#but also pick up some new hobbies from the other giants!

[arleniansdoodles]

Probably not a common opinion, but I believe Calliope would feel much more at home in Jotunheim than Midgard XDD It’s a warm place, like Greece; the air smells sweet and the woods are peaceful. And, at the time of my post-Ragnarok AU, there’s a thriving little community of Giants in Ironwood! The artisans are creating, building, and writing. It’s a soft and simple life, and I feel like Calliope (as an artist herself) would fit in well with the Giants.

Not to mention Angrboda is there to help her transition into a life of everyday Giant stuff! :DDD

[strangersmunsons]

scorch & magic

you're a little embarrassed about one of your interests, but Eddie puts your mind at ease.

Contains: Eddie x Reader, fluff, Beanie Babies, reader collects stuffed animals and is a little embarrassed about it, but of course Eddie doesn't care. No description of reader's appearance, no use of y/n, pet names but no specific pronouns. Warnings: None! Pure, absolutely SFW fluff. Word Count: ~2,100 NEVERMIND ME I AM BEING SILLY AND SELF-INDULGENT AGAIN! here's the beanie baby fic no one asked for. this one goes out to all my fellow adult plushie collectors. inspired by this post and this post. and also this post.

“That’s cute.”

Eddie’s voice snaps you out of your reverie. You look up from the jewelry box sitting on your dresser, fingers halting in the middle of their search for your missing earring.

Eddie’s eyes are trained on the faded armchair tucked away in the corner of your room. It’s an old thing, a relic from your parents’ house, the style a tad dated for your taste — not to mention that the earth-toned plaid doesn’t really match anything else in your bedroom, and if you had money to spare on some re-upholstery work, you would. But it’s not the ugliness of the furniture that causes the squirm of embarrassment in your belly.

It’s the giant pile of stuffed animals that are stacked precariously on the cushion that makes you feel just the tiniest bit mortified.

“Oh, that’s just, um…” you trail off uncertainly, flustered at being caught with a hoard of children’s toys in your adult bedroom. “I’ve had them for a long time.” It’s not a total lie; a good number of them were acquired during your childhood, but the truth is, you’re actually an avid collector. You can’t help it — if you’re out shopping somewhere, and you happen to see something cute and soft and cuddly that’s on sale…well, why shouldn’t you buy it? You’re grown. You can do whatever you like. 

At least, that’s what you usually tell yourself. But it’s harder to hold on to that rationale in the face of your new, intimidating, metalhead boyfriend.

Eddie stalks over to the chair to take a closer look. Amusement pulls the corners of his lips up, and your cheeks burn with embarrassment. He selects one of your oldest and most favorite toys, a faded pink teddy bear with a rattle encased in its round little body that sounds when he picks it up. It looks funny in his rough hand, at total odds with the bulky silver rings and dark ink.

“I’ve had that since I was a baby,” you tell him quickly, now searching for your elusive earring with a little more urgency. When Eddie came to pick you up for your date, you asked him to wait in the living room while you finished getting ready, but he followed you in here anyway — this is the first time he’s set foot in your bedroom.

You had hoped to find a good hiding spot for all your little guys before that happened. Because you could imagine how someone like Eddie — with all his leather and chains and tattoos — would react to such a hobby. He might stifle his laughter on your behalf, if he decided to be kind. Or he might go so far as to sneer openly at them, put off by his partner engaging in something that others tend to see as so…juvenile.

Too late to do anything about it now, though.

“There’s a lot of them,” he muses, setting the bear down in favor of a small white mouse with brown whiskers and large teeth.

Finally you manage to pick out the matching stud, and poke it through your earlobe. Struggling to push the back into place, you tell him, “I…wasn’t much for Barbies as a kid.” Jewelry secured, you spin on your heel and edge towards the door. “Okay! Are you ready to go?

Eddie puts your mouse back in its place — snug on the lap of another, bigger teddy — and shrugs, still looking far too entertained by the plushie collection for your liking. “Yeah, I’m ready.” Is he smiling or smirking?

You grab his hand and lead him out of the room.

A week later, the topic comes up again when you’re out running errands together. Eddie asked you to tag along while he bought some things for Wayne’s upcoming birthday, so you’re ambling through the shop in search of party supplies. As he pushes the shopping cart down the card aisle, intent on purchasing a goofy note for his uncle — something with googly eyes that sings and has a terrible pun written inside — a display rack near the envelopes catches his eye:

Beanie Babies.

“Hey,” he suddenly pats your back to grab your attention, “do you have any of those?”

You look to where he’s pointing. “Oh!” Those are new. Teeny and understuffed, but realistically cute, with little eyes and —

You shake your head, playing it cool. “No, I don’t,” you answer with as much nonchalance as you can muster.

Eddie gives you a half-smile, and again, you can’t tell if he’s teasing you or not. “You wanna check ‘em out?”

You shake your head, and attempt to twist your face into the most casual expression possible. “Oh, that’s okay. Like I said, most of the ones I have are from when I was a kid, anyway, I-I don’t really buy them anymore. Honestly, the only reason they’re even out is because I haven’t found a good place to put them yet. Or, actually, I’ve been meaning to donate a lot of them.”

Eddie simply listens while you ramble, totally impassive. When you’re finished, he asks, “Even the ones you keep on your bed, that you clearly still sleep with?”

You bite the inside of your cheek and don’t respond. Eddie cracks a smile.

“Are you embarrassed about your stuffed animals?”

Deny, deny, deny. “...no.”

Eddie laughs, and rests both his hands on your shoulders. “Sweetheart, it’s fine,” he promises. “I told you, it’s cute.”

You stare at the floor. “You don’t think it’s like, too babyish or something?” you ask him in a small voice.

Eddie scoffs. “No, of course not. Not if it’s something that makes you happy.” He steers you towards the table with these Beanie Babies, and wraps an arm around your waist. “C’mon, pick one out. It’s on me.”

You glance at him, eyes wide. “Really?”

He nods. “Of course. My treat.”

Hesitantly, you lean in to peruse your options. It’s a little overwhelming. There are bears of all colors, with satin ribbons tied around their necks; some classic farm animals, and more exotic ones, too, like elephants and monkeys; there are even a number of tie-dyed reptiles and sea critters. 

You give Eddie an awed look, unsure of how to narrow it down. He smiles encouragingly. “Whatever you want.”

You start to sort through them, and pick them up one at a time to examine them thoroughly. You weigh them in your hands, and run the pads of your fingers along the fabric, enjoying how soft and pliant they are, while Eddie watches you with interest. Some part of you understands that you’re taking way too long, and maybe you’re even being kind of weird about it, but mostly, you’re caught up in the sensation of how these little friends feel when you hold them. It’s very soothing.

“Hmmm,” you hum quietly, picking up a magenta platypus, laying her flat in your palm.

Eddie rubs your lower back with a firm hand. “So, what are we thinking?”

“I’m not sure yet…” You set the platypus back down, and when you move to pick up a rainbow-striped worm, you pause. A flash of white-pink light catches your eye; you snake a hand deep into the plush pile, chasing the miniscule scrap of iridescent fabric, barely visible amongst the other toys.

You come up with a perfect, snow-white dragon, with shiny wings and pink stitching. Eddie lets out a low whistle.

“I think that’s a winner, babe.”

You turn to him and grin, cheeks feeling warm. “I think so, too.”

The white tag on the bottom, along with a tiny red heart, reads: Magic.

Eddie comes home with you later that night. You perch the new dragon proudly on the edge of your dresser, as opposed to the chair with all the others — you feel she deserves her own special place, being a present from Eddie.

While you position her just right, Eddie flops down onto the mattress and curls around the stuffed bunny you sleep with every night, closing his eyes. He looks so out of place — this metalhead with his heavy combat boots still on, nestled serenely amongst your silk pillows, cuddling with your various teddies.

“Hey,” you scold him playfully. “If you’re spending the night, I hope you don’t plan on sleeping in the middle of the bed like that.”

Eddie lets out an exaggerated sigh in response, but doesn’t open his eyes.

You cross the room, bare feet padding against the carpeted floor. You climb onto the bed and drape your body over his, so you’re laying flat on top of him. Purposefully, you let your knees squish into his legs as you get situated, but he still doesn’t move.

Giving in, you let yourself slump over him, and your head falls into the crook of his neck. Nosing into his curls, you press a small kiss to the pale skin underneath his ear. “Thank you for my gift,” you mumble against him.

He reaches one arm behind him, hand landing on your thigh; he gives it an affectionate squeeze. “You’re welcome.”

Three years pass, and Magic the Dragon remains in your possession all that time. She went from your original apartment to the next one, and then to the house you live in now, which you share with Eddie. She’s still in her place of honor on the bedroom dresser.

The Beanie Baby craze that’s occurred since he bought her for you was truly something to behold (personally, you couldn’t really get into all that mess — the competition gave you far too much anxiety). Both of you shook your heads in disbelief at the utter chaos created by these toys, but it also made you feel a sort of triumph, in a way; you had one of them, but it wasn’t an investment, or some wild fad you had fallen into. 

It was a token of Eddie’s love.

At the time, you didn’t quite make this connection. Your relationship was too green, too new for either of you to throw the word love around casually, or attribute grand feelings to small gestures. But, as Magic’s presence continued to stand the test of time, you started to see the gift for what it really was.

It was Eddie, perceptive Eddie, sensing your insecurity and going out of his way to put your mind at ease. He was reassuring you. It was his way of letting you know that he understood this part of you — however inconsequential that part may be — and that he accepted it.

And he would do this many, many times over, with every single part of yourself that you revealed to him. And everytime you looked at that silly little thing on your dresser, you remembered.

So it seems only fitting that now, in the exact same store three years later, you find Magic’s counterpart in Scorch. Brown scales, red iridescent wings, with green spikes and forked tongue. He’s absolutely perfect.

You know exactly what to do. It’s time to return the favor.

Immediately, you drop him in your shopping basket and hurry on, eager to get home and show Eddie what you’ve found.

You burst through the front door and into the kitchen, practically bouncing with excitement. “Eddie!” 

He’s making dinner, preoccupied with a pot on the stove. Still stirring whatever’s inside, Eddie looks back at you over his shoulder, and his face splits into a wide smile. “Hi, baby.”

“I have something for you!” you tell him in a singsong voice, sauntering over and wrapping your arms around his trim waist, the shopping bag hanging from the crook of your elbow. 

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

You release him and start rifling through the bag’s contents, while Eddie lays the spoon down and turns to face you in full.

Beaming, you fish out the small stuffed dragon and present it to him with a flourish. “Ta-da!”

Taking it in, Eddie lets out a loud laugh that reverberates around the kitchen. “Oh my God!”

You smile at him happily, and Eddie takes Scorch from you gingerly, looking delighted. “No way.” 

“Yes, way. They’re gonna look so good together.”

And they do. Eddie places Scorch next to Magic, so they’re both perched on the edge of the dresser, facing the room. Then, thinking better of it, he turns them so that they face one another, snouts touching in a tiny dragon kiss.

Satisfied with the positioning, Eddie joins you where you sit at the edge of the bed. Looping an arm around your shoulder, he pulls you close to his side, and presses his lips to yours. 

“Look at that. They’re just like us.”

if you actually read this then thank you that's sweet <3 lmao idk how this ended up being 2k words

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

[jester089]

I feel I need to balance this angst out, do this AFTER you’ve done the others and given yourself time to chill…I’ve got my eyes on you…

Anyhow, how’s about the TADC gang all seperate with an s/o who’s just the definition of ‘chill’. They are the best comfort partner (just behind Kinger ofc), they comfort, share and engage in hobbies, show small signs of affection like soft side hugs and gentle butterfly kisses to the cheeks or neck, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Will also 100% piggyback/bridal carry their significant other if asked or for fun. Just a pure wholesome fuzzy mess.

Lazy days

This is just going to be what I think their hobbies and all are. As it's a fluffy request I'm going to do softer not cannon versions of everyone. TADC crew x Chill/Relaxed Reader

Caine

Caine can be an incredibly busy man/AI so try and make him take breaks. He gets to caught up in work because he's so worried that if he doesn't have fun things to do then people will start abstracting. So when you walk into his office gently pick him up and sit down in his chair with him now sitting on your lap it helps him snap out of it. He isn't going to stop still. But he really appreciates you being there. You being there and every now and again giving him an idea you had makes the work take longer, but makes it much more enjoyable. You'll honestly probably end up falling asleep on him, arms wrapped around him head on his shoulder. Sadly he doesn't have a neck, or any real exposed skin. So kisses will be a little rough but that isn't gonna stop you. It is a little weird kissing a giant set of teeth though. And second he finished up, or at least reaches a point where he can stop you pick him up and take him to your bed. Sometimes he'll tunnel vision to much on something and you'll have to do that anyways. It's like holding an angry cat when that happens, minus the claws.

Gangle

Gangle loves affection but isn't amazing at giving nor receiving it. Any time you do anything she can and will blush. And if you protect her from Jax. Putty Gangle has arrived. How relaxed you are despite everything happening helps her out a lot. I headcannon that she loves working with clay, like making pottery and all. But sadly with her ribbon hands she can't do it anymore. Or rather couldn't, cause you help her out. You two will sit in front of a potters wheel. You have her place her hands on the outside of yours and you just let her lead. (I have made plenty of pottery in my time and I can safely say it is incredibly hard to do.) Sadly unless your helping her with something she doesn't let you in her pottery station anymore. You tried to make a mug for her without her and it didn't go well. You didn't know the first thing about pottery when she wasn't guiding you so it ended up blowing up in the kiln. You felt really bad. Cuddles with Gangle are a little strange. She doesn't have any real body weight so it really does feel like your cuddling a piece of ribbon (for good reason). So you two came up with something. You got a body pillow that's around her height and when you two are cuddling she'll wrap around it so she has more mass. When she needs some comfort you'll know. Whenever she's in a really bad mood and wants you touch but doesn't really want to say it she'll exist really close to you and start gently wrapping one of her arms around yours. Overall 10/10, she's a giant sweetheart and your lucky you got her. So treat her well yeah?

Zooble

I recommend bringing some kind of hoodie or blanket with you. Her edges can be a little harsh on the body. Out of everyone Zooble is the highest chance of most cuddles. She never gets involved in adventures and avoids the others when she can. Which basically just means more alone time with her. Zooble has a lot of insecurities concerning her new body and the circus. You're the only one she trust enough with that kind of thing so don't downplay her thoughts and emotions. The main way she shows affection is just spending time with you, she isn't big on touch and she doesn't exactly have the resources for gifts. And that worries her, she knows that she can be rude and unpleasant to be around but she doesn't have anything else to offer you. She's not great at communication so you really just need to keep patient and keep loving her. She has a jagged and rough exterior, but it like everything can be broken. It'll just take time.

