#beyondshadow

[cirocchio]

Okay but for Ciri's interpreter verse: What do you consider your greatest achievement? What do you believe makes a successful life? What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

‘Hm-- maybe it’s not much, but, ah, I’m happy I got my degree. I, er, wasn’t a very good student, actually, ha.’ Mostly the academics part that bothered her. She’s fine with translations, but doing her own research and writing a whole paper from scratch? That was exhausting. ‘...I think, eh, it made my life easier. I could get a job that suited me, one that I like to do.

What do you believe makes a successful life?

‘Mmh... isn’t it enough to be happy?' Success is often tied with ambition, and she has so little of that. Happiness, on the other hand, is something she has -- while the people she meets often are still looking for that. It’s not bad to want more than that, though.  ‘...Actually, I don’t think, I’m someone who can decide that, ha. But for me, my day is successful, if I have managed to help s-someone who needs it. It doesn’t matter, whether it has any further effect on my life -- my mind is, ha, not made for long-term planning.’

What goal do you most want to accomplish in your lifetime?

‘...Hm.’ That’s more difficult. She’s quite content. Has a parent who adores her, and even the awkward relationship with Silvan isn’t so painful. Her half-sisters are quite nice -- not really sisters, but friends. And in spite of her mediocre talents, she is in a position where she can help others.

‘...there’s no real goal I have. Not -- a fixed, concrete one, at least. I’m working with, groups of people who have it hard, because they don’t speak the languages of the people in their surroundings. It’d be nice if... they got treated better in the long term. Found a home. A place to settle. Meet their family again, or build a new one. But it’s not something one person can do. So I just want that the little things help -- eh, well, I already told you, that my mind has a hard time making plans in the long term.’

‘--It’s a little naive, perhaps. Because it often seems that reality is different -- but the idea is that if, eh, everyone does a small kindness every day, that that is how the world is changed, eventually. That’s it, that’s my goal, I suppose. Do you like it?’

[flcwerborne-a]

“ ah... i just wanted to thank you for helping me out with my shop. “    it took her longer than it should have to ask for help managing all the money that went into the shop, but, well, what can she say? old habits die hard and even now it can take her a while to admit she needs help with something. melody’s really trying to drop that habit, though, especially when she really needs the help. dealing with money was never her strong suit (nor was math) and she felt bad having to constantly ask for maren’s help on matters of finances with the shop. now she doesn’t have to!    “ hey, would you allow me to treat you to lunch? it’d be on me! “

@beyondshadow​    /    starter call.

[meretricious-knave]

‘ are you lost? ’

Question starters!

“That noticeable, huh?” a chuckle at the thought of how confused he must be looking. Immediately after it, he nods and turns to the person. Great, they were both strangers. That was for the best, or else he would’ve hated seeming so out of his usual nature. 

“Yes, I actually am lost. Strangely enough getting out of this city is harder than getting in.” He admitted, being too used to certain parts of the main city. Yet, it was his job to find his way out of situations and even places like those, but this time, why not accept the possible help of a stranger? Nothing admittedly bad could come out of it, as long as he kept his distance. “I could really use directions as to the nearest taxi... maybe even a restaurant.”  

A little waver in his voice lets out a small whimper before deciding to present himself. “Kuroiwa’s my name.” finally, he extended his hand to the other. 

[musaics]

“Shikamaru ducked under the banister to the shrine. New Year’s wouldn’t be for another month but it was never too early to buy an omamori or two, and at the very least, the view was soothing—patrons overtook the scenery, filling the empty with something warm. And within that scenery, he spotted a familiar face. “H...Hyuga-san?” he called out, genuinely taken aback. “That you?... Heh, remember me? It’s been at least a couple of years, yeah?” .. Unprompted from @beyondshadow​ for Dr. Hyuuga ; A modern setting!

