#i love mika's voice so much actually i love voices in general which is why the first thing i check ab a possible oshi is the voice

[hxneylavendxr]

hmm... mao or mika for the ask game~? :3

ok im gonna do just mika bc i don't think about mao a lot these days ahah past me would've had more to say about that dude

sexuality hc - very classic but he's bisexual. everybody knows that he's top 10 widely agreed upon bisexual enstars characters

gender hc - FREAK! creature little scurrier

i think nonbinary or, more fittingly, a gothic neogender of some sort mika is very real, more masc leaning though he would make an excellent dumpster girl (faves get the full gender spectrum treatment huh)

ships - *cracks knuckles* so mikashu i have to state right off the bat they're toxic they're awful they're crazy they're just what i like to see then we have ritsumika gaudy hot topic couple and mikamayo in a normal way is cute but in a more mutually fucked up eroguro style way is very cool and appealing to my brain it's like the screenshot from tik tok abt taking your brain out and running it under cold water to me

and mikanatsu I'll be real with you i completely forget why but they are cute together and yuzumika just for funsies and and mikameru curtesy of mj

brotp - narumika!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! their friendship is so so fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! they kiss on the lips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 they are besties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 mika and nazuna being friends is crazy important as well

notp - none

random hc - we all know this as truth but i gotta say it mika would be sooo into vocahorror i think neru and kikuo are his favorite producers Also he's totally one of those multicolored bandaid types if he wasn't, you know, an idol with a stage appearance to keep up he would be sporting armfuls of rainbow and sanrio print bandaids 24/7

general opinion - miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiikaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa oh my god oh my god MIKA he's one of the enstars characters that is a prime example of just how much of a miracle the character design (visually and written) in this game is to fit so specifically with my tastes- from an aesthetic stand point, the heterochromia compliments his otherwise very average looking design perfectly he is standing out now you are looking at him with interest

the thing he has going on initially? mf willing abuse victim ass? a doll to be pupeteered, a doll to be tampered with? actually incredible we all know this but i fucking loooove doll motifs and marionette themes

moving past that though, he is (and always has been) such a menhera yami kawaii pastel goth type which is SOO FUCKIN COOL for an anime boy, not at all something i was used to seeing before him and my base infatuation with pastel/candy gore from when i was 12 has left me realistically unable not to be obsessed with him now.

...which brings us to. the horrors He is so sick so fucked up such a little freak and that makes him a home to me, sadist, romantic, blood and gore lover that i am, But the way it's not even a tease. the way he has said and been shown to, many a time, be very okay with killing someone...the alleged eroguro scandal....... god i love that for him so much.... what a guy

and his voice is saurr pretty and cyute :>

[hatterstan-shameblog]

Fluff prompt #1 👀

“if you cry, i’ll cry ─ and that won’t be fun for anyone.”

Okay, I am going to go WAY off the rails for this one

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Out-Of-Character Babysitting Story (This Is What It's Come To...)

Rating: General Audiences (PG)

Genre: Fluff

Pairing: None, maybe a spritz of Takeru/Aguni implied

Warnings: None

Summary: If Takeru is the "cool uncle," then why does new baby niece, Mika, hate him so much?

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Takeru loves being an uncle.

His nieces are perhaps the best people on the planet, and that's not just because he's biased—no, these kids are actually cool. The oldest one is four (and a half) years old and a budding conversationalist, whose willingness to discuss favorite colors and cartoon characters is not only welcome, but anticipated at every family function he attends. The two-year-old doesn't have as much to say, but every time he walks into the room, her little face lights up and she immediately toddles over to hug his leg.

But, the baby...

In the five months he has known Mika, Takeru has never been able to figure her out. While the other two were all smiles and giggles when he would sweep them into his arms, Mika simply stares at him in a vaguely dissatisfied manner. And then, after taking a peek into his soul and deciding she doesn't like what lurks in there, begins to fuss. And cry. And scream, if nobody else has lifted her out of his arms by then.

Takeru assumed it was simply because they hadn't properly bonded yet—he'd been terribly busy with the hat shop recently and, as such, hasn't spent as much time with his extended family as usual. Nothing a little one-on-one time wouldn't fix, which is why he was so eager to volunteer for a little overnight babysitting when his sister wanted to take the kids to Disneyland. It would be a great opportunity to assert himself as the coolest uncle ever in Mika's tiny brain while simultaneously making his sister and brother-in-law indebted to him, should he ever need to call in a favor.

Mika was supposed to be asleep by seven o'clock. In fact, when Natsume brought her around at six, the little thing had been already struggling to keep her eyes open. Takeru had been lulled into a false sense of security then—babies that age didn't do much more than eat, sleep, and look cute.

He had taken care of the other two just fine before.

Surely she couldn't be any different?

The second her mother walked out the door, Mika dropped her act of sweet, infant innocence. Those sleepy eyes steeled into a scrutinizing stare, as if she could shoot lazers from her pupils and kill him instantly. Even her tiny baby fists, which have been encased in itty bitty baby mittens, clench at the very sight of her temporary guardian.

And that is only the first stirrings of her distaste. Every time Takeru strays too close to the little lady's orbit, he is met with a growl—which is terrifying enough on its own, even if one chooses to ignore the impressive developmental implications for a child of that age to be producing such a range of vocalizations. He gets to hear even more of her voice when he picks her up, those baby growls turning to indignant shouts of "ah-bah!" and "eee-ah!" and other things that could only be the most vile of expletives in the infant vernacular.

So Takeru decides to troubleshoot. Feeding, changing, putting her in a less-restricting outfit—his attempts only fuel her ire. He tries engaging her in conversation, and she hates it. The only thing she hates more than his talking is his signing, as demonstrated by an honest-to-goodness roll of her eyes before he can reach the chorus.

Seven o'clock comes and goes. Then eight. He tries leaving her alone—not really alone, but removes himself from her line of sight—and interestingly enough, the lack of his presence also makes her fuss. At nine, she is briefly enchanted by his keys, but frowns when she realizes that he is the one dangling them in front of her face.

And still, she does not sleep. The minutes pass by, and with them, Takeru's sanity. She's a newborn; surely she can't be waging psychological warfare this early in life? There must be something he's missing, something he hasn't yet thought of that could not only win him her affection, but also allow them both to finally get a good night's rest.

He sends a distress message at eleven.

Mori, he texts, thumbs shaking as the baby continues to stare daggers at him, I don't know what to do. The baby won't sleep. I think she hates me.

And from there, he can't stop. He texts a veritable novella to the man, all detailing his crisis of a situation.

He doesn't get a response.

Panic begins to settle into Takeru's bones. Mika stares and stares and stares—no matter where he goes, her gaze follows him, like a cute, miniature version of a haunted portrait. What hate-filled thoughts must be floating through her newly-minted mind?

Just when Takeru thinks it can't get any worse, disaster strikes. Mika's chin begins to tremble. Her eyes fill with tears.

"Oh, no, no, no," Takeru gasps as the first fat tears begin rolling down her chubby cheeks, "If you cry, I'll cry—and that won't be fun for anyone."

Mika's jaw nearly unhinges with how widely she opens her mouth, a truly terrible scream bubbling up in her throat. For the first time in his life, Takeru feels powerless. He braces himself against the kitchen counter and prays his hearing will survive the onslaught of cranky baby wails about to come raining down upon his ears.

Bzzzzzzzt!

Takeru jumps.

That's not the sounds a baby makes. Not usually, anyways. He looks at his niece, who seems to be equally taken-aback by the strange noise.

The door to Takeru's apartment swings open.

"Hey," sighs Aguni. He carelessly drops his duffel bag onto the floor and kicks off his shoes.

"Mori," Takeru gushes, a tidal wave of relief washing over his nerves as he witnesses his friend enter his home, "I just don't know what to do, I've tried everything—"

But Aguni doesn't seem to be paying attention to him at all. In fact, he walks right past Takeru without so much as a glance thrown in his direction.

Instead, he makes a beeline to Mika. The freshly-Earthside child seems to be confused by his presence, but the tantrum she had been threatening to throw a moment ago appears to have been forgotten. Takeru is thankful for that small victory, at least.

"Good evening, ma'am," Aguni greets the child. He tosses a thumb over his shoulder. "This guy bothering you?"

"I was not—"

"Ah," Mika responds solemnly.

Takeru is dumbfounded.

Surely, he must be hallucinating. There's no way this tiny infant could possibly have understood a word Aguni had said. And what's more, she seems calmed by his presence. Almosf as if she's...tolerating him.

"Thought so," Aguni says. He pulls out one of the kitchen chairs and sits down, crossing his arms across his chest as he studies her adorable little baby face. Her adorable little baby face studies him right back, gaze only broken by the occasional blink.

Takeru is halfway through typing 'is it possible to establish telepathic communications with a baby?' into the search feature on his phone when he hears a giggle.

Not only is Aguni cradling his young niece in his arms, but the young lady seems to be happy about it. Her face is lit up with a wide-mouthed smile, her tiny legs kicking and little fists waving in the air as her tummy is tickled by a man that, as far as Takeru knows, has never handled a baby before in his life.

And what's more—Aguni seems to be just as taken with the infant, a warm smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Takeru doesn't know how to feel. On one hand, he's excited to see his best friend and niece bonding in such a sweet and unexpected way. On the other hand, he's overcome by a firey jealousy which rivals, say, a luxury hotel set on fire after a string of unfortunate circumstances and impossible choices. He's the cool uncle. He's supposed to be the favorite.

With a tight-lipped frown, Takeru decides to channel his negative feelings into something more productive. He puts the kettle on, thinking a calming cup of chamomile tea might soothe him enough to feel more reasonable about his current situation. He also starts warming up another bottle for Mika. He's tried to feed her three times already tonight and been vehemently refused with each attempt—surely even Aguni, the apparent Baby-Whisperer, won't be able to get her to eat.

...Except he does. Aguni requires a bit of guidance at first, but it takes no time at all for Mika to start gulping down the formula at a ravenous pace.

"I just don't get it," Takeru sighs. He sips his tea and tries not to feel sad that his niece had been so hungry. "Why does she hate me so much?"

"She doesn't hate you," Aguni says. "The problem is that you're too alike."

"Mori, please," Takeru scoffs, "She's a newborn. I'm an adult. We couldn't be more different."

Aguni looks down at Mika. He then looks back to Takeru.

"Nah. You're basically the same person."

"Come on, man—"

"You're both stubborn as hell," Aguni interrupts. "And defiant. And dramatic."

"Literally every baby is like that."

"And so are you," Aguni says.

Takeru grimaces. Even if Aguni makes a fair argument, it's rude of him to point it out.

"I'm still not convinced," he answers curtly.

Aguni shifts in his chair a little, causing Mika to make a small hum of protest. He apologizes softly and adjusts his hold on her so that she's able to recline more comfortably.

"You said she got really mad when you started singing, right?" When Takeru nods, Aguni gives him a knowing smirk. "That's because, like you, she hates cover bands."

It's as if someone slapped Takeru across the face.

"She thinks," he says slowly, "I'm a cover band?"

Aguni shrugs.

"I mean, probably. Think about it," Aguni says, "A lot of the music she knows is whatever her parents decided to sing to her. As far as she knows, they're the original artists. If you start singing one of 'their' songs, you're basically doing a cover, in her mind. So, yeah. You both hate cover bands."

Takeru wants to tell Aguni that that's the stupidest thing he's ever heard. He wants to...but, the more he thinks about it, the more possible it seems. It doesn't help that Mika has seen fit to start staring at him again, albeit with less ire than before.

If he didn't know better, he'd think she was beginning to tolerate him.

"So, like I said before—she doesn't hate you," Aguni says, "I think she recognizes herself in you and it freaks her out. It's like she's looking into a mirror, and instead of seeing the baby she knows herself to be, she's seeing some bearded guy who's pushing forty. That's a lot to handle."

Takeru sniffs.

"I don't look a day over twenty-six."

"Yoy're right," Aguni says, "You look many days over twenty-six."

Mika spits the bottle from her mouth to give a tiny giggle.

"She only likes you because you have the same haircut," Takeru snips, wrist rolling to gesture vaguely at the short-haired baby lounging happily in the arms of the equally short-haired man, "Probably thinks you're one of her kind..."

He gulps down another sip of tea before he can start a true argument—after all they're trying to get the baby to calm down and sleep, not excite her with a petty verbal tennis match. And Aguni seemed to take his jab with amusement, the smile on his face refusing to fade for the rest of the feeding. It's strange to see him so content, but Takeru can't deny his friend has taken to baby care almost unnaturally well.

Mika also seems to be a little less upset, even going so far as to allow Takeru to dress her in her pajamas without so much as a mild look of confused displeasure etched on her itty bitty features. Of course, Aguni still gets the smiles, but it's nice to know that her apparent hatred of him is beginning to lessen.

"How pissed would you be if I said I could get her to sleep in ten minutes?"

"Honestly," Takeru says, "I'm too tired to care."

It's true. Perhaps earlier he would have felt otherwise, but he was a different man back then. The last few hours have left him totally exhausted. The chamomile tea in his system is exacerbating his natural sleepiness.

So he allows himself the joy of sinking into the sofa. Even though he had just been sitting at the table moments ago, his tired bones still sing when he slips into a lazy slouch.

When Aguni sits next to him, an alert-looking Mika in his arms, Takeru's interest is piqued. What exactly does he plan on doing? Getting her to eat is one thing, but getting her to sleep is a completely different battle.

"Scoot over," Aguni says, and Takeru does—but not without a small groan of displeasure as he tucks himself against the far armrest.

To Takeru's surprise, Aguni sits down and turns his body to face him. One hand supports his new baby friend while the other helps him get into a semi-reclining position. He rolls his eyes when Aguni stretches his legs and lays them right on top of his lap; having a tall friend is fun and useful, until it's decidedly not.

But Mika seems pleased when he lays her down on him, letting out a satisfied sigh when her fat baby cheek squishes against his chest. Aguni snatches the television remote with his free hand and turns it on, flipping through the channels until he lands on a baseball game that looks like it's from the 90's.

"Ugh," Takeru scoffs, "Couldn't you at least pick something interesting? Stuff like this puts me right to sleep..."

It takes a second for the words to register, but the second they do, Takeru's jaw drops.

"Oh," he stage whispers, watching as his niece's wiggly baby movements begin to slow, "Oooooh! Mori, you're a genius!"

"Mhm," Aguni hums in response. He turns the volume on the TV down to a barely audible level so as not to disturb his infant companion, and within a matter of minutes, her breathing has evened out and she lays still.

"Is," Takeru asks quietly, "is she...?"

"Oh yeah," Aguni responds. Mika lets out a cute baby snore. "She's gonna be as loud as you are someday."

"I don't snore," Takeru retorts. Sure, he's been accused of it in the past, but he simply refuses to believe it. "I am the perfect sleeping companion."

"You also talk. And steal the covers. She doesn't have those problems yet, but if I had to guess..."

Takeru rolls his eyes. It's hard to pretend to be annoyed when he's so relieved the baby is finally asleep, all while being extremely adorable about it. Maybe she does take after him a little bit—although he doesn't have definitive proof on-hand, there's no doubt that he was also an extremely cute baby.

He turns his focus to the game. God, it's boring. Even when the bases are loaded, Takeru can't help but feel his eyelids beginning to grow heavy. It's difficult to move with Aguni's feet so rudely sitting in his lap, but he manages to scrunch his way deeper into the sofa to get more comfortable.

"I'm not gonna fall asleep," he mentions to Aguni, because he's definitely not. Another fifteen minutes and they'll be able to put Mika to bed properly, and then he can get some real sleep.

Yeah. He can definitely stick it out for a little longer. One of the baseball guys just hit a home run. That's interesting, right? The game is tied, 7-7, and it's the eighth inning. Exciting. He'll just close his eyes really quickly before the next batter takes the plate.

And that's all it takes for him to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.

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don't ask me what the hell this was because I don't even know

not gonna lie, kinda regretting not going with my original idea of one of these guys finding a baby in the Borderlands and trying to take care of it (comedy ensues). might still write that one, so drop me a comment or whatever if you're interested.

[shazzeaslightnovels]

September 2022

(Series: Lycoris Recoil)

No, I still haven’t finished Youztisu 8. I’m getting there.

While this season didn’t have as much to offer as last season, I did really enjoy every show that I watched and was excited to watch them every week. There was one exception to this which was Hataraku Maou-sama which I put on hold after episode 7. I took a break from the show while on holidays and I fell behind it by 3 episodes and when I finally got around to episode 7 all I could think about what was how bored I was watching it. And I actually like volume 4 more than most people did but the execution was so lackluster for me and I did not want to go back to it. I will still finish it later but I needed to take a break. It’s a shame as I’ve been wanting this sequel for 9 years but I can’t say I’m surprised that it ended up being disappointing, given the change in studio and the general quality of the light novels after volume 2. I can’t say I was excited to see a 3rd season announced.

Shadows House 2: This was a very compelling sequel with an intriguing mystery and some great new characters. I do think that it moved a bit too slowly at times and it’s a shame that it ends on a note that feels even more unfinished than the first season did but I’ve been meaning to pick up the manga anyway so whatever. Still a really enjoyable season that shows off the talents of the animators and the voice actors.

Danmachi 4: This one isn’t finished yet but I’ve been enjoying this one a lot. I do think that the more recent episodes suffer from some low budgeted animation but the strength of the source material still manages to carry it. The light novel is better but the anime makes for an enjoyable watch nonetheless. I don’t know how long this season is meant to go for. I’ve heard rumors that it will be 22 episodes but I haven’t found anything official to confirm it (granted I haven’t looked far). If this is the case, hopefully the anime won’t become unwatchable due to budget issues in the second half.

