#hq team group chats

[millenialfanfictionaddiction]

Don't tell the Team 👀

I Have a Crush on One of Them Pt.3

Featuring Team Japan

Team Japan x Gender Neutral Reader

Warnings: Swearing

A/N: This is part 3 that nobody requested 🤣 but thanks to @trashfox for getting this idea in my head!

[rboooks]

Child Support Part 2

Tim watched the other young heroes as they tried to look around the watch tower without seeming like they were. He's been here plenty of times, but the rest of the Teen Titans and a few of the Young Justice hasn't.

Much was due to the older heroes leaving the younger ones alone. Some not taking them seriously enough to welcome them at the big HQ as much as that made his blood boil.

They were taking the same risks. They were fighting the same good fights. Why was their age the main reason they weren't treated equally?

Some teenage heroes weren't part of a team per see, but they always answered when a call was sent. For example, Cass and Steph were present, speaking softly to Static Shock. Damian was standing next to Jon and his little friend Colin who was just getting into the swing of the hero business.

Bruce almost bit through his tongue when Damian told him Abuse would be joining Robin on parol, and he could do nothing to stop them. (Tim felt like he was watching Damian tell Bruce a paraphrased version of "But Daddy, I love him!" and it kept him smiling for weeks)

It was wild to see almost every young hero in one place. He doesn't think this happened since the last time Justice Leauge got mind controlled and almost destroyed the whole world.

"Any idea why we're here?" Kon asks to his right, lowering his shade to stare at the Outlaws. Jason's team stood to the side chatting iddly while cleaning over thier weapons.

Kon's always like their punk point of view, and he knows his best friend wants to go over there to talk to them. If it wasn't for the issue of the clone still being mad about what Jason did at the Teen Titans tower. Almost murder was hard to forgive for people outside the Bats.

"None. All I know is that John Constantine sent out a message to every teenage superhero group calling for a meet-up," Tim responds.

Bart whistles with a grimace on his right. "Must be bad if that guy is asking."

"I heard Hawkwoman tell Superman that she was worried and wasn't sure she wanted anyone of us mixed up in Constantine's mistakes." Cassie chimes in from where she leans on the couch. The three turn to her as she lowers her voice, attempting to keep the others from hearing. "Batman told her off for it."

"Batman did?" Tim asks, surprised.

Cassie shrugs, throwing a bit of her blond hair over her shoulder. "As much Batman can emote anyway."

Yeah, that sounded about right. Though it must have been something Bruce found disrespectful. His dad usually never reprimanded strangers unless they were saying something or doing something that sounded far too much like bigotry to him.

But to apply that to Constantine? Someone, Bruce generally disliked communicating with because the man tended to backstab his contacts? Yes, Constantine wasn't evil, but he wasn't pleasant either.

If Bruce had magical issues, he tended to contact Zatanna first.

Just then, the watch tower's zeta beams activate. Everyone who gathered turns to the teleporting pads where Constantine appears looking, for lack of a better word, absolutely exhausted. Even Tim knows that his eye bags aren't that bad, and he's usually going hours without sleep.

"Oh good, you all made it," Constantine says, sipping from a mug and wearing nothing but sweatpants and what looks like a nightgown. His signature trench coat was nowhere in sight. "I'm going to be quick about this. I need a team of young heroes willing to accept my son into their fold."

The room is dead silent. Constantine sighs. "Look, I've tried everything, but it's like Danny is allergic to laying low. He fought with a demon the other day over a child's doll- which you all know happens. People get haunted! But Danny refused to do it the right way, and now I had to beat off the demon's marriage proposal at least ten times. Not to mention his lack of social skills! No matter which one I stick him in, he can't seem to make friends in school. He got shoved into a locker on his first day! I thought that was an American exaggeration of the telly!"

Constantine pauses and takes a large gulp of whatever he's drinking before continuing his rant. A hand runs through his already messy hair, leaving it in bigger disarray as he speaks. "He's behind in terms of trends and technology cause his other father raised him outside of the typical timelines, so sometimes it's like talking to someone from the early two thousand, and other times it's like he's a modern Victorian era lad. His powers are also all over the place because the ectoplasm in our world is thicker, so when he breathes it in, he losses his control. Just the other day he accidentally made himself fly through our ceiling and almost reach the atmosphere before I was able to bring him back down."

A few of the fliers in the room wince. Jon nods and whispers under his breath, though his voice carries in the silence. "Yeah, been there before. Flying can be scary if you don't know how to come down."

Johns glances around at all the young people, eyes showing a tad bit of desperation. "He's sad all the time now, and I don't know how to help. If working with you could help him make friends, I would be grateful. He's a great kid. He just needs to adjust."

Tim had no idea what to do with this information; how do you respond to arguably one of the strongest Justice League Darks' heroes asking for a play date for his son?

"How old is the child?" Damian's voice rings out. Colin's hand is attached to his sleeve, a slightly nervous smile on the boy's face as he attempts to hide from the staring heroes behind his brother. Tim bets that if he wasn't wearing the domino mask, they would be able to see slight tears in Colin's eyes.

Damian's other hand goes across his body to cover Colin's hand, and Tim fights a shit-eating grin. His eyes lock with Jason, and the two send each other knowing grins. Looks like Bruce did have to worry about Damian having a secret boyfriend.

He can't wait to tease Damian later.

"He's fourteen....or well, physically?" Constantine answers eagerly.

"What does that mean?" Kon asks this time.

"Okay, so he's half human, half ecto-being. He sired him with his other father, Clockwork, which was only four years ago in this dimension, but since he was raised in the Infinite Relemas, times move differently there? " The British man says, and Raven goes rigid.

"Clockwork, as in the most powerful Ancient?" She asks, looking horror-struck when Constantine nods.

Before anyone asked what that meant, the zeta tubes activated again without permission. Someone had hacked into their systems which were ten levels bad. Everyone naturally fell into a fighting stance, only to blink when a teenage boy stepped out with a loud excited screech.

"We're in space!" The teenager runs to one of the windows, pressing his hands and face up against the glass. "This is amazing!"

Tim only relaxes his muscles once Constantine clears his throat. "Chum...what are you doing here?"

"Oh. One of your curse rocks things started proposing to me again, so I ran out of the House of Mysteries. Thought I see what you were up to." The teenager says, turning around with a smile and utterly freezing at the sight of the gathered heroes.

He had dark hair, wide blue eyes, and the most adorable face Tim had ever seen. Not as sexy as Bernard, of course, but darn close. Judging by the looks of anyone attractive to males, most heroes thought the same.

"Um...hi?" He says, offering the Godsmack teenagers a helpless little shrug. "I'm Danny Constantine."

"It is a pleasure, Constantine." Damian marches over to him with all his little twelve-year-old authority. He barely reaches Danny's chest. "I shall look forward to working with you. Are you formally trained in combat or strictly magic?"

"Um...oh, I can throw a punch or two? I'm mostly self taught. I rely on my powers a lot?" Danny fumbles to answer throwing a desperate look at his presumed father.

"No matter. I shall have you begin training. My Beloved also needs to work on his form. There is no shame in this" Damian nods, and Constantine lets out a large sigh of relief. He jogs over to place a hand on his son's shoulder, giving him a one-sided hug

"Yes, Danny, you will join Robin, Superboy, and Abuse on missions. They agree to help you settle and get used to your ghost powers." Constantine smiles. "I'll give me time to discourage all those idiots from trying to trick you into marriage."

"Oh...okay. It's nice to meet you all. Please call me Phantom on the field. Um, are you the team leader?" He asks Damian as the three youngest boys lead him further into the watch tower.

Constantine watches them go with the brightest smile he's ever seen on the man's face. He looks back to the group, who were barely starting to pick their jaws off the floor and makes a shooing motion with his hand. "You lot are dismissed."

Then the man vanishes in a green portal.

There is a ringing silence until Barts blurts out. "I'm pretty sure this is where the Phantom Fan Club first formed. A historical moment."

Tim wants to take a nap.

( Part 1 )

[kaiijo]

HE HAS A RIVAL FOR YOUR HEART — [BLUE LOCK]

characters: itoshi rin, mikage reo, nagi seishiro content: fem! reader, reader is a pro-athlete in rin’s but there’s no physical descriptions, feat. miya atsumu + bokuto koutarou (hq!!), kagami taiga (knb), characters are pro-athletes so i envision them as being in their 20s in this notes: when can this be me?

⋆｡° itoshi rin

Rin glanced around the stadium, taking in the lights and spectators and other athletes with disinterest and a mounting annoyance. He loathed having himself and the rest of the team paraded around like show ponies, but he supposed he could play nice (well, as nicely as he could) given that this was a charity event and that you were here.

You were the starting setter for Japan’s women’s volleyball team, and someone who Rin had taken a recent liking to. He found you to be pleasant to be around, never irritating or pushy and you were kind and talented. He had a certain fondness for you, not that he would ever admit that to anyone.

He spotted you a few yards away in the stadium. The charity event had professional athletes competing in something like a field day, and you were all grouped by the type of sport you played, which meant you stood with both your own team and the men’s national volleyball team.

Rin’s eyes trailed over you, a small smile making its way to his face as he admired how you looked in your uniform. His mood soured when he saw who you were talking to: Miya Atsumu. He had only met Atsumu a handful of times, usually when you invited a couple of friends to hang out, but he knew the two of you were close, if Atsumu’s frequent presence on your social media was anything to go by. Rin’s lips would curl into a sneer whenever he’d see Atsumu’s smirky face appear on his Instagram in a post from your account, envy clawing at his throat when he saw Atsumu’s arm thrown around your shoulders as you two took a post-practice picture together.

His eyes, unfortunately, met Atsumu’s gaze and Rin scowled at the smug smile and wave Atsumu gave him. He tuned out most of what the host of the event was saying, only listening in again when they announced that Japan’s men’s volleyball team would be going up against the national men’s soccer team in the first game.

His eyes met Atsumu’s again, and he glared when he saw you give him a high-five and wished him good luck. Then, you turned away from him and made your way over to Rin. He stood up straighter as you approached and you grinned at him, clapping your hands together. “Good luck, Rin.”

He replied, “I don’t need luck to beat these mediocrities.”

You just smiled and nodded and said, “I’m sure but I wanted to say good luck anyways.”

Rin paused for a moment, watching as his teammates began to get into position for the first event. You said, “I should get to the sidelines.”

You turned to leave and then Rin asked, “Don’t I get a high-five?” You snorted but raised your hand up anyway. Instead of simply hitting his hand against yours, Rin took your hand in his and intertwined his fingers with yours.

You stared at him as he grew a second head. “What’s this, Rin?”

He released your hand and shrugged. “Soaking up your supposed good luck.” He met Atsumu’s gaze for the third time and this time, it was Rin’s turn to smirk.

⋆｡° mikage reo

Reo glanced over the crowd of people in his apartment again, spotting his own teammates as well as other friends and friends of friends. He frowned when he didn’t see you anywhere. Chigiri, who he had been chatting with, patted him on the back and said, “Be patient, I’m sure she’ll show up soon.”

Reo sighed and offered him a tight-lipped smile. He felt his phone buzz in his pocket a few moments later and he reached for it frantically, a message from you on his lockscreen. He swiped across the screen to open it.

You [10:32 PM] sorry i’m running late!! you said u were ok if i brought a friend right?

Reo typed back a quick reply. Of course! The more the merrier hahaha

You [10:34 PM] perf! we’re about a block away

When you said you’d be bringing a friend, Reo had expected it to be one of your girl friends. When he opened his door, however, he didn’t expect to see the semi-familiar, six-foot-three form of pro-basketball player Kagami Taiga standing beside you.

You beamed at Reo, throwing your arms around his shoulder in a hug. “Thanks so much for the invite,” you said. You pulled back to introduce the two of them, and Kagami said, “I think we’ve met before. Mikage, right?”

“Yeah, that’s me,” Reo chuckled but he could hear how strained he sounded. There were a thousand thoughts racing through his head, though the loudest one was Who is Kagami to you? You had called him a friend, but really, what did that mean? Was he just a friend or was he a friend?

He realized he had been just standing there, so Reo moved to the side and said, “Sorry, come in.”

As the night progressed, Reo found himself torn between being happy you wanted to spend time with him and irritation that you also insisted on dragging Kagami along with you. He forgot that you had spent a lot of your childhood in America, where you apparently had known Kagami. When you moved to Japan for high school, when you and Reo met, you lost touch with Kagami and only recently reconnected.

As you regaled him with stories about you and Kagami, not only from when you were kid but also from the past few months after you got in touch again, Reo resisted the urge to frown. The two of you sounded close and he didn’t appreciate the affectionate glances Kagami threw you when he thought no one could see. Was this it? Was he going to lose you?

“So,” Kagami asked, “how did you two meet?”

“Oh!” You smiled so brightly at Reo and he felt his heart skip a beat. “Back in the first year of high school, I saw Reo buy a drink from one of the school vending machines but it didn’t come out, so I offered to stick my hand up and grab it.”

Kagami snickered. “Were you successful?”

“Yup!” You wrapped an arm around Reo’s waist, leaning into him. “That’s how we became friends.” As you launched into stories about yours, Reo’s, and later on, Nagi’s exploits in high school, Reo couldn’t help but feel warmth spread through his chest as you spoke fondly about him. Maybe there was a chance for him, after all.

⋆｡° nagi seishiro

All Nagi had wanted was to have a lazy Saturday with you. They had been given a brief break in training and he immediately asked if you wanted to hang out with him, to which you enthusiastically agreed and asked if he wanted to come over to your apartment to watch movies, play video games, and relax all around. Nagi couldn’t have jumped quicker at the opportunity.

What he didn’t anticipate was one of your other friends, a pro-volleyball player named Bokuto Koutarou, weaseling his way into these plans too. Apparently, his team was also giving their players a week’s reprieve from practice and training. And suddenly, your two person plan became three and Nagi’s hope for a peaceful day was shattered because, as he quickly discovered, Bokuto Koutarou was very loud and very energetic.

Nagi pouted from behind his phone, peeking up at you and Bokuto, who were animatedly discussing something one of your mutual friends did. He didn’t even really care that he wasn’t in the conversation given that he had no idea what was going on; what he did care about was how Bokuto monopolized you and the way your eyes were so bright around him. Was that the kind of guy you liked? Hyperactive and noisy?