Hinata rubs her thumb over the pastel yellow silk fabric of her omamori, silently praying to her ancestors for good luck in her career in the new year.  She prayed for good experiences that would help her grow as a clinician.  The Hyuuga knew she had to perform in her field beyond expectations; She had to if she wanted to stay in her father’s good graces.  Years ago, he’d graciously allowed her to pursue her career goals outside of the family’s usual agenda, and although she was a grown woman, she—

— A somewhat familiar voice rips her from her thoughts.  Hinata blinks several times at her omamori before lifting her gaze and searching for the source of the voice.  She’s met by a familiar face, though it takes her a few moments to register who it is: Nara Shikamaru, a young man she’d met a several years ago while interning with a police station on NUFS campus where he had attended. They had loosely kept in touch over the years — sort of on accident— by bumping into each other out in public.  Kind of like on this occasion.  

“Nara-san,”  Hinata exhales the greeting while wearing a soft smile.  She lowers the hand carrying her omamori.  “We’re— We’re always running into each other like this, ne? Eheh.”  

She takes in his appearance, noting how he looked very much the same as every other time she’d ran into him: Unruly hair, though somehow maintained in a hair tie on the back of his head.  Eyes that, despite looking placid, were probably taking in every little detail.  But. .

“You got rid of your goatee.”  Hinata muses, remembering that was the main detail missing from their last run-in.  A dark blush will color her cheeks following the statement, suddenly worrying that recalling such a detail was strange.  “Umm, I mean, a-at least I think I’ve seen you with one before. .”

[go-forth-and-live]

太, 高, ۞ !

Munday asks || Accepting!

太: When it’s New Year’s, do you make New Year Resolutions and actually commit to them?

Haha, WELL, my big resolution for this year was that I was going to travel out of state every month in 2020 lmao. To my credit! I had gotten most of the way there! I’d budgeted like crazy and between that, strategic housesitting gigs, and credit card points I’d been saving up I had basically the whole year planned out, but then... y’know! Things happened! I’ve got all those tickets banked at least and most of my points refunded. My day shall come!

Beyond thatttt, I don’t tend to do a great job of keeping up with my resolutions. I think my other resolution for this year was that I was going to start working on learning French and like, practice for x amount of time each day? Boy that didn’t happen. 

高: How often do you use headphones/earbuds?

I’m almost never not wearing earbuds, even at home. I almost feel naked without them, lol.

۞: What shows did you watch when you were a child?

I’m sure I watched something besides Sailor Moon, but I struggle to remember it now.

... Actually, Slayers! I watched an awful lot of Slayers. And I rented out like every Urusei Yatsura VHS tape from Blockbuster because my mom diiiid not care what I watched. 

[oasisbloom]

@beyondshadow​: things that are hard to hear 

"That wasn't meant for you." - For either Vivi's modern or mafia verse !

none of this was her idea.  vivi was a driver,  not a thief---  but when mister zero made a request,  it was like the word of god himself.  she was desperate to get into his good books---  to prove her loyalty in exchange for coming one step further in her quest to smoke out her father’s murderer.  her age long facade had caused her to crumble from the inside out.  miss wednesday was becoming less of an act and more of an ugly,  ugly truth. 

her head snapped around as her gaze landed on the stranger.  teeth grinding together,  vivi summoned her secondary persona,  lips tugging into a thin line as her hands came to rest on her hips.  “ oh,  really,  now?  well,  that’s strange,  i mean...  if it wasn’t meant for me,  then who could it be for? “  she inquired,  voice taking on an animated pitch.  vivi heaved a heavy sigh,  putting down the object momentarily.  “ i don’t see anyone else here except you and me. “

[matteblackstars]

”What do you mean he doesn’t know?"

@beyondshadow​ / @autumnswordsman​ liked for something short.