Lycoris Recoil: I really enjoyed this anime overall, largely due to how much I loved the main cast, particularly Chisato and Takina and their dynamic. I had a blast watching it every week. I definitely think there was more potential to explore the setting and interrogate the whole premise of teenage girls being turned into assassins. There was a particular part where Mika mentioned that Lycoris tend to stop being active when they turn 18 and there was no further explanation as to why that is or what happens to them. It’s just briefly mentioned and glossed over. I do think it was a missed oppurtunity to explore that premise further but as is it’s fun action series with incredibly charming leads that I was super invested in and that was enough for me. I will picking up the light novel volume once I’ve cleared a bit more of my backlog.

Digimon Ghost Game: Recently, the show has focused on Hiro more and more to the point where several episodes will just have Kiyo and Ruli make a single appearance or not appear at all. It reminds me of a tv show where a character just won’t appear in an episode because the actor is busy and the other characters will have a throwaway line to explain their absence. It also reminds me of the Adventure remake but I don’t mind it as much because I don’t have an older, better show to compare it to and because I don’t care about Ruli and Kiyo all that much. I like them well enough but the show never really felt like it knew what to do with them. Ruli wanting to find “something” was alluded to in early episodes but hasn’t come back since and Kiyo felt like he was starting to have a character arc with him becoming braver but his cowardliness tends to be used as comedic relief more often than not which resets most of that character development. It’s not like Hiro is any more developed but at least I feel like he has a point to exist. That’s definitely the weakest point of this season: as much as I enjoy it, I can’t say the human characters are very well-rounded. It’s a shame because they definitely have potential but they’re not used well. Thankfully, the Digimon themselves have more than enough charm to make up for it and I’m still able to really enjoy it each week and get excited for every new episode.

Love Live Superstar 2: I wasn’t enjoying this anime as much as I enjoyed the first season for the first half of it. While I liked the new characters well enough, I didn’t care much for their introductory episodes and I questioned whether they really needed to exist. But I am really enjoying the second half and I’m glad we get to see more of the original team and how the new members fit into their dynamic. Episode 7 & 9 were particular highlights. I am also a big fan of the new rival Wien who is perhaps the most threatening rival in all of Love Live. I’m really excited to see how this season ends.

Next season, the only new thing I’m set to be watching is the second half of Spy x Family but I’ll probably pick up a couple of other shows. I feel like HiDive has snatched up most of the shows that I was interested in this season (like Bibliophile Princess) but I’m sure I’ll find something.

[appleteez]

Late Night At The Studio

Pairing: Hongjoong x reader

Genre: fluff, smut

Word Count: 1.2k

Warnings: making out, penetrative sex.

Tag list: @marigold-mika, @sunwooyoung (let me know if you want to be added to the general taglist :]) 

“Hongjoong?” The little knock on his studio’s door makes him snap his head up.

“Mhh?” His eyes widen at my voice and before I can open the door. He shuts his laptop and pulls his pants up out of breath. I peak my head inside with a concerned look in my eyes.

“Hongjoong? Are you ok? I heard you grunting and—“ I raise an eyebrow once my eyes get used to the rather dark room. Hongjoong is smiling at me awkwardly and everything seems normal except for one thing. The way he’s sweating and looks out of breath.

“I just.. I bumped my knee up against the table.” He chuckles lowly, a clear blush present on his cheeks.

“You did?”

“Mhm~”

“Ok, let me see.”

“It’s fine really. I mean—“ I enter the room fully closing the door behind me. “Shouldn’t you go home anyway, it’s late.” He starts to ramble as I come up to him.

“I was working on a few songs. Let me see.” I take the seat next to his which was probably occupied by one of the boys earlier. He tries to subtly put his hands between his legs to hide the obvious bulge and I raise an eyebrow. “Hongjoong..”

“Mhh?” I look up to his laptop which was close.

“Why don’t you show me what you were working on?” I smile at him as I fake check his knee which was absolutely fine. “It doesn’t look like you bumped your knee.” I giggle while resting my hand on his lap.

“It wasn’t that hard.”

“Mhh~ Alright, show me what you’re working on?” I shake my head towards the laptop.

“I— I haven’t been working on anything actually.”

“What are you doing here at..” I turn around to look at the clock. “3:24am, then?”

“Just chilling.” I stand up to push his chair away from the table and go to straddle him. A low grunt directly comes out of his mouth the moment I press against his length with my core.

“Lying to your own girlfriend, Hongjoong..” I say in a disappointing tone. “Do you need help?” I whisper in his ear as I slightly push my hips against his making him moan again as his hands squeeze me sides.

“Fuck.. Yes, please.” I lean away from his ear to directly connect our lips into a heated kiss.

Both me and Hongjoong were producers and busy most of the time. I couldn’t remember the last time we touched each other like that. His hands on my hips directly make me move against him, his length growing under me and putting just the right amount of pressure against my core. After a good five minutes of lazily making out and grinding against one another he halts the kiss.

“As much as I love those pretty lips of yours.. I really need you.” He laugh lightly at his comment and his rare impatient behavior. Hongjoong was one to usually take his time, so seeing him like that was not only a first but something I loved.

“You’re lucky I’m not in a teasing mood~” I coo in his ears before he makes me stand up.

I slide off my pants, then take off my shirt. He doesn’t wait for me to sit back down on top of him. Instead he stands up and pulls me up onto his desk after pushing his material out of the way. His hand then make quick work of my panties and when my legs are open for him he slides his pants down just enough for his length to finally come out. A heavy breath slips out of his lips as he starts to run his red tip along my drenched folds. I can’t help but to moan at the feeling I hadn’t felt in too long. He takes a hold of my leg with one hand and pushes himself into me with the help of the other. Once he’s half way inside, he hooks both my legs with his arms.

“Fuck Hongjoong~” I feel him twitch inside of me at his name and he grunts lowly as he completely pushes himself into me.

“Shit you’re so fucking tight..” He clenches his teeth, scared to move and come right away.

He looks up at me and catches my lips into a heated kiss. Our tongues moving against one another sloppily while his hips stay still for now. Just feeling him filling me up like that was amazing and enough to make me moan into the kiss. However that doesn’t last long. My moan transform into whines and by my clenching he knows I’m getting impatient. He breaks the kiss to look down at our connection, the view being too good for him.

“Y/N.. I’m telling you now, I’m not gonna last long.”

“Just fuck me please.” I feel him twitch at my words as he slowly starts to move his hips into mine.

“We’re definitely having a round two then.” He grunts leaning into my neck to drop kisses, bite marks and purple blemishes.

The room is soon filled with the lewdest sound I’ve heard in a while. His hips meeting mine, my drenched core’s squelching, his moans mixed with mine and our lips clashing against one another. It was late at night, but I prayed no one was walking by. The sounds making it too obvious what was going on into the small studio room.

“Fuck you feel so fucking good..” He grunts as I feel him twitch more frequently.

“You missed me?” I coo in his neck feeling the knot in my stomach getting tighter and my bud burning with pleasure as his pelvis hits it with every thrust. “You have no idea.. How many times..” He grunts out of breath feeling himself come closer and closer to the proper release he’s been needing.

“How many times?” I whine on the edge of my orgasm.

My head almost going blank until I feel his hips snap against mine one last time. One of the loudest moan comes out of my mouth, I have to clench my teeth to make it less obvious. He swears lowly, his forehead against mine as I feel him pump himself inside of me. My eyes seeing blurry for a second as my head is in a haze of pure pleasure.

“Ahh…” He sighs as he pulls out of me making me feel empty. He lets himself fall back into his chair completely out of breath. I look at him with dazed eyes trying to come back down from my high. “I needed that..”

“Same..” We both chuckle lightly at the pathetic yet intense sex we just had. I come down from his desk that we had left a mess and go to straddle him right away.

“Round two?” He smiles up at me already pushing me down against him.

“At one condition.”

“Mhh?”

“I have no idea how many times what?”

“Oh..” He smiles a bit embarrassed, his hands caressing my sides as I pull his shirt over his head. “How many times I jerked off thinking about you.”

“It’s fine I do the same~”

“Good~” He catches my lips with his as he starts to grind my hips into his, his length already hard. Before I can say or think anything, I’m sinking onto his length once again.

[raidenenthusiast]

seraph of the end + genshin impact

main: diluc. hear me out, okay. generally, u main based on playstyle, right? (i mean. i don't, but. the consensus seems to be that i am strange for that lmao.) i think that yuu would put a LOT of stress on doing high physical damage, n a lot of people recommend diluc for that. he's ranked pretty high tier, he looks cool, he has a big sword, n he's pretty standard for a dps. also, i feel like yuu is a LOUD player n screaming along with diluc's attack voice lines would be therapeutic for him. i also think the fact that diluc mains drain their hp incredibly fast bc of how reckless they are (yes i am talking about myself too) is very in character for him.

favorite character: also diluc. HEAR ME OUT. i think he would be really taken with the whole darknight hero thing. yuu is also a very protective person n puts a lot of stock in the safety of what he cares about n i feel like he would just find diluc very cool for that.

aesthetically appealing: razor. source: trust me bro.

main: XIAO. i cannot stress this one enough n i will not budge. i can't really tell u why exactly i think he would enjoy polearm users, but the idea of self inflicted damage is very much a vampire weapon choice (thorn sword, yk) n i cannot believe how fitting it is. which leads right into the next category, actually.

favorite character: also xiao. both mika n yuu strike me as the types to main their favorite characters (i am not just saying this bc i relate to mika n i do that what do u MEAN) n not only do i think mika would relate to xiao, but i also think he would find the lore n the roles of the adepti REALLY interesting.

aesthetically appealing: i'm torn on this one bc i want to say albedo. all his outfit details, his color scheme, his hair, his EYES. all of it just screams mika to me. HOWEVER rosaria also strikes me as a design mika would really like.

main: torn for this one. on the one hand, i think she would have an incredible dps beidou that does FAR more damage than poor yuu's diluc n she refuses to give him her build. on the other hand, i think she would also be the type of person to absolutely SHRED domains with a dps barbara. overall she definitely has the best builds of the team, n is really good at team composition.

favorite character: mona! mona says what she thinks, n shinoa would LOVE that. i think she'd admire her pride n determination n that would really inspire her.

aesthetic appealing: keqing! she would love her colors (specifically the purple) n i think she'd find the cat ears really cute. keqing is also a really lovely character n i think she'd have a crush on her.

main: childe. look at this man. LOOK at him. u CANNOT tell me he does not give off obnoxious childe main energy. he fights the oceanid with childe bc he thinks he's invincible. he goes into domains with the wrong level just to mess with people. he's genuinely GOOD though, so it's hard for the team to be too upset.

favorite character: baizhu bc they're both suspicious zhongli. guren has a crush on peepaw pass it on. no i'm kidding (no i'm not) but they both have that "weird n intense methods of testing strength that are definitely questionable but they do still care" kind of thing going on.

aesthetically appealing: kaeya. i don't actually know where i'm getting this from i just had a vague thought that kaeya kind of gives me a similar vibe to shinya n i was like "yes okay this makes sense."

main: sucrose! absolutely god tier support over here. he definitely did a ton of research on how to build her. u see him in a domain n ur like "oh thank god." he also has an extra set of artifacts n weapons aside for her bc he wanted to be prepared, so he plays her as a support or a dps depending on the needs of the party. he likes to have options.

favorite character: jean. hear me out, i think he'd really admire her. she works SO hard n she cares SO much about mondstadt n yoichi would find a lot of comfort in that. also he's a feminist.

aesthetically appealing: venti. between the bow n just how BEAUTIFUL his clothes are, yoichi would be smitten.

main: rosaria. he would love polearms n that is a fact. he definitely pulled on the recent childe banner rerun to get her n ended up with childe by accident, which guren was very upset about bc he was pulling for childe constellations. he builds up her crit like CRAZY n as much as him n yuu don't want to admit it, they work really well together in domains.

favorite character: qiqi. the big brother instinct. he does not trust baizhu. i think she reminds him of mirai in a way, too.

aesthetically appealing: chongyun. again. source: trust me bro.

main: hu tao. her n mika are NIGHTMARES in domains bc of their self-damaging skills, but unlike mika, mitsuba is actually really careful with it, n makes sure she builds up hu tao's hp so she doesn't inconvenience her team.

favorite character: diona. they both have very similar vibes, mitsuba would find her adorable. she would also argue to the DEATH with anyone online who was being creepy about her/the other young characters.

aesthetically appealing: ningguang. she has a massive crush on her.

main: lisa. ranged attacks, wide ranges of effect, really cool burst/ult, n can cause some of the best reactions with her element. he outlasts almost anyone else in domains bc he seems to never take any damage.

favorite character: dainsleif. he wants him to get a release so bad.

aesthetically appealing: xiao. he loves the colors.

main: keqing. she is a huge fan of the whole teleporting thing. her elemental damage is nuts. she had the best sword on her so soon after she started the game that everyone's heads were spinning. she RAGES when she loses, though, n doesn't like teamwork/prefers to carry.

favorite character: lumine, but only if aether was picked as a protagonist. she likes the idea of lumine being the villain.

aesthetically appealing: fischl. do i really have to elaborate on this one.

main: xiao, to piss off mika i actually cannot think of a good enough example for just one character. i feel like he plays for fun n not for consistency of builds, so he just switches between characters to support that. i can see him playing support n not healing his team on purpose bc he thinks it's funny, though.

favorite character: signora. he laughed his ASS off when she punted venti.

aesthetically appealing: xingqiu, probably. with those frilly sleeves.

[goodguydotmp3]

two questions: why don’t you like harry and do you really think harry villanized the weed video or do you think that was the people attempting to court him (azoffs)

Whew, this is a long one folx!

Why don’t you like Harry [Styles]?

Let me preface this response by saying that I’m a pretty new “fan” if one can still call me that. I got into the One Direction fandom in the summer of last year, and much of my opinions of the boys where shaped by fan reactions. After gathering more and more information however, I realized that the fandom and I were wrong about some things, and over hyping others. 

Still, it wasn’t until this year that I actually broke out of the Harry-centric bubble to realize that the shady goings on where much worse than I originally thought. Add to this my realization that Harry’s music really doesn’t withstand the test of time, and that his persona is pretty Stagnant, and I’ve come to feel rather bamboozled.

Of course I know that the entire point of his PR team is to sway public opinion of him one way, and if I ate it up that was part of the plan. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. It also doesn’t mean I feel any less hurt about it. It also doesn’t mean that I like when other people fawn over him, as quite a lot of what I’m going to say has been public knowledge, and some of it before I was even a fan.

A. Music

 Actually getting to a big part of the problem here, his music isn’t good. Well, not long term like I said in the preface. He doesn’t really have much of a vocal range despite being a singer for more than ten years. He does not care and acts like he does, often leading to him sounding like he’s screaming instead of singing. He’s lyrics are boring and flat, and his melodies are fine, they just don’t make up for his unmemorable lyrics. I personally think that the cause is him more heavily relying on song writers to fill in more in more, but that’s mostly because I don’t want to believe that the same person who wrote Happily and Olivia also wrote At the Dining Table and Treat People With Kindness, because that would just mean he’s getting worse or putting forth less effort. 

Of course one could argue that I’m not a professional, I don’t have the necessary Jargon to correctly critique, and I’m no longer a singer so I can’t even do what he does. But to that I say fuck off. I know what sounds good! I know what I like! 

Even more than that though, If you bought a product (non food), and you could only use that product for the first two weeks you bought it, you’d say it was a shit product! You’d scream from the rooftops that no one should ever buy this product because it’s crap! Well guess what? I pre-ordered Fine Line just to listen for two weeks and never pick it up again except for golden, she’s a funky tune every couple months. 

Besides the test of time, there is still the subject of actual talent/listenability if you will. I feel there’s four main categories when I listen to music that makes it worth listening to

1.Amazing voice

2.Awesome lyrics

3.Funky/ cool ass melody/Beat

4.Catchy as hell

Now, a song doesn’t need to be all four, however the more they have the more likely I am to like the song. Also, I’ve said “main categories” because I’ve definitely had songs were I just through the beat drop was cool, or maybe the bridge was sick as hell, or maybe I just liked the pacing or the way the singer/singers stressed a note. Alternatively there is a sweet spot for me of super depressing lyrics but a melody/ that makes you want to dance. See: most of After Laughter by Paramore, Lola By Mika. But in general, those four usually make me love a song long term.

If it’s an album, it usually Just has to sound like it belongs on the same album/ tell a story. Like I really don’t like albums that sound like it’s just a playlist of songs personally. I should be able to listen to a song and go “oh yeah, that’s off --- album” or I didn’t like the album as a whole. An album is a bit like an outfit to me. It’s not going to be all tops, nor does it need to be monochromatic, but it does need to go together

For Example, I love Four as an album. I thought it was amazing. I still hate Spaces and Illusion. I hate both of their melodies, I don’t like the Illusion intro, I’m not to keen on those lyrics, and they’re definitely not catchy, I skip every time. 

So taking that logic to Harry’s music, I think HS1 works very well as an album, almost all of the songs sound like they’re supposed to be there. And I hate every song but Kiwi. The lyrics are boring/don’t make a ton of sense, the melodies definitely don’t make up for that, he doesn’t have the range, and none of them are catchy! And then you get to Kiwi and she’s got that vibe you know? She’s a pop punk bop and I cannot fucking believe that Harry has one pop punk bop among unmemorable pop rock album.

Going to Fine line, It’s not as great as an album. There are some songs that don’t really feel like they fit? Like just going through the album, cherry doesn’t have any business being there? Like the lyrics fit sure, but what is that weird intro and outro? It probably would have been fine If the song didn’t have those two, but having them there upset the pace a bit I felt. And then there was Treat People With Kindness, which was really Jarring and doesn’t feel like it belongs on the album at all? It  actually feels like it’s trying to be Kiwi - it’s loud and garish, and the lyrics are trying to be carefree, but! It just doesn’t work! TPWK sounds like Hippie music! Kiwi sounds like Brendon Urie could sing it and people would be like “good ol Panic!”. And then the album goes back down into Fine line the song, which again is Jarring because you’ve had this TPWK monstrosity right before it.

