#barian tag

[warchord]

this was supposed to be a doodle so i stopped after i added minimal color.

[itsana004]

The end.

@zexalmonth is it still too late for my 7th day entry???

[imaginarystormz]

Belated day 7 of @zexalmonth

[shifuto]

[squishosaur]

u should draw an bug - oz (i am so sorey i dont ever shut up ecer)

jamil voice: killing you kiling you killing you kil 🗞💥🗞💥🗞💥🗞💥 🔥🔥🏚🔥🔥🔥

[carmypen]

I mean…technically, yes.

[forhope]

   :[  @halofractured​ asked: Whenever Jey began to sense that Nova's silences - or the lapses of quiet when in one another's presence where they did little else but bask with each other between worlds and wars, had grown uneasy - she would rake her nails ever gently down all spaces of his skin not occupied by scars.

   Even now, with love trust built into their relationships' foundation, the Archangel would not even think upon any act to abuse the closeness Nova allowed them. Instead, she did her best to leave her own marks. Of things outside their way with brutality, outside of violence. These marks were of soft whispered promises, little squeezes of fingers and brushes of mouth against corrupted skin. Reassurances.

   ( I am here. We are here. )

   ( I love. We love. )

   The hope of this was not to distract from the thoughts that pulled Nova deep, it was the tether for him to pull when he was done. Bring him back without force but in soft suggestion. 

   In the same way a parent leaves a crack of light through a bedroom door for the child to find their way out of the darkness, should they need it. To not forget their bearings. To not drown in the shadows that may seem to swallow them otherwise.

   Jey did not know if he were privy to any of this, intention or beyond. But she did it all the same without speaking a word of attention to it. This was a lesser thing, one of a million, they could do (and did do) to keep him steady. 

   (( hello good morning have paragraphs of word vomit shippiness in these trying hiatus times <3 ;; ))   ]

   The  red  sea  was  rising...

   Where  its  waters  once  resided  at  the  base  of  his  feet,  they  now  overtook  them  and  rested  at  his  knees  where  it  seeped  into  his  robes  and  pant  legs.  It  was  tension.  His  fears.  The  various  doubts  and  thoughts  that  lingered  in  his  mind  even  with  their  representation  shoved  back  below  the  waves.  There  was  much  too  think  about.  Too  much  to  think  about.

   His  Angel’s  gentle  touches  brought  crystalline  threads  to  this  flooded  mindscape,  little  threads  thinner  then  grains  of  sand  all  attempting  to  stick  to  him  like  delicate  silken  webs.  They  were  reminders  of  what  he  had.  What  he  could  loose.  What  he  Refused  to  Loose.

            Astral  World  would  not  have  her.

                           The  boy  would  not  stop  her.

                                         He  would  Make  Sure  Of  It.

   Clawed  gauntlets  gently  plucked  each  and  every  string  she  brought  into  his  mind.  Large,  small,  gentle,  course,  firm,  flimsy-  his  mind  would  gather  each  in  claw  over  days.  Weeks.  Months.  Each  thread  a  treasured  gem,  a  memory  preserved  in  crystal  of  times  so  soothing  and  calm  in  the  world  brimming  with  chaos.  It  was  these  threads  he  sat  with  during  his  long  moments  of  dissociation  from  the  world  at  large.  These  threads  he  let  soak  in  the  sea  of  his  mind  as  he  wove  them  together  so  that  they  may  hold  a  part  of  him.  A  reminder.  A  Fragment..

                                           An  Eternal  Gem.

   “  The  Boy  has  become  too  large  a  threat.  “   Nova  stated  plainly,  shattering  the  silence  that  hung  over  one  of  their  many  moments  of  solitude.  They  stood  now  at  the  edge  of  the  Barian  Sea,  a  place  holding  so  many  memories  of  all  shape  and  form.  It  was  here  he  was  reborn.  Here  he  saw  Astral  Denizens  weep  over  their  banishment.  Here  he  sent  souls  reaped  to  his  master  for  use.  Here  he  saw  a  Man  become  a  God  to  lost  people.  He  tilted  his  head  to  the  side,  Jey’s  gentle  touches  grounding  him  in  the  moment  as  his  gaze  raised  to  the  stars  that  had  once  been  his  origin.

   “  With  each  passing  day  his  bond  with  Thirty  Nine  and  Nighty  Six  proves  to  grow..  Strong  enough  to  pull  Zexal  of  prophecy  and  myth  out  into  reality.  If  this  continues  they  Will  become  a  genuine  threat  to  everything  my  lord  has  built  over  these  endless  lifetimes..  “

   Nova  felt  Jey’s  hands  on  his  back  and  he  turned  around  to  hold  them  in  his  own.  Where  many  only  saw  him  with  masked  face  and  narrowed,  altered  eyes.  In  this  moment-  he  looked  to  Jey  with  his  true  face.  Eyes  relaxed  and  illusions  dropped,  gold  and  white  heterochronic  eyes  looking  down  at  her  palms  before  drifting  up  to  her  face.  To  her  alone  in  this  moment  did  he  show  his  truest  self..  a  form  bare  of  armor  or  robe,  dotted  with  cracks  and  scars  from  battles  long  lost  to  time  draped  only  in  long  cyan  hair  that  fell  around  his  features.  

   To  Her  Alone.                In  this  moment.                            Did  he  show  his  Scar.

