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#anyway this comic makes no sense it was just plaguing my mind so i had to draw it
minecr-afton · 5 months
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thing that kids say sometimes when they don't like you
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your-local-uwu-artist · 11 months
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how's the smurfing going?
it's going good! my google doc is at over 5 pages, I got some nice sketches and the responses have been very helpful and fun >:D (shout out to isopod guy) the only problem is trying to not make my bias of who's my favorite smurf to be tooo obvious fndkjsa
plus the constant struggle between needing to do research and rewatch episodes and read wikipedia articles and the fact that i get what i call 'withdraw-l'... bassically I can only go so long before I just gotta doodle fdnjak
anyway: I SUPPOSE i might as well explain what the fuck I've been doing (if anyones noticed a lack of posts in the past handufl od days: the reason for my absence is that I was busy iwth my smurfing fdja )
bassically I've always had a LOT of questions regarding the smurfs, (many of which I've had sense childhood) and it's been plaguing me because nobody else seems to care to answer these questions, I'll be like 'what chemichal do you think makes them blue?' and 'what form of asexual reproduction do you assume they use' and 'i don't think it makes sense that they'd crush on smurfette, i'd imagine their mono-sex mono-gender society wouldn't really have those concepts or well, be heterosexual for that matter' and everyone responds with 'what aere you on' (the autism spectrum) 'why are you asking me this?' (i want to here your answer) and 'it's just a cartoon' (AND SOMETIEMS YOU GOTTA ASK SCIENTIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT CARTOONS) so I decided if I must do everything myself so be-it.
essentially I'm planning to make a very silly half video essay half my nonsense 'if i was in charge of a smurfs reboot' video. heres some of the doodles so far!
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vanity's always been my favorite so i'm having a hard time convincing myself to draw some smurf other than him fndasjkfnask (Azrael has always been my second favorite lol) I'm really excited to draw more fo smurf village! mushrooms houses my beloved <3 tbh the village is def a plus for the live action films, while giving the smurfs eyelids and lashes and pecs did not work I do enjoy seeing cute fantasy mushroom village in a photorealistic style <3
anyway one very fun thing i learned about while researching is about these really pretty very epic and pog mushrooms that are native to new zealend and just the most brilliant shade of blue
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these things are blue-tiful! And there are actually pigmented! (a lot of things in nature aren't actually blue and rather the structure of it refelcts light and shit to give it a blue appearance) the thing that gives em the blue pigment is a kind of 'azulene' but somehow just a brighter varient: they're so whimsical looking!
a funny thing I've found just through research is that a LOT of people aren't aware of smurfettes origin story, or thought that the origin story was from the live action films, this is so strange to me cause like ????? it's been there sense the begining comics, and theres plenty of episodes where it's mentioned
I'm also suprised by how many people seem to be fond of the new female smurfs: so I guess I'm on the unpopular side here, I've always imagined them as sorta sexless and generless, and that female smurfs (excluding artificially made ones like smurfette) just discovered and decided they preferred feminine gender expression/presentation. (i do wish i included a question asking if people as kids assumed them sexless, cause i always have)
idk I'm still working through the new cgi series and my cartoon pirating site doesn't have the second season, so maybe I'll change my mind on them
ufdnsjafnsdk sorry for rambling the hyperfixation has taken hold lmao
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sharkrocket · 1 year
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Nine people you'd like to get to know better
Tagged by: @zu-zup! Thanks for tagging me, I feel so honored! 😁
Last song: I'm going to cheat a little a talk about some loose songs I would love to put on a Patho playlist but don't have enough songs to make a full playlist, I think people would be more interested in that ahaha
BODY/PRISON by HEALTH for Rubin - Okay so, my impression of Rubin is largely informed from his P1 version, and when he's going around dressed in leather like that and has a banging warehouse theme, my mind translated that into dark club music, and it's been stuck there every since. I keep joking about making a Rubin playlist but it's just HEALTH songs because their whole discography is just kinda like that.... Big recommend from me
Glass by Blood Cultures for my fashion model Rubin agenda - Man, this is harder to explain, but BASICALLY, I feel like Rubin would make a fantastic model. Not that he would be one in modern AU, but I think he has some traits that would be very good for an alternative fashion model. MAYBE I'LL ELABORATE ON THIS ONE DAY.... But anyway, this is the song I would love to see him do a runway walk to (Blood Cultures is fantastic btw, also a recommend)
Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes for Artemy - The lyrics are pretty self-explanatory.... a man struggles with growing up and his finding his place in life, and I feel like it's pretty fitting.... Love this song a lot
There There by Radiohead - SO I JOKED ABOUT SEEING HOW MANY RADIOHEAD SONGS I COULD SHOVE INTO PLAYLISTS, but I had a really complex Burda comic I was trying to plot in my head. Unfortunately, I think animation is the only way to really convey the vision, and that's a bit out of my league.... 😔 I can talk about it more if anyone is interested, though
I'm trying to create a creepy Polyhedron playlist just for fun, but I'm having some trouble finding the right vibes.... I feel pretty solid about these two though, they feel creepy enough:
Carol N°1 by Woodkid
Spring But Dark by Clark
Favorite color: I have lots! Big fondness for salmon pink and my art tends to run in on the warm, vibrant (sometimes neon) side
Currently watching: Trying to watch Bad and Crazy on Netflix but I'm not a huge TV show person unfortunately 😔 Too time consuming and most of the stuff I do wanna watch needs subtitles, which I can't pay attention to when I'm multi-tasking
Last movie: HOO BOY, I watched Marry My Dead Body on Netflix, and basically the premise is that an aggressively straight homophobic cop accidentally gets married to the ghost of a gay man, and they need to cooperate to solve a series of crimes and find the murderer. It's a fun premise and it's supposed to be an action comedy but I can definitely see how your mileage may vary depending on what's your sense of humor might be.... Not a super terrible movie, but ehhh....
Before that, I saw The Lure (Córki dancingu) which was more interesting to me.... It's supposed to be a modern retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, but with flesh eating mermaids and discothèque flair.... I know people have mixed feelings about this movie, but I enjoyed the style and music... The music is SO catchy
youtube
Currently reading: NOTHING AT THE MOMENT, I just returned some library books not too long ago, and these are my recommendations
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher - A sort of retelling of The Fall of the House of Usher from the POV of a nonbinary solider in fictional mid 1900s Europe... a VERY easy read.... The characters are charming and the narrator is really funny, witty and sarcastic... Reminds me a bit of Artemy in that regard... Good body horror to be had here
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw - This is more a traditional, dark fairy tale narrative.... It's told from the POV of a man-eating mermaid who burns her husband's kingdom to the ground... She takes on a nonbinary Plague Doctor as her traveling companion and they roam together before stumbling across a village of children who keep dying and coming back to the life thanks to the aid of 3 surgeons who conceal more sinister purposes...
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey - I enjoyed this one a lot.... A supernatural haunted house horror/drama where a woman returns to her childhood home to take care of the estate of her estranged dying mother while confronting the dark history that her father left in the basement.... Excellent characterizations and I was really invested in where the story was going
Sweet/spicy/savory: BIIIIGGGG savory person.... I like sweets but I love a good savory.... Fries and chips are a big weakness of mine
Relationship status: In a relationship! 🥰
Current obsession: I'm still drawing Patho, so that's still sitting on my mind.... I just finished watching a playthrough of Dave the Diver though, so that's been sitting on my mind too.... UNBELIEVABLY cute and charming.... Sort of scratches the same itch Animal Crossing does
Last thing I Googled: Different kinds of biological slimes.... I never thought about categorizing them before, but now I really want to know what qualifies as a slime
Currently working on: Portfolio stuff.... 😞 I want to leave my current job, so a necessary and time consuming evil, unfortunately
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anime-grimmy · 2 years
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Sooo, I’ve gotten quite some interesting tags on my “Giratina found Emmet in the distorition world” comic and got a lot of thoughts based on the reactions ppl had.
But first off I wanna say that I did not come up with the concept! Im rly glad if I managed to get some ppl introduced to this AU but I just came up with that comic based on comics/drawings I saw on the submas tag. I don’t know if there is an “original” creator for this concept, but just so you know I was just inspired.
But anyways, on to another long ass rambling session.
Before I start rambling about general ideas I wanna talk about the two things ppl questioned about the comic (which were actually the jokes but whatev)
First, how did Giratina not notice this dude in the distorion world, it’s its realm after all. Especially when the only other person is probably Cyrus that walks around in there. Well, to be fair, I imagine, even if it’s Giratina’s realm, it doesn’t really know what’s necessarily going on in there except if something dastric happens. But I could also imagine that, while Giratina was technically not in a frenzy, that it was kind of distracted while playing bad guy with Volo.
For how Emmet even managed to get in there, that’s for him and only him to know.
But speaking of the train man, let’s talk about the second joke some people didn’t get; the fact that the twins can’t “recognize” each other. Believe it or not, but I have a valid reason behind it which is kind of the crux behind this whole ass AU.
So, we know space and time in the distortion world is more of a suggestion than a rule, hence everything getting, well, distorted. That’s why Emmet seems to have no memories of his own, because the memories got distorted. Not lost, just justled up in a way that Emmet can’t reach them consciously.
But not only his mind, but his whole sense of self is being distorted. That’s why, once he’s out of the DW, people can’t exactly recogize him. And with that I mean, ppl literally can’t see his face well. Imagine it as just seeing really hazy around the edges (anyone with glasses will know what I mean with that.). This, of course, also applies to Ingo. Even when he learns Emmet’s name, it doesn’t click right away. It’s also more of a “I know I should know you and I know I should be feeling a certain way, but it’s like there’s sth preventing that”. Like, a weird mental blockade that prevents his memories from clicking into place.
Same goes for Emmet though. He has real trouble perceiving people well and with Ingo it becomes a really strange case, because while at first it’s fun to talk to this man he vaguely feels like he should remember, at some point he gets a nagging feeling that there’s something buried beneath the surface and he gets progresssively anxious around Ingo.
The distortion haze is only a temporary effect however. With time, the “fog starts lifting”, Emmet starts seeing ppl clearer and so do they with him. Memories start coming back as well and oooh, I only realized the angst potential behind that recently. At first it’s fun and games, little things from Ingo and Emmet’s childhood come bubbling up and they finally start to realize that there is indeed a bond between them. But at same time, with every happy memory, Emmet gets a growing pit in his stomach, the premonition that there’s something horrible he has yet to remember (i.e., the painful grief and frustration he felt all the time Ingo was gone). So Emmet starts avoiding Ingo like the plague because he’s just a tad bit too scared to know what skeletons hide in his mental closet.
Don’t worry, not all is doom and gloom though (even though I love to make my favs suffer). I’d think Daki (so, the protag, but Imma use my OCs name) would be the mediator between the two brothers. While not her fault, after catching and befriending Giratina, she kind of feels responsible for Emmet, and they actually become great friends. I always joke about them just having this chaotic, younger sibling energy and you just know they would be play fighting right behind Ingo’s back, thinking he doesn’t notice (he does though). So, before everything goes to shit, there would be a lot of chaos and funny shenanigans happening. Emmet and Daki also really bond over their love for Pokemon (especially the electric and/or bug variety).
Daki is also literally the only person Emmet can see clearly from the start, which probably has something to do with being blessed by Arceus or sth.
But anyways, once the memories start coming back, shit goes down the drain, with all parties involved getting somehow emotionally hurt, but I bet one good, long pokemon battle (and a whole lot of crying) will iron things out again.
If not, there’s always the baby Joltik to zap some sense into them.
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jiminrings · 4 years
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hey hannah! hope you are doing great darling ( ˘ ³˘) ♡ i may have a request in mind, a university/college au with jock!jk and shy art major!yn or an olympics au? with olympic athlete!jk and olympic athlete!yn (you decide which sports!) thank you so much in advance ♡
never (k)not you
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pairing: jungkook x y/n
wordcount: 5k
glimpse: established relationship ft. jock!jk and shy art major!y/n, y/n gets an unexpected pep talk and jungkook doubts himself, and either so much tears or so much dUST according to kook
notes: baby ok FIRST OF ALL, i’m so sorry i only got to write this now :(( it’s been three months since you sent in this request bUT well it’s here now :D thank you so much for requesting and waiting!! i really hope ur still here or else i-i... will lose it
if you squint, best friend!tae is actually rich kid tae both from the art major drabble and insufferable!!
lunch with taehyung either makes the both of you the LOUDEST motherfuckers in the planet or it’s just comfortable silence
comfortable silence’s more common whenever the two of you are in public because to put it simply
he’s cold and you’re shy!! makes sense
but god just mention his girlfriend’s name oNCE and he’ll talk your ear off and you get genuinely excited when he is
he just needs to mention gouache for less than a second and you will genuinely freak
then suddenly the both of you are the chattiest beings ever and absolutely no one will yield until they get the final say
but this
this just feels weird...
because it’s lunch and you’re not talkative and the silence is most definitely not comfortable
you just know tae has something up his sleeve and will probably catch you off-
“are you and jungkook a thing?”
...
......
it’s never actually registered in your head that you and jungkook are a THING but absolutely no one knows
literally no one
not even the dust living underneath your bedframe!! or if guardian angels existed, then they’d probably be clueless as fuck
lol wait what was that cold gust of wind on ur arms
jungkook is the dreamiest man alive and he’s been your boyfriend for what?? two years now??
and the two of you, and more of him actually, insisted to keep it private
your relationship is none of anyone’s business and it uh.,. it literally seems to be that way because sometimes even yOU forget that you’re in a relationship
jungkook avoids you like the plague and you keep to yourself like you do with all your gouache
this dynamic of no one knowing has been so instilled in you that tae’s innocent (?) question is enough to make you spiral little by little
taehyung was just harboring an idea ok
because like two days ago when you went out with him and his girlfriend for ice cream, jungkook was there too by himself
and that just seems like pure coincidence
but then they dOn’t seem like coincidences anymore when he realizes on the same day how many classes he was in where you were in
and you don’t even have the same major!!!
or when he’s walking you home because your apartment is literally on the right side of his girlfriend’s (changbin’s on the left) and he’s taking every possibility he gets
but it just so happens that uh... jungkook’s always there from a distance? like when the two of you are walking and that guy just hAD to be there at the back??
goddamn it tae should’ve gotten his parents’ offer for personal security while he’s studying in campus :((
“woah woah wOAH what’s the matter?” you panic when he shoves you inside your apartment the moment you manage to open it
“this fucking jungkook guy is either stalking you or me and it’s starting to get on my nerves!!”
“... taehyung-“
and then he realized that oh... ok... i see
what if this guy has a crush on you??
but it didn’t make sense because why would this soccer guy (no offense) that’s a jock (no offense) who always either looks high with how giggly he is (no offense) or bereaved with how he scowls (no offense) could POSSIBLY like you???
you who’s the art major (no offense) with your clothes almost exactly like he is (no offense) that he has an inkling that either you were copying him or him copying you (no offense) and the shyness that you absolutely wouldn’t talk to anyone unless they go first and tHAT even became a tough cookie for him!! h i m
wait
on another thought...
that does make sense
you and jungkook are more likely to be a couple than anyone else more alike to either of you, no offense :D
and the way now that you’re frozen and scoffing like ur voicing mater’s engine in cars
“w-what? FUCK no!!”
mhmmm
yeah that’s the spot
taehyung means this in full offense but you’d be absolutely bankrupt if ever you wanted to try your hand at poker when your tell is literally cussing in capital when you’re flustered
this is the equivalent of your mom leaving you by the line to the cashier at the grocery when she needs to get something and you’re next at the line and you have no money on you and you’re too hesitant to tell the person behind you to-
“why? are you thinking of asking him out?”
he hears you seethe and that’s only the second time he’s heard you actually do that so he may have straightened his posture a lil
you wouldn’t hold it against taehyung because jungkook is one fINE specimen and tae doesn’t stare from that description anyway
you just can’t help but feel a lil.....
