#heavily improved in them HEL

[the-flys-buzz]

hiiii jake. youre getting glared at now. your turn. plus. i think. key will be on williams side in terms of jake needing sleep too.

I HEARD SOMEONE NEEDED PANCAKES MADE AND THAT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE ONE OF FEW THINGS I CAN MAKE

id like it to be known. he just appeared in front of steven and dave and started yelling.

//@the-flys-buzz

“WHERE THE HELL DID YOU COME FROM. WHATS-“

[HE LOOKS SO CONFUSED CHAT HEL]

[shadowsreturn]

Shadow's Return - Chapter 1

I decided to create a blog for this story. And as I continue to write it, I keep getting more and more ideas for other stories and parts I could add/make. I will change a few parts here and there, to add better ideas or scenes, but overall I want to share this thing that I love(might be outdated, since the fandom seems to be dead...) and make friends along the way!

I also want to re-write the show, but with little changes to them except for the ones that will fit my AU(no name yet). Not all of the show, but I will re-write a few episodes and build the story better. It will also answer questions that you might have from reading this story that is set after Time after Time. Basically after the show's last episode.

Just wanted to make a fanfic about Xiaolin Showdown. Don’t know if you guys would like it, but here’s the first part. If you like it, please like and comment, maybe you can help me improve on my writing.

***

They were walking on the deserted land, once called China. All four of them were exhausted, hungry and thirsty as they tried for months to survive the new power hungry, world Domination villain. Clay, who had a lot of trouble walking from his wounds, had a heavily wounded Omi in his arms as the younger one tried his hardest to stay awake. Kimiko, who had a broken leg, was being supported by Raimundo, who had just as much bruises as the others, while he was using his wind to keep everyone from disappearing behind the darkness that was spreading all over the country.

The, very much unprepared, monks finally had a clear way of escaping after fighting against horrifying Shadow beasts. Feeling despair as they lost the temple as well as the entirety of the country, they tried to find an empty cave for them to rest. Their hearts now without hope of any kind of victory.

It took them a few more hours of walking, but eventually, they found a big cave and collapsed on the ground.

Clay used the last bit of his energy and Element to block the entrance, but not all the way as to let the air reach them. Kimiko made a small fire to keep them warm as she, soon after, laid down to rest. Raimundo took Omi and started to bandage the small one’s wounds first. The wind wielder could only think about the events that led to this. “Was this what Jack was trying to tell us back then…?” He thought, as he finally let Omi get some much needed sleep.

A few hours passed, the three monks were sleeping, but Raimundo could not. Worried about everyone, his eyes would not close as his anxiety was through the roof. But eventually, he calmed down, closed his eyes and thought about the happy days.

Before him.

“A year after the timelines merged back together, the monks were back into their usual routine. Rai was trying to perfect a new move he had been creating for weeks, jumping around, kicking and flipping. Until someone hurriedly knocked on the Temple door. Omi and Kimiko were the ones to open the door, but they got on their guards as soon as they saw Spicer waiting to enter.

"Jack Spicer” Omi almost screamed. Making Clay and Raimundo curious. “What are you doing here?” He asked, as the Earth and Wind wielders approached them.

“You look kinda different, what happened to you?” Kimiko half mocked, seeing as the Albino had a bandage against his left eye, was not wearing anything black and his hair weren’t spiky or standing up on his head. His right foot had a cast and he had a crutch to help him stand on it.

“Look, I found something and I don’t have time to explain everything… can I please come in?” Jack asked, looking really anxious. The four monks looked at each other, thinking for a moment. But then Raimundo stepped in.

“If it’s another one of your schemes we aren’t gonna fall for it, you can leave now! Be-bye!” Raimundo said, as he slammed the door shut in Jack’s face.

Jack sighed. “Fine. But if you end up needing my help, don’t count on me this time…” They heard, as the Albino walked away.

“Psshh, as if we’d need his help!” Raimundo mocked, making Kimiko and Omi laugh. Clay, however, was not amused.

“We done needed his help multiple tahmes in thuh past, ya know…”

“True, but we weren’t all together! We did need his help against Wuya, but we didn’t need his help for Chase!” Raimundo said, with a smirk.

“Yeah, ya might wanna re-think that.” Dojo said, approaching them. “Jack was the one who went into the ying-yang world to get back your Chi. If he hadn’t been there, Chase would’ve won!” The Dragon added.

“Wait, Spicer was the one who did that? I thought it was you, Dojo!” Kimiko asked.“Me? Oh no, no no no no, I would never go into that world alone willingly. Even if it is to save the world…” Dojo replied, but before they could place another word, the sky started to darken behind the mountains. A big flock of birds were flying away from it as they heard many weird beastly screams.

And Master Fung wasted no time. He opened the Wu vault and made everyone go in, as it was their only safe spot in the Temple that was close enough to hide into.

Then, darkness quickly spread all over. And before they knew it, the Monks were running for their lives, away from the burning Temple…“

Raimundo’s eyes shot open. Sitting up and looking around, he found that they were still in that cave. And with the sky permanently black, it was very difficult to tell the time. He sighed as he started to question his position as a leader. He had no ideas on what to do. Was Master Fung right for giving him this title? "Absolutely not…” He thought. “What am I supposed to do now..?” He looked around again at his teammates to make sure they were somewhat okay. And seeing as they were indeed still alive and alright, he sighed.

And heard a nasty loud growl close by as he did.

Chills ran down his spine as he went to wake up Kimiko so she could kill the small fire, but she did so as the growl woke her up instantly. As the other two woke up as well, they all stayed as silent as they could be, as to not give their positions away. The Shadow beast walked around and soon was joined by more beasts. They surrounded the entrance to the cave, trapping the monks. One beast started to growl even louder as it approached the boulder Clay created. When it went to destroy it, however, something, or someone, stopped it.

As the monks kept their silence, they heard a battle taking place, and one Shadow beast by one, were all dying under the sound of, maybe swords? The monks weren’t sure but it sounded like metal. But as soon as the sounds died down, the mysterious person took down the boulder with one single swing of his metal scythe. The monks were face to face with the cloaked figure, looking at them with uncertainty until more growls were heard in the distance. The unknown person looked behind them and used their element, Metal, to tied the monks together and transport them to their ship. Throwing the monks in the back seats, they sat at the driver’s seat and took off into the sky.

The monks were completely disoriented, not knowing who was their possible savior or where on earth they were going, but they noticed that the ship strongly resembled one of Jack’s ship from the early days when they all met. Specifically, the one Jack used to escape and face Wuya. The monks tried to ask the mysterious person questions, but they were left with silence as they noticed that the person had a deep wound on their right side of their torso, right below their arm. They tried to take the person’s hood off, but they simply used their element to tie the monks to the seats. They tried complaining, but the person pushed a button on the dashboard to isolate them in the back with a glass window, separating the driver from the annoying monks crying for answers.

All they could do in that moment, was look outside and pray they weren’t being kidnapped by one of his lieutenant. But as they were flying off, they saw Chase’s lair in the distance, getting closer. Whoever that person was, they were taking the monks to Chase Young.

Passing through an invisible barrier, they made their way into a landing zone directly into the lair. As they landed, the mysterious individual set the monks free, opened the cockpit door and jumped out. The monks soon followed them, but before they could ask questions, Chase entered the landing zone. “You found them! Good job.” He said to the person, but the overlord was met with silence as well, as the young person walked past him, leaving the room without even a glance at the powerful man.

The Monks were on their guards, but they soon became confused as Chase started to speak. “Welcome, monks. My warriors will show you where you will stay. Please get some rest, we will discuss everything once your wounds have been dealt with.” He said as he also left the room, leaving two of his warriors to lead the way for the monks.

They followed the orange and brown jungle cats and were brought at a stop in front of a hallway with a set of four doors on their left and two doors on their right. There also was a giant door in front of them at the end of the hallway. One of the warriors then transformed back into their original form and explained that the doors on the left were bedrooms and the two doors on the right were bathrooms. Specifically, bathrooms separated for each gender.

The monks quickly went to wash their filthy bodies and almost infected wounds and found that Chase provided fresh clothes for them. They got dressed up after bandaging their wounds and went to bed for a much needed rest.

***

The next day, their wounds mysteriously healed overnight thanks to Chase’s magic infused soap the monks used and Clay was the first one to wake up and leave his room.

Unfortunately, the cowboy got lost as he tried to find some food. But as he was passing by a random door, it opened and Jack was the one to step out.

They bumped into one another and Jack pushed him away surprisingly hard. “Watch it you braindead little-” but stopped as soon as he looked at who he pushed away. “Oh.. it’s you..” Jack sighed, and Clay finally got a good look at him after seven months without seeing the albino.

The boy’s hair was longer, just enough to cover his ears and his eyes, his body looked more muscular, but he still looked small in comparison to the bulkier country boy. His left eye, however, had a nasty scar starting from just above his eyebrow going down to his cheekbone that also went over another older scar that was right under his eye in horizontal. Making it look like an upside down cross. To top it all, Jack wore glasses. He had never seen the boy with anything other than his weird goggles!

Disregarding the paler boy’s new look, Clay shook his head. “Nahce ta see ya again too, pahrtner.” He replied, with a small smile while the other monks were joining in on the conversation.

“So, that’s where you’ve been all this time.” Raimundo added as soon as he was close enough.

Jack shook his head. “Actually, not exactly..” He said, while walking past the monks. “Anyway,” he added as he looked back at them with an actual small smile, “welcome back!” and left the hallway where the monks all stood.

Raimundo sighed. “Well, we should probably get something to eat…” He said as the others nodded.

“But where could it be? Chase Young seems to have changed the layout of his lair.” Omi responded.

“And it doesn’t look like he wants us around more than we want to be around…” Kimiko pointed out. She crossed her arms and looked at Raimundo. “Any ideas, Rai?” She asked, but Raimundo shook his head gently.

“Sadly, no…”

“Well, we’re not gonna fahnd out by stayin’ hair” Clay added. Raimundo nodded and started walking where Jack had been going moments before. The monks followed their leader and, eventually, they finally arrived at the dinning room. To their surprise, a buffet was waiting for them. But they were cautious. What if this was another trap? But as Raimundo approached the table, he found a note saying that they could dig in and to meet him in his meeting room when the monks would be done.

It was signed by Chase.

So, they ate all their stomach could handle. Since they didn’t eat much as they were on the run, the food was greatly appreciated. While they were finished and trying to relax, a panther entered the room, transformed into their original form and told the monks to follow them.

Once they arrived in Chase’s meeting room, the warlord stood up as Jack was right beside him. “Xiaolin monks, I knew you would survive! Unfortunately, we do not have time to relax as I’m sure you’re aware of the situation we are in.”

“Well duh!” Raimundo replied. “But we don’t know who or what has taken over. Mind filling us in?” He added, raising an eyebrow.

“And what about that person who saved us? Who are they?” Kimiko asked.

“Why are you helping us, Chase Young?” Omi added.

“What happened ta ya, Jack?” Clay wondered, looking at the albino with concerns. Which made the albino blush slightly and look away.

Chase sat back down. “That is what we are here to discuss.”

The monks looked at each other and nodded. Raimundo looked back at Chase with a determined look as his teammates did the same. “Alright, then we’re all ears.” Chase smiled.

“Then take a seat so we can begin!”

[shaimaglobo]

How Can Organic Fertilizers Contribute to Sustainable Agriculture in Oman?

