himself, leftover from his very first movie.

(They had the AUDACITY to leave that out!? Shows how grateful they are...)

It fades to black and shows the camera panning over to a fancy 3D storybook with the title "Wish Granted" on the cover, and it slowly opens up, turning to the first couple of pages.

The narration begins with a young woman's voice reading in a calm, yet cheerful voice.

Once upon a time, in a land…pretty far away, there was a kingdom off the coast of the Iberian Peninsula. A Kingdom full of magic, dreams and wonder, Rosas.

The book then turns a page to show two pictures, one portraying a man, a woman and a lynx. The other showing a large kingdom near the sea.

In this kingdom ruled by King Magnifico and Queen Amaya, Rosas is a safe place for people all over the world. No matter where a person is from, they will have a safe and happy life. However.....

The book flips to the next page, showing Magnifico taking a wish from a citizen. On the first page, the woman his happily giving it to him, but on the second, she looks incredibly sad, gently clutching her chest with sorrow.

When you arrive, you must give your greatest wish to the king in exchange to live there. The cost of it leaves with you with an empty feeling inside, never being able to fill the hole in your heart until the king grants it himself.

The book flips to another page showing a girl in purple, a yellow glowing person, their pet goat looking upwards and the shadowy figure of the royals holding the wishes in their hands.

This is a story about a girl, a star, a goat, a kingdom and a wish. This is a story about how anyone can make their wishes come true....

The camera then zooms in on the next page, transitions into 2D as it goes directly into the storybook.

We see few boats crossing the sea, making their way towards Rosas. A little redheaded girl is taking a look at the approaching kingdom. "Look, mommy! Is that it? Is that our new home?" she asked enthusiastically, pointing ahead. Her mother joined her and nodded as a smile crept across her face. "Yes, dear. That's Rosas." she said with hope in her eyes as they approach the new land.

Speaking of the new land, one of the citizens is seen at the port. A teen boy with collar length blonde hair, was waiting to greet them. The biggest thing that stood out to him was the red tunic and yellow scarf around his neck. The boy was waving a flag with the symbol of Ross' embroided on it, signaling them to the port.

The teen took a deep breath and started pacing back and forth, talking to himself. "All right, Flazino. You can do this. You've done this dozens of times. Just pretend you're not sending them to their possible suffering....I've got a bad feeling about it."

Flazino heard the people approaching and quickly slapped on a smile. He spun around and greeted the newcomers with open arms.

"Haha! Hola, Shalom, Salam! Welcome to your new home! You're going to love it here, especially our magnificent rulers! Everyone ready?"

The travelers cheer in agreement and follow the boy through the gates of the kingdom.

🎵 Welcome to Rosas 🎵🌹

Flazino

Magnifico

Amaya

Group singing

Oh, Welcome to Rosas, an amazing kingdom. Where the possibilities are more than you can fathom!

(Flazino signals for the crowd to follow him as they pass through the gates)

There's no other place just as full of surprise, Where your dreams and your reality can collide!

(He passes by a man who's juggling 10 balls at once, hinting that his wish was to be the best juggler in the kingdom)

The most magical place on Earth, where most wondrous ideas give birth! You want to make dreams your come true? Well, have I got good news for you!

(He gives a wink and other residents start appear around him for the chorus)

(The background characters- I mean the Rosas citizens who haven't had their life force drained yet start to dance)

'Cause here in the city of Rosas (Oh, ah-ah)

You can turn all your wanting to wishing No what-ifs, ands or buts Oh, here in the city of Rosas (Oh, ah-ah) It's unlikely that you’ll be unhappy No need to make a fuss

(Flazino lifts the little girl onto his shoulders as they continue) A home for me (Me) For you (You) And all of us (Us) Thе city of Rosas

(He leads the group over to a small theater showing little muppets of Magnifico and Amaya. The following moments and dancing scenes are also a reference to the "Topsy Turvy" song number from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Love that movie)

So like, we have this king named Magnifico

(He points to muppet versions of the royals, with the Magnifico one holding his scepter high)

He built Rosas many years ago

(the background has a little cardboard replica of the kingdom rising behind it.)

With lightning for hands and eyes that can glow

(He raises his hands creepily and jokingly to the child, but she gasps in fear)

No, no, no, I'm just kidding! But he is powerful! They're just like us with a twist.

(He ruffles her hair playfully)

So much power, too much to list! (Oh, wow!) The magic exists, And there you have it, poof, there's your wish! Oh and, hey did I mention when you turn eighteen? You get to give your wish in a ceremony And he keeps them safe, every wish he acquires (Wish he acquires) And once a month he grants someone’s greatest desire (Greatest desire)

(The puppets show the King taking a tiny blue orb from a puppet citizen, then it dances around as if it just won a million dollars)

It could be you someday, or you, even you! Oh, I can't wait! (He points to three different people on each "you", with a couple them looking doubtful)

(A man asks) Does it hurt? (the girls asks) Do you cry?

(Before Flazino can reply, Magnifico just pops in in front of him, the boy giving a look that says "Where the he'll did you come from!?") Oh, no, and you won't even miss it when you say "goodbye"

(He holds the note on "bye" to show off his singing, while Flazino rolls his eyes in annoyance)

(Then Amaya jumps in to take over part of the final chorus) 'Cause here in the city of Rosas (Oh, ah-ah) You can turn all your wanting to wishing

No what-ifs ands or buts,

Oh, here in the city of Rosas (Oh, ah-ah) It's unlikely that you’ll be unhappy

No need to make a fuss

(The royals take this chours proudly singing, while Sabor stands with a sly smile as he basks in all the attention they're getting. Flazino is visually annoyed and rolls his eyes. He then tries to look for an opening so he can finish the song)

A home for me (Me)

For you (You)

And all of us (Us)

The city of Rosas

(Flazino quickly steps in front of the royals during "And all of us" to try and finish the song, then Magnifico steps in front of him and blocks him with his cape. During the final line, He then raises his hands to the sky and releases an explosion of fireworks and it decorates the area in magical sparkles)

As sparkles and rose petals shower the audience, applause echoes throughout the stadium. The newcomers were chatting and cheering amongst each other. Flazino was used to this part, its practically pure dopamine when people first arrive and hear one man can grant people's desires. This whole song their idea in the first place, and he's performed it a hundred times. You'd think they at least let him sing the propaganda song!

"I can't wait to get my wish granted now!"

"There's so much I want to ask for!"

"They're such a beautiful couple!"

The little redhead girl from earlier was especially excited. "I'm gonna wish for something real big when I grow up! I want to bring everyone I can here so they can be happy like us!" She giggled and continued to clap her hands.

Flazino's smile faded hearing this. This kid was going to grow up and loose her happiness in the blink of an eye.

Magnifico could see the boy's expression change and cleared his throat. "Well now, I suppose that's enough excitement for you today. We've made good work making our new friends feel welcome." He said sternly.

The boy quickly changed his demeanor. "O-oh. T-thank you, your high-"

He was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a lynx inches away from his face. The feline had a rather angry look on his face. Though he's usually like that when he's has to deal with anyone but his beloved owner. He was being carried by his arms by the Queen.

"Now that all that noise is finished. "You can make yourself useful by giving Sabor here his breakfast." She demanded. "Poor dear must be starving. Aren't you?" she cooed.

Sabor purred....and licked his mouth as he looked Flazino as if he was the breakfast himself. That's definitely not a good sign.

"Uh....yeah, I'll get right on that." The boy responded as he gingerly picked up the lynx and did his best to carry him in his arms. He was only a couple years old, but he weighed as much as a full grown goat. That or the boy wasn't all that strong. "How much do you eat anyway?" Sabor grunted in offense.

"That's a good apprentice! Run along, now!" Magnifico slightly mocked the boy as he left. In a low voice he mumbled. "Peasant boy."

Flazino stopped walking for a moment and looked behind him. He saw the two royals eating up the praise and attention they were getting from the people. The newcomers were enamored with them while the longtime citizens gently clapped, but not nearly as enthusiastically. In fact, they seemed a little sleepy, some with half lidded eyelids.

The boy felt a sharp pain on his shoulder, which made him come back to his senses. Sabor had scratched his shoulder to remind him of his obviously more important meal. (Can you say "spoiled"?)

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'll get Dhalia to make your breakfast." He mumbled as he walked down from the stage and away from the crowd.

We crossfade to outside of the Kingdom, as hours pass and day turns to night. Its been a long, stressful day for Flazino, especially when most of tasks were just basic chores, going on errands and maybe learn some magic from Magnifico, if he decided he was ready. Its all become the norm. But there was one thing he was able to do without the watchful eye of the king.

"About that time of month again?" asked a girl as she brought Flazino a horse. The sorcerers' apprentice gathered his bags for his trip and gave the girl a nod. "You got it, Bazeema. Those mushrooms take a whole month to grow, and you know much the king loves those." He gently patted the horse on the snout then proceed to mount it. He pulled up the hood over to seemingly cover his head from the chill air.

"Would you mind finding some herbs while you're there? Just a few things like parsley, rosemary and thyme." she asked softly.

"Sure thing." the boy said with a smile. He signed the horse to start walking towards the gate.

"Are you sure those bag aren't too heavy for you?" Bazeema asked, looking worried about the weight it could put both his back and the horse's.

Flazino waved a hand as he continued forward, not looking back. "No need to worry, I'm not helpless." he called to her, with a laugh.

He quietly passed through the gates. Looking in all directions to make sure no one else was nearby. Once the coast was clear. The boy said in a low voice, "I'm far from helpless." He tightened the reins and made the horse transition from a gallop to a run.

The horse reacted and took off at a great speed. Flazino traveled further and further forward until Ross was no longer visible. He traveled for about an hour, passing a giant obnoxious sign of the smug king pointing to the kingdom with a sign that read: "To Rosas: Where all your wishes will come true".

The trees became a blur as he ran through the forest like a ghost. He finally reached the deepest part of the woods, were many branches of trees overlapped each other, as if blocking something from entering.

Flazino reached into one of his bags and pulled out a small green vial, that glowed brightly in his hands. He uncorked the vial and whispered to it in latin: "Ineo."

He threw the liquid at the branch's and waited. The branches started to shake, startling the horse. Flazino patted him on the head. "Easy, Achilles. Nothing to be scared off." ,he comforted the animal. Magnifico may not have taught him much magic like he wished for, but the boy watched and learned whenever the King performed his spells. It payed off rather well for him.

The branches slowly opened up, revealing an entrance to a hidden village within the forest itself.

The trees closed off the entrance behind him as Flazino slowly entered the safe haven for those who fled from the Royal's tyranny. This was the Hamlet.

✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

OH MY GOD, ITS FINALLY DONE! CHAPTER 1 IS HERE AND DONE! AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!

Would you believe that this took over a week to do this? This wasn't meant to be that long, but the way I write, everything plays out like a movie, so that's why its a bit longer. 😅 I also chose this way to start it because a majority of rewrites usually start with Asha in some way, so I wanted to do a bit of a twist and start it off through Flazino instead and then lead to Asha.

Another fun thing is that while I haven't read all the rewrites out there (I don't have all that time, unfortunately), but I rarely see Flazino used, if at all. So it was like I was given a clean slate to work with. Plus some people figured out he was helping the Hamlet in the deleted scenes and was the original Sorcerers' Apprentice, which gave me inspiration for this. He's like a double agent in this telling, and he'll be important to the story later on. The design I had in mind for him was a reference to Arthur from The Sword in the Stone, with a bit of Jim Lake from Troll hunters mixed in. Sooooo imagine he's voiced by Josh Keaton, he's a good VA for these types of roles (As you can tell, I may have gotten attached to this guy, lol 😅) So he'll be getting his own bio later on.

And how about those royals, huh? THEY ARE TOTAL GLORY HOGS! 😂 They're incredibly narcissistic in this version, but most people see it as charming and don't catch on. Plus I wanted them to have have the classic Disney broadway sequence during the song, cause I think the movie would've benefited from it. (Flazino is more like a jester to them than an apprentice, hence the Clopin reference.) They put on smiles, act nice and give you the Hollywood treatment, but its all just to get those wishes. There is no redeeming them here, they're villains. Straight up.

Also, BIG thank you to @signed-sapphire for helping me with rewriting the Rosas song too! They gave me a great guide to making new lyrics and it really worked out! And for everyone who took the time to read to this point! You earned a big hug! 😊

It'll be a while before chapter 2, cause I want to finish Kingdom of Wishes first,in case I get more ideas. But for now, feel free to ask any questions on my rewrite and leave as many comments as you want!

Thanks for reading!

@wings-of-sapphire. @oh-shtars @chillwildwave @tumblingdownthefoxden

@uva124 @emptyblog7 @emillyverse @mythartist21

@ishadow246 @spectator-zee @kenihewa @your-ne1ghbor

@annymation @gracebeth3604

[rin-and-jade]

A Cup, and A Thread: A Post About System Communication

Hey, you know classic string telephone? The one made with two plastic cups and a piece of yarn, i suppose you recognize that old-school science toy? It's one of the simplest inventions that showcases how messages are sent from one place to another!

This little invention is very fitting to explain how inner communication works, so i hope today's theme of analogy will help you understand all of my messages im about to share, with a twist of a fiber.

There's a lot of things i want to address on this topic, thanks to all my 8 great friends who had helped me gather a variety of insights on what seems to be the problem, i have the answers right here that will be shared to the community, because of them!

You know what communication is?

I sure do, but let's both revise on what it means, according to Merriam-Webster, it's defined as..

"a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior."

It also means "a technique for expressing ideas effectively."

..Alright, we should be in the same page now, but, do we actually know what counts as 'good' communication in system context? After some examination from the given data, it was a resounding "No." This can also mean many may not have a clear idea on it, which will also be addressed.

Okay, tell me please?

Before i do tell, remember that communication is diverse, with no perfect or right way to do so. Just like animals, where different species use unique methods to pull it off, means can systems have their own unique styles too.

There are a few examples we see in animals; like how some use pheromones to talk to its own kind, while some read off from their signature body languages, and some use tones or cues that is meant to be recognized specifically, to each their own meanings.

So, good communication means ensuring that everyone in the system can understand and receive messages effectively which eases functioning and cooperation, regardless of how frequent or indirect the communication may be.

For us, systems have unique internal methods of communication that are based on how our brains function, not having any unique features in animals. These methods are very personal, so find what works best for you.

Here are the common styles so far:

Verbal: Where you talk aloud, or in a media like notes.

Abstract vibes: Where you speak no words, which encompasses feelings, or concepts, or ideas, that can be "felt" instead of heard or seen.

Images: Where the share of messages are conveyed through memories, expressive actions or symbols that are projected in the mind.

Direct thoughts: Where an internal dialogue is present, parts communicate using this inner voice, that can vary in different accents and intonations.

The media represents a lot of the stereotypical kind, direct thoughts, while the rest are less recognized. These four kinds are not limited to, but are the ones often represented, they are equally as important and real.

It's important to note that alters within a system can have different communication styles, or the collective may share the same style. You can't force yourself to use a particular kind, so focus on practicing and mastering your style.

..But there's many problems!

Which is why it's a good idea to educate yourself and find proper solutions in order to resolve them. I know some of them at best, as there might be issues i have not heard of, though will still be shared.

Consider a clear communication between two alters with an example of both cups, connected to the string with no obstructive noise at the background while exchanging messages, one conveys the content clearly, and the other hears and received with maximum clarity/understanding. This will be our main example that will be used to compare with the problems that usually arise in this topic.

The problem with multi-talking

Now, to explain interruptions from another part would be like having an extra string-attached cup tied to the middle of the initial cup, now with two inputs and one receiver, the messages will overlap each other and become obscured.

This can be resolved by being aware, then slowing down when talking and take turns between each other to avoid clashes which can easily overwhelm or confuse the receiver, or even the sender itself since losing track of thought or words can happen.

The problem with worser performance from stress

When stress happens, this can sometimes mess up your state to receive messages, imagine that outwards stressors had pulled and tugged your thread, now a bit twisted out and weak, which still can be used to communicate and hear, but now in a weaker clarity.

Because parts communicate mostly from internal ways, our brain networks are responsible to allow when activities inside (that doesn't necessarily involve system things) can happen. Just like how imagination runs in a mind that's wandering off, stress alerts you instead, snapping off from any safe or calm activities until the 'threat' is resolved.

You can gain temporary clarity by calming yourself down and bring all your focus to send your messages if any responds, if it doesn't happen, it would be best to wait it out until you naturally feel at ease once more, or solve the issue at hand and try again afterwards.

This may not work when you are in a fight or flight response, if you do got cutted off and need to contact anyone from inside, try using strong triggers to probe a response.

The problem with ineffective communication

It is like talking to a part who uses a rubber strand instead of cotton string as its mediator. Threads can conduct finer vibrations that can preserve the original verbal message, while rubber can represent for those who use vibes, as they're more broad and less specific. So if they attempt to talk to you with rubber, you might not receive it's message well,

This can be solved with having another part that are flexible or able to decipher, or find the middle ground where both can exchange better. (e.g. texts)

The problem of talking outside your subgroup

This is where it gets tricky, because there is a notable difference in communication where it's easier to converse inside your group while it's harder to converse outside of your group. What i mean by group is they are the people you meet and talk the most and have easy time communicating.

Imagine that the same group has the same length of the thread, the shorter, the better it retains or transfers message with no effort. Talking outside of your group would require you an extra pair of string telephone, but this time the thread is long as you're talking to another neighboring group, who isn't directly related with you.

Suggestions varies from trying different medias to contact with and see what works best, or rely on someone who have direct relations with the group you mean to interact with, acting as a bridge. Lowering barriers by consenting to get closer in co-conscious might do the trick too. Long term solution would be building ties to strengthen communication. (can also work with layers, better if you can 'travel' there to get direct interactions)

The problem with front and innerworld disconnection

It is normal to be out of contact from the inside when you're fronting, since this would mean you put down the cup to focus doing task or role job. To remedy this, try finding a moment to sit down or close your eyes, and feel yourself going back to your mind, since in order to contact those inside, you must lightly disconnect from the real world to focus better inwards.

The problem with having aphantasia

As if you heard the noise from the cup, but you're not sure where that sound is coming from nor aware of your surroundings as this condition blinds you visually (can vary from mild to severe, blurry/vague mental images to blank respectively).

Your innerworld is still there, using visualization is one way to immerse in, start relying on your tactile awareness, or your 'radar' that is, since it is possible to detect parts in your proximity. Rely on tangible medias such as texting or notes to keep track of things.

The problem with external noise

Having a comorbid of something, such as ADHD, autism, or OCD can create a mental chatter that exists in the background constantly.. if not most of the time, imagine that the location of the telephone is somewhere bustling, now it is harder to tell which one is intrusive, random chatters, or an alter's voice.

There is not a lot to say except learning how to separate those noises from your people, it is done best by slowing down and voice your messages wide and clear to create a distinction from such background chatter, making it easier to differentiate.

Other conditions like depression and anxiety can also affect the clarity and ease of communicating.

The problem with distinguishing others

For those with comorbids and aphantasia, this can make it much harder, though still possible! One last problem with communication is sometimes not knowing who is who, which creates obstacles in different ways. Imagine that there are multiple cups lined up to you as the receiver, this creates difficulty on pinpointing whose speaking. Thus, having problems on replying back or made sure if the first sentence relate to the second one, or it belonged to someone else.

The only solution there is, has to be a long term one. As you're suggested to slowly collect and recognize different speech pattern, assigned vibes of other parts, when they usually reply or what topics/mentions brings them up, and different accents or tone if any.

It is not required to 'know' physical attributes or what they look like, but this one will help a ton and usually the easiest way in distinguishing who is who. The solution is to go through a trial and error (arrange all the attributes you like/feel connected to, and see what sticks) and document all the findings somewhere, incase you're forgetful/difficulty memorizing.

Special mentions

It is worth knowing that communication is greatly affected by your state of mind + physical health, the conditions you have, the maturity of the alter in communicating skills, and the style you or the collective dominantly have.

That being said, having the same role, or source, or how old or new an alter is doesn't generally affect the ease of exchanging messages.

Lastly, inner communication also obeys similar rules to how conversation works in real life, this can be taken from examples:

The proximity of the talker you're with affects how much you can understand what is being said. It makes sense that you need to focus harder to hear what the mumbles meant when they're further away from you.

Being with people you can vibe along always results in a better and more effective exchange, as you don't have to explain twice for them to get the message. (mutual understanding)

How loud the environment is also affects how focused/undisturbed you are within a conversation, and it takes effort to separate the background noise to catch what they're saying.

People also have their own ways of expressing their message, some are more dominant in body language or etc. This is why it is important to recognize and understand what it means. You will always have your own dominant way of socializing, but this doesn't mean you can't learn other ways, partially.

Now comprehending the concept of system communication does become easier, right? This should serve as a good framework to start building and understanding connections.

One last phone call

I hope everything i have said here has been loud and clear, if there is a problem that has not been mentioned that needs fixing, give this string telephone a tug and i'd answer your call alright?