Then, looking at the overarching theme of his music, It’s whiny piss baby music He hates to take responsibility for his actions! It’s all in his lyrics! And don’t get me wrong, I love Honest lyrics, but not if the person is an asshole! LIke I fucking hate confessions by Usher specifically becasue he’s talking about how much he’s a piece of shit in the most whiny and piss baby way, making it all about him and no the people he hurt. I also really hate that one song that Zayn did with Usher and Chris Brown, because you have these awful men completely misunderstanding what it means to write a love song, and then you have Zayn at the very end all like “actually I really am in love tho…” Esp Chris browns verse! It boils down to “Hey I know I was a asshole seven billion times but I miss you tho :(“ GIRL BYE! 

Harry sounds the exact same though, Except he can’t even blame himself for his own mistakes, and just wades through self pity about how the object of his affection won’t love him even though he didn’t even do anything except it wasn’t his fault and why are you still mad it wasn’t even his fault and he was young and reckless and drunk and horny. Like??? WRITE A NEW SONG TAYLOR SWIFT 2.0! There’s only so much you can repackage the same narrative before it becomes stale no Cinderella does not count keep that shit coming. And It really jumps out in his writing, even through 1d, although I will say there were some catchy beats, and awesome lines to keep him afloat back then. Although wtf was Walking in the Wind??? Choke!

Then there are the melodies I’m talking post wondee here which often give this 70’s pop rock vibe. Which fine I guess, it’s his brand, but that doesn’t make it interesting. Or new. Or fresh. Or an interesting take. 

Now I completely understand relying on nostalgia to boost people’s opinion, but you could at leas have the decency to actually have good music. For Example, Miss you by Louis Tomlinson has a very distinctive pop rock feel, but it’s also an amazing song. Great lyrics, amazing voice, catchy liddle diddy that happens to be reminiscent of that 2005- 2010 punk pop/emo pop feel. Sour diesel has that like,,,basey 90s pop feel, and it fucking works with the lyrics, and of course his voice is beautiful. When Walls dropped and Lou put out that playlist of songs that were an inspiration, you can hear the influences when you listen to the album, but they’re also really good songs in their own right, with amazing lyrics, and Louis’ distinctive voice. Comparing that to Harry, it seems like he’s mostly relying on people’s nostalgia rather than actually good music.

Okay so this last point I’m making on music is a little petty but it’s been like a week and I’m still pissed about it so I’m saying it now. Someone said that Harry Styles is the best pop rock artist right now???? Just admit that you don’t listen to pop rock tf. Louis Tomlinson is right there. Brendon Urie is right there. Mika is right there. Haley Williams is right there. Janell Monae is right there. I don’t listen to a lot of pop rock lol but i feel my point has been made

B. Public Persona

He get’s so much clout! SO MUCH CLOUT! For doing the bare minimum (this is not specifically about the fandom, that’s for later)! People will write all these glowing reviews of him for him??? Being polite??? Like okay and? Just because a person is polite doesn’t mean they’re fucking Jesus??? There’s a million and one stories so i’m not fucking looking them up but there’s the pizza story and the fish story and the plane story and the snl story and the Stormzy story and the WS story on and on and on! Stop giving this man brownie points for basic human decency. “I didn’t expect him to be like that!” okay is that because of their perception of what a rock star is supposed to be like? Because in that case we need to start holding people accountable for being assholes. Or is it because he seems like an asshole. Cause valid.

I also don’t like him leaning so heavily on the queer image thing. Like! If that’s how he likes to express himself, Fine, But so much of it is just...so manufactured! And I Know I’ve heard people say oh well he wore the one rainbow on his lapel that one time or he wore the shirt or he wore the Keith Harring.

1. That Rainbow pin is sus as hell I don’t care what ya’ll say It absolutely screams set up, if he wanted to not be seen he would have not been seen 

2. That goes for literally every other time. I can’t believe it’s not a set up to push a queer image. (that he profits from!)

3. If he actually did his homework on Keith Harring he’d know that the man was a predator, and he wouldn’t have worn those shirts. It seems so performative! To add to that, does he know now? If so, why isn’t he using his platform to correct his mistake? Why didn’t he come out and let people know not to buy Harring’s stuff??? He knows the pull he has! He absolutely could have been like “I’ve made a mistake, if you are looking for queer artists to support, here’s some” But he fucking doesn’t

4. To add on to that last part, It is actually sus that he gets to profit off of this queer image, and yet the only queer voices that he’s propping up are white gays. And then not even directly? Not a “queer artists, esp queer artists of color are important and need their voices boosted because they are the back bone of society” but this wink nod type of deal, where again, he mainly boosts white gays.like??? One queer black woman that doesn’t work for the Azoffs, and then a bunch of white gays. Like?? That’s not racist to anyone else???????Just me? okay.

Now from a professional point of view, it’s even worse. I’m not saying that artists can’t be campy or blurr gender lines, or imply that they ‘re queer subtly. But I think it’s fucking disrespectful to play both ends. Like, he profits off of using the queer image, all while Dancing around the subject, but then on the back end he never says that Homophobes/Transphobes aren’t allowed in his fandom. He gives this empty ass tpwk and then washes his hands of it. 

Don’t get me wrong, I am always upset when people who have lots of queerphobes in their fandom bullying and harassing the actual queer people never say anything to let queerphobes know they’re unwelcome (clearly money is better than morals) but for me it’s an extra kick to the gut for it to literally profit Harry to seem queer. Look at that time that  gay company sold out shirts in less than an hour,because harry was wearing it and tell me people aren’t throwing money at him because they feel he’s queer. 

C. Fashion

This one is a really rough one for me because this is partially what drew me into Harry in the first place. But he’s really not all that in terms of fashion. He’s expensive certainly, but sometimes, the things that are more expensive are worse. Even When He’s not looking like a grandparent out on the town, his style is very dated, and yet he gets paraded around like he’s the freshest new thing?? Like who is his team paying of for him to get that many articles about how he’s fashion’s biggest star. And the thing is, his style is even dated for the mainstream. There’s already a post about how he copies prominent pop/pop rock stars of the 70s, which means that his style is 50 years old for the mainstream. Now don’t get me wrong, I think it’s totally fine if you’re addicted to seventies wear. I don’t think he should be heralded as this huge fashion star if his wardrobe is this dated

Even more than that. Gucci???? The Gucci with a history of Racism?? The Gucci with the child labor??? The Gucci with the 14 hour days Gucci??? Ugly ass Gucci????? Soulja Boy don’t even fuck with Gucci no more and he fuck with Gucci since like 2007. (although that was because of the racism, not cause it’s ugly)

I think that bothers me the most though. Like it’s not enough to exploit people, you also have to be tacky ugly and expensive???? For what??? @Gucci cease to exist please.

If Harry wants to be tacky ugly and expensive, that’s of course his rights to do so! But don’t act like he’s at the very pinnacle of fashion every time he does. 

I’m actually always very conflicted about that. I personally prefer a style that’s very loud and campy and avant garde but like,,,,that ain’t it. Maybe it’s something you got it or ya don’t??? Like for example Billy Porter could wear a trashbag and make it work. The expensive sweaters and the slacks? The suits? Not a good look on one Harry Styles. Maybe it’s because they’re expensive sweaters and slacks and expensive suits. What are you, Ted from accounting??? Grow up.

D. Treat People With Kindness

Ugh this is the thing that pisses me off like the second to most. This phrase is so fucking empty. You could not have made up a more corporate mandated phrase if you fucking tried. It stands for nothing! Just like him!

Let’s break it down. “Treat people with kindness” is, at face value, a call to action. It’s asking you to do something. But it doesn’t actually tell you what to do!! So it’s pretty inoffensive! You don’t actually have to change your behavior in anyway for two main reasons:

1. What the hell is Kindness??? This phrase never actually says what it is??? It’s just this short little punchy thing that assumes you know what kindness is! What if you didn’t actually know? What if you have differing ideals of what is considered kindness? I mean to my mother, Misgendering me is kindness, but I don’t think that’s kindness. To my father, not letting his children have autonomy is kindness, but I don’t find that kind. And yet they could both use that phrase and feel confident that they go around treating people with kindness. After all they cooked dinner didn’t they? They smiled at Janice from public relations didn’t they? That’s kindness right?

2. It also assumes you know what “people” are. Queer people are people. Queerphobes don’t consider queer people, people. Racists aren’t going to consider some people, people. So they can continue their harassment and dehumanization of them and still be treating people with kindness, because they never harmed actual people (to them)

E. Harry bots

Bitch?? Corporate spies?? Tf ??? That’s not weird to ya’ll ?? I think the thing that shocked me more than someone from Colombia records admitting that he manufactures the hype around people signed to Colombia, is the fact that the Fandom been knew!!!! Ya’ll been knew and ya’ll wasn’t gon tell me???????? I just found out last week wtf????????

Another thing I don’t like about them Harry bots, is it’s one thing to hype up Harry, but why tf do they need to shit on the other boys??? Is it because they’re more talented, good looking, and charming??? How about you get good!!!! I esp hate that it’s usually Louis. What is Corporate’s obsession with putting Louis down like? What a bunch of fucking weirdos?? It’s not enough to be a Harry fan and live up his ass, I gotta hate Louis too?? You lost yo damn mind. If you reading this and you a spy? Die.

F. Capitalism

Honestly that should be the end of it but here the fuck we go I guess. Now I get that there is going to be some capitalism involved when you get music, especially mainstream music, there are tones of articles out there with people who used to be in the industry telling you about how fucking awful it is, all in the pursuit of money. (Which isn’t fucking real by the way! We made it up! People out here getting traumatized! Belittled! Bullied! Married off! So some corporation can make all the money! The Imaginary Credits! That we made up! I hate it here!) 

But it’s another fucking thing to participate in a capitalist system? He invested into that one sleep app, even going to do one of the voice sessions (So you could have Harry Styles themed sleep paralysis) and you pay for that! He makes money off that! It’s not enough that you buy his mediocre music or his ugly ass merch, you also have to give him money through the sleep paralysis app. 

Then there was that Google Camp for Rich People Only! I don’t even want to fucking hear that it was on Climate Change oh wow all the rich people took helicopters and Yachts to a resort with manicured lawns??? To talk about how they treat the environment? That’s not at all Counter intuitive! Not at all for show! Fucking disgusting.

Oh and the Covid Shirt! Really bitch??? You need to Profit off a deadly pandemic? Are you profiting off of AIDS next you fucking bastard. And he can of course get a tax write of for his “ charitable donation” fuck off.

G. Racism

This! This is the thing that gets me the most! YA’LL CAN EXCUSE RACISM???

No, I’m not talking about the Native American Headdress thing, that was plenty despicable on it’s own, No I’m talking about the on going racism. The whole, using black people for clout and then dropping them and never returning the favor when they sing his praises thing. Specifically I’m thinking of Sis the activist, Stormzy, and Lizzo. 

The Lizzo thing pisses me off the most actually. I think it’s very fucking convenient that Harry started taking interest in Lizzo after there was uproar from black fans noting his hypocrisy of performing for Pepsi (Notoriously racist) and Having BLM sticker on his guitar. So he shows up at one of her concerts dressed like a senior citizen that got lost on the way to the retirement home bathroom. She looked fucking amazing and he couldn’t put forth the effort to at least not look senile. Then there was the covering of her songs, and then there was the cuddling up with her at the awards show. Funny how I haven’t seen any interaction after the fact! And Of course everyone forgot about the Pepsi concert! Fuck all the way off!!

Also! Are we just never going to talk about the fact that he didn’t comment on the blm protests earlier this year until his team could gauge whether or not it would be profitable to do so by DATA MINING HIS FAN BASE???? And then when he actually did he got the most praise for it, truly fucking hate it here. Also when he marched with those protesters he made sure we knew it was him. There were posts flouting around everywhere on how to best cover up to make yourself completely unrecognizable should you wind up on camera or fucking worse, get attacked by the police. Funny how Close Sprouse could follow the advice and not Harry? Also supper funny how he got the hell out of dodge before things got super bad and I have not heard anything on the matter since. Guess what Harry??? We’re still out here fighting for the rights to exist! Still wanna have a photo op while our own government tries to squash us with force????? This is like that Jenner Pepsi ad but with sunglasses and a pandemic.

H. Fandom

I think I would hate him less if I didn’t have to hear about him every hour of everyday. Stop Hyping this man so much. Even after unfollowing and blocking a bunch of Harries and Larries he’s all across my dash. And twitter. And insta. KURTIS CONNER FUCKING LIKES HIM I JUST WANTED CRACK CONTENT AND NOW LOOK. 

I. Conclusion.

After writing all this I think the running theme is that Harry Styles isn’t even a person, he’s a brand. I do not like or trust brands! And I definitely don’t like being advertised to! Just like It’s fake as fuck when Absolut is all about queer rights, it’s fake as fuck when Harry does it too. Just like I know Target doesn’t actually care about Black lives, I know Harry doesn’t either. People are always like “oh he’s so nice!” no! He’s polite! There’s a difference. Zayn Is a truly kind person. Liam is a truly kind person. Louis is a truly kind person. It shines though so brightly all the time, and yet people are really out here worshiping the Brand Harry Styles. 

Do I think It was Harry or The Azoffs throwing Zouis under the bus. 

Truly doesn’t matter! Whichever one did it, Harry was totally fine with it! Which tells me that he doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself. He’ll go along with anything as long as it gets him to the top, and that’s fucked up on one million and one levels

[whatsyourcolor]

Psycho-Pass 3 - Episode 8 review [SPOILERS]

After going through all the stages of grief yesterday, here are my thoughts on episode 8 of Psycho-Pass 3 and of this season overall if anyone cares to read. If you have been reading my other reviews, you have an idea of what this will be, so read at your own discretion. This last episode manifests the vision for the whole season and what they tried to accomplish and how they failed in doing so. I tried summarizing the episode, but got bored, considering the first 20 minutes or so are random clips thrown together with no coherent transitions between them, so I’ll just deal with the aspects that interest me. 

1. Kei breaking bad and the ills of tokenism

Mao confesses her “sins” to Kei which include a lukewarm sense of revenge and a lack of reasonable online practice (such as not trusting people online.) Her story is clumsily connected to the incident where a PSB inspector died and the other one was institutionalized. It would’ve been mildly interesting if Mao had been the active agent in informing Asuzawa of the investigation because of rightful anger at a perceived injustice, causing the death of someone in Division 1 (Irie, for example) and then having a redemption arc where she helps bring the sucker down. But no, we get the story of a coward who got involved with bad people, got scared, and hasn’t followed any of their instructions since, hoping that they’ll forget about her. 

So the writers have her telling this story to Kei, just so that they can justify his ambivalence later in the episode. What if, he too, could get what he wanted? So many ways to plant the seeds of this internal conflict that we now have to explain to ourselves because the writers didn’t have the time for it. Instead Kei frowns, grunts and punches so that we, the viewers, can see he’s upset. But where’s the chipping away at an inherent sense of morality and at his psyche to the point where he’s abating a congressman in his escape? What’s the switch?  Some people say it’s Maiko, even though just one episode before Kei was telling her that they should believe in Sibyl and that her hue will recover. So which is it? Does he trust the system or does he not? Why do we have to guess? Where was all this ambivalence throughout the season? The writers could’ve set up his internal conflict so much better, tie it with the corrupt ideals of the terrorists, show him tempted to go down that path. He’s the immigrant, he’s the one who can offer the point of view that’s so muddled and lazily written for the other immigrants.  

Time to start cooking meth, Kei. 

To add insult to injury, Kei becomes a Fox not because of a deliberate, motivated decision, but because, like Mao, he clicked the wrong link and now he owes them a favor. What if they hand’t spent the whole season demeaning the power of Sibyl, putting it in the background as an inconvenience, instead of a real system of control with real consequences (the, ummm, whole premise of Psycho-Pass)? Just how the whole terrorist plot was rationalized as a way to make Sibyl “pay for its crimes against immigrants,” even though we don’t see what actual crimes Sibyl committed, why it committed them, we don’t even know what Sibyl’s stance is in regards discrimination and xenophobia. Crap on a cracker, we don’t even know why Sibyl deemed that allowing immigrants in was a good idea. They could’ve set up Maiko and Kei as protagonists of this season, giving us their point of view as conflicted immigrants who survived war and famine, who have to dye their hair, answer “yes ma’am,” endure xenophobic insults and be powerless in order to keep each other. Have them lose each other, their own values, their own morality as power appears in the form of an invitation to be a fox and get back at the system. Have Maiko be deemed a latent criminal who’s beyond all recovery be the switch, but that would only work if Sibyl is still the big, bad guy and Bifrost appears as the preferable bad guy in the eyes of Kei.  Give us flashbacks of Maiko and Kei’s traumas together, show us why he’d make the decision to flip to have her back with him. A reason doesn't not equal a motivation. The latter suggest a process, an acquiring of a view through experience, a lie that the character believes or a truth that they hold. “Maiko’s been in jail for a day, so I accidentally became a fox” would be laughable (and believable) if one didn’t care an ounce for this show. 

It seems like the writers wanted the world of Psycho-Pass to be relevant to today’s issues and so they used the topic of immigration to signal that. It worked in the PP Movie (warlords, refugees, etc) because they had kept the same philosophical thread about human will, power and systems of authority since Season 1. The complexities of that dialogue are lost in this season. They wanted to make some characters neutral, such as Karina or Venerable Auma, or the sister or O’Bryan, have them pass as misunderstood or misjudged and have the whole conflict of immigration be a problem that could be resolved if all these people just got together and sang Kumbaya. 