In recent years, sustainable agriculture has become a priority for countries worldwide, including Oman. As the country faces environmental challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and climate change, the need for sustainable farming practices is more crucial than ever. Organic fertilizers have emerged as a key solution to enhancing soil health, improving crop yields, and protecting the environment. In Oman, where agriculture plays a vital role in the economy, the adoption of organic fertilizers can contribute significantly to the sustainability of the sector. But how exactly can organic fertilizers contribute to sustainable agriculture in Oman? Let’s explore the benefits.

1. Improving Soil Health and Fertility

One of the most significant benefits of using organic fertilizers is their ability to improve soil health and fertility. Organic fertilizers are derived from natural sources like compost, manure, and other organic matter. When applied to soil, they enhance its structure, increase its water retention capacity, and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms.

In Oman, where the soil is often arid and nutrient-deficient, organic fertilizers can play a crucial role in revitalizing the land. They add essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which are needed for plant growth. Additionally, organic fertilizers improve the organic matter content in the soil, leading to better aeration and root development. Over time, this helps build soil that is more resilient to drought, erosion, and salinity, all of which are concerns in Oman’s agricultural regions.

2. Reducing the Dependence on Chemical Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers have long been the go-to option for farmers in many parts of the world, including Oman. However, overuse of these synthetic fertilizers can lead to soil degradation, contamination of water sources, and harm to beneficial soil organisms. By switching to organic fertilizers, farmers in Oman can reduce their dependence on chemical inputs, promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly farming approach.

Organic fertilizers release nutrients slowly into the soil, providing a steady supply of nourishment to plants without overwhelming them with excess chemicals. This slow-release nature reduces the risk of nutrient leaching into water systems, which can contribute to pollution. Furthermore, organic fertilizers are often made from locally available organic materials, making them more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than imported chemical fertilizers.

3. Enhancing Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health

The use of organic fertilizers has a direct impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health. Chemical fertilizers can disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems by harming beneficial insects, soil organisms, and even aquatic life. In contrast, organic fertilizers encourage a thriving ecosystem by promoting the growth of beneficial microbes and earthworms in the soil.

In Oman, where agriculture is closely linked to the natural environment, maintaining biodiversity is essential. By using organic fertilizers, farmers can create a healthier environment for pollinators like bees, which are vital for crop pollination. The organic approach supports not only crops but also the wider ecosystem, contributing to the long-term health of Oman's agricultural landscapes.

4. Contributing to Water Conservation

Water scarcity is a significant challenge in Oman, where the country relies heavily on groundwater for agricultural purposes. Organic fertilizers can help improve water retention in the soil, making it more efficient in holding moisture and reducing the need for frequent irrigation. This is particularly beneficial in Oman’s arid climate, where water conservation is essential for sustainable farming.

By increasing the organic matter in the soil, organic fertilizers improve the soil’s ability to retain water, which helps crops survive during dry periods. This is a key factor in ensuring that Oman's farmers can continue to produce food and crops in an increasingly water-stressed environment.

5. Supporting Sustainable Farming Practices

Sustainable farming is about more than just using organic fertilizers; it involves adopting a holistic approach that balances economic, environmental, and social factors. Organic fertilizers contribute to sustainable farming practices by promoting long-term soil health, reducing chemical dependency, and supporting environmentally friendly cultivation techniques.

In Oman, where the agricultural sector is a key part of the economy, sustainable farming practices are essential for ensuring food security and protecting the environment. The use of organic fertilizers, along with other sustainable practices such as crop rotation, conservation tillage, and integrated pest management, can help create a more resilient and self-sustaining agricultural system.

6. Improved Crop Yields and Quality

While organic fertilizers are often associated with soil health and sustainability, they can also improve crop yields and quality. Organic fertilizers provide a rich mix of nutrients that not only boost plant growth but also improve the quality of produce. Crops grown with organic fertilizers tend to be healthier, more nutritious, and resistant to pests and diseases.

In Oman, where agricultural production is vital for local food supply, improving crop yields and quality is essential. Organic fertilizers can help farmers increase their productivity while ensuring that the produce meets the required standards for both local consumption and export.

7. The Role of Al Ariq Equipment LLC in Promoting Organic Fertilizers in Oman

As part of its commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Oman, Al Ariq Equipment LLC has been a key player in supplying organic fertilizers and other essential agricultural equipment. Founded in 2003, Al Ariq Equipment LLC is a fully Omani company with expertise in the latest technology in agriculture and garden equipment. The company offers a range of high-quality products, including organic fertilizers, to support Oman's agricultural sector.

Al Ariq Equipment LLC’s products are designed to help farmers adopt sustainable practices that can boost crop yields, protect the environment, and improve the long-term health of the soil. The company’s expertise extends beyond organic fertilizers, as they also supply various agricultural tools and machinery that are crucial for efficient and sustainable farming operations in Oman.

Conclusion

Organic fertilizers are a powerful tool in promoting sustainable agriculture in Oman. By improving soil health, reducing dependence on chemicals, enhancing water retention, and supporting biodiversity, organic fertilizers contribute to a more resilient and eco-friendly agricultural system. In Oman, where sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important, the use of organic fertilizers offers a viable solution for ensuring food security and protecting the environment. With the support of companies like Al Ariq Equipment LLC,Organic fertilizers in Oman, farmers in Oman can access the latest technology and products that help them achieve their sustainability goals and thrive in the face of environmental challenges.

[grey-eyed-gemini]

And our much belated final, part 4!

Ultraviolet: This is the butterfly leaving the cacoon of the previous two albums. With this one, you can really hear them finding their new sound, and rocking it. This is such a happy album. You can hear the band enjoying themselves, I swear. I enjoy False Kings and Fool's Paradise, but my favorite is Angel. 9/10 I really really like this new spin on their og sound.

Ghostlight: This is the Carnival to Ultraviolet's Signs- there are amazing, stand out songs (Requiem for my Harlequin, Chasing Echoes, Beyond the Horizon), but there are also some that fall a bit flat. I also feel we once again are having track order issues. Firedancer is nice, but it's completely overshadowed by Requiem being right after. I'd say 8/10, great but with a bit of room for improvement.

Alexander Theatre Sessions: ok so. I wasn't originally going to include any of the live/collection albums because I felt my opinions of them would be heavily influenced by how much I enjoyed the original studio tracks. But in the end I decided to make an exception because this was such a heartfelt project. And I really really enjoyed it. I'm not always a fan of acoustic versions of songs, but I think they were really smart about their song choices, and the collab with Triosis+ for the final three songs was just. Incredible. 9/10 very well arranged, obviously well performed, just wished I had seen the videos as they were coming out to really get that full effect.

Andddd thats all folks! See you next time on Hel's Musical Interlude~

*cracks fingers* ok Poets of the Fall Opinions time

Signs of Life: the og, the big bang! Lift, 3 AM, Seek You Out, Illusion and Dream! Every single song is a banger, every single song is iconic, and they are organized to make a perfect album no notes no removals 10/10 literally the greatest

Carnival of Rust: while Signs of Life is a great album as a whole, Carnival has my favorite songs (Roses, Tomorrow is a Better Day). However! It has some that fall a bit flat, and personally I'd have the track order be different. Fire as an opener is... eh (tho I'm biased because it's one of my least favorites), and honestly the fact All the Way/4U isn't the finale is a crime. But overall a good album solid 8/10

Revolution Roulette: ok. Imma be honest. I had trepidation going into this one because I'd only heard Diamonds for Tears before and only knowing the single from an album... usually doesn't speak well for the album. And Revolution is... ok. I was not super impressed, it didn't get me going like the previous albums. But Miss Impossible was a nice surprise, and Where do we Draw the Line was enjoyable as well. I would say 5/10, leaning towards a 6.

[eriisaam]

Something something Tarot Card Project something.

---

Context under the cut, in order of appearance:

---

Kyo - The Fool (  Hear me out.)

Symbolizing new beginning, adventure, opportunities, pleasure, etc. It reflects how when Lifonse and Kamui first met him (from his perspective), he suddenly took a drastic turn in his life with opening new opportunities (becoming a summoner, stabilizing his power to go from a ditto to a ditto-mew, getting his first legendary in Zacian and encountering others, finding his ex and making amends to be on surprisingly good terms with him, having lovers who immediately love him, etc), of which his stinkiness nearly self-sabotaged in his apprehension, his guardedness, and (more sympathetically) him managing his past experiences and traumas, of which had Lifonse and Kamui not been so patient, supportive and loving as they had, there were so many opportunities he could've ruined for himself. This incarnation of him even gained more lovers than his past self (in Eclair and then Kaze), and in a moment of humbling himself and realizing in full of the weight of his failings and foolishness, it had a profound effect in Zacian for her to knight him, proclaiming herself as his to officially train.

For the reverse, this also winds up heavily symbolizing his past-self, who became present-Kyo's fallen alt, who did wind up self-sabotaging things by causing a lot of trauma that lingered in Kamui and Lifonse, who went a completely different direction in life from the present Kyo, and was woefully apathetic and uncaring to Lifonse and Kamui as a whole compared to present-Kyo not only opening up and genuinely loving them more, but making strides to change himself for the better for their sake, too. There were many scars he left behind in Lifonse and Kamui that negatively impacted even present-Kyo’s relationship with them, and the only moment he had a saving grace was just before his death, and ruined just as quickly when Hel claimed him as one of her new cohorts. Worth also noting that unlike the present Kyo, whose power stabilized his ditto genes to be mew-like, past-Kyo didn’t develop nearly as pronounced a bond to do the same, and thus, lacked their connection to a mew.

---

Ephrel - The Chariot

In reverse, the feeling of defeat, being vanquished, lost, etc. Were all feelings that reflected how Ephrel was in the eyes of Sparrow's Order of Heroes prior to Sparrow's official status as summoner (of which Chrom's was unofficial before her). They were completely forgotten to the point they didn't even have a name attached other than "former summoner/previous summoner", the circumstances of why they were gone were almost entirely unheard of or guesswork, and there seemed far too much haste to try to forget them as much as possible in favor of moving on with Sparrow, satisfied to keep their fate unknown with very few to give a fuck otherwise (like Chrom, then Sparrow based on Chrom's own unwavering hope to find out what happened once learning Ephrel had a life after their robinsona).

The process of finding Spectabilis, then deciding to redeem them rather than kill them (which would be far easier and inconsequential), was what flips The Chariot upright: Reflecting the long, rocky road Chrom persevered to press forward to, and meet up to free Ephrel from a fate of stagnancy, rather than just leave it at accepting his replacement Robins and moving on without them like everyone else. This action was what allowed Ephrel's live to continue forward, and to reveal more of themself they didn't flesh out even in their robinsona days.

Initially, I debated on whether or not Chrom and Ephrel fit to be literally riding something, but I find it even more fitting that Chrom himself served as “the chariot”, having carried the toils and burdens from the point he lost Ephrel, to the long, exhausting journey to retrieve them again. 

---

Erin - The Hanged Man

As her supports (but especially Lif, Ryoma, and to some degree Camilla from the start) knew too well (and Hrid eventually caught up on and was rightfully horrified of and clingy afterwards about), Erin came from a very harsh life prior to being a summoner, where she was suffocated, controlled, manipulated, and worked to the ground, to the point she nearly made a very costly, risky mistake of her own self prior to her Breidablik summoning her (of which I'll remain brief and vague here as it's not the biggest point this time). The damage was still done, as she still was left a broken shell, fully welcoming anyone to pull her strings as she was heavily conditioned to expect, all with a weak will, self-worth and agency. All of which line up with the reversed Hang Man's meaning of useless sacrifice, unwillingness to change, and knowingly heading on to bad decision after bad outcome. The arms of her past try greedily to drag her back to the life she had once escaped from.