   Light  poured  from  the  gash.  While  it  had  shrank  greatly  since  that  fateful  day  of  their  meeting,  patched  together  as  he  stitched  the  Numbers  back  to  their  origin,  the  remnants  of  the  blow  still  sent  pulsing  ripples  through  the  cracks  that  it  had  sprung  forth.  Nova  took  one  of  his  hands  and  set  it  Within  the  open  wound,  the  tips  of  his  fingers  vanishing  into  the  light  as  he  spoke.

   “  Jey..  My  Jey.  My  Angel.  Know  I  have  never  thought  you  incapable.  Know  I  have  never  been  blind  to  your  affections..  Know  I  cherished  every  playful  prod  at  my  enjoyment  of  human  drink  and  books.  Know  I  think  about  you  in  my  many  sleepless  nights.  Know  you  are  the  only  one  besides  my  master  I  trust  to  see  me  as  I  am..  as  what  I  was  Supposed  to  Be..  Know  I  sleep  best  when  in  your  arms.  Know  that  I  would  burn  Astral  World  to  the  ground  for  you.  Know  that  I  bring  you  here  now..  to  the  shores  where  my  second  life  began,  with  purpose.  Know  I  have  wanted  to  bring  you  into  our  fight,  but  feared  loosing  you  in  the  process..  Know  my  doubts  of  you  have  drowned  with  my  hesitations.  Know  that  what  I  do  now..  I  do  so  that  you  may  aid  me  again-  as  you  have  done  many  times  before..  Know  that  all  I  ask  now-  is  for  you  to  trust  me  now  as  you  have  done  before,  and-  Know  that  I  tell  you  these  things  now...  so  that  you  do  not  stop  me  from  doing  This.  “

   Nova’s  hand  plunged  into  his  open  wound,  his  face  contorting  in  pain  as  the  light  from  the  spiderweb  of  cracks  flared  and  grew  until  they  covered  every  inch  of  his  body,  glowing  brighter  the  deeper  he  brought  his  hand  into  the  crevasse  at  his  heart..  However  where  his  face  showed  pain,  his  eyes  held  a  plea,  a  prayer,  a  desperate  request.

     (  Do  not  stop  me.  )      (  Trust  in  Me.  )

   Within  the  Red  Sea,  Nova’s  eyes  raised  to  the  light  breaking  upon  the  horizon  and  stood.  He  held  in  his  hands  a  light  woven  together  from  thousands  on  millions  of  threads  that  he  now  held  up  above  him.  The  waters  of  the  sea  below  him  churned  and  slammed  against  themselves  as  his  mind  reared  from  not  only  the  pain,  but  the  desperation  to  remain  whole.            ‘  What  if  we  break  again?  ‘                      ‘  What  if  it  fails?!  ‘                             ‘  What  if-   ‘

   The  waters  lowered  as  his  hold  loosened  and  the  small  shard  of  light  was  plucked  from  his  grasp.  From  his  knees  to  his  ankles.  From  his  ankles  to  his  feet.  Then  below  them  once  mere.  A  red  sheet  of  liquid  glass  churning  like  a  roaring  sea.  The  Pain  was  Temporary.  What  it  brought  however?  Would  be  Eternal...  A  Jewel  fit  for  A  King.

   A  blood  curdling  scream  what  had  not  been  heard  for  eons  brought  and  end  to  the  act  as  Nova’s  hand  yanked  out  a  shard  from  the  recesses  of  his  chest.  The  glowing  cracks  flickered  and  faded  as  the  former  envoy’s  whole  frame  shook  with  heavy  breaths,  slowly  returning  to  their  natural  state  as  he  rose  to  his  proper  height.  His  eyes  found  his  angel  once  more,  a  free  hand  rising  to  grant  onto  her  the  same  reassuring  touch  she  had  granted  him  so  many  times  before.  Had  he  the  ability  to  be  pleased  with  himself,  he  had  no  doubts  he  would  be  as  a  rare  smile  graced  his  lips.

   “  This.  My  angel.  Is  Number  Fifty  Two..  With  it,  you  now  have  a  means  to  take  the  numbers  from  the  boy  or  his  friends  by  force.  It  is  a  part  of  me  I  entrust  to  you..  and  a  part  I  charge  with  protecting  you.  Until  it  reunites  with  me  at  my  Master’s  Victory.  Until  then-  please...  Take  it.  “

   Nova  brought�� Jey’s  hand  up  as  the  shard  in  his  hand  cracked  and  took  shape,  a  small  crab  like  creature  with  a  hard  shell  of  diamonds  back  taking  form  before  vanishing  into  its  new  Number  Card  that  Nova  pushed  into  his  beloved’s  palm  followed  by  pressing  his  lips  onto  hers,  spare  hand  caressing  the  side  of  her  face  as  he  savored  what  he  could  of  this  moment.  What  he  would  not  give  to  spend  hours  in  this  state..  forget  the  world  around  them  for  an  hour  or  three  and  embrace  the  almost  euphoric  sense  of  ease  that  came  from  knowing-  after  all  these  eons-

      His  Angel  could  Join  Their  Battle.

               But...  alas...