Nagi’s frustration only grew when his phone screen flashed a big GAME OVER sign at him. Then, he watched as Bokuto leaned close to you, reaching towards your hair and pulling out what he claimed to be a piece of fuzz or whatever, and Nagi felt his tenuous patience snap. Time to get serious, it seemed.

Nagi stood up from the chair he was sitting in, plopping on your other side on the couch and draping his large body of yours. Both you and Bokuto startled a little and Nagi felt a sick sense of pleasure when he saw Bokuto’s eyes narrow at him. Nagi’s voice came out in a low purr, feigning drowsiness as he asked, “Can we watch that Netflix movie we planned on today?” His eyes flickered up to Bokuto’s face, his silent message clear: Let’s watch the movie we planned on before we were rudely interrupted.

[nerdpoe]

TWINcognito mode Part 4 (Tim and Danny Pretend to be Twins AU) (is it still pretending if they genuinely consider each other as twins?)

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 5, Part 6, AO3

Danny had a bandage on his hand.

Tim stared at it, then his twin, then the hospital room around them, and finally at Jason.

“Jason what the fuck,” he breathed quietly, gesturing helplessly at the hospital patient on the bed.

“No, you’re what the fuck,” Jason hissed, shoving a finger in Tim’s chest, “You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Well fuck you Replacement, I know where you keep your precious BatMobile and I’m not afraid to torch it.”

How the hell did Jason know where the secret BatMobile was?

Wait, not important.

“Danny, you good?” Tim asked, pushing Jason’s hand away and moving towards his probably slightly high twin, “Did he cut off any fingers?” Did Tim have to cut off any of Jason’s in return?

Because he’d do it. He’d do it in a fucking heartbeat.

Jason could stand to lose a few fingers.

Danny’s too-wide eyes gazed into his, and then the little shit started giggling nonstop.

“Oh yeah, they gave him morphine. Did it even though I told them that giving a meta morphine is a bad idea, but I think they thought he was you, so. They learned the hard way.”

There was energy dancing in arcs around Danny’s fingertips, and Tim was fairly certain he knew that the fake incident of blasting a hole in the wall had just become a real one.

“Tim?” Danny asked, reaching out and burning the lapel he’d managed to grab with the energy running unchecked through his hands.

Tim was so suing the hospital for this.

“Yes, Danny?” He sighed, delicately removing the sparking appendage from his clothes.

“Tim, I think I broke a wall.”

“That’s fine, they deserved it for not listening to your medical proxy.”

Tim heard Jason distantly give a flat “What”.

It was fine, a few seconds of typing and it’d look like Jason had always been a listed emergency contact and medical proxy. He could figure out how to explain that to Bruce later.

He’d also need one of Jason’s aliases.

“Everything is moving, and the ceiling is melting.”

Tim frowned. Usually when he saw shit like that it meant-

-Danny abruptly leaned forward and emptied his stomach on Tim’s shoes.

Tim squeezed his eyes shut and tried to block out the sound of Jason’s hysterical laughter.

He could also hear a few shutter clicks, god damn it, one of the vultures had trailed in after him.

"Jason, two mill to play bodyguard and handle the vulture behind me."

The laughter stopped abruptly, and Jason went after the paparazzi with far too much enthusiasm.

Tim listened to the distant sound of a bone breaking and agonized screams as he reached forward and rubbed Danny's back.

Danny whined, leaning into his stomach.

"Don't worry; I've got everything handled," Tim was already texting his team of lawyers in one group chat and the Wayne Industries PR team in another.

He'd take care of it; taking care of family was what he did best.

~~~~~~

The phone rang exactly twice before it was picked up.

“Bruce Wayne speaking,” Bruce Wayne answered, not really paying attention to his work phone as he focused on the blueprints to Black Masks newest HQ in front of him.

“Mr. Wayne, we understand that you have a good working relationship with us at the Daily Planet, for all that we’re from your sister city,” a nervous voice sounded on the other side, and Bruce was suddenly paying attention, “And we were wondering if you would be willing to have an interview concerning Tim Drake-Wayne’s hidden twin? The public has many questions, and you know that we’ll treat the story with the respect it des-”

“Danny doesn’t like reporters,” Bruce lied through his teeth; he had no idea what Danny did or did not like, and he would address the lack of press coverage later once he found out what was going on, “How did this get out?”

“Ah, well there may have been a slight incident at the local hospital, and it’s a little hard to hide a wall with a hole blown in it from a high meta.”

What.

“What hospital?”

The line went quiet.

“I…I’m feeling a bit like I’ve just ratted them out, sir.”

“I’m their father, it’s fine; what hospital?”

“Gotham General, sir. Mr. Daniel’s bodyguard broke a paparazzi’s legs as well, so…there’s also questions about using excessive force.”

Bruce allowed himself a moment to close his eyes and lament his quiet evening.

That was Jason. That was 100% Jason. This was absolutely something that had happened between the twins and Jason that they hadn’t wanted Bruce to know.

“I’ll get back to you on that interview,” Bruce said, hanging up without waiting for so much as a goodbye.

Without a word, he walked out of the BatCave and headed towards the garage, trying to occupy his mind to steer it away from imagining catastrophic injuries.

How unfortunate that his brain was insistent on catastrophizing something, and if it wasn’t allowed to imagine injuries, it was going to find something else.

Danny had been largely unknown to the press.

Gotham press Bruce could understand; they would understand the unspoken rule laid out by Janet and Jack to Not Talk About The Twin. But Metropolis news? They wouldn’t care at all.

There would have been reports on it. The Daily Planet would have called to ask for a story on property damage, not about the ‘hidden twin’.

There were other inconsistencies.

There were no pictures of Danny in the Manor, aside from the new one on the mantel that Alfred had managed to get the boy to sit still for. However, he was in the background of all of the photos he’d found of the Drake family online.

If it wasn’t for Barbara stating that she knew him, and for Tim’s easy familial interactions with him, Bruce would swear that Danny really hadn’t existed prior to-

…

Danny hadn’t existed.

He didn’t want to consider the possibility that Barbara lied, but if he did…

Tim enjoyed pranks. Danny was confirmed to have been captured by Ra’s. Danny had escaped. Tim had found Danny. More than likely, they had moved forward from there, and Tim was prone to becoming obsessively protective of family, and Danny was…

Ra’s had reached into a different dimension and grabbed that universe’s version of Tim. Except he hadn’t, because in that universe Tim had been born with an identical twin, and it would have been an easy mistake for someone not expecting that.

Tim and Barbara were trying their hardest to make sure that Danny had a place in this universe. They were trying their hardest to keep him.

Tim was absolutely not researching how to send Danny back; if he had been, he would have started refusing cases for the sake of research.

Bruce hauled himself into his car, started it, and took a moment to rest his forehead on the steering wheel.

He understood it, really. He did. 

Danny fit into their family like a missing puzzle piece; he belonged with them.

But Danny was from a different dimension. He had to go home, no matter how much they wanted him to stay. His version of Bruce was probably tearing the laws of reality apart to get him back.

Bruce would do the same for any of his children, especially if it had been a kidnapping and not an accident.

Bruce sighed and slammed the car into reverse.

He didn’t have enough evidence, he would have to ask for further information.

And how he loathed admitting he did not know something.

In the meantime, he called the one person he would never have thought he’d have to ask for help.

He called John Constantine and told him, as Batman, that the Wayne family had a situation.

~~~~~~

John hated the rich.

Unless they were paying him, of course.

Which Bruce bloody Wayne would, if he wanted his help.

It had taken a bit of wandering, fending off hospital security, and walking past a smoking hole in a wall-fucking Gotham-before he’d managed to convince someone to just guide him to the room in question.

And because John was a snoop, and he knew he was, he stopped outside the door to listen in.

“-I know you’re from a different dimension, Danny, we just want to help you go back.”

“I don’t understand what I did wrong, why do you want to kill me?”

“Bruce what the fuck-”

“Old Man you’ve got it wrong-”

“John Constantine is on the way to pinpoint what Dimension you’re from. Danny, this hurts, I don’t want to do this, but you have to go back home.”

“But if you do that I’ll die!”

“Yeah Bruce he’ll-wait you’ll what? What?! Back the fuck up Old Man!”

“B, calm down. Your conclusion is inaccurate and you need to step back.”

“Danny, stop overreacting; your version of Bruce is probably very worried.”

Well this sounded like a lovely family conversation to walk into.

He opened the door without any fanfare and…yup. Rich people.

There was a revenant standing in front of an eldritch being waving an unused IV pole at Bruce Wayne while the CEO of Wayne Industries was trying to pull the old CEO away from the people in front of him.

Bruce Wayne was not moving.

“Right, so…I’m here to take a look at the…” John trailed off, finally getting a good look at the eldritch thing behind the revenant.

That was no kid.

That was an Ancient.

That was not just an Ancient.

That was the High King of the Infinite Realms, trapped in a mortal body and shackled to life.

This was not a God of Death, this was The God of Death; but tiny and human. Tiny, human, and for some unknown reason had chosen the Wayne family to live his life with.

John wasn’t going to pretend to know what went on in the mind of an Ancient Spirit turned God, but he did know how to take in what was in front of him.

The soul was seamlessly integrated into the body, only barely leaking out. There was a tether, presumably to the Infinite Realms, for the overflow of power that the mortal body could not handle. This looked like any other reincarnation, but with something more powerful than a normal soul.

Which meant that this was deliberate, and usually the reincarnated only held bare bone memories of their past life. If John actually did send the kid back to his home dimension, it was literally going to kill him. The only way for the tiny Royal in front of him to go back was through dying.

For all intents and purposes, this was just a kid. A kid acting as the eyes for a literal God.

And Bruce Wayne was about to royally fuck up said God’s judgment of their world.

“Wayne,” John whispered, eyes not leaving the Royal in front of him, “Wayne, we need to talk.”

“Ah, Mr. Constantine, you’re here. If you could-”

“Wayne,” John snapped, voice hoarse, “Get your bloody arse out of the bloody room right bloody now and listen to me!” by the end of his demand, John was not ashamed to admit that his voice had started hitting some very high notes.

Bruce Wayne’s eyes widened, and the fool finally acquiesced.

“Why is that guy always so gross?” He heard behind him as he closed the door.

He elected to ignore it in favor of setting the pompous rich arse in front of him straight.

“He isn’t lying; you send him back to his home dimension, he dies.”

Wayne looked stricken. Good. Now he had his attention.

“He’s a reincarnated soul from the Infinite Realms, and for whatever reason he decided that your family was the one he wanted to have. Why is he this old and a twin to someone who did not have a twin before? No idea. Not my business. But Wayne,” John walked forward, resting his hand on the man's chest before gripping his suit and yanking him down to eye level, “That kid is acting as the Eyes of a God. If you bugger this up, you bugger us up.”

John let the man go and walked away, throwing his business card over his shoulder.