ಠ_ಠ
because you know that jungkook is yours and when it comes to things like these, you can’t do anything about it
how could you??
fine... if taehyung tries to-
smack!
the fact that your friend has a gigantic palm for one doesn’t soothe the gears in your head
you’re positive that your brain actually shook inside your head for a split second
“i already have someone, dumbass.”
taehyung has to remind you again to which you immediately awe in remembrance, a sheepish smile on your face bc for a moment, you actually considered begging for tae to back the fuck off without making it seem you’re already with jungkook
he waves you off because you’re about to coo at him again, a small smile on his face because he wouldn’t forget how he’s so lucky
it’s nice to be in love!!
you should probably try it some time
but then again, taehyung’s starting to think that you’ve been in a longer relationship with jungkook than him in one, so he thinks that he should be the one taking notes from you
“can i, uhm, ask how did you know?”
you don’t mind swallowing your pride because you already know you can’t bullshit your way out of this one, a timid look on your lap
sheesh
tae’s pride seems to swell up because his suspicion’s right just by oNE singular try
“because i’m rich kid kim :) don’t you know that?”
see now this is only one of the few times that he’d gladly take his title
rich kid kim was coined by the courtesy of changbin, his girlfriend’s friend :/
it just seemed to STICK on everyone else after then
changbin was the first to narrate his actions like he’s the lead star of a poorly-produced netflix film
what’s wrong with rich kid kim? is his greeting every time he crosses paths with changbin
he was just pissy that oNE time!! it was ONE time
taehyung thinks of the whole jungkook situation and relates it to him as much as possible because ya know,,, he is the main star and koo’s just a second lead
ok changbin’s netflix narrations are really rubbing off on him
“think of jeon jungkook as an elitist that everyone wants to be close with, and yet he actually looks like one of the good guys — like me — and he looks like he wants to shoot himself in the foot when he gets offered caviar oNE more time, and then you’re like uh, the comic relief???”
he spews his interpretation all in one breath effortlessly and you’re just blinking slowly to try and digest it all
it’s oddly too specific
hol up now why does it sound like he’s been actually waiting for you to ask him that
HOLD ON YOU’RE THE COMIC RELIEF???
“a clowN?” is what you react first and tae can’t believe that that’s the only thing you picked up from his perfectly sound analogy
“uhhhh like a bartender? a waitress? someone that isn’t a socialite,” he shrugs as he tries to make amends, remembering that the last time he went to a rich kid kim party, no one was technically in pennywise shoes nor juggling bowling pins
“are you trying to insult me tae?”
:((
yIKES are u gonna cry
“what?? no!! no!!” he launches from his seat as if he was falling and that catches him a couple of glances from rich kid kim loyalists (there’s a lot of things he’s unaware of), about to punch the floor if only their lord and savior didn’t take it in stride, “i’m not trying to insult you, but it’s how you take it, y’know?”
his nonchalance puts you on the edge even more, launching from your seat and uh you don’t exactly have any concerned fanbase there to worry for you
“so i sHOULD?? tae you’re basically saying that-”
alright that’s it
he needs to actually get through you this time because more often that not, you are so fucking stubborn that it beats him
he glares at you, eyes looking comically large and pissy as he’s stopped in the middle of slurping from his cup noodles to talk some sense into you
it feels like an eternity until he finishes his noodles and you were almost tempted to just eat the remaining portion to fasten his pace
“in rich kid kim terms, or reality y/n terms?”
you’re almost too scared to answer but you already do before you can even process, raising two fingers
and for a moment, you think tae’s actually gonna go easy on you!
whew you definitely aren’t prepared if-
“do you come out together by the main door? or from the back?”
your eyes are as large as they could possibly be and if you stay in that same shocked and taken-aback state, you’d need to look for those creams with how much your eyebrows and your forehead are creased
u-uh well now that i think about it-...” okay maybe you and jungkook don’t come into uni by any of the several hundred main entrances at all, but that doesn’t mean-
“does he hold your hand? carry your backpack? doesn’t matter if you have a dumbbell in there or not, does he carry it?” tae lists item after item, racking through his mind as these were also all the things he does, and all the things he’s picked up from everyone
“does he bring your water? lend his hoodie when you’re not even sniffling? pick a fight when someone even looks at you the wrong way? read something relatively romantic in english lit, then text you about it? brag about you to his friends? does he-...”
...
....
okay
you are awfully too silent for even your nature
tae was blissfully obvious just two seconds ago when he was enumerating boyfriend traits (that he himself exhibited, excuse you) left and right
then he started to realize that you weren’t stuttering nor interjecting on the side
he’s :O when you’re standing up from your seat, straightening out your hoodie, one that isn’t jungkook’s, that you’ve been anxiously wrinkling for the past ten minutes
“excuse me, tae. i have uh.. i have a lot to think about.”
everything he’s said made a solid number on you because not even distracting yourself becomes successful
not even your mini fixation on gouache helped you because so far it really sucks
it’s become a routine of jungkook to come over to your apartment almost everyday that it practically feels he’s living with you
he knows where you keep your milk and how cold you want the AC to blast and how you organize your groceries
and yet jungkook can’t-
“koo do you love me?”
it’s a question that was sprung so suddenly because come to think of it, you’re knitting and jungkook’s head is buried in your thighs while he tries to take a nap
he doesn’t bother trying to figure out your thought process because it’s a question that’s so simple that it seemed trivial
jungkook’s a dream when he nods and hums to your thighs, making you tread your hands on his hair instead of your roll of yarn
“mhmmm. more than life itself.”
he loves loves you!!! he doesn’t even know why you’re asking
“okay,” you hum back, crouching down to press a kiss on his nape that he appreciates because he’s a little ticklish on that spot, “hold my hand tomorrow then.”
:-)
jungkook launches from his position on your thighs, sitting up immediately that it’s gotten him dizzy
“... w-what?”
oh boy here it goes
you don’t feel like dancing around this issue anymore because after all, you do have the right to stick your finger in this!!
he’s your boyfriend i mean like what’s not clicking
“it’s not that big of a deal, jungkook. it’s not like i asked you to propose to me or something.”
his eyes widen more at that, his cheeks puffing out and it makes you realize that taehyung was right and it dOES look like he’s hiding a goldfish in there sometimes
you try to bite back a laugh at that but jungkook is devoid from any entertainment at all, looking like you just asked him to pick between you and the universe
“you uh want me to propose??”
he has his hand awkwardly caressing his nape and his cheeks flush as he’s trying to process things
yeah he DOES love you and he’ll marry you eventually but you’re doing this now!!! as in now??
how’s your wedding gonna work? god, can the two of you decide on the menu for your reception? does this mean your aunts and his aunts would mee?? no no that could not possibly be-
“you don’t need to,” you sheepishly mumble and you’re not gonna deny that marrying jungkook did cross your mind every once in awhile
you aren’t against it but marriage is not the issue at hand!! it’s just about him hOLDING your hand tomorrow and not forever now
“so you don’t want me to?”
...... christ where is this going to
there’s palpable tension in the air and you just feel like giving up, sinking further into the couch and koo’s reading TOO much into it
what if you slouching on the couch means you’re breaking up with him and you wouldn’t marry him even if he was the last person alive
“if you aren’t ashamed of me, or if you don’t feel like dYING when i’m five feet away from you and your jock friends-“
“lovie i-“
your ringless hand raises and prompts him to shut up, palms a little sweaty and fingers tired from stress-knitting
“then hold my hand. tomorrow. please.”
:-)
okay fine then
last night wasn’t exactly the best experience because you felt a little too distant even if he was enveloping you into his arms
last night, kook didn’t even dare to try and press mischievous kisses from your jaw to your shoulder because you felt untouchable with how wringed you were
then he had breakfast by himself much earlier and had to practically sHAKE you awake to whisper that he’s gonna leave earlier because he has a plan, and then proceeds to tell you to act as if you didn’t know that he has a plan, then go back to sleep and forget altogether that this literal rude awakening even happened
if you ask him, he is wearing the most boyfriend fit ever in this entire universe
which is uh his regular outfit of a fit shirt and a cool-looking jacket with chunk boots thrown on top of it
BUT!!!!
hear him out ok
he’s wearing a bracelet
uh huh
a bracelet...... that has the iNITIAL of your name
yuh how romantic is that
man both hallmark and netflix must be bankrupt because of jeon jungkook!! he’s sure of it
he just knows
the big deal of it all is jungkook waiting for you by the stairs, bouncing on heels out of displaced nervous energy because he’s too jittery to just coolly lean against the wall
“kook?”
you’re tilting your head at the sight, a little lost but more on fond as he smiles squarely 
“y/n! it’s uh, it’s you! wow!!” 
he exclaims but not without tucking his hands into his pockets and non-discreetly looking around your surrounding before he deems it clear enough, which is what you still find useless for him to even do it!!
the whole point of this is to not care!!
he’s gingerly placing himself beside you and although it’s not exactly what you asked for, it makes you sigh a breath of relief because it’s been tOO long that you’ve been next to him in this public atmosphere
he’s not exactly far, but he isn’t exactly bumping shoulders with you either
there are some glances alright 
jungkook has a loose grip on you but you could fEEL how his hand is so sweaty
he’s just looking at the floor and he allows you to guide him because if not for you, he would’ve been bumping into both lockers and people non-stop
u actually have first period together but you typically sit rowS away but now he’s just sitting on the chair right above yours
he isn’t next to you but he’s literally above you, so maybe you’ll take it
you can’t exactly text taehyung how it’s going because he could see everything from where he’s seated at
this was supposed to be an enjoyable time :(
a nice, giggly, warm enjoyable time with jungkook
but being this unrestricted meant him being so rigid that quite frankly, you’ve grown sick and wary of it in less than an hour
you’re making your way to the library and jungkook’s sTILL following you when you were sure he wouldn’t have
and if you ask him, he doesn’t know either why he followed you
he jus did it without thinking even if it meant him taking quick steps behind you with his head down 
he doesn’t know why you’re here and he feels a little guilty that he should know it if this was already a part off your routine
but this time, jungkook can’t look at you because this time, you’re the one who’s unreachable
who kNOWS what your empty stare could possibly mean
“we don’t have to do this anymore, y’know.”
that’s the quickest way to conclude it, nodding to yourself surely
meanwhile, jungkook is a millisecond away from a goddamn mELTDOWN
“w-what do you mean?”
“this!” you genuinely chuckle and even wiggle your hands around to make a point
he swears to god rn that he is gonna BLUBBER
“a-are you breaking up with me right now?”
his voice is already cracking and it reminds him that oh, yeah, the two of you are in the library and he’s about to cRY
you’re gasping when you take his trembling hand and jungkook wants to snatch it back and beg you to hold it tighter at the same time
oh no :-)
“it’s okay. i don’t mind anymore. and what, we’re gonna graduate like a year from now! doesn’t matter anymore.”
but wait it SHOULD matter
he’s gonna cry oh god oh god he’s gonna-
“you don’t need to change for me.”
:((
so that’s what
jungkook cries and it’s from relief that no, you aren’t breaking up with him
“o-okay,” he nods as he wipes his own tears that are blurring his vision and there’s sO much that he actually worries if it would budge his contacts
he just wants a hug from you to console him like you always do
but instead, you look around, settle on tapping his chin, then standing up
“cheer up. i’m gonna go eat lunch with felix.”
and then yOU’RE the one leaving him
quick
does he really look like a red-nosed, bleary-eyes, puffy-lipped mess??
say sike rn lads
jungkook clearly doesn’t look the best and he doesn’t exactly know what he was doing when he came out of the library and marched over to hang out with his friends like he always did
but something’s just different
he looks like someone whose world turned upon him and has nothing left to himself
surprisingly, it’s not hobi who’s the only one thinking of that
his friends are all ????
“y’okay man??”
namjoon’s the first to break the silence and everyone sighs because they were all holding a breath just by looking at jungkook’s distraught state
“yeah! just, uh, just —“
he’s back to being preppy in an instant but he can’t establish eye contact, swinging his arms by his sides and looking around just to look natural and gOD IS THAT YOU??
you’re you
you’re there, walking with felix and your backpack on hIS shoulder
.,., the same backpack that he’s bought you one birthday ago, on tHIS dude’s shoulder strewn as if he didn’t panic in between which variant should he buy for you
you look blissfully unaware that he’s cried himself just by thinking about you and your words and lack of actions just awhile ago
“nothing.” 
jungkook grits out and suddenly, he isn’t sad anymore :D
just uh
just a lil frustrated :D agitated :D or maybe feeling a little inadequate and outraged :D
this other mini breakdown going on his head doesn’t go unnoticed because here he is, so close to injuring his fist with how tight he’s clenching it
the guys, however.,.,
seokjin whistles and goes as far to squint his eyes intentionally that he looked like a distraught chihuahua, immediately grabbing jungkook’s actions as he nods his head to your direction
“y/n, right?”
jungkook froze and everyone is just waiting on him, mouths a little parted because they’ve caught on jin’s little plan and somehow, he might’ve struck a chord sO hard that-
“keep your fucking dick in your pants, seokjin.”
WOAH WOAH WOAH WOAH
everyone’s reacting to his seething like a flock of seagulls to a piece of bread
yeah they’ve seen the youngest of their group mad, but not tHIS type of mad that he looks like he would’ve hit his hyung with a skillet upright if he had one onhand
everyone’s visibly offended besides seokjin, the man mentioned just amusedly shrugging his shoulders with a dimpled smile that unintentionally provoked jungkook even more
“told you,” yoongi gives up his last batch of cookies to namjoon, a long-winded bet finally coming to an end because of what was only supposed to be a harmless question by jin
“if y/n was your girlfriend, you could’ve just said so!!” 
jin ruffles his hair and it doesn’t exactly take a genius to see how he cares for you!!
jungkook looks out for you in ways he couldn’t even notice doing
he always had two umbrellas in his backpack and when it was raining, he’d leave one on purpose by the front of this specific locker
hoseok actually borrowed an eraser without permission from kook once, but then he found a combination of tampons n napkins that he grimaced because what :// those aren’t even the good brands!! he has a sister and now has a handful of knowledge about monthly visits, so he takes note to talk to jungkook about it some time
there’s even an extra sweater in his backpack that always remains unotuched
one time, jimin complained that he was cold and turned to jungkook, full-well knowing that the fucker had oNE more sweater tucked in his bag, who just plains-out ignore him and even tch!s him under his breath
they somehow had a clue all along and now that jungkook realizes, he may be a little dENSE
OH RIGHT
WHY WOULD HE HAVE KEPT YOU HIDDEN
that’s entirely stoopid of him
what was the reason lmao
this time, jungkook’s more than eager to make it up to you
eVEN if you’ve insisted that nothing was wrong!!
it was just the last day before christmas break so it went by considerably fast-paced because even the professors were a little antsy to come home!!
that didn’t stop him, because clearly, jungkook holds your hand tight this time and he’s looking straight ahead
he looks proud
he feels natural and giggly the whole day that you couldn’t stop either because it’s a complete 360 from yesterday
wouldn’t absolutely stop holding your hand and following you
even kisses the top of your head like a kitten repeatedly
eVEN SAT IN A CLASS HE DIDN’T HAVE TO BE WITH YOU
something’s up with jungkook alright
the two of you are back again on the couch — you knitting, and him buried and napping on your thighs
it’s a bit of a shock when he grabs your hand all of a sudden, a half-sleepy and full-on dreamy look on his face when he’s looking up at you from being laid down on your lap
a red silicone band :D
you’re still speechless when he’s sliding it on your ring finger, admittedly getting the wrong finger the first time which is why he’s sheepish and holding back a giggle
“jungkook....?”
unsurprisingly, it looks good on you
he seems to think so himself when he’s giving you another one, holding his hand out and you’re doing the same without even an explanation present
“it’s a placeholder :)”
a placeholder?? hold on ur heart is a lil fragile
your eyes widen and your lips downturn on instinct, making him giggle as he smushes your cheeks to just let him explain
“all this marriage talk just had me thinking-”
“are you PROPOSING right now??”
both the mix of panic and excitement stains you clearly, mouth dropping open as you try to fumble for atleast something to wipe your face with
hee-hee 
“maybe i am, maybe i’m not :)”
jungkook’s such a romantic it’s SICKENING
his mind drifts off and you can’t blame him!!
his family’s well-off so maybe he could cash in his next ten birthdays for a loan or maybe even a house to help ease the two of you in
maybe the two of you could even build it from the ground up
the two of you could also move into this nice apartment after graduation!! he’s been eyeing it for quite awhile actually
“you wanna get married early?”