   “  Know  I  do  not  wish  to  leave  you  here  in  this  moment... after  what  I  have  made  you  endure.  I  can  never  apologize  enough..  but  My  Master  has  Ears  here..  I  must  assure  to  him  that  I  am  well,  and  after  that-  I  shall  accept  all  scolding's,  reprimands,  and  demands  for  physical  affection  as  attornment  for  my  leaving...  This  I  shall  remember.  “

   “  And  above  all..  Know  that  I  Shall  Always  Love  You..  “

[zexalmonth]

Zexal Month 2023's coming up! From August 1st to the 31st, we’ll be celebrating our 7th Zexal Month! We're doing a Tarot theme!

All our prompts are based on the 23 Major Arcana! You can follow the written prompts or just draw something based on the actual arcana for the day!

For those who are with us for the first time, we have prompts with some suggestions attached to them. You can focus on characters, concepts or OCs, as long as it’s somehow Zexal related and we'll reblog it if it's tagged with #zexal month 2023. In addition to the daily prompts, we have a list of alternate prompts at the end of the list! We hope you have fun with it.

Week 1: Welcome to the Kingdom

1st: The Fool upright | Beginnings, innocence, spontaneity, a free spirit The king calls you all to introduce yourselves. Hello, fools! Who are you and how did you get into Zexal? 2nd: The Magician upright | Manifestation, resourcefulness, power, inspired action Duel monsters are the manifestation of the soul, so show us your favourite duel monster or card! Alternatively, show us your favourite Numbers Card! 3rd: The High Priestess upright | Intuition, sacred knowledge, the subconscious mind Music can do miraculous things to the subconscious mind. You can make something based on the soundtrack or themes/motifs you like. As a challenge, put on one of the Zexal soundtracks and try to make something before the song ends! Show it to us! 4th: The Empress upright | Femininity, beauty, nature, nurturing, abundance The empress summons you to talk about someone you truly care for. What makes your favourite character your favourite? If you have an OC, feel free to talk about them! Also, we love women, so if you want, show some female characters appreciation!

Week 2: Secrets of the Royal Court

7th- The Emperor upright | Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure All hail the barian emperors! Show us a piece about our favourite alien warlords and/or Don Thousand. You can also show us a non-barian Character as a Barian or something else Barian-related. Alternatively, an upright emperor also represents a father figure. Kazama? Faker? Tron? An OC or self-insert? Show us daddy issues something inspired by them! 8th- The Hierophant reversed | Personal beliefs, freedom, challenging the status quo The reversed hierophant means freedom and non-uniformity, so it’s dress up day! Put a Zexal character (or OC) in a new set of clothes they would/wouldn’t wear! Historically accurate clothes for Barians’ past lives? Mini skirt IV? Droite in her wrestler attire? Astral in a tutu? Just show us fashion!  9th- The Lovers upright | Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices Time to spread the love! OTPs? OT3s? BROTPs? Character x Reader? Character x OC? The lovers card is all about ‘belonging’. What relationships do these characters have?    Draw us your ships, friendships or your favourite group of characters (Number’s Club, Sanyuushi, Arclights etc.) enjoying each others’ company. You can also show us the families of your favourite characters and create relatives for them if you prefer.  10th- The Chariot reversed | Self-discipline, opposition, lack of direction Sure, we have a “plot” but Zexal has lots of filler episodes and fun, zany detours! Show what sort of sports or hobbies the characters would get involved with in their spare time. 11th- Justice upright | Justice, fairness, truth, cause and effect, law Time to put a Zexal character on trial! What crimes are they charged for? What is the verdict? What is the punishment?  Feel free to get silly with this (Phoenix Wright, anyone?) or be as grim/morbid as you like. Will Vector finally pay for his transgressions? Up to you!

Week 3: Into the Woods

14th- The Hermit upright | Soul-searching, introspection, being alone, inner guidance As you are banished into the woods for your hot takes, you’re able to reflect on a long-forgotten friend. Make something based on your favourite obscure or minor character. Give those one-shot duelists some love! 15th- The Wheel of Fortune upright | Good luck, life cycles, destiny, a turning point Let’s just put your favorite characters on a game show. Can you imagine a Family Feud with Arclights vs Tenjos? Does anyone get lucky?  What sort of entertainment (outside of card games) do you think you’d see in Heartland City? 16th- Strength upright | Strength, courage, persuasion, influence, compassion Fight! Fight! Fight! In a contest of pure strength, who would win? Who do you NOT want to face in hand-to-hand combat. Who would you duel? If you want to keep yourself out of the fight, show two characters in a fight/duel! Bonus points if they haven’t canonically fought before.  17th- The Hanged Man upright | Pause, surrender, letting go, new perspectives A change of perspective! Is there any character you didn't like at the start, but ended up loving, or vice versa? Who is it and why?  Alternatively, what relationships do you wish we saw? What interactions did Zexal deprive us from? 18th- Temperance upright | Balance, moderation, patience, purpose Sometimes, your friends get on your nerves and you have to be patient with them. But it’s really hard when they’re mostly middle schoolers. How do you think characters would spend a Boys/Girls’ Night Out? What about a slumber party instead?