“The JLD will keep in touch.”

~~~~~~

Tim had miscalculated.

Danny was still too high to be of any use.

Jason’s eyes were a luminescent green, so his cognitive faculties were essentially gone as well. Honestly it wasn’t a huge loss on his part, he doubted Jason would have had valuable input anyways.

His only saving grace was the occultist that had actually done something useful; he’d bought Tim time.

A quick text to Barbara that Bruce had catastrophized into the worst case scenario, again, and Tim got to work.

He stripped out of his suit jacket and pointed at Danny, catching Jason’s eyes.

“We’re switching places; help him undress and escort him out. Pay raise to-”

“You don’t have to pay me fucking money to make sure one of my brothers isn’t killed, Replacement,” Jason snarled, dropping the IV stand and turning to make quick work of Danny’s hoodie.

Danny tried to help, really, he did, but he couldn’t seem to find the coordination for it.

Regardless, in the three minutes it took for Constantine to lay into Bruce, he and Danny had managed to not only swap clothes, but to place an identical bandage on Tim’s hand.

Jason had only just managed to get Danny’s hair in the same style as Tim had when he’d walked in before they heard the door start to open again.

Jason took a half step back and placed himself squarely in front of the twins. 

Tim was not surprised.

Jason's second worst nightmare, after all, was Bruce becoming a version of Willis he could not protect his siblings from.

From the look on Bruce’s face, he knew it, too.

Tim curled his hand around the batarang he’d hidden up his sleeve, fully prepared to do what he could to buy even more time for whoever Barbara had called as reinforcement to arrive.

But Tim didn’t get a chance to do that, because between one second and the next he was outside and being handed off to Kon by an only slightly winded Bart.

“Guys,” he started, feeling the migraine starting to build.

“It’s okay Danny we’ll break you out of Gotham and then Tim can come with you and then you can live with us forever because Speedsters are the best and-”

“Oracle said you’d been dosed with morphine, so I’m gonna have to carry you like Tim for a bit man. Sorry.”

“Guys-” Tim tried, but was manhandled into Kon’s arms.

“Don’t you worry about a thing Dantheman we’re gonna make sure you’re safe and then you can share your house with Kon because no one messes with Kon and you’ll be safe forever and-”

“You have the wrong twin, buffoons,” a young voice cut through, drawing their attention to the youngest Wayne.

Damian looked thoroughly unimpressed.

The look deepened when they heard the fire alarms start going off in the hospital that were more than likely, statistically speaking, courtesy of Jason.

“Come, Timothy; we must clean up the mess your poor planning has made,” the little demon brat ordered imperiously, turning on his heel and marching into the chaotic hospital.

Tim managed to wriggle out of Kon’s hold and patted his chest.

“Thanks, man,” he sighed, mentally preparing himself for the bullshit he was about to walk into.

Kon gave his shoulder a squeeze.

“I’ve decided that I’m gonna hang out in Gotham for a bit; just call my name if you need me, bro.”

Oh, Tim would.

He paused as he watched a very familiar motorcycle tear down the street.

In fact, Tim was tempted to call for Kon right that very moment.

“Timothy!”

…But he would have to face the consequences of his actions first.

@terzatheunderscorerima @darkbiscuitvoidstudent @akikkobara @reach-for-the-horizon @bitter-coffeecup @moodycow210 @kisatamao @thefantasmarex @fisher-with-the-morbs @jaguarthecat @jotaroslooseeyebrowhair @moonshell25 @tundra1029 @hoarder-of-gender @depressed-bitchy-demon @kisatamao @countessdragon

[chokememaximoff]

Unveiling Bonds of Steel and Scarlet

Wanda Maximoff x reader

Abstract:In the Avengers HQ, Wanda's eager to make friends, especially with the Romanoff sisters. Y/N's tough training and standoffishness puzzle her, but as they work through misunderstandings, a surprising connection forms. Amidst challenges and heartfelt confessions, they find a bond that goes beyond initial struggles.

Tw:none

In the bustling headquarters of the Avengers, a new chapter was about to unfold. Wanda, with her scarlet powers and determination, had joined the team. Eager to connect and form bonds, she set her sights on getting to know her fellow Avengers, particularly the formidable Romanoff sisters: Natasha, Yelena, and Y/N. She had been captivated by the lively and teasing interactions she had witnessed between them, and she longed to be a part of their close-knit group.

Wanda's first step was to strike up a conversation with Natasha, who welcomed her with a warm smile. They found common ground in their shared experiences of loss, discussing their journeys to becoming Avengers. As they chatted, Yelena joined in, her witty remarks and playful banter making Wanda feel at ease.

The next challenge was Y/N. Wanda mustered up the courage to approach her during a break in training, only to be met with a nonchalant shrug and averted gaze. Y/N's reaction puzzled Wanda, but she was determined not to give up. She tried again a few days later, finding Y/N engrossed in a technical task.

"Hey, Y/N, right?" Wanda ventured. "I'm Wanda, the new recruit. I've heard so much about you and your sisters. You all seem like quite a team."

Y/N glanced up, her expression guarded. "Yeah, we are. What's it to you?"

Undeterred by Y/N's brusqueness, Wanda smiled warmly. "I just thought it would be great to get to know everyone on the team. You know, build some connections."

Y/N's response was a curt nod before she turned back to her work. Feeling a bit disheartened, Wanda retreated, determined to try again another time.

Turning to Natasha for advice, Wanda voiced her concerns. "Natasha, I tried talking to Y/N, but she's been distant. Is there something I'm missing?"

Natasha leaned against a table, studying Wanda thoughtfully. "Y/N is fiercely protective of her sisters. She's been through a lot with them. It takes time to earn her trust. Don't give up. Keep being yourself."

With Natasha's encouragement, Wanda focused on her training, particularly the sessions led by Natasha and Y/N. Training with Natasha was intense yet rewarding. They sparred, honed their skills, and shared stories, developing a mentorship that Wanda cherished.

Training with Y/N, however, was an entirely different ordeal. The first session began with Y/N assessing Wanda's powers and combat abilities. Then, without warning, Y/N launched into a series of drills that left Wanda breathless.

The training sessions led by Y/N were nothing short of brutal. Y/N remained stern and unyielding, pushing Wanda to her limits day after day. The harshness of the training began to wear on Wanda's spirit, leading to frustration and resentment building within her.

One fateful day, as Wanda stood before Y/N, sweat-drenched and aching, she finally snapped. "Enough!" she shouted, her voice trembling with anger. "I've had it with your constant harshness! You push me to the brink, and for what? Just to see me fail?"

Y/N's expression remained impassive, seemingly unaffected by Wanda's outburst. "If you can't handle the training, then maybe you don't belong here," she replied coolly.

Infuriated by Y/N's dismissive attitude, Wanda stormed off, leaving the training room and the Avengers' headquarters behind. Y/N merely shrugged off Wanda's departure, her focus unbroken.

As the days turned into weeks, Wanda's absence was felt by the team. The Avengers pressed on with their duties, their concern for their missing comrade lingering beneath the surface. One evening, the team gathered for a celebratory party after a successful mission. Wanda was conspicuously absent from the festivities, her absence felt more keenly than ever.

Meanwhile, in her own world of bitterness and regret, Wanda had taken refuge in a local bar. As the night wore on and the drinks flowed, Wanda found herself letting go of her anger and frustration. She had a few more drinks than she should have, and her judgment became clouded.

Outside the bar, a persistent man approached Wanda, his intentions far from genuine. He insisted on taking her to his apartment, ignoring her protests and making her uncomfortable. Just as the situation was escalating, a familiar figure appeared behind Wanda, sending a wave of relief through her.

It was Y/N.

Y/N's stern gaze fell upon the man, her presence instantly putting him on edge. Without a word, the man quickly retreated, leaving Wanda and Y/N alone. Wanda's drunken state prevented her from comprehending the full extent of the situation, but she knew she was grateful for Y/N's intervention.

Guiding Wanda back to the Avengers' headquarters, Y/N's demeanor softened as she witnessed Wanda's intoxicated state. Y/N helped Wanda to her room, where the full extent of Wanda's condition became apparent. She was sick and disoriented, stumbling towards the bathroom.

Y/N held Wanda's hair back as she leaned over the toilet, her touch surprisingly gentle. Afterward, Y/N handed Wanda a toothbrush and toothpaste, helping her brush away the unpleasant taste. Wanda's shirt was ruined, but Y/N suggested finding something clean to change into.

Wanda's stubbornness reared its head, insisting that changing clothes was unnecessary. "You didn't change out of your dress either," she mumbled.

A faint smile tugged at Y/N's lips, a glint of amusement in her eyes. Without hesitation, Y/N unceremoniously shed her dress, revealing a perfectly sculpted body that left Wanda momentarily stunned. Regaining her composure, Y/N rummaged through Wanda's closet and found a pair of shorts and a shirt, guiding Wanda into them.

As Wanda finally settled into her bed, Y/N turned to leave the room. Just as she was about to step out, a question halted her in her tracks. "Why do you dislike me so much?" Wanda's voice was soft, tinged with vulnerability.

Y/N's confusion was palpable as she turned to face Wanda. "Why do you think I dislike you?" she countered, her expression sincere and questioning.

Wanda's words hung in the air, her frustration and confusion palpable. "You pushed me so hard during training, and every time I tried to talk to you, you just brushed me off and walked away," she said, her voice laced with emotion.

Y/N sighed, her shoulders slumping as she sat down on the edge of the bed. Running her fingers through her hair, she seemed lost in thought for a moment before finally speaking. "I've always been reserved, Wanda. I tend to keep to myself. And as for the training... I wasn't being an asshole just for the sake of it. I pushed you because I care. I care too damn much about your success as an Avenger."

Her words hung heavy in the air as the weight of her emotions became evident. Y/N's expression softened, revealing a vulnerability that Wanda hadn't seen before. "I know I've been distant, and I'm sorry if that hurt you. But I really do want you to succeed, to be the best you can be. More than you can imagine."

The room fell into a contemplative silence. Wanda stared at Y/N, processing her words and the unexpected glimpse into her feelings. Y/N's admission took her by surprise, a mixture of confusion and a newfound understanding swirling within her.

Without another word, Y/N stood up and walked towards the door. Just as she was about to leave, she turned back to face Wanda, her gaze intense yet uncertain. "I really like you, Wanda. More than you might think," she said softly, her voice carrying a raw honesty that resonated deeply.

With that, Y/N turned and left the room, the door closing softly behind her. Wanda was left in a state of bewilderment, her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions she had yet to fully comprehend.

The next morning dawned with a sense of renewed purpose. Y/N's perspective shifted, her thoughts consumed by the conversation from the previous night. As the sun rose, she laced up her sneakers and headed out for her usual 10-kilometer run, hoping the physical exertion would help clear her mind.

When Y/N returned to the Avengers' headquarters, she was surprised to find the gym lights on and the sound of footsteps echoing. The sight that greeted her was unexpected yet heartening. There was Wanda, a determined look in her eyes despite the early hour. Y/N's surprise was evident, considering the amount of alcohol Wanda had consumed the night before.

Wanda was holding a hangover smoothie in her hand, one that Y/N had prepared and left in the fridge for her. Y/N couldn't help the faint blush that rose to her cheeks as their eyes met. Wanda approached her, holding up the smoothie. "Did you make this for me?" she asked, a genuine smile tugging at her lips.

Y/N nodded, trying to suppress her own smile. "Yeah, I figured it might help. Hangovers aren't fun."

Wanda's smile widened, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. "Well, it's much appreciated." She took a sip of the smoothie, savoring the taste before placing it aside.

Y/N cleared her throat, her cheeks still faintly flushed. "Don't get ahead of yourself, though," she mumbled, her gaze shifting to the floor.

The training session that followed was different from their previous encounters. Y/N maintained her stern and rigorous approach, but this time, there was a shift in the air. Wanda faced each challenge head-on, her determination unwavering. And as the training progressed, Y/N noticed something different in Wanda's demeanor.

Wanda didn't get frustrated or angry at Y/N's sternness. Instead, she met each challenge with a calm determination, a resolve that hadn't been there before. Y/N watched as Wanda pushed herself, refusing to back down even in the face of exhaustion. It was clear that Wanda had gained a new perspective, understanding the intentions behind Y/N's tough training regimen.

As the session came to a close, Wanda's chest heaved, but a triumphant smile graced her lips. Y/N regarded her with a sense of pride, the corners of her own mouth turning up ever so slightly. "You did well," she acknowledged, her voice softer than usual.

Wanda nodded, her breathing slowly returning to normal. "Thank you, Y/N. I get it now. You push me because you care."

Y/N's gaze held Wanda's, a mixture of relief and appreciation in her eyes. "Yeah. I do."

The two shared a moment, a silent understanding passing between them. The tension that had once colored their interactions had begun to dissipate, replaced by a mutual respect and a newfound connection.

As they left the training room, Wanda turned to Y/N, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, about that smoothie..."

Y/N rolled her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips. "You better not be getting any ideas."Wanda chuckled, falling into step beside Y/N.

Later that night, the Avengers' headquarters were enveloped in a quiet hush. In the dim light of her room, Wanda lay in her bed, tossing and turning as a whirlwind of thoughts swirled through her mind. The events of the past few days replayed in her head like a broken record, each moment dissected and examined.

However, one particular phrase had lodged itself into her thoughts and refused to let go. "I really like you, Wanda. More than you might think." Y/N's words echoed in her mind, a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. What did Y/N mean by that? What did she feel about Wanda?

With a frustrated groan, Wanda pushed herself up into a sitting position, running a hand through her hair. She felt a strange mixture of confusion, frustration, and curiosity. Her heart raced as she replayed the scene from the party, Y/N's sincere confession ringing in her ears.

As much as Wanda wanted to brush it off, she couldn't shake the impact those words had on her. She had seen a side of Y/N that was rarely revealed—a vulnerability that contradicted her usual tough exterior. Wanda's mind raced with questions, each one leading her deeper into the enigma that was Y/N Romanoff.

The night air was cool as Wanda swung her legs over the side of the bed, her determination outweighing her exhaustion. She couldn't stay confined in her room any longer. She needed to confront her feelings, to make sense of the tangled web that had woven itself around her and Y/N.

With a decisive nod, Wanda stood up and headed towards the door. The hallway was quiet, illuminated only by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the windows. She walked with purpose, her steps carrying her to Y/N's room.

Hesitating for a moment, Wanda raised her hand and knocked softly on the door. After a beat, the door opened, and Y/N stood before her, her expression a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Wanda?" Y/N's voice held a note of uncertainty.

Wanda took a deep breath, her nerves threatening to overwhelm her. "Can we talk?" she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Y/N nodded, stepping back to let Wanda into the room. They settled into silence for a moment, neither quite knowing how to start the conversation.

Finally, Wanda broke the silence. "About what you said at the party... I've been thinking about it a lot." She looked up to meet Y/N's gaze, her own eyes searching for answers.

Y/N's expression softened, a hint of vulnerability returning to her features. "I meant what I said, Wanda. I've always been reserved, and I never thought I'd be one to admit something like that. But it's the truth."

Wanda took a step closer, the distance between them narrowing. "Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why me?"

Y/N's gaze never wavered, her eyes locked onto Wanda's. "Because you're strong, and you're determined. You challenge me, and I respect that. I care about your success, Wanda. And yes, I like you more than you know."

The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Wanda took another step forward, her heart racing as she closed the gap between them. Without a word, she reached up and gently cupped Y/N's cheek, her touch feather-light.

Y/N's breath caught, her eyes searching Wanda's for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, she leaned in, closing the space between them. Their lips met in a tender kiss, a collision of feelings and unspoken words.

As they pulled away, Wanda's lips curved into a soft smile. "I think I might like you more than I know too," she admitted, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Y/N grinned, the vulnerability in her gaze replaced by a newfound sense of warmth and happiness. "Well then, I guess we have some exploring to do."

In that moment, the uncertainties and questions seemed to fade away, replaced by a promise of something new and exciting. As they stood in each other's embrace, Wanda realized that sometimes, the most unexpected connections were the ones that held the most potential.

[tackytigerfic]

Word game! Thanks so much for tagging me! Can I ask for any of these three?

Linger

Nude

Both

Hello! thank you for these, today I discovered that I have never used the word nude in any fic?! i found a few lingers but most are spoilery so I'll use this one. Harry is back at Order HQ after a night out at the pub. I always say there's a lot of me in my Harry and this is a good example of that 😅

It wasn’t as though tea and toast was a bad thing, Harry thought. It was just so deeply unsatisfying compared to the thoughts of a good curry, or even a bad curry for that matter. But Hogsmeade was still quaintly stuck in village mode, despite the huge increase in its population in recent years, and its one cafe closed at nine o’ clock, long before the pubs shut. Harry half considered stopping off at the apparition point on his way back to HQ, and heading to Edinburgh for a proper takeaway, but he was, realistically, much too drunk for such a long jump. Even a chicken passanda from Pataka wouldn’t be worth splinching himself for.

It was too much effort to even boil the kettle, Harry thought helplessly, looking into the almost-empty fridge in the little kitchenette at the end of the corridor down from his room. “This is too much effort,” he said out loud, just to confirm, and then he felt sad and tired all of a sudden at the very thought of it, and went and poured himself a glass of water, which he gulped down over the sink, tap still gushing and splattering his t-shirt with spray, before filling the glass again. His mouth felt stretched out, alcohol-dry, with the faint chemical cling of artificial fruit still lingering from that stupid cocktail.

Ron and Hermione had gone straight to their room, though whether it was to catch up on sleep or to do anything more exciting, Harry couldn’t quite say. They had both looked exhausted.

It suited Harry, anyway, to be alone. Nights out were rare enough, and all the noise and talk drained him, even when it was only Ron and Hermione. Harry had toyed with the idea of trying to find someone to chat up, but most of the people in the pub were part of his team, and though there were no rules against fraternisation as such, Harry had been on the wrong side of the bed on too many mornings after to want to put himself through the awkward stage of having to work with someone after a mutually disappointing shag. And anyway, the only people Harry might have even wanted to chat up were part of Draco’s group, and Harry hadn’t wanted to go over there.

It looked as though Draco was having a good time, though, which was nice for him. He hadn’t looked at Harry at all, not once. Instead he spent his evening talking to a lot of different people, none of whom Harry could quite work out how he knew, and the pale severe cast of his face got slowly softer and warmer from heat and drinks. At the end of the night Harry had, for one mad minute, thought about going over to say goodbye, but then he saw someone had his arm over the back of Draco’s chair, and was talking very intently in Draco’s ear while Draco held himself still in the seat as though he wanted nothing more than to lean in closer but wasn’t allowing himself, and Harry decided he’d leave them to it.

[brasiliangp]

'drive to survive' season 6: a cheat sheet for people like me, who only care about like 3 ppl of the grid <3

Episode 1: Money Talks

Team: Aston Martin

0 - 2:00; shows some of the drivers (Lando, Lance, George, Max, Alex, Esteban) and Gunther on their winter breaks

2:41; Lawrence going all 007 villain mood

6:30; Aston Martin car launch

10:32; Lance gets injured

12:30 - 19:30; drivers in Bahrain (photoshoot, talk about Mercedes and Ferrari)

20:15; Lance is back

23: 20 - race (Bahrain GP) (does focus on Mercedes/Lewis/Toto a bit)

30:20 - Fred and Ferrari

33 - onwards; Aston Martin's podium, reactions from Mercedes and Ferrari, moments between Lawrence and Lance

Episode 2: Fall from Grace

Team: Alpha Tauri / Red Bull

Christian Horner TW throughout!!!!!

1:40 - start talking about Daniel

4: 35 - Red Bull car launch

also Daniel shows up for the first time

6:37 - Nyck is introduced

8:05 - some Red Bull tory nonsense with a charity shooting thing

10:33 - Jeddah

12:49 - introduction to the change in leadership at AT

14:34 - 17:51; race footage

18 - Nyck showing his Monaco apartment

backstory into Nyck and him chatting with a friend till 20:20

22:10 - Monaco GP

23:50 - they bring out the traumatized by rbr support group (Gasly and Albon) to talk about Nyck

25:00 - Daniel and Horner discuss plans for the future

27:30 - 32:30; race footage

32:55 - Horner calls Daniel

33 - Silverstone test

38:40 - Daniel back in F1

39:30 - Back to Nyck

Episode 3: Under Pressure

Team: McLaren

2:18 - McLaren car launch

4:24 - Oscar introduction