“maybe i do, maybe i don’t :D”
jungkook’s faux nonchalance makes you grin yourself, the both of you knowing what answer he’d yield anyway
“as long as it’s you,” you declare surely, bending down to press a kiss on his nose that tickles him and makes his heart full
“as long as it’s me?”
jungkook smiles cheekily at your statement pressing kisses on the top of your thighs that’s got you fumbling at him to just embrace you immediately
he’s a little bulky with all the muscles he’s gained and worked on, a little pressured when he’s sitting on your lap upright and won’t absolutely stop kissing you sweetly
“you should start on knitting your wedding garter now :D”
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iturbide · 2 years
Note
*breathing heavily holding a bunch of red strings and thumbtacks* I HAVE SLIPPED THE HOOK AND HERE IS MY CRACK THEORY
We know full well that Edelgard was completely willing to dispose of Dimitri and Claude outright, given the beginning of Three Houses being what sets everything in motion. Here, I raise you that in this new timeline, Edelgard instead is coerced/eventually agrees to swapping out Dimitri and Claude for Agarthan agents rather than killing them outright. After all, if she and her "allies" can hold control over not only the Empire, but Faerghus and the Alliance as well, then attacking and destroying the central Church (along with bringing the entirety of Fodlan under the Empire's heel) would be a walk in the park - after all, there's no way the church's forces can even begin to compare to that of all three nations combined.
However, some things go awry. For whatever reason, the Twisted are only able to swap out Claude - I saw something about Rufus theoretically being under Cornelia's control, but who knows maybe a part of him still cared enough for his nephew to send him off early, or maybe Rodrigue suspected something was wrong and spirited Dimitri and co to the monastery before any of the agents can catch on. It's only because of Claude's relative new status to Fodlan/how isolated he makes himself in an effort to stay safe that he's able to be nabbed and swapped, since he wouldn't have anyone nearly as fiercely keeping an eye on him (after all, Judith is in a completely different territory and Granpa Riegan...is Granpa Riegan - maybe even Gloucester played a role, though that's a stretch since I don't believe he ever even demonstrates knowledge of the Twisted)
It's also why Agarthan Claude's immediate action once he has the power to is restructuring the Alliance to make himself effectively king - an oligarchy is not what the Twisted or Edelgard desires, and a monarchy would be the most useful in controlling resources and people. Claude's connections to Almyra however did NOT come into play until Shahid's invasion, and the Twisted had Agarlaude kill him after he refused to surrender (though they likely would've killed him in captivity anyway), for multiple reasons but ESPECIALLY because there's even a SLIM chance that Shahid could put two and two together and realize something's up and that this isn't Claude, despite the animosity - and after seeing how brash and reckless the prince appears, they had to put that to a stop immediately.
THIS IS, HOWEVER, ENTIRELY SPECULATION, I HAVE NOT PLAYED THREE HOPES AT ALL AND THIS IS JUST WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GLEAN ON MY OWN I JUST HAVE THE FEELING THAT EDELGARD AND AGARTHAN CLAUDE ARE IN CAHOOTS AND SOMETHING SOMETHING PARALLELS BETWEEN KILLING A PRINCE OF A FOREIGN NATION DISMISSING THE CONSEQUENCES OUT OF WANTING TO ENTIRELY CRUSH THE RESISTANCE/KEEP THINGS OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND-*once again forcibly yanked off stage by a comically large hook*
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I am going to destroy whoever is operating that hook
Because all of this makes so much sense
You're exactly right -- the inciting incident in Three Houses was Kostas' attack on the three Lords, and we know he was hired by the Flame Emperor who is eventually revealed to be Edelgard herself. Piggy-backing off your theory -- what if Edelgard wasn't convinced to swap them instead of killing them, but instead the Agarthans saw an opportunity too good to pass up and went for it without consulting her? I have a feeling this might be what happened to Cornelia: they saw that the King of Faerghus was preparing to honor her with a Court appointment for her work curing the plague, realized both that this was a position of power they could use to their advantage and that once she received that appointment she would be much harder to access, so they moved to take and swap her before the appointment. They might have seen another opportunity they wanted to capitalize on with Claude's journey -- and maybe things just happened to line up in their favor.
So, here's my crackpot theory: while Count Gloucester doesn't have direct connections to the Agarthans...he does have connections. In Raphael and Ignatz's paralogue, word comes in that merchants traveling from Gloucester territory to Riegan territory are being attacked, and when Byleth and their class go to investigate, they find not only several Demonic Beasts...but a Dark Mage. I tend to think that the Dark Mage is there to control the Demonic Beasts used in these attacks -- and it's heavily implied at the end if the merchants survive that Count Gloucester is responsible for the whole thing because he doesn't want merchants contributing to Riegan's wealth. Maybe it's a stretch, but even if Count Gloucester isn't directly aware of the Agarthans, there's a very strong possibility in my mind that he's working with them.
So what if they found out about his impending journey to the monastery and informed Count Gloucester? What if he agreed to pay them to block whatever route Claude would have taken (maybe one that bypassed Gloucester territory entirely in favor of going through Goneril and Ordelia lands), and when Claude's entourage re-routes through the Count's territory they attack the new Riegan heir as it's implied Gloucester orchestrated the attack on the old one -- only this time, with the Agarthans involved, instead of killing Claude they capture and replace him with one of their own. Sure, Count Gloucester won't be happy to hear that Claude lived, but that's not really the point for them: the Agarthans still get what they wanted.
Actually, building off that -- what if this is part of why Rufus incites that rebellion in the prologue? What if, realizing that they now have either direct control or heavy influence over two of the three sovereign lands in Fodlan, they decided to go for a third and had Cornelia influence Rufus into taking action? Dimitri might be popular with the commoners, but Rufus has the backing of the nobles (many of whom are also implied to have taken part in the Tragedy of Duscur), so they wouldn't need Dimitri if they already have Rufus in their pocket. Unfortunately for them, Dimitri manages to put down his uncle's power play, and they actually lose what influence they'd accrued in the Kingdom...so they're probably be keen on getting it back by any means -- like, say, having their Alliance agent invade.
So maybe it was more about taking advantage of a unique opportunity than a fully fleshed-out plan. Maybe, in fact, they would have preferred to call of Kostas' attack but weren't able to orchestrate another meeting before it went off -- and then with Shez' interference, it led to Kostas' death, which led to them losing Monica, and the dominoes began to fall. But I am definitely going to be keeping this theory in mind when I finally get a chance to play, just to see what evidence I can pull together.
And I swear I am going to beat whoever keeps grabbing this anon with their own stage hook you can't silence good theories
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Note
Is the popular headcanon that Nicky was illiterate, stupid and barbaric fitting in the stereotypes about Southern Europeans / Mediterraneans ? I’m guessing it’s from the American part of the fandom that’s choosing to not respectfully write Nicky since he is white while being virulent towards anybody that doesn’t perfected and accurately write Joe because he is MENA.
Hello!
Mind you, I am neither a psychologist, a sociologist nor a historian, so of course be aware these are my own views on the whole drama.
But to answer your question, yes, I personally think so. It definitely comes from the American side, but I have seen Northern Europeans do that too, often just parroting the same type of discourse that Anglos whip out every other day.
There is an abysmal ignorance of Medieval history – even more so when it concerns countries that are not England: there is this common misconception that Europe in the Middle Ages was this cultural backwater full of semi-barbaric people that stems unfortunately not only from trying to (correctly) reframe colonialist approaches to the historiographies of non-European populations (that is, showing the Golden Age of Islamic culture, for instance, as opposed to what were indeed less culturally advanced neighbours), but also from distortions operated by European themselves from the Renaissance onwards, culminating in the 18th century Enlightenment philosophes categorising the Middle Ages as the Dark Ages.
Now this approach has been time and time again proven to be a made-up myth. I will not go into detail to disprove each and every single one misconception about the Medieval era because entire books have been written, but just to give you an example: there was no such a thing as a ius primae noctis/droit du seigneur; people were aware that the Earth was not flat (emperors, kings, saints, etc, they were depicted holding a globe in their hands); people were taking care of their hygiene, either through the Roman baths, or natural springs, or private tubs that the wealthier strata of the population (and especially the aristocracy) owned. The Church was not super happy about them not because it wanted people to remain dirty, but because often these baths were for both men and women, and it was not that in favour of them showing off their bodies to one another. Which, you know, we also don’t do now unless you go to nudist spas. It was only during the Black Death in the 14th century that baths were slowly abandoned because they became a place of contagion, and they went into disuse (or better, they changed purpose and became something like bordellos). And, lastly, there was certainly a big chunk of the population that was illiterate, but certainly it was not the clergy, which was THE erudite class of the time. It was in monasteries and abbeys that knowledge was passed and preserved (as well as lost unfortunately often, such as the case for the largest part of classical literature).
So what does this mean? According to canon, Nicolò was an ex priest who fought in the First Crusade. This arguably means that at the very least he was a cadet son of a minor noble family (or a wealthy merchant one) who was part of the clergy. As such, historically he could have been neither illiterate nor a dirty garbage cat in his daily life.
Let’s then talk geography. Southern Europe (and France) was far, far more advanced than the North at the time and Italy remained the cultural powerhouse of the continent until the mid-17th century. Al Andalus in the Iberian Peninsula, the Italian States,  the Byzantine Empire (which called itself simply Roman Empire, whose population defined itself as Roman and cultural heirs of the Latin and Greek civilisations): these places have nothing to do with popular depictions of Medieval Europe that you mainly see from the Anglos. Like @lucyclairedelune rightfully pointed out: not everyone was England during the plague.
Also the Middle Ages lasted one thousand years. As a historical age, it’s way longer than anything we had after that. So of course habits varied, there was a clear collapse right after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, but then things develop, you know?
Anyway, back to the point in question. Everything I whipped up is not arcane knowledge: it’s simply having studied history at school and spending a few hours reading scientific articles on the internet which are not “random post written by random Anglo on Tumblr who can hardly find Genoa on a map”.
Nicolò stems from that culture. The most advanced area in Europe, possibly a high social class, certainly educated, from Genoa, THE maritime superpower of the age (with…Venice). It makes absolutely no sense that he would not be able to speak anything past Ligurian: certainly Latin (the ecclesiastical one), maybe the koine Greek spoken in Constantinople, or Sabir, or even the several Arabic languages from the Med basin stretching from al Andalus to the Levant. Because Genoa was a port, and people travel, bring languages with them, use languages to barter.
And now I am back to your question. Does this obstinacy in writing him as an illiterate beast (basically) feed into stereotypes of Mediterranean people (either from the northern or the southern shore)? It does.
It is a typically Anglo-Germanic perspective that of describing Southern (Catholic) Europeans are hot-headed, illiterate bumpinks mindlessly driven by blind anger, lusts and passions, as opposed to the rational, law-abiding smart Northern Protestants. You see it on media. I see it in my own personal life, as a Southern Italian living in Northern Europe for 10 years.
Does it sound familiar? Yes, it’s the same harmful stereotype of Yusuf as the Angry Brown Man. But done to Nicolò as the Angry Italian Man (not to mention the fact that, depending on the time of day and the daily agenda of the Anglo SJW Tumblrite, Italians can be considered either white or non-white).
Now, the times where Nicolò is shown as feral are basically when he is fighting (either in a bloody war or against Merrick’s men) or when Yusuf is in danger. Because, guess what, the man he loves is being hurt. What a fucking surprise.
Nicolò is simply being reduced to a one dimensional stereotype of the dirty dumb angry Italian, and people are simply doing this because they do not seem to accept the fact that both he and Yusuf are two wonderfully complex, flawed, fully-fledged multidimensional characters.
So I am mainly concentrating on Nicolò here because as an Italian I feel more entitled to speak about the way I see the Anglo fandom treating him and using stereotypes on him that have been consistently applied to us by the Protestant Northerners. I keep adding the religious aspect because, although I am an atheist who got debaptised from the Catholic Church, a big part of the historical treatment towards Southern has to do with religion and the contempt towards Catholic rituals and traditions (considered, once again, a sign of cultural backwardness by the enlightened North).
I do not want to impose my view of Yusuf because there are wonderful Tumblr users from MENA countries who have already written wonderful metas of the way Yusuf is being depicted by non-MENA people (in particular Americans), especially (again) @lucyclairedelune and @nizarnizarblr.
However, I just want to underline that, by only ever writing Yusuf as essentially a monodimensional character without a single flaw, this takes away Yusuf’s canon multidimensionality, the right he has to feel both positive but also negative feelings (he was hurt and angry at Booker’s betrayal, allegedly his best friend, AND HE HAD EVERY RIGHT TO BE – and I say this as a Booker fan as well).
I have not been the first to say these things, it is nothing revolutionary, and it exactly complements what the MENA tumblr users in the TOG fandom have also been trying to say. Both of us as own voices people who finally have the chance to have two characters that are fully formed and honest representations of our own cultures, without stereotypes or Anglogermanic distortions.
And the frustration mounting among all of us comes from the fact that the Anglos are, once again, not listening to us, even telling us we are wrong about our own cultures (see what has happened to Lucy and Nazir).
What is even more frustrating is that everything in this cursed fandom – unless it was in the film or comics – is just a bloody headcanon. But these people are imposing their HCs as if it were the Word of God, and attacking others – including own voices MENA and Italians – for daring to think otherwise.
I honestly don’t expect this post will make any difference because this is just a small reflection of what Americans do in real life on grander scale, which is thinking they are the centre of the world and ignoring that the rest of the world even exists regardless of their own opinions on it.
But still, sorry for the length, hope I answered your question.
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sorcerersofnyc · 3 years
Text
The Last Thing Left (Zemo x F!Reader) 2/9
If it wasn’t so painfully ironic (and hilarious to watch,) Helmut would find the relationship between Sam and James a little sad.
Ghosts weren’t enough to hold two people together.
Chapter 2: While they wait for Torres to locate Donya Madani, Zemo brings Sam and Bucky to the home you shared.
Slow burn, previous relationships, angst, various mentions of death & mourning. You both lost your spouse. You're a regular civilian person. Zemo's wife's name is Heike because of comics. The reader likes waffles (this is a non-negotiable fact)
Did I set this whole story in Spain because of Daniel Brühl? Yes, I did. The most impactful dialog has been translated.
Note: Main Character is neutral in most regards but the story was written with my own cultural background in mind. (In other words, I won't say what she looks like but I envision her as being black.)
First Chapter | Previous
***
The plane lands mid-morning near the Bay of Biscay.
Thin clouds give form to the blue sky above them, gathering to shield the world from the worst of the heat. It’s a lovely day , Helmut thinks, even as the smell of jet fuel lingers pungently in the air.
As he drapes his coat across his forearm and Sam and James stretch their limbs. But as a middle-aged woman struts. across the airfield to greet them, they’re attentive, alert.
“¡Hola señor. Es bueno verte otra vez.” She gives Helmut’s hand a gentle squeeze, her voice heavy with relief.
“Hola vieja amiga. ¿Recibiste los artículos que pedí?”