Week 4: Exile

21st- The Devil reversed | Releasing limiting beliefs, exploring dark thoughts, detachment Show us your villains or your favourite character(s) as a villain. Does their deck change as well? 22nd- The Tower upright | Sudden change, upheaval, chaos, revelation, awakening Show us your favourite punching bag hurting emotionally (whether from a death, tragedy, breakup or something else), in physical agony, or just having a good cry. Zexal is no stranger to angst, after all (we got how many death montages at the end of the series?).  If there are triggers or graphic themes/visuals, remember to tag them! 23rd- The Moon reversed | Release of fear, repressed emotion, inner confusion Some parts of Zexal were confusing and some plot points were forgotten. What do you wish you could have seen MORE of? Alternatively, is there something you didn’t like in Zexal? What and why? Show us what you would have preferred/thought was interesting! Explore a scenario that could have drastically altered Zexal. e.g. What if Kaito died of space cancer at the end of season 1? 24th- The Star upright | Hope, faith, purpose, renewal, spirituality Let’s change the tone of this week. Zexal is full of mythology and spirituality. Show us some of your favourite themes/lore in the show!   25th- The Sun upright | Positivity, fun, warmth, success, vitality The sun represents warm feelings as much as it represents treasure/wealth. Give your favourite character a cursed weapon or treasure. How do they react? What do they do with it? If you want a challenge, grab an image of Yuma’s room and pick a treasure/object. Draw it and/or give it a story. III definitely would love to hear you talk about it! 

Week 5: Court of the Dead

28th- Death upright | Endings, change, transformation, transition How’s the future for Zexal characters? Show us what you think a Zexal character (or several) are doing post-series or how they look when they grow up? 29th- Judgement upright | Judgement, rebirth, inner calling, absolution Zexal ended a long time ago but it’s time to give it a bit of new life. It’s crossover day! How would a Zexal character look/act in the world of the fandom you're into now (or vice versa)? 30th- The World upright | Completion, integration, accomplishment, travel Scenery appreciation! (Tell us what’s your favorite location in Zexal). Alternatively, show us a location where the Zexal characters you like would go on vacation or for an adventure. 31st-  The Deck Summarise your Zexal Month 2023! What did you like? What didn’t you like? Any shout-outs you want to give?  

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Alternate prompts

As per usual, alternate prompts are meant for ANY day and you can do as many or as few alternate prompts as you like. I can’t stop you if you want to do prompt 10) thirty-one times during Zexal month. 

Holding back/recklessness

Manipulation/poor planning

Dreams/delusions

Age-swap/younger days

Insecurities 

Parallel worlds / Fused world

“But there is only one bed…”

“Can you explain why I have to bail you guys out of jail AGAIN?”

A heist!

Middle school/High school AU

Lunchtime shenanigans

Fantasy/Fairytale AU

Hygge: A very strong feeling of cosiness, of a special moment, alone or with friends, where you feel utterly content, secure, reassured, comforted, and even kinship if you’re among loved ones. 

Verschlimmbessern: To fix something but only make it worse

Backpfeifengesicht: A face badly in need of a fist.

Body Swap/Soul swap

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

As usual, feel free to do whichever prompts you like in whatever order you want. These prompts are a guideline, rather than a hard rule, and you can make art, write fanfiction, make amvs/animatics or just talk about it! Just do what you can manage! No need to do all of them if you don’t want to.

Also, we have a new mod on the team to join me and Iris. Welcome mod Fla!

We can't wait for this August to see what you share with the fandom! Please share this around and spread the Zexal love!

Love Mod Pyra

[team-frightfur]

Imo, Shark vs IV round 1 (where Tron eggs IV on into throwing so he can brainwash Shark) is the peak of Zexal. Great duel, great animation, great characters, great buildup. It also establishes IV as a wet, beat-up, yet rabid and feral kitten. Just the sight of their raggedy fur and watery eyes makes you want to reach out and pet them but, the instant you get close enough, they latch onto your fingers with their teeth and try to kill you.

Shark vs IV round 2, otoh, is pretty bad. It's good in theory, but lacking in execution. Basically, Shark is having an identity crisis over being Nasch vs being Shark, so IV duels him to try and 'bring him back'.

This is actually really good because it makes the duel a redemptive foil to R1. IV was abused but, as Tron's son, was simultaneously deeply dedicated to his abuser. As a result, he was forced to bend himself painfully out of shape to (try and) please Tron. In reality, though, his efforts to please Tron were bad for everyone involved. III, IV, V, and Tron ALL suffered for not standing up to their abuser.

Shark isn't abused, but he IS loyal to his past life's soldiers, kingdom, and the Barian world. OTOH, he also clearly hates the thought of hurting his friends, including IV. As a result, he, too, is bending himself out of shape (and into Nasch). Thus, IV trying to 'bend him back' is his way of thanking Shark.

I love this! In theory! Just a few issues.

First off, IV keeps on talking about friendship. He and Shark are, like, barely friends. They've duelled together Once.

Secondly, it seems like IV lost all his personality traits along with his villainy. This is fair IF you consider his sadism as a coping mechanism (he was lashing out from his father's abuse and trying to feel powerful/in control/ worthwhile) since it would frame his new niceness as healing. Thing is, even if that WAS the case, having IV recover offscreen is extremely underwhelming. Have that shit happen onscreen! Show him struggling with his sadism! Don't Yuri him!

Thirdly, having IV die after failing to reach Shark comes off as more meanspirited than tragic because it wastes IV as a character. This guy had the best duel in all of Zexal, dropped off the face of the earth for 50 eps, came back for (1) tag duel against a Jellyfish Man, and then got killed by Shark. III and V don't even grieve him too heavily, they just pretend to mourn so they can give Yuma a pep talk!