Kinger

You two make a great bunch. The others never would have thought but if someone is having an especially bad day they go to you two. Kinger is amazing at calming and encouraging words, and your amazing at calming acts and setting up an atmosphere. You've saved a lot from abstraction because of that. Hugs are amazing from him. That royal medieval robe he's wearing is really nice to the touch. Sadly he doesn't have a mouth but he'll try and make up for that with head bonks (Head bonk: To gently place your head against someone you care about to show affection. Usually used when that person isn't comfortable with kisses.) One time you two built an actual castle out of pillows. It took you like a day but it had a working drawbridge and everything! Sadly it was broken during an adventure but it was really fun to build with Kinger. He can get a little... Unstable... When that happens a tight hug and a kiss can usually snap him out of it. But if that doesn't work bring him back to your room. The atmosphere you have set up and the fact that it smells like you will help him out a lot.

Ragatha

Once again you two make a good combo. She holds people off from breaking down. But if she can't stop it then she sends em to you. So once again you two help with abstraction a lot. But poor baby is stressed and you help provide some needed relief. I see her as the type of if she was expecting a kiss or a hug she'll hug/kiss back and thank you. If she wasn't she turns into a blushing mess with a big ol dopey smile on her face. Something she appreciates a lot is more childish things. Like if you start up a pillow fight with her she will be ecstatic. But be warned her pillows hit like a truck. Not cause their different just because she's really good at pillow fights. Her fav cuddle type is the honeymoon hug (look it up). She gets to be close to you and give you smooches if she wants. And she gets to feel like she's protecting you. She is the mom friend and you annoy her by saying over the top things like. "Ok MOM" when she asks you to stop doing something. First few times she hated it but now she goes along with it sayng things like "Hey! Don't talk back to me. Give me your phone you're grounded." She never means it though.

Jax

I think Jax is the most stable person in the circus. I'm saying he's mentally ok I'm just saying that he is by far at the least risk for abstraction. Whenever Jax plays a joke on someone and you go to help calm them down he gets a little jealous. He knows you love him but he doesn't really like you talking to others. So don't be surprised if you're in the middle of comforting someone and he just picks you up and walks away. He can be a little mean so for your own sake try and not take his words to heart. He just by second nature starts pointing things out that he dislikes, and often he starts pointing out things on/to do with you before he realizes. He also won't apologize so just try and ignore it. He sorta makes up for it with affection though. Cause he's pretty affectionate. Most of it is teasing yes, like he's come out of no where kiss your cheek and use a pet name that flusters you then just leave like he didn't do anything. But he's surprisingly gentle when it comes to that kind of thing. I see him being the type where you two fall asleep in the same bed and you wake up with him having his arms and legs around you probably drooling on your forehead. Or he's one of those that take up the whole bed so you often wake up on the floor. Many say that opposites attract. And you two are very different. But that isn't a bad thing.

Pomni

You two are opposites in a lot of ways. She is anxious and constantly in a state of panic/worry. And you never are. So you help her a lot. I see her being kind of like a cat towards you. Constantly around you and or begging for attention. I have an idea that I came up with a few years ago. It's a hoodie with a giant pocket inside. Like one of those baby carriers but minus the straps and inside the hoodie so who/whatever you keep in there share warmth. And she loves it. You two can be relaxing in your room and she'll realize something and spring off the bed you two were on. She and will turn the entire place upside down looking for it (https://www.tiktok.com/@louiencoco/video/7214862848042831110) so if you don't wanna have to clean up later just show her where it is. On a more serious note though you two were a match made in heaven and with enough time you could make a genuine improvement in her mental health. The main reason she's so fragile mentally is cause she never gets/got a break. So her favorite activity with you is probably just relaxing in one of your rooms away from the others.

(Tumblr deleted this like 3 times while I was writing it. And it turned out kind of bad because of that. Sorry but don't blame me. Blame tumblr.)

xoxo, Jester

[luffyrose]

We're back with another dc x dp, coming to you this time on my phone while hang in off the back of my couch. Is blood rushing to my head? Yes.

Either way, I had a random thought about how personally as a child, I was a little monkey, like if my parents had actually had the thought to put me in gymnastics I would probably be a menace to society. And so my thought was, what if Danny was like that too?

Danny had always been very hyper, like, bounce of the walls, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THE FRIDGE-" kind of hyper. When he started to climb, hang, flip, and just about break something just to have some fun, Jazz finally tried to get their parents to sign him up for gymnastics.

They didn't.

Both had been very happy at the idea, but when it came down to it, they just forgot. And one time without actually paying attention to the two, said gymnastics was for girls, ultimately shattering Danny's budding hobby. Jazz of course didn't just let that dream go, instead finding anything she could to let him learn on his own, at the very least, she made sure he was capable enough to pick it up in his teenage years should he finally get a chance to take classes.

That didn't end up happened either.

He'd died, become Phantom, accidentally become Crown Prince of the Infinite realms, and now had to deal with superheroes realizing that something was up in Amity. More specifically, a credible news reporter finally came to the town and settled the real or not debate in one swift "WTF IS THAT-" upon seeing a giant robot hunter thing(it was Skulker).

Along with all that, his parents, or more specifically his mother, was finally noticing something was wrong. Almost two years after he died, she finally took a second to look at him, and was disturbed. So Danny, being optimistic as he can be, tries to tell them, which goes horribly wrong and ends in a lab explosion and Danny 'stuck' in the Ghost Zone. Really Jazz blew the portal up after reaching her own breaking point and immediately called CPS on her parents since Danny was never gonna come back to them.

Danny all ouchy, there goes my parents because the two destroyed their blood bond by intentionally aiming to harm him instead of the weird loophole they'd been in before. Clockwork being Clockwork yeets him over to Gotham, giving Jazz a note about it.

Over in Gotham, he's actually thrown right from a portal in the aky hurdling down toward one of the city's rogues. Whoever it is, the Batfam are like "wtf-" at the clearly confused child that suspiciously looks like they're one of the Waynes, and so they just take him back. Doesn't help that they're worried since he just got thrown from who knows where and definitely did not take that fall well- also doesn't help that he's clearly bleeding and severely injured.

Danny, after Alfred forces him to rest from injuries, is so hyper. His hyperness had gone into his vigilantism, so now with nothing to deter it, he was going crazy and he felt so stiff.

Cue one of the sibkings walking in to find the kid hanging dangerously off something and just going "hi". Dick has a new favorite(not really he still loves all his siblings the same...maybe Damian and new kid are a smidge higher, but they're younger so it doesn't count).

When he takes the kid to the gym in their house, he is literally running around and getting onto everything. Now Dick has accidentally acquired little acrobatic brother that he's determined to help out with getting better.

Best part, Danny doesn't even realize the others are like "welp he's family now" and is just thinking they're very nice for being rich. He doesn't trust Bruce too much though, sure rich people's mids could be chill(take Sam for example) but parents themselves were iffy.

No one knows how to react to the truth bombs he randomly drops without even realizing it either.

Dick, watching Danny haning upside down from a bar for the last like 10 minutes: whatcha doin buddy?

Danny: thinking about my parents.

Damian, who's also been watching the whole tome but would never admit it: Your parents?

Danny, yeeting himself off the bar with no sense of self preservation: yeah, they told me they'd sign me up for gymnastics. Never did. Claimed it was only for girls. Although I think that was the same day our oven came alive on accident and almost set me on fire so...they were pretty distracted.

Dick, staring in actual horror for many reasons: What?!

Damian, also horrified but not showing it as much: Your oven came alive...?

Danny, who still isn't paying attention and already having forgotten what he said: how do you do that thing you showed me earlier?

[captain-mj]

Boyfriend Dungeon

This is more of a prologue as I mostly wanted to set it up and explain how the weapons and wielders work.

Roach excitedly packed, ready to spend the summer with his cousin Rocket. Mostly he was excited about just getting out of the area. He had never been to his cousin’s city and it sounded exciting. 

Roach was well aware of people that could turn into weapons, but he knew next to nothing about them. No one in his family was one nor was anyone else in his hometown that he knew about. That was fine, it just meant he was a little out of his element when it came to those kinds of talks. Apparently the new city was full of weapons. He couldn’t wait to meet one of them. 

Rocket picked him up from the airport, holding a giant sign and bouncing up and down. He pulled Roach right into a tight hug with a smile. 

“Gary!! It’s so nice to see you again.”

Roach squeezed him back before pulling back so he could sign. “Nice to see you too. Ready to go?”

Rocket nodded and helped him with his bags. “Thank you so much for coming. I really needed some help get everything moved.” The two departed with Rocket filling him in on a few things. He wasn’t normally so talkative but he was clearly glad to have Roach around. 

They spent a few hours unpacking Roach’s bags and putting everything away. Roach occasionally asked Rocket questions but he was trying to not make his interest in weapons too clear. He apparently was not subtle enough because Rocket caught on. 

“I’m glad you brought that up actually! I have someone I’d like you to meet!” Rocket seemed to almost buzz with anticipation. 

Roach tilted his head, indicating Rocket should continue. “He’s a guy I know. He’s a weapon. When I mentioned you’d be coming, he offered to show you how to wield.”

Roach jerked up with excitement, bouncing on his feet. He quickly finished everything as Rocket told him the details. 

The next morning, he actually got to meet Price. 

Price smiled at him immediately. “It’s very nice to meet you, Roach.” He offered his hand and Roach quickly shook back. 

Rocket smiled. “Most people here speak sign, it’s taught in the local school. It’s helpful for weapons to communicate whenever they’re shifted”

Price nodded and signed to Roach. “So we can communicate however you’re comfortable.”

Roach nodded and responded. “I’m fine with people talking to me. Just don’t like talking to others.” Don’t like did not quite match his situation, but Price seemed to understand that just fine. 

“That’s alright. We’ll work through it. It’s pretty simple. I shift into an double sided ax and you simply pick me up and start fighting.”

“....fighting?”

“Oh. Yes. There’s dungeons nearby that we’d be fighting in.”

Roach nodded. “What happens if you get hurt?”

“I won’t, don’t worry. If you get hurt, I’ll simply take you out.”

Roach nodded and motioned for Price to continue.

“So, it’s pretty simple. I turn into a weapon and you wield me. You’ll feel the connection pretty instantly. It’s better for friends and partners, but I’m used to showing younger wielders how to do this. It’s common for first time wielders to get hurt because they’re inexperienced, especially if they’re weapon is also inexperienced. My husband does the same thing for young weapons.”

Roach pushed down his disappointment that Price was married. The man was a clear dilf. He wasn’t wearing a ring, but he was probably nervous about losing it in a dungeon. 

“Once you find someone else you want to wield or even just want to stop, we can. But Rocket thought it would be good for you. Dungeons are really helpful because they help you face your fears.” 

Roach glanced at Rocket, glaring just a touch. “Whatever he said was probably a gross exaggeration.”

Rocket huffed a little. “I was trying my best! I just thought you could use a hobby and to talk to people. My aunt has told me all ab-”

Roach covered Rocket’s mouth and glared at Price who laughed. “Don’t worry. If you want to go now we can?”

Roach thought about it before nodding and getting up. “Meet you at the dungeon.”

Despite it being explained to him, it was still shocking to see Price disappear. He was just a beam of light for a moment before Rocket grabbed Roach’s hand and lifted it up. 

An axe formed in his hand. Beautiful and ornate. Something about him reminded Roach of old whiskey commercials. Something about the aesthetic. The gorgeous wood handling, gold etching along the blade itself.

Roach almost felt bad he would be using him to fight. 

Price spoke and it was a bit odd. It was like he was whispering in both of his ears. 

Roach didn’t respond, unable to really understand the words anyway. He slowly swung the axe to get a feeling for it. 

It took a while for him to get used to the way Price spoke to him. It sounded garbled at first but he eventually got used to it. 

Roach was surprised by how light Price felt. 

He stepped in to the dungeon now. It looked like an old mall. 

Monsters. Some looked like bundles of yarn. Others looked more like rings. 

The first one lunged at him and it was like Roach just understood something. He swung out immediately. The weapon went straight through them, splitting them and they fell to pieces. 

A grin spread across his face. 

This was going to be fun. 

They fell in to a bit of rhythm. It felt off, not quite in a lock step yet. 

Roach found himself forgetting he had a person in his hands. Each monster would bare it’s teeth and he’d cut straight through them. 

A weight was lifting off his chest. Though he didn’t understand what the fear these things were supposed to be, it felt good to slash at them. 

There was a rest area so Roach got himself a drink. He was right about to ask Price if he wanted one when he paused, seeing a dagger on the ground. It had a chunk missing out of the handle. 

He tapped along Price’s handle and Price shifted back immediately. He looked very concerned as he moved closer to the dagger. Unlike Price, there was no… ornateness. No beauty. It felt… dark. Like the person inside was sleeping.  

“Roach, pick him up for me.”

Roach wondered how he knew it was a guy as he picked the dagger up. 

A shock ran through him. Visceral and powerful. 

It wrapped through his veins. His head pounding. Nerves lighting up at the almost instant connection.

Not a weapon. Or even the weapon. 

His weapon. 

It wasn’t like Price’s voice where it was simply close to his ears. It was directly in his heads.

“Who are you?”

Just as quickly, the feeling was shredded from him. Ripped out in a way that almost felt painful. 

The man that appeared from the smoke. He was strange. Tall and masked and even without seeing him, he knew he was beautiful. 

Dark brown eyes looked at him. “How da-”

Price stepped between them. “Ghost, are you alright? Did your wielder leave you down here? That’s very irresponsible, I’d like their name to report them as soon as possible.”

“I…” Mystery man looked around. “I didn’t go in a dungeon. I was at home… I need to go.” He left as quickly as he appeared. 

Roach was already enamored and he knew without a doubt that he wanted to wield him and him specifically. 

Price glanced at him. “No. don’t even think about it. He is not going to be good for you.” 