7:30 - 9:17; race footage (Bahrain)

11:40 - talks about Lando possibly switching teams (lasts literally the whole episode)

11:56 - 12:27; Horner TW

12:30 - Miami GP

16:49 - 19:16; Zac and Lando go golfing

20:40 - 23:58; race footage (Miami)

25:00 - 26:25; Lando and George flying together

26:25 - 27:30; Lando's life story

35:20 - Silverstone footage

Episode 4: The Last Chapter

Teams: Haas / Williams

0 - 4:00; Gunther

4:00 - Introduction to Nico/Kevin

5:13 - addressing the drama between then

7:08 - Williams

7:33 - James introduction

13:26 - 16:30; race footage (Jeddah)

17:57 - 19:50; Gunther

19:50 - 20:30; James

20:30 - 21:20; Alex working out

21:30 - Alex and James talking

24:30 - 29:50; race footage (Montreal)

29:57 - Lily!

39:40 - 41; race footage (Mexico)

43:10 - 45; Mattia Binotto TW

Episode 5: Civil War

Team: Alpine

2:10 - 5:40; Pierre in Cannes

8:20; Pierre and Esteban at the Alpine HQ

11:50 - 14:10; Pierre and Esteban story (where the drama started)

14:20 - 15:40; Pierre and Esteban go karting

17:30 - 23; race footage (Australia)

25:05 - 26:20; Esteban family house/working out

27: TP drama

28:30 - 37; Monaco GP

Episode 6: Lead of Faith

Team: Mercedes

0:15 - 3:40; George and Lewis shooting the road test video

8:25 - 9:05; Lewis talks about issues with the car

9:20 - 14:30; very sweet moment with the Wolffs where Jack goes karting

17 - 19; Lewis contract talks

19:00 - 19:12; "Lewis and I agreed to be open and honest with each other" Toto

19:25 - 19:35; "if Lewis were to leave it would almost look like he lost faith in the team" George

20:45 - 25; race footage (Barcelona)

26:30 - 27; Barcelona podium

28:30 - 30; Toto and Lewis talk

31:40 - Lewis' extension with Mercedes is announced

32:10 - "There just never feels like a time where I won't be a Mercedes driver" Lewis

Episode 7: C'est La Vie

Team: Alpine

0:30 - 0:40; Ocon and Ryan Reynolds

3:15 - 5; Pierre at a basketball game

5 - 6; Ocon in St. Tropez

7:50 - Horner TW but this one was funny lmfao

8:10 - 13:10; race footage (Silverstone)

15:40 - 17:00; race footage (Hungary)

20:40 - Omar is fired

22:56 - 23; Horner TW

26: Bruno sits Pierre and Esteban down for a chat

29:35 - 34:37; race footage (Zandvoort)

34:40 - 35:50; Pierre's podium

Episode 8: Forza Ferrari

Team: guess?

0 - 5:00; introduction to Fred and Ferrari

10:10 - 10:50; Carlos and his mom

15:40 - 22:30; race footage (Monza)

23:59 - 25:33; Fred, Carlos and Charles having lunch at Maranello

31:30 - 40; race footage (Singapore)

Episode 9: Three's a Crowd

Team: Alpha Tauri

0 - 2:40; Daniel

2:49 - 3:26; Alex and Logan talk about Daniel coming back

8:10 - 10:10 - Zandvoort (Daniel crashes)

12 - 14:25; Liam is introduced

17:45 - 20:40; quali in Singapore

25:33 - 30; race footage (Singapore)

31:50 - 32:56; Daniel working out

34:20 - 37; race footage (Suzuka)

37:50 - 38; Horner tells Liam Yuki and Daniel will be driving for AT next season

42:35 - 45:30; race footage (Mexico)

Episode 10: Red or Black

Teams: Mercedes x Ferrari; Aston Martin x McLaren

0 - 1:10; Charles in the Alps

1:10 - 1:30; Carlos working out

2:24 - 2:57; Red Bull and AT playing in the desert

4:40 - 5; Horner TW

5:30 - 7:30; Vegas opening ceremony

8 - 28 (pretty much); Vegas footage

29:05 - 29:33; Lando and Oscar

32 - 33; McLaren x Aston Martin

36:45 - 41:40; race footage (Abu Dhabi)4

44:32 - 44:34; Fred!

46:29 - 47:29; Red Bull and Horner TW

[magpies-gold]

Back From Mysterium

I did a very small couple of posts before this, but Saturday at Mysterium blew my expectations out of the water, and so I decided I needed to circle back around and try again as a much bigger post.

First, foremost, and coolest - yes! I got to meet Rand Miller (bonus infamous RAWA just to the left as well)! Even better, for once in my life my social anxiety didn't turn me into a non-verbal lump and I was able to say a grand total of two full sentences and a greeting. If you know me at all, then you know that that's quite the accomplishment. Usually @timmcosplay has to do the talking for me when I inevitably choke on my own tongue, but by a quirk of fate we got separated (he wanted to get our Book of Ti'ana signed and got yoinked into a different line up from me, who wanted photo evidence) and I had no choice but to attempt to be a functional human. My theory is that I've talked to Rand's face so many times during the intro to Riven (I always talk back) that it was just second nature to say hello the second he looked at me. Genuinely, though, he's so kind and so patient and I'm stoked that he made time to meet all of us and then spend a couple hours even after that being a presenter and answering heaps of questions.

Tim may have not been with me directly, but he was still creeping in the sidelines getting photos of me getting photo'd and briefly chatting. ;)

Ultimately, we were split into three groups and everyone ran through the events of the day in a different order.

Tim and I were on Team Ytram (or Team Forg as I insisted on calling it) and had little Rivenese froggos on our badges.

After the meet and greet, we got lunch. It was simplistic fare, but the fact that we got hot dogs and Cool Ranch Doritos out back of the Cyan HQ means that they were very special hot dogs and Cool Ranch Doritos. Legendary!

And then... they actually allowed my wee goblin self and Tim to go through the iconic archway entrance and to scramble around their actual studio. I've seen pictures of the place on the internet before and knew how neat it would be to some degree, but now I know where everything is!

In no particular order....

Iconic signage and that giant honkin' Moiety dagger that Adam Savage apparently worked on?? It is truly large in person!

Costumes from Riven! Including Catherine's dress, which I remember my mom was always cooing over when I was playing the game on my clonky PC in the late 90's, and Gehn's costume, with Tim posing (and having not totally slightly held up the rest of the group by getting detail shots for cosplay purposes, no, no, he wouldn't do that....)

Art! Design sketches and THE MAP.

The infamous elevator wherein you'd better know your D'ni numbers if you want to get anywhere (I would get stuck).

And then... artifacts!

They had THE LEVER from the beginning of Riven. Did it never occur to me that the lever was a real lever? THE LEVER IS A REAL LEVER.

Plus there were goggles and books and Gehn's gun (AKA the only Game Over inducing object in Riven) and more character design sketches with actual costume fabric swatches! That last bit made Tim make high pitched glee noises, as someone who both designs and makes costumes himself.

There were presentations after all of that. Trailers, talks, a non-profit project to digitize over a hundred hours of behind the scenes footage from the making of Uru and Riven and other things, which we got a sneak peek of. They showed off a snippet of the remake of Riven. There was just so much. It was hours and hours and I was practically vi-bra-ting by the time we finally were ushered back to the bus and back to Spokane.

I will never entirely get over the fact that I was able to go see all that with my own two eyeballs. As someone who's been enamoured with the universe surrounding Myst island for the full 30 years of its existence, ever since I was 8 years old, who used to make big calligraphy posters of passages from The Book of Atrus and The Book of Ti'ana and tape them up all over Thorhild Central School whether my fellow students and teachers wanted me to or not, and who was so solidly influenced by the idea of books as literal doors to other worlds that it became a foundation for how I view my own characters and stories (namely that I'm no god, and they do have a life all their own), this is a treasured memory.

[moltz23]

Three Houses (& Warriors: Three Hopes) Trivia: That One Time 3 Stories Ended Without Solving its Loose Ends.

Of all the things people have spoken about Three Houses’ writing, if there’s something I honestly don’t see discussed often as a whole (aka not just in an individual basis), is that KT’s writers were chronically unable to tie up all loose ends with the stories they worked on: Crimson Flower, Azure Moon, and Verdant Wind’s (quick reminder Silver Snow was written by IS instead). This sentiment is even shared by one of the scenario writers involved with both Three Houses, and in the Warriors: Three Hopes spinoff:

Regarding [Warriors: Three Hopes’] Scarlet Blaze, Azure Gleam, and Golden Wildfire chapters, what was the tale you wanted to tell? Iwata: In order to make it a different experience from Three Houses, one of the scenario writers explained about wanting to depict the things that had been left unfinished in the main game. In Scarlet Blaze, it’s the battle against ‘Those Who Slither in the Dark’, in Azure Gleam it’s reaching the truth about ‘The Tragedy of Duscur’, and for Golden Wildfire it’s the appearance of a huge obstacle to Claude realizing his dreams.

In turn, the purpose of this post will be recapping briefly what each unfinished plot thread was about, if we catch glimpses of them in other stories, and how Warriors: Three Hopes decided to give them a proper conclusion.

Crimson Flower: the battle against “Those Who Slither In The Dark”

Forever immortalized as very sneaky plague doctor-looking fellas.

Byleth’s informed starting Part 2 of Crimson Flower that the Empire/Edelgard has teamed up with “those who slither in the dark” for practical reasons in the fight against the Church (mainly, for their manpower and assets), and that the group’s expected to be next on the chopping block once they’re no longer needed.

As the main campaign goes on, the Agathans are treated as an “Elephant in the Room” sort of deal - being brought up only by a few select individuals when the situation calls for it - all while Edelgard and co. are monitoring their movements. Thales/Arundel tries subverting this in at least 2 different instances (Hubert’s paralogue and, most notably, in Chapter 16), but for one reason or another, the situation never escalates further.

The group’s seen one last time just before the final battle, as Edelgard and Thales have a small chat where both agree to keep their team-up going for a little longer once the war’s over. And after the main story’s done, the Empire’s fight vs TWSITD is mentioned in passing during the Epilogue cutscene, multiple paired and solo endings, and even one S-Support, all while confirming the group’s demise sometime later after a certain “Battle of Shambhala”.

Do we get glimpses of it in other routes?

Kinda? Even though the exact circumstances described in CF never take place anywhere else, we see Shambhala being invaded by Byleth and co. in two other routes: Silver Snow (the other other story branch of Black Eagles), and Verdant Wind (Claude’s story).

The main reason this happens in these storylines is thanks to a post-mortem request from Hubert, who was previously aware a certain Imperial fortress would get bombarded by them ahead of time, and determined (somehow) that the missiles’ origins can be traced back to a location believed to be the slitherers’ HQs.

In these 2 stories, the battle against TWSITD is solved in only one chapter, and the main narrative purpose it fulfills is to set up the real, actual final boss of the story (oh and also kill Rhea in Verdant Wind).

How did Warriors: Three Hopes tackle this loose end?

By axing Edelgard’s team up with the Agathans outright as early as possible, which shakes the entire foundation of the story given how much agency Edelgard’s actions hold over the plot. This is very important because the fact neither the Empire nor TWISTD are bound to work together for a common goal allows both sides to properly fight each other openly while the story unravels.

The way the story’s foundation is shaken is also quite important too, as its done by forcing Edelgard and Hubert to assume a very active role in the story against the slitherers which is never seen in 3H’s story besides CF’s Ch. 16, possible only through a one-in-a-million-chance that cannot happen in Three Houses: having Kostas die vs the House Leaders near Remire Village, everyone never meeting Byleth, and having Jeritza become Garreg Mach’s 3rd professor like Edelgard intended.

As you might have noticed by now however, the one big caveat Scarlet Blaze’s exploration of this story thread has is that the conflict shown in it, due to the involved circumstances, will never be the same as the one described in Crimson Flower’s. In hindsight however, given Edelgard’s battle vs the Agarthans in CF is heavily hinted to be anticlimactic and nowhere near as challenging compared to Three Hopes’ timeline (mainly thanks to her having already neutralized all other threats to the Empire by then), I dare say this change might’ve been for the best.

Azure Moon: Reaching the truth about the “Tragedy of Duscur”

This is a pretty cool CG tbh.

Blue Lions gives you many glimpses of the Tragedy of Duscur pre-timeskip. Most notably, Chapter 8 reveals Dimitri is in Garreg Mach mainly to find and get revenge on its culprits, and Chapter 10 shows how he finds out the slitherers’ were involved in the tragedy… right before Dimitri becomes convinced Edelgard was the mastermind of the event and the plot point is derailed completely for a while.

Some time later, it returns in full force during Ch. 17, where an exchange Rodrigue has with Gilbert reveals the body of Dimitri’s stepmother - Patricia/Anselma - was never found in spite of being one of the alleged victims. Then in Ch 18, Cornelia/Cleobulus as a last act of spite reveals to Dimitri that Patricia conspired to make the tragedy happen just to “see Edelgard again”. In Ch. 19, Dimitri tries to get answers from a dying Lord Arundel/Thales - whom he long since suspected to have been part of it - but fails to make him speak. In late Ch. 20/early Ch 21, it’s shown Margrave Gautier found out Viscount Kleiman’s involvement on the Tragedy, and the interrogation of one of his servants reveals not only the dude thinks he did what was best for the kingdom, but also that Patricia was allowed to escape unharmed.

And then the story ends, leaving the mystery hanging. If you bought the DLC, Dimitri & Hapi’s support chain reveals Cleobulus tricked Anselma into believing she couldn’t see Edelgard again due to Dimitri’s father, and essentially emotionally tortured the woman for +5 years until Anselma *cracked* and became a willing participant. Their paired ending also mentions they later worked on to expose TWSITD and the other culprits of the tragedy. Whatever was found in that investigation, it’s ultimately left unrevealed.

Do we get glimpses of it in other routes?

Mostly no. The tragedy is briefly discussed in Ch. 3 of Black Eagles and Golden Deer, but it never goes on beyond what happened and who died. And the circumstances in which Dimitri becomes so hell-bent on killing Edelgard are never ever shown to the player.

Crimson Flower meanwhile, not only confirms Arundel/Thales was 100% involved in it during Ch.17, if that chapter’s main story mission plays in a certain way, Dimitri in his dying speech of hate towards Edelgard will say the following:

Edelgard! You... I will kill you! You will know the regret of my father, who was killed for you! Of my stepmother, who was slain by her own daughter! You will bow your head before all of the lives you trampled for your ideals before you die in misery!

How did Warriors: Three Hopes tackle this loose end?

First, by focusing on the Kingdom politics during the first half of the story. It starts with Rufus (Dimitri’s uncle) launching a surprise coup in the Kingdom - for reasons irrelevant to the story - under the pretext of undermining House Fraldarius’s attempts to use Dimitri as a puppet, all while the revealing he was the mastermind behind the Kingdom side of instigators. And it all snowballs from there while the mystery develops, because unlike Three Houses, Rufus’ involvement isn’t kept under wraps due to a good chunk of evidence going to the grave with him (non-CF), or because he’s sidelined to put more focus to Edelgard's war (CF).

Second, by gradually making Edelgard irrelevant in the story until her character has been effectively written out, the narrative allows the tragedy’s culprits to be the main antagonistic force of the story.

And third, through making the story one of revenge and bringing justice to the Tragedy’s victims, Dimitri in turn is kept in a middle state between his normal and his revenge-obsessed self to justify it, and this permits the plot to have Thales as a fitting final boss, given his status as the brains behind the Agarthan side of the instigators.

Verdant Wind: The obstacle to Claude’s dreams

Look at that dashing smile man.

Starting Part 2 of Verdant Wind, it’s revealed Claude’s dream is one of a world without discrimination and prejudice. And for that, he sees the idea of an unified land, of tearing down the world’s barriers, as a way to allow everyone to start anew, understand one another and realize we’re more different than we would like to admit. And while by the end of the story Claude’s goal for Fodlan is achieved, he never directly has to overcome some obstacle to accomplish it.

Even though Edelgard, the Empire and the Agarthans are clear-and-cut antagonists during VW’s story*, they’re overall quite divorced from Claude’s dream to directly oppose it*. Edelgard is only an enemy mainly due to the threat she poses to the Alliance, as her ideals are not really that different to Claude’s and even admits such. TWSITD meanwhile, are not that involved in the story besides the lategame of Part 1 & 2, and at their core they’re just a xenophobic hate group, meaning they threaten everyone equally.

So in the end, only one candidate remains which fits the ideological angle of obstacle, which Claude does bring up during the plot but never serves this role in spite of the build-up it gets during Part 1: the Church & Rhea. The main reason for it is simply due to Byleth becoming both the new Archbishop and Claude’s biggest supporter during Part 2 during Rhea’s absence, all while the plot forces Rhea to be not only be rescued so Claude can have someone who can answer all the questions he seeks about Fodlan’s mysteries (which is another plot point of the story), but also conveniently kills her offscreen in a sacrificial manner once all’s said and done.

Do we get glimpses of it in other routes?

Sort of, but nowhere near as openly as you would expect. In Crimson Flower, Claude says the following about what he would’ve done had he defeated Edelgard at Derdriu:

In all honesty, I was hoping to become a supreme ruler and lead Fódlan to peace myself. But... that won't be happening now.

Also, compared to how he acts with Edelgard in her route, Claude in Azure Moon is ominously adversarial towards Dimitri after being saved (even insisting he does not owe him any debt whatsoever), and even says the following:

I'm leaving Fódlan. There are things I have to do. Dreams I need to see to fruition. That's why I became the Alliance leader to begin with, actually. But it left me no time for what I was really after.

How did Warriors: Three Hopes tackle this loose end?

Simple; by having him actually clash with the Church (and also the Kingdom by proxy). The plot ensures such by introducing Shahid - Claude’s half-brother - for the purpose of: 1. preventing Claude from ever becoming invested in Fodlan’s past and mysteries, and; 2. from finishing his fight with the Empire.

Time to process what had just happened after Solon revealed himself in front of everyone? - WHOOPS Shahid is invading, so back to the Alliance Claude goes!

Time to invade the Empire proper after fighting them in Gronder Field? You bet- WHOOPS Shahid is at it again!

With both of these plot points aborted and, due to Claude & Edelgard shifting gears after some uneven success in their campaigns, both deciding to team-up finally allows Claude in the second half of this story to finally pick up a fight against someone whom can ideologically serve as an obstacle to the dream he yearns to see a reality. Because without any bonds nor close connections to someone with power in the Church - more so if they lack Rhea’s approval, her own biases be damned -, the reality is that the church is not gonna allow it.

Now that I’ve gone over all three plot points, I do think only one answer remains to be answered:

Why couldn’t all these 3 story threads be finished in Three Houses?

Anyone who’s been aware or has heard of Three Houses’ development cycle would probably answer this question with something like “Well, because the game was rushed, duh!”, but I believe there’s another possibility which explains the “why” from a narrative perspective.

Because these 3 plot threads are side plots.

I’m fully aware this is probably a very spicy take, but please bear with me for a second.

The ideas explored in them can be very intriguing, don’t get me wrong, but as Three Houses shows, it’s not easy to dwell on plot points which are not the driving force behind the main story:

In Crimson Flower, Edelgard needs to wage war on Fodlan to force the continent to change in the way she sees fit. Due to this, fighting TWSITD in the process when it’s made abundantly clear their assistance is needed, risks massively derailing the campaign in the process and also handicap her war efforts. In hindsight, Ch. 16 is more of a godsend than anything.

In Azure Moon, Dimitri must rise from the brink, reclaim Faerghus and oppose Edelgard to bring peace. However, solving the mystery of the Tragedy of Duscur, and thus force conflict with all of its instigators (which BL heavily hints many lie within Dimitri’s own Kingdom) isn’t a wise idea during times of war, more so given the main antagonist of the story played no actual role on the event.

In Verdant Wind, Claude must secure the Alliance’s future by opposing the Empire, and retrieve Rhea to have her spill all the lore-juice missing from his knowledge fountain. For this campaign he’s also openly allied with the Church in spite of his misgivings with its teachings and its old Archbishop, so the whole idea of opposing them during the story (when said church also wants to rescue that Archbishop) is just plain awkward.

Fascinatingly - and I noticed this just as I was writing all this text -, this situation is pretty much inverted in Warriors: Three Hopes. Unlike Three Houses, the 3 stories of the spinoff, in execution, use the war as a pretext to explore the plot threads left hanging in the routes KT worked on back in Three Houses. And because of this, the stories actually end once those plot points finally reach their resolution, in spite of the war being technically not over once that happens.

So…what do you all think? Do you think it was a wise choice to finally “finish” each plot point left hanging in a spinoff? Or should the devs have been given more time to figure things out back in 3H? I personally would like to see the 3H writers come back to some future entry, all but with the condition they’re given far more freedom with the stories as with Three Houses they were pretty clearly limited to a very specific set of structure and plot beats they had to follow (I even did a post about it like 2 weeks ago, for those interested).

[schrijverr]

Religion of the All in the One

A case team Mustang is working on forces Ed to reflect on his relationship with religion and if he perceives Truth to be God.

On AO3.

Ships: none

Warnings: religious themes, ableist language (Ed calls himself crazy for believing Truth while it could be a hallucination)