Anyway, Here's Stuff We Needed in Zexal: I Can't Believe They Did IV Like That Edition

1. Shark having his own weird barian flashback dreams of his past as early as Zexal I. This not only matches Rio and foreshadows his past life as Nasch, but also allows the writers to develop his relationship with Dumon, his men, and his kingdom.

2. Rio should have been conscious during her first coma (the one IV caused), causing her to develop an emotional dependence on Shark. Since their parents are dead, Shark is her lifeline. Once he gives up on her, she's finished. This explains why she switches to being Merag so easily. For years, 'I go where Shark goes' has been her reality and she needs to unlearn that.

(I know that Rio is implied to switch to being Merag first but, in canon, she has, like, no reason to do that. Which is weak.)

(If you want to make things even rougher, make Shark's chronic class skipping a result of his trying to support Rio. This makes her feel guilty for 'ruining his high school life', further encouraging her to sacrifice her own 'life' as Rio for him.

3. A joke episode after Rio's second coma (from being possessed by Abyss) where IV turns out to be visiting Rio in secret (but only when Shark isn't around). Shark finds out about this 'mystery visitor' and stakes out Rio's room for three whole days. When the inevitable confrontation happens, IV swears to Shark that he'll protect Rio alongside him, causing the boys to form a Rio Protection Squad. This not only leads nicely into their duel with Jellyfish Man, but also provides an opportunity to develop IV, III and V in a 'normal' setting.

Example: Shark gets into a motorbike accident on the way to the hospital. While Shark is fine, his locket breaks in the crash. IV finds it and has it fixed, returning it to Shark shortly afterwards. Then, to pay IV back since "I hate owing favours" Shark offers to spot IV for something.

(Bonus: this makes Shark's act of throwing away his pendant even stronger as, rather than throwing away his past with his parents (who are dead) he's throwing away his past with a living friend.)

IV proceeds to stare blankly. Years of Middle Child Syndrome, Deranged Revenge Schemes, and Severe Parental Abuse have made a 'normal life' feel foreign to him. As a result, he has no hobbies or preferences (aside from the...sadomasochism).

Cue an annoyed, tired, and weary Shark watching IV wander around an amusement park. Somehow, they end up duelling a clown.

Unbeknownst to them, III and V are both stalking the pair . III is happy to see that IV and Shark made up, while V recognises that, in failing to stand up to Tron, he failed III and IV as a brother (and Tron as a son). You know, the big theme of his duel with Kaito in Zexal I (Where Kaito is like 'It's because I still love my Dad that I have to punch him out of all this villain bullshit' and V is like 'you have such wisdom. I wish it wasn't too late to sock my dad...').

Ultimately, IV reveals that he hates amusement parks, causing Shark to push him into oncoming traffic. As a fight breaks out, III admits to V that he wanted to try out the rides with IV. V smiles and says he'll take them both sometime.

The implication is that IV liked the park but wanted something to hold over Shark, nodding to his social awkwardness, communication issues, and lingering sadistic tendencies.

4. A scene where, after IV dies, we see III and V genuinely grieve.

Example: Recall that III and V spent ages separated from V. Recall that, once V and Tron got them back, they were stuck in an abusive situation. Recall that they only escaped that situation like, 3 months ago. One way to communicate the tragedy of this is to have them flashback to happy moments, but all those happy moments are either from when III and IV are VERY young + the last three months. This visually hammers in the tragedy of the situation. V, in his eyes, wasted his time with IV. III, in his eyes, will never get to have a future with IV. IV, in trying to save Shark from going through the same pain as he went through (being bent out of shape) sacrificed the future with his brothers he was fighting for.

As for time, idk. Just. Cut the Tomato guy or someshit. There's so much useless filler in Zexal. if Zexal had HALF the planning power of Arc V they could EASILY have built up this plot.

Sorry, I just. Needed to rant. IV is my favourite character but he got done SO dirty.

[merryfortune]

Hands Perfect for Holding Flowers

Written for Femslash February 2024

Day 5. Hands for Holding

Title: Hands Perfect for Holding Flowers

Ship: Egretshipping | Aika/Kotori

Word Count: 2,012

Universe: ZeXal - canon compliant

Rating: T

Tags: Post-Canon, Affection, Flirting, Pre-Relationship, Developing Relationship, Crushes, Unresolved Romantic Tension, Ambiguous/Open Ending

   “Oh my goodness,” Aika gasped, “your hair. It is so beautiful. It's perfect.”

   She stopped mid-stride just to tap Kotori’s shoulder. They were going in opposite directions. They typically did. Different years, different classes, different extracurricular activities. If it weren’t for the incident involving Rio and the Barians, their paths were likely always going to be parallel. They hadn’t spoken directly since. 

   Truly, their only connection being they just so happened to belong to the same middle school.

   Kotori blushed as she jumped out of her skin. Aika’s hand was soft and her voice was even softer. Her compliment was genuine as Aika reached out and toyed with it.

   “It would be even more beautiful if…” Aika said and Kotori was helpless to stop her as her hand moved. She undid the ribbon that tied up the side bun. Her hair unravelled in a swift motion, like the undoing a theatrical curtain. “It were down.” Aika giggled to herself, satisfied at her rearranging of Kotori’s appearance.

   An act which, from anyone else, likely would have been seen as rude. Kotori knew that Aika was something of an eccentric so she had more leeway than most for acts like these. Her earnestness and her eye for beauty helping, too. She was renowned throughout the school especially for the latter.

   “Thank you, Hanazoe.” Kotori replied.