[thatsonemorbidcorvid]

“I’d still argue that at the end of the day, a mother making time to live a life outside her children is to their benefit as well. Self-sacrifice is necessary to be a parent, but martyrdom is not. We all know people who grew up with a mum who wouldn’t allow herself to have fun, who never had hobbies, or friendships, or seemed to do much outside the house besides work. By making your connections external to your family another one of your priorities, you are modeling the importance of community, social networks, and self identity. You are also showing your daughters that they have many choices available for how to live their life, whether they one day become a parent or not.”

If I'm being honest, being a mother was not something I put at the top of my bucket list in my twenties. While I still don't regretting child-free at 38, it’s not easy to witness almost all of your peers start a family. Even when you're happy that they’re happy — and I am — there is a bittersweetness to it, because you know that you will be seeing them less and less, or not at all.

There is a lot of debate on TikTok right about who is at fault when friendship fades as one person becomes a parent and the other doesn’t. One user, @__barbarah, went viral after Julia Fox responded to one of her videos in which she says: “I've seen a lot of women post: ‘You want to know who your real friends are? Have a baby’," she says. “I'm not a mother, but I don't know what it looks like on the other side. But I am a friend – and you guys change after having a baby. You make us feel like we're no longer relatable… so it's not just one-sided.”

Julia Fox responded by saying it's not their friends that are no longer relatable, but the woman who's just had the baby – because she’s completely overwhelmed caring for her son. And she’s a rich celebrity.

If we can step back and look at it somewhat objectively, it seems like both parties kind of want the same thing: community. They just see the issue completely differently. Mothers want support. Childless people want to remain included in their friend’s lives.

But who is the onus on to maintain the ties that would fulfill everybody’s wants?

Obviously, I have my biases, but before getting to them, I genuinely think that when friends have kids, a period of relaxed standards of reciprocity is necessary; compromise and patience are key. I know how overwhelming it is to keep myself alive, so adding another life to the mix must feel at times like drowning on dry land. It is a childless friend’s duty, in my opinion, to show up and help out, to shoulder the responsibility of making plans that can accommodate the needs of a new parent, and to not take it personally if you don’t hear from them as much for a while.

The issue arises when that grace period ends, because many parents think it never should. It is common to hear parents say, “My kid is my first priority” as a reason for why they no longer reach out, ask questions about their friend’s lives, or take a couple hours off by hiring a babysitter to go to birthdays or big events that don’t center around children. Well, if we were in a monster movie running from a giant insect or something, that would be relevant. Pick up your baby and leave me behind! However, we live in the real world, where caring about someone more than anyone else should not preclude you from taking an interest in the other people who have loved you and supported you throughout your life. Sending a friend a “how are you” text every few months will not take food out of your kid’s mouth.

Since I’ve seen so many of my friends go through this withdrawal from society, I realise some of it is inevitable and even the most well-intentioned person may not have the energy for anything except getting through the day once they have a baby.

You know, fair enough. We can only do what we can do. I’d still argue that at the end of the day, a mother making time to live a life outside her children is to their benefit as well. Self-sacrifice is necessary to be a parent, but martyrdom is not. We all know people who grew up with a mum who wouldn’t allow herself to have fun, who never had hobbies, or friendships, or seemed to do much outside the house besides work. By making your connections external to your family another one of your priorities, you are modeling the importance of community, social networks, and self identity. You are also showing your daughters that they have many choices available for how to live their life, whether they one day become a parent or not.

I know there can be a lot of resentment from mums who feel overworked and underappreciated towards their friends they see out at the club on Insta Stories. To those of you who are boiling over, remember that not everyone who doesn’t have a kid doesn’t want one. Assuming a childless woman is shallow, immature, or doesn’t understand real adulthood is an insult in so many ways, but especially because it may not even be up to her.

In my experience, mums seem to think I’m in a state of arrested development and they’ve moved up to a form of life I’ll never understand. What they don’t get is that I’m also living a life they can’t understand, one that requires walking a far less well-worn road and doing it on my own. I’d be happy to tell them about it if they’d remember to ask. But if I have to have a baby to be seen and regarded as a worthwhile person to spend time with again, that seems very unfair to the baby.

As a childless person, I will always advocate for things that will improve the material life of parents – affordable childcare, better maternity and paternity leave, funding for schools and community centres – because it does matter to me that children are raised to thrive even if I never have one of my own.

I also want my gals pals to have that support so we can get a coffee once in a while. Still, if a friend with a kid doesn’t occasionally extend the invitation my way, I’d rather get coffee on my own. Relationships, like a plant, require tending. Even the most low effort, undemanding cactus of a friendship needs a little water, or it dies.

[ecoamerica]

Watch the 2024 American Climate Leadership Awards for High School Students now: https://youtu.be/5C-bb9PoRLc

The recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by student climate leaders! Join Aishah-Nyeta Brown & Jerome Foster II and be inspired by student climate leaders as we recognize the High School Student finalists. Watch now to find out which student received the $25,000 grand prize and top recognition!

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

Hello, may I have a bg3 matchup please? I am a bisexual female, 29, brown curly hair that reaches my mid back, green eyes with blue around the pupil, and I’m 5’4”. I usually prefer men over women and not open to poly relationships.

I am definitely very outspoken and sassy. I will let my opinion be known, but I won’t step on anyone’s toes about it. I am passionate, chaotic, proud, yet protective, loyal, and humorous. I take a while to warm up to somebody, but when I do we are inseparable.

I love to kayak, hike, paint, swim, play board and video games with friends, and sleep. I am a competitive archer and a zookeeper. So I’m used to large animals and not as afraid of them as I should be.

A/N: Since you said you’re bi but have a preference for men over women, I picked the most compatible BG3 male companion for you! For you @yeetmetotahiti I’m thinking your best BG3 Matchup is Halsin! 

🐻 Halsin would be the perfect match for you! He is quite similar in that he is fiercely protective and loyal to the ones he loves (and to all of nature’s creations as well). He’d love that he has so many hobbies and interests in common with you. And he’s very glad you enjoy animals like he does. 

Halsin adores your curly hair! It’s so different from his. He genuinely enjoys learning about how to properly care for it so that he can spend the occasional special evening pampering you with a spa night. He also secretly loves the height difference between you two. One because it makes you the PERFECT height for forehead kisses, and because it excites him in shall we say… other ways ;). 

If being monogamous and loyal to solely each other is truly what you wish, Halsin will respect that. Before defeating the Absolute, he may have felt differently, but as he’s grown older, and come to enjoy his new position leading the many orphans and refugees in a new community in the freed Shadow Realms, he’s found loving one person, especially when that person is you, makes him feel more fulfilled than all his other relationships combined. 

He admires your very outspoken nature, as he is prone more to keeping quiet in an attempt to preserve the peace. He’s also grateful for how you can speak your mind without angering others. It’s a gift that not many possess. Halsin knows his negotiation skills aren’t the greatest. I mean, he went to negotiate with the goblins and see how far that got him? So it’s good that you’re there at his side to speak up for the both of you when need be. 

Halsin warms up to people fairly quickly, given his very soft and extroverted nature, but he understands most people move much slower than he does. He will give you all the time and space you need to grow comfortable with him in your relationship. He will not rush you or push any of your boundaries. 

Halsin is a fan of all things nature-related. So any activity like hiking, swimming, or kayaking is very much in his wheelhouse. He'll show you the best spots in Faerun to go to. And he especially enjoys exploring all the newly reclaimed parts of the former Shadow Realms with you. It overwhelms him with joy and gratitude, that he can do such a thing, and that you, of all people, are at his side for it. 

You being an archer and him being a druid make the two of you a very compatible pair. That and your work with animals as a zookeeper makes him feel all the more secure in trusting himself to wild shape around you. His go-to form is a giant bear after all and while that may send some people running, it doesn’t scare you. He feels safe to be himself and to let himself be vulnerable around you, which is not something he’s allowed himself to feel for a very long time. 

The two of you make a wonderful, supportive, and loving couple. It is clear to anyone who looks upon you, that you are very much in love with one another. Sure, some of the orphaned children may tease you, making kissy noises here and there when they catch either one of you staring at the other, but neither of you would have your lives any other way. 

I hope you enjoyed! If you did, please Like & REBLOG!

Consider Tipping Me Via Kofi Here

[trainerbob23]

Alrighty everyone its time for a bit of "who is this cat that zach has/ why is zee zee into a full on cat and living with a complete stanger" made by me and @stardustshimmer

Zee Zee's story/Oc Reference:https://www.tumblr.com/stardustshimmer/726426982951370752/say-hello-to-my-kitty-boy-zeezee?source=share

In short: ZeeZee is Queen Somnia's loyal servant who grew jealous over all the praise she received from her subjects, while no one gave ZeeZee any of that, and he does just about everything around the kingdom. So in order to gain the respect of the Cloud Kingdom, he made many attempts to overthrow/kill Somnia to take her spot on the throne. When the Queen held a royal ball in the Cloud Castle, she was giving a speech in the main hall right underneath a giant chandelier. So as she was addressing the guests, ZeeZee made the chandelier fall on top of her and made it look like a complete accident.

and now for the backstory of how did he get to dreamland: The story begins at the Cloud Castle. It's been approximately 5 hours since Queen Somnia's death, and Detective Delilah is still searching for the culprit. Meanwhile, ZeeZee is not worried one bit. He thinks the people of the Cloud Kingdom are too stupid to find out he loosened the chandelier, especially since he did so using his powers. A little bit of context: ZeeZee had fled the scene immediately after the chandelier came down, and no one noticed he was gone until every other Cloud Kingdom resident's name was cleared, and he was the last one left to interrogate. Lila followed clues to ZeeZee's location and began questioning him. After a high-pressure interrogation, ZeeZee cracked and fessed up in front of everyone. When he did, Kracko decided to banish him from the Cloud Kingdom permanently. ZeeZee was dropped from all the way up there and landed right in the Fountain of Dreams. He emerged from it, soaking wet, So he goes from the type of anatomy he normally had, to looking like an actual cat. He'd also lose his powers as well. To add insult to injury, it started raining. Lightning struck him a few times. Then he went off into Dream Land to find some shelter.

How did zach find zee zee? in the rain walking back to his house. later on he would adopt t zee zee

one shot where zach picked up zee zee and brought him into his home and adopted him:https://www.tumblr.com/stardustshimmer/729772247667113984/zack-whats-the-matter-scared-he-said-in-a

and by the way did you know that zee zee has a baby sister called kiki as well:https://www.tumblr.com/stardustshimmer/733522057857548288/zeezee-meeting-his-new-baby-sister-kiki

zeezee loves to be carried around in zachs backpack: https://www.tumblr.com/stardustshimmer/738351505563926528/zack-uses-a-backpack-to-carry-zee-zee-around-just?source=share

zee zee eat catfood: https://www.tumblr.com/stardustshimmer/730720567972462592/zeezee-eat-cat-food

Zee Zee trivia:

He likes tuna. And milk. Typical cat foods.

He normally wears his wizard robe and hat, but since it's all wet and dirty at the moment, he likes warm sweaters. Bonus if it's a turtleneck.

Normally all he used to do in his spare time is fly around the castle tending to his duties, but now he'll have to find some new hobbies. Try some things out with him, see what he likes, here is a little hint: 🎹

Since ZeeZee was a bit miserable about having lost his wizard powers, Zach would try to cheer him up by making “potions” with him (which would just be like, bath bombs and glitter in water or something).

Ok so he likes fruit in the morning. Specifically raspberries

He’s mostly an introvert. Considering how during his time in the Cloud Castle, he’d spend the majority of the day in his room/cat tower

Quirks? He goes “mrrp” a lot. Usually when he’s embarrassed or frustrated

He (now) prefers family. Now that he has Zack in his life, he realized just how much he needed a family member in his life.

He’s an indoor cat. He pretty much hates it outside, except during nighttime. He gazes at the stars during the night.

He used to do studies on fairies since Queen Ripple came into Queen Somnia’s life

He likes thanksgiving. He eats a lot during that time.

ZeeZee doesn’t really care about his birthday and has never gotten a bday party. Somnia used to bake a small (pet friendly) cake for him, tho.

He’s just embarrassed about the whole chandelier incident and every murder attempt on the Queen before that.

Fast rides make him sick. The only amusement park ride he can go on is the ferris wheel.

He jumps at the smallest things, so horror movies are NOT for him.

Me and Stardust thinks if Zack were to take him to an amusement park, he’d take ZeeZee on, let’s say the spinning teacup ride. …you can guess how that would end up.

Also yeah, he’d despise haunted mansions

and i think thats it for now, me and stardust have so much more to share in the near furture. so stay tuned

[smallestapplin]

Can I request headcanons Ingo+Emmett x reader (separatly) where S/O's Pokemon falls in love with one of their Pokémon! (Ex: Driftblim->Chandalure, Flygon->Haxarous, Altaria->Archeops, Scolipede->Gavantula) Think 101 Dalmatians shenanigans where they meet at the park trip, tangle them up and have a meet cute. Bonus points guess their trainers end up liking each other too!

-Tiny anon

I’m sobbing this is such a cute idea!

Also I picked Scolipede cause I thought ‘hehe in love with his girlfriend who’s five times his size.’ (Galvantulas are 2ft while Scolipedes are 8ft.)

-

-

🔲Ingo🔲

- Ghost types usually spend their time alone, as is the case with Chandelure, the ghostly Pokémon, while loves its trainer and family, usually sticks to itself.

- Even at the park.

- Until it met a Drifblim. The balloon like Pokémon seemed to be keeping a few other Pokémon in check and making sure no one got hurt.

- And with a hauntingly beautiful melody from Chandelure, Drifblim sung back. The two swung and swayed around the other in harmony. The two ghost types coo happily.

- Until two voices called out.

- “Driffy! Where are you?”

- “Chandelure, it’s time to go home!”

- The two gaze back at each other with a sad hum. Drifblim wraps one of its ribbon like arms around Chandelure, not wanting to part with it.

- “There you are! I was looking for you.”

- You reached the two Pokémon first, having followed the pretty melody of their sounds.

- But your Drifblim doesn’t want to leave, letting out frantic calls to try and plead its case, holding Chandelure close.

- “Chandelure!” The new voice sounded loud and panicked. It only cases Chandelure to snuggle close to the blimp Pokémon.

- This action at least calmed their trainer.

- “I’m so sorry sir! It seems they became friends.” You try to settle the frazzled man down.

- And judging by how he looks between you and the happily hugging ghost types, he calms down.

- “I’m truly sorry for my freight, I’ve never seen Chandelure get so friendly with a strange Pokémon.”

- A harsh melody makes you both flinch and see Chandelure almost glaring at its trainer.

