#demonic. contracts

[the-girl-who-didnt-make-anysense]

"No one from House Dellamorte kneels" -Dragon Age: The Veilguard

[anbaisai]

Couldn't unsee Aira's hair as literally pink Azul hair so I had to make this once episode 10 of Dandadan dropped

[vaguely-concerned]

thinking about not only the specific people lucanis pulls in to represent the 'locks' in his psyche, but the storytelling that happens in the structure/order of them. the underlying ideas are presented something like:

the lucanis who went into the ossuary never came back out again; he died down there (the boy caterina raised is gone forever) -> you're putting yourself in danger doing this (by being close to me), you should leave because I can't bear it if you get hurt because of me -> it doesn't matter even if we do try this, it won't work anyway (again because of me) ('you know what he's like, you can open the door but he won't walk through it' :'( oofie doofie) -> what if the real secret is that there was never anything but the monster in here from the beginning. you should leave, there was never anything here worth saving in the first place. (implicitly: what if I deserved what happened, all along.)

it runs pretty cleanly from outward-oriented attachment anxiety ('caterina won't even want me back like this, she won't recognize me (the same way I no longer recognize myself)) and gradually deeper inwards until we reach self-image and self worth. or you know, the harrowing basic lack of it lol.

"careful -- they'll know we're not right," spite says in one of their first scenes... but clearly, some very deep part of lucanis has feared or suspected for much longer than that that there's something inherently not right at the core of him, way before any demon entered the picture. and the voice he gives those lines to is the person who should know him better than anyone in the world, who he has loved more than anyone in the world -- and who deliberately chose to hurt him so horrifically anyway. 'It's better if I'm just a monster and deserved what happened than it is to allow for the idea that the brother I love doesn't really exist and maybe never did'. it's better if he's fundamentally flawed in some way that needed fixing to help him survive, and that's why caterina chose to hurt him again and again -- out of love. (this one I think he might have a very sad wakeup call on one day if he ever ends up with the responsibility and care of a child of his own in some way and realizes just how alien the idea of ever intentionally hurting them for any reason is to him. oh buddy. also interesting that he keeps caterina as the outermost lock -- there IS a distance he keeps there that he hasn't with illario. he doesn't resent her 'anymore' he says, but he also keeps her carefully further away from his deepest self.)

as far as I could tell the only note in the mind prison that's fully hidden and needs to be uncovered is the sad painful helpless stupid little truth that even after all this, even knowing what happened... he still loves his brother. is there anything illario could ever do that would make lucanis completely stop loving him, do you think? sometimes the trouble with unconditional love is that it is, well. unconditional, even when some terms and conditions probably would have been in order haha.

that's the pattern you see there again and again; he would rather destroy and abandon and imprison himself at every turn than let go of love, even when it's just scraps, even when there's only ever enough of it to hurt him. it's only when rook shows up and as it were takes his hand and walks along with him that he can entertain the idea of changing the story of what walking out the door might mean in the end.

[scliffe]

I love that Ciel gets three wishes from Sebastian and he used them all to make Sebastian into someone he can trust: never lie to him, always follow his orders, protect him and never betray him. He’s a traumatized child with self esteem issues and trust issues, so perhaps it’s only to be expected—but I think that if it had been anyone else; for example if r!Ciel was the one who survived, he might not have necessarily asked for something like these. From the way Sebastian had laughed like it was something absurd, it’s highly likely that nobody else has ever asked for something like that either from him.

It must have been very strange, having such a young and innocent contractor—one who could even think of trusting a demon. The things that Ciel had gone through had ensured that he will never be able to trust another human being again—so he turned his trust on something non-human. But he’s not naive either—he had quickly figured out Sebastian’s nature—the demon is not trying to make a fair deal with him. He understood his situation—his family are dead, his brother is gone forever, nobody else could protect him; the only choice is between taking Sebastian’s hand or death.

Still, in the midst of all that, Ciel gained someone—the only one—he can trust, and Sebastian found someone—also the only one in the world—who is willing to trust him. Their relationship is strangely reciprocal. Instead of simply asking for Sebastian to solve his problems or provide instant gratifications, Ciel’s wishes made it so that the two of them must work together to achieve their goal. They are master and servant, but they are also partners in crime, co-conspirators, and devoted companions until the very end of the journey.

Someone who would never lie to you, would always listen to you, protect you, and never betray you; in any other context, it sounds so sweet. If such a someone had been human, maybe a lot of people would also willingly die or sacrifice their soul for them—in reciprocation of such love and devotion.

[i-only-ever-asked-questions]

Updated! A few days ago the contract Crowley signs in S1 came up on discord. Being the crazy person that I am, I set on the quest of finding out what it actually says. I couldn't make out everything, especially at the end where Crowley's hand and the sparks obscure the lines but I made out most of it (transcript below the break).