[spottedsoftpaws]

➤↳Ⓡ✿ - all the options

ATTRACTION MEME ;; @beyondshadow

If your muse is attracted to my muse’s LOOKS, send a ➤ !! If your muse is has POTENTIAL to be attracted to mine in any of the above, send a ↳ , along with the symbol has potential !! If your muse is attracted to mine SEXUALLY, send a Ⓡ !!  If your muse is attracted to mine PLATONICALLY, send a ✿ !! If your muse is attracted to my muse’s PERSONALITY, send a ★ !! If your muse is attracted to mine ROMANTICALLY, send a ❥ !! If it’s UNREQUITED, send a ☢ along with the symbol of which is unrequited !!

-

At the start an eyebrow raised and he seemed to be pleasantly surprised. With Shikamaru he never knew what was a thing and what not. He wouldn’t want to say it ever out loud, but sometimes he had trouble holding on with this -little- super brain.

What followed made him frown slightly, was the other playing with him again? Slowly folding his arms he was thinking and trying to get something out of the others face. He would lie if he said he was not interested in him, just that he was never sure what was real now. Then he got an idea, if it was this way, the other would maybe not say no to a kiss. Leaning to him, slightly over him as he let him see a smirk on his lips. “You surely know how to be a riddle to not see that.” lips nearly touching, but he still stopped in his track to ask. “You allow?” in a whisper.

[sonderrow-moved]

@beyondshadow​ @autumnswordsman​

Despite the hiatus (good luck with that guys take care!) does that mean he can call them for beer and chat about Disney movies?

[cirocchio]

What makes you laugh? What, if anything, shocks or offends you?

What makes you laugh?

‘I’m ticklish around my spine and below my ears.’ Such a simple answer. As if she doesn’t think of other things, like silly jokes, or comedy films, or heart-felt moments with friends. It’s not because those things don’t make her laugh -- it’s a more restrained, quiet type of laughter. The easiest way to achieve it is tickling, though it won’t go to hysterics either. But she might yelp.

What, if anything, shocks or offends you?

‘...It’s fairly easy to shock me... but, it’s a little harder to offend me.’ That is, it’s easier to come up with examples of the first, than with the latter. ‘Eh, arrogance. It’s -- admirable, when someone is confident. But, not if, they humiliate or look down on others. I’ve never really understood, how someone can do that...’ Which makes sense, since she doesn’t exactly brim with confidence or pride.

‘...Well, most of the time, I avoid or ignore those people. The only p-people who really offend me, are the people who, hah... want to offend me. Specifically.’ Or birds who try to do so.

[gcrifin]

@beyondshadow​ chirped:  ❥ - Whoops, hands slipped gentle touches.

     Long day, early evening. It’s a louder step than usual, a slight drag of heels, but no ill bearing on a smile. Clicks against a sidewalk with the premature lighting of street lamps, late papers in arm folded by the crease of an elbow. Nothing wrong with a stop to admire a day winding down, a bit of a rest against a storefront to dangle shoes by the toes and let the heel slip off enough for momentary relief. It’s a preview of relaxed vibes coming through a door into familiarity preceding comfortable silence. Sighs of relief, perhaps, and the inevitable slump on a white couch followed by the tumbling of disturbed throw pillows down the body and onto the floor. It’s an unceremonious routine perfect for a day spent held up in an office dressed to the nines. Never an issue, really, except in the minutes before misfortune where an unintentional bump against a table carrying boxes of fresh prints spells disaster for both hip and news. One day a pitiful face honeyed with sweet apologies wasn’t going to cut it .

     Air produces a noise as a heel is slipped back into shoe to trap it between hose and plastic. With every movement it seems another golden lock falls from its neatened place. Wispy, a breeze enough to blow it against lipstick and rub along the senses without so much as a courtesy call. Just another peculiarity well-loved, accepted on the opinion that all foibles come with their own unique charm. A bit of distraction this time around, though, making the simple task of holding newspapers and fixing the position of sore soles against their support more difficult than it needs to be. It's an effort given with a soft sound of mild displeasure through the nose .