“Sí Sí. Las flores y los gofe se enviaban antes de su llegada.” She nods and sends a knowing glance his way before adding, “Y tu coche te está esperando.”
“Muchas gracias,” Helmut replies.
The woman takes a step back to acknowledge his company. Sam gives the woman a polite smile and James acknowledges her presence with a nod.
“There’s a car waiting for us,” Helmut tells them. “Come with me.”
“Man, how many people work for you anyway?” Sam asks, looking back at the plane, watching as Oeznik descends the stairwell and the woman waves over the maintenance crew.
“Very few really,” Helmut says. James scoffs at his reply.
But true to his word, a car waits on the street; a dark classic model, freshly polished with wide leather seats.
“Gentleman,” Helmut gestures toward the car you sent, “our carriage awaits.”
It was hardly discreet, but that was the point.
You did exactly as he asked.
***
When he promised to take care of you, you rejected out of a sense of humility. Humility, however, could not ensure your survival, let alone your well-being.
Simply put, you had nowhere else to go. The long shadows cast by the sunset cast over your face, highlighting all of your tired, tear-streaked features. But when you looked at him, there was recognition in your gaze, an acknowledgment of the grief that sat between you like a weight.
“I… I appreciate it, thank you.” You sniffed, “And I… I’ll be there for you too.”
He guided you away from your husband’s grave a moment later, vowing he would find you a better tomorrow.
*
There was no helping Sokovia; war and dissension plagued its streets long before Ultron. So Helmut gathered what he could from the rubble of his father’s home and made arrangements for a jet to be ready at the nearest functioning airport.
The airport was a dome of steel. Its once white titles were scuffed and crowded with people taking shelter and vying for seats on commercial flights.
You were quiet, your eyes glued to the broadcast showing on nearly every TV. There was a video playing, some newly uncovered camera footage of Novi Grad being lifted in the air.
“Come on,” he told you, leading you away with his hand upon your shoulder. You didn’t have much, not physically, just a duffle of what you salvaged from your home and the letter Dominik carried.
Oeznik was waiting in front of the plane, and it relieved Helmut to see him. His faithful butler had been on vacation in Belgium with his family, but once he saw what became of Novi Grad, he came back early.
“It’s glad to see you in good health, Sir.” He said.
“Thank you, Old Friend.”
They kissed cheeks and Helmut escorted you inside the plane, which carried the distinctive smell of cleaning supplies though neither said a word about it.
It wasn’t until you reached the cloudless blue sky that you spoke of what you saw.
“I was in the city that day,” you told him. “I was saved but… I don’t remember how I reached the boat to the helicarrier.” Confusion colored your expression, entangled with sorrow and relief.
Your eyes met his and flickered away just as quickly as guilt—survivors’ guilt—overtook you. He’s seen that look on far too many times on the faces of the soldiers he commanded not to know what that look was. “It happened so suddenly,” You continued, “I was on the ground and then… I was there. It was like someone picked me up and… I was just...there, on the boat with the others.”
“You were rescued by one of the Avengers?” Helmut leaned forward in his seat. “Thor maybe?”
“It must have been, but I don’t recall him being capable of such a thing.” You looked down at your feet.
“We didn’t think them capable of many things.” If there was an edge to his voice, you didn’t seem to notice or care. He continued. “The very idea of the Avengers has always been troubling; they’ve become idols, icons, something more than human. We are meant to forget their flaws and the destruction left in their wake. Remember New York? London? Washington D.C? Did we not watch the Hulk rampage through Johannesburg mere days before Sokovia was destroyed? It was always a mistake, allowing them to act freely.”
You looked at him then, your head tilted to the side in contemplation, taking in all he had to say.
“Has anyone said where Ultron came from yet? No one seems to know if he is an alien or some sort of rogue government experiment.”
“No. But one thing is clear; so long as the Avengers exist, someone will rise to challenge them; They will fight, and Sokovia will not be the last place they bring to ruin.”
You nodded, consciously or not he didn’t know, but on some level, you agreed.
***
Helmut’s thoughts are interrupted when the car turns onto a street lined with elegant townhomes with low-pitched roofs.
James breaks the silence that settled between the three.
“Where are we going?”
“My home.” He announces as the car stops before a large house made of grand arched windows and a sand-colored stone.
“Is this where you lived when you were plotting against us?” Sam sends him an incredulous look, as though the idea of stepping into his home offended him somehow.
“My home in Sokovia was destroyed, Sam. I needed to live somewhere—but yes,” Helmut shrugs, “you’re exactly right.”
“Oh great,” James mutters, but Helmut pays him little mind.
Two columns embrace the grand archway that sits above the ornately carved wooden door.
Upon it he knocks loudly, ignoring the questioning looks he gains.
He waits.
The air is dry and his attention drifts toward a fallen leaf on the pavement; it’s deep green and browning at the edges, its middle eaten through by an insect. The leaf skitters away when the door flies open and he’s forced to confront his worry.
He looks at you. You stare at him in disbelief. The world falls away into nothing.
“Helmut,” you finally say, breathing his name out in relief. “Estás de vuelta.” You’re back.
Your hands are trembling as they reach for him, as your thumbs brush across the curve of his cheek.
For so long your face was but a fragmented memory, your voice the chorus of a song. Only now, as you stand before him, are you complete. You smile.
“Sí, estoy en casa ahora mi amiga.” Yes, I’m home now my friend.
He touches his hand to your own, basking in the simple joy of your touch.
But then you glance behind him, your eyes narrow and the moment ends.
“Helmut! “You hiss. “¿Has traído a los Avengers a mi casa? ¡Por qué!”
Sam and James exchange glances. Whether either spoke Spanish is a matter of speculation, but they surely recognized the name of their allies.
“I’ll explain everything once we settle in.” He raises his palms in surrender to you, looking for all the world like a man abdicating his control.
You don’t move.
“I would like to see the paintings you mentioned in your letters.”
Your scowl deepens, your stare sharpening to a knifes-edge.
“I promise to have a good explanation.”
Finally, you step aside, ‘come in’ you say, and Helmut leads Sam and James further inside. The two have been quiet so far, observant of their new surroundings. He can’t be sure what they assume is happening, but Sam thanks you as he passes. James nods but says nothing.
The house is just as lovely as he remembers it to be; tall white walls, polished tile, an overabundance of lamps, and a painting on every wall. He never agreed with your sense of design but the home was undoubtedly welcoming.
“Make yourself at home,” you lead them inside, into the parlor where a fresh bouquet of thick-stemmed roses sits in a vase beside the entryway.
The rest of the room is familiar to him; red cushioned seats and glass-top tables, and rugs that sit just so beside the bookcase.
He briefly wonders where Anežka, your young housekeeper, is. The paper cranes she’s so fond of sit artfully on the shelves but there’s no evidence of her presence there.
You must have given her leave in anticipation of your meeting, he reasons.
You wanted to be alone with him.
His heart swells at the thought of what you might have done together.
Unfortunately, he sighs, Helmut isn’t alone with you. So instead of the immeasurable amount of fun his mind conjured, he watches you look between your guests—Sam, then James, then Sam again.
“I believe introductions are in order,” He finally announces, draping his coat across the back of his favorite chair.
“Yeah. That would be nice,” Sam retorts. He lingers near the entryway, unsure of the space. “Is this really your house?”
“It is. Well, it was. It now belongs to my lovely associate, gifted to her before I left on my mission.”
“Your mission,” James scoffs. He leans back against the wall near the bookcase, fixing him with a heavy stare.
You skirt the moving to stand at Helmut’s side as you wait for his promised explanation.
“Sam, James,” He calls for their attention, “This is my partner,” he tells them, introducing you by name.
***
Thanks for Reading!
I debated the ending for quite a while. It changes the initial trajectory of the story but it provides for a dramatic ending. Next time, we'll see how your relationship with Zemo changed from persons with mutual friends to 'partners.'
There's a deleted scene that I'll post as a special chapter soon!
Taglist:
@actuallyanita
@fillechatoyante!
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thosewickedlovelies · 3 years
Text
we could be Dreamers - Prologue
Pairing: Marcus Moreno x GN!Reader
Rating: T
Summary: How this world came to be
Word count: 1,671
A/N: Hiii friends 🤗 soo there’s not really a lot of plot or Marcus Moreno :( here, but consider this a prologue/worldbuilding for a Marcus Moreno x reader fic I may eventually write lol. I’m really interested in how this universe got from The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl to We Can Be Heroes, because like. Sharkboy and Lavagirl were literally just some kid’s imaginary friends that somehow magically became real, so what does that mean for the other Heroics? Where did they come from?? So I kinda wanted to write something that would make you Think :) and explore the ramifications of such a transformed universe.
Consider my previous Marcus Moreno fic a prelude to this prologue 💗
--
It was a little unnerving sometimes, being in a room with so much power. No matter that this particular training arena at Heroics Headquarters was at least the size of an American football field- when all of the Heroics are gathered in the same confined space, focused on a single purpose, you can feel it. Like their power prances tauntingly in the corner of your eye, slipping away when you try to look directly at it. Like it winds through the air, worming its way into your veins, so your very blood breathes at you to run, run, run.
Not all of the individual Heroics gave off such uncanny vibes; some were simply ordinary people with extraordinary abilities. Techo-No, for instance, and his gift for creating fantastical gadgets. The implications of his works relevant to the world at large could be worrying, but he had limits. He was just a man. Determined, and creative (even more so with his son throwing ideas at him), but ultimately human.
Not like those with powers who’d been Dreamed.
Take Sharkboy. The temper for which he’d been infamous in his youth had cooled, but when he snapped, he did so literally- blade-sharp teeth an audible clash when he bared them in a ringing snarl. Any water in the room would roil and froth- but the most hair-raising sight was his eyes, tinged with the unreadable, abyssal blackness of his namesake. Focused with a predator’s calculation on the object of his fury. (It made you think that, ironically, his temper had cooled too much- concentrated into something as icy and merciless as the depths of the sea. Just as well his wife was a lava goddess).
It was well-documented that Sharkboy could influence his oceanic kin, seeing as he was half-shark himself. Some marine biologists postulated- in low voices- that fluctuation in his emotions could unknowingly influence shark activity no matter how far from the sea he was. But nobody at Heroics Headquarters had ever dared suggest attempting a study.
That you knew of, anyway. You wouldn’t be surprised if there was a classified government branch somewhere which dealt solely with more insidious studies of the Heroics. Their weaknesses. Ways to defeat them.
Just in case.
Sharkboy and his emotions had stabilized as his Dreamer matured, but not all Dreamers were so invested in the well-being of their creations, or of the world they inhabited and could inadvertently affect. It was suspected that not all Dreamers knew that they had Dreamed at all, that they unintentionally brought Dreams into being far from where they were located and simply never became aware. This resulted in some Dreamed individuals being...unstable. Incomplete, really. Brought forth from a child’s mind, a young person who didn’t yet fully grasp the complexities of existing in this world, or indeed, the intricacies of what made one human at all.
Dreamers were children, more often than not. Their imaginative abilities generally far outstripped those of adults, worn down as they were with the grind of building a real life. The younger the person, the more time and creativity they maintained. The fewer methods they possessed to process their struggles which were grounded in reality, and not their imaginations.
--
Despite the years that have passed, nobody quite knows what happened to lead up to the Incident. How a single young boy had imagined so powerfully that it had warped reality; how his imaginings had given him the ability to design the universe at will.
The Daydreamer.
Max, as he later insisted on being called. An almost disturbingly innocuous name for a boy who had changed the world. Who had all but envisioned himself into having terrific powers- and enabled others to do the same.
In the years following the Incident, Sharkboy and Lavagirl continued to visit him in secret (Later, scientists realized that this why they recorded occasional, inexplicable disturbances in seismic and marine activity). But it wasn’t long before a larger threat to the entire Earth appeared- and so did they. To defend the place which they declared to be their new home. Though they had been willed into existence to protect Planet Drool, as Max determined to relinquish his daydreaming abilities and by extension, his dreamworld, so did the planet and its life diminish. Their presence there was no longer required, they’d explained. But earth could still benefit from their protection- especially after the reality of the threat came to light.
Someone else had Dreamed.
It wasn’t clear who, or how, or what their intentions had been. But once it had been said, everyone was forced to acknowledge the truth of it- or at least, admit that there was no other explanation. The villain’s origins were not terrestrial in any previously established sense.
Anyone who had ever met a child could have a predicted it. Too many young people ended up feeling outcast, overlooked, by both their peers and adults in their lives. It should have been obvious from the way they whispered his name. Not Max- a moniker far too average and relatable- but what they reverently regarded as his true title. The Daydreamer. A near-holy figure who had changed the game for youths everywhere. Now they had a way to combat those who plagued them. A way to create or become the superheroes who previously only existed in comic books and TV shows.
Or some did, anyway. Individuals with the strength of will and heart to Dream weren’t rare, but they weren’t quite common, either.
The only truly neutral positive of the Dreamer evolution was that governments everywhere suddenly accepted the need for increased mental health resources. Designed to increase healthy socialization for all ages and give young people ways to process and communicate their emotional needs, such programs were approved seemingly overnight in schools from elementary to university aged. “Small town life” flourished, and many city quarters and apartment buildings took to implementing “community builders” or, less charmingly, “social facilitators”- positions designed to create cohesive areas of living and minimize the kind of isolation and negative feelings that could leave someone to Dream of improving their life.
--
Nowadays, not all super-powered individuals were Dreamed. The second generation of Heroics was a testament to that. As if the universe itself had reckoned with the self-inception of the Dreamers, and seen fit to provide reality-warping countermeasures of its own.
Less than a year after the Incident, babies with...unique qualities began to be born. Few and far between, it seemed at first. Whispered reports swept from far corners of the globe, a phone tree branching from frantic parents to anyone who could provide even the slightest bit of reassurance. It seemed like doctors everywhere were swapping glances, no one willing to admit what was happening- until a second Villain appeared.
Every incident report said the same thing: a baby started crying, and then the hostages were saved by a power outage. A wash of sparks that darkened half the city.
Webbed with red lightning.
You sneak a look at the fully grown Heroic now, the long braids of her ponytail slipping over the shoulder of her characteristic red training outfit. Red Lightning Fury flexes her fingers as she listens to the head trainer explain today’s exercise- the usual sort of ‘heroes versus villains’ battles, with you and your fellow specialists assisting as villains- but judging by the lack of the smell of ozone, she isn’t yet using her powers. Blinding Fast, on the other hand, appears to fritz in place every few seconds, and you guess he’s running invisible laps to pass the time. It’s hard to tell if that’s what’s causing Lavagirl’s hair to tendril like neon pink smoke even though she’s standing still; usually the hypnotic heat shimmer of her lava flow causes the effect naturally.
You stretch in place while team arrangements are announced. As the majority of the Heroics filter into the stands to wait for their match, the buzzing, writhing presence of their power fades, and you can breathe more easily.
A figure flickers into being beside you, and you jump. “Jeez, Visi! How many times have I told you not to do that?”
Having anticipated your reaction from the countless previous times she’s snuck up on you anyway, Invisigirl laughs. “You think you’d be used to it by now.” Your closest Heroic friend grins at you, all pearly teeth against smooth brown skin.
And she’s right, which is why you were so disgruntled. Having been caught unawares too many times by the invisible hero’s silent movements, you had once asked her to give you lessons. Her instruction had improved your own stealth immensely, and now that you knew what kind of signs to listen for, her attempts at startling you didn’t work nearly as often as they had. But- “It’s hard to focus on anything with all of your powers clogging up the air,” you grumble. The birthed heroes understood what you meant- they felt it too, the nagging hiss of something other in the Dreamed heroes’ energy.
Across the arena, it looks like Miracle Guy and Marcus Moreno are waiting to be your opponents. Interesting. Miracle Guy, with his Dreamed up Superman-like abilities, was the only one who had a way of seeing Invisigirl. What it was precisely, you couldn’t recall. You make a mental note to ask Visi later.