2. Arata is Jesus and Asuzawa is a troll

When you need other characters to remind you of the importance of the protagonist or the villain, it’s perhaps because those characters are poorly written and can’t stand out on their own. When Toyohisa Senguji smokes from a pipe made from the bones of Rikako Oryo, you know the man is the most sinister psychopath that was spawned upon the earth. You don’t need anyone to tell you that. 

Arata seems to have a destiny imprinted on him that he is special, or so we’re told. Sybil wants to integrate him, Mika wants him to stay a detective, the Bifrost is interested in him, his father appeared to be an important dude, yet I can’t think of a single thing he’s done that’s special or unique. He could’ve also have much more of an internal conflict, but we only get hints (yes, even in the last episode) that his dad was a complete prick. It’s never clear beyond “curiosity for humans” what his deal with Karina is and why he gives her a pass, to the point of snubbing Kei, even when Karina is a total hypocrite who fired her immigrant secretary. Yes, the one who threw herself in front of her kidnappers to protect her. 

It happened right after she donated her kidney to me, true, but she did always put too much sugar in my coffee. I can’t have someone like that in my team! 

With Asuzawa something similar happens. He’s called “clever” and “cunning” and we’re meant to believe it. He’s supposed to be deft, predicting the next bend of the road, being two steps ahead of everyone, but that takes time to write, so instead let’s make both the MWPSB and MOFA look incompetent and let’s have Asuzawa be called a “mastermind” just because. The whole mission to capture him is ridiculous. Asuzawa meets the congressman, says he’s going for smokes and never comes back. Kei meets him, helps him escape. Kogami and Ginoza let the pathfinders escape again. The only new revelation we have about him is that he’s an ex-enforcer who was tortured by Arata’s dad. According to Asuzawa’s secretary, Shindo senior used to manipulate people with his powers. 

Who you callin’ Spookie Boogie? I’m known in the commufield as Growly Grumpy. Credit to @azweidos​ 

3. Locking horns for incompetence

Finally the MOFA and the MWPSB meet to share intel on the Bifrost and they know as much as we know, but this meeting was needed because otherwise they couldn’t have inserted Kogami and Gino in the whole mission to tackle Asuzawa. Mika and Frederica are still competing to see which one of them is more obnoxious, while Asuzawa leaves through the front door of the building as if he hadn’t caused 95 of the 100 traffic accidents in Tokyo that year. 

Well, so much for carrying a gun! Not an obstacle for this octogenarian. 

4. In defense of criticism

There’s this general feeling nowadays that criticizing something means you’re spreading negativity, like we’re supposed to be part of a like-minded cult or a mental hive like Sibyl that’s perpetually content, even when given a mediocre product. The problem with this season is precisely that: it’s not bad. It’s perfectly mediocre. And it’s not because the old Division 1 isn’t there. It’s not because Akane is in jail (and we still don’t know why). It’s because they couldn’t deal with the elements that they themselves created for this season. The idea of the world of Psycho-Pass spreading is brilliant, the idea of an elite that’s exempt from Sibyl's judgement is brilliant, the idea of an outsider point of view is brilliant, but they overestimated their own abilities and underestimated their viewers. There’s only so much disbelief and rationale we can suspend before we realize they’re playing us like a fiddle. There’s only so much a villain can grin to hint at us that they knew what they were doing all along. 

Some argue that this is because the creators want to make Psycho-Pass into a franchise as if that means everything and anything is justified to the point of bastardizing the ideas of the show and reaching the point of absurdity where it parodies itself (you think I didn’t notice those Madeleines?) Is the hope of the creators to bury Psycho-Pass into the ground while they laugh their way to the bank? Why should I care about their money, or how much money they hope to make? I care about the end product and that’s what I base my judgement on. 

5. The Shinkane reunion 

See, the creators aren't dumb. They knew they had to bait us somehow because this season alone won’t stand. Not only that, but they know us so well they saved their budget to keep the best quality for this scene. I’ll just paste what I said about it yesterday.

I thought it was sweet how Akane backpedals against the door with a tinge of pleasure on her face, like she wants to hear his voice and feel that he’s on the other side. I loved the smiles they gave to each other and how he comforts her. I think it’s evident this is not the first time he visits her. 

It was lovely. It would’ve been lovelier if it had been tied to the overarching plot of this season, but that plot barely held itself together. So let’s bask on those few seconds we got until they bait us again to watch the 2020 movie. 

[words-writ-in-starlight]

head&etc-canon meme for leverage, source & shield, and/or x men?

Let’s not PLAY, okay, we’re doing S&S, I love my most obscure children.  Someone else PLEASE read these books, they are so good.

Headcanon

Lee’s relationship with her mother remains…somewhat contentious.  Any progress that might have been made after Teshia’s visit to High Scape suffers serious consequences after the whole Marcus debacle.  Also, Lee holds somewhat of a grudge over her mother chastising Taro, during that dinner with his mother all those years ago.

Mika and Dias, on the other hand, have recently discovered that their sister is actually Fucking Radical, and go out of their way to stay in touch.  Mika tries to come visit whenever he can, and quietly configures the Mallorough trading empire to have a reason to send Dias into Lee’s general vicinity.  Also, while he was drunk that one time, Taro let slip to Dias that he spent eleven years essentially locked in a single room, and Mika and Dias have decided that they will brutally murder anyone who crosses their new brother.  

Heartcanon

Taro goes to his mother’s funeral.  He goes to the Dowager Bitch’s funeral, and we all know that Lee goes with him, and it’s miserable and awful and nightmarish for both of them.  Fiona appreciates them being there–it’s good for the Flown Raven residents to see the last surviving Karish there, their never-lord Source with his Shield–and quietly arranges for a bottle of very fine brandy to be sent up to their rooms after.  Lee cajoles Taro into drinking a few fingers worth and then lying down with his head in her lap, and she strokes his hair while he stares at nothing in particular.

“You know,” Taro says, hours and several more glasses of brandy between them later, which isn’t smart but, gods and spirits and forces and anyone else listening, he needs the world to be a little blunted and Lee will take responsibility, if anything happens, “she came to my room sometimes, when I was a child.”

Lee closes her eyes where he can’t see and thinks I don’t want to hear this and says, “Hm.”

“Not often,” he says, in that neutral aristocrat’s voice that she hates.  “Maybe four or five times.  She would ask if I could control myself yet, make sure I knew my etiquette and my table manners.”  He pauses, and she goes on stroking his hair.  “And then she would leave, when I said something strange, without even saying a word.”

“That bitch didn’t deserve you,” Lee says, fiercer than she might be if it wasn’t past midnight and she wasn’t edging toward drunk.  She forces her hand steady in Taro’s hair, every black strand thick and water-smooth in her fingers.

“I missed her so much when she left,” Taro says, blank, confused, like he’s that child all over again, locked up alone.  “I hated her, but I missed her so much.”  Another long silence.  “Why do I still miss her?”

Lee doesn’t have an answer for that, but Taro doesn’t seem to need one.  There’s a damp spot on Lee’s thigh where his temple rests against her leg.  By morning, he’s all out of tears, and the bottle is empty, and he’s…better, Lee thinks tentatively.  Like maybe he needed a night to grieve everything he never had, in order to bury it all with his mother and move on.

Gutcanon

Three weeks into Aryne’s reign, someone tries to cozy up to Lee, hoping to go through her to Taro and thereby Flown Raven, and also to the Empress herself.  Taro rolls up immediately and announces that he’s been sent by the Empress to find his wife, oh, of course, sorry, his Shield, he forgets sometimes that it’s not common knowledge.  Lee slowly cocks an eyebrow at him as he chases off the would-be social climber (you could even call them an erstwhile social climber), and he says, “Listen, I know we sort of pretended it wasn’t an issue in Flown Raven, but things here are different, people will try to use you–”

Lee lets him ramble for a while before she says, “We could do it again.”

“–and I know you can take care of yourself–excuse me?”

“We could get married again.”

“That’s–you know that’s not how marriage works, right?”

Lee gives him her most Shield-like look of patience, the one that made him so angry at her in the early days.  “One of those rededication things, then.  You know what I mean.  Since you’ve already told the entire grapevine.”

“You would–do that?”

“Sure,” Lee says.  “We’ve already broken that rule to bits, might as well do it again in the public eye.  And,” she allows, because she prides herself on being honest, even when that means being nice, “I like being married to you.”

It’s not often that Lee can induce Shintaro Karish, Stallion of the Triple S, to blush, but it sure is a rush when she can.

Junkcanon

If this was any other book series, I would be sitting here speculating wildly about Taro pining horribly over Lee and That One Time In Book Three With The Sex Magic and his reputation as a player but instead all of those things are hard canon.  God, I love Heroes Adrift, ft The Guiltiest Bitterest Orgasm.  Why isn’t more sex pollen fic based around “A (willfully ignorant) and B (pining horrifically) almost fuck because A is affected and B isn’t aware, B realizes and leaves feeling terrible, A waits out the effects while B shamefully gets off to the memory, and T H E N they fuck.”  Thank you Ms Moore for my life.  Thank you for confirming that Taro, whose entire social reputation is as a charmer and a player, has slept with a total of two people since meeting this snippy cold redhead that he loves.

What was I saying?

Taro goes down on Lee like he’s being graded.  Lee’s had sex before, the Academies are pretty isolated and she’s fooled around with plenty of people, but they were all Shields, which is not to say that they were selfish or reserved or anything, but she’s never been with someone who gets so much open and obvious satisfaction out of making her come.  Taro is a Source to the bone, around Lee, with his heart in her hands and every emotion on his face for her to see, and the way he hums into the crease of her thigh when she’s been reduced to a gasping wreck is highly destructive to her rational thought processes.

For Taro’s part, making Lee relinquish some of her Shieldly control is.  A personal achievement under any circumstances.  And he’s very proud of himself.

Spleencanon

These books are somehow languishing in complete obscurity rather than being hailed as the neurodivergent fantasy soulmates Pride and Prejudice they are.

Anyway, the song Hanahaki by molly ofgeography is really phenomenal for Taro/Lee (you can try, you can try, but the thorns//still cut your careful hands//so you left your love untended//and it grew in reprimand), and therefore I give you: Beauty and the Beast AU.

Lee is not saying that her brother is a lovelorn idiot, but she’s also not not saying that, so it takes a day or two for it to become concerning that Dias is late back from the city market.  Then his horse comes back alone, and Lee glances at Mika, and there’s a beat of silence as they argue mutely over who’s going.  Lee wins, of course, because Mika is their mastermind and he can’t be running off two days before the new shop opens.  Their parents would never forgive them.  Lee is a good tailor but nothing special, and Mika does their books, so.  Lee is going to find their wayward brother.

Lee finds said brother in a castle, prisoner of a beast, and for the first time…ever, maybe, she does something reckless.

Taro, who’s been here ever since his mother arranged for him to be cursed out of the family line, by whatever means a somewhat unethical sorcereress with a sick sense of humor felt appropriate (it’s Green, ft her sidekick Gifford, because we all know that’s the reality of it), is so impressed that he lets her.

Ft: candlestick!Aryne, grandfather clock!Saint-Gerard, duster!Druce (yes, this is for the alliteration), wardrobe!Risa, etc.  There isn’t really a Gaston–Lee is arranged to marry Marcus still, but neither of them are especially into that concept, and Mika and Dias are very intent on storming the castle to get Lee back, but when she stomps out the front door in the nicest gown they’ve ever seen and knocks their heads together, they cease and desist.

No, the real problem is when the noble Karishes get word that someone may, in fact, be close to breaking the curse.

The Dowager Duchess’ tune has changed, somewhat, now that the boy she cursed into a monster is her last living heir, and she wants him back to do his duty to the family–free of any foolish attachments to a merchant’s daughter.

[comicgeekscomicgeek]

Their Hero Academia –The Sports Festival: Bonus Round!

Their Hero Academia – Chapter 38: The Sports Festival Part 11: End Credits

Presenting the next raw and unedited chapter of my on-going, next-gen, My Hero Academia fic, Their Hero Academia!

Earlier chapters can be found here

If ever there was going to be a day for Villains to get up to something, Izuku thought, this would have been it.  Some of the highest ranked Heroes in the country were in the VIP box at the Sports Festival stadium, and he knew many more were also in the audience in the stands. In the box with him were Ochaco, Kacchan and Eijiro, Shoto and Momo, Tenya and Mei, Pony, and Tetsutetsu.  Tetsutetsu could have been in the teacher’s box with Itsuka, but with Minoru working, he had volunteered to accompany Pony.

Izuku was glad that Mirio had agreed to take watch in the Agency today, so that he could attend. Mom was here too, in the teacher’s box with Dad.  Some of his other friends were in the stands too, like Hitoshi and Camie and Mashiro and Toru.  Others were working or watching on TV at home.  

Down in front of them, his youngest daughter, Mako, sat on the floor with Kacchan’s youngest, Tai. The two were only a few months apart in age and had been good friends pretty much their entire lives.  His middle daughter, Hana, stood in the back of the room, barely looking up from her cellphone.  He should probably have said something, but that was an uphill battle and he wasn’t really interested in fighting it today.  

“Big Sister’s going to win!” Tai said.

“Nuh-uh!” Mako countered, crossing her arms.  “You’re wrong, Tai!  Toshi’s going to win!”

“Nuh-uh!”

“Uh-huh!”

“Nuh-uh!”

“Uh-huh!”

“Hey.”  Before Izuku could speak up, Kacchan had, bending down next to the two five year olds.  He put a hand on each of their shoulders.  “What did I tell you, Tai?”

The little blond looked up at his dad, thinking for a moment.  “That… it doesn’t matter who wins, so long as everybody does their best?”

“Right,” Kacchan said, giving both children a smile.  “So it’s okay to want Katsumi or Toshi to win.  But you shouldn’t fight about it, okay?”

“Okay,” Tai said.

“Okay,” Mako added.  

“Good,” Kacchan said, before returning to his seat.

Ochaco turned her head to look at Kacchan.  “That was some pretty Plus Ultra parenting, Katsuki,” she said.  They were pretty lucky overall.  Mako was about as well-behaved as you could expect from a five year old girl and Toshi had been an incredibly stress free child to raise (except for the part when his Quirk had come in and they’d had to tie him to his bed to keep him from floating off in his sleep).  Hana was their biggest problem and even that was more teenage moodiness than anything.

“Of course it was,” Kacchan said.  “I’m good at everything.  Why wouldn’t I be good at parenting?”

“Very manly pareting, Bakubabe,” Eijiro said, sitting on Kacchan’s left, next to Izuku.

Izuku laughed at that. Some things never changed.

“You just keep on believing that,” Shoto said, sitting on the other side of Kacchan.

“What’s that supposed to mean, IcyHot?”

“I think you know what it means.”

“Oh, it is good to see you both!”  A new voice interrupted them and from behind, huge arms wrapped themselves around Shoto and Kacchan.  

“You?” Kacchan growled, trying to slip out of the big man’s grasp.  “What’re you doing here?  You kid doesn’t even go to this school!”

Inasa just laughed. “Are you kidding?” he asked.  “I love U.A.!”

“Oh.  Yoarashi.  How… good… to see you.”  Shoto was trying to look pleased, but failing miserably at it. Inasa didn’t notice though.  He never did.  No matter how much Kacchan or Shoto tried to express their displeasure with him, he just assumed they were friends.

Not surprising that he’d gotten an invitation, though.  He was the Number Five Hero currently, even if he wasn’t a U.A. graduate.

“Besides,” Inasa added, “my son really wanted to see his girlfriend compete!  How could I say no?”

“Someone’s dating that psychotic cyclone you call a kid?” Kacchan asked.

“Yes!” Inasa bellow. “I haven’t met her yet, but he talks about her constantly!  I believe her name is Mika!”

Pony perked up at that. “Oh!  Then you must be Shinji’s dad!  Come sit by me!  We should talk… especially since Minny doesn’t know about him yet.”

“If you are all done,” Tenya said, standing, arms chopping through the air, “the Festival is about to start!  May I suggest you all pay our children and their classmates the attention they deserve?”

Izuku settled in, taking Ochaco’s hand in his.  Something told him this was going to be an amazing show.

***

“So anyway,” Eijiro said, “I decided to do one of those DNA ancestry things, ‘cause, you know, I only really know about one of my moms for bio family.  Turns out somebody with the same bio-dad as me did too!  I’ve got a half-brother out there somewhere!”

“Bro!” Tetsutetsu piped up, from the other end of the row.  “That’s so weird! I did the same thing, and it turns out I’ve got a half-brother too!  What a coincidence!  That’s just freaky!”

Izuku watched as Kacchan looked between his husband and Tetsutetsu.  He’d known his friend long enough to see the war going on behind his eyes. He was considering whether or not to say anything and what he’d have to deal with if he did.   There was a quiet, tense moment in the room.

“Yeah,” Kacchan added eventually, “really flipping weird.”

Pony gave her former classmate a funny look.  “Maybe… you two are brothers?” she tried.

Tetsutetsu laughed hard at that, slapping a hand against his knee.  “Oh, that’s a good one, Pony!  Can you imagine that, Eijiro?”

Eijiro laughed just as loud. “Real good one,” he agreed. “We’re a lot alike, Pony, but brothers? Nah.  That’s just silly.”

“But…” Pony began.

Kacchan locked eyes with her.  “Just let it go.”

“Guys,” Izuku interrupted, “look!”

Below, on the obstacle course, one of his son’s classmates, Isamu Haimawari, was racing across the finish line, with several of the others not far behind.  It wans’t long before they crossed.  As each of their kids crossed the finish line, cheers went up from the parents.

“So that’s the kid Izumi was talking about,” Shoto said.  “Pretty impressive speed.”

