#clockwork is scheming again

[escelia]

New Sibling Just Dropped

Or Danny gets willingly isekai'd into the DCU and gets a twin out of it.

I know I disappeared from the face of the earth for a bit there, and there's stuff I should probably be updating, but I come baring different stuff this time :D

Just started this for fun, and I have at least one other chapter of it done, but idk how long this bout of inspiration will last, so I'm just rolling with it for now.

@flamingpudding look! i pulled a jason todd and rose from the grave!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Danny was tired. The kind of tired you felt behind your eyes and in your bones, and weighed heavy with achievement. He was perched on the edge of a building in his ghost form looking over Amity Park with a soft smile as he watched Youngblood run through the park with human children, Cujo playfully on their heels. His galaxy cloak (which had been a coronation gift) billowed around his lap like a gas with stars twinkling inside. 

It had been a few years now since he took up the Crown of Fire and became High King of the Infinite Realms, and while he had accomplished many things since then, graduating from high school wasn't something on that list. It sucked that he wouldn't get to walk across the stage with Sam and Tucker, but in the face of all he'd been able to do for both Amity and the Infinite Realms, it was worth it. They coexisted now. There was still trouble every now and then, but Danny had helped the ghosts who insisted on staying in Amity Park find a place in their city where they could thrive.

Youngblood watched over the children of the city, Box Ghost started a box recycling center, Lunch Lady started a program to get food to families that couldn't afford it, and Pointdexter started reporting bullying at the school since he was already there. 

On the Realms' side, Danny shut down Walker's prison. Since it was his lair, he couldn't take it away from him completely, but it no longer housed the many ghosts the warden had considered "rule breakers." He'd given Walker a new set of rules to enforce and essentially took him under his wing as a royal soldier, kept under the close watch of Fight Knight, who'd defected from Pariah Dark so fast after his defeat that it was laughable. 

He'd done something similar with Skulker, though he was a harder case to crack. Unlike Walker, who was happy as long as he had a set of rules to enforce, Skulker wanted to keep hunting. He'd been recruited forcefully by Walker and Fright Knight after they caught him on his way to fight Danny again.

All in all, everything had begun to run smoothly now. The fatigue weighing on him reminded him that it had been hard to accomplish, and continuing to lead his double life hadn't made it any less exhausting. A cold breath rushed through his chest as he felt a familiar presence slide up next to him. 

"You didn't time out," Danny pointed out without looking to face the ghost beside him. Clockwork hummed in acknowledgment.

"Sometimes it's pleasant to watch time flow in person." It was Danny's turn to hum at him. 

"How are you feeling?" The Ancient asked thoughtfully. The younger ghost tilted his head pensively. 

"It's hard to say. I'm tired, but I'm happy. And also sad..." he paused to gather his thoughts. "I feel like I've done everything I needed to."

But not everything he wanted to do. 

"Go on," Clockwork pressed. The teenager did turn his head now to make a face at his mentor. If the guy knew how he felt and what he was going to say, why would he say it out loud? But the other just arched a brow at him and waited.

"Fine," he pouted. "I've spent so much time and energy finding places for everyone here. The GIW are gone, my parents stopped hunting ghosts, Jazz got into the psychology program at Stanford, Sam and Tucker are graduating today... I helped make that happen, I know I did! But they're moving on without me. They're growing up and I don't feel like I am."  

'I don't feel like I'm ready.'

Danny stopped to take a breath and wipe away the icy tears gathering in his eyes. He felt stupid for crying over it. He was 17 for Ancients' sake! Jazz would have told him he grew up too fast, but he still felt like a child. He had no idea what he was doing! And yet! And yet... he felt...

"But you also feel ancient, right? Like you've been around too long and seen too much?" Clockwork said as though he were reading from a script. Danny sulked. Stupid time ghost with his dumb Time Stream TV or whatever. 

"Yeah..."

"All Ancients feel that way. Though you may be feeling unbalanced in more ways than one because of how young you died and the fact you are half human."

"What do you mean?" Danny turned his whole body to face him now, tucking his knees under his chin and circling his arms around them. His cloak moved with him in inky black wisps and settled around him again like clouds of galaxies. 

Clockworks form shifted to that of a child.

"You feel young because you died young. However, it is the nature of humans to grow and change. While you may have died at 14, your childhood died before that. You yearn to grow and learn, while also being an incredibly powerful Ancient."

He supposed that made sense. He recalled all the years cleaning the lab before the portal had even been built, and the fighting and neglect (Jazz's words, not his) that spawned his disdain of Christmas even longer before. He wanted to go back to school. He wanted a reason to love Christmas. He wanted pets and family dinners that didn't come alive. He wanted to grow up properly.

"But you still want to help people," the ghost said as though Danny had been talking out loud or having his mind read. 

"I hate it when you do that," Danny complained. Clockwork just smiled smugly.

"I know." He laughed at the glare Danny threw him. 

"I have a proposition for you," the older ghost began. Danny perked up in intrigue. "I know of another earth dimension with some problems that need to be addressed. Your role as High King puts you in a position to be helpful."

"Their problem has to do with the Realms?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes. Ectoplasm from the Realms is pooling into what are referred to on their planet as Lazarus Pits. They are both helpful and harmful as they do not dissipate into the air so they continually collect and concentrate emotion, but they do sometimes revive the dead."

Danny grimaced in disgust at the thought of dunking a person into a stagnant pool of contaminated ectoplasm. "That sounds disgusting."

"Quite," Clockwork agreed. 

"So what's your proposition?"

"Well, if it is agreeable to you, I would like to de-age your physical form and place you with a family that's had dealings with the Pits firsthand. I've found them to be quite charming." 

"Ah, so you want me to go in undercover?" Danny couldn't help but roll his eyes a little. It wasn't a half bad idea. He could try his hand at childhood again and still get to handle his duties as King Phantom. Leading a double life again would be easy enough, it was just stepping from one role into another. 

"Not at all." Clockwork smiled knowingly. Danny was officially suspicious of his ghost guardian. "This planet has had all kinds of dealings with the occult, and even humans with superpowers isn't that unusual. While I would advise against telling anyone you are a king right away, you are in fact just that: a king. You may do what you wish." 

For an ancient and wise time ghost, Danny thought Clockwork was really shit at hiding his expressions. Though he tried to keep the grin off his face, Danny could clearly see the twitching of his lips and gleam in his eyes that promised the old man was scheming. 

But to get his childhood back. Or, at least a semblance of one... it deserved consideration. Danny looked back out at the cityscape again. Sam and Tucker... they were down there graduating from high school without him. He'd been the one to encourage them to pull away from Team Phantom activities to zero in on their studies, but he didn't regret it. Sam wanted to major in environmental science and Tucker wanted to go to MIT and he just didn't fit into those plans. After Jazz left for Stanford, his parents often forgot he was still there. He'd managed to convince them to study ghosts properly instead of hunting them, and with a little help from the "friendly ghost King Phantom" they were given a place to start. They dove into their research with the same excitement and fervor they'd had all their lives. Which of course meant he went days, sometimes weeks, without seeing them emerge from the lab. It was easy enough to slip past them to the portal while they were distracted. 

The point was that he'd started to feel his anchor to this city, to this realm, start to dissipate as the people who kept him there started to break away from him. He still loved them, wanted to protect them, but they were safe and happy now. He felt fulfilled in his task of protecting them, but there was a buzzing beneath his skin to do more. 

Danny took a deep and controlled breath. He didn't need it in his ghost form, but it felt good to feel his lungs stretch to fullness. 

"When would I start?" He asked finally. The straight face Clockwork had been trying to keep, and he really was so bad at it, finally broke into a wide grin. 

"Right now. Everything is already in place and your duties in the Realms will be taken care of in your absence." 

Danny smiled softly at his guardian. Clockwork sure had a funny way of showing it, but he cared so deeply for the boy next to him that when Danny responded with a bad pun, he couldn't even be annoyed. 

"Well, no time like the present!" He winked.

Clockwork chuckled, and with a flash of light, he sent Danny on his way. 

The more time the older ghost spent with his young ward, the more he appreciated him. The Danny he’d come to know was nothing like the Danny’s from other worlds he’d encountered while trying to prevent Dan from existing. His Danny was now truly one of a kind. None of the others, not even the ones that eventually turned into Dan, had been Ancients. There would never be another Danny like him, and every universe was adjusting to include him should he ever decide to visit them. He had a place in any world, should he choose, but Clockwork knew he was needed most in the one he’d sent him to. It would be truly entertaining to watch the young Ancient settle into his role there, and Clockwork was actually finding himself looking forward to it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was dark and quiet a long while before Danny opened his eyes. And when he did open them it got really loud and really bright really fast. It belatedly occurred to him that he should have asked like a billion more questions before agreeing to be iseaki’d into a different dimension to join a family he knew literally nothing about. 

There was shouting before someone in what looked like a ninja cult uniform shoved a knife into his hand and pushed him in the path of a person in a different uniform. The man in front of him was dressed in blue and black and wearing a mask that covered his eyes, but Danny could see the surprised shape of his mouth before it morphed into something like anger. And then he was being lunged at.

He shrieked as he dodged out of the way. Not his most graceful save, but whatever. His voice was a bit shrill and his center of gravity felt way off. He must have actually been de-aged! He wondered how old he was now. He still felt light on his feet thanks to his ghost half which felt blessedly intact. But the other guy was fast and he ducked into a roll just in time to dodge whatever weapon he was holding. This guy meant business, but he had no idea why he was trying to kill him. 

‘Great, thanks Grandfather Clock for throwing me right back into the good ol’ days,’ he thought sarcastically. Nobody had attacked him for no good reason like that since Walker and Fright caught Skulker mid hunt for the very last time. 

What he now saw was a baton swung down from overhead and Danny knew he wouldn't dodge it in time, so he caught it with the flat of the blade that had been shoved into his hands.