- “Haha! Seems they didn’t like that. I’m sorry but we have to cut this short, I can give you my number and we can set up a little play date for them here, if that’s okay?”

- “Of course, after all my partner Pokémon has never been so friendly before.”

- With numbers swapped and sad ghosts following you two, play dates where quickly set.

- Ingo laughs at how, when told, Chandelure floats in front of a mirror and seems to test out the right flame height and brightness.

- “Trying to impress that Drifblim?”

- His laugh grows when his Pokémon nods.

- While your two Pokémon danced and sang around each other, you and Ingo sat in a bench nearby, talking and getting to know each other.

- You’d hear stories about his work and his twin brother who he says ‘acts like he was born and raised by feral Pokémon, I swear-‘

- And he learned about you! Your work, some of your own friends, and hobbies of yours.

- Over time, much like his companion, he noticed how enchanting your laugh is, how sweet it’s sounds.

- Ingo believes he’s falling in with you and he doesn’t know what to do.

- But luckily Chandelure is happy to help!

- And luckily for you Drifblim is there to help you too! You’re their trainer after all, and what’s better than getting your trainer with your mates trainer?

-

🔳Emmet🔳

- Galvantula likes giving his trainer a run for his money, and at the park it’s no different. The electric spider ran off at a moments notice, ignoring his trainer’s calls.

- He had just gotten far enough to entire a slightly denser wooded area, and under a tree in a clearing rested a Scolipede.

- She laid under the tree, gaps of light bouncing off her pretty maroon exoskeleton. A few curious but friendly clicks woke the giant centipede up.

- Galvantula clicks happily and begins a mini dance, quickly earning the larger pokemon’s favor. The oversized spider quickly made his home against her, Scolipede coiling slightly around him as they napped together.

- It took Emmet a while but he finally found his partner Pokémon, but was instantly caught off guard by the poison bug type laying around him.

- “Galvantula, wake up, we have to go home or we will miss our show.”

- Emmet tried speaking as softly as he could, as to not wake up the wrong Pokémon, but that failed.

- Scolipede just stares at the odd man before nudging the spider awake. Who instantly kept dodging his trainer, climbing around his new mate and away from Emmet.

- This continues of the subway boss around around in circles trying to grab his Pokémon, while Scolipede just sat there, only letting out a cooing click when you showed up. Standing up, she walked to you, Galvantula still on her.

- “Hey get back here!”

- “Ah! I’m sorry!”

- Emmet quickly apologizes and explains the situation, which had you laughing.

- “I don’t mean to, but my Scolipede here usually comes here to be alone, you must have a pretty special Pokémon to make her act like this.”

- Emmet and you clicked almost instantly, he’s a very nice person, and his forwardness or bluntness can be really funny.

- He found himself using Galvantula missing Scolipede as an excuse to see you more and more. You two started meeting up at one of your houses, leaving your Pokémon there and going out.

- You found the size difference between his spider and your centipede so cute, but it also worries you with how much heavier Scolipede is.

- But judging by the eggs in Emmet’s house that isn’t a problem.

- Your Pokémon brought you two together, and their egg’s brought you even closer.

- But when Scolipede tripped you into landing on top of Emmet and Galvantula webbed you to together like this, it was obvious.

- Emmet could only blush and pour his heart out to you.

- He almost cried when you admitted the same.

[dazzle-writes]

Hello, saw you were doing match ups so wondered if you'd do one for me, with trigun characters

I'm an 160cm thin girl (20 y/o) with long brown curly hair and blue eyes, kinda look like merida from brave if that helps, enfp

I'm a lot like 98' vash (my biggest ever kin fr), goofing around and having fun, making dirty jokes with my friends, very clumsy and bubbly when in good mood, tho i don't shy away from being tough from time to time

I'm friendly and like meeting new people but keeping connections is my biggest flaw. I mostly keep it going with the ones i click with

I love being around people, but don't mind being alone for some periods of time, reading, watching something, drawing or doing whatever hobby i picked on

I'm an archeology student, have passion for history and literature, love psychology and philosophy, love things like true crime and paranormal stories, definitely would like to travel and see what the world and people have to offer. I'm the "do it for the plot" type of person, getting into random situations for the sake of seeing how it'll end and if i'll have a story in the end

When i was younger i was more like some kind of vash-milly combo, but now I'm more aware of people, i can't stand when someone is judgy from the beggining, when someone is too negative about the world and people, because even tho i myself get disappointed in people often, i still think that we should look for positive things in everyday life. Kind of "if life has no meaning, might as well find meaning in small things"

Sorry if this was too long, thank you if you've read this far ^^ and keep up with the good writing, you're doing amazing!

UWAAAA I'm so glad you like my writing! I've been swamped with work lately, so sorry this is taking a while!!

For trigun 98, I most definitely match you up with Wolfwood! You are just that little ray of sunshine he needs to keep going. Plus, he loves that you and him make sex jokes to each other about everything that you can. You two get kidnapped and held by Knives? Non-stop dick jokes. At first you try to at least mutter them under your breath, but soon enough you're both just spouting them out as fast as you can think of them. Knives is just standing there in shock that you can think of so many in a short amount of time. I also think you two would be like, surprisingly close beforehand. He a big cuddler too (have you fucking seen those titties MMMMM) and I WILL DIE ON THIS HILL BUT WOLFWOOD IS TERRIFIED OF GHOSTS!!! Yall go ghost hunting and he is ATTACHED TO YOU LIKE NO OTHER. Homie is throwing round the holy water like he's a raincloud. You one day dig up and old book and are pretty sure that its haunted? He's hiding being his giant cross and shaking in his tight ass pants.

In trigun stampede however, Vash latches onto you like white on rice. You are exactly what this poor bean needs in his life!!!! You teach him to appreciate the little things, and show him that he's allowed to have wants and needs. He enjoys taking you around old crashed spaceships and letting you go wild with the archeological zoomies. In this universe, you also get kidnaped by Knives so Vash follows to come and save you and once again, you make so many dick jokes. The only difference is that Stampede Knives has never seen a wiener in his LIFE and doesn't get any joke you make. Do with this information what you will. Vash also really likes showing you his Plant siblings when his spilled the alien beans. You'd probably enjoy just quietly hanging with the Plant girlies because they just watch you draw or read or they nap! they are very nice when you need to recharge a social battery but don't want to be completely alone. Vash is also a big cuddler and understands having trouble keeping connections with people!! He's always moving so he gets sad thinking about all the people he wanted to grow closer too.

If we wanted to hit up the manga, then id actually pair you with Legato! I think you'd be just the right person to help him let himself be a better and softer person. Your love of psychology would really interest him, and I think you'd be that enemies-to tolerated-to friends-to lovers thing. He also likes learning about humans and the past, and I think that's he would really appreciate you showing him to good side of humanity through psychology and even true crime by showing how people come together and how people react to catastrophe and stress. He needs to see people doing good things, and you are just the person to show him around the world and prove it to him

ALSO SORRY THIS IS LIKE MONTHS LATE I got another job and started school SOBS!!! But I hope you enjoy!!!!

[the-broken-truth]

Heeeeeey, I just got to think about Loki and Angrboda’s daughter, Hel. Do you have some headcanons about her? Like appearance, personality, hobbies, her relationship with others and her name besides Hel (like Atreus that is also known as Loki).

It would be funny if Angrboda and Loki names her Melinöe. What do you think Hel’s relationship with Björn, Revna and her paternal cousins be like?

Broken Truth (Reads the ask): A Headcanon about Hel/Melinöe? That sounds like a challenge to me, my friend. Now, let the words weave together.

Life in Jotunheim was rather dull for Atreus - or Loki of the Jotunn, as the Asgard knew him - and his wife, Angrboda; Loki would plot to get his siblings back under the claws of his father and himself but that stopped one day when Angrboda came to him with her hand on her stomach and announced to him that she was expecting their child. Loki didn't know what to think - he would be a father and have a family. He decided to place his plans on hold and focus on the baby that his loving wife was carrying.

Time ticked on, and Loki made a room in the house for the new baby and built all the furniture himself, such to Angrboda's joy - she was pleased to see him focusing his energy on something that wasn't his wayward siblings. He became rather protective of Angrboda, as did Fenrir and Jörmungandr, they would make sure to keep Angrboda in their sights and aid her with anything that she needed so she wouldn't have to strain herself and harm the baby in any way.

Then the night came, Angrboda's water broke, and she went into Labor. Loki called upon the All-Mother, Freya, who came to the Realm of the Giants to safely deliver the baby. After much pushing, screaming, swearing, and hand-holding, a caramel-skinned infant was brown with eyes as blue and deep as the ocean with a head of black hair with tannish highlights was born. Freya cleaned her off before wrapping her in the blanket that Loki had prepared for her before handing her to her panting mother and awaiting father. Angrboda held the infant with loving and tender care before kissing her on the forehead, making the infant giggle. She was beautiful and both parents agreed. When the topic of names came up from Freya, Loki stated that he wanted her to have 2 names: A Midgard Name and a Jotunn Name. When Loki picked the Midgard name 'Melinöe', Angrboda picked the Jotunn Name 'Hel'. Neither of them questioned the other, just enjoyed their time as a family.

The sands of time moved on and Melinöe grew into a rather adventurous child - riding on Fenrir's back, climbing the cliffs of the realm, reading, writing, and sometimes Loki caught her singing to the World Serpent as he slept under the waves. When she was 7 years old, her magi awakened and Angrboda taught her how to control it along with Kratos teaching her how to use a bow and arrow; he was hoping he would leave her his axe but she didn't like it too much.

One day, Hel noticed her father walking out of the house and going somewhere and decided to follow him, only to see him coming to a village and facing off again the leader of the village - a woman with firey hair - and a man with scars all over his body but the most noticeable were the 3 claw marks on his face. Hel listened to her father demand the man - Björn - to return to him and her grandfather but the man turned into a giant bear and roared at her father; he was alone and ran away but Hel looked at the bear and woman before watching 3 children running to them. Two males and a female; their children, perhaps? Hel wanted to walk out of the bushes and introduce herself but she was scared. They didn't like her father, how would they feel about her? Hel decided to return home that day and think about how to approach her other side of the family.

It would be on the day Hel was 13 years old that he decided to introduce herself to her cousins - it was rough, considering they didn't like her father but the middle child - Modi - told his siblings to give her a chance. Magni - the Oldest - was skeptical as was the female - Faye - but Modi was kind and open to welcoming Hel as his cousin. The 4 cousins talked about their days, and sparring matches, Hel would tell them about her life with her parents and her wish to get to know the siblings her father is so obsessed with. Magni offered to introduce Hel to his father and mother but Faye was against it; she didn't want Hel to get hurt. Hel offered to introduce herself as Melinöe and the 3 of them returned to Great Bear Village and began speaking to the Village Head - Astrid - when Bjorn arrived with his twin sister - Revna. Revna looked at the child and her eyes narrowed, causing Hel to hide behind Modi. Modi explained who Melinöe was and begged hnis family to give her a chance. She wasn't her father and hse shouldn't be blamed for his mistakes. Bjorn and Revna looked at each other and nodded before looking at the girl. "We shall give you a chance for odi speaks the truth. You aren't your father and shouldn't be blamed for his mistake."

[kquil]

You have so many of these requests so please feel free to ignore this!!

If it's no trouble, could I please get a 🧁?

I'm 5'9 and I have long and curly dark brown hair and brown eyes. I have a fair skin tone, I'm slim and I've got full lips and fairly large eyes. I also have these dimples that I really like! I love dressing up and playing around with makeup.

I love reading, my favorite genres are poetry, Russian lit, and mysteries! I love learning about new things and knowing a little bit of everything. I adore adventures, witty and playful banter, joking around and having indepth discussions on anything and everything! I adore all forms of art and I have quite a few creative hobbies! I listen to a lot of modern/indie rock and I love watching films very much! I'm a pretty good badminton player and I love tennis too.

It takes me a while to feel comfortable around new people but once I do, I become really talkative and outgoing. I love helping out and I'm the therapist friend, people come to me to vent or for advice and comfort. I'm smart and ambitious; I love being the best at everything I do. I'm quite the hopeless romantic and I love being in love! I adore big and small romantic gestures and I love domesticity sm!! My love languages are acts of service and quality time. I'm a ravenclaw, my mbti is infp and my enneagram is 4w3!

Thank you very much!

thank you so much for sending in a request darling and im so so sooo sorry it took so long to fulfil, a lot of things happened! nevertheless, i hope you enjoy the ship i came up with for you (⸝⸝⸝╸w╺⸝⸝⸝)

I ship you with Remus Lupin 

i. in his eyes, you’re too pretty for someone like him, someone whose skin is littered with scars and someone with such a dark secret. he loves your pretty brown eyes and beautiful dark brown hair, often times, he’d be so tempted to just reach out and play with a stray curl between his fingers. you would almost always see his attempts in your peripheral, you would see his hesitance and eventual withdraw. but you would turn to him with a kind smile, reach for his hand and bring his fingers to your hair instead. With a grateful smile, remus loses the tension in his shoulders before succumbing to his urges in playing with your hair. It was little things like this that he really loved about you, every small action from him was one you took notice of and did your best to reassure him — you made him feel like less of a monster

ii. remus often feels guilty for taking more from you than he was giving in return but that wasn’t the case at all. he returns all the comfort you give him through the domestic, romantic love that comes so naturally to him. every spring, he sees a new blossom that reminds him of you, he picks it to take to you, forming a small bouquet. in the summer, when the two of you spend weeks in each other’s company, he would love you so dearly, cooking you breakfast, making you tea/coffee in the mornings, just the way you liked it and the two of you would wake up early to watch the sunrise, and would converse about anything and everything under the sun as the sun sets. In the autumn, he loves holding your hand and letting you borrow his giant sweaters to swamp yourselves under, he thinks your adorable and sometimes can’t help himself when wanting to pick you up and cuddle you close in private. in the winter, the two of you love to share mugs of hot chocolate whilst reading your books and eventually cuddle in bed together, if you two were feeling extra peckish, you would bake some delish goods in the kitchen together with the elves to have with your hot chocolate. his love for you is unrelenting and stays strong through every season. 

iii. as part of the marauders, he takes you on some of the adventures they like to go on but more subdued. the boys are like a test-run so that he could map out a safer and more romantic trip for the two of you to have — this way you can focus on each other more and make memories that will last you a lifetime. when going on these excursions, you’d often feel a lot more mischievous and start acting silly or playing around with him, giving him the occasional playful shove, and he would do the same back. he finds it so easy to laugh and smile with you around; with you around, the world just feels right.  

iv. even though he’s bad at it, he’ll play a friendly game of tennis or badminton with you, whatever you fancy that day. it almost always becomes a little competition where you’re both at equal playfields but you both secretly know remus is gonna lose. It’s just that the idea of a playful match was so appealing and fun, you two can’t help but make impish jabs at each other. “you really think you can take me?” remus challenges as you narrow your eyes at him in jest, “ha! don’t make me laugh! it’s you who can’t take me!”

v. you two spend a lot of time together either in silence or in full discussion about any topic under the sun, it could be about the books you two were reading or a topic brought up during class, it could be about something completely random or silly or about the most mundane things — either way, you two could talk to each other for forever without getting tired. even though you tend to be the therapist friend, remus doesn’t want that type of relationship with you. he knows that he can trust you with his problems because you know how to keep secrets and are almost always so much wiser than him but his problems are his, the only things he wants to fill your relationship with is love and happiness. nevertheless, you two still go to each other for advice every once in a while, exercising your trust in each other and feeling satisfied and content with life after most discussions. after every heart-to-heart and at the end of each day, remus never fails to whisper a sweet and a loving “i love you,” into your ear before he presses a kiss into your temple, your cheek, your nose and finally your lips — it’s practically routine now and he’s never broken it ever since the two of you made it official that first night and he finally had to part ways with you reaching curfew.