Marcus, however, telekinesis aside, is clearly meant to be the counter to your strengths. The two men are discussing intently, but as if feeling your assessing stare, Marcus glances over. He lifts his eyebrows at you in playful challenge, a hint of a smile quirking his shapely lips before he’s pursing them at his duel-mate again.
Suppressing the pleased flutter down your spine, you turn your attention to the task ahead as Invisigirl dips her head toward you. Planning something clever, you realize, intrigued by the glint in her eye. “Let’s talk strategy.”
When the starting bell rings, your partner vanishes, and your smile curves as sharp and gleaming as the blade in your hand.
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mcfreakin-bxtch · 4 years
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Hello! I hope you're doing okay over there. Are your requests open? If so, could you do a Din x reader with the reader sketching him (the child and their special moments together) when she thinks he isn't looking, but one day he finds the sketchbook? If they're closed just ignore the request but hold on tight to the wishes of good furtune and health ♥ Stay safe!
I’m hanging in there sweet anon and I hope you’re doing okay too (okay but this is so cute omg).
Warnings: It’s really just two dorks and good ole fluff. Some of this is unedited as well
*Reminder that the forum for my taglist is still up and pinned!
__________________________________________ 
If he would turn slightly to the left, you’d be able to get the perfect angle you need to finish the sketch. 
The helmet reflects the glare of the stars, illuminating a bright shine around the top of the beskar and stinging your eyes just a little when you look up at it. You can’t help but do it anyway. The Child is asleep, a day of actually getting to use those little feet of his wore him out - you love the little one, but you and Din have exhausted yourselves keeping up with finding him his home and protecting him at the same time; this peace and quiet right now is highly overdue.
The pencil glides easily against the paper, connecting every line to another, creating another favorite of yours; the perfect piece of art that’s sitting in front of you, unaware of the stacks of sketches that you’ve drawn silently in the whatever corner you can lurk in. To be honest, with as attentive as he is, you’re surprised he hasn’t caught on to you yet. 
You’re so lost in finishing the shades that you don’t notice the Mandalorian turning slightly towards you in his seat. He watches your brows furrow in deep concentration, the light scratching in the air a comfort to him since the months of hearing it. He’s never actually seen any of your drawings, however, and he knows that one day the curiosity will get the better of him and he’ll ask... eventually. 
Truth is he’s not all the sure on why he hasn’t asked you yet, despite the growing and gnawing interest with teeth that grows sharper and longer as more time goes on. And it’s not like you’ve ever brought it up, either. It’s been this unspoken thing between the two of you - a dance that’s familiar in any language; of scared love and child-like curiosity that seeps into something deeper.
That’s exactly what he’s afraid of. 
It’s in this moment of sensing a pair of eyes on you - the pair of eyes you can’t see, but imagine they must be green, or brown more than anything. For a moment, you’re almost afraid to find out.
With a small intake of air you will your head to tilt up. The visor spins away so quick that it’s almost comical, and you bite your lip to suppress the giggle bubbling in your chest. 
“Din,” you call his name teasingly. “Is there something you wanted?”
It’s almost too hard to hide the laughter when his helmet jolts towards you, like he’s surprised that you called him out on it. 
“I -” You think you hear a gulp through the statics of the vocoder. “- I was... I was just wondering what you were drawing. I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable.”
Your heart skips a beat at the sincerity of his apology, and the fact that he was watching you, which has you wondering if this is a reoccurrence you’ve been blind to this entire time.
“It doesn’t,” you voice croaks. “It’s-it’s nothing really. Just the ship, whatever I see throughout the day.” You sit up, still clutching the book to your chest. “I’m going to check on the kid. Call for me if you need anything.”
When the hell did the air get so thick like this? You feel bad, so bad, and a part of you wants to desperately show him this simple thing that he just wants to look at, but... but he’ll know. One look and he’ll know.
“Okay,” the modulator cracks - you wonder what it’s masking right now, what you can’t hear through the robotic statics. “You can rest too while you’re at it. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”
You nod and awkwardly wave your departure, climbing down on wobbly legs to the hull and the cot the Child is asleep on; you’re relieved to see that he’s still bundled in his blanket, a peaceful expression gracing his features. 
It’s here you feel the fatigue settling on your shoulders. The dull beating You sigh and settle inside the small space, careful of your weight and making yourself as comfortable as you can get. With the book and pencil still in hand, you decide to finish the little details of his belt. 
***
Mando sighs as thoughts of you plague his mind once more. 
That, and the fact that he needs to sleep at least an hour before the landing at the next destination. 
He keens his ears for any sings of movements down in the hull, but when he hears nothing he climbs down to ladder in quiet, graceful strokes. 
The dim light does absolute injustice to your features in his opinion. It’s the first thing he notices, not the Child is gurgling over your open sketchbook that’s sprawled out on your lap as you sleep. 
“Kriff,” he curses under his breath and rushes as quietly as he can towards the bunk. He tries to keep his eyes averted of the drawings, but he can’t help it, especially when the Child pouts and slaps against the page when his hand clasps around it. 
It’s... well, it’s him. He’s leaning against the wall of what he can tell is the Razor Crest based off the small details you made sure to put in - he really admires that. Down at his feet is the little one, grinning up at him. Beneath the helmet that’s shielded him from the rest of the world for almost all his life, he smiles back; orange caresses the rough paper, imagining that he can actually feel it through the lead and gloves. 
The next page is of a planet he cannot name off the top of his head, but he can’t shake the feeling that it’s of home. 
Each page is filled with memories; past and present etched and filled with the kind of skill and warmth that can never be replaced; promises of mystery tied in like a piece of string. Most of them towards the end are of him and the Child. Small moments, mostly, like when he fell asleep with the kid secured to his armored-less chest, and moments when it’s him, sitting in the pilot’s seat or his cape flowing behind him as he walks away to a new bounty or clue to the Child’s powers.
He recognizes them with a deep fondness that makes his head swirl with all types of emotions. Din knows what they mean, but it’s the fear. Yet each drawing - he’s on the one from hours ago - scolds each inch of doubt within him, and in this he finds a type of bravery he’s hasn’t faced much before; it makes it more terrifying to him. 
“I like to draw what makes me happy.”
Your voice startles him from his thoughts. He’s never frozen up like this before - at least long ago - but now it feels like your stare alone is the only thing keeping him grounded to this spot. The doe like expression on your face the guilt that started to creep within his chest dissipates. 
“I’m sorry,” he says, because he still feels that he needs to apologize. “The kid had it and I... he likes the one where he found that flower.”
You smile widely at that, looking down at the child in question as you sit up. Din silently watches you climb out from the bunk and takes a few steps back to let you lean against the cold interior. 
“That’s one of my favorites, too,” you say; proudly, Din thinks. “And the one where you fell asleep in the pilot’s chair... you were so tired that day and I kept trying to get you to rest and let me take over, but you can be so stubborn sometimes, you know that?”
His chuckle radiates the room, and fuck it, it could radiate the entire galaxy. Yours join in with ease, but it quickly dies down, though not awkwardly or uncomfortably; it feels natural among the countless other laughs you’ve shared over the years. 
“I um - “ you clear your throat nervously, battling with the endless fluttering of butterflies in your stomach and the shakiness in your voice. “- I guess this is a good time to say that I really like you, Din. And I’ve been drawing these sketches of as many of these moments as I can because they’re so precious to me.” You take a deep breath. “Just like the Child is. Just like you are.”
You finish with a light scoff. It’s quiet, you have to pee, and you hope to the Maker above that this isn’t how your journey with Din ends; you should really open your eyes and at least do something if he’s just going to keep standing there. 
“I like you, too.” 
Your eyes nearly pop out of their sockets when those words reach your ears. It feels like your heart just stopped beating, your body frozen, and your thoughts bouncing wildly around like a blaster; that crackled laugh (that you know somehow is soft) brings you back to your body, back to the man standing closer to you know and slowly reaching his hand out. 
You glance at it before tracing your eyes over the worn out boots that’s seen better days, the scratched and scraped armor that you have shared more than enough time cleaning and polishing, the signet that the Mandalorian never fails to honor proudly, even in his own quiet ways; and now the helmet, the t-shaped visor that shields him.  
In this you find no fear. The weight of his hand in yours settles you and the soft link of his pinky with yours brings a stinging to your eyes. 
“I can’t do this alone,” he says. “And I want this to work. The Creed -”
“I know,” you interject quietly. “It’s not always going to be easy. But we got this, just like always, don’t we?”
“At least one of us has to.” 
His heart warms when the loudest snort he’s ever heard you make jolts the Child from his sleep, blinking those big eyes wearily as your muffled laugher continues against your fingers. “You should get some sleep now,” you tell him. “I got this one.”
It feels very natural to lean down and pick the Child up and smile at Din with assurance; he feels the air in his lungs draw out of him until he literally starts to feel breathless, and his lips stretch in a smile - it’s small and shy; hopeful. 
After he makes sure that the hull is closed off and lays his helmet by the plates of his armor (one of the rare times he actually can), settling onto the unforgiving but familiar cot, he imagines you’ll make a fuss about the scar on his nose with a pencil and book in your hands. 
Tags:  @talesfromtheguild, @absurdthirst, @chews-erotically, @hiwelcometochillys, @legally-a-bastard, @bluengrayfox, @pascaliprincess, @oloreaa, @thisis-theway, @jaynoellef, @ben-is-a-hoe, @hayley-the-comet, @pascalisthepunkest, @kenedyybrooklin, @garrshep, @paintmekala, @marian, @fit-fierce-gamer, @altersw, @hoodedbirdie
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nafeary · 4 years
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“Midnight Lovers”
⚬ Pairing: Arthur/Reader
⚬ Characters: Arthur; mentions of Isaac, Sebas, and Comte
⚬ Word count: ca. 1K
⚬ Warnings: very mild mention of a drug ...and goat testicles don’t ask
✧✎ Synopsis: You are plagued by the guilt of being unable to help your friend overcome his fever, thus working yourself through book after book. Arthur would rather want you to rest and appreciate yourself more— and to stop looking at obscure medical books, while you’re at it.
✧✎ A/N: So, a sweet sweet anon requested some Arthur fluff with an overthinking MC/Reader, with a moodboard (but my dumbass deleted the request because I’m utterly inept), so here it is. I took inspiration from this tumblr @foxes-in-love who makes the most adorable little comics I’ve ever laid my eyes upon. Also, thank you @juminly for slapping my doubts away! I love you so so so much!
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Also, yes, they did indeed use heroine back in the day to treat coughs... make sure to drink water y’all!!!
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“Luv? Are you still in here?”
A suave voice rang throughout the library you had holed yourself up in, its familiar rhythm soothing your nerves like the sweetest of honeys.
It was unreasonably late. The entire mansion had fallen still like an unperturbed pond, completely hushed. Ever so often, the storm outside would make itself noticeable, threatening some lonely souls daring enough to venture outside. Its distress was not unlike your mood, thoughts spurning multiple worst-case scenarios in an effort to keep you awake, to gather solutions.
Overthinking had always been troubling for you, relentlessly trickling poison into your ears, contrary to all dictates of common sense.
“I’m over here, Arthur,” you called out to your lover, grateful, albeit apprehensive, for the distraction.
You tilted your head in the direction of the echoing steps, alabaster rays serving as nothing but an enhancer for his already devilish handsome looks. Cool ocean waves illuminated by the moon’s ivory blush crashed upon you as he fully came into view, carrying the salty breeze alongside him. This magnificent view made you halt for a split second, simply marveling at the sight of the handsome man.
Your handsome man.
“Shouldn’t you be beside me by now? It’s quite lonely in bed, I’ll have you know.” His arms cocooned you gently, contrasting his words of ambiguous comfort.
He yelped slightly as you caught some of his skin between your nails, eliciting a soft giggle from you at his histrionic antics, effectively vanishing any sleepy stupor you were falling prey to. Nonetheless, you fell into his embrace, moulding together like long lost puzzle pieces. This instance of tenderness and care engulfed your heart, the warmth of his dexterous hands imbuing through your own skin and reminding you starkly that you were very much alive.
“What are you reading, anyway?”, he inquired with a pout, kissing your ear gingerly from behind, “You can’t possibly be still strung up on ‘ol Newt.”
At the mention of the physicist, your brows pinched together, and the all so wonted stagnation of fear squeezed uncomfortably around your lungs, forcing a sigh ridden with the distress of helplessness from you.
Earlier this week, Isaac had fallen prey to a bout of fever once again, and both Arthur and Sebastian had been busy running their respective errands. While le Comte had requested for a doctor, the weather made it far to dangerous for any mortal to venture to their mansion. Cold rags were only able to aid inadequately, leaving you with no volition but to watch his battle; volatile series of wretched coughs prompted your tears to flow, unable to lend your dead friend a helping hand.
While Arthur had long since taken care of him, you wanted to be prepared to not be contingent on the modern medicine you grew up with. Should any misfortune befall onto the residents, the people who had welcomed you with open arms, you couldn’t keep clinging to other’s white coats— you had to become one yourself.
“Just some rather... obscure medical books,” you replied to his previous question, “I’m trying to find some different ways to treat a cough that does not involve the use of drugs.”
“Ah, you’ve mentioned your distaste of heroine.”
You snorted, amused by the mind of the 19th century doctor. “Distaste is one word for an addictive poison. You do know th—“
Abruptly, the author launched himself on top the desk you were occupying, covering your sight from the book you had been reading. “Arthur... what in the world...?” He laid vixen-like befor you, despite the apparent discomfort of the hard tabletop. You knew that you should be tucked into bed, listening to the gentle lullaby of drizzling rain; and yet, the necessity to further consume knowledge was weighing your shoulders deeper down the pit. And it was rather out of character for him to react so sudden...
“I’m shielding you with my body,” he said, a nervous simper flitting across his features as he tapped the mahogany surface in a tenebrous tempo, the gauche position working in favour to portray his charming awkwardness.
“And why would you have to do that? I still have to finish the book, you know.”
“It’s not just that... I doubt you’d enjoy learning—and seeing—of contraceptive methods involving the testicles of a goat, luv.” He reached beneath him to snatch the book, nonchalantly throwing it into nirvana, nescient to your drained protests. “Besides, you’re positively knackered, my dear.”
“But—“
“No buts. I do not doubt your abilities, but you won’t become a doctor overnight. Especially if you work yourself close to your grave,” he interrupted you, intertwining your hands, “You already do enough... I rely on you more than you could ever begin to comprehend. So please allow me to relieve you of some troubles, at least.”
That was all it took for him to steal away your oxygen, sending your systems into panic, waking you up like you’ve never been awake, consequently forcing you into unsure stillness. You were overcome with such raw emotion, such pure love, that you just couldn’t reign your body’s response. Your breaths pinioned in an ethereal waltz of two souls, neither of you too concerned of the wood denting your arms, the sore sensation nothing compared to the sensual spark as you lightly tugged his hair.
His quiet moan against your bruised lips made you halt, choosing to rest your head on his chest.
“Are you alright?” you heard him ask, reaching out to trace the smooth curve of your jaw with an almost chimerical gentleness. He asked not because he wanted to push you to continue where you’ve left off, but due to the genuine concern gleaming within his ocean eyes. As much as he fought for the role of their resident Casanova, you knew he’d never do anything without your consent, and that he was a lot more timid than he’d like to admit. Indeed, he deserved the credit he would never even think to give himself.
“It’s nothing much. It’s just this.” You gestured. “Us... I feel so lucky to have you. It’s been awhile since I’ve felt so connected to someone.” And it was the truth. Arthur understood you more than anyone else ever had, making you happy like no one else ever had, and helping you in overcoming your fears like no one else ever had.