One of the things I like the most is that the contract specifically says "Anthony Crowley of Mayfair, London." In the book, Hastur tells Crowley not to use that name: "No. Not A. J. Crowley. Your real name.” Crowley nodded mournfully, and drew a complex, wiggly sigil on the paper. It glowed redly in the gloom, just for a moment, and then faded."

Interesting things:

The contract is referred to as "the Agreement" - HA!

The contract is between Hastur and Ligur ("the Customer") and Crowley ("the Service Provider"). Not with Hell itself or with Satan.

The contract never actually says what "the Service" is nor does it say how much Crowley is supposed to be paid (so is it just delivering the baby to the convent, or all the upbringing too?)

There is a part that says Hastur and Ligur will pay the costs when the operation is done. But later on it also says that Crowley will not be reimbursed for his own expenses. Talk about being shortchanged!

Hastur and Ligur will NOT provide any help

Crowley must contribute to a retirement plan (Superannuation) for himself and his employees if he has any (how thoughtful)

And lastly, I learned the UK has Superannuations and it is not just an Australian thing! (go figure! the things GO teaches me)

So here you have it. A contract from Hell! literally If anyone can make out the words I couldn't or finds an error, please let me know and I'll update this one.

Full transcript:

[Line covered by clip and Ligur’s fingers] (the "Agreement")

BETWEEN

HASTUR AND LIGUR of HELL (the "Customer")

AND

ANTHONY J CROWLEY of MAYFAIR LONDON (the "Service Provider")

BACKGROUND a. The Costumer is of the opinion that the Service Provider has the necessary qualifications experience and abilities to provide services for the Customer. The Costumer will pay the Service Provider per project agreed. Each project has its own costs and the Service Provider agrees to inform the Customer what are the costs involved when setting the operation and the Costumer agrees to pay the total amount when the project is delivered. b. The Compensation will be payable upon completion of the Services. The Service Provider is responsible for paying any Superannuation Guarantee contributions that may be required in relation to the work performed by the Service Provider or by the employees of the Service Provider under this Agreement c. The above Compensation includes all applicable sales tax, and dues as required by law

Provision of Extras a. The Customer will not provide any resources, assistance or extra for use by the Service Provider in providing the Services Reimbursement of Expenses b. The Service Provider will not be reimbursed for expenses incurred by the Service Provider in connection with providing the Services of this Agreement. Independence of Services c. In providing the Sevices under the Agreement it is expressly agreed that the Service Provider is acting as an independent contractor and not as an employee. The Service Provider and the Customer acknowledge that the Agreement does not create a partnership or joint venture between them, and is exclusively a contract for service

Notes a. All suits, requests, demands or other communication required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement by will be given in writing and delivered to the Parties of the Agreement as follows

ANTHONY J CROWLEY of MAYFAIR LONDON

HASTUR AND LIGUR of HELL

and each [Illegible words due to Crowley’s hand] notify the other.

[ILLEGIBLE WORD]

ANTHONY J CROWLEY

[myonmukyuu]

won't you dance with this devil?

inspired by this collab:

[captainjoongki]

the fall 2023 kdrama slate be like

[zorlok-if]

The Contract

I, Tommy Osorio, agree to surrender ownership of my soul to ꔪϞᛥღ✦҂∞★. In exchange, they shall serve me for as long as I live and aid me in my quest to become "cool" (terms defined below). Payment, in the form of my soul, cannot be collected until the event of my death.

I, ▲ಠッ≜囧◥❈◸, shall henceforth serve Tommy Osorio. Until the event of his death, I shall follow his commands and heed his wishes with the primary goal of making him "cool" (terms defined below). Following his death, I shall immediately be freed of this bond of servitude and may collect my payment.

Additional Terms

Both parties are restricted from directly harming one another once this contract has been signed.

After being signed, this contract cannot be voided, altered, or destroyed by any means. To protect both signators, the terms and conditions as written and defined in this contract shall take precedence over either party's subsequent demands or desires.

For the sake of this contract, "cool" is defined as "someone or something that is well-liked, respected, envied, and/or inspiring, generally without caring or trying to be perceived as such". Since this concept is abstract, subjective, and ever-evolving, this contract shall employ a strict set of criteria that Tommy must embody. For Tommy to be considered "cool" he must...

Obtain high social standing and be well-respected by most of his peers

Deviate from banal expectations and established norms while being praised for such deviations

Challenge power dynamics and upset the social hierarchy in place when this contract was signed

Stop caring about what others think of himself, his actions, and his companions

Have others who are inspired by or envious of him—longing for what he has, does, or represents

Note: The above criteria can be considered satisfied if Tommy fulfills or appears to fulfill the requirement by most of his peers (for instance, Tommy may privately care what others think of him, but as long as he doesn't seem to care, the fourth criteria can be considered fulfilled).