1K MILESTONE EVENT : CLOSED | NAVI.

[ageofpiracyrp]

PLOT DROP 32: DIFFUSION

When The Prosperity enters the area around Kor'sel'Koo where communications transmissions are most accessible, Muffy and Hero find themselves met with a wave of messages to sift through and sort.

To Skylar and Ali from Karmel: Happy belated anniversary in Earth years. Enjoy a round of drinks at Yggld Drinks on me. [Enclosed is a gift certificate for a round of ten shots from the Water Bar and Alcohol Bar chain Yggld Bars, which is ubiquitous in every major settlement on Kor'Sel'Koo.]

To Beck from "K": If you've made it safely and find yourself with a spot of free time, I'd love if you visited.

To Ali from Zuytri: Hi, Friend! Here's the contact information for that person we were talking about that I think you might want to meet. Medri in room 806 Jallik in the Ulsgian Moon Retirement Community.

To Laurie from Viola Dessamer of Revvly Capsule Hotels: Thank you for signing up for the Revvly Capsule Hotels communications list. If you are in need of a safe space, we are always here for you. Read between the lines, and always feel free to reach out if you need a place to stay or cruelty-free, sustainably sourced, and practical meals.

To Theo from someone in the music business in Different City [the equivalent of about $200 in gixys are included]: Hello, Theo. Enclosed are some royalties from the sales of your music. It isn't that many gixys, but I'm pleased to let you know that some of your songs have been gaining a few fans. We anticipate being able to send you some more in six months.

To HJ from Junyi: Hey, bae!! It's really starting to be a long time since we've seen each other but I don't think I'll ever miss you any less. Work is going so good that I think I might be getting quasi-semi-kind of famous. I got some AH MAY ZING new tsum tsums and I stacked all of the ones I could find into a giant pyramid. Sometimes I think 'hey, Junyi, maybe you have a problem with collecting' but then I make a giant pyramid and everything is okay. I'm sending you a collection of my favorite memes that I've found over the last week and I hope that you cherish at least one of them because they made me smile and think of how nice it would be to look at memes with you. Did you know that "meme" rhymes with "steam"? I didn't know that until yesterday. Anyway anyway anyway I love you soooo much and you're sooooo pretty and sooooo good at communicating, HJ. I think about how happy I was to get to meet you all the time and how lucky I am to get to continue to talk to you.

To Robin from Jayvon: Robin, hello! Just wanted to let you know that I started a new job as a close combat officer on a brand new pirate crew, The Dreamhouse. I love it, and I'm glad that I have someone to tell the good news. If our crews are ever in the same area (I'm on Marloken right now), we should meet up and exchange stories.

To Marshall from her Dads: Marshall! We heard you would be going to Kor'Sel'Koo, so we are sending some of our favorite pictures of you and the family when you were younger and we lived there. Also, enclosed are up-to-date addresses and contact information for your cousins and other family. If you have the time, I'm sure they would love to meet up. All of us send our love!

To Daphne from Muzzain: Coast is clear still. Looking forward to meeting with you. "If you're out on the road Feelin' lonely and so cold All you have to do is call my name". These are poignant lyrics from the Gilmore Girls theme song. My name is Muzzain. Until we meet.

To Samira from Makhaira: How is your life going? We exchanged contact information a while back, but I never wrote. I don't know how much you want to hear this, but I've picked up a new hobby: pickleball. It's the one thing I'm a little better at than most of my family, but they haven't given up on playing. We installed our own court, which sounds completely rich erkuss girl of me, but I'm glad for it. What's been keeping you busy?

To Ian from Marlene: It was very nice to see you, Ian. I'm glad that you seem happy with your new crew, and I hope we can meet up again sometime. I don't like to mean ill will of others, but if I had to pick a different ship to crew on than my own, it would be Prosperity. Safe travels.

To Beck from Julia: Hey, Wanker. I know your birthday's not for a few weeks, but apparently the Three Stooges from the galx got their act together and won't leave us the hell alone. The twins wanted to make sure you got their birthday video messages. While they're starting to be rebellious little buggers (I know I'm getting old when I shake my head and sigh saying teenagers) they do love and miss you. They made me say something nice because I called you wanker but I think you're all right.

To Marshall from Oplo: You fixed our air conditioning, correct? Can you send tips?

To Daniel from Seetha: Hi, Daniel! I've missed talking with you so much, I've come to realize. I wanted to tell SOMEONE that isn't being a big meanie (Leo, he's being a big meanie) that I have a boyfriend now! :) His name is Frodo and he's so darling. I think you'd get along famously if you met. My captain is getting sentimental and sending messages to your ship, so I thought I'd send them too.

To Ryder from Seetha: I heard how Leo treated you from him and I am APPALLED. I know it was a while ago, but he's been so bratty and callous to you and also sweet Daniel and Ian. It sounds like he's cleared the air before, but it still doesn't sound right to me. Let me know if you need me to get a real apology out of that meanie on your terms. I know he'll actually mean it because he's apparently stopping his weird bedroom behavior and slowly but surely coming to terms with that. My goodness. You don't deserve that weird behavior.

To Skylar from Kenna: [It's just a picture of French fries with a digital smiley face drawn over]

--

By the time the crew touches down on Kor'Sel'Koo on 3/22/24, all of the messages have been sorted and provided and we pick up a new crew member: Mari, a quirky mate who is 4'6" of apparently pure enthusiasm.

The crew doesn't immediately settle down, as there are messages to read and Gilmore Gilrs to figure out.

--

Muzzain, the far'ly'dae one who ordered all of that Gilmore Girls merchandise, is staying temporarily in Wuunzek, a smallish city about an hour (by underground tunnel train) from Twarvu.

Wuunzek includes a variety of amenities, including Yggld Bars, the Inspired By Earth Waterpark (it's got a lazy river, a waterslide, and a wave pool), an enormous vitamin store aimed at Ly'Daesun called Yonrur, and more.

Wuunzek Population: 89% Far’Ly’Dae, 9% Erkuss, 1% Vanneer, 1% Carrek.

The process of getting the Gilmore Girls merchandise to the right place now will be... annoying because most of it actually needs to go to Twarvu. While it would normally take an hour and a half, the crew will probably take a full 24 hours to get their surreptiously.

[nicktremblaywayfu]

The Creation of Ammit

Chapter 1 : Prolog of Chaos

Author Note : Hellooo y'all this is my first chaptered fics that has plot and not just porn AJSJAJJAJA. This is basically happening after the ending with some hint of canon-divergence, and there will be some myth inaccuracy in the story, as it is an adaptation based on MCU Moon Knight. I didn't put much details on the reader except the reader uses she/her, is an afab, also having parent issues. The reader is formerly an avatar of Goddess Maat. i hope y'all enjoy until the end of this chaptered fics xoxo 💖💖

Summary : As you thought you have done with the business with the gods, your former goddess has called upon your presence to help her return her dead servant. Resurrecting the creature once she created however, brought attention not only from mortals but also those holy deities. Avatar and the former one hunting you down like a deer, for each has their own purpose on the chase.

Rating : 18+ (Some chapters will contain smut)

Pairing : Arthur Harrow x AFAB! Reader

Characters : Arthur Harrow, You (reader), Ammit, Maat, Khonshu, Jake Lockley

Warning and tags : Mention of abuse and neglect, the enneads being entitled and somehow neglecting the earth, manipulation, description of violence, not entirely mythology accurate but still do some research, Arthur and the reader's relationship will not be healthy i warn y'all 

Available on Ao3 as well

--------

Another Tuesday afternoon, years of finally focusing on solely mortal’s duty. Duty that needs fuel from food. Opening the kitchen’s cabinet, you were hunting for something to eat for lunch.

An instant cup of noodles. It would suffice. 

Filling it with hot boiling water, you let the noodle soak while scrolling through job vacancy lists. You supposed that no longer being an avatar of a god, it should make your life easier. Doing basic human jobs, like typing on the computer, doing some office work, or sacrificing your hobby for money. No more god business, no more listening to the gods yelling to each other, just doing casual mortal daily life until Anubis picked you up.

…

Oh yeah, that’s right. Anubis was standing still in the chamber, waiting to be released. You laughed at the thought. ‘Wonder if they can still hear anything or not.

And here your afternoon, enjoying a dollar lunch while scrolling endlessly for money. Your savings were not much, probably only enough for the next whole month. That if you had a cheap meal everyday, no fancy coffee nor expensive pastry kind that cost you 3 daily meals. You exhaled, stretching your body and leaning back. 

A photo of news ads caught you, amateur style photo of a giant crocodile lady stabbing an undead bird with his staff. You recognized them, Khonshu and Ammit. Ammit, was your main focus.  Alas, you were not in Cairo at the moment so the time you told Maat about it, it was too late.  Ammit disappeared again, who knew if she was really disintegrating into purple light or she was locked in a stone again. The witnesses, none of them are avatars. Hell you don’t even know where they were. No one saw their body, they’re all missing without traces. Somehow you were grateful, at least you were in your bed in a deep slumber when all that happened. You even knew it from the world news, and the only proof you could show to Maat was the photo taken. And that’s all

Speaking of The Enneads…

It was truly a wonder to think how they work, tending this very realm of theirs. They care for the earth well depending on how they like the inhabitants inside, the mortal humans especially. History recalled they were once very well-known, worshiped, and existed among the lives of their people. Avatars, mortals they chose as their medium, were highly respected, worshiped even alongside their gods. Back then avatars were not just ordinary people, but priests, pharaohs, knights, and royals. But now, there's not much choice left. Beside all they need from mortals help were now to observe important events in the earth, nothing more nothing less.

You were chosen by one of them, in your past when all your rows in your mouth were merely milk teeth. People always thought you were a mad child, that your parents decided to take you to a psychiatrist. 

That was the moment a distant started to grow and grow.

They will never understand. Not because they can't. But they won't. They just don't want to. 

So you tried to understand on your own. Reading thousands paged thick Egyptian mythology books, trying to comprehend who and why this particular goddess has chosen you.

To think about it, wasn't it a bit sly to choose a child to be your observer when they couldn't understand between yes and no fully ? 

You grew with a second mouth inside your brain, speaking and guiding your action in every path of your lifes. And you've seen her. 

You've seen the goddess that chose you. Not once, twice, thrice, but often as you grew older and wiser. To no one you told, understood the assignment of keeping the secret. Besides, no one could see her anyway but you. 

Whenever you go to the museum, you'd always run to the Ancient Egyptian artifacts collection, looking for any papyrus or statues of Maat, in case you found anything you didn't know about her.

Goddess Maat, that was her name. The deity of truth, justice, and law, she kept the harmony both in earth and duat. She was the true owner of the feather of truth on Anubis's scale. The feather symbol that appeared on the center of your upper back, well hidden beneath your clothes. 

She has chosen you, technically grown with her. She witnessed everything in your life. Funny tho, she was the goddess of harmony yet you never actually felt harmony in your life. Even after all your family members meeting their fate of death, you still haven't found peace. Many people said your life was tragic, living on your own with no blood related family to visit. But was it tragic when they were shackles on your wrists and ankles? Yet when all those chains were gone, you felt like a lone wolf wandering for any pack to accept your existence.

Maat was there, however you couldn't say she was a company. She's just there, not a type of a god that would often talk to her mortal. She only talked when she needs to, the rest was you on your own. It lasts for a long time, you couldn’t exactly remember for how long but you do remember the departing with her. You were in the God’s chamber, standing in the center with the council as the medium for Maat.

“Ra has decided that it is time for you to retire from duty in Duat. You will remain to maintain the harmony of our world, keeping the law between the realms, but no longer need to attend to the ritual of weighing mortal souls.” Osiris announced, using the body of his avatar. He was not just a civilian, but a heavily respected man in Egypt with connections to many politicians and businessmen. 

“All my apologies but I must object, with my absence in weighing the mortal’s heart how do we assure that they were weighed fairly? All souls deserved to be scaled by Anubis with surveillance to guarantee they were judged correctly.” Then Maat protested, in a human body that was naught but a freshly graduated young one. Still finding a job, relying on money from any freelancing work she could find on the internet. 

“There was nothing to worry, as you had placed your feather on the plate. You told us yourself that feather was the embodiment of truth, a way to know how worth the soul in judgment.” Osiris gestured at his head, pointing at Maat's headdress.

“Fret not, as your feather will remain there and it will represent your attendance as well. And as you can see with your very own eyes, even without Anubis the scales were proven to be still working fine and smoothly.” It was true, Anubis was the most recent God that was punished, imprisoned in an ushabti. 

All you recollected from the event was him having a hard argument with Osiris himself, debating about his charge in duat. Ended in the underworld god shutting down the god of the dead and declaring him a punishment. And the rest thing you remembered was you in the circle, performing the rituals because Maat happened to attend the meeting.

“Now rest in your chamber, celebrate your retirement from the concern of humanity and enjoy your time in the overvoid as much as you desired.”

You can feel Maat’s disbelievement, but staying in her own chamber until God Nu reclaimed the earth was much better than being a statue.