Your words seemed to linger tangibly, your lover’s face vulnerable to the blatant exposure of sentiment. He could only hold you closer, carrying you to your room. Humming a soft tune, he accompanied you not only to rest, but to a future brighter than the sun could ever hope to be.
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Finally watched Hello Future Me’s video floating around my recommended feed, and halfway through his excellent analysis struck a spooky thought! Here’s a theory for the girl in red.
Sane at the Time of the Finale:
Azula’s Downfall Was in Spiritual Revenge
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The poetic justice of Zhao drowned by the moon spirit’s other half, Ozai’s power stripped by a full-fledged Avatar... part of what makes Azula’s defeat so unique is her crumbling sense of self, an introspective enemy instead of an outside one. Katara, whose confidence and network of support are pointed out as the mirror image of what Azula could have had, finally gains the upper hand and pins her down.
From birth, the princess endures an environment that perfects and hones her nature to the shattering point. Plenty of signs point to her devolution: the betrayal of Mai and Ty Lee, getting sidelined by her own father at the literal crowning moment, and her irreversible childhood at the center of the snowball effect. But how ‘bout I do anyway, and tie in the mechanisms of the spirit world with Azula’s last moments? The connection is far from obvious, but well and present. The role of another world in weakening such an iron-fisted character visible in the first GIF itself.
I. “Taking you down is the Avatar’s destiny.”
The spirit world is one fundamental half of the Avatar. Its guidance and power are endowed to a messiah-like figure, who masters the four bending disciplines in order to restore and keep balance. It’s constantly reinforced that the Firelord is meant to be brought down by him, that a century of bloodshed is repaid when the warlord’s life is taken, and the end of his corrupt regime is the beginning of a fuller, more peaceful era.
“Aang, you must defeat the Firelord before the comet arrives.” (Roku)
“Your destiny! This is incredible. You will be involved in a great battle, an awesome conflict between the forces of good and evil.” (Aunt Wu)
“I should have seen this war coming and prevented it... But I believe you are destined to redeem me and save the world.” (Roku)
“Because I know my own destiny. Taking you down is the Avatar’s destiny.” (Zuko)
“Everyone, even my own past lives, are expecting me to end someone’s life.” (Aang)
A seemingly inconsequential detail is that the Firelord at the time of the final battle is not Ozai - it’s his daughter. By then, the title of Phoenix King is exchanged for her coronation. The nail on the head isn’t nitpicking terminology, but that Aang already suffered defeat at Azula’s hands. She herself plays a masterful and instrumental role in the war, literally her father’s will embodied. She’s there to hunt the Avatar, lead the massive drill against Ba Sing Se’s walls, orchestrate a coup, oversee the takeoff of the airship fleet, suggest the annihilation of Ba Sing Se in the first place. It’s a long time before we see Ozai at the warfront in the flesh, and even then, the damage dealt by Azula in Book Two and Book Three resonates. Keeping all this in mind, jump to Aang’s death.
“I went down! I didn’t just get hurt, did I? I was gone! But you brought me back.” (Aang, to Katara)
At the end of Book One, when a spirit is killed and revived, balance is reduced to moonless havoc, and all hell descends on the guilty party. The Avatar-slayer would be far from an exception to this counterbalance. So what we witness in “Into the Inferno” - Azula, gruesomely unmade - may just be the most brutal act of vengeance onscreen, and as a direct consequence of this:
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While Aang is not directly responsible, it’s safe to assume the spirit world often acts of its own volition. Notable spirits possess harsh views on modernization, and lash out at humanity for its flaws: Wan Shi Tong’s disappearance, the ocean spirit’s wrath, the aye-aye spirit in LoK antagonizing any human presence, the Mother of Faces admonishing vanity and disrespect.
In this vein, the Avatar spirit remains a powerful source of Aang’s strength, weaved into the very outcome of greater forces such as fate and salvation. In the crystal catacombs, Azula threw a wrench into a universal narrative - for an instant, the world really was lost.
And, truth is, we’ve already watched as an entity descended from the Avatar’s power - one who Azula identifies repeatedly as her lifelong plague - haunts her to the point of systemic delusion. Ursa herself, granddaughter of Roku.
II. “You’ve turned my own mind against me...”
Time to reconcile show canon with the comics!
There’s no one who ties more into the tragedy of Azula than her mother. Hello Future Me dredges “The Search” and “Smoke and Shadow” for panels where her condition is exacerbated by fear and animosity. She’s obsessed with the idea that Ursa was pitted against her from day one, and even claims her influence strangled the loyalties of her friends and forced Ozai to “break free of her control.” The possibility of the slightest truth to Azula’s more elaborate fears raises a host of alarming implications. Especially when acknowledging her character is as sharp as a tack - a dulled edge when madness factors in, to be sure, but not negligible.
Is it logical to develop the belief that Ursa was an agent of evil in the royal court? The death of Azulon and her subsequent disappearance... It wouldn’t take long for Azula - aware of Zuko’s fate at the time, and her mother’s resignation to prevent it - to connect the dots. Ursa’s blood relation to the same Avatar that rivaled Firelord Sozin is another thorn in the side of trust. Whether Azula was aware of it or not, the strife born in Zuko, the eternally entangled red and blue dragons, exist to her biology as well. This makes it difficult to ignore a spiritual side to her illness, which draws primarily from Ursa’s “ill” intent.
Azula is also seen embracing the idea that spirits risen solely to take revenge can derail lives, legitimacy, and loyalty. The comics give us a chance to absorb the hidden subtext at face value.
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The Kemurikage were born when robbed mothers abducted the children of others as punishment. Fear of the spirits crumbled the warlord Toz’s support and ended his cause. The masquerading dissenters in “Smoke and Shadow” are able to undermine Firelord Zuko’s authority, create a divide between Mai’s family and her father, and sow widespread fear. Curfew, searches, and interrogations shape the beginnings of a “ruthless” rule, eerily evocative of Azula’s much more rapid descent...
So how do Azula’s visions of Ursa, conjured unconsciously or from a little something more, and her steep debt to the world and Avatar link together - forge the ideal weapon and circumstances for retribution?
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^ Just like that.
This only covers Ursa’s side of the family, the redoubling of spiritual balance after Aang’s fall like the snap of a rubber band. Azula’s complete undoing has to do with the lashing out of both families.
III. The blue dragon
Now, what was it about that first GIF?
Azula’s health begins to spiral right as she’s slated to become Firelord. Her identity is unraveled and called into question - Ursa made manifest slips through the chinks in her armor, prying at insecurities. Her inner turmoil admittedly makes her a poor candidate for ascension, and at the pinnacle of Fire Nation victory, - the crucial, final stages of the Hundred Year War - past rulers would look down on Ozai’s decision to usher her onto a seat of absolute power. Sozin’s Comet itself is an event that imbues firebenders with enhanced abilities, and it’s been theorized before that the “acting up” of royalty during the finale could be explained as such. The phenomenon may have also caused the reemergence of imperial spirits... and it isn’t too far of a fetch. More on that shortly.
It’s made clear that Azula’s destiny is far from holding royal court. The comics throw around that word, “destiny” a lot, but it’s a given signpost for any projected arc in the world of Avatar. And it ties in nicely with the will and workings of spirits.
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Roping predestination with the probable dissatisfaction of the lineage, we finally have a whole picture. The combined force of an upended natural order, demanding the Avatar-slayer’s penance, and a royal bloodline destabilizing her reign in its infancy... planting mistrust and paranoia, and causing rash decisions. From a cherry pit to five minutes’ tardiness, Azula’s clarity and self-assurance are hacked away.
This is inviting the subversion that it wasn’t all in her head. That the Azula who readily accepts the Phoenix King’s declaration is rattled and isolated at best, but far from the composure that took just one afternoon to shatter. Zhao and Ozai face justice at the hands of the spiritual. The third main villain of ATLA might not have escaped due consequence either.
Finally, this scene. Azula, ensconced in blue flames. Is there any suggestion of the presence of spirits?
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Azula’s fire is blue for purposes of flaunting her skill and sheer drive for perfection. The hottest temperature is blue in color, exactly her achievement. The technique isn’t bothered with because it saps extra effort, and so Azula’s signature symbol of power is hers alone. Fitting. But the fact remains: after leaving her hands, the fire quickly cools to orange. See below:
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This color change isn’t seen in Azula’s throne room. The fire surrounding her is definitely detached from her body.
Now, it’s obvious why the animators didn’t suddenly decide to give the iconic blue a rest... but it’s incredibly intriguing from the imperial spirits angle. If Azula herself wasn’t keeping up the blue flame, then at the time of “Into the Inferno”, we’re staring into the faces of invisible devils on her shoulder, supplying the driving energy from the beyond. Onis whispering unseen evils down her ear that cause her, inevitably, to snap - the voices of Sozin and Azulon, a hundred sprawling generations. The cherry on the top is Ursa, descendant of the liaison between mortal and spirit that Azula personally killed, who torments her long after she’s relieved of the crown.
“Trust is for fools. Fear is the only reliable way.”
Hello Future Me describes Azula’s personality as a Machiavellian type, named after the guy who coined “It’s better to be feared than loved.” Watching her escalation unfold, it’s sad to wonder how someone as fearsome as her responds to being the recipient of that fear - when her own weapon turned on its hilt cuts too deep.
IV. End!
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I think the scene above - the girl who opens with this directly after the demise of an admiral who engaged the incarnate of the tides (and swiftly lost), is a bit telling of her fate.
*To clarify, my framing of Ursa’s appearance as spookier than just a figment of Azula’s imagination - *cough* possibly the personified revenge of the Avatar spirit - is NOT meant to demonize Ursa herself! It just offers up an alternative explanation to what Azula hears and sees. Their bond is a poignant standalone, and I don’t mean to hate on the real Ursa/Noriko. Neither does any part of this discredit the impact of Azula’s childhood and history of neglect on her future.
That is all. Thank you for entertaining my theory!
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skwivr · 3 years
Text
I’m getting so dangerously close to flattening my island and redoing it but I’m so nervous about it I’m like genuinely getting kind of panicky (over a video game.....) anyway here’s my notes on what I want to change on my island that’s basically just me thinking out loud, if y’all wanna read it and comment please go for it, but I just need to get the thoughts out to battle the nervousness LOL
First of all, I like my little village area, I think having an area that is both a tightly populated village but also foresty is somewhat unique and I like how homey it feels, but at the moment, first of all, it’s a tad too cramped, and too uniform. Four houses are laid out on a fairly wide grid, but then Beardo and Cranston’s yards are comically small, squished in to fit next to the plaza. Then the yards all hugging the river, two of them are roomy and nice, but poor Timbra’s house is just crushed up next to the cliff that houses Hazel’s house, which in itself is this random weird sticks-out-like-a-sore-thumb feature.
I’d rather a village that is more spread out and not necessarily laid out along perfectly straight lines so that more natural looking paths look, well, natural.
The village is also like RIGHT at the airport entrance. Like, literally there’s a single tile when you step off the deck to walk before you hit Ketchup’s yard. I’m sad I never considered, when building my village, a scenic “entrance” that a lot of other people build around. I’d like a tiny buffer zone, if I can.
Also there’s the forest park area, which is currently just sort of sitting behind my village area. I’d originally conceived of it as a tiny park area which thematically could have ornamental plants - I wanted a place where it “made sense” to have bamboo in my otherwise New England themed town. But after a while I had the idea that it would be a nice little park area where I could set up seasonal displays throughout the year. The problem is, it’s comically small, thin and long. There’s no room to put up more than 1 piece of seasonal decor and even the it’s annoying to walk around.
I’d like to take the concept of that fountain with the benches and the seasonal decor and shove it maybe instead in the center of the new, widened “village”, so that there feels like there’s a hub area.
Then there’s my orchard. My orchard is important to the entire concept of my town from the start (hence the name “Honeycrisp”) but at the moment, while it’s big, it also feels kind of weirdly cramped. I think orchards are supposed to feel somewhat wide and open, and at the moment it’s sort of squished up against a cliff on the left that you can’t even walk on, that serves no purpose other than to try to be a visual buffer between my orchard and my campsite, which has a very different visual vibe from the orchard. Trouble is, not only does the cliff not do a good job of being a visual buffer and makes moving around it annoying, but the aesthetic of my campsite isn’t even very good (a visiter once described it as “haunted” looking) and itself deserves a redo. I should probably just keep the campsite there on the beach but try to somewhat unify the aesthetics of the orchard and the campsite so they make sense to be next to one another.
I think that’s a larger problem with the way I decorated my whole town. I wanted to avoid the stereotypical “beach aesthetic” like the plague so I tried to decorate as though I were hiding my beach like I was sweeping dust under a carpet. I should just accept that the beach is a part of the town as much as anything else and not be afraid to decorate with it.
Anyway, I like the idea of the orchard being this wide, open area both next to the beach and next to the theoretical big lake I want in my town.
Speaking of big lake, the thing I’m most passionate about is this one idea I have in my head, of a section of town that’s elevated in such a way so as to look down at a large lake with a forested island in the middle of it. Hopefully, the roller pin look of the AC world will contribute to this sense that the forested island is further away than it actually is.
On the forested island, I want to migrate my little “standing stones” concept. The “standing stones” were, in my mind, sort of the cornerstone of the town other than the orchard. They were this mysterious bit of woods that you could find your way into, emerging into a big beautiful clearing of white roses and mysterious mossy stones. Trouble is, in my current layout, they’re just sort of..... there. There’s a path leading out the back of them to get to the secret beach. Back before Redd existed, the secret beach was just a little shrine so it made sense, but now the standing stones area just feels like an incidental footpath to get you to a sketchy art dealer in the back of town - one that’s annoying to walk through because of how thick I made the woods around it.
I feel like putting it on a little island both places mystery and visual importance on it - you’ll see it from a distance before you can actually get to it - while also making it so that you don’t simply walk through it to get to other parts of the island. I think a rickety bridge to get to it, or perhaps a thin land bridge, would be cool.
There are a lot of the parts of the back of my island that I don’t care about very much and can be easily rearranged. My zen bridge on the third level in the back of the town that leads to a single kid’s tent is just sort of... there. I’ve never known what to do with it. The area around my own house’s yard is both huge but also cramped and not easily traversible.
So much of it is space I really don’t mind using up instead to expand on what I see as the three central concepts of my town: forested village with shopping plaza, quaint roomy apple orchard and picnic area, and deep forest with sacred stones.
There’s so many other little things, like I have a little waterfall sitting area in the back of my orchard that no one ever knows is there because the path is so not obvious no matter what I do. My picnic area near my alpine lake in the back was my limp-wristed attempt at the real lake concept I now want to go with, but it’s cramped and leads to literally nowhere. My little “outdoor library” area near the house is cute but I’ve never known where to put it (it should really probably go in or near the village area now that I think about it).
Anyway that’s it. Literally no one will read this but it’s nice for me to come back to read this.
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theverakeller · 4 years
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Perhaps often joke they never imagined being with someone like each other. But it would not be this abusive horrible relationship. Do you have some other HC's to share? (4 of 4). I wrote an essay back so LOL.
Anon, YOUR headcanons are everything omg. I JUST HAVE TO AGREE YESSSS!!! WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID. YES Web wouldn’t take Lieb’s shit and Lieb would be quick to apologize. And yes Lieb would struggle a lot with his PTSD and so many arguments start becomes of his anger because of that but Web would shut that down and he just would be SUCH a support system for Lieb and vice versa and they literally would just need each other so much and UGH.