“Strange,” Tenya said. “His Quirk reminds me of something my brother once told me, but I cannot place where…”

“Fast guy, that’s for sure,” Mei agreed.  “Bet he could use some better gear though…”

“Not everything requires additional gear, Mei, useful though it may be.”

“You take that back right now, Tenya, or you’re sleeping on the couch.”

“I…” Tenya sputtered. “…Yes, dear.”

“Quite the display of teamwork,” Momo noted.

“I noticed that too,” Izuku agreed.  “They combined mobility-based Quirks with offensive power, letting them watch each other’s backs while still moving forward.  Not a one hundred percent one to one match, but I think they mostly compensated pretty well…  Might have been a little better to align both Twins with someone with Quirk with more of a projectile Quirk to clear the way, but…”

Ochaco gave his hand a squeeze.  “Deku?” she said.  “You’re muttering.”

He felt a little bit of a blush spread to his cheeks.  “Oops. Sorry.”

“Once a dweeb, always a dweeb,” Kacchan said.  He shook his head.  “The team-up thing had to be Toshi’s idea.  Your kid’s always thinking about other people.”

Izuku felt a stirring of pride.  That did sound like Toshi.  Ever since he was little, he’d always been looking out for his friends and sisters. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Good strategy… but I think they’re in for an earful from Aizawa over it.”

Hana actually looked up from her phone for a minute.  “Dork actually came up with a pretty good plan.  Surprising.”

***

As Quirkball got underway, Shoto leaned over so he could look around Kacchan.  “You know,” he said, “I heard a rumor about this year’s Hero Class.”

Izuku turned his attention away from the field for a moment.  He hadn’t heard any rumors, but he also admitted that sometimes, he was a little disconnected from things.  An unfortunate happenstance created by some of the distance that came with being the Number One Hero.  “Oh?” he asked.  “What’s that?”

He could have sworn he was something in Shoto’s eyes, but decided it was just his imagination.  “I have heard that one of the kids in this year’s crop of Hero students is secretly Deku’s child.”

Instantly, he felt Ochaco’s grip on his hand grow tighter.   “What?” she asked.  Despite having no reason to, Izuku suddenly felt in great fear for his life.

“Oh, yes,” Shoto said, his voice even and unchanging.  “Just a rumor of course, but it seems quite plausible.”

He paused for a moment, then went on.  “My money is on the girl with the purple hair and horns.”

There was a silent moment, before it was broken by Pony’s braying laughter.  Ochaco’s grip on his hand relaxed slightly and he could feel circulation return to his fingers.

“Shoto,” Ochaco growled, “that was terrible!”

“I’ve been trying to work on my jokes,” he replied.

Next to Shoto, Momo was burying her head in her hands.  She finally looked up.   “I must apologize for him…”

Izuku waved it off, a smile tugging on his lips as he thought back to his first Sports Festival and the accusations Shoto had hurled at him then.  He might not have been All Might’s love child, but Toshinori had become his father in every way that counted a few years later.  Something that hadn’t gone uncommented on by Shoto at the time either.

“Leave the comedy to somebody with a sense of humor, IcyHot,” Kacchan growled.  “’cause you sure ain’t funny.”

“Be nice, Bakubabe,” Eijiro said, giving Kacchan a playful punch in the arm.  

“It was only a joke, Bakugo,” Shoto said.  “No reason to… explode.”

“Was that a fucking pun?!”

“Bakugo!” Tenya shouted. “Control your language!  There are children present!”

***

Izuku was impressed with what he had seen so far.  As a parent, of course, he was most focused on Toshi, but all the students who had made it through the first two rounds had done amazingly.  Lots of General Studies students who’d made it through the first round too, which was always good, even if only one of them had made it to the Tournament round.   Kocho was definitely skilled; he wondered how she wasn’t in the Hero Course to begin with.  Maybe he’d talk to Dad about it later.  What he’d seen so far was pretty impressive.  It was ultimately the faculty’s decision, but the word from a seasoned Pro Hero like him would go pretty far.

It was when Izumi and Katsumi came up to fight that things got tense.

“Okay,” he said.  “We knew this was going to happen.  Everybody relax.  Remember, the kids are all friends and this is just a friendly competition.”

Nevertheless, he could see Shoto and Kacchan were shooting each other uneasy glances already and not a single blow had been thrown.

Eijiro leaned forward in his seat.  “Is she… giving up?”  

“Why would she not want to fight Izumi?” Shoto asked, rubbing his chin.

“…I’m sure she has her reasons,” Momo said, and Izuku was glad for it.  Shoto was… not good at interpreting relationships.  It was enough of a dodge that none of them had to explain it to him.

“How unsportsmanlike!” Tenya yelled.  “She is doing Izumi a great dishonor!”

Kacchan leaned forward to. “C’mon, kid.  Remember what I taught you…”

Fortunately for all involved, it looked like Katsumi was going to fight after all.  

“All right!” Eijiro yelled, jumping up from his seat.  “Kick her ass, Honey!”

That got him a horrified look from Momo.  “Eijiro! How could you say something like that?!”

Eijiro plopped back down in his seat, looking embarrassed.  “Sorry,” he said.  “I got carried away.”

“I can’t look!” Inasa lamented, hand over his eyes.  “The children of two of my best friends!  How can I decide who to root for?!”

“Root for my daughter!” Kacchan growled.  “You all better be rooting for her!  It’s her first fight!”

“It’s Izumi’s too,” Shoto corrected him.  

“Shut up, IcyHot! She’s gonna kick your kid’s ass!”

“I doubt that.”

“You wanna bet?!”

“Shoto… Kacchan…” Izuku began, getting up just in case he had to separate them.  This was going to be tense.

***

“Oh, that’s going be awkward,” Izuku said, as they watched Toshi and Sora Iida take the field to fight each other.  

“Look at our baby!” Mei yelled, wrapping her arms around Tenya.  “I’m so proud of her!  She’s gonna kick his ass!”

Tenya frowned.  “Mei, while the spirit of competition should be embraced, you can at least be civil about it…”

The pink-haired inventor shrugged.  “I said what I said.”

“We haven’t really talked about the fact that the kids are dating, have we?” Ochaco asked.  “How’re you holding up with both of yours dating, Tenya?”

Izuku was certain he saw a slight twitch to Tenya’s left eye.  Tenya lived what was, to all outside appearances, a very stressful life, with his mad scientist wife and equally excitable children, but he seemed very content and always spoke glowingly of them all.  Perhaps the chaos was welcome in his otherwise structured and ordered life.

“It has been… challenging,” Tenya said after a moment, “to realize just how much they are growing. I trust Toshi to be a perfect gentleman, of course, and I am trying to think kindly of Takuma.”

“Better not let Mina hear you say that,” Izuku replied.  “But I appreciate the vote of confidence.  Assuming they don’t break up over this, I know Toshi will treat Sora right.”

He admitted, he’d been surprised when Toshi had told them about it.  Their son had always gotten along fine with all of the other kids, male or female, but had always seemed a bit nervous around female attention. Granted, a lot of that had come from Mika Mineta, who would make just about anybody nervous…

“Well, at least Sora’s first Sports Festival will not go like mine did,” Tenya said.  Finding out his brother had been brutally assaulted… Yeah, that probably colored his memories some.

“Well, it was when I first started thinking about you, Tenny,” Mei told him.  “So it ain’t all bad.”

Tenya blushed at that. “There is also that,” he agreed.

“We should get together some time, though,” Izuku said.  “See if Mina and Hanta want to come.  Get together with the kids.”

“Oh, that’s a great idea, Deku!” Ochaco said.  “It’ll be like a quintuple date!  Mina will love it!”

There was that twitch of Tenya’s again…

“Toshi’s doing better than I did too,” Izuku said.  “No broken bones!  And he’s really picked up some of Gran’s style…”

***

“Oh, you should have seen her, honey!” Pony said into her phone.  “She was amazing!  Yes, love you too.  We’ll watch it together tonight!”

There were a lot of words to describe Mika Mineta’s first fight in the Tournament, but Izuku wasn’t exactly sure that “amazing” was one of them.  She’d certainly outwitted her opponent, but it was hard to exactly call it a “clean” win.  All was fair game, he supposed, but some of the things that had come out of her mouth…

Inasa grinned broadly. “I see what my son sees in her! Such a lively young lady!”

Pony hung up the phone. “Minny has a big blind spot where Mika is concerned,” she said.  “But I’m not sure it’s big enough for this.  That is going to be a very awkward conversation.”

Next to her, Tetsutetsu just laughed.  “She really does take after him, doesn’t she?  You really turned that guy around, Pony.”

The horned-woman shrugged at that.  “Minny just needed somebody who wasn’t going to immediately reject him.  Maybe he kind of tricked me the first time, but he proved he was a sweetheart underneath it.  …And also really good with his hands and tongue and other things.”

Kacchan looked like he was going to explode.  “I could have gone my whole life without hearing that.”

Pony frowned and carried on like she hadn’t heard him,  “But Mika spends a lot of her time thinking about boys.  And girls.  And everything and everyone in-between.  I worry it might get her into trouble someday.”

“She’s not nearly as bad as he was,” Momo said, from the other end of the row of chairs.  If anyone was certified to speak up on it, it would be her.  Momo had been the target of Minoru’s unwanted attentions and worse more than anyone.  “Mika’s got her problems, but at least she’s not a lawsuit waiting to happen.”

Ochaco nodded along. “No offense, Pony, but before he met you, he was, well, I don’t think any of us liked him very much.”

“I know,” she said. “He told me all of this, when we started to get serious.”

“Pretty manly of him, owning up to everything,” Eijiro admitted.

“You’re still planning on giving her an offer, right, Tenya?” Pony asked, big eyes hopeful and wide.

“I am,” Tenya agreed. “I will do my best to give her some more rigorous discipline, but I can make no promises.”

Pony nodded at that. “I hate to do anything to dampen her spirit, but she’s going to need to buckle down eventually.  Even Minny figured that one out.”

“Your kid’s a freak,” Kacchan said, drawing an angry squawk from Pony and stares of disapproval from everyone else.  “But she’s fighting with everything she’s got.  That’s something to be proud of.”

Leave it to Kacchan to get straight to the point…

***

“Who the hell is this kid?” Kacchan growled, as they watched Isamu Haimawari dodge more of Izumi’s attacks.  He waved a hand in the vague direction of the arena.  “Skills like that don’t just come out of nowhere! Who’s been teaching him?!”

Izuku put a hand on his chin, watching as the young man zipped around the ring.  “I’m sure I’ve read about something with that kind of Quirk before,” he said.  “Not a Pro-Hero though, but then where?  Maybe a Vigilante?  I didn’t really follow those, but sometimes they were pretty hard to ignore…”

Where had he seen a Quirk like that before?  High mobility, yes, but also some kind of adhesion?  And some kind of repulsive force?  Very versatile, that was for sure.  And it was easy to see why Toshi spoke so highly of Haimawari. Without wanting to brag too much… their kids all had quite the advantage and leg up over a lot of the other students. That he was competing on their level was a testament to his dedication.

But it definitely meant he’d had someone training him, someone who knew what they were doing.

Either way, the kid looked like he was going to go far.  Izuku was impressed, to be sure.  And it was looking like the bookies were going to be mad at him again…

“I could swear, I remember my brother mentioning the name Haimawari once or twice too,” Tenya said.

Izuku looked over at Shoto and Momo.  Both of them were leaning forward slightly, holding hands, tension radiating off of both of them.  He didn’t blame them.  Izumi’s childhood illness after her exposure to…   No, not the time or the place to be reflecting on it.  But he couldn’t begrudge them their concern.  She’d nearly died as a child and still suffered lingering effects.  She’d done amazing well so far, making it to the Top Eight finalists.  And even after collapsing after fighting Katsumi, she’d managed to get back in the fight.

That girl had real courage, that was for sure.

“C’mon on, Izumi,” Momo said quietly, “you can do this…”

Which was when Haimawari barreled into Izzy, sending them both tumbling until she came to rest with her head just outside the ring.

Shoto was on his feet in an instant.  “That rat bastard!  I’ll kill him!  How dare he lay a hand on her!”

Momo was on her feet too, equally agitated, but her face lined with worry.  “Is she…?”

There was a breathless moment as they all waited to see what had happened to Izumi, broken only when Haimawari helped her to her feet.

“What a fight!” Insana yelled, so loudly and suddenly that it nearly jolted Pony out of her seat.

“Such a manly display!” Eijiro and Tetsutetsu both shouted, both jumping out of their seats, their body language nearly identicial.

“She didn’t pass out!” Momo yelled, relief blooding into her voice.  “She’s all right!  She’s all right!”   Tears filled her eyes as she pulled Shoto into a tight hug.

“She did good,” Shoto agreed, quietly.  He wasn’t nearly as emotional as his wife, but for someone who had known him as long as Izuku had, he was just as relieved and nearly on the verge of tears himself.

“I thought…” Momo went on, “I thought, when she wanted to keep fighting, that we were making the wrong choice letting her.  I guess I missed just how strong she is.”

“We both did,” Shoto agreed. “I talked you into it… but I wasn’t nearly as sure as I sounded.  Guess we’ve raised a pretty remarkable young Hero.”

They sure had, Izuku thought.  They sure had.

***

The results were in. Toshi sharing Third Place with Koharu Kocho, Mika Mineta in Second, and Isamu Haimawari in First.  

“<She did it!>” Pony yelled, jumping up and down excitedly, possibly unaware she’d slipped back into using English.  “<Second place!  Did you see, Tetsu?  Did you see?>”

“We saw, Pony,” Tetsutetsu said.  “We saw! Don’t worry!”

Inasa let out a laugh. “Amazing!  What a fantastic upset this year!  Where else but U.A.?!”

“Yay, Toshi!” Mako said, dancing happily.  Next to her, Tai was cheering too.  Izuku looked over and he was pretty sure he even saw Hana crack a smile.

“I don’t flippin’ believe it,” Kacchan growled.  “This is one for the record books.”

“Believe it, Kacchan,” Izuku said.  “You know as well I do anything can happen at the Sports Festival.”

Up to and including maybe him breaking his rule about scouting highly placed finishers…

[lostsoulaltair]

OnS Theories (S4). Third Theory - The reason of Guren's betrayal

Well, we've reached a lot of theories so far, the manga keeps delivering punches to the point it makes us generate more doubts instead of answers. Even so, the most fascinating thing is the fact that Guren will betray everyone.

So far, the only persons who've been wary of Guren were Shinoa who we will discard due to her current situation and Mika. (Yes, I feel bad for him, he's been like: God damm it, are you blind!?) Anyways; Mika has been the one with the lead in relation with not trusting Guren and humanity but of course, we can't say all humans are evil, at least the Mitsuba squad is the sole exception.

Now, returning to the topic, why is Guren so focused on following Mahiru's plan? What can he earn or gain by following her knowing all the stuff she did when she was alive?

Well, to begin with, Mahiru's plan has been a mystery for now, back in the time of the catastrophe, Mahiru's goal was to protect Guren and Shinoa. So far, that has been a real statement, she gave Guren a cursed gear in order to make him survive the Apocalypse, and managed to delay Shinoa's possession until the current timeline, and the only thing Guren can earn so far are two things, one being the restoration of the whole world by leading the first, Rigr, the JIDA and the vampires to the end. giving that sacrifice, it would be good enough to restore or at least create a havoc to the world to the point only Almighty may pay attention. The second thing Guren can earn, is finally resting in peace.

What do I mean with this? So far, Mahiru has pointed out that Guren can barely stand the curse of the demon, such thing happened in chapter 56, when Mahiru asked Guren about why he dragged his friends with him, noticing that Guren's heart is breaking apart for all the things he knows and the things he must keep in order to keep his goal in mind instead of going stray.

Therefore, Guren is actually delaying his time of death in order to do the correct thing even if it means betraying everyone, and that means keeping up with the dangerous deals Mahiru kept with four persons in the whole Seraph Universe, those being: Rigr Stafford, Krul Tepes, Tenri Hiragi and lastly and no less, Sika Madu himself.

Let's start with the possible deals Mahiru did in the past or at least explain what those deals consisted in relation with the information gathered so far thanks ot the Light Novels and the manga story itself.

First of all, the deal between Tenri and Mahiru. Mahiru and Tenri made a deal after Shinoa was born, what do I mean? Well, we know Mahiru loved Guren from the bottom of her heart and that's something Kureto himself knew all along because he always saw Mahiru from afar and understood her suffering. (Light Novel, Guren Ichinose Catastrophe at 16, vol 6 if you're curious about it). Mahiru could do whatever she wanted to a certain extend because she was a genious, she knew how to be around her father until Shinoa arrived to her life. Mahiru didn't want Shinoa to go through the same stuff she did and that was exactly the moment Tenri noticed Mahiru's weakness as he claimed. He held Shinoa as a hostage in order to make Mahiru cooperate with him in order to bring the destruction of the world in relation with the experiment. As long as she kept her word, Shinoa wouldn't be experimented on nor she would be treatened or anything. That deal was fulfilled to a certain extend; such deal will relate with the next person.

The deal between Rigr and Mahiru. The deal between those two came as a matter of time; at first, Rigr did know that Mahiru was going to be the next head of the Hiragi family, therefore, he wanted to make them lose that sight making her meet Guren Ichinose, what he would not expect was the feeling that would born between those two. Now, how did they enter into contact? Well, this has a lot to do with Tenri. Tenri was aware that someone wanted to interfer with the plans of the First Progenitor or more likely as how he addressed him, an old cursed god; and the Hyakuya Sect in those years prior to the Catastrophe, had power, money and technology to keep up with the experiments the JIDA couldn't keep up with; therefore, Mahiru was sent to work with them undercover, but, knowing Mahiru, she did plan on betraying both sides, the first side being the Hiragi family itself, and at the same time, the Hyakuya Sect; Mahiru did check up the experiments they were hooked up with and managed to gather information thanks to Rigr but, without the fact that he didn't know Mahiru was possessed not by one but two demons until she manifested Shikama Doji on a spare battle against Rigr. What does this mean? That Mahiru planned this betrayal since the beginning, even so that would consist on gathering information by having Sika Madu observe everything without giving any sign of being there, allowing Rigr lower his guard down whenever she talked with Mahiru to a certain extend.