“This meeting is concluded, and all the gods are allowed to leave.” And just by that, your goddess was left alone. It was that easy. So easy that if historians and archeologists knew, they would leave their jaw dropped on the floor with confusion.

The Enneads didn’t really care if you were born for the role. If Ra, Osiris, and Amun decide you are finished, you will retire. Or else, the ushabti will be your retirement home.

All the enneads left their medium, with the avatars exiting through the gate. You fell on your knees as Maat left your body, sharing the feel of her distress. You look in front of you, Maat appearing in her physical body. A young woman with shining copper brown eyes matching her tanned color skin, any man who saw her at the moment would faint from the beauty. Golden jewelries hanging on her neck and her arms, terra colored silk dress with golden threads. On her head, an ostrich feather headdress nested. 

She walked on you, putting your head on your chin and caressed it softly. 

“Arise, my avatar. I do not wish to see our department in sadness.”

“And how do I communicate with you, should I need something? How will you maintain balance and justice in weighing any hearts in the duat? ”

“I trust the council has given wise thoughts about my retirement. It’s not without a reason. It is indeed true, only very few of your generations in this era reached their final arrival in the duat. There are many afterlifes in our universe, and it seems ours are having slow days in this century.”

That was just to hide her deep sadness within her heart,

Maat then guided you through a gate, reaching her temple in no time. She then picked her statue on the tallest sacrificial table.

“Keep this. Back in the past, Ushabtis didn't only serve the purpose of being God's prison, but also praying statues.”

You hold the statue carefully, taking a look at every detail. Definitely carved from someone who never saw her in person, as the carving was based on the murals and paintings.

“Pray in my name, and I shall arrive to help. But you need to remember that my power is limited, and I'm not supposed to spend my time walking on the earth. I will do only what I'm able to do, the rest will be up to you to decide.”

You just nodded, moving your gaze unto her again.

“I supposed this is our goodbye, my avatar. Know that I chose you, because I knew you would be capable of holding onto true justice, that no one can bear the responsibility. And now, it is time for you to fully focus on your mortal life.”

Maat backed, then strided to a gate that was as big as the temple.

“But if I need your assistance once more…” She stopped, looking at you.

“..it will come for an exchange of reward. You won’t do your duty again for free. So, I hope you will look forward to my return, my avatar.” Smiling, she nodded her head as a goodbye bid, then disappeared in a blinding light behind the gate. The same time you felt her presence leaving your body, somehow making your body feel a bit lighter.

Once again, you were left alone in the dim light beneath the stone building. Murals and carving of relieves were your only company, probably as well wandering undead priests on the lower floor. You looked around, the colorful painting of the Gods in charge of the duat. There you can see Anubis weighing the heart, Thoth with a papyrus note in his hand, Maat watching the weighing with Ammit next to her, as well Osiris supervising the process. 

Ammit, Maat did mention her a few times. She wasn't actually a goddess, but a creature whom she created to punish the the sinner. 

Created with Acacia petals, nile water, black sand, mixed in the heat of dessert and resembling the three most dangerous animals in the continent of Africa. She was the embodiment of fears for the evildoers, nightmare stories for the children so they would do good. 

But Ammit was compassionate and loyal. She would sit there with Maat, waiting for the weighing process to be finished and decided. Deep inside, she kinda wished that every process would end up the heart being heavier so she would feed on it.

In one star constellation, her glutton has driven her mad. With the souls she ate, more power she gained to the point she was equal to the gods, having crocodile headed human form. It wasn’t supposed to be a problem until she proposed the idea of Earth utopia. Her devouring every evildoer as well those soon-to-be, in exchange of Earth live without war and famine. She was inspired by her master, The Goddess of justice, truth, and harmony. She wanted to bring harmony to fulfill her neverending stomach as well giving humanity a good sake. 

She thought it was a good idea, until Ra was furious knowing it. He then told his banished son, Khonshu, to fight her. He knew how dangerous Ammit was, and he did not wish Enneads to be devoured by her instead. So he sacrificed his son for the battle. At least it would be Khonshu that would be devoured if he lost.

To his surprise, the Moon God won. Khonshu distracted Ammit while her avatar betrayed her. Alexander the Great, alongside the Moon Knight, Khonshu’s avatar, sealing Ammit in an ushabti putting her to end.

All that happened and Maat was not allowed to participate, nor watch. But she must understand that her servant grew greedy and this was her consequence. Which was ironic, to think that greed was considered as sin. And to make it more sadder, she was imprisoned by a god once she loved.

Maat was so happy that Ammit found love, and it was the oldest son of Ra. She found so many similarities with Khonshu, thus officiating the relationship with him. But alas, it seemed Hathor forgot to bless their love that they ended up in thundering arguments and blood scars battle. Rather than having a bizarre child between a sphinx creature and a true god, their relationship ended with Ammit being in an Ushabti due to her intense ideology and greed.

But justice was blind. It was fair, and equal. So the deed had to be done for the goodness of this world.

Oh how time flew fast, 2000 years of Maat attending the afterlife ritual with Ammit missing. No one could devour the sinner, so they would be just thrown off from the boat. Frozen, scared in the sand. She wished to see her servant again, even just for a few minutes. Maat, finally reaching her chamber, sat near a lake. A lake where Ammit usually rested, opening her crocodilian mouth or just letting herself afloat like a dead log.

If only she could see her again...

—

“Where should we bring him, amigo ?”

“Depends whether we should let the flesh prison alive, or let him succumb to his own consequences.” 

A man with the head of a dead bird chuckled in satisfaction, grabbing the chin of a man sitting in front of him. Coughing blood, ruptured heart with 4 bullets nested inside.

“Get your hand off from me you maniac bird !” The poor man slapped the gloved hand from his face, which now the fabric covered in his blood.

“Hmph, how stubborn you are, Harrow. Never change, that’s why you’re my favorite.” He then leaned on the seat, entertained as he watched a human trying to survive from 4 gunshot wounds. Knuckles turned white snow as he endured the pain, it was a curse that he survived. 

Another man on the driver seat, wearing a fancy jacket as well as a cabbie hat giving a side-eye to the humanoid undead bird behind him.

“Relax, Jake. No need to be jealous with a breathing toy of mine.”

“Whatever you say, Khonshu.” He exhaled, concentrating on his driving. 

“I knew a doctor that is good at keeping secrets. We brought that Ammit’s lap dog to his house, perhaps he could survive on a home operation.” Driving at high speed, Jake makes a sharp turn to the left.

“He could survive the bangs of my little guy, surely he would survive needles and threads.” He gazed at his pale victim, smirking. Their eyes met, one was the gaze of revenge and the other was a gaze of doom.

“Keeping him alive, I see? I don’t know if I want to play with this empty mortal again or not.”

“Then I'll keep him if that would shut your beak.” Khonshu laughed as Jake groaned from irritations. He do loved teasing his avatar.

Harrow, who was the victim of both, couldn’t speak much with the blood loss and his whole body panicking in catastrophe. Normally a human wouldn’t survive a gunshot, yet here he was. 4 hot metal bullets, right inside his chest. 

But was he truly a victim, when he was the first one that pulled the trigger? 

The man in the driver seat, months ago laying breathless in a tomb site. Harrow didn’t pull the trigger once, but twice. There are two souls living in a body, one bullet for each. He always suspected that there was a third.

And he was correct. The guardian angel. The one that did the revenge.

Harrow was a culprit, now a victim. In contrast with Jake, who was a victim now a culprit. Oh how easy the world turned the table on Harrow, forcing him to reap what he sowed. No goddess to help him, it’s up to the fate in this universe how his life would be in the hands of an Assassin and A Moon God. If the man he shot was given a second chance to live again and do his revenge, would fate give him a second chance as well to redeem himself ?

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[ofallthingsnasty]

I’ve been thinking about getting into crochet! I’m trying to do more hands on hobbies as a way to get me from falling into a depression funk. I had a knitting “faze” when I was ten years old and I’m considering going back into it. However I suffer from the good old “if I’m immediately bad at something new then I don’t want to try it at all! 😤”

You totally should! I learned how to do basic crochet from my grandma when I was 11, then never picked it up again until recently(ish). Honestly, it got my through my fucky exam period last year. It's just so much fun and when I can listen to a podcast/watch YT/a show while doing it I immediately get into a very intense flow state. I'd recommend amigurumi when you're only starting out, actually! You don't need to learn much, just the magic ring (you can find easy ways to do that on YT, everyone likes to do theirs differently so no rec from me haha). Afterwards, it's just single crochets, increases and decreases and counting. Later on, simple sewing. Start out with a simple cotton yarn, acrylic can get rather stiff, don't start with bulky yarns like velvets etc - these really are for more experienced crocheters (but they're not that hard to work with. Just not for beginners.)... For stitch counting, you can use either a yarn scrap or safety pin. I'm in Europe and just got super cheap hooks from Action and well priced cotton yarn from Søstrene Grene (2,39 Euro for I think 50g of yarn? That's enough for two amigurumi main body colors, tbh). There are also entire kits catered to beginners, I can recommend those as well (if they have a hook included!) I personally found the learning curve on amigurumi extremely steep. I just needed two days to get started on my first one (first I just practiced a simple round body) and on my third amigurumi, they started looking right. Took me like... a week? It was fast and BAM just a few weeks later I was writing my own patterns and wrote patterns from simply watching other people crochet in a foreign language. Crochet is super fun and once you get started on the bulky yarns, you can create giant plushies from scratch!! Absolutely amazing. I'd say it's actually a good hobby for the 'I need it to be good asap' faction because you can make giant steps in a single day. Good luck!! If you want me to show you some patterns I did, tell me!!

[hellobunny044]

Panels. | Series

panel. in manga art, panels refers to the frame that wraps around one moment in time.

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an original Haikyu AU pairing Udai Tenma (the og little giant)

warning!!: containing some manga content.

word count: 6635

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Panel - 2

Sasaki Tsubasa….

.

.

.

Nine years ago, Miyagi Prefecture

Udai was never good at interacting due to his shy and introverted personality. A few other weaknesses that he had also come to accept.

Udai Tenma was a name that would be called in the classroom and some students would turn their heads to look for who the heck is Udai Tenma with quiet whispers under their breath. When the one sitting in the corner of the classroom raised his head from the desk with his hand raised in answer to the call, they would remember him as the quiet volleyball player or the number 10 of the volleyball club.

In class, when there was no practice, he would spend his time sleeping or drawing. Drawing volleyball doodles on the edges of his textbooks was a hidden hobby when the class became boring, or somehow he also usually ended up escaping to the gymnasium to sleep there.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that other than the people in his class whom he also didn’t know very well, and also the people from the volleyball team, Udai didn’t have any friends to talk to.

One day, on a peaceful day when he was asleep at his desk, someone woke him up and said that there was a beautiful girl waiting for him in front of the class. Then the whispers had become about that the quiet volleyball player had a girlfriend that was one of the members of the girls’ volleyball club.

That wasn’t his girlfriend, but Udai had neither the desire nor the time to explain anything to anyone.

He carried himself through the crowd with ease without regard to the whispers that his ears clearly picked up.

The days at the school passed by just like any other day that started with morning practice, classes, then ended with afternoon practice and individual practice.

Today ended, and tomorrow would come to an end and be replaced by a new day the next day.

Udai’s day consistently continued with a jog early in the morning, school, morning practice, class, and then ended with the club’s afternoon practice session.

Today, as always, Udai’s day would spin out like any other day. Just like that, everything went according to plan except for one thing.

The supposedly quiet time when he returned from the club’s morning practice and walked out of his locker after retrieving his shoes and uniform, became quite noisy with the hurried footsteps of someone, literally running.

Not only that, there were also a few words that accompanied each of those rapid strides, as if counting how much regret in every second missed because of the person’s own carelessness.

Udai wouldn’t care.

He walked out of the lockers’ corridor while casually opening his bag and taking something out when his world was suddenly about how his bag, phone, uniform, and shoes fell down along with some things he didn’t recognize—and someone he didn’t recognize—who was strong enough not to fall down after bumping into him.

His eyes caught how the person who bumped into him apologized in almost an exclaiming manner as she bent herself before him. Uncomfortable, Udai bowed back before he ducked down to grab his belongings scattered on the floor.

The apology flowed smoothly from the person’s mouth like running water, making it lose its meaning. Udai felt it was convenient, a waste of time.

In his head he said I already understand that, so please stop saying that. However, his mouth didn’t move to say anything.

Near his uniform, there was a small pink notebook that was clearly not his. Udai grabbed it and gave it to the person who was also still busy organizing her belongings. It was the last one.

“Oh? There it is.”

The person looked up after confirming that the pink book he handed was hers. Her brown eyes relieved. There was a shadow of a smile in her gaze.

There wasn’t anything about that person, not yet.

“Tha—”

As if remembering the most crucial thing in her life, that person decided to cut herself off from the politeness Udai expected rather than all her meaningless, expired apologies.

“Crap!”

She forcibly pulled the pink book from Udai’s hand and immediately excused herself. For a moment, Udai believed that that person—that girl—would bump into someone else in another corridor.

He spared some time looking over his shoulder.

Udai didn’t care anymore after that. Not until something brought the two of them back together again after that.

.

.

.

Here, in the present day, Sasaki Tsubasa whom Udai first met on that day, nine years ago, was standing before him.

This looked like the last panel of a manga volume, where two people from an unfinished story were reunited at the most unexpected time. For a moment, just a fleeting thought, Udai wanted this to really be the last panel of a manga and stop everything. But alas, her words connected everything, making this a panel that started a new volume.

“You’re... Udai-san, right? Udai Tenma-san. Right?”

Udai swallowed, swallowing all the feelings that came together in this unexpected encounter, trying to stem them with a little courage to open his voice.

“Sasaki?”

Sasaki Tsubasa, the one who is staring at him with a glimmer of newly flushed pleasure in her eyes. Her smile amused. Her eyes warm. Steadily, not awkward like him, she helped herself to face him properly.

“Oh. It’s really you, Udai-san.”

The time her smile bloomed, his world that once was a black and white panel, turned colorful. Just like when cherry blossoms bloomed during the first day of spring, she was there to color everything again.

“Thankfully, I didn’t get the wrong person.”

“Hmmm.”

Of all the people from the past who could appear before him at this very moment, Sasaki Tsubasa was the first person he didn’t want to meet.