“Wait! Why are we fighting?” Danny yelled, panicked as the guy pushed more force into it. The man's face twisted into something like confusion for a moment and he backed off just the tiniest bit before the scuffing of shoes to his right had him looking over just in time to see another guy in a mask, this time in red, rushing at him. He threw his hands up in surrender. 

“Wait!” He shrieked before he was absolutely bodied sideways into the ground. 

Why was he doing this? He was half ghost, he could have just gone intangible and disappeared. He didn't have to be body slammed into the ground. Wasn't he a child now? Did that guy in red actually just slam a whole child into the ground? 

“Red, hold on! This one's different!” 

“What do you mean?” The guy Red asked. He was still pinning Danny to the ground.

“Yeah, what do you mean?” Danny asked breathlessly, then whimpered, “Someone please tell me what's going on!” 

The one hovering over him must have seen something on his face that convinced him to not try and kill him anymore, because he grabbed him by the collar and started dragging him along. 

“We'll take him in for questioning. Don't let Robin see him.”

“Who's Robin?!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been a long, arduous, and confusing journey from wherever they were to… well, wherever they were now. They'd blindfolded him for the transport so he still had no idea what was going on. He had learned that the guy with batons was Nightwing, and Red was actually Red Robin. The one they called Robin was a feral looking thing with swords, he was very small and stabby. Then there was Batman, and he totally threw off the whole bird theme but was easily the most intimidating. And that was all he knew so far. He'd been restrained at an interrogation table. 

Danny groaned and knocked his forehead onto the table. He really, really wished he'd asked Clockwork more questions. He'd at least been able to catch a glimpse of himself in the glass behind Batman. He looked like he was eleven or twelve again, which was not as young as he'd been expecting, but much more preferable than being a literal toddler. The group of people he’d been brought in by seemed to be heroes. They were all incredibly weary of him, but hadn’t gone out of their way to harm him since his capture. Though it was hard to call it a capture when there wasn’t a chase involved. 

“How old are you?” Batman asked suddenly. His voice was low and rough and somehow Danny could tell it didn't sound like that naturally. 

“Um, maybe eleven or twelve?” Danny replied carefully, picking up his head from the table and having the decency to look a little embarrassed. 

“And what's your name?” He looked like he was expecting something.

“My name is Danny, sir.” 

“Hmm…” 

It was quiet and awkward for a long moment.

“Why are you different from the other clones?” 

“Yeeeaaah, I'm not a clone.” Danny absolutely did not jump when the brute slammed the file folder shut in front of him. 

“We'll see what your DNA results have to say about that,” he said confidently before turning to leave, his cape dramatically flaring out behind him.

Sheesh, and he thought he’d had a flair for the dramatics.

‘Okay, time for some assessment,’ Danny thought to himself as he looked around the small closed room. It was soundproofed incredibly well. While he didn’t have super crazy hearing, it was enhanced by his ghost half, and combined with his other sharp senses, it tended to help him gather more information than others could. The most he could hear outside the room was a quiet hum of activity and nothing discernible. Still, he needed to decide how much he would say to these people. How much truth did he want to weave into his tale? These people clearly already had their own assumptions about him in mind, and while there was absolutely nothing wrong with being a clone, he knew he didn’t have what it took to keep up an act like that for long, which would just end up being awkward for everyone. 

He also would not be telling them about his status as Ghost King, per Clockwork’s suggestion. His captors seemed like the uptight sort, and revealing that he was a big, scary ghost monarch didn’t seem like it’d go over well. Telling them he was a halfa would probably get them off his back over the clone thing, at least. He went over the list in his head.

He was a halfa from another dimension, so he couldn’t be a clone.

He had no plans of fighting with anyone unless absolutely necessary. 

He did not have a way back to his other dimension. 

His name was Danny, and he didn’t have a family anymore.

He did not know why he was in the middle of whatever fight he woke up in. 

No, he didn’t know those people.

Danny must’ve been lost in thought for quite a while because his thoughts were interrupted by Batman bursting back through the door. The man’s demeanor had changed completely and he whipped off his cowl to reveal disheveled dark hair, blue eyes, and an expression of absolute heartbreak that accompanied his shuddering breaths. With the mask off, he reminded Danny a lot of his father. 

Batman searched his face and, much like Red Robin had before, seemed to notice something there. 

“She did it twice,” he muttered to himself. “Two of them this whole time and she didn’t tell me about either of them,” he said through gritted teeth. His frown deepened. Danny copied his frown. 

“Hey, are you okay?”

He still had no idea what was going on.

[impyssadobsessions]

I finally finished the concept for Danny's Devil Trigger form >w< I'll show all the sketches that lead me to this. This is the front and back.

I drew some action doodles to get a better feel on the concept/design. >w< And I just love action poses. I imagine his tail works similar to Nero's devil bringer, except less smashing and more slinging enemies around. OH I didn't draw the idea I have, maybe I should. Where his tail will wrap around his arms providing him with a bigger blaster for his blasts that he shoots from his fist. Or maybe he could hold it like a gun and shoot it that way, as if its a grenade launcher XD.

Here some sketches I did before I refined the body on the lunar moth design. I tried to replicate the wings there when it wasn't working out how I wanted. My bf gave me the idea about thinking it was fun the one that flies not having wings- so then I was like yeah that would be cool.. Thus the idea to give him a tail was born. Which works great to make him look like his canon phantom form. Also was playing around with the inverted idea for a bit, but just couldn't get it to work with my skills. Reason concept art can be really helpful. Because an idea might be cool but hard to execute >w<

Last one with more Dante's colors again. lol He would have looked sick regardless. If his color scheme wasn't green, I would so do the red. >w<

Here's link to other posts for my DMC x DP ! I put a lot of thought into this au XDDD I probably should write the story Idea I have >w<

[ginnsbaker]

Fic: Right Here, Right Now

Summary: Marrying the love of your life a second time around is definitely sweeter // An ILGOSS Oneshot.

Pairing: Wanda x Fem!Reader | Word count: 1.4k+ | Warnings: None...? does cheese count? | A/N: Did you miss me? Thank you to the anon who suggested this one-shot. This is set in the ILGOSS universe, but can be treated as an independent story about two divorced wives marrying each other again. This functions more like a drabble, think of it like a missing scene in the epilogue. Enjoy!

Masterlist

-

It's been a grueling twelve hours since you last saw Wanda, and you're practically climbing the walls. Your heart's doing this annoying jittery thing, and the more you try to calm down, the more agitated you become. This whole ‘not seeing the bride before the wedding’ tradition is driving you nuts.

Desperate, you send a text to Natasha. I need to see her, you say, barely keeping it together to type a full sentence. I can't wait till the aisle.

Your phone buzzes almost immediately with Natasha’s reply. On it!, she texts back, and you know she's cooking up some scheme. Relying on your best friend to create the perfect diversion feels like your only lifeline.

It only takes a few minutes when suddenly, an ear-splitting sound erupts from outside, jerking everyone's attention away from the primping and preening. Your eyes shoot wide—trust Natasha to choose something as dramatic as a fire or emergency hazard for a diversion. Part of you frets Wanda might be one of the first out there. Nevertheless, the plan works like a charm. Like clockwork, the room empties out, everyone drawn out by the allure of drama and a juicy story.

You’re half-curious about what kind of ruckus Natasha managed to come up with, but that thought vanishes instantly when you hear the other bedroom door open with a soft creak. A second later, a smile gradually spreads across your lips when you hear a set of footsteps, familiar to you as your own heartbeat. Rising carefully from your chair to avoid stepping on the hem of your pristine white dress, you make your way to the door as quickly as decorum allows.

As you reach the stairs, you spot your bride already making her way down. Seeing her, even with her back turned to you, takes your breath away and seals your fate of forever having your heart in Wanda’s captivity. It's hard to believe you managed to be with her the first time. Harder to think about how you almost lost her in your life for good, but here you are, feeling like the luckiest person in the world to have her back again for a second chance.

“Hey.”

Wanda turns at the sound of your voice, and her smile illuminates the space around her, outshining the sun's rays filtering through the windows. A gentle sea breeze teases her hair, softly framing her face. You stand frozen at the top of the stairs, unable to comprehend how everything you’ve both been through, led to this miraculous moment.

“Hi,” she greets in return, nodding towards the commotion outside. “Everybody rushed out. Could be an emergency.”

You shake your head and smile widely, teeth digging at your bottom lip, helpless as a blush taints both of your cheeks. Wanda looks absolutely stunning, and it's like you're suddenly back in college again, seeing her for the first time. You miss a step, almost causing you to fall flat on your face, just like you did back then.

“I…might have asked Nat’s help to get you alone,” you say with a sheepish grin. “I, uh, I wanted to do something. I-If you’re up for it.”

“Sounds serious,” Wanda teases, perching herself on the handrail. She arches an eyebrow, her eyes reflecting a desire that mirrors your own. It takes every ounce of your self-control, and then some, not to sweep Wanda into your arms and forget about the ceremony altogether. For several seconds, you're silent, prompting Wanda to reach out. Her fingers lightly brush against your arm, and that simple touch sends a pleasant shiver down your spine.

“What’s the plan?” she whispers, as if guarding a precious secret.

Without hesitation, as if the idea has been burning inside you your whole life, you blurt out, “Let’s get married.”

“You do remember we're getting married today, right?” Wanda says, barely hiding her amusement.

You nod, stepping closer to her. “Yeah, I know. But right here, right now, I want to marry you. Just us, committing to each other without anyone else around.”

Wanda's smile softens, and she steps closer. “Just us?” Her voice is soft, almost disbelieving.

You almost back out, feeling a bit silly. “Sounds a bit selfish, huh? Forget I said it—”

“No, don't,” she quickly says, grabbing your hand. “It's not selfish. It's actually really sweet, considering everything.”