~~~~

Religion. It isn’t something Ed paid much attention to before he met God.

Amestris is a country born out of alchemy. Science. The only big, known religious group within it’s borders are the Ishvalans and everyone knows how they are treated. It’s just not common for anyone to be particularly religious.

However, Ed did meet God, which kind of throws a wrench in his whole atheist shtick. Though, he loathes to think of that white mass as God. He prefers to call It Truth, the name gives It both more and less power in Ed’s mind.

On the one hand, if he doesn’t think of It as God, then It isn’t all powerful, all knowing and all that jazz that scares the shit out of him. No omnipotence.

On the other hand, however, by naming It as Truth, It comes closer to governing the systems Ed has believed in since he was a little boy. Alchemy is something he has always put his faith in, this thing might not necessarily be God, but It is Truth and that means It’s at least in charge of everything Ed believes.

Which maybe does make It God?

Ed isn’t sure entirely, but he does know that It is capable of taking Al, of taking his arm. That It has a power no human holds. And that It had no real reason to lie to him. So, he’s pretty sure It’s God, but he’s not calling It God, because he refuses to be religious.

He calls It Truth, because that’s what It is and that’s what It showed him. Out of all the names It gave Itself, that was what Ed thought to be the most truthful.

And yeah, he knows that refusing to acknowledge that he is maybe a little bit religious by not labeling It as God is a little childish, but sue him, he doesn’t want to be religious. He isn’t religious, not really.

It’s not like he prays, goes to some sort of temple or tries to convince others that there is a higher being than them. He just happens to know that Truth is out there, ensuring you keep by the laws of the universe.

He prefers to call himself an atheist. The absence of belief.

Not in the sense that he doesn’t believe he saw what he saw, he does. However, in his opinion, belief requires a sort of faith in whatever you believe to be out there. He believes Truth is real and he believes in the laws It presides over, he just doesn’t have faith in It like he supposes most religious people have in their Gods.

He has a healthy respect for Truth, of fucking course he does after that encounter. But none of those wishy-washy feelings of feeling protection that he’s heard religious people use. He doesn’t worship It, just is aware of Its existence.

So yeah, religion, it’s not something Ed paid much attention to until he was faced with Truth and even after that, he mostly stuffed any thoughts about It in a corner of his mind to never think about again, unless contemplating possible rebounds from attempts to get their bodies back.

At least, that’s what he thought until today.

Him and Al have just returned from yet another fruitless mission in search of the stone and are here to report back to Eastern Command. It had been a boring mission and both are happy to be back in the friendly liveliness of Mustang’s team.

They are warmly greeted by everyone there as they enter. It appears to be a good day at HQ, because Mustang is leaning against Havoc’s desks, chatting, and Hawkeye isn’t drawing any guns to stop them, so work must be going well.

“How was your mission, boys?” Hawkeye asks them, smiling pleasantly.

“Nothing interesting,” Ed shrugs, unable to keep the displeasure out of his voice entirely.

“But it was also very informative, Lieutenant,” Al pipes up in that positive manner of his. “They had a big library that we spend a few days at when the lead itself was a bust. Nothing about the stone, but still a lot of cool stuff.”

“That’s good to hear, Alphonse,” Hawkeye tells him while Al does his best impression of beaming while being a suit of armor.

“Can I expect a bill for property damage from your busted lead?” Mustang speaks up, crossing this arms as he raises his eyebrow in that slimy smug manner that Ed hates about him.

“It was just one building,” Ed huffs in response, feeling a little bit of satisfaction at how Mustang’s face drops when he realizes he’ll have to do the paperwork for it. Though he does relieve him of his misery a little bit when he adds: “And we fixed it up again. Don’t worry.”

Instead of taking his word for it, Colonel Bastard looks at Al for confirmation, who answers the look obligingly: “They weren’t that mad about it. A group of bandits had been holed out there, so it hadn’t been used by anyone in town. They’re turning it into a community center after brother fixed it up.”

“See, we had it handled and it was nothing,” Ed waves it away, having spotted some thick old looking books on Havoc’s desk that look way more interesting. “What are you looking at?” he asks, peering over Havoc’s shoulder.

Havoc leans out of the way to let Ed take a look as he answers: “It’s a cult of some sort that has popped up. Nothing bad has happened with them yet, but we want to know if they’re extremist before people get hurt, so we’re checking out their scripture. It looked a bit like alchemy to me, so I asked the colonel to take a look.”