The upright version of this reflected readjustment, improvement, and rebirth: All of which carried the same elements to how her supports could see she was a completely different person underneath the broken mess she was initially left as, and needed support, love, and gentle coaxing to come out in her own accord. This then led to a very massive shift to what she later turned into presently from where she started off before: As someone bold, brash, more willing to show herself, and more engaged as her own self with her own decisions. Even in free-fall, she gained her freedom, and more, thanks to her supports, gained her wings figuratively and literally (as a manakete) to take flight by her own will.

---

Teru - Death

In reverse, Teru had indeed followed a lot of relationships that couldn't fully serve him or be as realized as he needed them to be at the time he needed it most (Kyo, before The Incident nearly ruined even their friendship, and definitely ruined their relationship. Then Ryoma, before Garon took that away from him as well.). His Order of Heroes failed him, his initial Askr was doomed, and he had to be a pillar of strength and protection to his pokemon and them in a time he himself desperately needed someone to rely on and protect him instead in his ailing strength and health. In the form he took prior to decimating his former connected World of Fates, one prominent feature in the missingno form he took at the time was carrying the fragmented headgear of his fallen past lover.

Upright, even in the point where Teru changed his life for the better, it took massive sacrifices and struggles on his part to get there. He has a chronic illness that can make him incredibly godly in power in the best of times, but also worryingly and critically frail and weak in most other times, all through his missingno powers he's still not able to entirely control. He had done the impossible in cheating death so many times from being a missingno, to surviving Conquest, to taking the Heart's Rite head on and living to tell the tale, but such bragging rights rang hallow for the sacrifices he made and the unspeakable levels of agony and pain he endured while subjected to them. He cheated death, yet at what cost? But even when he reached his lowest, his life did start anew as he grew past his traumas just enough to learn to grow and feel again, and for the better. After all, "third time's the charm".

---

Sparrow - The Star

Where she started, she was homeless, abandoned by the world, and left to die. Forgotten. Uncared for. Unconcerned. Just another number and another sad life wasted. Like the reverse, she started in a point she was made acutely aware how little her skills mattered (it certainly didn't spare her the life of poverty), how bad her luck was (despite her best efforts, she still failed), and her only future was one that was coming to an end (crushed dreams unrealized in favor of being left to starve to death to the harsh elements outdoors). In her hands were the concept of a Crest of Fate bestowed to her, marking her as a digidestined. But even this “blessing” was in actuality a fake crest of the Grimeal, and what led to long-term damage to her and her digimon when the ruse was up.

It was Chrom who summoned her, and it was because of his patience to help save her and get her on her feet again did her hopes turn around, and her card meaning with it. Upright, she had a second chance in a new life, a new environment, and with opportunities she only barely touched the surface of that were fully realized in looking to it again in Askr (her digimon, who she didn't physically interact with until Chrom upset her digimon partners upon realizing why Sparrow didn't check up on them (of which she downplayed her life cuz, well, she thought it was a game), revealing themselves in full). She found love, she found insight, and she found a new power she learned to harness to make a better use of her skills when she thought a more direct approach was lacking (a healer, when she wasn't physically strong enough to take up another weapon yet). She stayed calm, positive, hopeful, and tried to extend the same hope Chrom shared to her to others she found along the way, which led to Robin, Lyon, and then Ephrel finding their own hopes as well. In her hands was a digi-egg of Destiny (sometimes alternatively known as the digimental of fate), which manifested itself when Breidablik resonated with both Sparrow and Ephrel. As a united force, they finally gained the hard-earned role of digidestined as a duo legendary-mythic unit.

---

Eclair - Judgement

A lot of Eclair's point of major growth in power and character all fell back on Thorr's most powerful ability: Judgement. This power was the power that could completely and utterly decimate entire countries with the single swing of her hammer, and she isn't afraid to flex, and in ways Eclair saw for himself are fickle and self-righteous (particularly as she and Teru declared war on one another for the sake of protecting Nohr or wiping it off the face of Fates, but did nothing to interfere with the Nohr Teru himself destroyed in his own world). This fickle nature, this self-serving attitude and logic path Thorr decides when to enact her judgement or not, struck the biggest fear in Eclair and caused untold amounts of stress, worries, and panic attacks of being his greatest failure of seeing everyone wiped away from his life (like the fate he himself escaped as a forma) if he couldn't successfully stop his own mother. All of which are fears of the reverse Judgement. Even when she left her mark in other timelines and what-could’ve-beens, she struck fear in Eclair’s supports making such outcomes prominently known for them to stew on. Including an alternative outcome of her taking hold of some manner of Alfonse and overloading him into a temporal threat.

But upright, it also reflects awakening, renewal, a better health and mind fully realized. The point Eclair began fearing his mother and aunt most was also the point his powers started manifesting the most when his family, friends and supports made their own will clear of wanting to protect him. It was also the point he fully realized that form of will that comes from love and the power it held that heavily contrasted the will Thorr took interest in that comes from despair. This eventually was fully realized in his fully powered form, Magni, and his power as the Divine Shield to completely cancel out Thorr's Judgement attack, and thus, force her to bring herself down to the same even footing as the mortals when she can't simply delete them off the earth with a swing anymore. This resolve is also what resonated with why Zamazenta similarly trusts him, and thus, fully established Eclair's mythic alt.

[hopelessromanticspoonie]

To Keep You Safe

Title: There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you feel my love

Chapter: 17/?

Author: hopeless_romantic_spoonie

Summary: Life as the assistant to Tony Stark was busy, but boring. All of that changed when I touched something I shouldn't have and woke up with strange new abilities. If I thought that trying to figure out my new place in life as an Avenger was tough, I had no idea what was in store for me once I ran into the frustrating God of Mischief, Loki.

Rating: E 

Notes: Friendly reminder that this is un-Beta’d, so please excuse any typos or grammatical errors I no doubt missed during revisions!

Also on Ao3 here :)