   “Please, Aika, I insist.” she said.

   “Oh, um, okay.” Kotori replied.

   She had no idea that they were on such friendly terms. Aika certainly thought so. She smiled. Her lips always seemed so stern and critical, especially when her eyes slitted so Kotori felt her hackles rise involuntarily. There was something about Aika which caused the hairs on her arms to stand at end. That maybe the cruelty she exhibited under the possession of the Barians had not been implanted there, that it had merely exposed the thorn underneath her deceptive rose. Though, Kotori didn’t like to think the worst of people.

   Aika returned her hands to herself, “Thank you,” she said, “and since we’re talking…”

   “Yes?” Kotori blinked owlishly.

   “May I have a moment of your time? I would like to borrow you for a project, if possible.” Aika said.

   Kotori’s heart fluttered, “I, um, sure, what is it first?” Her helpful nature spoke for her first before waiting for the rest of her brain.

   “I would like you to do some modelling for me. I was actually on my way to discuss borrowing someone from the photography club but… I believe seeing you this afternoon was quite serendipitous because your hair…” Aika’s voice trailed off as she tilted her head to the right so she may better admire the gloss and shine of Kotori’s hair as it caught sunbeams through the window they were beside. “It's perfect to complement my arrangement.”

   Oh, Kotori thought to herself, that didn’t sound hard at all. Or that risky. In fact, she felt quite flattered as her heart began to thump in her chest. She didn’t consider herself all that pretty and Aika was only choosing her because she cared about her flowers more but still. This sounded like quite the opportunity to indulge.

   “It would be my pleasure, Aika.” Kotori replied.

   “Appreciated.” Aika said. “When can you come in?”

   Kotori hummed thoughtfully for a minute as she went through her schedule in her head and tada, what do you know? It was not that jam-packed. She shrugged apologetically.

   “Tomorrow maybe?” she replied. “I’m helping out at the study and homework centre this afternoon and was on my way there now but tomorrow I’m free.”

   “Aah, my lucky day.” Aika squealed as she clasped her hands together. “I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

   “Yup, see you tomorrow.” Kotori replied.

   “And don’t worry, I’ll have everything you need so you just come in as your lovely little self.” Aika said.

   “Got it.” Kotori nodded. “See you then.”

   Aika took a step back and bowed politely to Kotori. Gratitude all but radiated off her. Kotori did the same, though not quite to the same extent, then excused herself but she had to admit.

   She was kind of excited for tomorrow now. It really did sound fun! More fun than algebra at the very least. So, Kotori headed off and, pleased that she didn’t have to go all the way to the photography club, Aika decided to return to the flower arrangement club. 

   That afternoon, Kotori did her best to help out in the study and homework centre. Though, was a little air-headed, preoccupied with thoughts on how she was going to shampoo and condition her hair later. Yuma, the study buddy who needed her assistance, complained that she was the one who didn’t have her head in the game for once.

   She just couldn’t help herself but it was worth it the next day when Aika saw Kotori at the flower arrangement clubroom. 

   Aika’s demure smile when Kotori showed up on her doorstep, the way her eyes lit up, Kotori noticed every aspect of her demeanour as she warmly let her inside. She was clearly pleased with Kotori - and her selection of her for the sake of her flowers.

   “Thank you so much for coming, Kotori, I really appreciate it.” Aika said.

   “It’s my pleasure, really.” Kotori insisted.

   “You’ll be eating your words once you see what a tyrant I am.” Aika joked.

   Kotori shivered. Her skin prickled as Aika laughed.

   “Now, if you would be so kind. I did my best to prepare a kimono for you ahead of time. I had to estimate your sizes but hopefully, it suffices.” Aika said.

   She gestured the kimono that she was talking about and Kotori gasped. It was gorgeous. It was mature and elegant, it matched her hair and had the slightest pink dotting to indicate cherry blossoms, or so she would guess.

   “I couldn’t.” Kotori said. “It looks expensive and-”

   “You can and you will.” Aika doubled down. “Do you need any help to get into it?”

   “Probably, I haven’t worn a kimono without my mother and grandmother helping, like, ever.” Kotori said.

   “I see.” Aika said and she chuckled pityingly. 

   Kotori blushed and held her breath. She handed herself over to Aika since she clearly knew what she was doing. Kotori did the broad strokes of it, of course, and in privacy behind a silk screen but Aika did the fiddly bits. She adjusted the brocade and of course the sash.

   “Tell me if its too tight.” Aika whispered behind her.

   “O-Of course.” Kotori said.

   Her heart was practically hammering out of her chest as Aika did up the obi. Her movements were measured and precise, just to make it fit like it was meant to have always belonged to Kotori. Kotori felt absolutely lavished and pampered by all the attention as Aika knotted firmly but not so firmly Kotori couldn’t breathe. Though she was struggling with her breath for other reasons…

   “You look good in it.” Aika said. “Thank you for your cooperation.”

   “Well, um, you make it very easy. I swear, it's a very different story when my Mum and Nan do it.” Kotori replied.

   “I don’t doubt it.” Aika said. “Now, come this way. Please follow me.”

   “Anything you say.” Kotori chirped.

   Here it was.

   The hard part.

   She was all dolled up and now she actually had to participate in Aika’s project.