But MY HC’s? omg okay so I don’t have many but literally my biggest one is that throughout the series, Lieb has a huge crush on Web and anytime he is around him he’s a super dork. LIKE COME ON. HE IS AND NO ONE CAN DENY THAT. So OBVIOUSLY when Lieb first saw Web he was like ‘holy shit this dude is super beautiful, way too pretty to be in the army what is he doing here whatever liebgott don’t get distracted’ but the thing is, is that Lieb CANNOT get Web out of his mind? He literally cannot look away when he’s near him his senses are just super heightened when Web’s around and so when he FINALLY says something to Web, he says something super stupid and is immediately ‘oh fuck you idiot he went to harvard he probably thinks you’re an idiot’ and then starts laughing it off and promptly insults Web for something dumb. As time goes on and they’re off in England and eventually further into Europe, the game that Lieb comes up with himself is to see how many times he can touch Web or make him laugh (so he says stupid shit) which is hard bc Web is always so solemn and writing in his damn journal and basically Lieb is just head over heels for this dude ok. When Web gets shot, Lieb heart almost jumps out of his chest when he finds out and so before Web gets shipped off to the hospital he makes sure that he goes and makes fun of him for getting shot or something but honestly he’s dying on the inside at the fact that Web got shot and is going away but is super glad that it wasn’t any worse AND MIND YOU THIS IS ALSO THE FIRST TIME THAT LIEB SHOWS WEB A LITTLE BIT OF SOFTNESS and not his usual dumb, sarcastic self that he usually is. Like after he makes fun of Web for getting shot, Lieb goes to leave but then turns back around and makes sure to softly put a hand on Web’s warm for a moment too long and tells him that he’s glad he didn’t get hurt too bad.
When Web comes back from the hospital Lieb is a different Lieb obvs, he is exhausted and SO ANGRY that Web wasn’t there in the Ardennes but at the same time he can’t stop the dumb fluttery feeling that pops up whenever Web comes around again and he’s just so happy that he’s back and seeks him out all the time and just touches him whenever he can. For example:
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AND LIEB JUST PINES OKAY.  HE PINES!!! And he continues to be a dork in front of Web because WEB IS JUST EVERYTHING THAT LIEB IS NOT, HE WENT TO HARVARD! HE’S SMART! HE’S NOT A LOUDMOUTH! AND JUST EVERYTHING THAT LIEB NEVER KNEW HE WANTED BUT HE WANTS!!!! Lieb’s crush continues once Web comes back and there he is just being a dork and literally everyone in easy is like ‘bro?? what is your problem?? why are you such a loser when Web is around??” and so since this crush and pining just continues CAUSE IT COULD NEVER COME TO FRUITION BC LIEB THINKS WEB IS TOO GOOD FOR HIM. So the whole scene with the finding out that Web never finished school and Web freaks out on Lieb and then LIEB COMFORTS TO LET HIM KNOW THAT HE DOESN’T THINK ANY LESS OF HIM FOR NOT FINISHING and so when he asks him what he studied and Web is like ‘Lit’ and since Lieb is still in that trying to make Web feel better zone, his mind literally does a haywire when responding and without even thinking about it he’s like “I LOVE TO READ” and starts naming off comic books and then once he realizes what he’s done that’s when he puts the cigarette in his mouth bc ‘OMG JOSEPH LIEBGOTT, YOU ARE AN IDIOT, WEB ALREADY THINKS YOU’RE AN IDIOT AND YOU HAD TO GO STICK YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH’ and he’s just embarrassed and dying. MEANWHILE HE DOESN’T NOTICE THAT WEB HAS A BLUSH ON HIS FACE AFTER THIS CONVERSATION.
Meanwhile after finding the Landsburg camp, Lieb kind of curls in on himself and isn’t Lieb and Web is alarmed and notices and so he finds himself actively searching out Lieb to make sure he’s okay and to keep his mind off things and just wants to comfort him and all the time, even though he’s in his mind, Lieb is still like BUTTERFLIES IN TUMMY and it’s the cutest but since he’s not trying so hard he’s not being a loser and dumb and they just become closer and ugh it’s beautiful.
WHICH LEADS ME TO THE FACT THAT IDK HOW BUT THEIR FIRST KISS HAPPENS AFTER THE WAR IS OVER, IN FACT THEIR FIRST KISS HAPPENS V-E DAY NIGHT WHEN THEY’RE BOTH DRUNK OUT OF THEIR MINDS BUT THEN WHEN THEY REALIZE WHAT THEY DID BOTH OF THEM ,ESP LIEB AVOID EACH OTHER LIKE THE PLAGUE but they can’t do that forever bc reasons and so they have to talk about it eventually but that leads to more kisses and Lieb is like ‘wtf I thought you thought I was an idiot??’ and Web is just like ‘You are an idiot bc i’VE LITERALLY WANTED TO KISS YOU SINCE YOU SAW ME OFF WHEN I GOT SHOT’ and basically both have had feelings for each other since idk when and they didn’t know bc they’re both idiots.
ANYWAY MORAL OF THIS VERY LONG STORY IS THAT THEY ARE SUPER IN LOVE AND SUPER SOFT WITH ONE ANOTHER DESPITE THEIR VERY HEATED ARGUMENTS WHICH DO HAPPEN AT TIMES BUT THEY GO TOE TO TOE AND EVENTUALLY GIVE IN TO ONE ANOTHER BC THEY LOVE EACH OTHER TOO MUCH. AND LIEB DOES DUMB SHIT AND SAY STUPID STUFF WHEN WEB IS AROUND.
I’m sorry that was literally just one headcanon and I have other (not many) but there isn’t enough space and I already talked too much anyway lmao
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msmarvelwrites · 4 years
Text
The Winter Ghost - Part 9
Info: A Devastating car crash causes you to lose your memory and start over. The only thing left in the wreckage was the horrific nightmares which plagued your mind. If you knew what today would entail you would have just stayed in bed. But you didn’t and because of that, everything you knew was about to change.
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader
Warnings: swearing, angst if you squint.
W/c: 2.5 k
A/n: Thank you so much to all of you have have given this fic so much love. And thank you to @cutie1365​ for all her help and support! Hope you all are having a great week! Also I promise more Y/n x Bucky interactions are coming soon! 
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It had been exactly five days since the three men left on their recon mission to see what Zemo knew. Five days. Besides the occasional report on Natasha’s part, you haven't heard from Bucky again since that night. 
This was a good thing, you thought. Maybe he was respecting your space. Maybe he had come to his senses. Maybe he meant that text for someone else. Ouch, You hurt your own feelings with that one. 
In any case, the time away from the Super Soldier had given you the clarity you needed to think. You and Natasha trained almost every morning and in your spare time you would work out with Sam. He was a good trainer, besides the lingering eyes when he asked you to do squats. You didn't really mind though. You weren't really sure why you were training. It's not like anyone knew where you were, or even cared at that point. The Avengers in New York had their own problems and as far as the rest of the world knew, Y/n L/n didn't exist. 
Everytime you would ask Nat what this was all for she would only shrug and say something about ‘Avengers must be prepared.’ The idea that you could even be compared to the world saving team was insane and frankly terrifying to say the least. You were just Y/n. Sure Hydra had pumped you full of some mystery serum but without your memories you weren't even sure what that meant. 
Speaking of, since that fateful day at the market, you had no sign of anything else coming back to you. You felt like you were letting everyone down. Especially Shuri who had been working tirelessly to help try and regain something, anything that would make you remember. A part of you worried that no matter what she did, you would never truly know. And a small part of you was maybe a little thankful. The idea of your past life terrified and fascinated you all at once. 
 Over the past few days, Wanda helped teach you that little mind trick of yours. Once you got the hang of it, it was hard to say out of people's heads. Though you had more control over your ability than before, sometimes your friends were just too loud; you couldn't help but pick them out of a room. 
“Hey good lookin'! You ready to hit the gym?” Sam's voice echoed through the kitchen while you poured yourself a tall mug of coffee. You signed, still sore from yesterday's workout. 
“Don’t you guys do anything other than workout?” You asked, eyeing him sceptically. 
“What's it look like?” He winked, flexing his bicep. 
Guess that's a no. 
“Okay, okay. Just let me enjoy this small fleeting moment of peace while I drink my coffee. I’ll meet you there in fifteen.” You spoke, exasperated. You weren't getting out of this one. You knew that, and so did he. 
“Fine, but if you're late, we’re sparring. And you know damn well I fight dirty.” He smirked, jogging out of the room. God, he was insufferable. Over the time since Sam had come back you both had spent a lot of time together. He was a flirt and you were awkward as hell, but the two of you became close friends. Plus, he liked to shit talk Bucky as much as you did. 
You brought your mug up to your lips and took a big sip, letting the rich aromatic smell of coffee invade your senses. While the others would lay down their respective lives to save the world, you would do it just for this moment. Were you a junky? The thought made you giggle. 
“What's so funny, dear?” Nat strolled into the kitchen, eyeing you while you only shook your head. 
“Oh, nothing.” You paused as she looked through the fridge for her usual morning orange juice. 
“Top shelf, on the left.” You spoke.
“Got it. Thanks. What are your plans for today?” She questioned, grabbing a glass from the cabinet. 
“I’m heading to the gym in a few, if you care to join me. Besides that, I’m open. Why what’s up?” You asked, bringing the mug back to your mouth and finishing what little coffee you had left. 
“No reason… the boys are coming home today and-” the coffee that once resided in your mouth spewed out in an almost cartoonish spit-take. Your hand flew up to your face, but it was too late. You choked on the fluid over coughs and apologies. 
“Wait- What?” You asked dumbfounded. 
…………..................................................................................................................
“Wait- what?” Steve asked in shock, his eyes almost bulging out of his face. Bucky couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's delayed reaction. 
“I kissed her Steve” He reiterated again, “… Or maybe she kissed me- I don't know, it just kinda’ happened.” Bucky huffed, rubbing the back of his head as his eyebrows knitted together. It didn't matter now anyways, he had ruined it. He knew he had to, but dammit, that didn't mean it hurt any less. Knowing no matter who actually initiated the kiss- it happened, and in turn, completely altered their relationship. Whatever it had been in the first place. 
“How could you let this happen, Barnes?” Steve barked, knocking him out of his train of thought.
“Don't give me that ‘Captain’ bullshit, punk. Not with me. I don’t know, there's something about that girl. She just-”
“She's just nothing. No Buck, absolutely not. Do not go down this road. I’m warning you.” Steve pointed a finger at Bucky's chest, the sheer strength pushing him back a few pases. He held his ground though as to not let on that little Stevie was capable of such strength.
“Well it doesn't matter, I called it off anyways.” Bucky mumbled. Steve only sharply nodded in confirmation. 
“Why do you care, anyways?” Bucky asked, watching his friend carefully.
“I- I don't. I don’t care. I mean- yes! I care, of course I do. You're my best friend… I don't want to see you get hurt…”  Steve stuttered.
After all these years Bucky would have thought he’d get better at lying but, wanting to drop the conversation he nodded, accepting his failed attempt. 
“I’m glad you broke it off with her, Buck. There's so much you-” He coughed, though it sounded like more of a choke, “We. there's so much we don't know.” He finished, obviously staring at Bucky’s forehead, rather than his eyes. 
Damn he was bad at lying. 
“Anyways…” Bucky started, desperate to change the subject from Y/n to something less gut wrenching. “When’s ship out?” He asked, as the two men walked back to their motel. 
They had landed in Berlin five days ago. Five excruciatingly long days. Bucky had called and hung up on Y/n seventeen times since they got there. He prayed to whatever God he believed in the calls never made it to her end.
Meeting with Zemo took a lot out of Bucky. The man knew the deepest parts of himself. The parts that shamed him, and caused him nothing but heartache and pain. T’Challa had helped to sneak Steve and him into the Joint Counter Terroist Center, giving them a little less than thirty minutes to interrogate the man.
Bucky wasn't sure about any of this. Why would Zemo want anything to do with Y/n? Unless he was just a cog. The whole thing made very little sense, but then again, he trusted Y/n. With every fiber of his body he trusted her. Even if Steve wasn't quite as sold. 
That's only because he hasn't kissed her sweet lips. God, if he only knew how you tasted. 
Ouch, he hurt his own feelings with that one. 
The memory for Zemo’s twisted smile knocked him out of his daze. 
“The prodigal son returns, it seems,” He chuckled, sadistically. Even his voice sent a shiver down Bucky's spine. The idea of this man's hands on Y/n in any capacity was enough to send him into a blind rage. But they hadn't come to tear his head clean off his body, though Bucky knew he could do it without even flinching. 
“Here to ask you some questions. And you're going to answer them.” Steve barked in his most authoritative Captain voice. Zemo chuckled, never once taking his eyes off Bucky. 
“The Winter Soldier and his boyfriend. What a pleasure…” Steve only huffed in response causing a sadistic smirk to tug on the prisoners mouth. 
“Twenty minutes.” T’Challa spoke into their coms. 
“What do you know about Y/n L/n?” Bucky spoke this time. He hoped Zemo didn't see his harsh expression falter as the mere mention of her name. 
“Ah, Agent L/n… Quite a specimen, wouldn't you agree, hound?” Zemo practically spit the word. Steve reached his arm out, gripping onto Bucky’s shoulder, holding him back. 
He wouldn't even flinch. It would take seconds.
“Answer the Question.” Steve boomed.
“Yes, Y/n and I go way back. You have her don't you? Found her triggers yet? Does she even remember her own name?” He laughed, almost maniacally, like something out of those old comic books Bucky was so fond of. 
“Steve…” Buck warned, knowing that he wasn't going to be able to hold it together much longer. Steve nodded, turning his gaze back to the small man in the cell.
“What's in the serum, Zemo. What exactly did you give her?” He asked, stepping closer to the glass case he was sitting in. 
“Couldn't tell you if I wanted to. But she knows… And when she remembers, oh. What. A. Day.” He smirked, tapping on the glass with every word. 
“What does that mean? What are her triggers?” Steve questioned. When Zemo only shrugged the Captain’s fist flew against the glass, sending a booming echo through the room. 
“Ten minutes.” T’Challa’s voice ran through their coms again. It was now or never. They probably wouldn't get another chance like this. The men were fugitives. The mere fact they crossed the European border was a god send.
“Why didn't you just kill her? Huh? Why go to all this trouble...Why give her the serum?” Bucky asked, trying, truly trying to keep his voice level. The idea of never meeting Y/n made his heart ache. 
“We tried to clone the serum. She's a smart one, мой ребенок. Made it so that without being mixed with her blood and exposed to radiation, it would be useless. Her fail safe. I don't think she ever thought...” He chuckled, shaking his head from side to side. “Tell me, did her arm heal okay?” 
Bucky gritted his teeth. The smug bastard. The thought of the torture Hydra must have put her though made him feel physically ill. Worse than anything they could have ever done to him. They touched her. He could practically hear her screams ringing through his mind. 
He wouldn't. Even. Flinch. 
“We must leave. Someone's alerted a guard.” T'Challa's panicked voice shook Bucky out of his rage. Zemo seemed to notice. 
“Give my regard to мой ребенок.” He flashed a toothy smile, taking a seat again.
“Get out of there!” The king's voice boomed, but Bucky didn't move. Steve yanked on his arm, pulling him towards the doors. 
“They know where she is.” Zemo spoke so quietly the two men almost didn't hear. But they did. 
“Who?” Bucky snapped. The man only chuckled, and waved as Steve yanked him out of the room. 
…………..................................................................................................................
You met Sam and Nat in the gym, fifteen minutes later.
He was coming home today. You always knew eventually he would, but you were hopeful you'd have a little more time. Time for what, you weren't sure. All you knew is your heart still ached with his final words. 
The idea of seeing Bucky’s face again made a lump appear in your throat. You weren’t ready. I mean, truthfully, you weren’t sure you'd ever be. 
You had dealt with rejection before, sure. Your freshman boyfriend asked Angie Cordillia to the winter formal instead of you. You cried all night. But this- this was different. You knew it. You felt it, and it ripped through your heart like a chainsaw to paper. 
“You're late!” Sam shouted from the treadmill going full speed. Well, not full speed- it was made for Steve and Bucky after all. 
“I am not. Right on-” You looked down at your watch. “Time…” Oh shit. One minute past ten. 