You bite back the admission that this impromptu plan was born just minutes ago. Maybe the real reason couples are advised against seeing each other several hours before the ceremony is due to moments like this. Seeing Wanda in her dress, so beautiful, it's hard not to just marry her on the spot, forget the past, forget the plans. Moreso, there's something different about this second time. You're both older, wiser, each with a richer history that stretches far and beyond. It feels more layered, as if you've both fought harder for this moment than for anything else in your lives.

Taking another step down, you move closer to Wanda, holding her gaze. Your own dress trails behind you, its fabric whispering softly with each movement.

“We’re really doing this?” you ask.

“Getting a second shot at being your wife, especially after how badly I messed up… I never thought I’d get that chance again,” Wanda confesses, standing so close you can feel her breath. You tower a few inches over her, yet you feel utterly helpless under her spell.

“If it were up to me, I’d have dragged you to city hall the moment you said yes,” she adds. “But I wanted this moment to be perfect for you.”

And it is, you think to yourself. You almost take her face in your hands, but at the last minute, you decide against it, not wanting to ruin the meticulous work of those who spent hours making her look so stunning–efforts you deeply appreciate. Instead, you guide her hand to your chest, right over your heart, feeling its steady beat under her palm. A small, fragile thing, but it's filled with everything you feel for her.

“Wanda Maximoff, I take you to be my wife,” you swallow thickly, trying your best not to ruin your own make-up. “I am wholly and undeniably yours, and I promise to keep choosing you, every single day.”

You look into her eyes, and there's a whole universe in that gaze. “You're my love, my heart, my home. In this life, or the next. Today, I recommit my life to you, with all that I am and all that I have.”

For a few beats, everything goes quiet, allowing your words to truly sink in between the two of you. Then, you let out a breath you didn't realize you'd been holding, just as Wanda tries to catch hers.

“And I promise to be true to us, to what we have now,” she replies, her slender frame trembling slightly under the weight of her emotions. You swipe away a rogue tear that slips down her cheek, then kiss her forehead tenderly. Her promise clearly reflects on her past mistakes. Though you've forgiven her countless times, you understand the importance of her saying it out loud.

Taking both of your hands, Wanda looks up at you, her eyes shimmering and full of hope. “I promise to love you, to stay faithful to you, to be yours through and through. You're my heart, my soul, my everything—and I'm going to spend every day proving that to you.”

And with that, you feel every part of you intertwining with hers. You lean in and kiss her, soft and delicate. It's as natural as it's always been with Wanda, as if your lips remember what your minds might sometimes forget.

-

Later, just outside your childhood home, surrounded by your closest friends and family, you still cry when Wanda reads you her vows. She does the same when you call her “My wife”, and then again when you address her using your last name.

The reception, following immediately after the ceremony, officially concludes with the remainder of the fireworks that Natasha had launched prematurely earlier as part of her plan to create a distraction, allowing you to sneak in and have a moment alone with Wanda. You and Wanda spend the rest of the night barely taking your eyes off each other, basking in the presence of everyone you’ve ever loved.

If life has taught you one enduring lesson, it's that the most precious things are never easily won. And you and Wanda, you've proven time and again that you're cut out for exactly that— fighting against all odds, for the love that's worth every bit of the struggle.

[kallmemeimei]

Moments I can see happens in Deadtired’s life: Before they dated

It’s a bit more descriptive from the previous one idk why

—————

Those neon green eyes which were usually cheerful and bright, now held inexplicable darkness. Phantom’s usual easy-going character was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a man who reminded Tim of an icy jagged mountain peak, cold, sharp and unfathomable, stood in his place.

“You keep provoking me again and again… Hey, Tim, I know I’m usually too lazy to bother with things but i’m still a man.”

Perhaps because Phantom usually either had a lazy or cheerful smile on his face, which made him look easy to get along with, Tim only found out now that when Phantom puts away the smile on his face and stared at Tim expressionlessly, the hair-raising feeling that made him tense immediately prevailed.

The slightly heavier breath swept across his cheek and neck, and lowered, raspy voice was filled with intimidation. The young CEO who always had plans and schemes in his head was put in a rare position where his mind was coming in blank and stood frozen against the wall, even holding his breath unconsciously due to nervousness.

Confident azure blue eyes no longer held the daringness it had before, but was replaced by a cute and docile look, reminding others of a cute deer. Phantom seemed to be quite satisfied with the current Tim, and despite being expressionless still, Phantom returned to his previously friendly demeanour. The previously ice melted to show warmth again.

“Don’t challenge my patience with yourself again, okay?”

“……Yeah.”

Completely suppressed by the other party’s momentum, Tim subconsciously nodded, only breathing a sigh of relief once Phantom phased out of the room.

“What’s up with him?”

Tim’s back that was still pressed up against the wall, gradually slid down until he reached the carpeted floor due to his weak legs. He covered his face with his hands, but through the gaps between his fingers and his exposed ears, it’s still obvious that his face was bright red.

“He usually acts so silly and dumb... Why is he being handsome all of the sudden…”

Meanwhile, as the target of Tim’s criticisms, Danny just casually nodded and greeted the other members of the Wayne family whenever he came across them. Except for noticing the fact that Phantom’s ears were slightly green, no one would have ever thought what this ghost had done before.

Danny, who maxed out his acting talent stat for a short moment, returned to the guest room he was staying in for now and closed the door. Then he instantly squatted down and suddenly covered his face with his hands, his whole body exuding the feeling of, “it’s over, it’s over,””the bats are going to kill me,””i’m so embarrassed,””please let me permanently die now.”

“Holy shit. I actually said that??? Ancients, what gave me the guts to say that??? Fuck. Does Tim hate me now??? I think I just unconsciously used my aura as king… No, no, no, I should go find Clockwork and convince him to let me travel to the past so I can punch myself!!!”

The coward who had completely entered self-destructive mode had already started blabbing nonsensical things, but just when his shame was starting to overwhelm him, the expression of Tim, who had pinned against the wall by him before, began to unconsciously emerge from his mind.

Blue eyes, widened by shock, looked like a calm lake that suddenly had stones thrown into it under a clear sky. His slightly trembling lashes made him appear fragile, and it made Danny feel like a small, soft animal’s fur was brushing itself against his heart. His pale lips were reddened by how much he was pressing them tightly, subconsciously catching Danny’s attention.

And... remembering the heat from the feeling of his ear being gently bitten by Tim earlier, which hadn't completely dissipated yet.

—Ahhh, you can't escape, Danny.

——Just admit it, Tim.

The fingers covering their faces almost sunk into their skin, but this action didn't help reduce the blush on their faces. Although they were in two completely different places, Tim and Danny surprisingly had the same actions, both covered their reddened cheeks with their hands, squatted on the ground and tried to curl up.

——You've fallen for him! (x2)

[lovelyyandereaddictionpoint]

The Yandere Student Council 

You just needed to get your schedule officialized. Having gained special permissions to take a desired course you needed the student council’s collective stamps of approval to proceed. Normally all you would need to do was slip in the necessary documents. But something seems to keep happening to yours and it just works better for you to do it in person. Thus begins you’re journey of getting the obsessed student council’s approval.

The first one you go to is the one with the easiest access –the Secretary. Gill Hunter has an absolute poker face when his boyfriend isn’t around. So you’re pleasantly surprised when he’s actually willing to hear you out. Keeping his amber eyes on you he listens to your plea for his stamp, seemingly not reacting at all he promises to help you—for a price. You have to step in for him and his boyfriend from time to time. He says it's just a week as he demands you shadow him for the day. Calling to you in his monotone voice to join him in the student council lounge. Don’t bother bringing up you’re friends or your desire to eat your lunch alone. Even as the week comes to an end and you get your stamp he has you working closely with both him and his boyfriend very closely as an honorary assistant.

“Most if not all schedules go through me, you don’t want your schedule being messed up again. Do you?”

The next one is Gill’s beloved–the Historian. June Frimroar is a different kind of person you need to get a stamp from. Where Gill strings you along with his stone-cold face and hardly hidden intentions, June will do the exact opposite. With a smile that flirts with scheming and altruism, he’ll ask for the most innocent kind of help. Only to somehow become something far more intimate and demanding of you in the first place. How else would simply taking notes during student council meetings lead to you smushed in a locker with the historian and his boyfriend? Or how you’ll be forced to help undress June whose hands inexplicably might be sprained? He’s an enigma to loosely associate with trouble, easily put off by how kind he is to you and your friends as you start spending more time with him and the rest of the student council. Certainly, those rumors of him crippling classmates for fun are far from true, right?

“Don’t you trust me, (Y/n)? Just listen to me and I’m sure everything will work out…even if that blackmail situation with your friend is completely separate.”

Like clockwork, you fall into being the student council’s lackey suddenly trusted with helping the seemingly overwhelmed Treasurer. Min Su is an odd fellow who’s been dignified a living legend with his accounting possibilities; rumored to casually be hired by the government a couple of times. So it's odd that he suddenly must have you spending your club hours documenting receipts. He’s so apologetic and jumpy that you don’t feel right questioning him. So it's normal that he has a fierce blush on his face as you take the records from his hand. Or the little noises of excitement pleasure he seems to have when you lean over him to admire his speed as he’s calculating the books. He’s likely to forget that you needed to get his stamp until you off-handedly mention how you’re going to miss him when you get that stamp.

“Oh, you wanted that? I-I’m happy to give it to you, n-no problem! But you’ll still visit me right?”