May this post address all the things you need more than a hotline help centre and leave with full satisfaction.

If you please, i will now indulge in the whole history of telephone strings, join me if you wish! Did you know it's originally made of tin can instead of a plastic cup?

-- The next post that will be out: all about introjection. Stay tuned!

- j

[kuni-is-daddy]

imagine scaramouche being ghostface, him killing each and one of your friends and family untill it's just the two of you alone. After you found out that he's been the one killing your friends and family, you could never forgive him or love him again. Until one night after he was done killing someone he comes through your window, covered in blood and everything, you being scared that he's gonna kill you next but he doesn't instead he's like "I did all this for you my love." And it goes to smut, your body and clothes being covered in blood from whenever he would touch you with his bloody hands. (I got the idea from what I'm writing of ghostface scaramouche but I haven't really been writing it much😭 and sorry if it doesn't make sense)

NO KAMI, THE PRODIGAL: "LACRIMOSA"

Yandere/Killer Scaramouche X GN READER

TW: k!lling

SCARA'S KILLIN BUDDY IS CHILDE/TARTAGLIA.

PURE ANGST. 1.2k WORDS

Scara masterlist!

--MINORS DNI---

Yandere scaramouche who gives you a necklace before he leaves for sumeru that you should NEVER take off, that was made by his friend sandrone. Whenever you'd open the pendant, it was a picture of the two of you on your first date and would play a little tune of the song he made for you. "Na..zou...Na....Gah...Sah....lehh...Vall...Esss."

Yandere scaramouche who gave that To SPY on you through the mini recorder inside of it that would work as long as the necklace was tied around your neck, Once untied it would have to be re-tied to activate and connect to his phone during missions in sumeru. The necklace was waterproof- fireproof. Just so many 'proofs' that hearing him babble on about it made you sick You reassured him you'd never take it off.

Yandere scaramouche who would Listen in on his phone as your friends tried to convince you to dump him "No offense y/n but this "scaramooke" you corrected them "scaramouche." "yeah. He sounds like a bozo. Your too pretty to be waiting for like what now? a year for some man that never came back for you." The others joined in "yeah look at his goofy ass hair and how short he is. Like a midget. Bet his dick Small af" "Honestly if he really loved you, he would've kept his word and stayed with you, here in inazuma." How about when he comes back. We say something happened to you, that everyone he loved died to make him regret it all." "He's probably more concerned with his mom being on his ass 24/7 instead of staying for you.

Yandere scaramouche who's heart breaks realizing their is no connection to the necklace, symbolizing you took it off. Hesitantly you did and gave it to your best friend, but you felt worried. You made a promise to never take it off, but its been so long. surely he wouldn't mind if you did once? You handed it to your friend with a sigh of relief. "See y/n you need to live a little. Relax... Say, how about we have a party at your house next monday! It'll relax your nerves from this scaradook guy, I know your parents are always worried but they wont mind!" This time, you laughed at the nickname they gave him.

Yandere scaramouche who would spend his time killing hundreds in the abyss with tartaglia as further motivation to kill your friends. Picturing, Envisioning and fetishizing their lifeless bodys. "Next monday, next monday" He repeated over and over in his head

Since he put on a show for tartaglia, Tartaglia willingly offered to pair up for missions in exchange for him to go to inazuma in time for the party.

"Hey scara.." "What do you want?" "Are you going to hurt y/n?" 'Why the fuck would you even assume that? Actually, why is it even your buisness?" "Because ive seen you kill scara. I know how you are even if you dont admit it. You do stupid things when your in the moment, I know that more then anybody in battle. Watch yourself."

Yandere scaramouche who spys on you from a distance, watching you decorate your house for the party. Missing how you'd undress yourself infront of him. How he could rip those clothes off when he was desperate to fuck you after 'his work'

Yandere scaramouche hesitating for the right time to make the move, realizing your not in the house. When suddenly the app he used to stalk you was working 'was y/n wearing the necklace again?' he checked. "AwW buT guYS. I loVeEe ScAwAmouChe. He'LL coME bacCW soON. I dont nEeD A neW boyFriEND" Your best friend said while wearing the necklace. "FUCK you sCARA YOU SUCK. How about wE FIND HER A BOYFRIEND THEN SEND YOU A PIC OF HER GIVING HIM A KISS. HE'S MUCH BETTER THAN Y-

Yandere scaramouche who busts open and closes the door. Going on a rampage killing all your friends. Bashing heads against the wall. Stabbing and punching. Your best friend reaches for their phone to call 9/11 but gets stabbed in the leg and trembles to the ground.

Yandere scaramouche who is in a high from the mass killing he just did. watching the blood drip all over his body. He hears the doorbell ring and the lock on the door starting to turn. He rushes to the door and stabs the first people he see's...which ends up being your parents. He didnt even mean to kill your parents but he's too far gone now and stacks up the bodys in your bathroom. He picks up your best friends body, Looks at the necklace then repeats what they said. "if he really loved you, he would've kept his word and stayed with you." "I am here now..For my love."

Yandere scaramouche who'd hide behind the door waiting for you to come, Pushing you down to the floor after you shut the door to see your EX-S/o Covered in blood and your best friend dead on the ground, crying and kicking at scaramouche to let you go and that its over while muttering nonsense. "Over? Y/n I did this for you my love. Did you hear how they talked about us?" "B-BUT IT WAS TRUE SCARA. Y-YOU DIDNT EVEN OFFER TO COME BACK FOR ME." "Y/n.." He sighed "I tried telling you. It was complicated. You said you loved me forever baby. what was 1 little year away from you going to change? I still love you as you can see." "Scara your delusional..Let me go.." "You have alot of nerve talking to me like this y/n. After all ive done for you. But look at you baby, Like a fine painting covered in your best friends blood. Give me a kiss."

Yandere scaramouche who pulls you into a kiss but you elbow him in his face then kick him off of you, Stumbling over blood and clothes on the floor while running out of the door. You tried to run but he was ultimately faster than you. "Y/N, LOVE, PLEASE DONT DO THIS, I DONT WANT TO HAVE TO HURT YOU BABY. COME FUCKING BACK TO ME. Y/N!! I swear..YOU FUCKING HUMANS ARE ALL THE SAME. Y/N!!!!!" it was terrifying. You kept running until you bumped into a tall ginger haired man, thinking he was an inazuman local you ranted off. "P-PLEASE YOU HAVE TO HELP ME. MY S/O- I-I MEAN SCARAMOUCHE YOU KNOW HIM RIGHT? SHORT MAN, HE- HE KILLED MY FRIENDS AND-" Little did you know it was childe you bumped into.

Who's last words you heard we're "sorry" before everything turned black.

[cry-ptidd]

Okay! Thank you so much! And I might ramble and shit gets sad and dark real quick.

To me, Abraham Van Helsing has/had a bleeding heart. Abraham cares deeply about not just about his loved ones, but everyone. He symbolizes agape - the love for your fellow man - in my story. Yes he is morally ambiguous, and later turned cruel, but he always believed it was for the greater good. He does have a bit of a savior and martyr complex though, and he lies and tells ‘half-truths’ and keeps people in the dark about certain things to ‘protect them.’ Abraham is Christian - Protestant- but he has some witchcraft in his veins, he knows this and honors both his lineage and his Christian beliefs, you could technically classify him as a ‘Christian witch.’

In my story, the Hellsing family has been close friends with two other families; Blacklocks and the Youngbloods. The Blacklocks and Youngblood were similar to House Hellsing, but the magic in their blood has been heavily diluted, barely existent.

Abraham was life-long friends with Arlo and Diora Blacklock, he is the uncle/godfather to their children; Twins (19) Lydia and Killian, and Jaime (9). In comes Katherina ‘Kathy’ Youngblood, whose parents died when she was little and Abraham and the Blacklocks took her in and she was raised along side the twins. Even before Arlo’s death, Abraham personally attended to the sickly and bedridden Diora, especially when she had Jaime months after Arlo’s death. Abraham would also later personally attend to Kathy as she got older and developed unexplainable chronic pain.

Abraham loved those kids. At the time, they were the closest thing he had to children of his own. Lydia was joy and loveliness incarnate, Killian was broody but grounded, Jaime with his youthfulness was a calming balm on everyone’s soul, and Kathy was as quick as a whip and extremely intelligent. With Kathy, when she was 18 and expressed a desire to become a physician- proper Victorian etiquette be damned - Abraham leaped and hollered for joy and picked her up and spun her, exclaiming that god has gifted him another prodigy. And so, he began to teach her what he knew, even took her to the night classes he lectured at the local university.

She showed great promise, she was talented and driven and compassionate.

Then came Dracula, who they knew as ‘Vlad’ at the time. Through time and unforeseen circumstances that would force them all to work together, and Kathy, ‘Vlad’ soon became ingrained into their sudden, odd, mismatched family.

Abraham blames himself greatly for what would happen 15 months later. Her knew something was wrong, he felt it in his gut.

Killian had been sent away for a series of assignments over seas months ago, they all knew he would be gone for a long while but each of the letters he sent back felt wrong even though in them he claimed he was fine and that he was just very busy. (Dracula had left Killian for dead and at the mercy of his Brides a year ago, all that time Killian was suffering and everyone back home was ignorant to it. Abraham never forgave himself for that).

Kathy was becoming close to ‘Vlad,’ the two exchanging looks when they thought he and the others weren’t looking or shared cryptic sentences between each other when he thought he or the others wouldn’t catch on. He turned a blind eye to it because ‘Vlad’ made Kathy happy. Abraham knew what ‘Vlad’ was - a vampire - but at the time, Abraham didn’t know who ‘Vlad’ was. (‘Vlad’ did make Kathy happy, but at what cost to Kathy and the others? That bastard. That fucking bastard!).

Lydia was getting sick and acting strange slowly as the year went by. The signs were there, but Abraham didn’t or couldn’t see it. The naively thought it was Lydia coming into what little abilities were left in the Blacklock bloodline (which turns out he wasn’t wrong about. But that less-than-a-man abomination was feeding off of her and using her as a vassal the entire time. And when that day came and reports of a woman in white feeding off of children started coming in and it turned out to be Lydia, undead and blood staining her wedding dress, it was Kathy who had to dispatch the person she’s called sister and best friend their entire lives).

Diora was still sickly but wasn’t bed-bound, she could get around with a cane. She shared his same questions and concerns about ‘Vlad’ and Kathy but also shared the same belief that ‘Vlad’ made Kathy happy. And at the time, Arthur was happy as well, as selfish as it was. (He loved Diora. Lord above, he loved her. That night, when he found her throat ripped open and Lydia’s corpse empty of blood near by, the first time in years Abraham broke down in such a way since the death of his first wife and son, that he - always strong and composed - had to be taken away from them both by Lord Dominick Sweet and Dr. Aubrey Davies who were also in their own state of disbelief and shock).