Rigr was wary of Mahiru but not to the point of knowing that the first progenitor would be hiding by the name of Shikama Doji.

The deal between Rigr and Mahiru consisted on both working togethere with the sole purpose to find a way to evade the Catastrophe. Rigr was working on the Seraph of the End experiment not with the intention to end the world but instead the latter; he wanted to defend it from the dangers the Hiragi family and the first were aiming at.

The reason why Rigr worked with the Seraph of the End was to ensure he could create seraphs who were strong enough to resist Sika Madu's voice instead of being controlled; those seraphs would aim at humans instead of vampires due to them somehow being related. Even so, what he didn't expect was the fact that Mahiru would end up having two escapegoats; the first one being those daggers which were surely created or developed by Mahiru and Rigr together and the fact that Mahiru would trigger the Seraph of the End with the sole purpouse of fullfilling her duty as a member of the Hiragi family.

Note: I'll jump about the deal between Mahiru and Shikama because that'll be only expeculation, or more likely a theory.

The last deal, the deal between Mahiru and Krul. The deal between those two was quite easier instead of the others, and this deal was made out of a part of Rigr's suggestion to a certain extend. The deal the queen of the vampires and Mahiru was set into stone by giving information about the whereabouts of Krul's brother. Ashera Tepes; Mahiru of course, managed to manipulate Krul in order to sire her but the deal would be set into stone after many years. Which was in relation with Yu's special cursed gear ended up being Asuramaru. Mahiru might have gotten information about Yu thanks to Rigr; making Mahiru think about the best suitable user for her cursed gear before dying; which was something that perhaps was suggested between the time Guren found Yu outside of the vampire city and the years he spend training and raising him.

But now, returning to the deal; that deal would be held off until much later, the bond between Ashera and Yu would be strong enough to the point could understand Ashera's heart in order to feel what he felt. Which was the main reason why Krul managed to feel her brother inside of Yu.

Now, returning to the main title of the theory; the reason of the betrayal might be due to the fact that Rigr will attack the JIDA and focus on the first; the JIDA whose current leader is Kureto will fend off against Rigr but will capture the first as well; while Krul will try to get her brother back which is something Mahiru can't allow Krul yet; and this is more likely because she wants Yu to defeat the first progenitor without having Rigr to sabotage her plans; thus including risking Shinoa's life in the process; so far, we know Rigr will attempt to experiment on Shinoa by any means in order to get the First Progenitor; at the same time; Kureto might plan on killing Shinoa to finally set the world free from the curse of the First; while the remaining vampires might attempt to rescue or interrogate the First by themselves.

Therefore, pointing out the reasons of Guren's betrayal are those:

1) Avoiding Rigr and Kureto kill Shinoa

2) Making Yu fight the First along Asuramaru

3) Not allowing Guren's squad find out the truth (delaying more the squads death and Guren's death as well)

That's all, what do you think? Let me know!!

[madmen]

all of them pls jodie comer janelle monae phoebe waller bridge, have fun

do you have a crush on anyone? yeee on my grilled friend! bitches be havin girled friends.

what’s your favorite candy? i am cadbury dairy milk bar’s bitch! i also really like kitkats especially the mini ones those are so good.

favorite love song? aaaaa it changes with the weather i like so many but can’t take my eyes off of you is always a classic both it and let’s get married (mitski cover) make me feel Warm and the past few months i cannot stop listening to mr mika tiny love. yes this question asked for one but this is me restraining myself i promise. OH it might be being alive from company actually.

what was your first kiss like? technically my first kiss lasted for .0001 of a second in a public high school hallway and it was by accident so i choose to disregard that one because the one after that was very nice imagine. you are on a BEACH it is MIDNIGHT she tastes like some type of wine and you are not sober and do not know what you’re doing so you’re taking MENTAL NOTES and trying to imitate what it feels like she’s doing but you want to live in this moment forever.

what was your last kiss like? it was sweet! well, more like salty because we were crying but it’s because we are simply full of love!

sexual/romantic orientation? i’m a (fleabag godmother voice) LESBIAN

do you prefer poems or love letters? love letters hands DOWN

favorite fanfic trope? i like it when they’re both friends and in love and afraid to say anything for fear of ruining their relationship. there is a name for this but i hate it so i will not say it it’s two words, first one with an m and second one with a p. Don’t know what it is about that second word but. hate it.

have you ever been in love? yes, highly recommend

favorite milkshake flavor? I don’t like milkshakes I think they’re ice cream soup which is disgusting but my favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip if that counts

dinner dates or brunch dates? I prefer the idea of brunch dates but I wake up hungry so in practice probably dinner dates but like. to diners so I can have breakfast food.

favorite flowers? Pink carnations! Honorable mentions to bleeding hearts and roses that are light orange or light blue or light pink.  

favorite perfume/cologne? no clue

favorite candle scent? if it’s sold during fall i probably love it anything pumpkin-y or slightly-but-not-too-much cinnamon-y

what’s your ideal first date? we go on a funky lil adventure! we see some fancy house and get food together and then see something else maybe a beeg church i like the way they make me feel small and they make me feel Whole when i’m there with someone i care about. maybe go for a walk in my head this is some city we’ve never been to and we just walk and talk and hold hands and point out pretty architecture.

favorite love story? in real life i am still losing it every time i think about how ronan farrow proposed to jonathan lovett via his BOOK. in fiction i am unfortunately stuck at 11 still losing it over both the doctor and rose as well as mary and matthew crawley.

what’s the most attractive thing a person could wear? idk i think suits are hot but i also melt when my girlfriend wears her oversized hoodie she just looks so cute and cozy! i feel like most things are attractive when you’re into a person. also lingerie.

chocolate, vanilla, or red velvet? vanilla!

snow, rain, or sun? rain but not too hard just a nice light mist

sweetest romantic memory? she wrote me LOVE LETTERS!!!!

favorite dating sim (and favorite character)? I have played all of one dating sim, which makes it my favorite by default. Unfortunately, it is UmaPri/My Horse Prince. I did not finish it I got impatient and my apartment watched a playthrough on youtube you don’t even get to fuck horse boy I don’t think you even kiss but it’s still so funny horse boy is obviously the best character.

fictional crushes? leia organa, cheryl blossom or betty cooper (whichever one is more likely to commit a crime on that episode), joan holloway, betty draper, villanelle, all the big little lies milfs, among others.

what’s your dream wedding like? it takes place at the johns hopkins library if i can’t have that then like. some fancy house or library or museum somewhere thats super neat. i don’t know what i wear but i look very nice. all my friends are there and it’s Very Fancy. elegant and refined thats the general Vibe.

what makes you blush? i have no clue i think sometimes when i drink my face flushes so we’ll go with that

do you believe in love at first sight? only in romeo and juliet. i think theres like. a spark at first sight maybe but also not needed for love ya know?

do you believe in soulmates? i don’t know i feel like theres like. maybe a list of people who are your soulmate? like it couldve been this one yea but it also couldve been someone else had circumstances been different like the world is soooooooooooooo big and sometimes theres right place wrong timing i think? i don’t know. 

denim jackets, leather jackets, or bomber jackets? on me? all of the above. on hot gals? leather jackets.

what’s your sign? taurus sun, leo moon and rising

are you single? nope i have a grilled friend! i love her!

do you prefer to charm, or be charmed? both!

guitar or piano? normally i’d say piano but rianne used to play guitar so mixed thots here also it’s so fun to try and teach her piano and hear her lil laugh when i fix her fingers on the keys. answer foggy try again later

favorite romcom (or any romantic movie)? when harry met sally!!!!!! 

do you fall in love easily? i don’t think so but i’ve only done it once so i could be mistaken

valentine’s decorations: yay or nay? i think they’re cute!

would you prefer to propose or be proposed to? what’s your dream proposal? I wanna propose which throws a real Wrench in Rianne’s concurrent desire to propose. Gotta keep the proposal a surprise, soz gang.

cloud gazing or star gazing? Star gazing!

do you like to dance? I cannot dance to save my life but god if I don’t fantasize about it every second of the livelong day

what’s your OTP? please do not make me admit to being into harry potter on main, and worse yet being into dr*rry and w*lfstar it is rightfully embarrassing.

kittens or puppies? I am afraid of almost all living things which includes kittens and puppies but I prefer pictures of puppies

coffee, hot chocolate, or tea? Cofy!

favorite soda? i hate fizz > : ( why does everyone like it when it feels like theres ants crawling on your tongue?

do you prefer gazing wistfully out the window or lying dramatically over the sofa? is there someone to give me atten shun? if so, i’m lying dramatically on the sofa. if i’m on my own it’s window time babey

favorite ABBA song? this one also changes over the years right now i’m gonna say voulez-vous

fuck/marry/kill? (anons name 3 people of your choice) this is so MEAN okay so phoebe waller-bridge’s dad was named in the panama papers i know she has the most exorbitant amount of wealth and i trust her to treat me right. that leaves jodie and janelle cannot stress enough how much i haaaaate having to kill any of them okay at the oscars we saw what janelle’s tongue can do so unfortunately we will be sacrificing jodie comer : / jodie i’m sorry i love you.

favorite pajamas? I don’t own pajamas because I’m a weirdo who either sleeps in their clothes or an oversized long sleeve t shirt and leggings

favorite liquor? vodka for mixing, sourz for shots

do you think about love a lot? yeeeeeeeeeeee

a walk in the park or a walk on the beach? i don’t like sand. it’s rough and it’s coarse and it gets everywhere. Honestly I think I’d rather just walk indoors i am anti fresh air got that sweet sweet hay fever

hand kisses or nose kisses? nose kisses!

what’s your dreamhouse? i wanna live in the city in an apartment and due to the fact that i am american it is unfortunately so big in my head no apartment has ever been this beeg and if it did exist i could not afford it but. it’s so pretty i have fancy kitchen cabinets and my living room is filled with bookshelf upon bookshelf of used books and it has room for my piano and i have a beeeeeg sleigh bed and black cherry furniture and a dishwasher and a laundry room. i come home and am filled with calm.

[magicallygrimmwiccan]

Only Time, Part II

Summary: In which I break hearts and souls, yelling is done, and tears are shed

Notes: Part II of my trade with @dailypattondoodle​ / @moonfang03​! Warning for a panic attack. Sorry this is so late, my editor and I both had a horridly busy last week of school, but now that we’re both on spring break, these will get up faster! 

Of course, things could only look up for so long. The next month was wonderful for both of them: Roman spent more time with Logan on a daily basis, Logan’s mood and overall mental health improved, and the twins actually both started to act like better siblings. Virgil and Patton were happy because their kids were doing better, Roman’s friends mentioned how much better Logan seemed to be doing whenever he was around, and even Logan’s teachers noticed a stark improvement. He was less moody now, they said, more open to answering questions, and overall interacted more with his classmates. Roman was happier that his brother was doing better, and his friends were also happier for this change.

Roman promised that he would show up to help Logan run through his poetry presentation at lunch that day. Roman promised that he would be there to support his brother through this stressful presentation. Roman promised that he would not skip this meeting. However, five minutes after their meeting time, Roman was nowhere to be found. Roman was nowhere to be found and Logan was in the office of his physics teacher, sobbing his eyes out and trying desperately to breathe. Roman had abandoned him again. He should have known this would happen, why was he so stupid, he couldn’t breathe, he needed his Dad…

“Logan? Love? I need you to look at me, alright?” Mika’s soft voice came from in front of him. Logan shakily raised a hand to communicate, but refused to remove his face from his legs. A sigh, a shuffle, and then Logan found himself being pulled into a loose, warm hug. He buried his face in the soft sweater vest Mika always wore and allowed the tears to fall without restraint again. Mika let him cry, rocking him back and forth.

“Would you like me to call your Dad?” Mika murmured. Logan nodded, and Mika dropped a gentle kiss into his hair. “Hang on, then. Would you like me to call him or Wirt?”

Logan raised a hand and shakily signed Wirt. Mika nodded and shifted slightly.

“Hey, Wirt? Could you call Logan’s Dad and tell him to come get Logan?” Mika called softly. Logan stiffened. No no no, he didn’t need to be picked up, please don’t bother his father with his stupid feelings. Mika gently grabbed his hand, and Logan distantly realized that he had been signing that. “No, Logan, it’s okay. Your Dad won’t be angry, I assure you.” Distantly, Logan registered Wirt stammering into a phone, talking to his Dad, but he decided to ignore that and focus on Mika.

Roman left again, Logan signed. Mika sighed, chest rising less than it should have thanks to xyr binder. He promised he would be here to help and he left.

“Roman is going to feel my wrath, I assure you,” Mika growled slightly. “That was not okay of him.” Logan shrugged. He should be used to it now; why was he so emotional about this?

A person cleared their throat above him, and Logan looked up to find Wirt holding out his phone, video chat with Virgil open. “Logan? I’m coming to get you, okay? Just hold on for fifteen minutes,” Virgil babbled. His green-brown eyes were blown wide in fright, and Logan could sense the panic radiating through the screen.

I will be fine, Dad. Focus on your breathing, please? Virgil giggled, slightly hysterical, and shook his head.

“L, don’t worry about me, okay? It’s my job to worry about you.” Logan nodded, still confused, but let it go. Virgil smiled, promised to be there as soon as possible, and hung up, leaving Logan alone with his two friends. Wirt crouched down, still looking nervous, and offered a shaky smile.

“Hey, Logan. You’ll be okay. We’re here for you,” he stammered, smiling awkwardly in support. Logan nodded and sniffed, tears still flowing down his cheeks. His two friends scooted in, cuddling him and offering comfort while glaring viciously at anyone who dared to look in their direction. That was how Virgil found them fifteen minutes later, out of breath and panting. Logan looked up, tears mostly dried, and Virgil jerkily dropped to his knees, taking Logan’s face in his hands.

“Oh, sweetie, are you okay? Here, let’s go home, I’ll get you some tea and Crofter’s and we can talk, okay?” Logan nodded and allowed Virgil to pull him up as the halfway bell rang. Mika and Wirt stood up as well, one with eyes blazing and the other with eyes filled with worry. “Thank you for helping him, you two. You’re welcome to come over later if you’d like.”

“We most likely will, thank you Mr. Everhart. Take care, Logan, okay?” Mika replied, smiling softly. With that, Virgil lead Logan out of school, fully intent on showering his son with all the love and support he needed. When they were gone, Mika turned to Wirt, teeth gritted and eyes blazing.

“I’m about to go rip Roman a new one. Are you with me?” Wirt nodded shakily, and with that, the two stalked out, fully intent on chewing Logan’s twin out until his ears bled and he realized exactly what he had done.

“Roman Everhart! I need to have a word with you!” a crisp British accented voice yelled, the anger in their voice easily cutting through the din of the cafeteria. Everyone shushed immediately, eyes turning to see the tall form of Mika Kirkland storming through the crowds of high schoolers, eyes blazing with the fury of a million suns from a thousand solar systems. Those who had their backpacks in the walkway quickly moved them, scared of what Mika would do to their belongings in their angered state. Roman, the person Mika clearly had a vendetta against, looked up, face painted in confusion. Why did one of Logan’s best friends need to talk to him, especially while looking so angry?

Mika came to a stop in front of Roman’s table, fists clenched and gritted teeth bared. “Did you or did you not promise Logan you would be there to help him with his poetry presentation?” Roman blinked, still confused, and nodded. That was tomorrow, though, wasn’t it? Why was Mika yelling at him over it now?

“Then why the hell weren’t you there?” Mika growled. Roman’s blood froze as reality dawned on his slow, stupid, awful brain. That… that had been today. He had missed something important to Logan after promising to be there for him… no wonder his brother hated him! Roman bolted to his feet, wild with desperation.

“I… Mika, where’s Logan? I… I have to go, I have to… I have to fix this,” Roman gasped. His friends all looked at him, concerned, and Shiloh slowly rose to his feet, hand outstretched to offer comfort.

Mika’s eyes drained of most of their anger and instead filled with pity. “He’s at home after having a panic attack in the physics room. I think we should take this somewhere private, yes?” Roman nodded, still in shock, and began to climb out of the lunch table. He tripped and fell, legs trembling too badly to support him. Shiloh dived to catch him, murmuring reassurances and affirmation to him in an attempt to help. Mika crouched down and grabbed Roman and Shiloh’s backpacks before standing back up. “Come on, Shiloh, I know a place.” With that, the three of them set off, desperate to fix this situation before the hurt became any worse for any party involved.

Even with only 20 minutes of lunch left, Mika’s reputation as the perfect class president with a 4.0 GPA and a perfect record allowed the three of them to get permission to miss fifth hour in order to have a chat with the school psychologist. In reality, Mika convinced xyr physics teacher to allow them to sit and talk in her office to sort this out, which she was more than happy to oblige. Mika set to work brewing up more coffee while Shiloh settled Roman in and began to calm him, muttering soothing nothings until he was sure Roman was calm enough to be present for this conversation. Mika walked over balancing three mugs and settled in, years of ballet lending a certain grace to xyr movement that Roman could only wish he had. Xe took a long, slow sip of coffee and began.

“Roman. I apologize for yelling at you. I see now that you genuinely forgot, and while I am still a bit angry because of how upset Logan is, I am not angry at you, per say.” Roman nodded and took his coffee with shaking hands. Shiloh squeezed his shoulder for support while Mika continued. “Now, why do you think Logan is upset?”

“I… we promised, together, that we’d try and actually be there for each other… I’d spend less time with my friends, Logan would try to talk to me about his feelings… and I fucked up,” Roman whispered, staring into the black depths of his drink.