     Blessed be a bit of company present just long enough to witness a moment of natural messiness. The unassuming; an onlooker of collectedness and understanding. A gesture given out of what Lulubelle presumes to be only consideration for the value of one’s general appearance, touching and subtly kind. It’s as soft as the fluttering feeling bringing her to a more conscious posture, sheepish smile all the more tell-tale of a pleasant reception. Little matters in a passing thought once it’s discarded as ordinary. But the smallest qualities of life are memorable, never removed, like engravings in stone forever indented and never changing. To go without commentary when audible words are spoken is simply impossible for the socially involved. A careful brush of a grey business skirt, straightening appearances as if out of an embedded habit for social acceptance; an understandable truth despite the otherwise collected appearance of the blonde, accustomed to the usual way of things where sentimental actions had little bearing on the work life of a dedicated woman .

      ❝ Oh my, thank you, but─ ❞  one graze of fingers along the temple─ ❝ it won’t stay. Heaven knows I’ve certainly tried . ❞

     Given that carefree appearance, comfort fills the lungs and spills a number of words meant for one dressed down for an evening out rather than a busy day. ❝ How do you keep your hair so endearingly wild yet so under control? I can hardly keep mine up every day . ❞

[xmenageriie]

"Tell you what.... if I start sweating real hard..." Shikamaru paused between a few heavy breaths, practically panting like the activity Anita had suggested trying was far more troublesome than what he expected. But he couldn't back down now, not yet. Hands on his knees, he looked up at her, not quite managing a smile but attempting one nonetheless. "...I'll let you know, alright?"

— critical role sentence starters / @beyondshadow

“As big’a fan as I am of pushin’ your limits and workin’ through the pain, I ain’t gonna make you do more than you want.” He hadn’t broken out in a heavy sweat yet, but the fact that he was breathing this hard already worried her. “How about we take a break for a second, get some water and chill before starting again? We ain’t on a deadline or anythin’, so.  .  .”

She offered a lazy shrug. “Unless you’re positive you can go on. I just don’t want this to end up hurtin’ ya.”

[mcnypieces]

@beyondshadow​ ferried:  Happy birthday, BunnyBun !!! May your days and evenings remain prosperous and fruitful and full of the things you enjoy. I'm glad we're finally getting around to interacting on the dash these days, it's all love from here

     Oh yes, how I hope they remain just as wonderful and prosperous as they have been over the past few days! Comfortable and memorable down to the last, even in their simplest, most mundane form. Thank you. ♥

     Ah I’m just as glad as you are, too!! Chuffed as chips, really. You are just a delight J, through and through. I’ve definitely been eager to write with you since the moment I laid eyes on your lovely writing and all that love and dedication. Nothing speaks louder to me than somebody that puts so much effort into the things they love and you do so tens of thousands of times over! I look forward to all the potential back and forths, things little and long, and everything rolling about in between! Really I could just sit here and go on for a century about why I’m so excited about it in its entirety but I’m afraid that kind of eagerness doesn’t have an explanation in any string of human language out there. It’s a shame, really. At its core, though, I appreciate you so much as a person and a writer and I just can’t wait for all the wonderful times that await us in the lands of interaction. 

[malibvnghts]

"There always exists more than one opportunity for you to grow." His Mandarin rusty, but nonetheless manageable, the Nara heir casts a quiet, weighing looking at the young man. An imperceptible smile pulls up one side of his mouth, gauging the other's reaction with an unyielding stare. - For Shanjie !

            brows raising at the sudden words of wisdom spoken his mother tongue yet somewhat foreign sounding to his ears  ,  his head tilts with curiosity as his gaze trails from his hands to the other  .  words of wisdom . . . or is it perhaps a challenge  ??  shanjie remains silent for a moment  ,  seemingly pondering the words  ,  he lets out a quiet hum  .             “  growth would be very boring and linear if there is not other ways to advance  ,  ”  he finally breaks his silence  .  "  you speak as if you have been confined before . . . unable to seek other ways to grow  ,  ”  shanjie comments  ,  words sounding as if the youth is seeking advice . . . he’s trapped in his father’s grasp  ,  heavily missing his mother and brother  .  unable to escape and forced to mold himself into what his father wishes  .