   Kotori clopped along in the geta she had been provided. She felt unbalanced in them and envied how easily Aika walked on her own. She was taken to the inner stage of the tea ceremony room and Aika positioned her next to the shelving. All of it appropriately selected for the occasion of having her picture taken - and showing off the splendid arrangement that Aika had done ahead of time.

   When Kotori saw it, she gasped. There was something striking about the ceramic vase and the summer clippings. She didn’t know a darn thing about flower arrangement but even she was struck by the poignancy of it. It felt like a testament to the summer solstice and the festivals that celebrated it.

   “Like it?” Aika asked humbly.

   “I love it.” Kotori said. “And you think I can help with, um, uh… what is your project?”

   “I’m glad you asked. The class rep became aware of a photography challenge I might be interested in and so, I am doing my best to put my best foot forward so I can attain the glory of being in a monthly gardening magazine.” Aika said.

   “Wow, that’s so cool. I hope you get in.” Kotori gasped.

   “Thank you, Kotori.” Aika said. “Now, if you don’t mind…”

   Aika began to micromanage every aspect of Kotori and her pose. She undid her hair, she arranged Kotori’s hair by strands, all but individually deciding where they should go. She pushed her shoulders back, shuffled her left and then right and then left again. Kotori felt as though she were going to trip on her own toes as Aika paid dividends on her previous threat: she really was a tyrant when it came to the artist.

   A full fifteen minutes later though, with every nice and neat and most important of all perfect, it was worth it.

   Now, Kotori could hold the pis-de-resistance of the photograph: another clipping.

   “It’s not just your hair, dear,” Aika murmured, “but your hands too. They are perfect for holding.”

   Kotori swallowed.

   She felt her cheeks burn and she tried to suppress it. She didn’t want to make Aika wait any longer than she had to so she could get this shot of her that she had worked so hard to make.

   Aika drew forth another, dried soba flower for Kotori to hold. She gently inserted it between Kotori’s fingers and placed her hands along it as though she were holding a koto rather than a long sprig of the white, summer flower.

   “You are beautiful, my dear.” Aika murmured to her, petal soft.

   “Thank you, Aika…” Kotori simpered, appreciative.

   “Alright, I’m ready to take your photo now.” Aika said.

   Kotori didn’t move a muscle but did hum in acknowledgement. Aika stepped back and she looked so out of place holding a handheld camera in her older garb. She watched as dust mites floated in the sepia sunbeams that came through the window in sharp shafts. They illuminated Kotori, dyeing her in the shades of an umber summer.

   Satisfied with her model, the lighting and the pose, Aika wielded her camera delicately and then… click! Click, click, click. She wasn’t so self-absorbed to assume she would get the ideal shot straight away but one of them would be the one, she just knew it.

   “Thank you, Kotori, at ease.”

   Kotori let go of her breath shakily and felt relief immediately. She let go of her pose, too.

   Aika stepped forward again and she reached out. She caressed Kotori’s cheek and her eyes flicked up. The contact that their eyes made, it was warm and balmy. Aika wiped a bead of sweat away on Kotori’s cheekbone then her hand snaked down.

   Kotori felt her breath get stolen away as briefly, naively, she thought that Aika was going to take her sprig of soba flower off her but no.

   Her fingers closed around Kotori’s wrist and Aika bowed her head. Her forehead brushed against Kotori’s hand as Aika breathed on her: a singular exhale which scattered over the skin of Kotori’s inner wrist. Kotori swallowed as she felt herself aroused - and all too aware of just how close Aika was to kissing her veins.

   “Yes, perfect hands for holding flowers.” she flirted.

   She had to be flirting. Kotori couldn’t think of any other explanation as she got flustered.

   “A-Aika…” she exclaimed.

   “Yes, Kotori…?” Aika answered and she looked up.

   Her tone of voice and her serious eyes, she was all too aware - and gaming - the fact that Kotori had a crush on her. Though, to be fair, Kotori was all too aware of her crush too, for all the few seconds it had existed as they shared this slow and unconventional skinship.

[the-kings-of-games]

For the character break down: Shark from Zexal

How I feel about this character: Shark is very endearing! He's such a tsundere, but with the power of Yūma, he reveals the soft and caring nature of his. QAQ He's the best school bully, lmao. I also enjoy his style and the fact that he rides a runner. (I'm sure people call it a motorcycle, but in my head, he's a big Turbo duel fan.) Yo, have you seen him smile? 🥺🥺🥺

All the people I ship romantically with this character: Yūma and Kite. I can get into fan stuff of him with either or, but in my head, all three are dating. You're just catching them at different times, lmaolololol.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Durbe.

My unpopular opinion about this character: Can't think of anything controversial because I don't see the ZEXAL tag often, but I guess it'll be that I love Shark's dub name. REGINALD KASTLES is one of the best dub names in YGO. I just love the unexpectedness and the jarring nature of the whole name. He sounds so regal, which makes sense because his family is wealth so I'm thinking old money. It's right up there in dub names with legends like CHAZZ PRINCETON and THEODORE HAMILTON. 😂

One thing I wish would happen/had happened to this character in canon: More quality time with Rio and/or the rest of the former Barians. I just want that slice of life, you know? Pretty please?

Send me another ask my way! I've seen all the series. 👀

[cyberdragoninfinity]

for the character ask… Alito?