“Seems like they’re treating alchemy as a gift from god,” Mustang snorts. “It’s ridiculous. Everyone knows alchemy is a science, there’s nothing divine about it. It’s just rational reasoning, universal laws. Nothing hoke-y poke-y about it.”

And for some reason, the statement just rubs Ed wrong.

He remembers the awe inducing fear of meeting Truth. He remembers all the knowledge that has been shoved into his brain and the toll he had to pay for it. He remembers knowing without any shadow of a doubt, the lengths Truth would go to, to keep the balance of the universe. He remembers how much he has revered that balance ever since.

“It’s not ridiculous,” he snaps without consciously deciding to even make it a topic of conversation, it just slips out.

A hush falls over the room as everyone turns to look at him, surprise obvious in their faces. Ed doesn’t blame them, he’s made his distaste for many religious groups he has encountered during his travels. And he still doesn’t like it when people claim alchemy is a miracle, because it isn’t. It’s science ruled over by Truth, but nothing inexpiable about it.

Ed shrinks a little under the scrutiny of everyone. It’s clear that all of them expect at least some form of further elaboration, but Ed hadn’t even been aware that he held this opinion until he snapped at Mustang three seconds ago, so he’s still kind of gathering his thoughts.

“What do you mean exactly?” Mustang asks him, curiosity shining through in his voice.

A part of Ed considers waving the whole thing off and muttering something about how alchemy is dangerous and should be treated with respect. He knows they’re smart enough to connect it to their failed transmutation and back away from the sensitive topic.

And it won’t be wrong. It is mostly that alchemy is dangerous and should be treated with respect. Ed believes that. Only he doesn’t just believe that because rebounds are a thing if you mess up, but also because he believes in Truth, the being responsible for all alchemy.

The being he met during his human transmutation. The being who called Itself God. And Ed, who believed It when It claimed that title. He might prefer Truth, as the name fits better in his belief system, but he now can’t deny that a part of him also believes It to be God.

This new cult, however, seems to share his beliefs. Which can just mean that they have a healthy respect for alchemy and all it pertains, even if they’re a little odd about it. Or that one of them did human transmutation themselves or they found records of someone who did and wrote down their experiences.

Either way, Ed needs to know, because Al doesn’t remember and the idea of getting confirmation of someone else also having seen it, sounds great.

“Fullmetal?” Mustang prompts, curiosity having turned into concern with how long Ed remained silent.

“Lemme see,” is all Ed replies, snatching the book of the desk and flipping through it, quickly scanning pages for mentions of Truth. He asks: “Is this their holy book? Is there more or is this it? Do they have a prophet of some sort?”

The happy atmosphere from before has dissipated with his actions. Ed feels a little bad about it, but not too bad. He never does when he’s trying to get answers.

Havoc answers, being the one who is studying them. “That does seem to be their source, but it’s mostly oral scripture it seems.”

“No prophet?” Ed asks to confirm, since Havoc hasn’t mentioned it in response.

“They have a leader, but not one who claims to be a prophet. He just mostly distributes the word, but it’s unclear whose word, aside from the book,” Havoc tells him.

“Do they mention the name of their God?” Ed asks further, still flipping through the book.

“Just God, I think,” Havoc says.

“It would be something like the Universe, All, Truth. Anything like that?” Ed practically interrogates Havoc as the tension in the room rises.

“Maybe? I don’t think so?” Havoc responds, sounding unhappy about not knowing when it is clear that Ed thinks it might be vital information.

“Do they mention a Gate? Or a white figure? Nothing but a mouth?” Ed asks, not sure if he wants these people to also have committed the taboo or not. If the lack of loneliness is worth someone else making the same mistakes.

“No,” Havoc answers that question confidently and something starts to squeeze in Edward’s chest, though he can’t explain why or what.

He flips through the final pages of the book and there is nothing that could be interpreted as a reference to the Truth or the Gate. Nothing like the meeting he’s had.

The book is old and theoretical. Ed is pretty sure it’s written by a philosopher, not an alchemist, or at least not a successful one. Not someone powerful enough to try human transmutation. Likely someone who turned to theorizing about alchemy when performing it didn’t work out. Ed has to respect the writer for being smart about not doing alchemy, realizing it’s dangers and pondering its origins, since many alchemist Ed has met forget to do so.

However, he can’t deny that the tight feeling in his chest is disappointment. He never wishes his own mistakes on someone else, but he would have loved to compare notes with someone else if they had seen Truth as well.

He tosses the book back onto Havoc’s desk, blowing a strand of hair out of him face with a disappointed huff. Now that he knows it’s not Truth, he doesn’t want to get into it. So, he just sags and says: “Nevermind, then.”

Unfortunately, just because Ed doesn’t want to talk about it, doesn’t mean the others don’t. And he can’t really blame them for asking after that display.

So, he feels mostly resigned when Mustang demands: “Where did those questions come from? Do you know something, Fullmetal? Have you seen this before?”

“I thought I recognized something, but it’s not It. So, whatever,” he replies, crossing his arms. Just because he’s resigned himself to questions, doesn’t mean he resigned himself to cooperating. He’s still partially figuring out the mess in his own head anyway.

Mustang squints at him, trying to figure out his next move and Ed holds his breath, waiting. He is inclined to just go, but he still has to report and having to come back after running off like a little kid sounds like a nightmare. So he stares right back.

“What did it remind you off?” Mustang asks, apparently having decided to push.

“It’s none of your business,” Ed scowls.

“You made it my business when you started listing things like this could be a potential threat,” Mustang glares right back at him.

“Well, it’s not the dangerous thing, so it’s fine. Nothing to worry about,” Ed says.

“And what if we encounter those things you listed if we investigate deeper. This is just a surface report. What danger are we walking in here then?” Mustang asks and Ed hates that he has a bit of a point.

Still, stubbornly he maintains: “You’re probably not going to. It’s a small fucking chance, alright?”

“Just tell what it could potentially be so we can look out for it or officially rule it out. That’s an order, Fullmetal,” Mustang says.

“You’re not going to be able to put it down officially, because it has to do with human transmutation!” Ed explodes, his annoyance at the questions having chipped away at his resolve not to answer them.

“… What?” Mustang asks after a beat of silence. He sounds smaller than before. Well, more confused and out of his depth, making him seem less big than his usual mask of confidence.

Ed is still breathing harshly after his outburst, but that tone of voice makes him pause. Mustang was coming from a place of safety concerns, especially for his own team, his family. Ed can’t really begrudge him that. Besides, he himself hates it when people have information and they refuse to give it for seemingly no reason.

Still, it’s not something he likes talking about, but he feels a little bad now. So, he glares to the ground and sulkily says: “When you perform human transmutation, you get taken to the Gate and you meet Truth, who decides what toll you pay. It also introduces Itself as God, the Universe, the All in All is One. If they were worshiping alchemy as a God, it isn’t that far a stretch that one of them might have done it and come back a prophet. Or they found records of it and might try themselves in some stupid idea of worship.”

The room is quiet again.

Ed doesn’t look up.

He isn’t religious. He isn’t.

But maybe he also is.

Because if these people had been worshiping Truth, if it had been their religion. Then Ed might have been interested in religion for the first time. Then Ed might not have called them naive for their beliefs. Then Ed might have gotten it.

Alas, it seems like they’re like many others, who worship something without proof. Who come close, but don’t fully grasp what they’re talking about. Who haven’t seen. Who don’t know. Not like Truth made Ed Know. He is still seemingly alone in that.

His own religion of one. His belief in Truth, the circle of life. It’s basically a belief in science like many other alchemist have, but one that has a figurehead. A God. Not just thinking the world has laws we humans can’t escape, but thinking that there is a God keeping those laws.

“You met god?” Breda cuts through the silence after it has dragged on for a minute or so, sounding incredulous, like he can’t really believe what he’s just heard.

“It sounds fucking stupid when you say that,” Ed exclaims, throwing his hands up. “But It’s a right asshole and It took my arm and my leg. I know It did. I’m not crazy or making it up.”

Just because there has been no one to confirm it, doesn’t mean Ed didn’t see what he saw. It’s not a hallucination. It can’t have been. Ed gave It his arm for his brother. Al got back to him. That’s all the proof he needs.

But he knows that if someone had told him this without him experiencing it, he might not have believed them either.

And maybe that’s why he never tried to think about it, never considered himself religious. Because he isn’t brave enough to have someone question his own beliefs like he does with the religions of others.

Because Ed is religious. He has shaped his whole life after his encounter with Truth. He lives by the law of equivalent exchange religiously and spends his every waking day studying with the knowledge Truth gave him to find the toll they need to pay to reverse the judgment Truth passed on them.

He just never worships publicly in a way that invites questions, because he’s not brave like other worshipers. He’s not brave enough to hear others say that Truth isn’t real. To hear them say that he’s crazy for thinking he met God and God stole his limbs and his brother from him.

He’s not brave enough to have others question his Truth. The Truth that took his limbs and Al’s body, meaning that It still has them and It is the only thing that can give them back.

Ed can’t waver in that belief, but putting it into words makes him sound insane. It’s better to be an atheist, who has a disdain for religion than a religious nut, who looks down on other religions, because he has proof of his God.

Not that he put any of that together in his brain before Breda said what he said. But now here he is, facing team Mustang – none of them known for being patient with religion – having just confessed to meeting God.

Great.

“Brother?” Al asks cautiously, as if Ed is about to fall apart. Ed can’t really blame him for the tone, because he can feel himself shaking a little as he looks down to the ground, not meeting any of their eyes.

“I know how it sounds,” Ed semi-repeats. “I sound like a fucking crazy person, so forget about it. It doesn’t matter. This little cult is not that and they don’t look to be on the track towards Truth, so you’ll be fine. Nothing to report or note down. Here is my report,” he produces the piece of paper from his jacket and holds it out to Mustang without looking at him. “Just sign it off so I can go.”

For a beat nothing happens and the fear that this is the limit creeps up on Ed. That Mustang is finally done with their nonsense and kicking them out of the military.

Then the paper tentatively gets taken out of his hands and he chances a glace up. Mustang is still looking uncertain, but not maliciously. More like he’s walking on dangerous ground without knowing where the next trap will be.

Their eyes meet and Mustang’s soften when they register the fear Ed can’t manage to hide. It shouldn’t calm Ed down, but it does.

The colonel barely reads the report and doesn’t do the whole song and dance where he forces Ed to repeat what has happened verbally, while he makes short jokes and teases him. Instead he just signs it after a glance and says: “Thank you, Ed. For the report and the information.”

Mustang never calls Edward anything other than Fullmetal. Never. Yet here he’s calling him Ed, allowing him a little bit of humanity outside of his state alchemist title. Showing Ed that Mustang trusts him to be truthful and that while he might not fully believe him, he doesn’t look down on what Ed has just shared.

Ed doesn’t really have words to reply to that, so he just gives the man a stiff, jerk-y nod, before swiftly turning on his heel and quickly walking out of the room.

Behind him he hears the clanging of Al’s armor as he rushes to follow his older brother. When he catches up, he softly says: “Are- are you okay?”

“I don’t wanna talk about it,” Ed bites out, happy he finally manages noise, though a bit guilty about the harshness of his tone.

“Okay,” is all Al replies, always so forgiving. More forgiving than Ed deserves.

And Al doesn’t bring it up again, nor do the others of Mustang’s team. It goes unspoken and unacknowledged.

Ed is glad for it. Glad that no one is forcing him to question his Truth, because he can’t afford to. He can’t waste time on existentialism when they need that time to focus on figuring out how to get the payment they need.

Much later, he’ll talk about it again. Teacher will remember the same thing, confirm that he hadn’t been crazy like he feared in his weakest moments, when he wondered if he hadn’t been chasing after a pain induced hallucination. Al will remember, confirming it again and maybe finally understanding Ed’s drive to follow alchemy’s law religiously in all aspects of his life. Later Mustang too, though Ed would have preferred for the man to always think him crazy in the back of his mind than what happened to him.

Religion. It isn’t something Ed paid much attention to before he met God. But once he did, he was devout, though he never claimed to be. Not out loud, not really. Atheist is a much safer label for those who are convinced of their beliefs, but unwilling to share them.

And the Truth is a hard thing to share when it costs so much just to prove It exists.

~~

A/N:

I think Ed meeting Truth is so interesting and that exploring how it might have impacted him. Like, idk if I could have come away from that moment an atheist (and neither I think, would Ed, hence the fic)

[millenialfanfictionaddiction]

Bedtime Story

Team Japan x Fem! Manager (she/her pronouns) (kind of Iwaizumi x Fem! Manager)

Warnings: Swearing, suggestive content, Atsumu slander

A/N: ignore any time stamps and grammar mistakes ok 😐

[thursdaythunder]

Tell me about “Oscar Piastri WIP” please :)

i wrote a blurb for that before so have this dear, it's pretty long tho, so read under the cut

It starts out when you and Oscar still are in school, he is still a boarding house resident while you already have your own place. One night you work together at your place for a project, and you totally forget that you are the one hosting wine night that day. So, when your friends show up rather than kicking him out, you invite him to stay and join your friend group. But when the night ends you realise that he can't leave bc he drove to your place and now that you both are drunk, he can't leave. So, you invite him to stay with you. He does and the next morning you get up together and chat and it feels oddly domestic to wake up with him at your side. Your friendship further evolves from that and the next time you are having wine night together you end up sleeping with each other. The next morning you both confess your feelings and end up dating. When the school year ends that year, Oscar leaves school in favour of racing and you break up a few weeks earlier. The night before he flies to Italy for work you have break-up sex and everything is just very sad...  

But you continue with your life and through a series of events you discover your love for social media. A few years pass, you study media management and get a job for a cooperate firm. Your job is very boring, and you just want something to change so you apply for a position at McLaren, before you know Oscar is going to be a driver there. You go through the process of multiple job interviews and finally get hired as a social media creator. A few weeks into your job it gets announced that Oscar will be driving for the team next season. You almost die when you hear it first but try to keep it professional. In the pre-season of 2023 there are a lot of media obligations for the drivers, and you get asked to supervise one of them. It’s a tour through the google HQ as a sponsorship where they get quizzed on google and McLaren history.  