Warnings for this chapter: Language, dirty talk, violence

~~~

An unseen benefit to Loki and Wanda digging around in my head was that my nightmares had slowly dissipated as time wore on, and I was left with pleasant memories to recall instead. It made waking up a much more pleasant experience, for sure. Although the god wrapped around me when I woke each morning certainly didn’t hurt matters.

I stretched my arms and legs out with a groan and arched my back against the cool chest pressed against my back. Loki grumbled incoherently and tightened his grip around my stomach, pulling me more firmly into his chest and burrowing his face into the place where my neck and shoulder met.

“What was that, love?” I asked with a cheeky grin, wiggling my hips back against his playfully when the hard reality of his awakening made itself known against my ass.

His teeth lightly closed down on my shoulder before he let his head rest heavily against mine. “I said that if you keep moving around like that I’m going to have to do something to keep you still. I’m sleeping,” he replied, his voice low and raspy, the last moments of sleep still clinging onto him. I would be lying if I said that his morning voice didn’t do things to me.

With a sly smile, I ground my hips against him, letting out a soft sigh to lay it on extra thick. A growl rumbled deep in his chest and he quickly moved out from behind me, boxing in my hips with his knees and holding my hands to the bed. My heart sped at the beautiful sight of him towering over me, mischief and desire warring against one another in his bright emerald eyes.

“Good morning, handsome,” I beamed up at him innocently.

“You wicked woman. Do you understand what you do to me?” He asked, diving down to capture the delicate skin of my neck between his lips, covering me in open-mouthed kisses that made my breath catch in my throat.

I lifted my hips to roll against his, settling his hard arousal at the juncture of my legs. I could feel the hardness of him through the thin layers of clothing separating us and it made me bold. “You can’t exactly hide that.”

“Why would I wish to hide my desire for you when you are so willing in my bed?” he asked, tracing the edge of my tank top with his lips, so close and yet so far away from where I truly wanted his mouth.

“Your bed? Whose room are we-”

“Prince and Princess of Darkness, time to get up for training!” Tony’s voice echoed throughout the room thanks to the ever-helpful F.R.I.D.A.Y..

Loki pulled his mouth from my flushed skin just long enough to growl out, “Go to Hel, Stark.”

“Reindeer Games, she still needs to get to work and you know it. Three minutes!”

Loki, seeming to take Tony’s warning as a challenge, swooped down and captured my lips between his own, his arms winding beneath me and arching my back up against him. I instantly melted and my brain temporarily shut down from the feeling of his cool tongue teasing mine and his hips rocking into me gently.

Just as a soft moan spilled from my mouth into his, he broke the kiss and pulled away with a devilish grin. “Time for training, love,” he said innocently, pressing a light kiss to my cheek before dropping me back to the bed and standing up to get ready for the day.

I just watched him in a daze, unable to form any coherent thought as I tried to calm down despite the need he had stoked to life between my legs and the tempting sight of him changing into thin athletic pants and a black t-shirt. My brain finally kicked into gear enough for me to scramble off of the bed and face him down with my hands on my hips. “What was that?”

Loki looked up from where he had sat down to tie on his tennis shoes, his brow raised in confusion. “What ever do you mean?”

I pointedly looked down to the still-hard length of him that was very visible in his pants. “That.”

He smiled down at me as he closed the distance between us, wrapping his hands around me to rest against my lower back, looking all the sweet, innocent man that he most certainly was not and had never been. “I’m simply dressing to assist you with your weapons training later, little one.”

He kissed me gently just beneath my ear and lingered there for a few seconds longer to purr, “And to get you ready for tonight.”

I pulled away from him as best I could, which wasn’t far with his fingers interlaced behind me, trying to read his expression and only finding the typical mischief twinkling in his emerald eyes. “Tonight?”

He squeezed me to him in a quick hug before letting me go and walking towards the door casually. “Tonight. But not to worry about that, now, love. We have work to do,” he called, tossing a wink in my direction before the door whirred shut behind him, leaving me standing there dumbstruck.

Arrogant, scheming, teasing, handsome, impossible asshole.

I quickly got ready for the day, determined that if he could be a tease I could, too. After performing my typical bathroom morning routine, I found my tightest pair of black yoga pants and a strappy sports bra, slipping into them and a zip-up black jacket that I left unzipped just enough to show off what little cleavage I had to work with. After throwing my hair up in a ponytail and slipping on my tennis shoes, I was out of the room and ready to go.

Steve was standing there in the kitchen, looking much too awake for such an early hour of the morning, especially after the daily torture called a ‘morning run’ that he subjected himself to. He was working on his protein shake and glancing at the paper on the counter in front of him, with my morning iced coffee in his free hand. He looked up and held it out to me as I cautiously approached him. “Morning, Jen.”

There was still a small, nagging voice at the back of my head that told me that this wasn’t safe. That I should be wary of the overly-muscled man in front of me, calmly offering me coffee that he must have made. Coffee that he could have done anything to without my knowledge. But I shoved that voice deep down where it was more easily ignored and painted grateful smile on my face as I took it from him and sipped it appreciatively. “Thanks, Cap.”

“You doing okay? We’re still a bit worried about you,” he asked, moving to sit down next to where I had plopped down at the kitchen bar. He looked at me with nothing but kind concern, his innate goodness shining through his expressive face.

I sighed and took a big gulp of my coffee to stall as I tried to formulate an answer he’d be happy with. I was doing better in the months since I’d been taken by Hydra. There were still doubts that lingered at the edge of my mind, always there but usually quieted by exhaustion or distraction. I, usually, only flinched when I was surprised by someone’s touch now, as opposed to making the nearest piece of metal or glass into a weapon and going on the offensive. It was an improvement if nothing else.

“Yeah, I have good days and bad days. Loki helps with the nightmares on the bad days. And training helps me feel more…” I trailed off, wracking my still-sleepy brain for the word just outside of reach.

“In control?” he supplied with a knowing smile.

“Yeah, I guess. If they come for me again I’ll be more prepared, especially since I’m kind of a super soldier like you, now. Just without the massive biceps.” I lifted my arm up, trying to flex and coming up short-handed, especially next to him. I had gotten a surprising amount of muscle built up through my daily workouts, but I wasn’t genetically modified to be a superhuman like he was. He chuckled and squeezed my tiny muscle with a fake noise of appreciation before settling back into reading the paper.

“So...that Loki thing. That’s still working out for you guys?” he asked uncomfortably some time later, stroking his neatly-trimmed beard.

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the unease that he thoughtfully pushed through to check up on me. The Avengers hadn’t come to like Loki, not really, but they tolerated him. Especially after all the help he was in getting me back from Hydra and bringing me back to myself. Thor’s acceptance of him after they returned from losing Asgard helped a great deal too. It was hard to go against the big teddy bear of a man when he set his mind to something.

I swallowed the last of my coffee, setting the glass on the counter with a satisfied sigh. “Yeah, it is. I know that you guys don’t get it, but we...we love each other. Weird as that is to say.”

Steve clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder, keeping it there despite the small flinch that jerked at my suddenly rigid spine. “Good. If he hurts you, just know that I will personally see to it that he gets what he deserves.”

A genuine smile tugged on my lips and crinkled my eyes as I looked at the very earnest and very serious man threatening my boyfriend. Loki could take him in a heartbeat, but the sentiment was still sweet. “I think there’d be a line,” I replied, reaching up to pat his hand before standing up and away from his grasp. “I appreciate it, though, Steve. Even if your Captain America is showing a little bit,” I teased, nodding to him before leaving him to his paper so I could get to my workouts.

The only good thing, if you could call it that, about my experience with Hydra was reflected in my training. My reflexes had increased slightly, which made me lose to Natasha about half the time now instead of once in a blue moon. I still didn’t have a chance in Hell at beating Loki anytime soon, but the man did have several centuries of practice and the physical capabilities of a god--or a Frost Giant--on his side.

Nat was waiting for me, lounging on a stack of protective floor mats and scrolling through her phone. I stopped several feet behind her, well out of arm’s reach, and mentally reached out for the metal bottle of water she had open next to her. It was all too easy to flip it up into the air above her and dunk the contents on her head, making her screech as she whipped around to look at Loki, who was in his usual corner smirking at my antics. “You asshole Asgardian!”

“Excellent, if not childish, love,” Loki spoke into my head while he put his hands up in mock-surrender, glancing at me as he tried to hide the pleased grin tugging doggedly on his lips. “I am not to blame for your current predicament, but your trainee.”

I was rewarded with her wrath directed at me, but I actually managed to hide my glee at the prank, looking innocent and confused with a frown and shrugged shoulders. “I’m not that good at controlling metal yet.” It was a bluff, but one that I wasn’t called out on.

“You’re dead!” Nat growled, shifting her gaze back to Loki, who smirked and conjured daggers into his open palms at his sides.

I quickly grabbed a towel from the stack by our training set-up, tossing it onto her head to defuse the situation. “It’s just a little water. Besides, you are about to get gross from me kicking your ass for the next hour, so it won’t matter anyway.”

She rubbed the towel over her drenched blonde hair, grumbling incoherently. After she was satisfied with her work she tossed it aside and put her hands on her hips, looking me appraisingly up and down. “Ready to get started?”

I answered her by attempting to tackle her to the ground, running at her with my hands aimed at her shoulders. She grabbed my arms and leaned into my momentum, tossing me over her falling body forcefully. I scrambled to my feet and felt an elbow in between my shoulder blades, knocking me forward. I whipped around, swinging my leg low and knocking her feet out from under her. I was on her hips in an instant, and we grappled on the ground for what felt like an eternity before I managed to pin her with my hands around her throat. She tapped out on my arm, and I rolled over to set her free and sprawl out on the mat, catching my breath.

“You’re still thinking too much, Jen,” she chastised, grabbing the water bottle I had left the day before and attempting to drink from it. “It’s empty and Loki emptied mine. Go get us some more, would ya?”

I groaned, snatching the bottle from her hand and summoning the other one to sit at my feet. I put my water in between my thighs, holding it there as I unzipped my sweaty black jacket and tossed it to the floor. I made eye contact with Loki as I adjusted the straps of my bra, knowing that my heavy breathing from sparring would help enhance my assets.

“What are you playing at?”

I smirked at him, grabbing both bottles and walking over to the fountain to fill them back up. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“The sight of you bending over that fountain in those infernal pants is what I’m talking about. I want to push you against the wall and have you right now, claim you for all to see. To feel your heat wrapped around me and hear your moans echoing around this room…”

And then I knew that he was onto me, and he was giving it right back. Even projected into my head, his velvet voice melted my insides and stoked a fire deep in my belly. I quirked my brow at him, hoping that the flush on my face could be attributed to the exercise, and walked back to Nat to hand over her water.

“I’m just trying to get you ready for tonight.” I didn’t need to look at him to know that he was smirking wickedly, it was all over the mental projection of his voice.

I took a few swigs of water before tossing it to the side, squaring off against Nat again. This time she wrestled me to the ground first, sitting on my stomach with her hands holding down my wrists.

Loki purred into my thoughts, voice laced with desire, “I envy her at this moment. To feel your warm, slick body writhing beneath me.”

I grunted, trying to ignore him as I bucked her off of me and rolled over, switching our positions so I was holding her down while I straddled her hips with my knees. “Oh, but this position could be quite enjoyable, too. To have you ride my cock, freeing my hands to explore your body, traveling down between us to find your most-treasured pearl…”

I gasped, looking over to a nonchalant Loki who was easily tossing conjured daggers one after the other into a wooden target across the gym. He looked far too at ease. The only sign that his words had any affect him in any way was the growing tent in his pants. My temporary distraction was enough for Nat to gain the upper hand, flipping me over so hard that the air was forced from my lungs and I couldn’t breathe to fight back against the hands at my throat. I was forced to give in, coughing life back into myself after she had crawled off of me.

“Distracted, love?”

“You’re dead, Friggason,” I hissed mentally, standing up and wiping the sweat from my brow with the back of my hand.

I looked back to Nat, bouncing on my toes to get going again, but she was looking blankly into the distance. She shook her head, as if she was literally snapping out of it, and then frowned at me. “I forgot that I needed to call Clint about something, Jen. Raincheck?”

“Uh, yeah, sure. Do what you gotta do,” I replied, watching her suspiciously as she grabbed her stuff and quickly left the room. It wasn’t like her to leave training or to forget something as important as checking in with Clint.

Turning to the mischievously grinning face of my boyfriend, I grabbed my water bottle and my jacket, carrying them over to dump against the wall just a few feet from where he was standing. He looked entirely too pleased with himself.

“Odd that she would suddenly remember that right in the middle of us sparring,” I commented dryly, turning to face him as I tightened my ponytail, all previous arousal gone as I pondered over her sudden change of thought. He looked entirely too happy with himself.