No, it’s not like that. It’s not about any facts that Sasaki Tsubasa is the bad person in his terms. She was the presence that was the very last touch of the warmth of spring in his youth, a presence that he still couldn’t forget, and because of that, she was the first person he didn’t want to meet.

Even though he felt that way, Udai didn’t refuse Sasaki Tsubasa’s invitation when she suggested that they should have a talk. He couldn’t.

Udai felt like time was frozen and everything was happening in slow motion.

Before him, nine years after their first encounter, Sasaki Tsubasa was sitting, sipping the hot coffee she had ordered. That was the first.

The second was, that when they ended up like this, the conversation started. The chance to interact with each other after nine years came. But this time, Udai hesitated about whether or not he should grasp the chance. But as it turned out, settling for indecision wasn’t very helpful either:

“It’s been a while... right?”

Her voice gently swept across her ears. Ringing like the waves on the shore. Her gaze warm like the atmosphere of spring. The smile she curved at him was thin yet warm, like a friendly welcome after all.

“Hmm.”

“I guess… it has been seven or eight years ago, right?”

Their gazes met.

“The last time.”

“Hmmm.”

Udai struggled to find something to reply to her. It felt like he had nothing appropriate to say after not being able to see her since the last time.

“Are you doing well?”

“Hmmm.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“Hmmm.”

Before her, Sasaki Tsubasa smiled.

“Udai-san, are you mute?”

“Hm?”

Tsubasa’s words were preceded by a light chuckle, “You’ve been only saying some hms.”

It was only then that it dawned on him that he hadn’t even said a word and made her look like she was the only one working hard to keep the conversation alive.

“Don’t worry. I was just kidding.”

Her eyes didn’t leave him until the last second before she sipped her coffee.

Udai followed everything. Under her breath, she praised the deliciousness of her chosen coffee while staring at her cup then back up for another sip.

“It’s been... a while, Sasaki.”

Udai finally had the courage to say something after she put her cup back. He felt that if in this encounter, this awkwardness enveloped the atmosphere excessively, then the biggest share would be on him, and later he would not be able to forgive himself if he had to make Sasaki Tsubasa driven away by that awkwardness.

Sasaki Tsubasa’s gaze shifted on him. This time she smiled a little wider.

“Yeah. Time has flown by really fast in the eight years since we last met.”

Udai wanted to ignore that. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“As you said, you’re doing well. I know well enough. You were quite successful with the Zombie Knight Zomb'ish.”

“Well, there you have it. I worked hard.”

“Yeah, right?”

Sasaki Tsubasa smiled and something in Udai’s chest tightened.

Udai’s first attempt to break the ice between them failed. The awkwardness returned. However, unlike him, dead set on this encounter, Sasaki Tsubasa was good at leading them to a way out.

“Got some business around here, Udai-san?”

Udai nodded almost immediately.

“Yes. Um....”

His head worked three times slower, trailing over several things that could befitting as a proper answer.

Fansign. The launch of the 22nd volume special edition of Zombie Knight Zomb'ish. A lunch with his editor and the rest of the team.

“Just like that.”

Udai didn’t have anything good to say about anything, hanging on with a makeshift answer that was not even worthy of a reasonable response. Uncharacteristic. Embarrassing.

He watched Sasaki Tsubasa cautiously, afraid that she might caught him red-handed for being this helpless.

This time, his brain worked faster in findinh something to say, though, he quickly regretted it later.

“What about you?”

“Ah… Just a walk. Spending some time with lunch and a little shopping.”

Udai’s gaze shifted to the paper bag resting on the other side of the sofa where Sasaki Tsubasa sat.

He nodded. When he accidentally returned directly to her eyes, Udai immediately switched to staring at something safer while clearing his throat.

“Well... Are you... alone?”

Huh?

Impoliteness in the first encounter after quite a while was definitely not something he should display.

Udai returned to Sasaki Tsubasa’s eyes that were studying him from earlier when he looked away. He was very bad at this and deeply regretted that what came was worse than what he had expected.

“It’s not— what I meant was— I didn’t mean to—”

“Yes. I was alone.”

Udai stopped. Her voice was able to bring calm into his world that had been momentarily quite chaotic since his second attempt failed. His eyes went down to the pair of eyes staring at him kindly on the other side of the table.

“It’s not that you’ve seen me with anyone since I bumped into you.”

“Oh, right.”

He felt pain when what greeted him was her smile that felt so warm, reawakening his greed to grasp it.

“And you?”

Udai nodded. Clearing his throat before answering. “As you can see.”

Sasaki Tsubasa hummed in response while slowly nodding. Her gaze shifted to something else, stopping on the juice that sat untouched before Udai and smiling.

“A juice, huh?”

Sasaki Tsubasa met his eyes, “Why? Isn’t this a cafe?”

Udai stared at his juice before he returned for a response. “I don’t drink coffee.”

“Oh? Really?”

Udai nodded.

“But why?”

The concerned tone of her question made Udai almost laugh, tickled by the fact that perhaps she felt that a grown man, twenty-six years above what he was worth, seemed to be afraid of the bitter taste that coffee offered.

“I do suppress my coffee dose as much as possible other than when working.”

Sasaki Tsubasa nodded at his explanation.

“Oh. My bad.”

Udai shook his head. “No problem.”

Sasaki Tsubasa nodded. “Is making manga difficult?”

To his question, Udai had many answers.

First: yes. It’s hard. Especially when you have problems making up for your own deadlines.

Second: yes. Very difficult. Especially when you’re a manga artist who has to deal with Akaashi always-demanding-the-best-things-you-can-do-as-a-manga-artist-on-every-volume Keiji-san.

Third: yes. Very very difficult. Especially on those nights where he has consumed enough doses of coffee to stay awake but his brain still won’t cooperate to come up with the one best plot that will preserve his dignity in front of his strict editor and the publication house.

Fourth: yes. Unbelievably difficult. Especially at those times where his brain was being showered with brilliant ideas, but he was running out of chips and his frozen brain was forcing him to stay put and do nothing until Akaashi sent a message to remind him of his deadline. And there was actually a lot more he wanted to say to that question. It was just that he didn’t dare to say anything out of line.

“Just like that.”

Sasaki Tsubasa looked at Udai with a warm smile. “You really hung in there for quite a while.”

Udai did not realize that he was rolling a faint smile at her statement. “Yes. I sure am.”

The conversation in this encounter then lost its direction. The atmosphere was again filled with silence. Udai felt that he really sucked at conversations, realizing that his weakness had grown bigger than he could control.

Udai didn’t miss that after the silence returned to embrace them, Sasaki Tsubasa decided to accept it as a pause to take a sip of her coffee.

Only then did their awkward conversation resume.

“Do you live around here, Udai-san?”

Udai immediately replied, “Hmm.”

He regretted to death that he ended up going back to that annoying answer instead of choosing something more proper like yes or yes, it’s close enough from here.

After that, there was silence that joined them. Udai quickly looked down and drank his juice. Suddenly, the taste of the orange juice was no longer so sweet as in the first sip, mixed with guilt.

“Just now I saw something so crowded on the ground floor, near the bookstore—”

Sasaki Tsubasa was talking; something Udai was looking forward to out of all the things he might be comfortable enough to talk about with her. However, the ringing of her phone cut her off.

Her eyes swept over him for a moment before she answered the call, excusing herself politely.

“A moment.”

While waiting for Sasaki Tsubasa taking call—from anyone who made her smile after seeing the name on the screen—Udai decided to take another sip of his juice.

“Hai, moshi moshi?”

Udai briefly glanced at Sasaki Tsubasa and caught that she was smiling at something the person on the other end of the line said. “Oh? Already?”

Then she turned, searched, and greeted someone on the entrance while holding a cell phone to his ear. It was a man. A tall man with blonde hair, and looking ten times more neat and cool than what was sitting before her.

Just as he expected, Sasaki Tsubasa raised her hand to the man. A smile spread across her face as she welcomed him. Friendly. Friendlier and warmer than what he had gotten some time before.

“You’re really fast.”

“Hm. I just didn’t want to be nagged.”

Sasaki Tsubasa chuckled warmly at the man’s response. For a moment, Udai felt excluded from her world. In a world where he could only be a spectator to the warm and familiar interactions between Sasaki Tsubasa and the man who made her more comfortable.

“Did you fly?”

Udai did not miss that she chuckled, or almost laughing amusedly, before her hand kindly patted the back of the man who was still comfortably standing next to the chair where she was sitting.

“For you, I can fly or teleport.”

“What the heck is wrong with you these days?”

Her brow furrowed. The soft laughter that came afterwards was amused, returned with a friendly smile by the man. His eyes traveled to something that was with Sasaki Tsubasa beside her.

“Is that all?”

“Hmm.”

The man’s hand reached for the paper bag and peered inside. A sigh slipped past his lips, his eyes shifted to Sasaki Tsubasa who was staring at him innocently.

“Why?”

“Did you really come all the way here on the weekend for all this stuff?”

“Hmm.”

“I really just can’t with you.”

Sasaki Tsubasa’s brow furrowed at that statement, but she let him take the paper bag.

“Why?”

“Please grow up, Sasaki.”

With half a heart, Sasaki Tsubasa threw a soft fist at the man’s arm. Her expression was half-fierce as she said, “You just won’t budge and listen to me. I told you to read this. This is really good, you know.”

“There, there. We have to—”

The man stopped himself, realizing that besides them, there was another (almost) forgotten presence.

His gaze was now fixed on another man—clearly unfamiliar—who was occupying the seat on the other side of the table, busy looking down while diligently sipping on his orange juice as if it was a task he had to complete like a game quest to level up. Udai.

Sasaki Tsubasa also realized that she had momentarily forgotten and excluded Udai since the man came.

When her gaze met the man’s, in a low whisper, the man asked about Udai.

“Ah—”

Sasaki Tsubasa smiled, forgetting that the first thing she should have done was to bridge the estrangement between the two people she was with by introducing them to each other.

After that, the first one she called out to was Udai.

“Udai-san?”

Udai, who was diligently sipping his juice, raised his head, finished it in one last straw and then straightened up. His gaze traced the two faces across the table in turn and returned to Sasaki Tsubasa, comfortable looking at her rather than someone he was unfamiliar with beside her.

Sasaki Tsubasa’s hand gestured politely to the man standing next to her chair, still having no intention of sitting down in the vacant spot next to her after the familiarity that had become common knowledge. “This is Hatakeyama Jiro.”

Sasaki Tsubasa’s gaze shifted to the blonde man named Hatakeyama Jiroz

“Hatakeyama, this is Udai-san.”

Hatakeyama Jiro waited for Sasaki Tsubasa’s next words, and so did Udai.

In his head, Udai anticipated how she would introduce him to this man. Would this introduction be titled like he was someone from my past, or something else that might be more specific...

“He was my senpai back in high school.”

“Oh? I see.”

“Hmm.”

“One moment. High school... I forgot the name of the high school you went to…”

“It’s Karasuno.”

“Ah! That’s right. Karasuno High School of Miyagi Prefecture, right?”

Hatakeyama Jiro immediately nodded. His gaze turned to Udai. A smile on his face, he approached and extended his hand to Udai who stared at his hand for a long time.

“I’m Hatakeyama Jiro, Itachiyama graduate.”

Udai was almost shocked at the fact that he almost froze when the man Hatakeyama Jiro extended his hand. Realizing that he looked stupid, pathetic, and impolite, Udai quickly accepted the extended hand. He shook the man’s hand and rolled up a smile, immediately hiding the oddness that churning inside his chest.

“Nice to meet you.” Hatakeyama Jiro’s voice was friendly to him, coupled with a genuine smile.

“It’s very nice to meet you, too.”

After their handshake ended, Hatakeyama Jiro asked Udai another question.

“What year did you graduate from Karasuno, Udai-san?”

Udai had opened his mouth, about to answer the question. However, Sasaki Tsubasa had preceded him to answer.

“2010.”

“Oh?” Hatakeyama Jiro’s gaze returned to Sasaki Tsubasa. “Exactly a year above you.”

Sasaki Tsubasa chuckled, “Of course. I told you he was a Senpai.”

“Really? Then I’ve missed it. Sorry.”

Sasaki Tsubasa sighed, “You grow up, Hatakeyama.”

Having said that, Sasaki Tsubasa chose to exclude herself from what Udai and Hatakeyama Jiro were talking about right after.

“Are you alone, Udai-san?" The question came from Hatakeyama Jiro to Udai.

“Yes.”

“Oh.” The blonde pointed at Sasaki Tsubasa, “I came to pick her up.”

“Oh.” Udai swept his gaze to Sasaki Tsubasa who was busy organizing her belongings, preparing to leave with the man who came to pick her up.

“You seem to know Sasaki quite well,”

Udai did not expect that question to come to him.

“Back in school, were you guys pretty close?”

“Huh?”

“Ah right, what I mean is, for an upperclassman and an underclassman to comfortably have a coffee with each other like this, were you close enough? Are you two used to be in the same club?”

“Huh? Not really.”

“Then... Does Sasaki used to be some kind of evil underclassman who always picked on his upperclassman?”

“Not at all.”

“Oh? Then, you guys are pretty close as an upperclassman and an underclassman.”

“I’m done.”

Hatakeyama Jiro returned to Sasaki Tsubasa. “Oh? Okay.” His hand reached for the paper bag before Sasaki Tsubasa was able to.

Sasaki Tsubasa smiled and said, “As always, thank you, Hatakeyama-san.”

“If you’re really that grateful of me, please grow up.”

Sasaki Tsubasa chuckled. Her hand drifted to pat Hatakeyama Jiro’s shoulder gently, more warm than friendly. After that, only then did her gaze turn to Udai.

“Udai-san?”

Udai replied, “Hm?”

Sasaki Tsubasa smiled, “Thank you for accepting my offer to have coffee.”

“It’s no problem.” Udai hoped that he didn’t actually say that and sound like the jerk that he is.

“Then, I’ll get going.”

“Hmm.”

“Once again, thank you very much, Udai-san.”

“Anytime.”

Sasaki Tsubasa smiled at him, warmly. The warmth in her smile made his chest feel as if it was crushed with a large amount of hot soil that someone had stuffed into his chest. The warmth of her smile seemed to welcome his hand that selfishly reached out for her. Her eyes also warm, whispering that their unfinished past could be reopened.

“Take a good care of yourself and your health, Udai-san. I hope we can meet again next time.”