“I’m just warming up, and then I’m coming for you… Ya ready, beautiful?” Sam asked, sending a wink your way. 
You looked to Natasha who only sent you a smirk while she stretched on the gym mat. 
You huffed, tying your hair back into a ponytail. “Listen, Sam, I know what you said but I’m just really not feeling-“ 
“You know why you’re here?” Sam suddenly interrupted. All joking tones had melted out of his words as you approached him. 
“Well, do you?” He repeated. 
You thought about that for a moment. Yeah, you knew why. The team needed to find out whatever serum was in your system before Hydra would clone it. You were a means to an end. You were of course willing to be that cog, if to help right the wrong you had done in your past life, but that’s all it was. 
“You’re here because Y/n, the old Y/n was the best of the best. She was a fighter. And whether you remember or not, she’s in there. Maybe there’s a way to take that serum out of ya, maybe you can just start over. But if you can’t, whatever you believe in has put it in there to make you stronger. So you decide, are you just here to be here, or are you a fucking Avenger?” His words hit you like a ton of bricks. 
Sam was never the sentimental type. Far from it, in fact. You’d never heard him speak with such passion. You wanted to believe he meant it, but a gnawing feeling in the fit of your stomach kept you from fully retaining his worlds. 
“I- I’m not an Avenger.” You signed, wanted nothing more than to be the kind of person to spring into action after his speech, but you weren’t. You knew that was because you were no hero. 
“Maybe not officially. The bands kinda broken up at the moment. But lemme’ just say this,” He placed a hand on your shoulder, “You’re here for a reason. So we’re not going to sit around in Shuri’s lab all day. We’re going to train and maybe, if I kick your ass enough, you’ll realize just how special you are.” He gave you a little shove, knocking you back a little. You tried to speak but your voice betrayed you. 
“Dammit.” You finally spoke. 
“Yeah, I don’t know where that came from either…” Sam chucked. You wanted to protest, to argue that you weren’t the person he thought you were. But you didn’t. 
You weren’t sure if it was the look in his eyes, or the intro to Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC that came blaring out of the gym speakers, but in any case, you believed him.
“Fine, Give me your best shot, Wilson.”
................................................................................................................................
A/N: Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed please remember to leave a like or reblog <3 Your validation means to much to me lol Hope you all are having an amazing weekend! Remember to take some time for yourself and practice self care! Lord knows we all need it right now.
@kalesrebellion​ 
@projectcampbell​
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cosmic-navel-gazin · 4 years
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In which I chronicle my Legacy of Kain journey and bridge it with your boy Adam Warlock! (Part 5 of many, and MASSIVE, I MEAN, HUMOUNGOUS SPOILERS for Soul Reaver 2 and the 1970’s Warlock)
Awwwwwwwww yeah we are going there, these compositions are most definitely on purpose.
This is where I realize that my true purpose in this world is to draw and talk about obscure or forgotten works of fiction, and I embrace this destiny. 
Ladies and gents, laughing times are over (not really though), sh*t gets very real again.
I guess it’s a bit late for this but if you have even the slightest interest in checking any of these properties out, do yourself a favor and go experience them first hand. If you just want to see me lose my mind and don’t really care about spoilers then please, proceed.
You know, when I started this little crossover of sorts, I was just having a laugh you know? It was just a cute little thing, I’ll write this one post and maybe I’ll get enough material for a second one and that’s it. THIS IS THE SEVENTH POST (even though it says Part 5). 
Never, and I do mean never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be here one day, talking about having your past and your time-travelling-future selves meet and clash, of seeing your sanctimonious attitude and overall the worst about yourself personified and given free reign to go on bloodthirsty crusades showing off how much of a hypocrite you’ve bee- but wait, I am getting a bit ahead of myself. 
I’ll get there I promise, let’s go back a bit.
Where we last left off, we managed to travel back to an even more distant past than we’ve been before. To the time of the great Vampire Purge, so that Raziel can meet this infamous ancient vampire who knows all the lore and might have the answers we seek on what exactly is causing the corruption of our world.
As we step out into this era of History we notice the fields covered with the Sarafan Order banners, and the impaled corpses and chopped-off heads of vampires. No different no doubt from the kindness vampires showed mankind later when they gained the upper hand during Kain’s 1.000 year old reign. Raziel seems a bit distraught by the sight since he assumed the Sarafan to be virtuous and heroic:
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“For all the butchery of Moebius’s crusade, this massacre was somehow more chilling. The killing fields of the Sarafan betrayed a kind of orderly ruthlessness, the cold-blooded righteousness of the true believer.”
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“Here at last in the flesh, I beheld my former brothers-in-arms, the warrior-priests of the Sarafan order; their lives devoted solely to the annihilation of the vampire plague. And while I confess I felt a twinge of longing, a pang of grief for what I had believed was my lost virtue, I regarded them now with none of the reverence I formally felt. For I had seen the human face of the vampires, and now I beheld the monstrousness of these men.”
While on the topic of genocidal holy wars, my boy Adam here had a bit of a run with a similar pious little group that goes by the name of Universal Church of Truth, who were going about doing a bit of cleaning throughout the galaxy:
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Things don’t go so well:
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Interestingly enough, I’ve learned of a deleted cutscene for Soul Reaver 2 that plays out very similarly to Adam’s first encounter with this “holy” order. There was this minor female vampire character that was being hunted down and would be executed by vampire hunters right in front of Raziel.
This scene was probably removed because they knew that almost 20 years later there would be some asshole on the internet trying to compare their games to obscure marvel comics of the 70’s.
But yeah bummer for Adam here, we’re a couple of pages in and he’s already failed to save someone. However, through the power of the Soul Gem, he’s able to retain her soul for a brief moment, letting us know more about these holy inquisitors:
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Some of these methods don’t seem that far off from the Sarafan, especially on the twisting of good intentions part, but on a galactic scale:
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Aye, a great bunch o’ fellas all around, if you submit and “fit in”:
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Damn.
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Hush Adam, I’ll get back to your predicament give me a moment. I just want the good people at home to keep both this church and the Magus, the god they worship in mind for later.
Now, back to the game. In the Sarafan Stronghold during the first hour of gameplay, Raziel made comments on the vampire he’s currently seeking while looking at some stained glass depictions:
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“So this was the legendary Janos Audron - reputed to have been the most ancient and diabolical vampire to have ever existed. According to folklore, he lived high in the cliffs of Nosgoth’s northern mountains, and preyed mercilessly on the defenseless villagers below. His reign of terror ended when the Sarafan finally hunted him down and tore his throbbing heart from his still-living body. (…) But I wondered - could Janos Audron truly have been as monstrous as depicted here? Or was this merely artistic licence by the Sarafan, who sought to lionize themselves by demonizing their darkest enemy?
Keep these stained glass images in mind, they’ll also be important shortly. Neetheless to say, the hype was very real to meet this Janos Audron.
And as I kept hearing about this gentleman, I thought: “I really love this cast of pricks, where everyone speaks in half truths and is hiding something and has some hidden agenda, but you know, I kind of wish there was some slim ray of hope, of goodness and honor, just some good old plain chivalry and honesty. Maybe this Janos lad won’t be as bad as he was depicted back in the Sarafan Stronghold.” 
It took us a while but we’re finally make it to his retreat.
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I really love the entire segment, the hopelessness and feeling of dread while making your way through this place, probably my favourite puzzle area of the game.  I also really love the music and architecture here.
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When we do make it to the top, BOY OH BOY were my prayers answered!
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Lo and behold, enter Raziel’s new daddy/mentor figure, my man JANOS AUDRON! Proabably the one decent and kind creature I’ve seen yet in these games (if you don’t count helpless human npcs who are just trying to live their lives but are caught in all these wars, slaughter and destruction).
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FINALLY an understanding, moderate, compassionate man in the midst of all the lies and deception. I love him! Oh and he has what seems to be a Romanian accent. Maybe a nod to the granddaddy of all vampires: Dracula? I think his design is cool as well, so that helps.
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Before we go into huge lore dumps and while on the topic of having a brief father/mentor figure for your protagonist when he’s utterly lost, alone and confused, I thought I’d bridge it with Adam’s own once foster parent, the High Evolutionary:
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From the few minutes you get to know these dads they’re very different characters with different backstories and motivations. Janos is this sad lonely old man, the last of the ancient vampires and one who has been keeping himself alive solely for his sense of duty. 
While the High Evolutionary was once a man called Herbert Wyndham who performed an experiment that evolved him into a godlike being. This experience proved to be such an assault on his senses and perceptions that he chose to encase himself in this armour. Like the name suggests he is obsessed with genetic manipulation and tampering of various kinds, it is his life’s ambition. 
Despite his somewhat villainous appearance, he’s never portrayed as such from what little I’ve read, he’s just…a bit creepy. Like, he takes Adam in and is super stoked about adopting him, but he also values him not so much as a person per se as you and me would, but more as one would value an impressivly carved piece of work:
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I don’t know, maybe it’s his metal face that doesn’t emote much; his sometimes questionable morality; maybe it’s the fact that Adam was 5 years old at this point, a baby boy, and this pink armoured deity is super hyped about him; there’s something a bit unsettling about this guy. Have some more dubious quotes I’ve stumbled upon:
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All in all, I think he did care about him, in his own strange way:
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Anyway, what’s important is that these adoptive dads serve a somewhat similar purpose, and that is to push/urge our ”“”“"heroes”“”“” (I say with many quotation marks) into a more benevolant role: to guide them in their messianic mission and save a corrupted world. Basically there to provide a chance for them to be good boys. Up until now their track record leaves much to be desired, and they’ve been quite lost on what they’re supposed to be and do.
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Raziel:
“So it’s all true, then - what Kain and Vorador have told me - I really am some kind of unholy vampire messiah…”
Janos:
“Unholy? -no. Messiah… perhaps.”
Raziel:
“I don’t like that word - it smells of martyrdom.”
Janos:
“Raziel, your role in this world’s destiny is more crucial - and more benevolent - than you’ve allowed yourself to believe. Your journey will not be easy - dark powers are allied against you.”
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Oh and both dads give their sons their toys (Soul Reaver and Soul Gem):
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Back to the meeting with Janos, we finally learn tons of things, both new and others that have been hinted at throughout, namely:
Janos has been living a life of a recluse, alone, on top of the Aerie;
Janos knows of Raziel (some old legend I think) and has been waiting for him to hand him over the Soul Reaver, saying it is the key to save Nosgoth;
The Pillars of Nosgoth were erected by the ancient vampires and they were the rightful guardians. Janos was called to be th 10th guardian, the Keeper of the Reaver;
Over time this ancient race started to die out, with their history slowly being forgotten;
Humanity prospered and since the Pillars choose their guardians from birth and vampires were no longer born, humans were called to be their guardians but were “wholly ignorant of their true purpose.”
The Circle of human guardians is led to believe (by whom we do not yet know) that vampires are a cancer in the world. Janos warns that “with their vampire purge, the members of the Circle have assaulted the very architects of the Pillars they are sworn to protect (…) With every vampire they kill, the humans are slitting their own throats.”
Janos being a cool level-headed guy here when Raziel says he must hate mankind for all the suffering they’ve brought to him:
“They fear what they don’t understand; and they despise what they fear. But no - I do not hate them.”
I find it funny how Raziel asks if humanity should be forgiven for trying to exterminate the vampire kind and doesn’t realize that: one, he himself was exterminating vampires just a couple of moments ago back in SR1; and two, how he is just like how Janos describes humanity to be:
“They don’t understand what they’re doing. They are simply unenlightened… and vulnerable to manipulation.”
Again, this last line, completely unlike a certain blue shambling corpse I know. Not like him AT ALL.
Then, as they head inside, we learn something odd as Janos presents Raziel with the Reaver. You see, the two times Raziel has been close to the Soul Reaver still in its physical form, reality started to bend and distort (I show it off in this previous post). 
When we met Kain and decided not to kill him, he explained that when: “two incarnations of the blade meet in time and space, a paradox is  created, a temporal distortion powerful enough to derail history”
This distortion, or sense of displacement however, is nowhere to be found now when Janos presents the blade to him. Raziel feels nothing and says that “this nothingness is somehow worse…” and to get it away from him.
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We learn the Reaver was forged by the same ancient vampire race that erected the Pillars (which we’ve seen hinted at when we explored the land and came accross all sorts of old murals).
But now THIS is when the game first impales me through the heart.
Me and Janos are interrupted by the Sarafan warriors who arrive carrying Moebius’ Staff (which disables vampires to the point of being barely able to move at all).
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And of course! OF COURSE! Of course the moment my boy Raziel finds a truly positive influence in his life to guide and enlinghten him, and that was willing to put himself in danger in order to save him… he is axed! HEART RIPPED FROM HIS CHEST!
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And by whom you ask? Who would do such a deed and kill my last ray of hope?
WHY, ME! 
TWICE!
“Me” because I was the one to open an entrance to Janos’ up until then impenetrable retreat, and literally me: human Raziel of the Sarafan that lived during this time period and was head inquisitor!
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A bit different from what was depicted back at the Sarafan Stronghold, we found several centuries later (putting the same image here again so you don’t have to scroll up to compare, am I swell or what?):
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The Sarafan escape with Janos’ heart and the Reaver, while wraith Raziel has a final moment with Janos. 
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This part destroys me:
Raziel:
“Forgive me; I’m sorry… I failed you.”
Janos: (gently)
“No, Raziel. Perhaps this was my true purpose - simply to save your life this once.”
Raziel: (distraught)
“While I have taken yours…”
That last bit is probably my favourite line-read in the entire series so far (which is the most impossible thing to choose since there are so many great ones). But I think it’s the overwhelming sadness in Raziel’s voice that makes it memorable, you’ve never seen him feel like this for another creature.
Breaks my stone hardened heart every time I listen to it. And here’s why I think it’s an effective emotional scene, even though we only get a few minutes with Janos before he is murdered - it is because of contrast. Up until now everyone you meet is some degree of a bad or manipulative person, and you don’t really have a true friend or someone to confide in, there’s no one that really brings out the best in Raziel and it sucks because there is potential there.  So when you introduce the apparently only decent and noble person in this god forsaken land and you’re so used to by now suspect and mistrust everyone, it is impactful because he was truth and honesty in a sea of deception and moral relativism. He was my light in the midst of the fog and the one who saw good in me. And right when you’re finally relaxing and getting confortable the game pulls the rug from under you.
Now, while on the topic of having your past and future meet, there was a little something about the meeting between Adam and the Universal Church of Truth that I’ve been saving up until now. If you remember, Adam was interrogating the young woman who was killed by the inquisitors about the church and the god they worship. When suddenly:
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Good news is, Adam must’ve taken a left turn somewhere and ended up on the set for “Monty Python’s Life of Brian”, where he learned some latin:
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This helped him quickly figure out the Magus’ identity:
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Learn your dead tongues kids, you never know when it might come in handy when meeting your time travelling, thousands of years old future-self:
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So as you can se, we have a similar self-discovery journey going on but reversed in a way. In Raziel’s case you play as his future self, who time travels back in time, meets his past self and sees what a hypocrite he’s been his entire life. In Adam’s case you follow his present self, who meets the Magus (his future self), who has travelled back in time 5.000 years, in which time he has built his empire. Meeting and confronting said empire/future self, leads Adam to see what a hypocrite he’s been his entire life. You see, both Adam and Raziel have always been their own worst enemy (their own shortcomings and character flaws). So it would be only natural that we get embodiments of the worst in them: Raziel, the human Sarafan Warrior and the Magus, their past and future selves respectively.
Oof, this was a long one, and I’ve reach the character limit. In the next post I’ll elaborate more on their characters and different selves; and we go through the roller-coaster of emotions that is the endgame for both these stories.
Look foward to me losing my mind even further while I go into time travelling, paradox shenanigans… oh, and look foward to happier times with COSMIC SUICIDE! See you in the near future.
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