After poor, innocent Lydia was finally put to rest. The hunt for Dracula was on. All of them - Lord Dominick Sweet, Dr. Aubrey Davies, Rafael Arroyo/Chimalli, Kathy, and himself were so deep in grief and anger it fueled them, kept the hunt alive.

Abraham would never get the image of Raf being eviscerated in front of him, not Kathy’s scream from witnessing it. Abraham loved Raf like a son, and how does that love tied to Abraham present itself? A brutal death just like Lydia and Diora at the hands of a singular monster.

It was Kathy who delivered the final blow to Dracula, killing him. After Kathy cut off his head, there were several moments of unforgettable silence before Kathy began to shriek and cry and scream. He held her tightly as she sobbed into his coat, seeing as the humanity returned to her and as the reality of what Kathy had gone through and unintentionally invited into their lives, that the ‘man’ she loved was a monster who took everything from them.

Abraham handed her catatonic-self to Killian and Dominick as Abraham found and carefully wrapped Raf’s body to be sent back to America for a proper funeral. And later, Abraham found and secretly took custody of Dracula’s body.

By the time they all returned to England, Abraham knew what he would do. After everything, Dracula still had much to pay and answer for, and he would by Abraham’s will and skills in the occult alone.

He told Kathy and Killian to take Jaime and to leave England, to start their lives over somewhere far and safe from the horrors that occurred in England. They did, taking Raf’s body and promising to return him to his family when they arrived in America so that he could be laid to rest.

He told Dominick to move on and live as well, and he would some time later.

Meanwhile, Abraham - knowing that his remaining loved ones are far away and safe and ignorance about was to happen next - began his work. He brought Dracula back, and broke him. Over and over and over and over again. He branded him with forbidden slave crests, binding him to Abraham and his family forever. Abraham knew that revenge would not bring Lydia or Diora or Raf back, but damn did it feel good.

Abraham kept in contact with Kathy and Killian and Jaime and Dominick through letters throughout the years but never saw them in person, not wanting to put them at risk again even through his ‘pet’ had long since replaced his arrogance with obedience.

Abraham never told any of them what he did and was still doing.

Abraham never told or spoke about any of them - especially Kathy - to it. And when it had the nerve to speak or ask about her, Abraham let it be known through torturous means that it would her see her again and it wasn’t worthy to say her name.

And Abraham sure as hell didn’t tell it that months after Kathy moved to America with Killian and Jaime, he received a letter from Kathy, informing him that she was pregnant. In fact, he burned the letter after reading and re-reading it a dozen times over and it lead to a particularly brutal session of experimentation for it.

In 1897, a year after the events and when everyone left, when ‘Dracula’ by ‘Bram Stoker’ was published, Abraham scoffed but smiled a small and proud smile, knowing exactly who wrote it. Only Kathy could be so gutsy.

A handful of years later, Abraham would attend the funeral of Lord Dominick Sweet and encounter Kathy and Killina and Jaime there, along with the purple-eyed young child - a girl - who was perched on Kathy’s hip the entire time.

Abraham never spoke the truth about anything to either them or it. And even in death, Abraham protected/protects Killian and Jaime and Kathy and her daughter from it.

HELL YEAH!!! I love this!! Amazing!!

[cafeinthemoon]

Ruins - Part XX

Chapter 20

Wordcount 3,4k

Title Part XX

Fandom Shuumatsu no Valkyrie / Record of Ragnarok

Previous chapters 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . 16 . 17 . 18 . 19

Symbols ⭕ . ➕ . 💛

Warnings: none

Tagging @holdyourwine @lilacshouko @shirayuki-ayumi @telvess (If you want to be tagged in any of my stories, just leave a comment on this chapter or send an ask or a message)

N. A.: Finally, one of my favorite parts of this story is about to begin! As I said before, I've been planning the next scenes for a long time and couldn't wait to share them with you. Honestly, I think there should be more events during the party, but I decided that it would be too much and wouldn't add to the main plot, so I cut out some ideas. Maybe I'll post them as an extra chapter, but for now have this one ;)

If you sat down to write about all the encounters and surprises you had during that memorable night, you’d have to spend the first months of your marriage recollecting and categorizing your memories, for you were presented to many people, some of them known in your homeland at Midgard, others completely new to you. While your husband was mostly congratulated as the gods’ elder brother who finally had time to find love for himself, you were a novelty in each social circle, and everyone wanted a chance to see the newly created goddess from close.

Some of those new acquaintances, like the Solar Gods and their little conflict, had a deeper impact in you, and you had a special place in your heart for them.

One important friendship you began was with a goddess from your own pantheon, Athena. Months ago, Hermes has informed you that she has been absent from Valhalla for quite some time but hasn’t justified this attitude yet, but now she decided to attend the celebration and welcome her new pair.

You were curious when you saw that tall, elegant young woman with sober garments – including a head accessory that resembled a helmet and a necklace with a golden owl on its front – who approached you with no hesitation, and after the presentations you understood the sensation of depth and perspicacity you had when you looked into her brown eyes.

The first words exchanged between you were hers.

– This attentive look in your eyes, that has been watching my moves from far, and this undeniable, but respectful anxiety for our first contact… – she opened an enigmatic smile – It’s an avid reader we have before us, right?

You smiled back.

– You can say that, my Lady.

As always, Hades made the presentations.

– Y/n, this is Athena, goddess of Wisdom and Zeus’ daughter – and with a smile, – She has been willing to meet you since she heard about you.

– And this is not an exaggeration – Athena corroborated – After all the wonderful things my uncle said about you, Y/n, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see you with my own eyes.

You ignored the warmth on your cheeks and stared at your husband with an inquiring look.

– Does your uncle always talk this much, Athena-sama?

The goddess covered her mouth with both hands as she laughed at the said uncle’s surprised expression, then joined the game:

– Men are just like this, more than they’re willing to admit. You better get used to it.

Hades let out a loud sigh in an imitation of boredom, but you saw the diversion in his eyes.

– Won’t you show some respect for the old uncle who taught you how to read even in a day like this?

Athena crossed her arms.

– Absolutely not. Specially in a day like this.

There was laughter between you three, then the Goddess of Wisdom led her hands to her neck and took off the necklace from it. You were going to ask of she was about to do, but you didn’t have to: she offered the accessory to you with both hands, and after a second of hesitation, you accepted the gift.

– The life as a goddess and a queen is everything but easy, and there will be moments when you will think you will never succeed – Athena explained – In these moments, let the owl be your companion, and you will regain your courage and your wisdom. This is my blessing to you.

You spent a moment observing the animal’s big eyes, formed by a pair of black jewels, and a feeling of gratitude and comfort invaded your heart.

– I will surely do this – you raised your eyes to the goddess – Thank you for your blessing, Athena-sama.

– It’s good to hear that! – she replied with a satisfied smile – I hope our meetings in the future to be as pleasant as this one, young Y/n.

You nodded.

– Me too.

When Athena said goodbye to you and walked away, Hades helped you to put on the necklace. With all the new, grown hair you would never manage to do it without a mirror, and you said that to him.

– I think my challenges as goddess and queen started sooner than expected!

Hades agreed with a laugh. When he finished adjusting your hair, you turned to him and were going to ask how you looked, but gave up on it once you noticed the peculiar scene happening not so far from you.

Your sister Luna was chatting with a pair of cheerful nymphs you’ve met days ago. You couldn’t hear their voices from your spot, but you were able to observe and understand what was going on with precision: someone appeared suddenly behind Luna and made her startle; she turned to him and, though she didn’t know his identity, she wasn’t less impressed than the nymphs, for the intruder had the form of an attractive young man with fine clothing and green hair, who gave his attentions primarily to her.

You narrowed your eyes to the man, sensing something strange about him, but you only understood what it was when he made a swift gesture with his hand, making a flower appear between his fingers.

In a second, you were fuming.

– I can’t believe that! – you greeted your teeth – Not in my wedding!

Hades frowned, but soon understood everything.

– Well, well, if that’s not our friend Loki…

You were almost running to take your sister way from the Nordic god, but your husband held you in place.

– Hades, please, I…!

– Look – he interrupted you – Someone’s already there for Luna-san.

You looked again and saw the moment when, after your sister accepted the flower from Loki, your mother suddenly appeared behind him and poked his shoulder. He turned to her and, blushing at the serious expression on her face, he moved his hands and created a flower bouquet formed by the same species of the flower he gave to Luna, offering it to your mother. She held the flowers with hesitant hands, staring at them while trying to understand what was going on. Before she could do or say anything, a third person joined the group: your father, and he was as dissatisfied as your mother in the beginning, judging by his frown and his arms crossed over his chest. But Loki had a surprise for him too: smirking, he snapped his fingers and a flower crown became visible on your father’s head, to his confusion and to Luna and your mother’s diversion.

You stared at the group for a moment, then sighed and smiled at your own foolishness. Your family, you understood, would be alright taking care of each other; they’ve been really good at this for all the time you’ve lived with them, and nothing indicated that this would change. You gave up before you took the first step toward them.

However, you wouldn’t have much time to rest from the surprises of that night. You barely looked away from your relatives, you saw a small silhouette passing by you, coming from nowhere, so fast that when you were able to identify her, she was already five meters away: Ellie was running around as if playing a game, and before you could run after her, Helena passed as fast as the baby, calling her name.

– Ellie-chan! Stop running! – and, glancing at you with some embarrassment, – I’m sorry, y/n-san, she just escaped my grip!

You opened your mouth and closed it again as your sister followed the same direction as the baby, who kept running and provoking curious looks and laughter from the observers… until she bumped into someone’s leg and fell on the floor, sitting, and the entire room fell silent. Helena stopped immediately and didn’t approach Ellie’s spot once the person into whom she bumped turned and looked down at the little girl.

You held your breath and murmured to yourself.

– Ah… Poseidon-sama!

The Lord of the Seas, with his cold eyes glued on the child, spent a moment in silence, observing, as if he was trying to guess of kind of living being he had at his feet. Ellie – for your relief – didn’t make tricks, started crying nor did anything that could be considered petulance by someone like him: she just stood there, staring back at him and not understanding the situation she put herself into.