“Hey, Roman. Human error. This isn’t your fault,” Shiloh insisted.

“Well it sure isn’t Logan’s!” Roman yelled back, voice cracking. Mika jumped, clearly startled, but Shiloh took this in stride, used to Roman’s emotional outbursts.

“Of course it isn’t, but it’s not yours either! These things happen, Roman! Stop blaming yourself!”

“Could you two maybe stop yelling, please? There is class going on outside,” Mika broke in, voice wobbling a bit. From a distant corner of Roman’s mind, he remembers Logan telling him that Mika and Wirt were both sensitive to loud noises, especially when it came from other people who appeared angry. Roman forced himself to calm down and quiet down, not wishing to scare anyone else.

“Yeah… so. What… what can I do to fix this?” Roman murmured, eyes screaming apologies in Mika’s general direction. Mika finished xyr mug of coffee and poured another, much to Roman’s shock and horror. How much coffee did this person drink?!

“First: I’d work on communication with Logan. He’s noticed that you’ve been slipping a bit in talking to him about important things in the past week or so, and I agree with him that you do need to work on that. For God’s sake, Roman, he’s your twin. He’s not going to judge you for having feelings.”

“Yeah, Ro, you do have a habit of bottling and not talking about the things you need,” Shiloh added, smiling apologetically. Roman nodded and finished his coffee, the warm beverage filling him with heat missing from his soul right now.

“I can do that. Start talking to Logan about feelings and stuff more,” Roman muttered. Mika nodded, a slight smile tugging at the corners of xyr lips.

“That’s all I can ask. Second: Try and include Logan more with your friends. Not just choose him over your friends, since that is a situation no one wants.” Shiloh nodded at Mika’s assessment, and Mika took that as permission to continue. “Start inviting him to sit with you at lunch once a week or so when Wirt and I are too busy with other things, for instance. Invite him to afterschool activities. Start planning sleepovers with him and your friend group. Anything will help, I assure you.”

“But… Logan doesn’t like crowds, and he doesn’t like my friends. How do I work around that?” Roman seemed genuinely confused and upset. Mika and Shiloh shared a look, understanding passing between green eyes, before Shiloh turned to Roman.

“Ro. We all don’t know Logan well enough to like him or not. This is a good first step, I promise.” “And Logan doesn’t dislike your friends, he just doesn’t know them well enough,” Mika added, second cup of coffee during this conversation almost gone. Roman blinked. He… had not considered that, had he? Whoops.

“Third: Be patient. Logan likes to pretend he doesn’t have emotions, but that is a blatant lie and we all know it. Emotional pain takes time to heal, so just… be patient with him. If you do those things, Roman, you can at least start to repair your relationship before it’s too late.” With that, Mika poured xemself a third mug of coffee and settled back, waiting for Roman’s response.

Roman allowed Mika’s advice to swirl around his head, and he pondered how he could begin to implement this plan. Logan was at home right now, most likely bawling his eyes out (that caused a harsh pang of pain to erupt in Roman’s heart; he’d never liked his brother in pain, especially not crying) and believing that Roman hated his guts. He needed to fix this now, and honestly, Mika’s idea seemed to be the best way to do that. Mika knew Logan even better than Roman did at this point (and didn’t that thought just sting), and Roman knew that xe knew how Logan operated better than most.

“I… thank you, Mika. I think I can try to start tonight,” Roman choked out. Mika nodded and sipped at the coffee, smiling lightly.

“Of course, Roman. I will always be happy to help. Logan cares for you, and I care for Logan. Therefore, I care for you.” Roman blinked. That… no wonder Logan was friends with Mika, they thought in very similar ways.

Shiloh snorted. “Wow, no need to sound so formal, Your Highness.” Mika choked on xyr coffee for a brief instant before recovering.

“I… alright then. I was… not expecting that,” xe coughed. “Now, you two could head back to class if you wished.”

“Nah. I’d rather stay here and make sure Ro’s calm,” Shiloh answered. “I kind of want to stay here and just watch videos and talk about other fun things,” Roman chirped. Mika sighed, clearly conflicted, before nodding and scooting next to the two extroverts.

“Well, there is this nice YouTuber who makes writing videos and is just a dork who loves his cat. I would not object to watching his content,” Mika said as xe pulled out xyr laptop. The three of them settled in to watch light-hearted videos and ignore their problems, just like teenagers should.  

“Okay, Logan, sit down, sweetie, I’ll make you hot cocoa, just stay here and don’t die, please?” Virgil babbled, setting Logan down on the couch before dashing into the kitchen. Why was he so useless when it came to emotions? Patton was so much better, but Patton was at work and wouldn’t be home for a few hours, leaving Virgil alone to comfort his crying son. Said crying son was curled into a ball, salt water soaking into the skin of his arms because his sweater sleeves were pushed back to prevent damage. Virgil’s heart broke for his son and he finished making the cocoa as quickly as possible, desperate to get back and comfort his son. He dashed back out to the living room, careful not to spill a drop of the comforting beverage, before sitting next to his son and handing over the cocoa.

“So, L, what’s wrong?” Virgil whispered. Logan spent a few minutes in silence, drinking his cocoa, before shakily raising a hand and beginning to sign.

Roman promised to help me with my presentation… and he didn’t show up. He forgot me and abandoned me again… Virgil’s blood absolutely boiled and he had to force himself to take deep breaths so as not to let his anger show. No matter how angry he got, he would not frighten his son. But he was going to have some words with Roman when he got home.

“Hey… I can’t say that Roman didn’t mean it, or that he just forgot, or anything else, since I’m not him and wasn’t there. I can, however, say that I am here for you, and we’ll solve this whole mess together, okay?” Virgil answered. Logan nodded, tears still streaming down his face, and took a long sip of his hot cocoa before leaning into his Dad. Virgil lifted an arm and pulled Logan closer, sighing sadly. He didn’t like seeing his son so sad, especially when it was the fault of his other son, and he hated feeling useless like this. He could, however, try and make this better, and that’s exactly what he was going to do. If that meant making hot cocoa, he would. If it meant giving advice, he would. If it meant being a pillow to cry into, he would. He just needed to make sure that Logan was okay, and, come hell or high water, he would make it happen. For now, though, he sat there with his quiet son, sipping hot cocoa and watching space and nature documentaries until Logan fell asleep. When he did fall asleep finally, Virgil slipped his phone out and texted Patton. He still had a couple hours until Roman got home, but when he did, the two of them were going to have some words. This needed to be fixed, now, and Virgil would make sure it was. He would not allow his children’s relationship to fall apart, not this easily, not when he could help fix it.

Virgil didn’t realize that he too fell asleep. He only noticed when he was shaken gently awake by soft, unfamiliar hands. “Mr Everhart, please wake up. Roman is home, and he wants to talk to Logan,” Wirt’s voice came from above. Virgil blinked awake, still cuddling Logan, to find his son’s friend standing over him, brow crinkled in worry. Behind Wirt stood Roman and Mika, Logan’s other friend, one sheepish and one angry. Three guesses as to which was which, and the first two don’t count. Virgil quickly woke up the rest of the way and stood, cracking his spine as he fixed Roman with a flat glare.

“I think I need to have a talk with Roman first, if that’s alright?” he asked, making sure to keep his voice light while his emotions were anything but. Mika and Wirt were wise and left quickly, Mika stopping to gently scoop up Logan. Smart boys, those two. No wonder Logan was friends with them. Logan’s choice in friends was not Virgil’s current concern, however, and he turned his attention to his other son, eyes icy.

“Roman. What happened.” This was not a question; this was not a debate. This was a serious talk about the state of Roman and Logan’s emotions and relationship, and Virgil needed Roman to know that.

Roman sighed and looked down, sorrow oozing off of him. “I… I was supposed to help Logan with his poetry presentation… and I blew him off for my friends. Everyone is telling me it was an accident and that I just forgot, but… I don’t know.” Tears started to pool in his eyes, and Virgil bit his lip. He didn’t like seeing his kids sad. How was he going to fix this?!

Virgil pulled Roman into a hug, gently rocking him back and forth. “Hey, Ro. I’m not mad, okay? Well, no, I’m a bit angry at the situation, but that’s because I don’t like seeing you two hurt. I care about you, okay? I… I just want you and Logan to be okay.” Roman started crying harder and squeezed Virgil back, burying his face in the writer’s shoulder. Virgil started to cry as well, and as one, the two of them collapsed onto the couch, allowing their emotions to finally leave their souls. Virgil could not tell how long they sat there, simply talking and crying, but at some point, Patton came home and sat on Roman’s other side, pulling his husband and his son into a warm, comforting hug.

“It’ll all be okay, loves,” Patton murmured, voice clogged with tears. “Everything will be okay.” “Will it, though?” Roman whispered, voicing what they were all thinking. Virgil couldn’t answer that, and neither could Patton. No one really knew whether things were going to be okay. It was up to Roman and Logan to fix this, and no matter how much it pained them, this was one thing they couldn’t help their children with.

“Yes. You’re trying, Roman. That tells me that things will be okay,” Patton whispered. Roman nodded, sniffed, and stood up, roughly wiping his eyes with the heel of his hand. He squared his shoulders, set his jaw, and smiled.

“Now, I need to go talk to Logan. We’re fixing this.” With that announcement, he strolled off, leaving Virgil and Patton alone.

“Do… do you think they’ll be okay?” Virgil murmured. Patton dropped a kiss into Virgil’s hair, hugging him close.

“I don’t know, love. I don’t know.”

Notes: I promise, things will get better. Hope you liked it! 

[hearteyes-for-killmonger]

Random story. Came up with the idea in the group chat! Quick little diddy.

---------------------------------

24 hours.

"Erik, I don't.. No actually I do know what happened. I mistook the estrogen I'd been saving for Mika.. she's trans and wanted to join the Dora and..," You stop short at Erik's glare, "Okay! So it wasn't a mistake. I added a complex growth hormone to her synthetic estrogen, infused it with a transformation agent and injected it into your bloodstream, but it's not permanent and Shuri said--"

"Shuri? You take orders from my baby cousin now? You a grown ass woman and on top of that, you said this was a shot of weed essence to keep me high for the week. You lied."

"For science! It's not that bad, really babe, you make a beautiful woman! Give it a chance, you could join the Dora," you grin. Erik's narrowed eyes bore into you, but they're somewhat different, more sultry. Your eyes travel down his hourglass figure and his curves are dangerous as a steep winding road. His slimmed out fingers jut out pointing your attention back from his hips to his eyes

"I'm a say this one time and then it's a wrap. You better fix this shit. I don't care what you gotta do, reverse it."

"I know babe. You think I'd leave you like this? You fine and all but I'd miss that dick! Just give me 48 hours," you pout grabbing his significantly shrunken arm. He's so pretty. Prettier than you'd expected.

"Damn babe, you a bad bitch. A six foot tall bad bitch." Your eyes roam his naked body again and his keloid scar pattern remains, stretching over the brown skin of his flat stomach, generous chest, back, and arms. He pops his boob muscle making his right boob jump.

"You like what you see," he smirks and against your better judgment you can't help but laugh. "Hell nah, turn me back now!" He kisses his teeth.

"I can't! It's gotta run its course. It'll leave your blood stream in about 24 hours and you should be back to normal."

"I'm not leaving this lab," he pouts and it's so cute you know without fail he could instantly pull a sugar daddy. You're tempted to call him babygirl, but hold back.

"Babe! You have to. Please. You said you'd go out with me and my friends to the club tonight. I wanna go with you! Please? You always wanted to see what happens with me and my girls while you're away this is your chance." It takes a lot of convincing, but he finally caves.

"Fine."

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou," you screech pecking small kisses all over his pretty face. "We just gotta get there before 11."

"Oh shit you right," his demeanor changes and suddenly he's more positive. "Women free before 11."

---

"I'm not wearing that shit," Erik complains when you hold up a green tube dress, "I'll wear the black one, it complements my shoulders and waistline better." You silently grab the black wrap dress and help him put it on afraid to say too much to betray your joy and humor at the situation. "You think I can fit them black Louboutins I bought you last year?"

"Let's see," you say rushing to pull them out. Kneeling, you help him put them on along with an insert to keep him comfortable. "Okay Cinderella! You might need to carry some flats with you just in case your feet start hurting in these high heels. Try to walk."

He wobbles, his ankle going in and out and it takes him a few laps in the heels but then he's a pro and he looks like he's stomping a runway. What a babe.

"Nah I'll be good in these. I don't wanna look like a basic bitch.... What you gonna wear?"

You pull on a copper colored minidress with matching strappy heels and he bites his full lip in approval. Oh yeah, makeup!! Pulling Erik into the bathroom, he lets you tweeze his eyebrows and apply subtle makeup.

---

"Hey guys this is my girl... Erin. She'll be hanging with us. Erin these are my friends Tasha and Chyna."

"Damn Erin, you be eating rice and cabbage?" Tasha was blunt and Erik was indeed very thick.

"You see it," he replies simply with a proud turn and you're already DONE.

"You drink," Chyna asks and Erik scoffs good-naturedly leading the way to the bar. Tasha and Chyna exchange impressed glances before following him to the bar. You immediately feel eyes on your group as Erik orders the drinks.

"It's on me," he says and those are the magic words for Tasha and Chyna. He's officially made it to their appreciation list.

"Actually, I got it," a man calls from the left. He's super attractive with a thick head of dark coils, dark lashes and clear healthy skin. Tasha flashes a look that says she's calling dibs and you don't blame her. He's fine. "Nah, I don't mind. I got it," the man assures and Tasha is grinning, but the man's eyes.. they go directly to Erik. Immediately you choke. Of all the women! Erik peeps immediately and you expect him to get mad, but he doesn't. He gives a dazzling smile.

"It's on you?" Erik tilts his head and as Erin, he looks like a temptress.. classy but dangerous. The man licks his lips and nods falling into the trap. "You think you can keep up," Erik teases and the man nods again.

"Yeah babygirl, whatever you want." His approach reminds you so much of how Erik came onto you years ago and you fight the strong urge to die of laughter, turning away. Erik knows exactly what he's doing.

"We're gonna need another round," he says, "Keep them coming."

---

Erik blew off the guy at the bar after getting three rounds of free drinks. After that, it was time to hit the dance floor. He battled through guys trying to grab his wrist and grind on him, lightly and 'accidentally' injuring the couple who came near you. Three songs later, he insists on grinding on you and you let him ignoring the strange looks from your friends as you let him kiss on nuzzle into your neck, his arms around your waist. They don't say anything to you, but it looks like you're cheating and they give disapproving looks which he appreciates. But suddenly he's feeling the pain in his feet, poor baby, and he has to use the bathroom, but he won't wear the flats.

"Hold onto me," you instruct and he leans his weight onto you as the two of you drunkenly shuffle toward the restroom. Suddenly he jolts and you stop to ask what's wrong. He doesn't look at you, following after a man instead. You follow him and him pull on the guy's shirt.

"Touch my ass one more time nigga. Matter fact, if I see you touch anyone else in here without their permission that's yo ass," he growls and his feminine voice is low and alluring, holding malice. Why couldn't you sound like that? The man smirks in challenge.

"Why you so mad for, beautiful? Pretty as you are. Smile." His hand bravely finds Erik's round booty again only this time Erik grabs his wrist, bending it backward. The man's eyes pop wide and his knees cave trying to escape the pain that is inevitable.. and then you hear a clear snap as the man howls.

"Told yo ass. Think of this the next time you wanna reach out and touch. You got two wrists and I got time." Erik drapes his arms around your shoulders again and rests onto you and you continue your treck to the restroom.

"My girlfriend is a badass!" You yell it in pride and he chuckles next to you. There's a lesbian couple across the way that makes eye contact at your outburst and gives you a nod that you return.

"I'm ready to get out of here," Erik sighs from the stall.

"So soon," you're shocked you were ready to party some more.

"Well apparently I'm on my fuckin period. My back hurts, my stomach hurts. I wanna go home."

You snicker unrestrained now and you can imagine his face. You know he's pouting again.

"Aww, babe. Okay well ball up some of that tissue to put in your panties until we get home and I'll buy you some ice cream and take care of you like you take care of me."

"I'm glad I ain't gotta go through this shit every day," he says and it's like he's considering his statement. "I'm sorry you do... I love you Y/N."

"I love you too.. Erin." The toilet flushes and he emerges confirming his pout. He washes his hands and after stopping to load up on chocolate and snacks from a CVS, you take him home.

@bidibidibombaclaat @blackpantherimagines @blackpantherismyish @vanitykocaine @ange-sensuel @amethyst1993 @eriknutinthispoosy @wawakanda-btch @allhailnjadaka @thehomierobbstark @kxnfuzed @muse-of-mbaku @thiccdaddy-mbaku

[kbrown78]

Monthly Wrap Up: October

Favorite month of the year, not just because it's my birthday month. It's a transitional period in nature that I love with it's bright colors and cold nights. I also love that it's a month associated with magic and myth, which I love seeing to stories. This month I tried to read all of my most Halloween books, with a few exceptions. There were a few rereads but it was mostly new reads this month. October started out on a high with the Call, but then slid downhill with several sub par reads. Then it finally took a turn, with A Natural History of Dragons and Rosemary and Rue, two first books in series. I read a total of 9 books and 1 comic book, and all of these books had elements of fantasy, a few were horror fantasy and 1 was a historical fantasy. I definitely had a month filled with magic and suspense, but I didn't enjoy most of the books as much as I had hoped to.

The Call by Pedar O' Guilin: I've talked about this book so much and have already posted my full review on it, so I'm going to keep it quick. Bleak world, terrifying villains, lots of suspense and gore, a good disabled protagonist and a cute romance. The Call was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “a book set during or about Halloween” since this seemed like a good Halloween themed book and Halloween is celebrated at some point during this book and it received 4 out 5 stars.