When it comes to the first briefing of the filming day with the drivers, Oscar does not recognise you, as you only introduce yourself with your first name. You try not to be too disappointed and keep up a smile.  

Filming day then comes around and you are a part of the video as the “quiz master” and introduce yourself to the camera for the first time with your last time. That’s the moment Oscar realised who you are, and he is shocked. After the scene wraps up, Oscar comes up to really make sure that you are his high school sweetheart. You confirm everything and you two now have a lot to catch up on. That night you two meet for dinner and it seems like everything is back to normal except that fact that you are dating, but none of you want to bring it up. You two see each other two times after that but then the season kicks off and it's hard to keep up. The video from the google HQ is really popular with the fans and the demand for a similar video is there. So, you get promoted/asked to make more videos with the drivers and travel to some races with them. You organise a McLaren unboxed for the Silverstone GP that year and the fans love it, and you also get to spend that weekend with the team on site. Silverstone is a really good race for McLaren that year with a podium finish for Lando and good points for Oscar and the team insists on a party and you have no choice other than joining the party. But it also brings back memories from the high school times and wine nights. The alcohol does good for you and Oscar, and you end up somewhere in a club dancing with each other. The proximity brings the butterflies back and both of you know that the feeling is mutual. Oscar then drags you to his hotel room because you both had a lot of drinks. The morning after its clear that you need to talk and its almost a déjà vu from your high school time when you both confess that the feelings are the same.  

It's difficult to have a working relationship when he travels so much and your job at McLaren is stationary, but you make the best of the times when he has breaks or you get to work with the drivers for content. During the winter break of the season you two finally announce your relationship to the world and it’s a happy end for all of you. 

[rueitae]

Season 2, Episode 9: the African Ice Caper for @csweekly

So. Happy Fathers Day weekend in the U.S. Carmen finds out what happened to hers today 😬

I love the urgency this episode begins with. It's so frantic. Such the perfect follow up to the mood we left off in the previous episode. “She’s been out in the cold all night”. I mapped out how long it takes to get from one end of Stockholm to the other and it definitely does not take all night. I wonder if the ice lodge is way further north of the city. ALSO THAT IS VERY VERY VERY SERIOUS FROSTBITE. Carmen is super fortunate she kept all of her limbs let alone is alive.

IVY CALLING SHADOWSAN CARMEN’S FAMILY MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. She’s come around!!! It’s like she can sense in Shadowsan’s moment of vulnerability, of genuineness, that he really does care. Ivy strikes me as someone who has had to look out for her brother emotionally and physically. And against adults that don’t actually care about them. She was watching him close for Carmen’s sake and now she gives her approval.

“I CAME AS SOON AS I COULD” Shadowsan really does sound stressed and worried. I can feel it in the voice acting. Can you imagine the conversation when Player broke the news to him.

And they get her out of the hospital, probably as soon as Shadowsan gets there. Very real possibility that VILE could have found and extracted her from there.

I love the montage so much. Shadowsan realizing what he needs to do. He and Player falling into a seamless routine (I need to write a fic about this time). All so that Carmen can just *rest*. I love how she’s animated here. She’s just a little restless but also peaceful. Zack and Ivy cleaning up and making hq a *home*

Carmen’s DREAM. So excellent we get to really see what’s on her heart and mind. She’s really considering Chief’s request, she wants to trust, she wants to be comfortable and have someone have her back…but like Brunt shows up she’s terrified of it all going wrong. Of being vulnerable and almost dying again. Of someone she thought she trusted turning on her. Unable to control her own destiny.

Carmen has a dream and so does Devineaux. The man is mad but smart. I love how his mind uses Julia to help him figure it out. It’s so bizarre by the end but it really does start out normal ish. And I LOVE it. Such a cool sequence.

And after she wakes she is immediately back at it. Scared herself into going back to work.

I have new appreciation for Player being able to call up Carmen’s laptop without her having to click an answer call button. We have something like that recently to be able to video chat with my 93 year old grandmother. But also I’d like to express how sweet it is that the team set the laptop there so that Player COULD see how Carmen is doing any time he wants. Would be a sweet fic of everybody having a one sided chat with Carmen while she’s sleeping.

ALL THREE are apprehensive over Carmen going back into the field. But ultimately none of them can really tell her no, particularly after she promises to keep it easy.

Ivy mother henning Carmen is the BEST. I know Carmen is in charge but really Ivy is the mom friend of the group. Instincts from looking after Zack. That she probably had to develop really early.

“Guess you caught me lion” never change

And now Player has officially warmed up to Shadowsan, just as Zack and Ivy have. The look on Carmen’s face is heartwarming, soft and relieved. Everything is fine they’re all on one page everything is perfect it’s not like ANYTHING COULD MESS THAT UP NOW.

I’m so glad we got to see a Shadowsan solo caper. He’s so efficient and that fight on the cable cars ROCKED. Sliding down the cable to the bottom??? Giving Le Chevre the diamonds back only to knock him out? AND DELIVERING A ZINGER after he’s unconscious so no one will know. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Also Le Chèvre’s little defeated shrug to the “you were followed??!”

I love Red Drone’s existence. Definitely a joint venture with Ivy and Player, hardware and software.

I remember when I first saw the episode I gasped that Brunt was there. Did not expect and I immediately feared for Carmen. When Tigress finds her and says the “let’s have Coach Brunt look at your injuries” that is peak threat. I screamed in delight. Thank you Ivy and Zack for being literally the best concerned friends ever. Loved Ivy’s little dilemma there between trusting Carmen the boss and knowing Carmen her friend is very human and can indeed almost die.

Also did they bring that entire desktop computer with them?

Protective Player my favorite strikes again and he was halfway right. Love the timing of Tigress right there and by the end of the episode…Brunt does let her walk.

Chase Devineaux. Single handedly figures out what no one else is even close to, the location of VILE (even though the map is incorrect it makes me scream but I’ll still give Chase his credit). Loved his little arc here. This is the beginning of when he turns it around. This is the little seed that Julia planted growing into a sapling. Because once s3 hits, he’s going to get that revelation. It’s SUCH a good arc I can’t wait to watch it unfold again.

The cat jokes lol

“HUNTING”

The whole scene with Tigress vs the sibs is fantastic. Carmen knew exactly what she was doing.

Oh but I love that taking Tigress out of the game is what puts Carmen on a time table. She takes time to discuss it over with Player at least but her mind is basically made up. Her dream at the beginning showed us her heart in that. Ultimately, she wants to take down VILE, if ACME can help, that’s pressure off of her.

Also protective Player again. But Carmen’s response back “you used to say the same about Shadowsan” is an excellent point. I hate that her trust in both gets shaken over this episode and the next. And I get the sense Player hates being right.

Player’s “for Carmen’s safety, right?” Which I do think is what Shadowsan had in mind. He doesn’t know who this Chief is and he has more extensive knowledge of VILE and the criminal underworld in general. He wants to make sure he doesn’t recognize her from any of that.

But he does recognize her.

This episode is full of team concern over Carmen’s well being and I’m living.

Roundabout’s character is really cool. He really shows exactly how deeply entrenched VILE is everywhere. They have literally the perfect system. It’s even more impressive how Carmen takes them down herself with her small team. (More fangirl when we get to the London caper)

My heart gets racing when Player and Red Drone almost get found. Very close indeed.

I gotta feel for Chief a little here. She really thinks she’s got Carmen almost recruited.

IS THAT A SeaGULL. PLEASE 😂😂😂 I desperately want someone in team red to also have that bad of acting for fake illness for the parallel ~~Carmen please it would be so funny she already crashes cars~~

Cool action sequence where Carmen gets to save someone from a bomb. Very dramatic. She really has to be extra and slide over the top of the vehicle instead of exiting like a normal person.

Also so clever from a writing perspective to use the explosion to free Tigress. As a fan of angst I love the immediate danger it puts Ivy and Zack in.

The EPIC misunderstandings continue. I love how we as an audience are treated to the full story and clearly each individual team is not. VILE has thought this whole time Carmen is working with ACME when the reality is that she JUST started. Love this stuff.

Hmmm the train scene : D love how distracted Carmen is. She’s just trying to sort out her feelings on this whole ACME collaboration. VILE always leaves. She has NO reason to think anyone stayed behind. So when Boris is at the door when she opens….her EXPRESSION of dawning fear is IMMACULATE. As is her progression. Fear to defiance to uncertainty as she explains what she knows about Shadowsan in Argentina. She is terrified right now.

I hear that barely disguised panic as you wake up Carmen. 100% justified.

“A world of hurt. It’s a comin.” I LOVE this line. Because a first time watcher is set to believe that Brunt is going to pound Carmen into dust, as at the end of s1 but worse because no one is there to save her. BUT the hurt isn’t physical it’s emotional and WHaT a bombshell it is. It’s incredibly telling that Carmen is begging Brunt not to go, to tell her more, even though Brunt literally attempted to murder Carmen not that long ago. I remember quite literally gasping aloud.

Man what a cliffhanger. Carmen is left alone tied up and only with her own thoughts. Screaming.

[danganronpasurvivoraskblog]

Face under the White Cloak.

Say...Kyoko?

What is it?

I know that we’re already out here and everything, so now might be a bad time to be asking this but...

Be real with me. How much do you trust this “Whitecloak” person? 

If Makoto trusts her, then I trust her. But I will confess to being a little skeptical.

The unfortunate thing is that Makoto is the type of person to always have faith in people, regardless of who they are, what they’ve done, or even if he’s never met them. 

It’s a positive mindset to have, but a naive one. I’ve told him so myself.

???: Then I will do what I can to not betray that mindset.

Huh?

Greetings.

Oh, you’re here...You heard all that, huh?

Don’t worry about upsetting me. You have every right to be skeptical. The legitimacy of the information I have will prove my worth.

Then by all means, what are we dealing with?

*Whitecloak takes a hand out from under their hood and shows Kyoko and Four an image on their phone. She shows them a photo.

This is Pamela Potts, called Pam by her friends. She’s an unlicensed, underground reporter, podcaster and political dissonant. I’d like you to listen to this.

*She reaches over to the phone and taps the screen. An audio file begins to play.

Pam: On the next episode of Scrappy Suspicions, I’m chatting with someone deep inside Emilia Feng’s inner circle! He’s promised me something that will finally expose Feng for the tyrant I KNOW she is. This is gonna blow the roof right off Fang Inc. Central HQ! See you next week, super sleuths~

Ah, I recognize her. She’s pretty famous among younger audiences because of her lateral outlook on society and politics. She’s always had a bone to pick with Emilia, and I’ve respected that.

So she’s like you? She fights against Fang Inc. but in a different way?

Not just fang inc. Pam’s a dirt-slinger all around. Fang Inc. is her target of choice, but she’s railed against sketchy political figures, the local police, and other tech-titans.

Sounds like you’d be unstoppable if you teamed up together.

Unfortunately, Pam flies solo for the most part, and she doesn’t let many people know where she is unless she’s interviewing them. We couldn’t risk tracking her down or sending her a message claiming to be the freedom fighter group that fights against Fang Inc. It’d be too risky for everyone involved.

I’d be happy to meet her, but...I’m guessing that episode never aired?

Pamela went missing after she dropped this tease, and the episode never aired. However, if she was able to record at least a part of the interview, or anything scandalous on Fang Inc...

Yeah, it doesn’t matter what info she had. It’ll prove useful, I’m sure. She’s been digging into Emilia for a while, so if what she has isn’t useful enough to squeeze Emilia’s tits into a vice, we can bring her on the team and find something with her.

Unfortunately, I wouldn’t get your hopes up.

Huh? Wh-Why not?

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I tracked Potts down to this location, and I’ve found her.

That’s...not good news at all.

Huh? Wh-Why? We know where she is?

Yes...and if we know...Then more than likely...

What Kyoko is trying to say is that I was able to track Pamela Potts down, even though my technology and resources are severely limited. If I can do it, then so can Fang Inc. And the bad news is...

!!!??

!!!??

The bad news is...they did...

*Whitecloak leads Kyoko and Four behind an alleyway and into a secret hideaway. What they find is a ton of trashed computers, and Pamela Pott’s dead body...

GOD DAMN FUCKIN’ SHIT!

*Four starts repeatedly punching the wall in rage.

Four! Calm down!

Sorry! Sorry...I’m just...so FUCKING pissed! 

She was doing some real good, you know!? FUCK!

Let it be known that she was already dead by the time I found her. I wanted to investigate, but I figured I would call you about it.

And why didn’t you tell us that she was dead?

I figured it would deter you.

Then you clearly don’t know us very well. When we get pissed off, it riles us up! Now I’m more motivated than ever!

We’ll figure out the truth, and make the bastards pay!

Then we’d best hurry.

How come?

The government intervention means that we only have a short amount of time to wrap everything up. Hopefully, your other cohorts are preparing for their missions, but we only have 30 hours left before they make their move.

And when that happens, Emilia will launch the Kerokuma’s.

Then there really is no time to lose. Let’s get cracking.

Hm...looks like a lot of people pass through here.

How can you tell?

There are footprints made in blood here. Well...bootprints to be more accurate.

Based on the tread, it’s undoubtedly a paramilitary supplier.

...I’m impressed. Have you ever thought of maybe specializing in forensics?

Well, I am a licensed biochemist, so I guess that’s not too far a cry.

I’ll tell you one thing that’s confusing me...I don’t see the point of the graffiti.

*Four points to the walls of the hideout. They’re graffitied from top to bottom with artwork depicting anarchy.

I agree...it’s a bit much...Do you recognize the patterns?

Well, yeah. This area is ripe with thugs and underground neer-do-wells. They think they’re hot shit, and they like leaving graffiti everywhere they trash up.

But as thick headed as kids can be these days, I really don’t think any of them would murder someone in cold blood. 

Did they have any motive?

I’m sure they must have. Pam released several podcasts critical of rambunctious youth. You’d think they’d be used to it by now though. They’re criminal gangs; they don’t deserve flowers or thank-you letters.

But even if there may have been some sort of motive, this doesn’t seem like a street gang’s usual garbage if you ask me.

In that case, it’s more than likely that Fang Inc. or Zetsubou, or whoever was really responsible for Pam’s death left the art here to frame those gangs.

That makes sense.

[An hour or so later]

*Four, Kyoko and Whitecloak turn the entire hideout upside down looking for clues, when at long last.