And, to everyone’s surprise, the god’s reaction was simple, and had nothing to do with discontentment or irritation: he bent down and took the baby by her armpits, with a delicacy you guessed that came from his inexperience with human beings: to him, if the adult ones looked so fragile that holding them the wrong way would cause permanent damage, even more their children. Ellie didn’t protest or showed fear: instead, she found it funny to be held like that and smiled at the strange man with ocean eyes.

The said man was clearly not used to have people who showed no fear in his presence, so he kept staring at the girl showing off her little teeth in an innocent smile, intrigued with her behavior… Until the shadow of a smile appeared on his lips as well.

– Are you always this audacious and brave, little person? – he adjusted his grip on her and allowed her to hold his finger.

Your heart calmed down as you looked around, while the faces of the guests softened at the scene. So, everything ended up well… Or so you thought.

You saw the moment when Ellie, with the typical childish curiosity, held Poseidon’s finger with more strength than usual and, before anyone could stop her, led it to her mouth, closing her little teeth around it as she used to do with her favorite treats.

You noticed the god’s eyes widening and a wave of gasps spreading across the room; you covered your mouth with both hands and your husband put his palm over his face.

After the first scare, Poseidon managed to free his finger from your niece and stared at his own skin, left reddish and wet. Again he looked at the girl, who still had that unsuspecting look in her little eyes, and the first thing he said in response would have provoked intense laughter if it was someone else in his place:

– Such a strong bite for a tiny little thing... Almost like a baby shark.

***

The next minutes of the party followed with no surprises, that is, nothing that resembled the incident involving Ellie and your brother-in-law, with you and Hades receiving congratulations and blessings from people from many pantheons and lands. Though you couldn’t remember all their names, you certainly would remember their kindness and receptiveness. However, not even this was enough to keep you in the room for more than those few hours.

It happened that, as time passed, the sensations that started right after you consumed the ambrosia continued to develop, and you noticed a strange tiredness taking over your limbs and your senses, leading you to a state of hyperstimulation, making the lights, colors, smells and sounds around you unbearable.

After saying goodbye to another group of gods, you turned to Hades and told him you couldn’t stay on your feet for much longer.

– I’m sensing the beginning of a headache, and I don’t think it will be a light one – you whispered to him – It will get worse if I stay here for too long.

He passed his hand on your hair, not disguising his worry.

– It must be another effect of the ambrosia. If this is the case, I’ll take you to our room now.

He closed his mouth when his brothers joined you: Zeus, with his calm demeanor and his hands on his back, Adamas with a goblet in hands and Poseidon, still with Ellie in his arms; now the baby was sleeping with her head on his shoulder.

– If you’re feeling a bit tired, it is, in fact, because of the ambrosia – Zeus, who overheard your conversation, told you – Your body is still mortal, thus sensitive, so that adapting to such changes is hard. You should really take some rest now.

– That’s what I’m intend to do – you replied – Thank you for preoccupation, Zeus-sama.

The chatting was interrupted by Adamas’ laugh.

– It’s always funny to observe these formalities toward my little brother – he approached and messed your hair on a spot away from your crown, – Still haven’t time to tell you that, but welcome to the family, y/n-chan.

You smiled with sympathy.

– Thank you, Adamas-sama.

You turned to Poseidon, who has been silent since the start. The memory of his abrupt encounter with Ellie made your cheeks warm as you observed her snoring on his lap, but you approached him with confidence.

– I apologize for the incident involving my niece, Poseidon-sama – you stretched your arms to her – I will take her back to my family, so she won’t be causing you more distress.

– Of course – he nodded and gave the child to you; she moved a bit when you held her, but didn’t wake up.

Finally, you tuned to your husband and told him you were going to leave Ellie with your parents. He agreed and replied that he would be waiting in the company of his brothers.

That was the last time you spoke with your family that night. You approached your parents and your mother took the initiative of holding the baby. She raised her eyes to your face and frowned.

– You’re certainly as beautiful as ever with your new appearance, my child – she passed her hand on your face – But you seem a bit tired.

– I am – you smiled – I’m leaving the party to take a rest. Zeus-sama explained that it’s one of the effects of the ambrosia, so it’s the best for me now.

– And I agree with him – your father approached, putting his hand on your shoulder. He still had Loki’s crown on his head and was now holding the bouquet.

You opened your arms and hugged them at the same time, involving the baby between you, then walked back to Hades after saying goodbye to them.

***

Because of the growing tiredness on your legs and the increase of your headache, the way from the room where the party was happening to the private chambers where your honeymoon should start seemed longer than you remembered it. There was a moment when you held your husband’s arm and told him you couldn’t go any farther.

– My body feels heavier at each step – you murmured – I guess I’m going to pass out…

Hades took you in his arms the moment when your feet failed you, stopping you from falling on the corridor.

– Guess the party was too much for you, little one – he whispered to you – Sorry for not taking you away before.

You smiled.

– And awakening the wrath of my new pairs so soon with this rudeness? No, I pass.

You didn’t remember if anything more was said between you or if you really passed out, but you only opened your eyes again when you heard a knob being turned and the door of your room was opened.

Hades crossed the living room, where you spotted candle lights on each corner, and took you to the bed area. Moving the sheets away, he left you on the right side of the bed and went to the balcony’s doors, opening them to let the fresh air and the soft light of outside in. When he came back to you, you were sitting on the bed, trying to take off your shoes.

– Allow me – he sat on your side and, without waiting for a response, put your feet on his lap and started to untie the straps of your shoes.

You sighed.

– The numbness is leaving, but I’m still tired – you passed a hand on your face, not worried about blurry your makeup – And this headache is increasing…

Hades bent down and left your shoes on the floor beside the bed.

– Come here – and, when you took off your feet from his lap and did as he said, – Untying your hair will release you from part of the discomfort.

He took off your crown and hairpin, then started to untangle the strands. You stood in silence as his fingers ran through your scalp, and realized you were feeling asleep; when you noticed, you were already leaning on your husband’s shoulder. He passed his arms around you and kissed your hair.

– I’m going to call Hermes and tell him to send Asclepius to see you – he said.

– The god of Medicine?

– Yes. He has seen cases like yours before, including Psique and Hercules – he explained – He will help you to get through the transformation.

You made a “hmmm” and sighed.

– I think I’m going to take a bath while he doesn’t arrive.

– Do you need help?

You shivered. Of course, you knew that showing yourself unclothed before your husband would become part of your private routine, but you haven’t thought too much about it, so the naturalness with which he asked that sounded sudden, to say the least.

– No… No, thank you.

When you were able to stand again, Hades left to call Hermes and you headed to the bathroom to prepare everything.

***

Contrary to what you imagined, taking a bath without help in those conditions wasn’t that hard. Your clothes were light and you were already on barefoot, so that the only struggle was to organize all the stuff you’d need. Besides, there was a bathtub large enough for you to stretch your legs and carved at a reasonable distance from to the wall, so you could rest your head on its border and leave all those inches of hair out.

Your right foot touched the warm water and a shiver was sent through your entire body. You passed your arms around yourself, finding the sensation strange: you weren’t that cold, right?

Well, whatever.

You were too tired to deliberate. You entered the water and stood there for the longest time possible.

***

You were already back on the bedroom, took your new side of the bed, wearing a night gown that didn’t reveal too much under a robe that you wrapped tight around your waist to wait for the doctor – that is, the Lord of all them – to see you. Hades hasn’t still come back when you left the bath and the chambers were too quiet, except for the sound of the evening birds out there and the ruffling grass touched by the wind.

You frowned.

I’m sure that they’re are at a good distance from our place. It’s funny that I’m able to hear them from here.

And even more funny was that you had the impression that those soft sounds were increasing your headache. You pressed your fingers against your temples. Could it be that the ambrosia was causing all of this?

If so, how long must I endure these symptoms? I only hope that Asclepius-sama answers my questions. That would surely make me less anxious.

You were thinking of this when you heard the noise of a door opening and footsteps approaching the room. You straightened up on the bed and, a moment later, Hades entered, accompanied by a young man… whom you already knew.

– Ah! Apollo-sama? – and, frowning, – You’re a bit different from earlier…

In fact, the visitor was like a living shadow of Apollo, but as your eyes got used to his figure, you were able to spot crucial differences: instead of the extravagant garment and golden jewelry, this young man wore nothing but a common, white tunic with a slit on each side, and a pair of leather sandals which straps reached the spot under his jerks; around his waist, a blue stripe of the same fabric, and no accessories were seen, except a satin stripe tying his long hair, which was of a darker shade than Apollo’s, and the same could be said about his eyes. On his right hand, he carried a sort of cane in the form of a column, with a serpent’s body wrapped around it, and over his shoulder there was a large bag, similar to the one of a traveler.

The young man, you also noticed, seemed to have the exact opposite of Apollo’s expansive personality and mannerism.

In the middle of this, Hades laughed when he heard your words.

– It never gets boring – and, turning to the visitor, – But I bet it ceased to be funny for you long ago, right?

The man carried a gentle smile on his face.

– It used to bother me in the past, but now I really don’t care much, Hades-sama – he commented with a low, composed voice – After all, my father is known for his presentable looks. So being mistaken for him is rather a compliment.

That conversation left you even more confused.

– I don’t understand – you alternated your look between your husband and the other man – You are Apollo-sama’s son?

– Yes. I am Asclepius, God of Medicine – the man nodded in respect – It’s been a while since I’ve met a newly formed goddess, so it’s an honor to meet you, y/n from Midgard.

Part XXI + Extra Content

[aikrus]

Don’t Let Me Fall (Too Far From Grace)

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cw: Major religious trauma for Y/n, enjoy. Swears, violence, cults, misogyny, self-mutilation, public abuse, parental abuse, attempted murder, self-defense, poison

A/n: a short glimpse into the makings of dadzawa; with an angsty Y/n religious quirk struggle

 summary: There’s a part of Shouta that hates his job. While he can handle the annoying brats, unstable quirks, rude comments, life-threatening danger, and annoying hours, there’s just some things not even Shouta could tolerate.  There’s a girl in his class. She’s nice but a little too quiet for it to sit right. He’s a teacher, been one for years and was a hero for much longer-- He knows the signs when he sees them.

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“Brother Haruka,”

“Father Y/l/n; it’s always a pleasure.” Clasped forearms greeted one another, eye to eye they examined the other. Smiles filled each room and yet the tension was so thick, thick, thick; she looked to her mother but found a void in her place.

It crept into Y/n’s throat like sludge, chocking on the breath that filled her lungs as she swallowed for the fiftieth time that service. The eyes that followed, the eyes that glared, the eyes that widened, all at her, at her, at her. She kept her head down. 

The family of five- a strong pastor father, the beautiful but sickly motherly wife, the silent eldest son, and the perfect youngest daughter. And Y/n, lost somewhere in the mess of facades they seemed to exchange so rapidly.