At this point, your presence is much more normalized in the student council quarters, and naturally, the Sergeant of Arms or more well known as the student council’s hype man is happy to welcome you. Popular beyond belief Roman Ferris arguably has the largest fan and friend base in the entire council. Knowing everything about everyone he already knows what you’re asking for and he’s cheekily telling you he’s already prepared how you’re going to get it. If you thought Gill was forward then you’d be mistaken Roman straight-up demands every weekend that you come with him on a date. Movies, restaurants, ice cream, trips to the park, he’s doing it all with you. Demanding you dress up for these ‘definitely not dates’, hold his hand while you walk, and smile at him only him when you pose for the camera. It's odd how he knows your every like and dislike, always ordering for you and smiling ominously when you ask. But he’s definitely not giving you this stamp if you suddenly stop coming to his dates hangouts, even if he promised he would. It’d be bad if the whole student body considered you a harlot for playing with the golden boy’s feelings. So just smile while you eat your favorites and keep your mouth sealed about your suspicions.

“Don’t worry about it babe, I already know just how you like it! Don’t worry how I know~ You’re so cute when you're well-fed!”

Practically cemented to your unwritten obligation the Vice President is well aware of what you’re after. Spencer Lyle will wait until the end of the day mindlessly stamping your document as he scrambles through his hefty pile of paperwork. Bags under his eyes and his lids dropping dangerously you figure you’ll help him, already familiar with the kind of work he was doing anyway. He thanks you when you eventually wake him up and from then on something sinister a friendship is born. Suddenly he’s coming up to you in your classes, during lunches keeping you talking casually as he leads you to the student council room. You were going there anyway, right? He’s just the perfect friend for you. Great at warding off bullying fans or teachers that get a little too snippy, he becomes your go-to friend. Not too popular but well-respected feared by the student body; totally perfect for relying on him to be relatable. Completely complacent with letting him into your life and it feels so normal now that he rings your dorm bell for an early morning. You know him so well so it's natural he does the same.

“Hey, you ready to go cupcake? Bags under my eyes? Yeah, I was up all night protecting you doing council stuff, you know how I work.”

Last but certainly not least the Student Council President: Lucoa Grander the college’s prodigy cryptid. Known to be a living genius and prominent underground business personality it seems only natural that he gets such a powerful, prestigious position. He is such a celebrity you go to Spencer to deliver your schedule confirmation only to receive a disappointing answer. Apparently, the president’s only willing to stamp yours personally, and thus your witchhunt for the illusive president begins. Searching high and low, stringing on his fan base’s own timeline and the other council members’ accounts you try to find him. But after a while, you give up fully prepared to abandon your desired course to have the blue-haired pierced-up president mysteriously showing up. He greets you so casually, sitting next to you as he asks mundane questions. When you finally ask for his stamp he gives it to you…on a major condition. 

“We’ve been looking to widen our ranks and I’ve we’ve been keeping a close eye on you. And we’re thinking of making you an honorary member–it's a new position to diversify our team. You’ll get your stamp this way and we get you our beloved a new member that’s fair enough isn’t it?”

[heliosunny]

Bidding for trouble - 1.5

Yandere!Sugilite x Assistant!Reader

You weren’t sure what was worse: the overwhelming workload in Topaz���s department or Sugilite’s dramatic morning interruptions.

Honestly, it was a close call.

When you were first temporarily reassigned to help out Topaz’s team, you thought it wouldn’t be that bad. Sure, they were short-staffed, and sure, they had piles of work that somehow never ended, but at least you wouldn’t have to deal with Sugilite’s unpredictable schemes for a while.

Or so you thought.

Because apparently, he had other plans.

And now, every morning without fail, he showed up at Topaz’s office like a VIP customer filing a complaint.

Morning Ritual – Day One

You were barely halfway through your first cup of coffee when a familiar voice rang out across the department.

“Ah, there you are!” Sugilite said smoothly, stepping into the office like he owned the place. “I was beginning to think you’d disappeared for good.”

You sighed, setting down your paperwork. “Good morning to you too, Boss.”

Topaz looked up from her desk, visibly unimpressed. “Shouldn’t you be working?”

Sugilite smiled. “I am working. I’m here to check on my most valuable employee.”

You gave him a flat look. “It’s literally my first day here.”

“Exactly. You’ve been away too long.”

Topaz pinched the bridge of her nose. “If you’re not here to invest in something, get out.”

Sugilite ignored her entirely, turning back to you with an easy grin. “So, how’s the transfer treating you? Boring without me?”

You rolled your eyes. “Surprisingly peaceful.”

His smile dropped slightly.

“Is that so?” he mused, voice light, but there was a familiar edge to it. The kind that said I don’t like that answer.

You pretended not to notice.

Sugilite sighed dramatically, shaking his head. “Well, don’t get too comfortable. You’re coming back the second this little favor is over.”

Topaz crossed her arms. “If we still need them, I might keep them a bit longer.”

You could feel Sugilite’s sharp gaze shift toward her.…Okay. Time to intervene before someone loses a contract.

You grabbed your pen, waving it slightly. “Boss, I’ll be back before you know it. You’ll survive.”

Sugilite’s eyes flickered toward you.

And then—just like that, the usual grin returned.

“Of course” he said, stepping back. “Just don’t forget where you belong.”

With that, he finally left.

Topaz let out an exasperated sigh. “That man is impossible.”

You just picked up your coffee again.

“Yeah,” you muttered. “Tell me about it.”

Morning Ritual – Day Five

By now, everyone in the department knew the drill.

Every morning, like clockwork, Sugilite arrived.

Some days, he’d bring coffee. Other days, he’d make questionable investment offers just to get a reaction out of Topaz. Every day, he found some excuse to linger. And every day, you pretended not to be amused.

But you weren’t blind.

The way his gaze lingered whenever he saw you working. The way his mood soured whenever you got too comfortable here.

He didn’t like you being anywhere but his department.

And honestly?

You weren’t sure if that was endearing or concerning.

Either way, it wasn’t your problem to deal with.

Day Seven – The Last Morning Visit

By this point, Sugilite’s daily intrusions had become something of a department-wide joke.

The moment he strolled in that morning, coffee in one hand, confident smirk in place, you heard two employees in the back whispering.

“Oh, look. Here comes the morning check-in.”

“Boss withdrawal is crazy.”

“He really can’t survive without Y/n, huh?”

You pretended not to hear them.

Sugilite, on the other hand, definitely heard them.

But instead of denying it, he grinned.

“Good to see my reputation is intact” he mused, setting a coffee cup down in front of you like some kind of tribute.

You raised an eyebrow. “If this is bribery, it’s working.”

He let out a mock gasp. “You wound me. This is a generous display of my affections. A rare privilege.”

Topaz, from across the room, snorted. “What’s rare is you actually doing your job instead of harassing my department.”

Sugilite completely ignored her.

Instead, he leaned against your desk, watching you take a sip of the coffee he brought. “Good?”

You nodded. “Yeah, but I feel like I should be suspicious.”

“Why?” His smirk widened. “Do you think I poisoned it?”

“At this point?” You exhaled. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”

Topaz laughed.

Sugilite?

He looked far too pleased.

“That’s the spirit” he said, straightening up. “Keep that paranoia. It’ll keep you alive when you come back.”

You blinked. “Wait, what?”

“Oh, didn’t you hear?” He tilted his head innocently. “Your little vacation here is over. Topaz doesn’t need you anymore.”

You slowly turned to Topaz. “Is this true?”

She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Unfortunately.”

Sugilite clapped his hands together. “Excellent. Let’s go.”

Before you could even protest, he had already started herding you toward the door like a prized possession he was finally reclaiming.

“Hold on, at least let me pack up my stuff—”

“No need,” he interrupted smoothly. “Everything’s already waiting back at your desk. We’ll consider this a seamless transition.”

You narrowed your eyes. “You planned this, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did.” He smiled like he hadn’t just admitted to orchestrating your entire return.

Topaz shook her head. “I should’ve fought harder to keep you.”

Sugilite laughed. “Nice try, but Y/n is mine.”

The way he said it—casual, teasing, but firm enough to leave no room for argument—sent a weird little shiver down your spine.

But you’d be lying if you said it wasn’t a little flattering.

Back in Your Department – Sugilite’s Perspective

As soon as you were back at your desk, Sugilite stretched out his arms and sighed dramatically.

“Ahh. Finally. Order is restored.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re acting like I was gone for months.”

“That’s what it felt like.”

“You still saw me every morning.”

“Not the same.”

You snorted, shaking your head. “You’re ridiculous.”

He grinned. “And you’re back where you belong. Now hurry up and finish your work before I find a new reason to cut your salary.”

You groaned.

Yep.

Everything was back to normal.

[anony-man]

Lotta characters appear this time… just tagging our Megop, though. If you need someone tagged that appears in the story, let me know!

Chubformers drabble #167!

Characters: Megatron & Optimus (G1)

Word count: 1.5k

It was happening again. Like clockwork, the so-called important meetings only two of all the bots on earth were allowed to partake in were taking place.

Autobots did not get along with Decepticons, and Decepticons did not get along with Autobots. It was the way things had always been, the way they would always be, and nothing, not even the ridiculous meetings both leaders on both sides of the war insisted on having, would ever change that. Chaos erupted the moment any two soldiers from either faction were so much as within sight of each other, and the ridiculous notion that some stupid meetings between Optimus and Megatron each week would fix things was, quite honestly, laughable at best.

Neither mech had been able to manage so much as speaking to the other for eons upon eons. What had changed? What could something like this have fixed that left the Cons’ beloved and mutinous murderer of a warlord so docile and smug all of the time? Optimus wasn’t looking any more haggard by the day, which meant something good had to have been coming out of this… but what?

The deal was simple, if not ridiculous, too. Everyone was tired of the war by then, and if they weren’t, well… tough luck, because the peace treaty had been written up and things were already shifting into place. Not a week went by without a cramped room being filled with air commanders and lieutenants grumbling to themselves and each other as they waited for their leaders to come out and discuss whatever had been discussed behind closed doors. Almost everyone was tired of the war, but not everyone was pleased with this solution—and for good reason.