Loki was the picture of innocence. Well, as much as one could be while tossing a dagger around and throwing it straight into the center of the far-off target. “Mortals do tend to have flighty memories.”

“Loki…” I said slowly, crossing my arms over my stomach as I stood in front of him, forcing him to make the dagger that he had just thrown disappear so that it wouldn’t soar through my neck.

“Do not walk in front of me while I’m throwing knives! It isn’t safe!” he said loudly, fear revealing itself as anger as he grabbed my arms, giving me a small shake.

I stood my ground, staring into his eyes and biting on my bottom lip. “Honest, no lies or tricks: Did you make her think she needed to do that?”

Loki held no remorse as he answered, “Of course, darling. I wanted you to be finished with her, but it wasn’t yet time. So, I just put the suggestion into her head that she needed to-”

“That’s not okay, Loki!” I exclaimed, throwing my arms out to knock his hands off of me.

“It was harmless.”

“I don’t care. You don’t just mess with people’s heads like that. Do you do that to me? Suggest that I need to come see you or touch you or-”

“Never! I would never do that to you!” he shouted, betrayal at my accusation flashing within his brilliant green eyes.

“But she’s okay to fuck with?” I asked, pinning him to the spot with my glare and throwing my hand out in the direction Nat disappeared to.

He ran a hand through his long black hair. “It is different-”

“No, it isn’t. She has just as much right over her mind as I do. Just because you love me doesn’t make me any more special than anyone here,” I stated, my voice cold and my eyes colder. I shook my head, unable to deal with him any longer. “I need to go take a run. And you need to think about why you think it’s okay to mess around in some people’s minds and not others. Because it isn’t, god or not.”

“Darling!” he called out at my retreating form, but I ignored him as I ran from the gym and kept up the quick pace once I was outside, tracing the perimeter of the Compound.

I allowed the steady pounding of my footsteps on the alternating ground and concrete, the burn of my muscles and breath, and the quickened beat of my heart to lull me into a less reactionary state.

What he did was wrong. It was very wrong. He had agreed that he would never enter or mess with my thoughts without my express permission. And even when he thought it could help, he never broke that trust. But what was the disconnect between my mind and someone else’s? Sure, it’s okay if the person is trying to kill us and he wants to keep us safe or get a leg up on the fight. But to manipulate someone just so that he could spend more time with me?

I had to push down the part of me that was flattered that he wanted to see me so badly. That was the stupid part of my brain fueled by my own affections. Plus, part of his reasoning had to come from his dick, after he turned himself on by saying all of those things to me. There was no doubt that he was a selfish man when it came to his desires.

But I had known that going into the situation. Taking care of me while I was injured and soothing me after a nightmare didn’t mean that he was suddenly a completely changed man who did no wrong. He was still the Trickster God, the God of Mischief, and a few months of being in a relationship with a human wasn’t going to rewrite centuries of mischievous and, sometimes, downright self-centered and manipulative behavior.

I stopped jogging. My hands propped me up against my thighs as I leaned over to catch my breath against the stitch in my side. The sweat clinging to my skin was freezing in the cold winter air of upstate New York, and I regretted leaving my jacket in the gym in my hasty retreat. Too late to go back for that now.

Was my reaction to him fair? How was he supposed to learn these things without being taught? He sure as hell wasn’t going to listen to anyone else in the Compound if they tried to help him, which left me as the only option. He only barely listened to me as it was, and getting angry at him wasn’t going to make that happen more often. Loki had too much pride and ego to see his actions clearly and admit when he was wrong. I only worked that out of him once, and that was hardly an admission of guilt at all.

I groaned at the quickly-growing headache throbbing at my temples. Apparently my body was as unhappy with the situation as I was. The dark clouds that had rolled in during my time outside suddenly let loose, and it began raining heavily down on me and a few unsuspecting landscape crewmembers caught inside. I hurried into the main building, feeling disgusting from a combination of too hot sweat and freezing rain clinging to my body. I needed a shower, some lunch, and maybe to punch a few more things to figure this out.

No, I wasn’t going to stay mad at Loki forever. But I wasn’t going to go crawling into his lap at the first sign of him either.

The steady drumming of hot water on my back helped soothe the chill running through my bones, but it did nothing for the growl in my stomach or my pounding headache. I dressed comfortably in a thick, warm sweatshirt I had stolen from Loki--his clothes were much softer than mine--and another pair of leggings. I left the muggy bathroom to go grab some lunch when something on the perfectly made bed caught my eye.

I frowned, running my fingers through my damp hair as I walked over to investigate. A plate sat in the middle of the bed, topped with a delicious-looking turkey sandwich and jalapeno kettle chips. Next to the plate was a black box tied beautifully with a gold and green ribbon on top. There wasn’t anything on the outside to indicate who had left it, but the colors made it quite clear that Loki had snuck into the room while I was showering to leave me the offerings.

With a huff, I pushed the box away, not wanting to deal with it for the foreseeable future. I had half a mind to toss the sandwich away and stubbornly make my own food, but it would be a waste of really good turkey. Even with all the money Tony poured into my bank account, I hated to waste. I crawled onto the center of the bed, flicking on the tv as I ate Loki’s totally-not-an-apology sandwich. It was frustrating how satisfying it was to my starving taste buds. Curse him for paying attention to my go-to meals.

After I was finished, I did everything I could to distract myself from the box at my side. I watched my favorite episodes of The Office and Survivor, got up and paced around the room, organized my books by alphabetical order, sketched the view of the Compound from my window, and even tried to take a nap--which was pointless and left me staring at the backs of my eyelids while I puzzled over what was in the infernal box.

Several hours later, curiosity won out. I sat up from where I had been reclining on the bed and sighed heavily in defeat as I pulled the large black box to sit in front of me. I fingered the soft ribbon as I tried to dredge up some inner will to resist my overwhelming need to know what was inside. He’d never gotten me anything before. What would a thousand-year-old prince decide was a good make-up present?

In his mind, the mid-thigh length emerald green low-cut sweater dress I found nestled inside black tissue paper would lessen my anger towards him. There were gold threads interspersed among the thick green yarn, catching the light as I turned it this way and that to examine it. A paper fluttered to the floor as I held it up, and I could pick out what had to be Loki’s elegant script from a mile away:

Wear these tonight. I will come for you at six.

I frowned, looking back into the box as I placed the dress aside. After picking up a few layers of tissue paper, I found a black leather jacket. That and the dress screamed out Loki, from his colors, to the exceptional materials, down to the expensive designers stitched onto the labels. I had never owned anything so nice, not even when Tony gifted me all those clothes to tide me over until my belongings could be moved over. I knew that the god had exquisite taste, even his workout gear was made by a designer that I couldn’t even pronounce, but this was too much.

I sat on the bed, idly stroking the ridiculously soft dress as I stared at the note. On one hand, I didn’t want to give in to him. He was always so smug and confident that everyone was going to do what he wanted. No questions asked. Prince Loki spoke it, and it happened. He shouldn’t think that this relationship was going to work that way. He couldn’t just buy me expensive gifts and make me a sandwich and expect that I was going to instantly forgive him.

But on the other hand, I was dying to know what he had up his sleeve. He said this morning that he had a surprise for me, so presumably, he had already purchased these gifts. This was all just part of a plan set into motion before the day started. Did I really want to ruin a surprise from the God of Mischief?

I fell for one of his tricks, and I couldn’t even be fully mad about it.

I groaned, throwing the clothing onto the bed and stood up, giving in to the weaker side of myself that needed to know what was up his sleeve. According to my new watch, courtesy of Tony, I had about an hour to get ready. It was just long enough for me to lightly curl my dark hair. I left it down to protect my neck from the frigid temperatures outside. My makeup was simple but classic, a red lip, winged eyeliner, thick mascara and just a hint of gold on my eyelids to compliment the gold in the dress. Because it was winter in New York, I wore a pair of thigh-high black boots, leaving only a few inches of my leg exposed. It wasn’t going to be the warmest, but it was the best I could do with the time allotted by my lack of decision-making skills.

I hated to admit it, but I looked good. No one could say that Loki didn’t know fashion, and that apparently extended into women’s clothing as well. The dress was just baggy enough to be comfortable, and the leather jacket offset that by ending right at my hips and tapering in at the narrowest part of my waist. It was as if the outfit was made for me, which I wouldn’t have put it passed him to get it tailored to my measurements. He was just crafty enough to do that without my knowing.

I faced my bedroom door right at six, steeling myself for the flattery and cunning I knew was waiting on the other side of the door. He was undoubtedly going to lay the charm on thick, and I was bound and determined to not let it get to me. I was a strong, independent woman who wasn’t going to take shit from any man, even a Norse God.

A very sexy Norse God.

He was waiting for me on the other side of the door, looking like he belonged on a magazine cover in his all-black suit beneath a long wool overcoat. His hair was slicked back from his face, highlighting his sharp cheekbones and even sharper jawline. I got temporarily lost in his piercing green eyes as he raked his gaze over my body, looking pleased with what he found if the wolfish smile on his lips was any indicator.

“That outfit is very becoming on you, love. I do take pleasure in how exquisite you look wearing my colors,” he purred as he offered me his arm.

I blinked and took a deep breath to center myself. Now was not the time to listen to the raging emotions--and let’s be honest, hormones--clouding my judgment. I refused to take his arm, leaving my hands hanging limply at my sides as I cocked my brow up at him. “What is all of this?”

He didn’t seem fazed by my refusal, instead taking the initiative to gently grasp my hand and slip it into the crook of his elbow. I was assaulted by the heady aroma of his spicy cologne, washing over me as he pulled me closer to his body and lead me toward the elevator. “Patience, little one.”

It was useless to try to pull my arm out from his; I knew from hours training with him that he could hand my ass to me if he wanted to, so I followed along as he took us into the elevator and hit the button for our destination.

“Garage? I’m not allowed to leave, Loki.” It still wasn’t safe, with Hydra’s intimate knowledge of my identity.

“Ask for forgiveness, not permission,” he replied smoothly with a wink, stepping out into the well-lit garage filled with more expensive cars than permanent residents in the Compound. He summoned a set of keys from the pegboard by the wall and clicked them to unlock a sleek black foreign sports car.

I finally dug my heels into the ground, tugging on his arm as I looked up to him with a furrowed brow. “I’m not going anywhere. One, it’s not safe for me out there. And two, I’m still mad at you for this morning,” I said firmly, squirming away and crossing my arms stubbornly over my stomach.

Coldness seeped into my skin as he placed one hand gently on my neck, the other settling on my waist over the jacket. His eyes were filled with frustration and the barest hint of sadness as they met mine. All pretenses of charisma and charm melted away, leaving him bare before me. “I will always keep you safe, love. And my earlier actions… may have been in poor taste. What I want for tonight, what I had planned, is to have the evening with you. Alone. I have been unable to court you properly, and I was raised by an amazing woman who would frown upon my actions thus far concerning our relationship,” he said softly, a muscle ticking in his jaw and his eyes losing focus for a few brief moments.

He came back to me, swallowing thickly as he released me and opened the door for me, holding out his hand. “I would, if you’ll allow it, greatly enjoy treating you as the Lady you are and the Prince that I was raised to be.”

I stepped towards him, watching him carefully as I gently placed my hand into his. I stood firm when he tried to help me into the car. I barely caught the flash of disappointment that was there and gone from his pale features in an instant before he could fix his face into a more neutral expression. “No tricks tonight?”

“Of course not. I promise to be nothing but a gentleman tonight, unless you wish otherwise,” he chuckled, helping me into the car with one hand holding mine and the other resting against my side over my jacket once I relaxed, closing the door behind me once I was settled.

Warmth blasted through the air vents after he climbed into the driver’s seat and started the car, helping to ease the chill lingering on what little exposed skin I had. He drove effortlessly to our destination, ignoring my repeated attempts at figuring out where we were going. I was still left in the dark as we drove into New York City, merging with the ungodly amount of traffic heading inside for the nightlife it offered.

“Loki, are you sure you should be here?” I asked quietly, looking over to him as he weaved in and out of traffic easily. Everyone knew about him here, about his role in the destruction from years ago, and his face wasn’t one easily forgotten. They would not be so quick to forgive, especially since they didn’t know of the torture and manipulation that coerced him into doing such unspeakable things. He may be as unsafe here as I was anywhere else.

“Of course, love. Why ever not?” he replied, looking to me with a smug grin as his features shifted, revealing him to have short, curly reddish-brown hair, slightly more tanned skin, thin-rimmed glasses, and a well-trimmed beard and mustache. Even without changing his facial structure, the look softened him around the edges and made him appear much more welcoming and kind. It was gone just as soon as it appeared. “Do not worry, they do not see me as you do.”