[pilawforhire]

Continued from here |  @beyondshadow

Law cracked a rueful smile that softened his sombre countenance at the messages that popped up on the screen. He had read the texts in his head automatically in Shadow’s voice. Strange how distinctly he remembered it, as though they had spoken the day before, and it had not been a year since they had been in touch - speaking of… Curious how palpably he remembered the touch of Shadow’s hands on his skin. Hands tainted by death, but not incapable of tenderness. Most of all, he remembered that finely trimmed goatee that rivalled his own. And, of course, he remembered the way Shadow looked at him, Shadow’s cool gaze, his umber eyes reflecting a sense of world-weariness Law was not unaccustomed to, and the indifference he projected. 

Possibly, Law didn’t remember as well as he thought he did. It mattered not. Whatever fleeting entanglements there had been between them, neither of them would have expected anything beyond that - the likelihood of crossing paths again on opposing sides always lurking around the corner, beneath the surface of a temporary alliance. It was just a matter of time, and a matter of who would be the first to double-cross the other.

“Reached him,” Law said, maintaining composure in his voice. Still, he avoided the man’s eyes and stared vaguely ahead at a spot on the wall. It would have been difficult, anyhow, to turn his head with the cold muzzle of the gun jammed rudely against his temple. He sat rigidly in the chair, leaning slightly against the backrest. Moving only his arm, with clammy fingers, he placed the phone on the table and slid it across to his companion. Seconds passed in tense silence as the man scrutinised the messages. Law swallowed, but he could not ease the discomfort welling up inside his chest.

Frankly, there had been many occasions when he had considered contacting Shadow, of his own accord, either for business or for pleasure, yet the circumstances had never been severe nor urgent enough, to warrant Shadow’s time, company, or assistance. Moreover, Law liked to think that what he could handle on his own, he would. As for the despicable moments of weakness when he felt a yearning for Shadow’s companionship, he chided himself for entertaining those thoughts for longer than they deserved. 

Nevertheless, it wasn’t like the year apart had made his current decision any easier. Ultimately, however, it was about weighing the consequences, and unfortunately, making a decision that would benefit himself most. There was no room for compassion in their line of work. Besides, Law was certain that Shadow, in his shoes, would have done the same. And part of Law believed, counted on the fact that, Shadow was far too formidable and shrewd an opponent to perish even if he were thrown to the wolves. Because indeed, Law had to acknowledge that that was exactly what he was doing.

Only fifteen minutes had passed when the phone was shoved back into his palm. Gruff, with an edge of impatience, the man said, “Call him.” Law dialled the number sent in the text and put the phone to his ear, on the other side of his face from where the gun was trained. A bead of sweat trickled down his brow. When the call was answered, Law held his silence for a second. Then he let out a deep breath. Although he had already made up his mind, it was difficult to find his voice.

“...So, you are alive,” Law said, after his initial pause. His lips pulled into a slight smile. “It’s good to finally hear your voice, after all this time.” Genuine undisguised pleasure coloured his tone, with a note of unconcealed regret. “It turns out I made a mistake. Yes, it happens to the best of us. But before that, how have you been doing?” Pleasantries as such were untypical in their exchanges, that a small part of Law hoped it would suffice as a hint that something about this was not quite right. And in fact, his words had not been untruthful. Grievous mistakes were made. It happened, no matter how careful he’d been. Sometimes you make a fatal judgment and trust the wrong person.