Or maybe lost was the wrong word, seeing as everyone could find her, the daughter of the pastor, the picture-perfect symbol of what they stood for, quirkless, pure, devine; up until four months ago. 

Four months ago, when her world changed.

1-A kept a keen eye on Y/n, her silent passing and downcast eyes demanded attention from the rowdy bunch, but it was her appearance that caught them off guard the most. 

Denki had asked about them once, resulting in a panic attack and mute classmate which lasted a week before she would speak in a quiet, fragile tone. It got worse before it got better. 

She could feel them-- the eyes, eyes, eyes. Following her, ridiculing her, judging her. It broke Shouta’s heart.

“She’s just a girl, our little girl,”

“It’s a heathen!”

“She’s done nothing wrong,”

“It’s got horns god bless me!”

“Dear, she’s still our Y/n, our little angel,”

Her knees were pulled to her chest, listening silently at the top of the stairs to the hushed and not so hidden argument of her parents. Y/n’s father damning her, and her mom, desperately trying to cling to her life.

“That thing’s no angel-- it’s the devil.”

“What are you doing out here, kid?”  Aizawa cringed inside watching the girls entire body stiffen. 

“I’m sorry sir, I'll go back inside.” Her wide eyes became fixed on the floor, shoulders slouched but still full of twisted anxiety.

“You’re not in trouble, Y/l/n.”

“I’m not?” Her face stayed down, but she was finally looking directly at him, so Shouta counted this as a win.

“No,” he walked to the railing she had previously been leaning against, “There’s no rules against being on the rooftop. I just thought you might get cold.” He gestured to her head when he said that, causing her to flinch softly.

“I see.”

She still scurried away, leaving the concerned teacher by himself on the rooftop.

The horns that began to grew from the front corners of Y/n’s skull had been easily hideable when she noticed the growths. She teased her hair, wore headbands, dawned a head-scarf for modesty, but then her sister accidentally pulled it off her head during dinner, exposing them to the entire family. 

That was the first night Emi had crawled into Y/n’s bed and cried since she was six and saw her big sister be punished for the first time. Punished. 

The Shinja were many things, devote, united, pure, and forgiving. They believed in one thing above all else, God’s eternal and limitless magnanimity. For a sin their must be penitence, must be a beg for forgiveness. 

For Y/n, this meant one thing.

It started small, Y/n found a scarf waiting for her on the railing when she made her way to the roof that night. It was nice, it was warm; something Y/n struggled with being. 

Then Aizawa would stop by when it turned past midnight, sending the quiet girl back inside to stop her from catching a cold. And now, they coexist.

“Was--” she paused before shaking her head, looking back out to the grounds behind UA. 

“What is it, kid?” He paused for an answer before breaking, “You can ask questions you know.”

“Was Iida right?”

Silence. 

“That’s really up to you. At the end of the day, you decide what kind of hero you want to be. Your hero uniform is a big part of that identity, so if you think that’s a necessary part of that then you should keep it.”

Y/n played with the delicate silver cross dangling from the chain across her neck before looking up to the sky, just like Aizawa saw her do earlier during class.

“Kay.”

The conversation from the classroom had been a tense one to say the least. Iida, in his self-correct but oblivious way, asked the quiet girl, “Don’t you think it may be offensive to wear a cross as part of your hero costume? Won’t people feel imposed upon? Besides, very few people are catholic after the development of the quirk gene. Would it not, perhaps, be a better choice to remove that aspect from your uniform?”

Y/n had, at the time, only responded briefly, “Why would people be offended by a necklace?”  Everyone looked up to the mounds above her head. No one said a thing. 

A few days later he finally broke, “It was surprising I suppose. Not like I care, but people aren’t really religious anymore.”

She tried not to think about it, and she continued to try not to think about it long after she had left the rooftop. People aren't really religious anymore. Y/n tried to think through what makes a religion a religion, where things started to turn after quirks were made. Some religions embraced them as a new moral test of god, others claimed it disproved God entirely. Some drew strange connections claiming the bible predicted it all along.

Y/n is sitting in her room when it happens. She's absent-mindedly rolling her silver cross necklace between her fingers while ignoring her homework when she things- it would be so much easier if I wasn't religious anymore.

It felt dirty, like a dangerous secret. What does it mean to be religious on a personal level? She isn't allowed on the campound, let alone in the church. She doesn't read the scripture any more, nor does she pray genuinely. After a few cafeteria visits with Kaminari keeping her company she's even began to speak the lord's name in vain. Yet Y/n is so sure, in her heart and center of everything, that there is spirit within her.

She thinks about the religion she learned about the first time someone called her hometown a cult. She googled what the word meant and learned about a different group, a group that drank poison and passed away as a whole. Y/n can't think of another species that would do that and thinks they must have spirit.

The eyes from the pews followed her as she walked, head bowed as she pushed forward, past every person she ever knew, towards her father. Her father who forgave her, who actually forgave her. Forgave her monstrous appearance, was willing to look past the disgusting curse she had. She loves her father. So she kneeled willingly before the cross and bowed her head fifty times before turning on her knees towards her father.

A hush fell over the chapel.

She accepted the holy blade from her father.

She lifted it above her head. 

The scream echoed through the room, bounding back towards her from the walls it landed on. The blade moved back and forth, until her world became deathly still.

Her father placed his hand upon her head, gently ending the assault. “You’re doing well, my child.” Each following day was ended with her in the privacy of her family's bunker, penance following shortly after. 

She was repenting for her sins, but there was a silent acknowledgment among everyone. For Y/n, who never stopped sinning, there must be constant repentance. Nothing short of unyielding devotion. The days blurred together, so did her memory. 

Y/n looked up at the board, eyes coated with gloss and filled to the brim with pain, pain, misery. ‘Quirkless Study.’ A lesson on discrimination, of differences, of acceptance. Forty seven minutes of something she’d kill to get out of-- something she’d die to get out of. 

The class wasn’t today, thank God, but it was soon. Soon, being tomorrow. Tomorrow, class, quirkless, pure thing, stuck, school, mistake, thing, thing, thing. Words echoed through her head, too fast for Y/n too pick them apart, too fast to be remembered, just fast enough to hurt. 

Y/n stayed on the roof from after school to midnight, far too long in the cold, too long without eating, too long for no body to have noticed.

“Fucking hell, kid. Why are you out here?”

Aizawa-Sensai dropped in and wrapped his scarf around Y/n’s shaking body, noting both the absent look in her eyes and the festering fear lying just beneath the surface.

"Y/l/n? Are you with me?"

What a silly question. Of course she was with him, they're on the same rooftop– he's got a hand lying gently on her shoulder.

"Because you seem a little far away."

And didn't that make so much sense. Because they were right next to each other, much like how her dad was right in front of her, yet both of them were miles away from where Y/n was.

"I'm sorry, sensei."

He froze, "it's Allright, Y/n, it's going to be okay."

The need to gasp for air clued her in that she'd started to cry. The warm tears burned her frigid skin.

"Hey, hey," Aizawas voice rumbled deep in his chest, "careful there." He tapped her knuckles which had turned white with the force she had been digging her nails into her arms.

"I don't want to go to school tommorow."

She winced but he didn't answer her. Saying the words out loud felt different than the mantra from her head. It all seems a little silly now. Y/n wanted to be a hero after all, and here she was; scared to go to class.

The man leveled his eyes with her and sighed, raising a hand between her two curled horns and patting the top of her head.

"It's not silly, Y/n."

She wrinkled her nose at him, unsure of his meaning and was floored when he began to laugh. "You mutter, but that's okay. You don't have to be a hero yet; not today and not tomorrow. For now you are still a child, and you deserve to feel the safety that should come with that."

It felt odd, to feel so cold you want to shiver and yet melt from the inside out. Maybe, maybe that was true. Maybe she will be a hero in a few years, maybe less. But tonight she wasn't, tonight she could feel as little as that sentence made her. Small and safe, so fucking fragile but perfectly protected.

It made her want to cry.

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

and there we have it. I know it's a little random but I feel like sometimes we carry the weight of lifetimes with us and forget how young we are in the grand scheme of things. It's okay. We'll figure this out together.

[ell0ra-br3kk3r-writes]

The Phoenix and the Crow

part five

pairing: (in the making) kaz brekker x fem!reader

genre: neutural

el's thoughts: this one has a lot of action haha and was a bit harder to get through, but here it is! hope y'all like it! please remember to reblog and comment :)

series masterlist

The inferni rushed over to the brunette and wrapped her in a tight hug, “Oh, I’ve missed you!” Nina gasped in surprise, “Y/N! What in Saint’s sake are you doing here of all places?” Y/N chuckled, “I thought I needed a vacation. Look where and with who I’ve ended up.” 

Kaz looked between the two grisha. “And how do you two know each other?” 

“The little palace.” They replied together.

Wylan shuffled his feet once the silence settled in the workshop. “Can I get anyone some tea?”

Kaz rolled his eyes at Wylan and turned back to Nina, “You worked with Arken.”

“It was more of a limited partnership.” Nina shrugged while she kept an arm wrapped around Y/N’s shoulders. 

“Did you trust him?” Kaz was expecting a certain answer.

Nina scoffed, “That turncoat? Not on your life. He was shadier than an oak at three bells.”

Kaz looked satisfied, “What’s your price?”

“I’ve expended the legal avenues on my problem. Every clerk in the city says the same thing. ‘The judge will see you in six months.’” Nina’s voice grew frustrated at the reminder of being turned down and away time and time again.

“And so you’re looking for the not-so-legal route on… What, exactly?”

“I’m told you could free someone from Hellgate.”

Kaz looked towards Inej and she stood there unmoving, both their eyes were calculating, but one pair was colder than the other. 

“Hellgate? Who do you need from Hellgate?” Y/N asked.

“Someone, I say as if he’s anyone, and in truth, he’s the love of my life,” Nina spoke while looking between Y/N and Kaz. The inferni smiled with pride at the thought of her good friend finding love. Kaz on the other hand pursed his lips in thought and tilted his head, “I can’t get you a release from Hellgate.” Nina nodded in acceptance before he spoke up again, “But I can get you a visit. In exchange for your services.”

“What do you need me for?”

“The aftermath.”

Everyone stared at him as he walked up the steps, “Follow me.” Y/N and Nina stood in place for a moment before Inej spoke up. “He does this.” She turned to follow the others as the two grisha women shared a look, “Does he?”

The group of six walked up and out onto the roof now having a great view of the city. Continuing to follow him, they all lined up beside each other waiting expectantly for Kaz to say something. “Brick by brick.”