“Are you mess-”

“It is merely an illusion. I do not have to pry into the minds of mortals to do something as simple as this.”

I frowned, tugging my bottom lip between my teeth as we pulled up to a valet service outside of a restaurant with a French name I would only horribly mispronounce if we tried. The valet walked around to help me out of the car, but Loki was faster, stopping the young man with a hand on his arm so that he could do the honors instead. He didn’t give me a chance to reject his help, taking my arm gently and halfway lifting me from the car, tucking my hand into the crook of his elbow to lead me inside.

“This is too much…” I muttered once we were seated at a comfortable, and somewhat secluded, booth. From the dim romantic lighting, to the waiters dressed to the nine’s, to the menu that didn’t even have prices on it--if you had to ask you couldn’t afford it--I was a bit overwhelmed.

Loki looked up from the menu with nothing but warmth in his eyes. “You are deserving of it all and more.”

“But-”

“I do not want to hear another word from your lips concerning your unworthiness of tonight. It is my pleasure to treat you as you deserve, and far overdue.”

I sipped at the red wine that Loki had ordered after our order was taken. He seemed unbothered by anything at the moment, when there was still very much that should be nagging at him. If his conscience wasn’t going to do it, I was going to let my liquid courage give me the oomph to take over that role.

“What you did isn’t okay, and dinner and an expensive outfit won’t fix it,” I said quietly, leaning forward so that my cutting words wouldn’t be overheard by the waiters scuttling around us. We were relatively alone for the busy restaurant, the nearest table was far enough away that I couldn’t hear them talking, but I still wanted some iota of privacy.

A sigh passed through his lips and he leaned forward as well. His hands reached out to take mine across the table, but I didn’t reciprocate the gesture, just letting my hands sit limply in his. He frowned down at them and rubbed my knuckles with his thumb. “I understand,” he replied, voice heavy.

I tapped my fingers against his wrist until he met my eyes. I needed to see the expression in his eyes, to see if he was hiding something behind the cool facade that he had perfected over years and years. “Do you?”

“I do. There should be no difference between respecting your mental privacy and autonomy and that of any other mortal. But these habits that I have built up over centuries will not erase themselves from my personality in one day. You have to allow me time,” he insisted, imploring me with his piercing gaze as it swept over my face.

I faintly tickled his palm with my fingertips.

For the rest of the meal, he slowly took down the walls I had built up around concerning him. The food was amazing, and I caught the pleased glint in his eye whenever I couldn’t suppress a soft moan at my first bite. Between his relaxed demeanor, the delicious food and wine, and my own weak heart, he had slithered his way back into my good graces by the time he was escorting me back out of the restaurant.

“Now where to?” I asked, tucking my arms close to my body as we waited in the freezing night air for the valet to bring the car around.

He pulled me close to him, wrapping me in as much of his coat as he could while he was still wearing it. Even his normally chilled skin felt warm in comparison. I accepted the gesture, leaning my cheek onto his firm chest and inhaling his warm scent deeply. “Patience, love.”

“Is that all you can say?”I grumbled, my voice slightly muffled by his silk shirt.

“I do enjoy your expression when I surprise you. Allow me that much.” He smiled, pulling me away from him so that he could deposit me safely in the car after it pulled up, kissing the top of my head before he sealed me in. I did as he asked, settling into the plush leather of the seat as he pulled us back into traffic once again.

Without warning my watch lit up the dark interior of the car, projecting Tony’s voice loudly over the soft music of the radio. “Kid, where the hell are you?”

I looked guiltily over at Loki, who seemed unbothered by the abrupt interruption. “Um…”

“Don’t answer that, there’s a tracker in the watch. We’re coming to get you.”

“There will be no need for that, Stark. She is perfectly safe with me,” Loki replied calmly, not even looking down at the watch he addressed as he navigated the busy city streets and rolled down the window.

“That’s reassuring,” Tony said, the sarcasm practically oozing out through the tiny speaker. “We’ll be there in 20.”

“No, you won’t. Goodbye, Stark.” Loki reached over, removed my watch with one hand, and tossed it out of the now open window with the other.

I gasped, unable to form a coherent sentence in my shock as we drove away from the surely now-crushed tracking device. My fingers searched in my jacket pocket for my phone. Tony surely had some sort of tracker in that, too. But my pockets were oddly empty.

“Your phone is back at the Compound where I left it after removing it from your person in the garage,” he said smoothly, a mischievous grin lighting up his pale features. “And as I have neither tethering me to that insufferable man, you are mine for the evening.”

“They can track the car, though. And what if something happens?” I asked, panic edging into my voice when I thought of the laundry list of terrible things that could go wrong for either of us tonight. I clenched my hands together, looking outside at the cars streaming by us as if they all held Hydra agents inside of them, waiting to kill him and take me back to that room.

His large hand rested over both of mine. I pulled my wide eyes to him after he squeezed my hands reassuringly. “I will always protect you,” he vowed, taking his eyes off of traffic briefly to look at me with nothing but fierce determination on his handsome features. “Besides,” he smiled like the Cheshire Cat, “we’re at our next destination, and the valet will take the car for us. This city is so vast that he has no chance of finding us if we do not wish to be found.”

We pulled up to a very busy club, the outside crowded with people waiting impatiently to be let inside. I stared at it open-mouthed, looking like a fish out of water as he walked around the car and pulled me from its warmth into the shockingly cold air. Flashbacks of our past experience at a club surged through my mind and my feet froze to the sidewalk. “Loki…”

In an instant he was leaning forward before me, putting his stern face even with mine and his hands on my upper arms. “Do not let them ruin this night. They do not control you. Be with me.”

I stared into his eyes, finding my strength in the surety of his gaze and the firm hold he had on my arms. They grounded me in the moment. “Okay, let’s go,” I said, sounding much braver than I felt. I set my jaw, nodding to him and taking his hand as he led us to the bouncer. He must have learned from our experience last time, as he slipped the giant man a sizable wad of bills when we were close enough.

It was my turn to take the lead after the bouncer shifted his appreciative grin from the money to my body, leering at me hungrily. I could feel Loki stiffen beside me, instantly possessive, and I tugged on him none-too-gently to pull him into the thumping music of the building. We didn’t need to get into a dumb fight before the real fun had even begun.

We only made it just inside the door when he stopped us. He nudged me into the wall with his hands on my hips and lips brushing my ear as he growled out, “I do not like how he was looking at you.”

I placed a soft kiss to the skin just below his ear, my hands pulling him down closer to me by his shoulders. “You’re the one to blame for dressing me this way,” I teased.

He nipped lightly at my neck, his fingers tightening around my soft middle. “Am I at fault for wanting to show off the beauty on my arm?”

I blushed, unable to hide my pleased smile as he pulled away and led me further into the club with his hand firmly holding onto mine. He weaved expertly through the crowd which seemed to sense his dangerous aura and part for him. Once we were at the bar he shouted our order at the bartender, not letting me speak up when I tried to place my own. The several twenties that were placed into the tip jar ensured our drinks were made quickly, and I was pleased with the vodka cranberry set down in front of me. He really had noticed every little detail.

No sooner than I had taken a sip of my drink was Loki tugging me away again, this time to the edge of the dance floor. I carefully held my drink out from my body, not wanting to spill it on either of us, while he faced me and pulled me into him with his free hand, the other busy holding his glass of clear dark brown liquid. He downed it quickly, making the glass disappear so he could put his hands on my hips.

Among his many other talents, Loki could add dancing to the list. Even with the strong drink coursing through my bloodstream, I could appreciate the way his lean body moved with mine to the deafening beat of the music. He grasped my hand, spinning me out from his body and releasing me. My laughter was swallowed up by the crowd as he watched me dip and sway to the music. His eyes never left mine, filled with a happiness that I rarely saw in him. And I could detect a tiny bit of desire at my gyrating body, too.

He didn’t let me dance alone for long, closing the short distance between us until his hips were pressed against my ass and his chest the length of my back. One of his hands splayed across my stomach and the other bunched into the fabric at my hip, guiding me to move my body with his. I anchored his hands to me with mine and delighted in the feeling of his rigid body working against my own. My head fell back against his shoulder, opening up my jaw and neck to him, and he accepted the offering by trailing his parted lips against my overheated skin. The cool puffs of his breath against me sent delightful shivers down my spine.

It could have been minutes or hours by the time I pulled myself away from him, doing the leading this time as I collapsed down at a high table against the wall. He watched me with concern, pushing my hair off of my slightly sweaty neck and onto my shoulder.

“I’m okay. Just need to take a break and cool off for a second,” I assured him, pulling him closer to me so that I could be heard over the music.

“I’ll go get you another drink, love,” he replied, giving me a deep but quick kiss before disappearing into the crowd.

I watched him saunter away with a bright smile that stayed on my lips as I peeled off my leather jacket and draped it across my lap. It was a very nice jacket, but combined with the long sleeves of my sweater dress, the alcohol, and Loki grinding against me, it proved a little too hot for me to handle. I fidgeted with a buckle on the cool leather, looking up from where I had been staring dazedly when a bottle of beer was plopped down on the table in front of me.

The smile faded from my face slowly as I took in the very drunk man swaying before me. He was either poorly dancing to the music or he was too drunk to stand still. Either way, he kept one hand on the beer in front of me and put the other on the back of the chair I was sitting on, boxing me in between his arms.

“Wanna dance?” he slurred, his breath a putrid mixture of different alcohols as he leaned in far too close to me.

I simultaneously pushed at his chest and leaned back as much as I could, succeeding in at least putting a few more inches of distance between our faces. “No thanks. I’m waiting on my boyfriend to get me a drink,” I shouted over the noise, knowing that men usually would back off if they knew that a woman wasn’t alone.

He was either too drunk or stubborn for that to work, though. “I don’t see him around. Surely a dance wouldn’t hurt,” he insisted, grabbing for my exposed thighs with clumsy fingers.

I made to push him away again, more frustrated at his advances than anything, but he stopped me by grabbing my shoulders and slamming his mouth against my own. Before I could shove my fist through his face he was ripped away from me. Loki stood before me, panting with barely concealed rage as he looked down at the drunken man flailing around on the floor.

“If you are overly fond of your hands remaining connected to your body, I’d strongly recommend keeping them off of her,” he sneered, his low voice cutting through the din of the club. The rage behind his words and flashing in his eyes sent my heart racing in my chest.

“We were just having a good time, buddy. She liked it!” the man shouted after he finally righted himself. He put his fists in the air, glaring at Loki as he took a heavy swing toward his face.

Loki easily dodged the terrible excuse for a punch--even I could’ve dodged that. He shoved his hand into the man’s chest so hard that he flew several feet away from us and crashed into a group of people dancing, all of them falling ungainly to the floor. I looked around, seeing the bouncers advancing toward us quickly through the crowd, looking very pissed and itching for a fight.

“C’mon, Loki. We gotta get out of here,” I shouted, clutching onto my jacket and his hand as I tried to tug him toward the exit. He resisted, murder still in his eyes as he advanced on the drunken idiot stumbling to his feet. I placed myself in front of him, grasping his cheek so that he was forced to look at me. “Let’s just go. He’s not worth it.”

He searched me quickly, his brow furrowed as he took me in to quickly check for any damage to my person. His hands carefully pulled me away from him and moved me to stand behind him. My tugging on his arms did nothing. It was like trying to move a brick wall. “He should know not to touch what isn’t his,” he growled, the words edged with venom. He pulled the man up by his collar, landed one solid punch into his temple that knocked him out instantly, and then dropped him unceremoniously back to the floor. “And now we may leave.”

We skirted around the crowd that had gathered to watch the beating--it certainly couldn’t have been called a fight--and slipped out through the side door into the alley. I went to put on my jacket only to be stopped by Loki, whose hands were running over my body searching for injuries.

“Are you certain he did not harm you?” All anger was gone and he was once again the loving man that woke me up in the mornings.

I shivered from the biting wind and nodded quickly. “I’m fine, I promise,” I answered quickly. I’d never seen him react that way, not to anything. Even during the footage of the battle of New York he hadn’t looked as enraged as he had moments ago. He truly looked the warrior that he and Thor had been raised to become. If I hadn’t have stopped him I wouldn’t have been surprised if he had killed that guy, just for kissing me.

He grumbled deep in his chest, pulling me tightly against him once he could prove for himself that I was physically intact. When I shivered again he took my jacket from my hands and draped it across my shoulders before spreading his hands across my back again. “I should not have left you alone.”

I lifted my head just enough to look up to him, reading the conflict written in the lines across his forehead and between his brows. “I’m a big girl, Loki. I can take care of myself against a drunk asshole.”

“But he kissed you,” he insisted, his lips twisting at the thought of it.

“He did. And I was half a second behind you in laying him out for it. He doesn’t deserve to die for that, though.”