Addendum

Tommy Osorio, shall reveal the name and location of the individual who taught him to summon demons. In exchange, until Tommy is cool, ⚘ᨖ✩𐏎❊☬⨨ꙮ will be Zorlok, not ⨻⁕✢☻ᘛ✚જ」.

Tommy Osorio

ಠ✾ྉ✠֎♥⛛ᴥ

[shurup-overt]

using the trkn week as an excuse to post this here teehee it was made like a month or two ago but I still like it

day 6: au of choice 📜🔗

ghost hotel terukane!! they're so interesting!! they're so awful!! they're so doomed!!

[oh-no-its-bird]

Hear me out: warring states era Hatake who went on a mission somewhere in the land of waves and fell off the fucking map— where they then witnessed the Unspeakable Timeless Horrors Of The Sea And Spiral, then washed up on shore a solid years later, irreversible changed and tangibly Other.

Their wolf contract no longer works because there is something so deeply Wrong with them that animals (especially contract beats and spirits) can feel it. There is something tangibly, legitimately Other(tm) about them, and while they've been wholeheartedly accepted back into the clan, everyone knows this is not the same person who they lost a year ago

They gazed into the abyss and the abyss gazed back type shit fr

[bull-shit-suji]

actually no i need to talk about the green witch arc. ciel and his band of merry fools go to germany and learn that this forest is haunted by WEREWOLVES and in it is a village full of WITCHES with cursed amulets and potions and whatever

and the immediate vibe is "lol what a bunch of bogus" which is really just batshit coming from the kid with a demon butler

and then woah big reveal! it wasn't werewolves or witches it was a covert military operation REPLETE with radar tracking (not a thing until wwii) and electronic displays (most likely crt screens, which again weren't fully developed until the 1930s) and TANKS. for reference the first "tank" was put together by a guy in 1899 who mounted a machine gun to THIS

absolute paragon of engineering. the panzer (the exact model of tank in the arc) was not a thing until wwi.

and. and ciel and ESPECIALLY the Demon Butler in question are like. ohhhh yeah that makes more sense. the amulets were just transmitting our exact locations through technology that won't exist for another three decades. whew glad we sorted that one out. man wouldn't it have been CRAZY if it really was werewolves.

[dollypopup]

saw a post that was basically like 'Nicola and JB and LT all have done audiobooks which are quick and easy ways for an actor to make some money so why doesn't Luke Newton do it since he has nothing going on?' and I just

1: he DOES have stuff going on? he is still filming Bton? he was at SAG? Boss? Meetings for lord knows how many or what auditions?

2: taking time off is GOOD, actually

and 3: wow, Debra, I DO SO WONDER why an actor who has been outspoken about having dyslexia and how he has had to advocate for himself against ableism in the entertainment industry just for a script reading, let alone a several hundred page novel, might not have a contract for an audiobook. SUCH a conundrum.

[nomnomnamiart]

someday i will write contract demon 2

[lord-shitbox]

still think itd be pretty fucking funny if Ais can't bring MC or Vere over to the seaspring because Ocudeus either doesn't like them or doesn't want Ais to fuck nasty in his house of worship. Sorry guys you can't come over my sugar momma hates uou

[clubfluffer]

Kdramas deciding to throw all the good stuff at us right at the end of the year and at the same time, and me trying to keep up with them all:

[aizawaondrugs]

Whoever the fuck came up with the idea that Ra's al Ghul is both his ACTUAL NAME and THE TITLE Ra's possesses as the leader of the League of Shadows is instantly the funniest motherfucker on the block the moment they show up. Ra's as in head?? Al Ghul as in demon??? Literal fucking translation???

We can't know for sure if it's his birth name, of course, but let me have this. I mean you want to tell me that he came out of the womb head-first like any other considerate newborn and whoever the fuck named him just went "Well... that sure is a head."????? Did he pick up Al Ghul?? Is it hereditary??? Did he inherit it???

Also every single one of his kids named Al Ghul automatically belong to some random ass demon that won the fucking spinning wheel at the time. Talia Al Ghul aka. Demon's Talia? Damian Al Ghul aka. Demon's Damian? Which demon's? WHICHEVER UNFORTUNATE BASTARD WON THE DEMON LOTTERY I GUESS. THEY PROBABLY PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE ABOUT IT OR SOMETHING.

Do the demons start the soul lottery when the kids are "born" (Damian for example is a wholass test tube baby who never felt the warmth of any mother's womb, much less his own) or is it a "first dip in the Lazarus Pits" kind of thing? Is JASON technically and Al Ghul then, demon soul contracts and all????

Constantine instantly got a vision splitting, nausea-inducing migraine Damian got introduced to him because of this, I can just feel it.