Inej looked up at Jesper beside her with furrowed eyebrows seconds before an explosion went off. The large puff of fire and smoke seemed almost unreal as the screams of citizens could barely be heard over the distance.

“What was that?” Jesper’s voice was shaken as he spoke.

“The Crow Club.”

The zemini turned to Wylan, “Was that yours?” The brown-haired boy didn’t respond but looked down in guilt as he realized what he’d helped Kaz do.

Y/N spoke, starting hesitantly, “I take it we’re now in the aftermath?”

“This doesn’t help us clear our name, Kaz. This is war with Pekka Rollins, the King of the Barrel.”

Kaz’s face had no emotion written across it, he held his composer well. “The Barrel doesn’t belong to kings.” He turned on his heel and walked back to the door they came from, “It belongs to bastards.”

~

Crows symbolize prophecy, transformation, change, and freedom. They also remember faces, the people who’ve wronged them, and the people who’ve shown them kindness. ‘It makes sense.’ Y/N thought to herself. Revenge was something that seemed to plague Kaz’s mind, while that alone would be pure danger in a shot glass… He had Inej and Jesper to balance him out. Together they’re still dangerous but more sensible if only Kaz was able to sit and hear his crew out. Their feelings and thoughts, if everything was on the table and sorted properly, would be a well-shaken cocktail.

Y/N walked through the door of the restaurant and quickly found the table her group was seated at. Nina, Wylan, and Inej sat on one side of the booth while Jesper and Kaz sat on the other. “Sorry, I’m late. I got distracted.” She looked at Kaz expectantly, waiting for him to stand or slide into the booth to make room for her. He scowled before he stood up and let her slide in next to Jesper. 

“Move closer,” Jesper muttered in her ear causing her to glance at him confused but she moved either way, leaving more space for Kaz.

“Back to topic. If you hate him so much, why not just hire me to kill him?” Nina asked, “Or why hire me at all? Your sharpshooter or your Wraith could take him out, easy.”

“It’s not enough to kill him.” Kaz’s voice was rough as if it was difficult to speak.

Inej and Jesper shared a look while Nina and Y/N did the same. 

“Killing him doesn’t help clear our names. That’s why I need all of you, so I can hang everything back on him.”

Y/N hummed as Inej responded. “And we are the pawns who enact your personal vendetta?”

“The three of us are under equal jeopardy. And if they catch us, we can’t protect you.” His coffee-brown eyes bore into Wylan before he shifted his gaze to Nina. “And you’ll have to turn to Pekka to see your man. No doubt with some very unappealing conditions attached.”

“All of that in mind,” Jesper spoke. “I mean, Inej and I need to know the plan.”

Wylan nodded, “Um, yes, I… I, too, would like to know the plan.” He crossed his arms over his chest after speaking. The inferni and bastard’s eyes moved in sync down to his crossed arms and back to his face. One pair was filled with amusement and endearment while the other was filled with the exact opposite.

Kaz scanned the restaurant quickly before shifting his body to the side, “To get leverage on him, I need to know the scope of his business, inside-out. There are two easy to learn this. This first is by following his private driver, and tracking his schedule. Second, his accountant, Henrik Van Poel. If I get access to Pekka’s books, it’ll tell me everything I need to know. So, we need to get into that building.”

Inej pulled the small curtain open and everyone turned to look at the building across the street. 

“It’s where his accountant works. Although, there’s no way of knowing which office.” Nina stood from the table, took the menu, and walked away. Kaz paid no mind and continued, “That’s the mission. It looks like a typical office building, but it has a number of subtle features.”

Y/N zoned out of the conversation. ‘How’d I get from being a soldier to being a thief?’ Nina came back and sat down with a waffle on her plate. Kaz stared at her in disbelief, “I need you with me while I copy Henrik’s books.” He turned to face the girl beside him, “You as well. Gunfire will only draw attention, but a Heartrender-” 

“Has many skills. Yes, like this.” Nina finished swallowing her bite of waffle. “Second floor, second-last door on the left.” Everyone stared at her in confusion. 

After a moment Kaz asked, “What?”

“Henrik's office.” She replied in an obvious tone and turned to Inej, “Do you mind?” She nodded at the empty glass and pitcher of water. “How do you know this?” Inej asked as she passed the water. “I asked the waitress.”

“How did she know?” Jesper asked in utter shock.

“People who work in places like that, they eat in places like this. And sometimes they get meals delivered.” Y/N spoke up this time.

Nina nodded, “Yes, exactly. So I said, ‘Um, excuse me, but I have a delivery and I can’t read the directions.’ Ta-da.”

Jesper chuckled, “I like having her around.”

“And I like truth. You said you’d get me in to see Matthias.”

Kaz nodded his head slowly, clearly impressed with her skills. “You’ll get your visit to Hellgate.”

~

Y/N climbed up the stairs to the roof where Jesper said Kaz was waiting. She had gone with Inej to scope out the building so they have a basic idea of what they were getting themselves into. 

“What did you find?” 

His voice startled her a bit since his back was facing her. “There’s a doorman even after hours, and a pair of roving guards in the halls. But Inej can get you in through a window as long as Nina and myself watch the front.”

“If this goes sideways, tell the others to regroup at the Black Veil. Get the Heartrender. We leave in ten.”

She hesitated and sighed, “Her name is Nina.” She walked closer to him, “Does your crew know what happened between you and Rollins?” She didn’t quite know his full story, but she did know that the two had a history. That was what was fueling his thirst for revenge.

He looked back at her, “All they need to know is that I have a reason. And you need to know even less.”

She rolled her eyes, “There’s enough secrecy in the crew as is, Brekker.”

“Secrecy is the only way to survive the Barrel, Y/L/N.” His voice was harsh, getting on her last nerve.

“So keeping us, keeping your friends in the dark is about survival?”

“Now you’re getting it.”

She hummed, “Their survival or yours?” She received only silence as an answer. “Trust is the other side of secrecy, Kaz. I know I’ve done nothing to earn your trust, but they do. Especially Inej and Jesper, but you’ve instilled such fear into them that they can’t even talk to you about it.” She quickly reined in her tone and temper, “It’d do you good to remember that.” She quickly turned back to the door and walked back down the stairs. 

~

Nina leaned against the wall as Y/N looked around her up and down the street. “Clear.” The pair walked slowly across the street. “Why must I be the drunk one?” Y/N whined quietly. 

“‘Cause I’m the one who’s gonna knock him out.” 

“Doesn’t explain why-” 

Nina yanked the inferni’s arm over her shoulder and kicked her leg out just a little so she was leaning into her side. They made it to the front steps when the doorman stopped in front of them.

“Ooh. Closed up for the night.”

Nina chuckled, “Uh, We’ll just be a minute. I, uh, need to use the loo.”

“You can go down the street to Manny’s pub. They’re open.” He pointed to a building down the road where the lights shined brighter.

“They won’t let us back in there… Not since we drank the barkeep under the table.” She chuckled as Y/N giggled and let a hiccup slip through her lips.

The doorman laughed and looked the Heartrender up and down, “I do like a woman who can hold her liquor.”

“Oh, well, I, uh, can’t hold it everywhere.” She said in a sing-song voice. Y/N giggled again and started humming. “So, do you mind?” She finished.

He cleared his throat, “Not tonight. Sorry, love.”

Nina rolled her eyes and threw up her hands, quickly slowing his heart down. Y/N stood up as the man fell forward onto Nina. “Oof, okay.” She placed him down on the steps. 

“Sorry, love.” The inferni mocked as the pair walked to the door and slipped through.

They made it to the second floor in a hurry, their heels causing a slight echo in the otherwise silent halls. “I thought there were guards in the halls,” Nina asked. Y/N nodded, “There were supposed to be.” The brunette shrugged, “Down that side.” Y/N walked to the office door and pushed it open slowly finding the room empty for just a moment before Kaz appeared in the window.

They were silently sorted through files and heavy books when a heavily accented voice spoke from behind them.

“Fine night, ain’t it, Brekker?”

Kaz slowly looked up as Pekka Rollins turned on an oil lamp on the desk. Guards stood on the other side of the door. ‘We’re trapped.’ “Burning the midnight oil, are we?” Kaz asked.

“I thought I’d cut to the chase.” Pekka ignored Y/N entirely, keeping his attention solely on Kaz. “You can’t show your faces at my clubs and my brothels to pull threads on me, so where would you go?” Kaz stayed silent. “Step away from the desk.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want blood on my furniture. My numbers man’ll bill me for it, and, well, you’ve already cost me enough money by blowing up my club.”

Kaz’s fist clenched as he leaned forward, “My club.”

Pekka hummed in amusement, “Before I kill you, I want you to know that I brought in a madman to capture your Wraith. Sorry. My Wraith.”

Both Y/N and Kaz turned to the window and saw a man in a fur mask climb up the rope that lead to Inej. A low groan was heard from the back of her throat. 

“I fixed up the cellar at the Menagerie, got the best shackles that money can buy.” 

Kaz’s face dropped as anger boiled in the pit of Y/N’s stomach.

“Oh, and I got my man to lay a trap for your gunslinger.”

‘He was outnumbered and outsmarted… Again.’

Kaz only clenched his fist and tightened his grip on his cane.

“Clean sweep, Brekker. All that will be left will be my little spider, back in her cage. Ooh, I’m going to sleep well.”

The door was pushed open and Y/N saw Nina down the hall. Pekka saw her through the glass on the door. “Heartrender!”

“Meet the newest member of my crew.” Kaz held the door still so Nina could see Pekka clearly through the glass as well. The guard on the floor gathered enough strength when Rollins fell to the floor to raise his arm and fire at Nina. She fell backward when the bullet hit her arm. Kaz dived behind the desk and Y/N fell down beside him when gunshots were fired at them.

“Kaz, let me-”

“No.”

The gunshots didn’t let up as grunts were barely heard from the hall. “It’s over, Brekker!” Pekka shouted over the gunfire. Kaz pulled out two small bombs from his pocket and a lighter. He tried to start the lighter but no flicker of fire came from it. He cursed under his breath before Y/N scoffed, “Oh, hand it over.” She pulled the bombs from his hands, snapped her fingers, and lit the fuses before throwing them over to the other side of the desk. Kaz stared at her as she brought her hands over her ears. “Ears!” She shouted at him and he quickly covered his ears right before the bombs went off.

~

“Black Veil is a cemetery?” 

No one answered Y/N’s question as they kept walking, crossing paths with Jesper and Wylan.

“Assuming you got ambushed too?” Jesper asked.

“Oh, yeah, so many of them, I lost count,” Nina said, slightly out of breath. 