No matter how many times Starscream whined in his audial-piercing tone about the tank-churning burden of standing guard while Optimus had his fun in private with their leader (and at this point, all of his words really had been made in jest—or at least exaggeration), nor the amount of begging that happened from the Prime’s own second and third in command and even bossy minibots, the deal still took place. Each week both Optimus and Megatron were to meet in private, and they were to discuss… er, whatever it is that they were to discuss. No witnesses would be in the room, but a handful of support would remain outside the door. There was no backing out, no complaining (so long as they were in earshot of their leaders, that is), and certainly no scheming.

Simply put, everyone hated it. They hated it up until a certain point, that is, and by that point, the rumor mill had already started to run… and boy, did they have some good seeds to sow from.

The waiting room was small, and the walls were thick, which meant listening on everything happening behind the closed door was out of the question—as was avoiding conversations with their soon-to-be fellow Cybertronians, same faction or no. Nothing was ever simple when both Megatron and Optimus were involved, and soon enough, things started to get interesting… and it started with longer meetings, muffled sounds, and a suspiciously happy leader for both factions involved.

By week one, shifty optics and small, discreet hmmfs were shared as the sound of clattering boxes and raised, yet happy, voices echoed through the heavy duty walls. Everyone stuck in the room was there on important business, of course, and none of the bots present would ever dare to press for questions after the important meetings were adjourned—save for Starscream, that is. However, when the shift from democracy and relevant topics to whatever the frag their leaders were fragging up in there took place, nobody could be blamed for letting their curiosity overcome them.

On one side of the room, the few Autobots gathered to lend their support stood huddled and whispering, their helms lowered and their optics wandering. On the other side, Starscream had propped himself up against an old desk and sat with his pedes kicking and his arms crossed over his chest, looking ever so displeased as he stared at the closed door.

“So,” the seeker said, his voice as grating as his tone was haughty. “Which one of you morons is finally going to dish out some answers here?”

Silence followed for several seconds as he sat and stared between the door and the Autobots, impatiently waiting for a response. It was the first time he’d managed to come without his fellow commanders tagging along, and he was going to ensure he made good use of it.

“What does it matter?” said Prowl, who was the first of his group to speak. “I won’t openly agree to whatever our leaders have in mind with this… choice, but—“

“I think they’re banging.”

Another awkward silence followed. Prowl, for his part, looked utterly appalled.

“Nah,” Jazz cut in. “It’s too quiet for that.”

Starscream made a small sound of disgust and lifted his nose in the air, then uncrossed and recrossed his arms.

“Well?” he eventually said, “what else could they possibly be doing?”

The long pauses between any chatter amongst the members of the group were growing far more common by the second. Only after the sound of another box hitting the floor was heard did Jazz speak again.

“Optimus is startin’ to look awfully… hefty, don’t you think?”

“The war is over, Jazz,” Prowl said, “and we aren’t fighting so desperately for energon any longer. I would hope he’d start to gain some more wait.”

Jazz held up his servos and shook his helm. “No, no, not like that. Like…”

“You mean he’s looking fat,” Starscream’s grating voice echoed from across the room. “Yes, I’ve noticed.”

“The old rust bucket seems a lot happier lately, too,” Hound, who had somehow managed to weasel his way into the group of recruits that were forced to come along every time a meeting happened, stood from his chair and moved to join his fellow Autobots. “I’m still a little new to the whole getting together for good thing, but…”

It was literal in the sense of two factions forming into one once again, but there was one thing on everyone’s processor that day, and it was how that extended to both Optimus and Megatron, too. It had, quite clearly, started happening in more ways than one.

“Something is going on behind that door,” Starscream said, jerking his helm in every direction of the Autobot across from him as he met their optics with his own hard gaze, “something that has nothing to do with this whole ‘peace treaty nonsense, and I intend to find out what.”

Both Optimus and Megatron had to give it to him, because… well, he was right. It was hard to prove that the increasingly tender moments the two mechs indulged in behind closed doors were actually happening when you weren’t there to see it for yourself, but signs appeared all the same. Megatron was growing softer, and so was Optimus—and in more ways than one.

The meetings still dragged on, and with it, the interest from various members of both sides of the war grew. Neither mech’s secret was hidden all that well, especially not when the curved edges of Optimus’ frame bore such brunt evidence of Megatron’s insistence on fattening him up over what they both agreed was company time. Nobody knew yet, but they were bound to know soon, especially if things kept up the way they were.

Another five minutes passed, then ten. No signs of their leaders came from behind the door, not even after the Autobots and Starscream went over all of the potentials for the new influx of long meetings and suspiciously good moods from both ends of the spectrum. There was one thing that went unnoticed, one topic that went unexplored, and like the weight hanging from Optimus’ exposed belly after Megatron had peeled off the excess plating and tossed it aside for a proper feeding, it hung right under their noses.

“I don’t know what’s going on here,” Prowl said, his fingers drumming atop the surface of a table. On the other side of the door, Megatron’s own fingers drummed against the taut surface of Optimus’ belly as he pushed another sweet pastry past the Prime’s lips. “But I do know one thing.”

“Yeah,” Jazz added in, “and that’s that whatever’s going on in there, it sure doesn’t got anything to do with stopping the war.”

“No,” Starscream nodded, “perhaps not… not in the traditional way, at least.”

It would be another ten long minutes before their leaders emerged, and by then, the answers seemed less clear than before. Megatron was happy, though, and so was Optimus. It was another successful meeting for them both, and slag, they could hardly wait for the next.

[anonymous-existences]

Chapter 13 : Seeking Help from Trusted Sources

[𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 14, 10:26 𝐀𝐌, 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫, 1007 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞]

Jason pulled up Infront of the Manor and Alfred was already Waiting, Bruce was expecting and was happy that Jason came to 'visit' despite the bad blood between them. "Jaso—" Bruce was about to say but Jason cut him off.

"Enough of the Brooding Bruce— Ancients— oh now Im starting to cuss like my boyfriend— great! Anyways. Bruce. My boyfriend and his family know you're Batman so whatever now, we need Batman's help, not broody Bruce's or Playboy airheaded Bruce's Help. We need the Vigilante." Jason states sternly visibly panicked and a total mess.

Dante steps out of the passenger seat. "They have my brother.. please... The GIW government has my Brother... Please.

Help me."

Dante says with reddish eyes and has obviously been crying out of his mind, he also looked like a mess and Alfred perked up in worry as he helped Dante Stay Standing, Bruce Merely nodded with a serious face knowing that Dante Is referring to Daniel Masters or 'Danny' that Damian was Very fond of.

Alfred allows the two in, Dante still holding back his tears from flooding out and him breaking down Infront of his boyfriends Family.

"Todd... And.. Dante." Damian refers to them as they entered the Manor. "Robi— Damian Wayne." Dante chuckles as he looked at Damian with a gentle smile, Damian Gave him the "you know...?" Look and Dante nodded with a chuckle.

Damian fixes his shirt trying to brush his Embarrasament and Shock off, "Why are they here Father?" Damian approached Bruce.

"His Little Brother Danny, our suspected Meta, has been taken by a government apparently. The ones we've been investigating. The Ghost Investigation Ward. Red Robin is still trying to bypass their firewalls but Dante claims to know how to do it in one go.

Damian nodded calmly, he still can't believe Dante knows but then again he's a meta and they don't know what power he truly holds, all they know is Danny is the only pillar of hope for their ... Species and The only personall Wall to keep his species from waging war upon earth.

[𝚆𝚊𝚢𝚗𝚎 𝙼𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚛, 𝙱𝚊𝚝 𝙲𝚊𝚟𝚎]

"Uhm— Hello Dante—" Nightwing Greeted the Large Man, very visibly uncomfortable because of how chilling Dante's presence is, especially because of how Nightwing got terrified of a drawing of them and his "partner in crime".

"Hello." Dante merely greeted back, Red Robin was honestly just staring mouth Agape trying to figure out if Bruce was under Mind Control or Did Bruce arrest Dante or Did Bruce do something— just something! Because WHY would their main "Meta" something suspect who killed a rogue in cold blood IN THE BATCAVE.

Red Robin stared at Bruce, judging him through stares. But Cass speaks up. "Big ..." Cass says as she stares up at Dante. "Hello..." He says much gentler and Cass lights up before Dante is very nice to her and for her his presence was warm and Comforting like a big Teddy Bear.

Tim looked at Bruce then at Dante then at Bruce again. "I'll explain later, gather up everyone first." Bruce says and informs everyone through the comms to gather up In the Batcave for an Emergency. And bring Constantine just Incase."

Jason both regrets coming back to the Manor because of Bruce's Brooding but also too desperate to not too so fuck it.

『 Vlad Masters Perspective 』

Oh for the love of everything Strawberry and Chocolates why is Clockwork in his living room? Why is he just sitting there drinking tea? He doesn't know but all he knows is that it means he's gonna be heavily involved in this "Time is my Lady(Translation = Time Is my Bitch)" Clockwork.

Vlad pinches the bridge of his nose and glared at Clockwork with an annoyed groan, "I swear, if you are to assign me with another one of your mission shenanigans and/OR one of those Schemes to "Make Daniel's Happiness For the future" and so I qoute situations I WILL walk out." Vlad states angrily and slowly fixing his hair and tie to sit across Clockwork.

"I come here to tell you, not order you.... As you know the GIW has Daniel." Clockwork starts to speak and Vlad just nods as he drank a glass of water. "Dante is already with the bats as well." Clockwork continues but Vlad coughed on his water. "The JL?? The People we hate??" Vlad clarifies and Clockwork just smiles with a small smirk..