...!

Guys. I think I found something.

What?

Would one of you two mind giving me a-

BOOOST!?

There you go.

*Whitecloak suddenly lifts Kyoko up onto her shoulders.

Wow, you’re surprisingly strong.

I kinda have to be to survive for so long. Luck alone doesn’t yield results.

Well, thanks. Mind keeping yourself steady?

*Kyoko reaches up and grabs something in the top right corner of the room. Whitecloak lets her down gently, and Kyoko shows her allies what she snagged.

A tablet?

The killer’s nabbed Pam’s gear, but must not have seen the tablet. She seems to have logged conversations on it.

Give me the tablet. I’ll see if I can decrypt it.

*COUGH!* *COUGH!*

*Four covers her mouth and starts spluttering.

Sorry...I think the smell is starting to get to me...

Hm...Then how about we vacate the premises. While Whitecloak’s decrypting the tablet, I’ll call the police to let them know about Pamela’s body.

That would be great. Thanks.

*A short time passes, and the police show up to the crime scene. The girls all vacate the area and go to a more private spot.

Alright, I finished the decryption. Kirigiri was right. There’s more audio having been recorded on here.

Can you play it?

Of course.

*Whitecloak plays the recording.

Pam: Ok, you’ve agreed to speak on the record. You are an intelligence technician at Fang Inc. and work closely with Emilia Feng, right? Mr...

???: Please, I...I did note down that I didn’t want my name being stated on the recording.

Pam: Very well, we’ll call you X then. 

X: Ugh...I still can’t believe I’m doing this...If they were to find out...

Pam: I know...but all you have to do is take a slight peek below the surface to see what Fang Inc’s REALLY doing to people. You’re here now, so what do you have for us?

X: I have a few things...First of all, I have proof of Emilia Feng’s true nature. You know all those miniature wars the USA are always fighting? The one’s that get stamped out by Fang Inc. within a day? Emilia Feng pulls the strings, hires sketchy people and is ultimately the one who instigates those wars. She does so so she can profit off the rebuilding process.

Pam: What!?

X: There’s more...I also know that she’s partnered with a group known as Organization Zetsubou. They’re a famous terrorist organization from Japan, who have the goal of taking over Junko Enoshima’s legacy. They want to end the world, and Emilia is providing them with weapons, so that they may do so. When Zetsubou declare war on the world, she’s going to fight back against them, and pretend to be the hero to reap the benefits.

Pam: N-No way...! Zetsubou!? But that is-! H-Here!

*The sound of shuffling can be heard.

Pam: Transfer whatever data you’ve got to this secure storage drive. How solid is this info?

X: It’s a recording of her talking to Tsumugi Shirogane, the-...AH!?

*BANG!* *CRASH!*

Fang Soldier: FANG SECURITY! DROP YOUR WEAPONS!

Pam: The fuck!? What weapons!? You can’t do this!

Fang Soldier: KILL HIM!

X: NO!

*BANG!*

Pam: NO!

Fang Soldier: Gather all her equipment and get it to the nearest station! You! Tag that wall, then get rid of this traitor’s body!

Fang Soldier: What about her?

Fang Soldier: Haha! She can stay here...

There is more, but it’s mostly just hours of silence. That’s the important part.

Fuck me! Feng sent a squad of her goons for Pam and that other dude! 

I heard something about a...Some Unique Chile Con Carne?

Not “Some Unique Chile Con Carne” He said “Tsumugi Shirogane.” I mentioned it before, but she is Organization Zetsubou’s leader.

There’s a recording of Emilia Feng communicating with Zetsubou’s leader? That’s gotta be the real deal!

Fang Inc. must have Pamela’s equipment then, along with the audio file evidence. 

That’s exactly the evidence we need to put an end to Feng, and make her pay for everything that she’s done.

...In that case, I will be back soon.

What?

I’ll go get the evidence for you. I’ll be back as soon as I can with everything I can carry.

Hold on, you’re going to get it alone? Why?

Because there’s too little time. You need to return to the café and make sure Oliver finishes the virus.

...

Why are you suspicious of me? Do you think that I’m going to destroy the evidence instead?

No. I don’t think it’s likely you would destroy the evidence when you were the one who led it to us in the first place.

But we need to talk...about you.

What does talking about me achieve in terms of the mission?

Let’s just say that maybe if you lowered your hood and showed me your face, I’d be more willing to believe you were on our side.

...What do you think you’ll see if I lower the hood?

...

I’m sorry, but if it wasn’t essential for me to keep this hood up, and my face concealed, I wouldn’t do it. But I need to.

Why?

If anyone sees my face, or recognizes me, it could spell potential disaster. Especially among the Future Foundation.

...I cannot abide that. 

Please, I’m serious. I’m nothing more than Yuki Maeda’s apprentice.

If Yuki Maeda is the one you serve, then why did you follow us to the states? 

...

I have a theory...And that’s that the reason you came out this far, is because you’re trying to protect something...

Huh? Protect what?

The man who saved her life...and gave her a new purpose...Makoto Naegi is the one thing that you always lived for...

...

*Whitecloak lowers her head.

You don’t know what you’re talking about...

...!

*Kyoko stamps her foot down.

ANSWER ME! IKUSABA!

...

...Huh? Iku...

...saba?

The face that’s really under that cloak. It’s the Ultimate Soldier, Mukuro Ikusaba! Am I wrong?

...

Wait, hold on a second. Mukuro Ikusaba is Makoto’s right hand woman who died in Shikoku, right? Sounds to me like she’s pretty...dead...

Not necessarily...Kuripa and Makoto abandoned Mukuro’s body at the mansion where she supposedly died. 

Her body was never recovered, so there’s a non-zero possibility that Mukuro Ikusaba is still alive. It’s even more likely the case if she’s affected by Divine Luck.

...

Then...is it really?

...I’m afraid you’re a little off track...

Am I now?

...Fine...So be it...

What?

Like I said, I hide my face to protect both myself, and those around me. But if it helps to clear up the doubts in your mind, both about me and my intentions...

Then I will show you my face...

However, you must promise me that you won’t tell a single soul what you see under this hood.

...

Do I have your word?

...Yes...You do...

...

*Whitecloak removes her hood.

Huh...?

!!??

No...impossible...!

*The face that hides underneath it...

...Well...There you have it...

[speed-seo]

Boost Your CEO Brand on LinkedIn with Profile Optimization

LinkedIn has become an indispensable platform for CEOs to establish their leadership brand, connect with partners, attract investors, and drive new opportunities. Yet many CEOs underutilize LinkedIn by maintaining barebones profiles and passive presences. The path to maximizing your CEO impact lies in strategic LinkedIn profile optimization and engagement. Let's explore how to transform your LinkedIn presence with specific profile enhancement tips, compelling content formats, partnership outreach approaches, advertising best practices, and analytics to track your success. By optimizing your CEO LinkedIn profile, you can position yourself as an influential thought leader, authentically convey your leadership style, and accelerate partnership and growth possibilities. Optimize Your CEO LinkedIn Profile for Maximum Visibility The foundation for your LinkedIn presence is an optimized, complete profile. Follow these best practices: - Complete All Profile Sections: Don't leave any sections blank - fill out your background, highlights, skills, education, etc. A fully fleshed out profile signals credibility. - Incorporate Relevant Keywords: Include important keywords in your headline, summary, and background to get found by your target audiences. Avoid keyword stuffing that disrupts the reading flow. - Craft an Eye-Catching Headline: Summarize your leadership brand and unique value proposition in your profile headline - this is prime real estate! - Showcase Media and Achievements: Display press mentions, speaking engagements, awards, and company success in your background for extra visibility and authority. An optimized CEO profile serves as your digital HQ and sets the stage for next-level engagement and partnerships. Convey Your Authentic Leadership Brand and Style One of the most powerful ways to connect with your LinkedIn followers is by sharing your genuine leadership journey and approach in your profile's summary and background sections. Avoid the typical corporate speak - get personal with your story. - Share Your Leadership Origins Story: How did you become passionate about leadership? What shaped your path to CEO? Get vulnerable about early setbacks and lessons learned. - Discuss Your Leadership Values and Philosophy: What principles guide your leadership style and priorities? How do you motivate teams? Share philosophies on work culture, innovation, or growth. - Admit Challenges You've Faced: Vulnerability and humility as a leader attracts followers. Discuss hurdles you've faced and how you overcame them. Authenticity and transparency about your leadership brand boosts engagement and trust on LinkedIn. Engage Followers with Content Formats that Get Noticed Rolling out engaging content will quickly amplify your CEO presence and connections. Experiment with formats that highlight your leadership brand in an approachable way. - Humanize Yourself Through Video Messages: Short videos allow you to connect on a personal level. Share motivational messages, behind-the-scenes office tours, Q&As, etc. - Host Insightful Fireside Chats: Sit down with other executives or emerging leaders in recorded chats. Share your experiences and advice. - Spotlight Company Wins and Milestones: Celebrate big partnerships, product launches, funding rounds, etc. Personalize the stories with pics/videos. Video content can significantly boost CEO profile visibility and authenticity with minimal time investment. Post consistently but avoid overly promotional updates. Proactively Network for Strategic Partnerships Beyond boosting your own CEO brand, leverage LinkedIn to connect with potential strategic partners and mutually beneficial collaborations. - Direct Message Compatible Companies: Reach out to decision-makers at synergistic businesses to discuss alignment and explore partnership potential. - Join Relevant LinkedIn Groups: Participate in niche LinkedIn Groups related to your company's market to tap into new networks. - Follow Aligned Leaders/Influencers: Connect with other respected CEOs, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders by following their accounts and engaging with their content. - Comment on Relevant Posts: React to others' content to start establishing familiarity before direct outreach. Proactive networking on LinkedIn can yield powerful partnerships that drive growth and innovation. Promote Your Profile and Content through LinkedIn Advertising Once your CEO profile presence is established, amplify your influence even further through LinkedIn ad offerings like Sponsored Content, Message Ads, or Dynamic ads targeted to your audience. - Sponsored Content: Promote your highest-performing profile posts to reach larger audiences interested in your leadership insights. - Message Ads: Drive traffic to your profile through customized text ads focused on your leadership brand and value proposition. - Dynamic Ads: Set up automated ads that showcase followers, content, or company updates from your profile to stay top of mind. Follow LinkedIn's best practices of A/B headline/copy testing and optimizing towards lowest cost-per-result. Track Your LinkedIn Performance with Built-In Analytics Leverage LinkedIn's robust analytics within your Profile Dashboard to benchmark your CEO presence and identify opportunities. - Assess Profile Views/Impressions: Monitor weekly and monthly trends in your profile views and content impression volumes to gauge growth. - See Content Engagement: Track reactions, comments, shares, and clicks per post to determine what content resonates most with your audience. - Analyze Follower Demographics: Review follower job titles, locations, companies, etc. to fine-tune your content and targeting. Analyzing performance data will reveal content topics and formats that delight your followers - enabling continual optimization. Avoid Common LinkedIn Profile Mistakes Steer clear of these potential pitfalls as you establish your CEO presence: - Overly Promotional Posts: Avoid cringey, constant posts pushing your products/services. Focus on thought leadership. - Passive Presence: Sporadic engagement won't grow your audience. Post consistently and nurture connections. - Skimpy Profile Details: Lacking details undermines your credibility and findability. Expand all sections. - Impersonal Connection Outreach: Copy/pasted inMail messages won't convert partners. Personalize based on profiles. By optimizing your CEO LinkedIn presence with an authentic leadership brand, strategic networking, compelling content, and analytics-driven refinement, you can unlock partnerships, media opportunities, and growth like never before. Establish yourself as an industry leader today. What has been your biggest challenge or learning optimizing your CEO LinkedIn presence? What tips have I missed? Let's keep the discussion going in the comments! Read the full article

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WhatsApp Communities now obtainable

WhatsApp has formally launched Communities, the brand new function providing bigger, extra structured dialogue teams that first entered into testing earlier this yr. The announcement was made by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerburg on Thursday. “At present we’re launching Communities on WhatsApp. It makes teams higher by enabling sub-groups, a number of threads, announcement channels, and extra. We’re additionally rolling out polls and 32-person video calling too. All secured by end-to-end encryption, so your messages keep personal.” Higher communication Communities is designed to assist organisations, golf equipment, colleges, and different personal teams higher talk and keep organised. ALSO READ: WhatsApp provides new Communities function to deliver teams & folks collectively It additionally brings plenty of new options to the messaging platform, together with admin controls, assist for sub-groups and announcement teams, 32-person voice and video calls, bigger file sharing, emoji reactions and polls. Options Communities themselves can assist teams of as much as 1 024 customers and provide end-to-end encryption. Among the options developed for Communities, like emoji reactions, giant file sharing (as much as 2GB) and the flexibility for admins to delete messages, had already made their strategy to the WhatsApp platform forward of as we speak’s launch. Now, the corporate says polls, 32-person video calls, and bigger group sizes may even be supported on WhatsApp extra broadly outdoors of Communities. Zuckerberg stated communities makes teams higher by enabling sub-groups, a number of threads, announcement channels, and extra. WhatsApp evolution “It is a main evolution for WhatsApp and it’s one thing that I’ve been actually targeted on for the final yr.” “If you concentrate on all of the actions that you just do and folks you join with all through the day, it displays the totally different sorts of relationship folks have, not simply with our beloved one however based mostly on our actions and work too,” Zuckerberg stated. Communities are structured with one principal announcement group which alerts each one of the crucial essential messages. Nevertheless, members can solely chat in small sub-groups the admin has accredited. This will preserve members from being bombarded with messages about group happenings and occasions they’re not linked to. Watch Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement of the the Communities function on WhatsApp No WhatsApp assist for outdated telephones In the meantime, very outdated smartphones will now not obtain assist from WhatsApp because the platform rolls out new options and updates. The corporate informed The Citizen it at present gives assist for and advisable utilizing the next units: Android operating OS 4.1 and newer Apple iPhones operating iOS 12 and newer KaiOS 2.5.0 and newer, together with JioPhone and JioPhone 2 “After getting one among these units, set up WhatsApp and register your telephone quantity,” WhatsApp stated. ALSO READ: Over 3 million folks to fly to the moon on NASA’s Artemis I Originally published at Irvine News HQ