Udai had never felt failure or despair when he met his deadline when there was nothing in his head that he could pour out to form the panels that would fill the blank sheets of a new volume he had to hand in in no time. Right now, however, that despair came to hold him tightly, leaving him bereft of any better response than a meaningless hum. Remaining the heartless man that he is.

The world protected Sasaki Tsubasa from Udai by not letting their story end. Time opened a branch where Sasaki Tsubasa would flow into a new story that was better than all the disappointments Udai had scratched into her heart, for her escape from the unpleasant ending of their past. Fate had arranged that they would not be finished, so Sasaki Tsubasa would be anchored to someone else. Someone a thousand times better than Udai.

To suggest that they would meet again one day after this, was a lie she should never have told.

Udai, however, felt guilty that ever since that day, he had been leaning on the hope of another encounter other than something as unplanned.

—

.

.

.

“Are?”

Sasaki Tsubasa, just realized that her phone was missing this morning after she was busy checking the entire space in her bag to the point of spilling everything on the table.

“Where did I put it…”

Sasaki searched in all possible places. Her bag drawer, her desk drawer, between the sheets of her books, in her pencil case, her shirt and jacket pockets, only to come to the conclusion that her phone was indeed missing.

She broke into the desk, startling the few girls sitting at the tables around.

“What’s wrong, Sasaki?” A girl with glasses asked.

Sasaki turned with a panicked look, “What am I supposed to do now?”

The girl frowned, “What is it?”

“I couldn’t find my phone.”

“Hm?”

Sasaki shook her head, “It’s nowhere here. Not anywhere in my bag or in the drawers.”

“Where did you put it last time?”

“I held it and put it in my bag—”

Sasaki paused.

The accident happened this morning in the corridor when she bumped into someone replaying in her head. She replayed what happened in a slower simulation in her head and began to notice what she had missed. After remembering that she had never put her cell phone in her bag after that, Sasaki immediately ran out of her classroom, ignoring a voice that followed her steps to the front of the classroom, reacting with confusion and worry to what had happened.

Sasaki led herself down the stairs, returning back to the corridor where she had collided with someone she never met before.

When she got there, there was a large crowd of students who were mostly people she didn’t recognize at all, big in stature, body, and overall. In short, the senpai.

Sasaki didn’t retreat immediately, she made her way through the bustling crowd with the various things they were talking about without a care in the world, focusing only on something she might find scattering in a corner of the floor nearby.

“Who is that Udai Tenma?”

“That one. He’s from class 2-3. That little volleyball player. The so-called ace of our school’s volleyball club.”

“Ah! So he’s Udai Tenma?”

“Who else?”

“I never knew that his name was Udai Tenma.”

Sasaki had gone down almost every possible avenue where her cell phone would be stranded, and had even resigned herself to the fact that with the crowded corridor as those senpai passed by it might be trampled, only to return to class empty-handed.

Limply, she returned to her seat while dropping her head on her bag in resignation. Mumbling and declaring her negligence and carelessness today.

“What’s wrong, Sasaki?”

A girl approached, immediately sitting on the empty bench in front of her chair.

Sasaki turned and said resignedly, “I really lost my cell phone.”

“Heee? Really? How come?”

“I dropped it this morning. Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

“Then maybe someone stepped on it and threw it in the trash can! Ah! What am I gonna do about this, Matsuda?”

Sasaki straightened her body and whined to the girl sitting before her.

“Oh... Sasaki, stop whining! You’re overreacting!”

The girl, Matsuda, took something out of her pocket. A phone, pink colored, was given to Sasaki. “Use this and call your phone.”

Sasaki was brightened up, her eyes literally sparkling with hope. Then her negative thoughts again embraced her tightly when she said, “But, how will someone pick it up if it’s really in the trash can?”

Matsuda sighed, “Sasaki, you haven’t even tried to do anything with it. Just try calling your cell phone first. It could be that someone is taking good care of it.”

Sasaki looked at Matsuda doubtfully, “You think so?”

“I’m just saying, if you don’t try then you won’t know.”

“Then, if it really is in the trash can?”

“You just need to dissect all the trash cans in the whole school.”

“Matsuda!”

********************************************************

Meanwhile, the club room of the boys’ volleyball club of Karasuno High School was already crowded with underclassmen coming first to get ready and prepare the gym before the upperclassmen arrived.

The awaited upperclassmen arrived one by one, starting from several second year players, then the captain and the senior players in the third year who were casually but politely greeted by the underclassmen who rushed out to prepare the gym before the afternoon practice began.

“Udai-kun!”

Before Udai reached the boys volleyball team’s club room on the second floor, someone stopped him, half-running up to him. Udai paused and waited for him, greeting when he caught up with him.

The blonde haired man who was much taller than Udai was Tsukishima Akiteru, one of the third year team members.

They walked hand in hand to the locker room, greeting and returning the greetings that came to them as they entered.

Udai went to his locker and took off his uniform and changed into more appropriate training clothes. Instead of a short white t-shirt, Udai chose to wear a black long-sleeved shirt that gave shape to his small body that had healthy muscles.

“Oh! Udai looks so cool in a different shirt from the whole team!” One of the third year teased Udai.

“His arm muscles aren’t bad. It’s kind of cool there, Udai!”

“I think he’s taking extra training outside of the team’s exercising schedule. Right, Udai?”

“Right.”

Udai replied without second thought, not really interested in joining in the chatter of his seniors.

“Oi, cheer up a bit! You’re the ace, right?”

“Well, then. I’ll keep my good spirits up on the court during practice.”

“Oooh!”

“As expected from the ace himself!”

“Way to go, Udai-san!”

The upperclassmen began to riot and Udai sighed.

“Hurry up and move all of your asses, the team’s practice is about to begin.”

The captain’s voice rang out, commanding the members to prepare immediately.

“Udai, Tsukishima, be sure to catch up soon!”

Udai turned his head and nodded, “Alright.”

After the captain left the club room, the remaining third years and a few second years followed immediately with chatter such as:

“Kawada-san is always in good spirits as usual.”

“Acts of a true captain.”

“Always like that.”

The club room door closed leaving Udai and Tsukishima Akiteru who were also still preparing some things.

Udai folded his uniform and quickly stuffed it into a bag, exchanging it for a pair of knee pads.

There Udai was, staring at his bag when he noticed two similar cell phones in the place where he had pulled out his knee pads.

His brow furrowed, scrutinizing them closely. One of them was no doubt his cell phone.

Putting down his uniform and knee pads, he grabbed the two similarly looking phones and stared at them in turn. Simultaneously, he opened them both. Everything was exactly the same. The color, the type, and size, even the default wallpaper used was also coincidentally the same. The only difference was the amount of battery on both devices.

Udai checked the phone he remembered should be his by looking at the call log. Once he was sure it was his cell phone, he moved on to the other one. With a rather curious and puzzled look, Udai examined the cell phone more diligently.

“Udai-kun?”

Tsukishima Akiteru had just called out.

Udai turned to the blonde haired boy who was watching him.

“What are you doing? You’re going to be late for afternoon practice.”

“Ah, right.”

Deciding that afternoon practice was first of all important for now, Udai quickly tidied up the remaining of his belongings, including the unfamiliar phone that had somehow ended up in his bag. For a moment, Udai wondered if it was an unfunny prank from his classmates or something perhaps even stranger or unfunnier.

Closing his locker, Udai was ready to leave the club room when from his locker came a very audible ring that almost made him fall over in surprise.

He turned and carefully checked his locker again. The sound was coming from his bag, but it was clear that his cell phone would not ring.

When he opened his bag, it was true that the one ringing was the other phone. Matsuda Aihara’s name was on the screen, a very unfamiliar name.

Udai answered the call after almost thinking of all the possibilities that might happen.

The first thing he heard was a cry of relief that almost deafened his ears after he greeted the person on the other end. The girl, who was the owner of the phone, stated that she had lost it somewhere and promised to meet Udai at the school gate after the last class ended.

Udai soon followed to the gymnasium to join the afternoon training session, soon joining the others who were stretching with their captain as the leader.

During the break, Udai turned to look at the broken clock on the wall. He turned to someone beside him.

“Kikuta,”

“What?”

“What time is it?”

“Five.”

Udai shifted his gaze toward the gymnasium entrance where two people from the first year had just run out.

“What’s wrong, Udai?”

“Nothing.”

The previous call with the phone’s owner ended with Udai deciding that he would catch up as much as he could as he had afternoon club’s activity, and then the owner of the phone agreed to wait for him after he’s done with everything.

Although he wanted to train more than anything, he would still feel guilty if he made someone wait too long for him. Moreover, he was currently talking about a girl who would wait until he finished at seven or eight in the evening.

Udai put his bottle on the bench and went to the captain and coach to ask permission to use the restroom for a while.

“Why? Is your stomach hurt?” The captain asked in an amused tone.

“Yes. Just like that.”

“What did you eat last night?”

“I ate too much curry.” Udai replied simply, lying.

“Oh, it’s going to be so stinky! Hurry up and leave.”

“Thank you.”

Immediately excluding himself from the training ground, Udai half-ran towards the locker room, took out a phone from his bag and brought it with him to the gate.

There were no longer as many people there as he had expected, except for a girl who would be the owner of the phone he had brought with him.

“Phone?”

The brown haired girl who waited patiently at the gate, immediately turned to greet Udai’s voice. She was confronted by Udai who showed her a red cell phone, with a frown that gradually wrinkled at the memory that was brought back to him after they met.

Sasaki Tsubasa, the brunette girl, had the same reaction to the memories that came back to her.

They had met.

This morning. In the corridor.

That collision.

It was then that Udai started to think of all the possibilities to solve how the cell phone in his hand could ever end up in his bag from the morning until a few hours before through the collision that occurred between them in front of the corridor hallway.

“Ah! It turns out that my phone is with you! Thank you and sorry for the trouble!”

Sasaki caught up with Udai at a half run, welcoming her cell phone with a beaming face.

“Thank you so much for keeping this phone so well.”

“No. I didn’t intend to keep it.”

“Eh?”

Udai’s gaze shifted to the red phone as he said, “It was suddenly in my bag before I knew it.”

Sasaki stared confusedly, not understanding what he was talking about.

“It’s weird. I’m also trying to digest all the possibilities of how your cell phone could have ended up in my bag before I knew it. That doesn’t really matter either.”

“A-ah… Yes. Right.”

Sasaki blinked innocently after seeing how Udai immediately excluded himself after that. Awkwardly, Sasaki bowed her head and once again thanked Udai who half ran out of the gate.

When Udai returned to the gymnasium, a few second years immediately greeted him with teases such as, “Heya! How’s the ace and his stomach doing?”

“Are they both doing well?”

“That’s a warning not to love curry too much, Udai-kun!”

“Did you take it all the way out?”

“Hm.”

“You obviously don’t want to fart while we’re practicing!” One of his teammates giggled after making his point.

Udai was not bothered as he said, “I won’t.”

“Next, Spike practice!”

Kawada’s voice, their captain, echoed out to command the proceedings of their afternoon practice.

********************************************************

It was over nine o’clock when Udai checked his phone as he towel dried his hair. His brow furrowed when he saw some unfamiliar names on his cell phone that he had just taken out of his bag after a while.

Stupid Face Kanoka. (2)

Mom. (5)

Stupid Face Kanoka. (15)

———————————————————————————

Matsuda: How is it Sasaki? Did you finally get your phone back?

———————————————————————————

Mori: Did you get a group for Japanese literature? Aizawa asked me if you wanted to join our group

———————————————————————————

Udai blinked. Realizing that it was his stupidity that now, his cell phone was switched with whoever the girl who was friends with these girl Matsuda and Mori was.

He sighed. Cursing himself for his ingrained stupidity. About to type in his own number on the dial buttons, Udai stopped when a familiar number called the unfamiliar phone with him.

Knowing that it must be the owner of this very phone who used his phone number calling him, Udai immediately picked up the call.

“Moshi moshi, this is Udai Tenma. Sorry, I may have returned the wrong phone.”

———————————————————————————

“Ah, yes. I called several times beforehand to confirm that I might have received the wrong phone."

———————————————————————————

“Yes. Coincidentally our phones are the same, so I might be confused for a moment on how to tell the difference. I’ll return your phone tomorrow morning at the gate.”

———————————————————————————

“Oh. That’s all right. Thank you very much.”

———————————————————————————

“…. Also, I apologize if I’m being rude, first of all.”

———————————————————————————

“Eh?”

———————————————————————————

“It seems that you should contact someone called Mori and Matsuda. They sent a message that seems important. Also, someone by the name of Stupid Face Kanoka called fifteen times last time.” Udai wrapped it up with, “In that case, I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the gate.”

And so it was that tomorrow morning Udai ended up meeting Sasaki, the owner of the phone at the gate.

“Good morning, Udai Tenma-kun. Sorry for the trouble.” Sasaki bowed in greeting to Udai who stopped and held out his cell phone to him.

“It’s nothing. I’m the one at fault for bringing the wrong cell phone to you.” Udai responded.

After they exchanged phones, this time, both of them made sure that they received the right phone.

“This is my cell phone.” Sasaki confirmed it first.

“Here too.” Udai followed shortly after.

Sasaki smiled at Udai while nodding. She paused for a moment before saying something else, “I never saw you before. You’re a first year, right?”

Udai answered without missing a beat, “Second year.”

“Eeeehhh? Crap! You’re a senpai—“ Sasaki immediately bowed, almost slamming herself into a ninety-degree bow before the confused Udai. “Please forgive me!”

“H-hey, what are you doing?”

“Please forgive me for troubling you, senpai!”

Udai frowned, “T-there’s nothing to be troubled about. After all, from the beginning, it was on me for not checking my cell phone more thoroughly.” Udai sighed, “Get up.”

Sasaki got up and looked at Udai who was almost startled. Udai cleared his throat after his gaze met Sasaki’s

“Thank you very much.” Sasaki said.

“Oh.” Udai replied. “... First year?”

“Hai.” Sasaki replied formally.

Udai nodded and excused himself under his breath, barely audible.

“Thank you so much!”

Udai was almost irritated that Sasaki said something loud enough to make both his shoulders heave stiffly in surprise, not to mention, he had an itch that the girl must have bowed to him again. Yet he didn’t stop or say anything to her and instead quickened his pace towards the gymnasium.

“Thank you very much, Udai Senpai!”

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That’s all for chapter 2 of Panels. That I specially dedicated for The Original Little Giant, Udai Tenma because i think we need to give him more credit for being Hinata Shoyo’s inspiration. Heh heh.

Next chapter coming soon!