"I need to find a wall to bang my head into. Oh so desperate of us to Seek out the Justice League of ALL superheroes to help us, sure they are powerful and all but they're still the same people who ignored Daniel's and His Friend's Calls of Help when Oh I don't know. Amity Park was sucked into the afterlife? ᴬᶠᵗᵉʳ ˢᵒᵐᵉᵗʰⁱⁿᵍ ˢᵗᵘᵖⁱᵈ ᴵ ᵈⁱᵈ — , BUT STILL!" Vlad continues on his rant about the Justice League being Untrustworthy and will probably not be helpful in saving Danny and Clockwork just lets him rant on and on until he's out of breathe for atleast an hour or so.

Vlad was heaving with his chest, "Wow. That was a splendid feeling, it truly helped me take a lot of my stress out. I suppose I will listen to you now then." Vlad sits back down and combs his hair back with his fingers, Clockwork squinted and chuckled amusingly.

"Well then, continuing on to what I am supposed to say... Daniel will not be adopted by you as you should know... But just like how the tide changes each passing day even the heart of his will too and it's not towards you but towards a new set of beaches that he will stick to. The waves are higher and livelier once that change is... Achieved... Hopefully you don't take too much of a grudge against me Vladimir Masters." Clockwork places his teacup down and walks? Floats? Towards Vlad and Lifts his chin up to look at the Ghostly God-Thing that is Clockwork.

Vlad is used to this treatment. Although it's odd he never really thought too much about it. "Fine fine. I won't." Vlad sighs and Clockwork taps on Vlad's nose whilst muttering "Good good..." Under his breathe before chuckling in amusement, his eyes scrunching up in a teasing way.

"I like the way you look today. It fits you Plasmius." Clockwork says amusingly in a teasing tone before walking off and phasing through the door essentially disappearing back into the infinite realms in his lair as he does so.

"Fudge Buckets..." Vlad cusses as he fans himself with his half unbuttoned shirt, his cheeks were flushed and he just breathes out in confusion as to why his core was aching for more and also purring in satisfaction.

"My Main Priority should be saving Danny for now instead of flirting with the god of Time." Vlad mutters to himself and throws his head back on the couch in surrender to his impending Headache and Exhaustion that soon overwhelms him Body.

"Darn It." He mutters one last time.

╭┈──── ◌ೄ◌ྀ ˊˎ

Mini Chapter Suggested from @naohibari :33:

Dante drags the Creep Stick on the ground making rough tink tink tink noises.

"Ah There you are Larger Phantom apprentice of Mine. For what do I owe you the pleasure for visiting your dear Master toda—" Clockwork was cut off by Dan swinging the Creepstick hard against Clockwork's Face.

"I LOVE YOU LIKE A FATHER BUT I STILL WANT REVENGE." Dante angrily stated and slowly calmed himself by fixing his shades. "That's what ya get for making Danny Suffer without telling me." Dante growled and tuned around to walk away.

"Hmm... I deserved that." Clockwork chuckled to himself slowly standing back up and rubbing his bleeding cheek and nose whilst being visibly amused at how much Dante has changed as a person.

Honestly that was so Gay of Vlad and Clockwork— HAVE FUN LOLL— this is basically filler chapters until I build up the actual chapter for the thingamajig with Danny being saved by The JL with the help of Superman or John Constantine, please do give me suggestions on how I should proceed with this. And i might delay some future chapters because of school but I'll try to update as much as I can! Thank you for reading and thank you for understanding.

[paranoid-rhythm]

「Chaldea Treasure Hunting!」 Oberon Edition (Translation)

Oberon: Time to embark on an unforgettable adventure with this fairy king Oberon!

.....................

Guda: It's a city of steam!

Oberon: Hey, you're a youngster from the 21st century, aren't you? Aren't you supposed to be used to this kind of city? Well then again, I can understand your excitement. 

Even though it's the same consumer civilization as yours, I guess you find that there is a certain allure in this scenery. It's a city that retains its medieval charm while being dominated by a primarily industrial design, I guess being able to imagine such a contradictory world is one of humanity's strengths.

Guda: You're a reliable companion!

Oberon: Well, of course! If it's a request from you, this Fairy King Oberon will fly over to you with all his might! Though well, it did take me a quite a while to change into these clothes, but I hope you forgive me for that. After all, we're going to an adventure! So I have to be stylishly dressed, right? 

Now then, according to this steam observation clock, it seems that the Holy Grail of blessings is somewhere underground. If we find it, we'll gain a lot of QP, right? Time to go all out to repay my debts!

.....................

Oberon: Honestly, stairs of all things? In a city of clockwork? Not even a single transport mechanism?! I guess we'll just have to accept this fact and take the long way down. It'd be much easier if only I could fly, but as you know, my wings are just ornamental. Maybe I should go to Da Vinci and ask her to make a mechanical glider for me. No, maybe a jet pack is saferー...

Guda: Oberon...! Wait!

Oberon: Hmm? Did you say anything? Whoa there! Sorry, sorry, I got distracted. Wait, is our faces kind of close right now? Are you okay? Pfft... Haha... Hahahahaha! Just what kind of expression are you making! Too bad it's dark in here, if I had a camera, I would've taken a snapshot of it! 

Guda: Are you telling me my face looks weird?

Oberon: Whoa, sorry about that. I don't mean anything bad by that. I'm telling the truth. It's just that, it's an expression I've never seen you make before. It’s not the nervousness in battle, it's not the fear of death, it's something child-likeー... no, it's nothing. Saying it out loud just cheapens it. 

Anyway, forget that! Right now, there's only the two of us, alone in this underground passage. It's not like there's a terrifying enemy waiting for us ahead, so let's take it easy and enjoy this uncharted journey together!

The path ahead looks like it's going to get even narrower, so hold my hand, and let's keep moving forward. It's so you won't stray far from me, come on now, give me your hand.

.....................

Oberon: Looks like we've descended quite a bit. Oh! This seems to be the lowest level. All that's left is a straight path from here. Everything’s going smoothly! Hm? 

Huh? What is it? Is it coming from behind us? 

What in the world? This is unexpected! Let's run, Master! 

Just how persistent are these guys! And to top it off, I think there's even more of them now! 

Ah, I see light shining up ahead! Let's keep going!

Huh?! There's no road?! We're gonna fall, Master! Give me your hand!

Guda: Oberon!!!

- The Master and Oberon clung to each other as they fell. -

Oberon: Is this what they call "drowning in schemes and strategies," huh? I didn’t expect the path would collapse. Oh well, I’m used to falling. It’s just that this time, I'm a bit more entangled into something.

.....................

Oberon: Oww... Ah, Master, are you okay? 

It's hard to believe there's so many flowers blooming down here, right? As long as there is life, there will always be flowers blooming somewhere. Water, sunlight, flowers, insects, and greenery, they're all part of the cycle after all.

That's right. I'm the one who left the Holy Grail there. Because I heard that you were going to go on an adventure.

It's all true that I was asked to do this. However, it wasn't as calm as I expected it to be for the Master. Things didn't go as expected, but today is a day of celebration for you, right? What's important isー

Nemo Marine: Captain! I've found Oberon! 

Nemo Marines: We've found him!

Nemo Professor: It's all a farce! Oberon-shi has been persistently rejecting all communication attempts.

Captain Nemo: We've finally connected to you. Oberon, is the Master alright? The communications suddenly cut off when you went underground though. 

Oberon: Oh my, I didn't know about that~! The Master is fine and has successfully retrieved the Holy Grail. It's no problem over here. 

Nemo Engine: Then hurry up and return already! Your scolding will come after that!

Nemo Nurse: Fufu, if you have any injuries, I'll take care of them, so please feel free to come to me.

Captain: Everyone, shut up for a moment! Oberon, Master, it's great that you two are safe. I'd like for you both to take your time and explore the city. And if possible, I'd like for the both of you to take a lot of photos of the scenery for future reference. There's a lot of vehicles in a clockwork city, right? 

Oberon: Of course! Please look forward to the souvenirs we'll get you, Captain! We have to keep Engine happy after all. 

Nemo Engine: I-it's not like I'm interested in motorcycles or anything! W-well, I'll use it as reference for the Penguin Porter's external parts...

Oberon: Okay, then let's focus on that, huh? Well then, see you later in Chaldea!

Nemo Bakery: I’ll bake a warm baguette while waiting for you, okay?

Oberon: Alright, let's go back to the surface and explore the town until the sun sets. Even though it's a town that's messy, oily, and full of shady shops, I'm sure it'll become a wonderful memory. 

After all, exploring an unknown world is an adventure in its own right.

[trappednyourheart]

Another life of a clone

(maybe not clone? Yeah reincarnation is weird and simple at the same time)

You see it was too late, Danny couldn't save his clone- a female clone of his that was like a daughter/sister/clone to him....

He did everything to let her stabilise but she needed a drop of Vlad's DNA, but it was impossible- Vlad wasn't being cooperative and was just stuck there at his room after Maddie had almost killed him again like fully dead...maybe his head got the thought that Maddie wasn't exactly worth to be fucking obsessed in the old guy's head.

“my king, we've done everything but...this time it's out of our capabilities even as such as our tradition of Health, even with Vlad's DNA she might not actually last longer- she has the soul but her body would not last long” Frostbite settled in the truth to his majesty's mind, the truth that Ellie doesn't have more time to enjoy her existence...

Her existence was bound to not last long than after all she wasn't the original.

Maybe It was the tense atmosphere of the medical room that clockwork intervened,

“But there could be a way my king...How about reincarnating the mirror-born?” Clockwork was always the scheming type and I guess he's ideas were insane and probably the best for old times sake

Yes...Ellie having a second life was much more preferable,didn't Ellie wanted to travel the world right? She was always a troublemaking one...and been the most kindest even at that shitty chaotic grin of hers.

“Clockwork your a genius” Danny grin as he look towards the capsule containing Ellie's sleeping figure, surviving off in that capsule,

Danny would ignore the remark clockwork muttered “As I should be my king😀”.