“But-”

I shushed him with an ice-cold finger over his thin lips. “No buts. You defended my honor and I appreciate it. But we don’t kill idiots for just a kiss,” I said firmly, moving my hand down to rest on his shoulder.

His brow furrowed with concern as he looked down at me, doubt creeping into his emerald gaze. “He said you liked it…”

I rolled my eyes. “You know when I enjoy something. Did I look like I enjoyed that? Was I looking at him like I’m looking at you now?” I asked, pressing my chest against his and clasping my hands together behind his neck. I smiled warmly up at him as my fingers tugged lightly on the curled ends of his black hair.

He didn’t answer, but he did crush his lips to mine in a demanding kiss. He walked us back to press me against the wall of the building, one of his legs sliding between my own to hold me in place. Every ounce of his desperation and jealously was pushed into his lips working roughly against mine and his tongue slipping into my mouth, possessive as it tangled with mine. His hands slipped beneath my jacket to arch my back into him, holding me as if I was going to abandon him the first chance I got.

He broke the kiss with a ragged gasp and dropped his forehead against my own. “You are mine.”

“I am yours,” I agreed, breathing heavily, knowing that he needed to have that repeated to him.

“Mine,” he rumbled into my neck, worrying and sucking on the tender flesh over my pulse point almost to the point of pain. Just when it was about to become too much he soothed the mark he had left with tender kisses.

I shivered, both from the cold and his tongue dragging across my skin. I managed to push him farther away, my hands sliding down his shoulders to clench around his pectoral muscles. “I know you’re a Frost Giant, but us mortals get cold when half their thighs are exposed from said Giant hiking up their dress,” I teased, looking up to him with as much of a smile as I could muster with my teeth chattering against each other.

“My apologies, little one. Let me take you home.” He pulled away and wrapped an arm possessively around my shoulders, holding me to his side as he walked us out of the alleyway. I stayed tucked against him, allowing myself the comfort of his strong arm around me and his warm cologne as he waited for the valet to return with our car. Huddling for warmth didn't exactly work with a Frost Giant, but his lips brushing across the top of my head definitely made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Gunshots broke through our moment of quiet comfort. Loki’s clothing melted away with a green light that crawled over his body, changing into his black and green leather armor. He pushed me behind him, facing off against the threat that I hadn’t even had a chance to see yet. I peered around his arm, to finally see the six men advancing on us with guns drawn as the people around us fled the chaos.

Motherfucking Hydra.

[hirezajax-blog]

God Balance Progress Report: Hel

The first goddess we will discuss is Hel. Let's start with her large nerfs in Season 2.

In early S2 Hel was a force to be reckoned with. Apparently the designers at the time were unhappy with her healing amount and they reduced her scaling dramatically on Inspire and increased her cooldown for both Inspire and Repulse. This largely put Hel out of the meta from 2.19 until her first buffs in patch 3.6.

In Patch 3.10 Hel had the following stats

#64 out of 77 gods in win % in casual conquest

#62 out of 76 gods in win % in ranked conquest

#71 out of 77 gods in play count in casual conquest

#76 out of 76 gods in play count in ranked conquest  

As we can see here, even after some buffs she was pretty much dead last in all stats. We felt that her overall appearance and design were solid, so we concluded that it must be a balance issue. With that in mind she received another set of buffs in patch 3.12.

In Patch 3.21 Hel had the following stats

#67 out of 82 gods in win % in casual conquest

#33 out of 81 gods in win % in ranked conquest

#79 out of 82 gods in play count in casual conquest

#81 out of 81 gods in play count in ranked conquest

#69 out of 82 gods in player damage dealt in casual conquest

#3 out of 82 gods in player healing in casual conquest

There was a glimmer of hope as her ranked stats increased to a reasonable level, but her play count was still so insanely low that it was hard to actually trust the stats. It was possible that only 1 or 2 players who were just so skilled they could win with any god were accounting for that win %. Her win % fluctuated heavily and was always near the bottom of all gods. Her casual stats hadn't really improved either. 3.24 paints a very similar story, so i'll skip those numbers.

This brings us to her 4.1 heavy balance changes. As the god continued to be one of the least played in the game and continued to suffer at most levels of play we felt some heavy adjustment was in now necessary.

Before making changes we spent a good bit of time discussion possible directions. Based on historical research and design goals we decided on some key goals to pursue and a few clear warning signs to avoid.

Specific design goals for the 4.1 Hel update were:

Buff her lane clear

Buff her single target healing

Add a new healing type ability - single target skill shot heal

Avoid buffing her AoE burst healing or self healing

Buff her mana costs

Buff her unique factors (cleanse)

We had a few difficult tasks here in that we wanted to buff her but we knew we couldn't buff her Inspire ability (light 3) because of the experience we had from Season 2. We had so many buffs planned for 4.1 that we were worried about her being way too strong, so we accompanied a few nerfs along with the changes. We wanted to shrink the explode radius of her dark 1, as the ability was already gaining a huge increase in its reach and ability to damage multiple targets. We wanted to focus the light 1 on healing only to more clearly define her difference between stances. We wanted keep her light 3 entirely heal over time to reduce the frustration of her opponents.

These three nerfs paired with all of her buffs did not go over well with the community. There was overwhelming feedback that she was being nerfed and not buffed, although we still firmly believe there was more buffs than nerfs in the original proposal. Allowing her dark 1 to become her primary lane clear was a huge buff. It would make her safer in lane and better at poking enemies but it seemed it wasn’t enough for the community. We took the feedback and PTS testing to heart and reverted these few nerfs, going forward with a myriad of buffs and only one nerf: light 1 would not heal her if she damages an enemy with it.

These changes went live in 4.1 with a pretty rough reception. Many players and Hel mains still bashed the character by saying she was weaker than before and that she felt clunky. However, the stats painted a very different picture.

In Patch 4.1 Hel had the following stats

#3 out of 84 gods in win % in casual conquest

#3 out of 83 gods in win % in ranked conquest

#69 out of 84 gods in play count in casual conquest

#76 out of 83 gods in play count in ranked conquest

#60 out of 84 gods in player damage dealt  in casual conquest

#2 out of 84 gods in player healing in casual conquest  

In Patch 4.6 Hel had the following stats

#13 out of 86 gods in win % in casual conquest

#25 out of 85 gods in win % in ranked conquest

#76 out of 86 gods in play count in casual conquest

#82 out of 85 gods in play count in ranked conquest  

In Patch 4.11 Hel had the following stats

#9 out of 89 gods in win % in casual conquest

#8 out of 88 gods in win % in ranked conquest

#77 out of 89 gods in play count in casual conquest

#70 out of 88 gods in play count in ranked conquest  

Hel went from a bottom 10 god, to a top 3 god after 4.1. That's an absolutely huge jump. She was clearly quite powerful. As the season progressed she continued to keep her place at the top of the win % stats. 11 Patches later with no direct changes she was still a top 10 god. 

Her damage and healing didn’t change too much in the rankings, but the way that damage was being used was very different. The added safety and ability to wave clear caused a huge spike in win % but only a small spike in player damage. Her healing remained extremely relevant as well. 

She became very strong in casuals yet her play count remained quite low, largely due to her perception. Her ranked win % stats can’t even be trusted because her play count was so low.  Players very strongly believed that she was weak, but this was not the case. This put us in a pretty interesting situation.

We could buff her to further strengthen her and attract more players to her, but this would cause balance issues and guaranteed nerfs in the future. We also could wait and see if players could discover her strength on their own. We opted for the 2nd strategy. The only downside to that option is that a few players criticized us for “ignoring” her. We can take a little criticism, so we continued to let the god remain as is and watched from patch to patch as a small group of players continued to be extremely successful with her. We hoped every patch that the community would soon discover her strength. Eventually it happened.

Players finally started to see the light when Aror played Hel at the NRG Invitational. Even after the event many players still labeled Hel as a troll pick or a joke. However, more pros started playing Hel in high ranked games which were often seen on Twitch streams. By the time relegations rolled around she was a top ban for EU. Many players still did not believe in her ability but the stats finally started to turn. We have seen her play count increase greatly in ranked and casuals all while her win % continues to be at the top of the pack. Now the community perception is finally aligned with the actual stats. This is always one of our top goals. This report shows how difficult it can be.

In writing this article I hope people take away a few things

Just because you're not seeing a god in your games/pro play does not mean the god is bad. Just because you see a lot of players bashing a god verbally on social media does not mean the god is bad. One person’s anecdotal experience is not representative of the entire player base.

It happens quite often that a god/item/relic is powerful but hasn't been discovered yet. In many cases players rely heavily on a pro or community figure showing them the way.

We care a lot about community feedback, and reverting some of those 4.1 Hel changes was the right thing to do. If she launched as planned she would have been closer to the middle of the pack (ideal balance) but she would have never been re-discovered or seen a spike in play count.

Gods are never “ignored.” If there is someone who you think deserves a change but isn't getting it then we probably have very strong statistical evidence that changes are not needed. REAL example: Nike is one of the most winning gods in SMITE history, even after many nerfs she is currently still a top god in every measurable way. There are no buffs planned for her soon.

Thanks for reading! Stay posted for more God Progress Reports!

[my-hero-aaron]

Overloaded

It had been a while since Kailey first got her quirk. If she had to guess it had been about 2-3 months. And instead of trees blooming in the spring, the air in Musutafu was becoming warm and humid with the incoming of summer accompanied by the sound of cicadas. Around this time of year, Kailey already had a very rough time sleeping, as for her, the added heat, plus the excess amount of heat she produced in general made trying to get any sort of rest incredibly hard for her. On a decent amount of nights, she ended up wandering over to Aaron's room and either, sleeping next to him while he radiated cold or just slept on his floor, which as well was just cold due to the fact Aaron would train before bed on occasion. Regardless, of that fact, tonight had been different, a cooler breeze had kicked up in the night allowing Kailey to finally have a night to drift off peacefully into a dreamless sleep.

Suddenly she awoke to the feeling of pounding against her skull. ‘This can’t be a migraine’ she thought to herself as she slowly propped herself up on her elbows, her eyes screwed shut due to the searing pain behind her eyes and in the center of her of her brain. As the pain increased inside of Kailey’s head, she tried her hardest to ignore the jolts of static that were pulsing through her muscles along her torso to contract. Her fingers also occasionally spasming as well as she gripped the fabric of her oversized shirt in a desperate attempt to pull herself back to a calmer state. Kailey couldn't help but fight her own instinct to open her eyes, as she felt, that if she opened them, the faint images she could see on the back of her eyelids would become a reality.

Sadly, her eyes shot open at the sound of a glass shattering against the floor in the apartment above her and when they did all of the images became harsher and more prominent. Streams upon streams of information poured into her skull at a rate she could hardly process and it felt as if her brain was imploding. She was only just barely able to process the feeling of tears pouring down her cheeks due to the pain and she couldn't even parse the fact that her mouth seemed to have a mind of its own. Somehow through the torrential tsunami of information that, at least at first was leaving her immobilized, she was, in some way able to process the fact that she was walking over to Aaron's room over the ice bridge. As soon as she opened the slider, Aaron shot up out of sleep and, in a daze, looked at his best friend quizzically.

“K? What’s up? It’s like,... 2 am? Are you overheating again?” Aaron asked with a yawn.

“A-Aron please hel-” She choked out before the stream of information continued to pour from her mouth at Aaron before she blacked out.

“Aaron, please come down from there!” Kailey’s voice echoed as I tried my best to balance on the high beam of the swingset, arms swaying as they stretched out from my sides to aid me in my oddly foolhardy endeavor.

“Aw c’mon, K, I’ll be fi-” My dismission of her worry caught in my throat as my foot slipped from the side of the pole I was doing my best to balance on, and I felt the rush of the wind against me as the ground sped up toward my face. Closer and closer it came and the only thought in my mind was “This is gonna hu-”

I was roused from my sleep (moments before my fall, thankfully) by the ever familiar grumble of the sliding door that split my room from my balcony. This wasn’t much, it sometimes moved in the night, after all. However, once I heard the padding of feet, I shot up, still a bit dazed, and blinked heavily, trying to clear the sleep from my eyes. I felt my pulse quicken immediately as I parsed just who was walking into my room at this ungodly hour. Rolling out of bed, I felt a quizzical look paint my face as my ears finally began to figure out that Kailey was speaking. This wasn’t her ordinary speaking, though, it felt... hurried, unfocused, as though she was dumping information as fast as she possibly could like she couldn’t hold it all.

“The Dyson Sphere was found to be difficult if not impossible after further thought beyond the initial idea of encasing the star which a planet orbited around was applied to the concept as the motion of the star itself through the surrounding area would make the construction of the sphere itself nigh impossible, not to mention the exorbitant resource cost, though that would be inconsequential by the time a society would even consider the construction of-”