ALITOOOO

First impression:

Impression now: ALITOOO MY FRIEND ALITOOO WAAHHHH he's my second favorite Barian and one of my top favorite Zexal characters overall...just absolutely won my heart from his first episode on. His design rocks (human and Barian flavored), his personality is so fun and all his duels blast my brain to smithereens. I love his boxing/fist fighter motif!!! I love his little parallels with Nistro, who's another one of my fav Zexal guys. HE WAS EVEN ITALIAN. AND BISEXUAL.

Favorite moment: ooouughh the fuckign. sunken coliseum mythirian number duel where he's just off the shits evil and having that tag duel with yuma and dextra makes me unweeelllllll it's one of my favorite duels I LIKE THAT WE GET SOME MOMENTS OF ALITO BEING A LITTLE FREAK. NOT HIS FAULT BUT I DO LOVE TO SEE IT. also just like. the little scenes of him hanging out with Girag in the stupid gym storage room make me laugh so hard. College AU compliant yugioh activities.

Idea for a story: I want Alito and Tori to hang out some more post-canon ;__; Like maybe kind of a date but also just like. Alito kind of trying to apologize for ensnaring her in a thorny vine tower...sorry to be a bit of a flowershipping truther HDFHGDHF if they were gonna give alito a crush on her then FOLLOW THROUGH!!!! I THINK THEY COULD BE CUTE MAYBE.

Unpopular opinion: APPARENTLY Alito is just super underrated in general??!? which is baffling to me, he's fantastic. I guess my unpopular opinion is just that he's good??!?? I LOVE HIM.

Favorite relationship: His dynamic with Yuma is genuinely just so fucking good and I spent the back chunk of Zexal 2 on the edge of my seat over whether or not they were going to mend their friendship..... I also. Really adore Alito and Girag's friendship 🥺 THEYRE BESTIES!!! THEYRE ROOMMATES!!!! THEY SPARRED TOGETHER!!!! ALITO DIED FOR HIM!!!!! supremely underrated pals.

Favorite headcanon: he is Italian but he is also Afro-Latino. to me. Boxing is his specialty but I think he would get really into pro wrestling too. I also think he and Girag would make fursonas together.

[itsana004]

Only one left!!

[rose-greenhouse]

f/o list

sharing policy:

i do not mind sharing my romantic, familiar, or crushes f/os as i would like to talk to other people about them. the only ones i'm not comfortable sharing is my primary f/os as they are very dear to me. block the necessary tags if you have to. thank you for understanding

primary f/os (not comfortable sharing; block tags if needed)

➺ mizael (mizari)

➺ laurel (laumari) (we married! anniversary is on may 7)

➺ goku black (blamari)

➺ zamasu (zamari)

romantic f/os (okay with sharing but block corresponding tags if needed)

➺ shu itsuki (marishu)

➺ mika kagehira (mikamari)

➺ ibara saegusa (ibamari)

➺ hokuto hidaka (hokkemari)

➺ seto kaiba (bluediamondshipping)

➺ astral (bluelightshipping)

➺ dark mist/n.96 (twilightshipping)

➺ judai yuki (smileheroshipping)

➺ yusei fudo (tba)

➺ edo phoenix (edomari)

➺ fu (SDBH) (fumari)

familiar and platonic f/os (okay with sharing!)

➺ iris (zexal) (daughter)

➺ the barian lords (found family)

➺ yu boys (best friends)

➺ bracelet girls (best friends)

➺ son goku (father)

➺ chi-chi (mother)

➺ son gohan (big brother)

➺ son goten (little brother)

and more but brain dead

crushes (might be a romantic f/o; okay with sharing)

➺ nezha (LMK)

➺ gogeta (DBS)

[shifuto]

223/365

@zexalmonth 2023

7th- The Emperor upright | Authority, establishment, structure, a father figure All hail the barian emperors! Show us a piece about our favourite alien warlords and/or Don Thousand. You can also show us a non-barian Character as a Barian or something else Barian-related.

came up with this quickly..... still need to polish and experiment with a few other ideas but yeah this is my OC Astral and Ryoga in "Barian-Zexal" form

I have a whole backstory for this and a very convoluted headcanon.. I'll be writing and drawing about it slowly so uhhh yeah!

by the way..

9th- The Lovers upright | Love, harmony, relationships, values alignment, choices Time to spread the love! OTPs? OT3s? BROTPs? Character x Reader? Character x OC? The lovers card is all about ‘belonging’. What relationships do these characters have? 

CHECK OUT MY UNAWARESHIPPING TAG, I'M BUILDING IT FROM THE GROUND UP ALL BY MYSELF (ｉДｉ)

also check out my ultimate shipping guide in which I talk about all my current main ships in depth

[interplanaranathema]

*tosses this here* UHHH Zexal Styled Fynn? fynn au where he's a side character in Zexal, doing his musician stuff with that one Idol and he's like the jonathan young of the zexal world. He's just in japan doing tour stuff with a fellow musician.

also set in my au of zexal where mythical beings and creatures are more prevalent, and there is more alien races. Fynn's race is "???" but he knows astral is there and he's like "You two there! The kid with his blue glowing friend"

It's also set in zexal 2 where his idol friend (the one Girag likes) is controlled by a barian and him and Yuma do a tag team duel against her and someone else. Or alternatively he is scene on a poster during the mythyrian number war. He is probably scene prev during the duel carnival as a guest preformer but he does have his mohawk.

i think zexal should have atleast one more bearded character and another with a mohawk. It's a fun aesthetic. Rockstar feral man