The man jabbed the gun harder into his temple. He could feel the man’s glare digging into him, so he continued, “...But knowing how precious your time is, I wouldn’t want to waste it on idle chit-chat.” Law adjusted his grip on the phone and balled his other hand into a tight fist on his lap. “I...have a favour to ask.” He paused and cleared his throat. “How would you like to be my plus one? I can buy you a drink, or two, if you meet me this weekend. I know how hard you work. If you could spare the time and your company, taking a break won’t kill you.” Law pressed his lips together, his brow furrowing. He racked his brains for how else he could slip in subtle hints, but drew only disappointing blanks. Caught off-guard moments ago, he had not had the luxury of time to compose a cleverly coded message.

“I’ll send you the details and an invite,” Law said, forcing his fingers to relax on his thigh. “It’s a black-tie fancy dinner event - the kind that’s likely too sophisticated for your tastes. Perhaps it might interest you, all the same, being that I would be there.” Law darted a sidelong glance at the man, then added, “You don’t have to give me an answer right now. But...let me know.” Law hung up before waiting for a response to the invitation. He set the phone down and reached for the man’s wrist, nudging it downward so a slip of the finger wouldn’t accidentally blow his brains out. He had a dinner to attend, after all, with Shadow as his date. He wouldn’t let himself kick the bucket before that.

The man drew back his hand. It would have been stupid for a slip of the finger to neutralise the pawn they planned to use.

“It’s done,” Law said, staring at the phone as if expecting Shadow to call back. He glanced up at the man, who had stepped around the table to stand opposite him. “Though I wouldn’t get your hopes up. There’s nothing between us, never was, and someone like him would never attend some troublesome fancy-pants event just because I invited him.”

“We’ll see about that,” said the man. “And you’d do well not to--”

“Warn him,” Law interjected. “Yes, I know. I wouldn’t try anything witless. I’ll keep up my end of the deal, and you will yours, I take it?”

An ominous smile spread on the man’s face.

Law gripped the edge of the table and rose to his feet. His expression darkened with thinly veiled malice. “You will see that you will,” he said, then added, to the man’s back, “And don’t fucking touch her.”

[go-forth-and-live]

"Your highness, this has been sold out for weeks." Consider a scholar of sorts attempting to smack Hazel with some learnin' to no avail.

No Holds Barred starters || Accepting!

Hazel jumped like a startled cat, scrambling a good yard away from where his tutor had seemingly materialized behind him. 

“Aha--land sakes, but you gave me quite a fright there, Mr. Shikamaru!” 

His laugh had the awkward, elevated pitch of someone who definitely had just been caught doing something they weren’t supposed to be. It wasn’t that Hazel was blowing anything off of significance to be here, he never would ignore his responsibilities to the crown in such a manner. That was why his appearances here were relatively spotty, depending on the season. Still... the crowned prince had no business hanging around a public fencing match of all things, dressed as a commoner and with no guard at that. 

And ideally, no one would have known. 

But all of that was irrelevant. What was important was that “the Masked Angel” had an extremely important match tonight, and Hazel couldn’t afford to get held up any further. After the Angel’s defeat of the reigning champion Snakeface Volkov two months prior, Volkov’s brother, Doomfist Volkov, had made a point of having a callout published in the local paper. He’d made some bold threats, including that Hurricane Moreau, Sunshine Wong, and Snakeface’s own wife, Thunderbolt Dubois-Volkov, would be there to exact vengeance for their fallen compatriot, and that if the Masked Angel was any sort of man, he would meet their challenge and face them with sabre in hand.

It had gained an awful lot of traction among fans of the sport. The boys in his fencing lessons had been talking about it for weeks. If the Angel didn’t show, they’d be calling him a coward from coast to coast. And that would absolutely not do.

“Ah, shucks! Guess you’re right.” 

“I s’pose I’ll just mosey on back home, in that case!” He adjusted the weight of the bag on his shoulder, subtly positioning himself so the blade at his hip was hidden just slightly behind him, taking a step backwards. “An’ you can just forget you ever saw me here and, hahaha, not mention any’a this to my father!”