“I got what I needed, and Wylan’s bombs took take of the rest.”

Y/N scoffed at him as they followed and waited while he pushed open a large tomb, Inej was leaning on her heavily. “Get her inside,” Kaz instructed. Nina followed the other two girls inside without question. The clicking of the crow cane was familiar at this point and brought a weird sense of peace to Y/N as she lead the group blindly through the tomb.

~*~*~*~

taglist: @rachelcarroll1819 @xcharlottemikaelsonx @khaleesihavilliard @simrah1012 @foulkryptonitepeanut @astridyoo15 @queenofshinigamis @peakyispunk @jahayla-parker @maliciousbrekker @writingmysanity @brekkershadowsinger @winstonthecow22 @lee-says-things

[captainschaos]

alrighty I've stalled long enough wanting to like format this in a cool way WOAH scu council designs be upon ye. notes and some extra doodles under the cut >:]

CHARLIE >> heart symbol on lower chest (shirt) >> has a bracelet for each other member of the council >> a slime, can shape himself with varying levels of viscosity and uses bones to help himself keep shape! >> can also shapeshift to a certain extent as a slime and will sometimes give himself extra features :] >> he does have his little slime blob slimecicles ofc but he also has a piercing of sorts through his ear that mimics one of them. just a little fun thing I like

CONDI >> heart symbol on upper chest (in the diamond/triangle shape) >> has a potion on her belt for each other member of the council >> the most physically "normal" of the council, but kind of just vaguely elvish >> you can see the outline of where I poorly erased a witch hat from condi LOL he wears one sometimes along with a kinda sparkly gauzey cape-wrap-thing since everyone else has capes of some sort >> assassin-alchemist in background (partially based on smplive) which is why he always has knife/potions on his belts. hypercompetent ass

BIZLY >> heart symbol on upper leg (shape in jean rips) >> has a necklace for each other member of the council >> originally a wild spirit turned player through magic exchange with grizzly, has primarily wolven but also just varied weird beast traits. there's been many iterations of his form and he still kind of fluctuates between them, from incredibly beastish to just way too unsettlingly normal >> has never quite gotten the eyes right, which is part of why he wears sunglasses because they can be a bit painful for others to look at >> asymmetry is the name of the game with this guy, especially with that cape. yea it's on purpose

GRIZZLY >> heart symbol just above hip (in vest pocket) >> has a slightly colored leather band on pants for each other member of the council >> normal player turned more animalish through magic exchange with bizly, has vaguely bearish/doggish traits >> wears a dumb useless little capelet and it's awesome >> almost always has her hair up in that half up/half down look but has the most variation of any of the council, he likes to dress up and stuff <3

extras <3 including 100days designs

(scu!condi and scu!grizzly are transfem it's real. the whole council is a bunch of she/hes and he/shes and he/hers and she/hims to me)

[raayllum]

I keep seeing people calling Callum Snake boi what does that MEAN

Little slice of fandom history and also because it's my fault (TLDR at the bottom in bold):

Years ago, a few days after S1 came out and when JK Rowling wasn't an outspoken bloody TERF there were discussions of what Harry Potter houses the characters would fit into. The general consensus for Callum seemed to be that he'd be a Ravenclaw because he's clever and artistic, but I argued for Slytherin (whose symbol is a snake) because I saw him more so as ambitious than just curious and more selectively loyal when it comes to his motivations, etc etc.

If you've been following me for any period of time you might know that I tag Very Meticulously, so as a trans person and a trans ally I was like I don't wanna use the TERF's terminology anymore, but having a tag to talk about a specific aspect of Callum's characterization (his wonderfully harsh temper, his intense selective loyalty, his obsessive ambition, etc etc) was still a useful prospect to me. Thus Snake Boi Callum as a tag was born, mostly as a joke? And so I could find metas that talked about his characterization (specifically) as I don't think I had a characterization tag almost at all for a while?

It started to pick up steam in my tags specifically when there was starting to be a little bit of - pushback isn't the right word cause everyone's entitled to their own interpretation and characterization of a character, nor does everyone have to engage with every part of a character's canon personality or actions in their fandom stuff if they don't want to.

But there'd be stuff of people forgetting that he can be pretty mean when he gets angry or not seeing him as selectively loyal to Ezran and Rayla? People would also be surprised but accepting, or resistant, to his growing and consistent parallels in characterization with Viren and Claudia (even if they are all still, ultimately, different from one another).

I saw a fair bit of sentiment during the hiatus of "oh he'd Never ever do dark magic again" (which I never believed even immediately post-s2) or in discussions of how he'd respond to Rayla after she left in Through the Moon graphic novel (set shortly after S3). Some people thought understandably that he'd care a lot about the lie (that he'd get to go with her) and the abandonment, understandably so - they're both shitty things to do, but I also sympathize/cry over why Rayla thought she had to do them, but I never thought he'd think the lie was that important, and focus more on the abandonment aspect as a source of hurt.

Snake Boi Callum as a concept also got some mileage in the development of my Cube Hostage Exchange Theory as well, an ongoing theory since November 2020-ish that Callum will help Aaravos / give him the Key of Aaravos in order to save Rayla's life if she was injured / taken hostage. I don't know if they'll do that scenario now because S5 basically delivered the exact thing, just with Finnegrin instead of Aaravos, but there was some more legitimate pushback to said theory/scenario during the hiatus because people thought Callum would never help a villain like that or take such a big risk for someone he loves. I'm not gonna say that I was wholly right (because I wasn't) and again people can interpret his actions in S5 in whatever way they want, but I will say that all of S5 was one of the most validating experiences of vindication I've ever had in my whole life, so that probably speaks for itself

But yeah, it's a term that's kinda caught on (I would say 60-80% of the fandom sees Callum as someone who would risk the world for Ezran and/or Rayla, with 20-30% - maybe less? - seeing otherwise, hence why I think it's caught on; but again, having an 'unpopular' opinion in fandom doesn't necessarily make it wrong, god knows I've had plenty) and then in the discords I'm in, a few people thought a week based around those traits would be fun and boom. Snake Boi Callum Week was born.

TLDR; Snake Boi Callum is a fanon catch-all / shorthand for the 'darker' / more emotional and torn side of Callum's personality (his ambition, his temper, particularly his fierce protectiveness and selective loyalty) that is being explored by whoever wants to in a fun fandom week. His bio in official series material does read that he values "those close to [him] more than anyone or anything" after all (which again, was very validating after years and seasons of seeing and writing him with that exact sentiment)

The tagging also means that for people who don't agree with this characterization for whatever reason, or whom dislike the emphasis on it, can blacklist it easily (as is the intended purpose with all tags on my blog)

He's a goofy nurturing guy who will Cut You and verbally eviscerate you without question if you hurt his loved ones or piss him off enough, and I love that for him. He's a little snake boi and we think he should have lots of angst (or sometimes not enough when it comes to killing/threatening people) over how far he'll go to protect the people he loves, as a Treat

[blackbyrenflowers]

My thoughts on Season 2, episode 1: A Son for a Son

Some general spoiler-light thoughts:

No mention or presence of Maelor or Daeron, unfortunately.

Jace was definitely the highlight of the episode.

Nice to see more of Aegon - he seems to like being king, to put it lightly.

Overall, I'd say a 6.5/10. Maybe a 7.5, if it hadn't been for the way they did B&C, which was... well I didn't go into the episode with the highest hopes, but I'm still disappointed. I'll make another post on it.

More details below:

Perhaps it's just my unrealistic expectations after so much time waiting, but this episode felt a bit muted. It sort of reminded me of Episode 6 - a general catch up after a long absence, where we see how everyone's doing. Necessary, but it's not going to be electric.

The opening at the Wall felt like it suffered from the need to have Jace back at Dragonstone in time for Luke's funeral. Which is a shame, because what we got of him and Cregan felt really good - my favorite little bit was Jace reminiscing about how Aegon and Torrehn Stark stood where they were, only for Cregan to sarcastically thank Jace for not threatening him with Vermax.

I will say though, the different motivations they gave Cregan was kind of odd - in the book he sends only his Winter Wolves because he needs his men for the harvest (otherwise they'll starve and die), but in the show he needs them to protect the Watch in case the Others show up? Is the implication supposed to be that the North sends thousands of men to protect the Wall at the beginning of winter (which in Westeros, can last for years)? And this happens every year, never mind the logistical strain this would place on the entire North and the Night's Watch? Alright, buddy.

No scenes in the Vale, unfortunately, presumably due to the same reasons for the condensed Wall plot. We're told that Jeyne agreed to support Rhaenyra in exchange for a dragon to defend the Vale, but we don't get to see the Maiden of the Vale. Of course this episode had a lot to cover, but it would've been nice to see her.

In my opinion, the highlight of the episode is Jace reporting to Dragonstone. He stands proud, strong (no pun intended), but has a wavering voice as he struggles to tell Rhaenyra about his diplomatic mission - and then he breaks down and Rhaenyra rushes to embrace her.

Rhaenyra I feel doesn't do much this episode. She spends her time looking for Luke's remains, finds a cloak tangled up in his dragon, she's there at the funeral. I like her pained, subdued entrance to the war council, announcing that she wants Aemond's head - but it feels like a bit of a narrative retread of the end of episode 10.

From all the reviews raving about Tom's acting chops, he was probably my most anticipated character in season 2. I wouldn't say I'm disappointed in his portrayal, but he was a bit more... carefree than I was expecting. A great actor, but the reality of the war doesn't seem to have sunken in for Aegon yet. Definitely my most anticipated watch for the next episode, however. A vengeful, grieving Aegon will be fun to watch.

Moving over to his mother, we see that Alicole is a thing now - our first glimpse of the two is Cole kneeling between Alicent's legs. It's implied this isn't the first time, but it's unclear for how long it's been going on. I feel like this episode could've used a little more time between them. However, I do very much appreciate the touch of Alicent being the one to put Cole's white cloak back on. Very obvious symbolism, but I approve of it all the same.

We get a preview of some upcoming characters - Alyn appears as a shipwright in the Driftmark docks. He gives his condolences to Corlys for the loss of his heir, and Corlys thanks Alyn for being the one to pull him from the sea in episode 6. Interestingly, Alyn seems almost uncomfortable to be thanked by his "lord" (gee, I wonder why?).

Hugh Hammer shows as a blacksmith petitioning Aegon for more funds due to rising iron prices. No real foreshadowing there, though I did find it slightly amusing how he was obviously well-groomed compared to all the other petitioners - he's definitely not a reoccurring character.

And that's all I can think of, I guess. Looking forward to next week.