“K? What’s up? It’s like, ... 2 am? Are you overheating again?” I muttered, a yawn parting my lips. When the distortion of my hearing passed, I heard something from my best friend’s throat that made my fingers clench instinctively out of worry.

“A-Aron please hel-” “Instead the swarm was chosen as a viable alternative, and has a myriad of practical improvements over the classical sphere model, not the least of which being a much smaller cost in the way of resources and a greater tolerance for individual failures, as each small probe out of the large masses could be easily replaced. Additionally, the piecemeal nature of the structure of the swarm would allow for the transmission of power-power-power-power-power” A heaving gasp overtook Kailey, and her body shuddered with the effort of her body finally beginning to crumble under the sheer force of... whatever had taken her over.

“Kailey what-what the hell is going on? A-A-Are you okay? Pl-Please, speak to me!” I sputtered out, worry snapping down the temperature around me. Another heave overtook Kailey’s body, and I could practically hear her ribs creaking at the force of the sharp breath in. Twitchingly, haltingly, her hands made their way to her head, and gripped with such intensity I saw some hair come loose in her hands... and then, unable to take much more, her eyes first flicked back and forth so fast they almost blurred into colored bands, then fluttered shut as she pitched forward, the breath leaving her as though she’d been punched. Thankfully, I managed to react in time, bending at the knees as I caught her limp body... and almost grimaced at the heat she was putting off. Flicking on my thermal vision, I balked at the absurdly high temperature she was putting off. It was probably the brightest I’d seen a person glow like this, and seeing it come off my best friend was worrying me to no end. I knew she couldn’t handle something like this for much longer.

Hurriedly, I set her on my bed as gently as possible and took a deep breath. I was going to need to draw as much as my internal cold as I could to keep her stable, at least until whatever the heck was going on passed her by. I set off a low pulse into the mattress below her and focused on what she was saying. Even unconscious, the words began to flow from her mouth, unbidden and unbound by the fact that she couldn’t feel the world around her.

“Furthermore the states of ice are really only bound by their crystalline structure and while the exotic states of water ice are relatively rare outside the laboratories in which they were produced in and the states of high pressure such as those in the cores of Jovian planets in not just our solar system but galaxies beyond the ones we can see as well.”

“Shh, buddy... I know. It’s alright. I’m not quite sure what’s going on up there, but I’m going to do my best to keep it from burning you up, ok?” My own muttering was panicked and rushed, but unlike the word vomit cascading from the mouth of my compatriot, I knew what I was saying and meant every word. Redoubling my efforts, I drew one hand through her hair, carefully releasing cold to push back against the heat wafting off of her. The frost that was forming where I’d placed my hand was immediately steaming off, but I relented as Kailey’s breathing settled, if only slightly. It was seeming to pass... if not slow down.

“The origin of quirks is as of yet unknown but it is simply impossible to rank the strength of the greatest individual person’s quirk, or more accurately, individuals quirks, as the passage of One for All from user to user increases the effectiveness of the energy being channeled from an as of yet unknown source, the current holder or holders happen to be the popular hero known as All Might and his protege-” Kailey prattled on with almost greater force, and I had to restrain her from shooting into a seated position. It almost seemed as though whatever was doing this needed to prove to me that I was positively incorrect in my assumption of the fit slowing.

“K-Kailey, please, hang on for me-!” The temperature spiked even further down, and I felt the tears freezing on my cheeks as I gently put a hand to her face, trying to look her in the eyes that seemed to bounce about their sockets as though they were golf balls midflight, jerking and halting like a billiard ball struck with a glancing, spinning blow. “P-p-please, K, you can do this!” My head sunk to the bed before her, and I began to sob out of sheer fear for the life of my childhood friend. Suddenly, a voice that sounded somewhat like the Kailey I knew, but with some sort of odd difference sounded behind me, and I stiffened in my bowed posture.

“You’re right, you know. She- er... We, I suppose, can do it. But only if I show you what to do next.” The stranger’s voice intoned calmly, as though she’d seen this all before.

Ever so slowly, I began to turn around, and the stranger shouted out a hurried NO! Before continuing in that calm tone once again, “That is to say, you.. can’t see me, Popsicle. At least, not yet anyway... Just.. trust me, okay? I’m going to set a hand on your shoulder, and you need to open your mind for me.”

She let out a small chuckle as though she could hear my quirked eyebrow at her odd choice of phrasing, and I raised a hand in a thumbs up gesture, not trusting my voice after what was happening.. Then I felt it. A stream of images, like a half-forgotten dream, poured into my brain, unbidden by my own hand. I wasn’t quite sure what she was trying to show me, at least until the flow trickled to a stop. Then the puzzle pieces clicked together, and I saw the pattern of my hands, the push of the temperature, as though it was as obvious as the day I was born.

“Use that trick wisely, ok? I can’t save you like this very often, time would get pretty upset with me.” I could practically feel the upturned lips of her half smile through the tone of her voice, and I sat up, focus redoubled, to save my Kailey.

The grip I had on her head would have been absolutely foreign just moments before, but the curve of my hands seemed to suit it perfectly as my fingers splayed across her face. I reached out to the block of cold metal that formed the frame of my bed and found the cold I had originally intended to pump into her surroundings to keep her from overheating. Dah DOY, genius! Of course, the cold’s going to flow down to an area of lesser resistance! I thought to myself before snapping back to the moment I was in, pursing my lips to focus the air coming from my heavy breath out. Leavouring the cold into my body, I heard something that sounded like a slow drumbeat at a great distance, and let the cold go in time with it, almost seeing the points in which the cold was seeping into the folds of Kailey’s brain to keep it from overheating. She began to sputter a bit in the relentless tidal flow of information that came from her lips, and I forced myself to push harder, fighting the heat that seemed to come off of her in layers. I felt the internal stores of my cold begin to flow into her like the tightening of a muscle and knew I had to stop soon, but she hadn’t come down yet! I growled slightly as I gave one final pulse, and then my grip slipped from Kailey’s face as my world spluttered into blackness, my body slumping against her (now much calmer) own.

Kailey woke up later that morning, her head, although no longer hot, still felt as if someone was tearing apart her brain from the inside out. To her pleasant surprise, even though she was still getting a flood of information pouring into her head, she found that she could at least keep it internalized and her body was being cooperative and not upset as it had been earlier. When she turned to her side with a groan she saw Aaron laying there next to her, even while asleep looked more exhausted than when she had seen him yesterday evening once they got home from school but she needed to know why she was in his room, what had happened last night. So she gently shook her best friend, not being able to put as much force as she normally would.

“ A-Aaron,” she croaked, her voice hoarse from the immense strain her body had put on it the night before, “ Wake up, … please”. The boy stirred lightly, an incoherent mumble passing through his lips in protest of being roused from slumber in response. “P-please. I-I need you to… to tell me what happened last night. A-Aaron PLEASE.” She pressed putting as much effort and energy as she could into shaking him awake.

Soon Aaron, albeit with a few groans and grumbles in protest, rose from his comfortable position and rubbed the sleep tiredly from his eyes. Soon acknowledging the second half of Kailey’s request, telling her the events of the night before, how she came into his room at 2 in the morning, unable to withhold all the information that was pouring into her brain, how she went unconscious, but despite that her body still continued to spout information, his struggles to keep her at a cool enough temperature so her body wouldn’t shut down from overheating, how someone, who he could only assume was an older version of Kailey gave him the knowledge to be able to save her, the amount of energy it took him to do it. After hearing it all Kailey couldn’t help but almost cry, she couldn’t believe she made her best friend go through all of that.

“I’m so so sorry Aaron. I’m sorry I made you go through all of that, I don’t know why I even came over last night, I don’t even know WHY I came over here. I shouldn’t have put you through that. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She rambled crumpling in on herself a bit.

“Hey, hey, hey. Shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, shhh, it’s fine K, i-it’s fine, you’re fine, that’s what I’m here for. I’m glad you came over here, albeit even if it wasn’t an entirely conscious decision. Not to mention who knows what would’ve happened to you had you not. Please don’t be sorry. You’re fine. You’ve got nothing to be sorry about, c’mere.” Aaron stuttered before pulling Kailey over to his chest and holding her close, one hand finding its way into her tangled hair softly and stroking it while the other drew small swirl patterns over and between her shoulder blades.

“I-I’m in so much pain, Aaron. I-it feels like my mind is...is being ripped apart.” She sobbed.

“ I know Kailey, I know shhh, it’s okay, just let it out, you’re gonna be okay I promise. This will pass eventually just stay strong. I think it’s a good idea for both of us to just get some rest today if we can K.” Aaron sighed tiredly, continuing to hold his best friend close as he pulled them back down softly onto the pillows.

Soon enough, the pair finally drifted off to sleep, curled up against each other letting the rest of the day slip away.

For the next two weeks or so following that morning, Kailey was out of school, as every day for that period of time, she was still crippled by her brain processing all of the information pouring into it and getting used to her new way of perceiving life around her. Needless to say, Aaron, whenever he wasn’t at school himself, was attached to her hip, even more so than usual due to the worry of her overheating again.

Even after those first few weeks, on occasion, she would have what they both would call “Info attacks” where it would be similar, although not nearly as bad, sessions like the first night and Aaron would have to use the same tactic as before. Of course, though, it only would get easier for them as time flew by.

[jessp-photo-blog]

A Summary of the Past Few Weeks:

I feel that over the past few weeks in the period provided I have grown in some extent as a both a photographer and in my potential to form a business. From shadowing Amanda Cunningham and assisting her with studio shoots, to performing my own and refining my Photoshop skills and even working within multiple roles at the aspex gallery I consider myself to have really improved and grown in confidence within the arts industry.

Amanda giving me the opportunity to work with her has boosted my confidence and given me the reassurance I need in myself to work in a more professional photographic environment. You may notice that on my original work experience proposal that I was meant to assist Amanda with a wedding, but the bride decided a couple of days before the event that she didn’t want the extra body, I respect her decision and saw how Amanda dealt with the situation; adopting a ‘the customer is always right’ approach. But in the instances that I did get the opportunity to work with Amanda I gained experience working with both children and animals, something that wouldn’t be as easy to master in the studio space at the university given the restrictions. She also taught me a few of her favourite photoshop techniques that she uses in her work and also how she uses Lightroom. Since these photo-shoot and editing sessions with Amanda she has offered me to hel assist her over the summer as she is a live performance photographer by trade and festival season is her busiest time of the year.

From working with I Amanda to then transferring myself into my own studio space at university I was able to have complete control over the space with freedom to create. I focused on the use of colour backdrops versus the colours my model would wear, these sessions taught me how important it is to plan ahead for such fashion style shoots, possibly planning frames and poses for my model to do in advance. I also took this time to experiment editing the body, something I consider to be a more controversial and manipulative (both physically and mentally) concept. I felt it was import for me to experiment with this editing style because I have previously focused so heavily on shooting in film and edited my images to a minimum to keep them as honest and truthful as possible. This highlighted how much editing to manipulate an image interested me and I discussed this with Beth, who I had been working with at the aspex gallery, we discussed how I didn’t have to try and make something ‘more beautiful’ but just to alter parts of images, maybe to make something more grotesque; regardless I am happy I pushed myself out of my comfort zone of film because heavy post production manipulation is definitely an element I wish to explore further.

This leads to my working at the aspex gallery, both front of house, family Saturdays and their generate workshop. The workshops both provided me with more experience working with two very different generations that had an interest in art in common. I enjoyed working in the gallery’s front of house the most though because it’s a setting I am naturally more comfortable in, seeing how the gallery was run and also contributing to this was really rewarding, I gained further costumer service experience as well as answering phones, responding to queries and ensuring the gallery was presented to a high standard. An element that contributed to my enjoyment was the woman that I worked with, Beth, she had a BA in Graphic Design from Falmouth University as well as a Masters so talking to her was really interesting, I was able to gain an understanding from her what it meant to work freelance and we also bounced ideas of each other in terms of the art we were creating. She is a connection that I hadn’t even anticipated making, so I feel this reassures the idea that working within a creative environment surrounds you with like minded people that you can still learn and grow from.