(well Dani could be Lois lane ( Superman's badass wife) Diana prince (Wonder woman like Queen) or Richard Grayson (Nightwing literal big wing)

[backonrepeat]

Gortash, who escapes the Hells after years of torture, and hires Karlach (a red tiefling) as his bodyguard because better the devil you know.

Karlach, late teens, orphaned and trying to find her place in the city, imprinting on Gortash (a thug from the Lower City, making his way up on the world) like a baby duckling, ignoring the parade of red flags.

Them working together well and getting along, despite opposite personalities and morals, because Gortash (who grew up unloved by his parents and abused by devils) enjoys being the object of Karlach's earnest, honest flattery and loyalty too much, and Karlach (poor street urchin with little to no formal education) sees Gortash scheme with politicians and criminals, design clockwork machines, and climb the social ladder with ease, and thinks the sun shines out of his ass.

If Gortash keeps the worst of his dealings hidden from Karlach, well, that's just good business sense. She's still young and green, she'll toughen up as she grows older and the reality of the world grinds her optimisim to dust. And if Karlach turns a blind eye to her boss' cruel streak, to the boxes of smuggled weapons coming in and out of the warehouses, and the dead bodies floating down the Chiontar, it's because they probably did something to deserve it, after all Gortash has been nothing but good to her.

Maybe Gortash starts to wonder if a little bit of goodwill could be leveraged to achieve more power. After all, a couple of kind words and small favours have worked wonders to ensure Karlach's loyalty. Maybe he can allow himself a kindness or two, ease the leash, raise the boot, just a smidge. Only for the harshness of reality to slap him in the face once again, the deal falls through, his enemies gain ground, he loses money and men, his plan pushed back, because he, for one instant, believed Karlach's rainbow coloured worldview.

So he tightens his grip on power even more, doubles down on his cruelty, and decides: Karlach must go. And when Zariel offers her deal, a soul for an ongoing supply of infernal steel, he sells her off without hesitation.

[pegasusdrawnchariots]

Rhyme as Romance in Theatre

Rhyme between two characters is a tool in theatre to show how compatible they are or that they're on the same wavelength or something similar. Possibly the most famous example is the sonnet that Romeo & Juliet form when they first meet in Shakespeare's eponymous play, included here for reference:

Steamy! Two characters meet & they fall into the same meter? Not only that but they rhyme with each other? Not only THAT but they form a perfect sonnet of all things? Bravo, Mr Shakespeare...

But I'm not here to talk about them. I'm here to talk about a far more overlooked instance of stichomythic rhyme in a romantic tragicomedy that conveys the same ideas — that two characters know each other VERY well & are highly compatible — but that also involves a Whole Third Guy.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the love triangle of all time, allow me to introduce the three romantic leads from Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac: Cyrano, Roxane, & Christian. (For those who are familiar, feel free to skip the indented text.)

Cyrano & Christian are both in love with Roxane, who has known Cyrano since childhood but who is in love with Christian. Cyrano, who has kept his feelings for Roxane hidden from them both for fear of being mocked for his large nose, offers his poetic talent to help the handsome Christian, who is awful at wooing women, win Roxane over. (And if this means Roxane finally gets to hear how Cyrano feels, even if the words aren't attributed to him, well, would that be so bad?)

The two gentlemen team up, deciding to be each other's half in forming a romantic hero fit for the ages — Cyrano the eloquence, Christian the beauty. And it works! Roxane talks to Christian (who has memorised lines from Cyrano) and reads Christian's letters (ghostwritten by Cyrano) and falls in love with him! Or is it technically with Cyrano? Both? Neither? Hmm...

Which brings me to the poetry.

The fast-paced exchange here is not a meetcute as it is in Romeo & Juliet, we are well past that & over the half-way mark of the play by this stage. In this exchange, Christian & Roxane have gotten married only moments ago but the two lads are being sent off to war... Cyrano is trying to drag him out of Roxane's arms & Roxane keeps yanking Christian back, the childhood friends sharing this exchange over their tug-of-war with an interestingly silent Christian stuck in the middle:

(The top extract is the original rhyming French in lovely alexandrins, by Edmond Rostand. The first English translation is faithful to the original text literally but does not rhyme, by Charles Renauld. The second English translation is more liberal and does rhyme, by Anthony Burgess of A Clockwork Orange fame.)

Now, I have to admit that the presence of rhyme in and of itself is not so particularly interesting in this exchange because ALL of the play Cyrano de Bergerac is written in verse (!!) but there IS something in this exchange that does not appear in Shakespeare's sonnet...

Cyrano & Roxane are not only having a full conversation while dragging Christian back & forth, they are not only rhyming at the same time, but they are also finishing each other's lines & prompting each other's rhymes simultaneously. A wonderful combination of stichomythia & rhyme 🥳 (Romeo & Juliet features a milder version of this, in which each character gives a complete quatrain before they start matching rhymes a line at a time to show us that they're clicking the longer they speak.) You can see it most clearly in Burgess's translation above, in which the lines are spaced out to make the meter clearer, that they pick up where the other left off & finish the line in a rhyme before continuing.

Even better, almost all of Cyrano de Bergerac is written in couplets, as anglophones can see with "try/dry" at the top of Burgess again. However, Burgess takes his translation one step further in its rhyme scheme during this exchange. By the end, Cyrano & Roxane have completed a full ABAB quatrain. A quatrain may not be as technically impressive or as romantic as a sonnet but it is more so than a couplet, and hey, they're being dragged off to die in a war! The quatrain is appropriately short to squeeze in during the hectic rush & leaves this moment of poetic & therefore cerebral connection between Cyrano & Roxane as the last words we hear before the act ends.

(Let me praise Burgess briefly in this aside. There is one more instance of him deviating from the original couplet rhyming scheme during one of Cyrano's monologues. Cyrano gets caught up in a daydream of Roxane's beauty and Burgess has him slip into a Petrarcan sonnet without even realising it... Aww <3)

The most intriguing part, however, is the content of their conversation. Cyrano & Roxane are not flirting about holding hands & kissing the way Romeo & Juliet are. They are talking about a Whole Third Guy.

Christian — poor Christian — is the subject of this conversation! While being dragged around like a rag doll! Roxane pulls him towards her & begs Cyrano to promise to keep him safe during the war. Cyrano pulls him towards HIM & does his best to make those promises, only becoming still at the final one for obvious reasons (💌).

When I said "love triangle" at the start of this post, I really meant it! This is not a jealousy angle, with two guys who dislike each other fighting over the same girl. The play, for better or worse, does not let any of the three couples be Together & happy for more than a few moments, but to me that is only further support to the threesome argument...

If you need further convincing, know that the next time we see Cyrano, he is A) in between delivering a love letter to Roxane & writing her his next one, & B) fretting over Christian going hungry & calling him handsome.

And if you STILL need further convincing, please enjoy the 2015 production's blocking of the stichomythic promise exchange:

(Roxane in the gown, Christian in the cape, Cyrano in the nose!)

[tiredandoptimistic]

TESSA GRAY CHARACTER ANALYSIS PLEEASE

Okay let's go!

Tessa is just so. She's Tessa. She keeps losing her entire life again and again, but each time she refuses to let it break her. Something I think about a lot is how completely adrift she was in Clockwork Prince. When Clary was thrown into the shadow world, she had Simon and Luke and Jocelyn to anchor her. She was literally still in the city where she grew up. Yes it was disturbing for her to learn about the magical underbelly to people and places that used to be familiar, but that familiarity never really went away. Tessa, though? She was on a new continent entirely surrounded by strangers, and her one tie to the life she left behind in New York was Nate, and even though she desperately clung to him it turned out that he was willing to sell her out to a monster. (I have a whole post about Nate and Tessa's relationship because it's endlessly fascinating to me). And then she found a home with the London Shadowhunters, and she was never quite the same as them but it didn't matter because they were her family, and then that difference got more and more noticeable as her friends aged and died around her, and she had to leave and start new again. When Jem found her in 2008 she knew exactly what she was signing up for because she'd already gone through it; a lifetime of love and an eternity of loss. Still, she accepted that because the chance to love and be loved is always worth it. So many of the immortal characters deal with numbness as they feel disconnected from the ever-changing world around them, but Tessa is so fundamentally passionate that she will always be a part of that world and she will always find new things to live for when the old ones fade away.

I love how she's so witty and doesn't take anyone's bullshit. As a newcomer to London she was constantly left in the dark about the schemes around her, but she still demanded respect and kept up with the people who treated her as a pawn. She was kinda created as a big macguffin, but she kept fucking up everybody's plans because she refused to be a passive plot device in someone else's story.

I've been mostly serious here, but I also want to mention that I think Tessa is a really fun character! I like being in her head and hearing about how she sees the world. I like that she's passionate about books and jokes around with her friends. I think one reason that she and Will work so well together is that he always projects his humor and personality out as a shield, and Tessa is a lot more quiet on the surface but they're similarly thoughtful and silly. Tessa sees through Will's bullshit but she also enjoys the chance to banter with him and let him draw her out of her shell.

Also, crucially, I imprinted on Tessa like a baby duck when I was thirteen and so she will always be a part of me.

Thanks for the ask!

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Hey how do u think the rogues would react to another rogue hitting on their S/O right in front of them knowing that the s/o is taken

OOP-

This one is already taken.

Scarecrow: Sometimes couples have their spats. Jonathan knew that just like everyone else. However even when he was angry with you, that didn't mean he didn't care what you did and didn't do. He caught sight of Edward's advances and put a stop to it almost immediately. He went into the hallway knowing full well that the second he did, you'd walk away. That was the idea. Like clockwork, you walked away from Edward as Jonathan stared him down. "We need to talk." Edward sighed but nodded nonetheless leaning against the stair banister. "Alright but don't dawdle." Edward rolled his eyes. "Would you rather speak to my spouse?" Jonathan's nostrils flared as he ground the words out through a clenched jaw. "What's that supposed to mean?" Edward quirked a brow. Jonathan glared at Edward, silent for a moment. Suddenly there was a loud slap and the Riddler's face snapped to the side. "Agh!" The Riddler winced in pain. "What the hell, Jonathan!?" "Do that again and I will ruin you, make you beg for death to come swiftly before I kill you." Jonathan said icily. A smile grew on his face. "For someone so gifted with intelligence, you should know better. Shame. It seems you're just as stupid as everyone else." He knew the words would go straight to Edward's ego and bring back some rotten memories of Edward's father and Jonathan enjoyed it.

Victor Zsasz: You had become used to people flirting with you for any reason whether it to be condescending, or scheme an escape from consequences. You were co fident you had heard it all by now. So like clockwork, you responded flatly to the individual. "My boyfriend might not like that very much." You said blankly. "Oh yeah?" He asked. "Where's he?" There was a quick whistle to gain everyone's attention as Victor made himself known. He snapped his fingers twice, clearly shocked and unimpressed with the gall this guy had. In his other hand was a gun that he pointed at the man. "Sorry, (Y/N) is already spoken for." Victor said with his usual piercing stare. It wasn't clear if he was actually angry over the situation or taking it in good stride. "Shame." The man said icily. "For you." Victor fired back. However, he seemed to recognise the man. "Get out, Deadshot. I won't ask twice."

The Riddler: The first sign he was bothered by Oswald's advances was his clenched jaw. Then it was his hand moving to your thigh, his grip firm, fingers rigid. He waited until you took your leave before Edward turned to the Penguin. With speed, Edward stabbed the blade into the sleeve of Oswalds coat, mere centimetres away from his hand. Penguin yelped and reached for his gun but stopped himself as he glared at the Riddler. "Now isn't this familiar? Once again, I'm threatening you with a knife." The Riddler sneered. "You've gotten into my business once before and I know you remember what happened next." He said icily. "What's the matter, Ed? Jealous?" Oswald smirked. "Watch your mouth around them." Edward ground out. "Or I cut it out."

Black Mask: More so in the criminal business, it is very possible to be overly friendly and it's never to be friendly. It was known in the whole hierarchy of crime that if you're overly friendly with anyone. It's flirting and many crime lords often did it to get under another ones skin- more specifically flirting with significant others, blatantly just to get a rise out of someone. So when Oswald Cobblepot kissed your hand and was overly friendly. Roman wasn't happy. Roman pulled out his gun, taking off the safety within seconds and pointing the gun at Oswald. "Fuck with what's mine again. I dare you." Roman ground out. "Fuck off. Walk away or you won't have a limp in just one leg. Better yet, you'll be lucky if you can even fucking stand."

Two-Face: The first time you met the Penguin went rather interestingly. You had heard of him before due to his rivalry with your boyfriend. However, when you'd meet Penguin for the first time, you didn't think he'd flirt with you as he had his henchmen aiming their guns at you. From what you knew, everyone knew Two-Face had a new parter but very few knew you by face, Penguin included. So when you threatened Penguin with your boyfriend, he did think much of it. Only to wonder just why you were brave enough to stand up to him. Finally, he spoke."Alright, I'll bite gorgeous. Who's your boyfriend?" Penguin asked, smirking as he turned to his henchmen. "Harvey Dent." You replied. Penguin paused. "What did you just say?" "Harvey. Dent." You repeated. As though being summoned, just in time, Two-Face showed up with a machine gun along with his henchmen who were also armed. "Don't forget, (Y/N) doesn't have just one man. They have two..." Harvey began, and Harv' continued. "...and each of us are more man than you will ever be."

[lovingly-dedicated]

Hey, gang!

There's just three weeks until Marxolor Week '24! A celebration of our favorite trickster duo in whatever form you love them best!

Have you seen our [Prompt] list? (You can find [Rules] here!)

Have you read it but you're still struggling to come up with something? If so, then read below as I go over the prompts and throw some ideas out to help stoke the fires of your imagination!!

Day 1: "Conflict" or "Meeting." 

We love 'em because they've got so much in common, but these two can't be in perfect sync all the time. For those times when they aren't, there's "Conflict." (Or maybe, it's someone else they're in conflict with? Do these two make a good team in a fight?)

"Meeting" could be anything from how they met the first time to the duo meeting up to plan for their next scheme! Or maybe, they're meeting up for something more private and personal...? /SFW

Day 2: "Curiosity" or "Mirrored"

What was it that initially drew the two of them to each other? What catches their interest? Have they learned something new about themselves? Or their world? ...Maybe the reason why they stick together is the "Curiosity" to everyone around them!

With all those similarities, Marx and Magolor's stories are mirror images in many ways. Even their bodies feel like they're "Mirrored" Or you could use this prompt to jump into the Mirror World and see how they are there, or how they'd react to meeting each other! (Or even draw them making silly faces at a funhouse mirror!)

Day 3: "Cunning" or "Magic"

Marx and Magolor each specialize in their own brand of "Cunning." Outright lies for Magolor; deceptive withholding of the truth for Marx. Will they use these against each other...or team up? Cunning can be about deceptively innocent and cute looks too. Perhaps you'll want to explore these borb-shaped wolves in sheep's clothing?

A wizard and a magician! You could use them to talk about "Magic" theory. Or explore what each one can do that the other can't? (Are they jealous?) Or...is it like magic when they look into each other's eyes? Maybe Magolor helps Marx with a magic show?

Day 4: "Clockwork" or "Majesty"

There's that darn clockwork star again! Has Marx told Magolor the story of Galactic Nova? What if he takes him there on a trip? Has wishing on a Nova affected Marx in a way Magolor can tell? ...Or maybe, something in their daily routine happens like "Clockwork."

"Majesty" brings to mind kings and their crowns and Magolor surely has something to say about that messy business! Does Marx have something to say too? Speaking of Marx, if Magolor was going to be a king, you can't forget the existence of the court's jester!

Day 5: "Control" and "Mischief"

The song is no longer known as "Under My Control" but this word's relevant! Do they have full "Control" over their powers? Can they control their feelings for each other? Can Magolor control his evil laughter? Can Marx control himself in general? (They could be holding a pair of game controllers or fighting for a remote control!)

Let's face it! When do these two NOT get up to "Mischief"? Now, do they have different views on what's fair play in the prank game? Maybe you'll want to explore what their best victory against their chosen target was? ...What was their most humiliating defeat?

Day 6: "Chaos" and "Melancholy"

"Chaos" is a step up from mischief and tends to cause more problems for everyone involved; it has greater lasting effects too... Has their bond ever brought TOO much chaos? ...Or maybe Magolor lets Marx stay on the Lor and it turns into complete chaos?

Both have suffered game-ending defeats and with those come deep scars. What are they like when "Melancholy" strikes? Maybe their relationship has taken a melancholic turn? Could they be going through a rough patch or realizing for the first time there might be more to their relationship and don't want things to change?

Day 7: "Comfort" or "Merry"

When are they most comfortable together? Do the two have a favorite comfort spot to go to? Do they maybe hug (or punch!) a plushie of each other when in a bad mood? Maybe one has a surefire recipe to "Comfort" the other in sad times?

The major key compliment to comfort's minor key is "Merry!" What gets them laughing so hard they can't stop? What's a favorite event or landmark in their life they'll never forget? Or you could throw Marx into Merry Magoland with Magolor and see what happens!

[verdemoun]

Kieran takes part in the saint denis bank robbery and everything actually goes well

thank you i just finished angelo bronte man of honor and know kieran isn't going to be there when i boot up the game next. i desperately need some copium

hosea, being a smart, hardened, lifelong outlaw, knows better than to just accept a story someone tells them. he always asks around about new outlaws joining the gang, just to confirm they are who they say they are. they definitely don't need to be dealing with another traitor.

he definitely wasn't expecting to find out their nervy o'driscoll stableboy was in fact disgraced former sergent duffy, wanted by both the us army and law enforcement for a combined bounty equal to that of dutch's for abandoning his post only to become the figurehead of a gang as large as the vdls.

he has to confront kieran about it, obviously, and assures a terrified kieran his secrecy IF kieran will help him in planning a few jobs, now knowing about kieran's previous role as leader of a gang that had successfully robbered several city banks up north

so kieran becomes an ear for hosea to run plans by and scheme with. kieran points out a distraction is a stupid idea - it'll just mobilise the police, and saint denis is a wealthy city but still a small enough city that the mobilised force will be able to get to the bank fast and hard once they realise the bomb was a distraction.

since killing civilians is frowned upon, and one of the few distractions that would actually work, they relocate the bomb to the police headquarters in saint denis. despite dutch's reluctance, it's agreed hosea will stay at shady belle to protect camp should something go wrong.

abigail goes into the police station playing a hysterical mother looking for her son while kieran sneaks in the back with a bomb, a little extra moonshine and tnt for a more destructive explosion, and like clockwork both are already back at the wagon merrily on their way back to shady belle when it goes off.

robbery happens on cue, most of the lawmen screaming and sprinting towards the station. by the time the law have stopped picking their dead and injured from the rubble of their former station and realise the robbery even happened, the gang are back together drinking to the last score without so much as a scratch.

they get their boat and set sail for australia or tahiti. thanks to having absolutely no idea how to sail, what supplies to bring, and several of the gang including hosea setting severely sea sick, they end up finding an uninhabited island the galapagos and retire in peace. sadie as the only one who knows anything about homesteading becomes their savior. hosea spends his later years fishing with kieran and javier. arthur recovers from tb and becomes a fixture as helpful as uncle in the lives of the marstons. dutch, bill and micah, still itching for the glory of being an outlaw becomes pirates and are never seen again.