Nightfall by Jake Halpern and Peter Kujawinski: Are you afraid of the dark? In a world where there is 14 years between night and day, everyone in this story is eager to leave quickly as the night approaches. But 3 kids get left behind and the longer they stay the more questions they have about what goes bump in the night. It's definitely a suspenseful read and I do think adults can appreciate that element of it, even though it is clearly geared more toward a younger audience. I do think it's a good book but I didn't enjoy it as much because I knew all the twist that were coming and I didn't love the ending (more about that in my review). Nightfall received 3 out 5 stars.

Monstress Volume 3: Haven: This, as of right now, is the only comic book series that I follow. I really liked the first volume, I was so sucked into the world and I needed more. The second volume was pretty good, but it was a filler. The third book gets back to the main plot, but there's so much in this volume that it's overwhelming. More characters keep getting introduced and new mysteries arise, which was the main problem. I keep getting more questions added onto the ones I already have with very few answers, and at this point that's very frustrating. Most of the characters are pretty morally gray so you can never guess what they're going to do or why they're doing it. There are many questions involving the Old Ones (who are appearing more frequently) and the Shaman Empress. I do like the struggle that Mika faces, both internal and external, and I'm actually enjoying watching her and Zinn's relationship develop. Kippa is a pure bean who was become so strong in her convictions but is now in trouble because she was abducted by the cats for some unknown reason. The art is still gorgeous, I'm still intrigued enough to keep going and see if I get some answers, but if I don't soon I may have to call it quits with this series. Monstress Volume 3 received 3 out 5 stars from me.  

Lirael by Garth Nix: Man, this book was so bad. I already didn't like the fact that Sabriel was going to be pushed to the side to make room for new characters, but both of the new protagonists sucked. I hated both of them. Lirael grew up among the Clayr and while I am sympathetic to her being upset about how different she is, it's clear that this is to emphasize what a special snowflake she is, but also after many years of becoming an expert in the library, she still bemoans how different she is. The other POV character is a spoiled prince  who is pretty incompetent and doesn't really want to do anything with his life. The story in no way tied into the previous book and I didn't like the new conflict, mostly because the majority of the book was focused on the 2 protagonists living their daily lives and being irritating. There were some tropes used that I didn't like, the plot was boring, and the characters were so annoying. At some point I just gave up tabbing the book because the narrative wasn't evolving and the characters weren't changing. The one thing that I did like, similar to the world of Death and the Charter magic in the previous book, was the library of the Clayr. Everything about it I loved, from how organized it was to the magic rooms that contained entirely separate worlds. Like an entire story could have been set in that library. Lirael received 2 out 5 stars from me.

Torn by Rowena Miller: I've already posted my review on this book, but I'll sum up my thoughts on this book. It sounded like something I would really like. A young seamstress getting swept into political turmoil while her brother is growing in the anti monarchy movement. This seamstress has the ability to sew charms into her craft which is something that I've been looking for. This book also feels like it's set during the French Revolution, which isn't a time in history that I love but I like fantasies that are inspired by real cultures and time periods. At the start the protagonist was a real ingenue and I kept hoping for some development, but I didn't get that. There were several good points illustrated at the beginning, but they were presented in all the wrongs way. The book started out with a lot of potential and I was looking forward to it, but it became increasingly worse to the point where I was just glad it was done. Needless to say it received 2 out 5 stars from me.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake: When I first read this book I liked almost everything about it. I liked that it was about 3 sisters fated to kill each other until 1 was left alive. I liked the dark autumn feel to it. I liked that the world felt fleshed out. The one thing I didn't like was the love triangle, and this issue came back with a vengeance during my reread. First, the love triangle itself was so stupid and unnecessary, but I could now see how much drama and miscommunication is the result of this love triangle, which grated my nerves to no end. I've already read the second book which I didn't like, and having that knowledge didn't help my opinion of the book or characters. I think I only liked this book because I remember my feelings of enjoyment the first time I read it, but I could also see that this book had potential for a whole series, but that doesn't continue. I did like the 3 sisters, but this time I could clearly see more flaws with them, and in general I don't like the romances. I really wish the friendships were given more of the limelight, like Billy and Arsinoe's. Three Dark Crowns received 3 out 5 stars.

A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan: I've been wanting to read this series. I put it on my lists of books that I wanted to read before the end of the year, and so far the majority of those books were disappointing but this was more than satisfying. It's the life story of woman who studies dragons and this first book spans Isabella's early childhood when she first becomes interested in reading about dragons to her first journey to study mountain wyerms with her husband. I loved Isabella as a character and I loved that she was a women who was passionate about a scientific field when women weren't really supposed to be (this is set in an alternate Victorian England). As a woman this book appealed to my sense of girl power and as a someone with a background in science I loved how the study of dragons was developed. Since it is a fantasy of manners, which is similar to historical fantasy, it can be a bit slower but I didn't think the pacing dragged at all I really enjoyed the tone of voice in the writing, since the narrator is writing about her own life she has that sort of wry humor. I loved A Natural History of Dragons and so far it is my favorite book in the series, and it received 5 out 5 stars.

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire: It wouldn't be technically true to say I haven't read urban fantasy before. I've read YA urban fantasy like Harry Potter, Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and The Mortal Instruments series. It wouldn't even be my first adult urban fantasy since I've read American Gods and An Unkindness of Magicians, but the first book in the October Daye series is a good portrayal of what comes to mind when I think of an adult urban fantasy. If I had to describe it in one word it would be gritty. This is definitely an adult urban fantasy, where the courts of various fairies mix with the California setting. October “Toby” Daye is half human and half fae, and works as a private investigator. Toby isn't always a likable person, but she is always sympathetic and she does have friends that care about her. There's a lot of trauma surrounding her, which made the villain of this book a bit more complicated. I don't normally gravitate toward crime noir stories but I think because the protagonist is a female and that there is a magical element it appealed more to me. This is definitely adult because of the violence, sex, and abuse that's alluded to in the story. I do plan on continuing this series (14 books but it's a quick read) and Rosemary and Rue received 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Into the Bright Unknown by Rae Carson: This was a disappointing finale. I'm still trying to work out how Rae Carson could go from the greatness of the Girl of Fire and Thorns to the mediocrity of the Gold Seer trilogy. I picked this one up because I wanted to finish the series and it was finally available in paperback. I didn't have high hopes, I just wanted the book to be at least as decent as the other books, and it still failed to meet that expectation. After finishing the book, I definitely think that this trilogy should have been a duology because this third book contributes absolutely nothing. The main plot is supposed to be a heist narrative, but there wasn't any suspense (I knew all the characters were going to fine so I wasn't worried about them), the plot dragged on and didn't make any sense most of the time (mainly because characters were making dumb decisions and nothing was explained until the second to last chapter), the villain was poorly written (like literally came out of nowhere and his motivations are stupid), and I got tired of reading about all of these very flat characters. I didn't even bother tagging it so there won't be a full review for this one. It was really boring and everyone survived and gets married, and all is forgiven. I just couldn't take it. I will say that once again the best part of this book was the beautiful color that did have a very fall theme, with brown, purple, and gold. I do hope that Rae Carson does write another book soon so that my love of her as an author can be revitalized. This was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “a book with a heist in it” and received 2 out 5 stars from me.

The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan: Continuing from where the first book left off, I thought Tropic of Serpents was a good book. Isabella goes on expedition to study dragons in the Mouleen swamps, and as is her character, bites off a little more than she can chew. I didn't love it as much but I still thought it was a 5 star read. I loved the friendships, I loved the scientific inquiries, I loved how complicated the plot was, and I loved Isabella. She's a strong character and continues to grow in confidence and as someone of prominence in the scientific community. Unless of last 2 books take an unforeseen turn for the worse this is definitely a 5 star series, and I'm glad I was able to end the month on this book.

[dearestjaemin]

26 Questions for the Saniwa

a question meme i saw from wikia and wanted to answer it here!!! since this is where i mostly put my tkrb posts....

q&a under the cut!

Q.What is your name and which server is your citadel on?

A. 桃井　さつき　+ see battle record uwu;;;;

Q. When did you start serving as a Saniwa? Please display your battle records.

A. April 22 of 2017!!! I recently celebrated my first year anniversary and it was nice uwu

Q. Which starter sword did you pick? What is he doing now?

A. Kashuu Kiyomitsu!!! Um, well, he’s just there... waiting for his kiwame... Actually uwu;; I used him for a recent VOT thinking exp accumulates and carries over to kiwame! Did that to him because he’s the only one I wouldn’t get angry at haha

Q. Who is the first among your swords to reach the maximum level? What do you think of him

A. If i remember correctly, it is Hotarumaru!!! He arrived pretty early but I’m sure he got to 99 hella quick because of VOT AHHAHAA I love him!! He’s relatively fast for an ootachi + he’s cute!!!

Q. Who do you have in each of your squads, and how do you use them? If you haven’t unlocked all four teams yet, briefly describe how you plan to organize them.

A. First squad varies depending on event! (WTE is either all kiwame or newbies, VOT is tachi + ootachi; if it isn’t battle regiment?? all other squads are on expedition!) Currently: Second squad is 97 akita, 99 tarou, 99 micchan, 24 tomoe (extra haha a...) 97 yagen (for the naginata expedition!), third squad is for yari expedition, with 55 ote, 99 mutsu, 35 (extra) fudou (he levelled up by sheer force of expedition HAHAHAH) 99 ishi, fourth squad is 99 kashuu, 99 sayo, 99 kousetsu, 53 nihongou

if it’s battle regiment, it’s either all kiwame team again for first squad then the rest goes on exp. if not, first team is night battle, then tachi team, then uchi team.

Q. Without considering the performance of the swords, which type of sword do you prefer?

A. I love tantous!! They’re so cute huhu I also love my naginatas!!

Q. List the swords that you like and your thoughts on them.

A. i this is a lot ahahhaa um i love kashuu’s art style and everything about him. he’s so cute and im a sucker for his voice!!! i love my baby gokotai imma protecc him. I LOVE FUDOU i love his drunk self but i never knew i could love him more until he kiwame-d! i love horikawa so much i would give him all the love ;; I LOVE KANE-SAN he’s so handsome aaaaa and i like idiots like him huhu MONOYOSHI he’s so pretty imma cry for his kiwame ;;;;; mICCHAAAN i love his voice and his mom-ness. i love tsuru’s art so much!!! also such a playful boy ;;;; I LOVE HOTARUMARU SO MUCH bb rest well ;; IWAIWA i luv him so much ainsaksnaks and and otegine is slowly having a spot bcos i always hear him for expedition ahahhaha...

Q. Are there any pairings that you like? If there is, please list them.

A. Kashuu and Yasu!! I love these two!! KaneHori but also KashuuHori owo I love MikaKogi and MikaTsuru uwu MitsuKara!!! I also love TsuruKara hehe and IwaSouza!! (haha zoku’s tiny moment of them...) AND YAMABUSHIXJUZU BOI U CANT CONVINCE ME THAT THEYRE NOT CUTE and sweats.... a lot of tachis x saniwa.... .////.

Q. Is your Citadel an employee-friendly Citadel or a black-hearted Citadel that works your swords to the bones?

A. I- ;; maybe black-hearted? I only repair swords when they get to red for resource + instant token purposes (unless im not gonna use them for a long time) I do only work with gold troops because i think they deserve gold troops uwu;;; Or work to the bones mean fatigue?? I never let them out non-sakura fubuki (if you lose the flowers, you get to be leader!)

Q. Have you ever done anything weird to your swords?

A. I what?? 

Q. Have you ever broken a sword? What happened, and who did you break?

A. I’ve mentioned this a lot but I’ll say it again haha I broke Gokotai on a run on WTE Map 4?? I was at school (whoops) and I was playing during a seatwork?? since it only needed clicking. When I looked at the screen, Gokotai broke!! I didnt even hear his line! I thought he had an omamori but it turned out that he was the only one without it! I was horrified as he was already 90+ (ready to be sent out for kiwame! so thankfully not yet a kiwame) and i was near in tears! I got another gokotai and on the same day i level-ed him to 30?? ye. ahaha-

Q. Who looses troops the most in your Citadel? And who is the most skilled at making troops?

A. I think it’s Daihannya? And it’s Kousetsu! Or, well I believe he makes good troops...

Q. Have you ever done something with all your might in order to get a particular sword? Please describe what you did and the results.

A. Good story: I used up all my ofudas and resources were almost less than a 100k?? and it was night time already!!! God i needed to sleep. then tomoe came home!!! Juzu too!!! God I ran thru 7-4 long route so many times i think i 99-ed a set of tantous + almost another set of them before i got him uwu;;

Bad story: same thing and I was down to 50k??? yep i think that was it. koryuu still didnt come home. ;;

Q. Are you superstitious? (wwww)

A. I believe that Nakigitsune brings swords home as he brought Juzu home (and he brought Juzu home as well for my sis! Also Shizukagata for her!) Also back when I sucked at VOT, I believe that screaming beads repeatedly while pumping my fists helps (no it doesnt but well im desperate for an ichigo)

Q. What made you join the TKRB fandom in the beginning? How about now?

A. I saw fanarts of it from an artist i love and im like WHAT IS THIS?? at first it was only the game and i heard it was pc + jap only so i gave up. when hanamaru came out, i watched and got hooked!!! i then started playing. i stay for the art + i actually enjoy the mindlessness of this game. perfect for someone with bad attention span like me ^^;;

Q. What do you think of the current maps? Which map is good for training/grinding, which maps do you get lost in the most, which map do you want to burn?

A. They’re ok now that they updated the less clicking thing! I love 7-4, long route for my tantous + 5-4 for my tachis. I get lost a lot in 7-1??? and this map in 6... ID BURN 7-2 AND 7-3 WOW I LOST A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR THE DAMN REPAIR

Q. Are there any game systems or improvements that you hope DMM will implement?

A. I would mention the less clicking but they already improved that! Honestly the recent updates were real nice! Maybe something like auto play? Like it would only prompt you to click if there is an injured sword or cant scout? haha less clicking again ^^;;;

Q. If DMM cooperates on an event with another game/anime/etc., what would you like to see?

A. Since this is about swords, I kinda want something like FFXV bcos noctis and his swords... Or final fantasy in general!! Actually I also want Natsume Yuujinchou hahahaha.. and sanrio... ah ahaha.

Q. Have you ever spent money playing TKRB? Is so, how much? If not, do you plan to?

A. sweats... I’ve bought two sword slot expansion and two troop slot expansion (check the store for price!) Outside the game, I’ve bought some mostly Kashuu merch because he’s def my favorite!

Q. Is there any merchandise that you would like to buy or see?

A. Mini-sword keychains? haha or maybe a music box?

Q. Have you done any fanwork? If so, what?

A. I’ve written some short oneshots! It’s either here or on quidumps

Q. What do you think you are like as a Saniwa?

A. I think I’m the type who spoils them a lot (esp the tantous and anmitsu uwu) and plays along with Tsuru’s pranks! Maybe doting is the word? Ah some swords might not be ok with it but i might be cuddly! I imagine hugging ishikirimaru a lot bcos he looks soft ;w; ishipapa!!!! warm uwu also i feel like ill be close with micchan! i dont think ill get along with mika tho HAHAHA JIJI!!!! 

Q. If the government asked you to choose a sword to kill yourself with in terms of emergency, who would you pick?

A. hm... I would say it’s Kashuu because he knows me the most and he is the most mature among everyone. If it’s going to be a tantou, I would say someone like Atsushi because he looks strong emotionally. Emotionally, I would also say Kiwame!Fudou as I think he finally understands what it means to be a mamorigatana. (not imano... ill break his heart ;;)

Q. The government has asked you to write a report: how would you describe the situation in your Citadel?

A. Everything is under control! We’re fighting off the Retrograding Army quite well! Horikawa has Kane-san under control!!!

Q. What do you think of the Retrograding Army?

A. maybe if they were cuter... ah no haha. I wish they would tell us why theyre changing history >< And maybe stop for some time??

Q. Lastly, please say something about the TKRB from the bottom of your heart!

A. Thank you so much for existing!!!! I never knew I would be this hooked! No plans on leaving and hopefully it stays like that! Please stay popular so when I get to Japan with enough money I can support full on!! HAHAHAHAH

[sammyoliviawatson]

30 songs

I am on a long train ride home rn so I actually have time for the tag game! Thanks so much for tagging me Sev @slightlyintimidating, I really enjoy doing them! =))) 1. A song you like with a colour in the title. “Blue Eyes” by Mika Also “Für mich soll's rote Rosen regnen” by Hildegard Knef (For me it shall rain red roses, but that sounds more graceful in German) 2. A Song you like with a number in the title. Haha - “Eins und eins, das macht zwei” by Hildegard Knef a terribly cheesy and cliché love song, but by Hildegard Knef which makes it all the better. Go check it out, this song (and Hildegard) is amazing. (The title translates to “One plus one equals two” but refers to people, as in like one plus one equals a couple/ lovers. 3. A song that reminds you of Summertime. “Escape (the Pinã Colada song)” by Rupert Holmes (maaan, that song) 4. A song that reminds you of someone you'd rather forget. “No sleep for the dreamer” by BOY No no no no tearing up god no why 5. A song that needs to played out loud. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA 6. A song that makes you want to dance. “Sway” by Pussy Cat Dolls My god that song the innuendo my god I need to dance a Tango to that at some point. 7. A song to drive to. Elvis. Everything by the Kind of Rock and Roll. But for the sake of this list I choose “Guitar Man". 8. A song about drugs or alcohol. What do you expect of me? I'm boring. Okay okay “Strawberry Fields" by the Beatles. 9. A song that makes you happy. Sooooooo depends on my mood. But I’ll just go with the generic “Happy" by William Pharell because it’s true too NO “Lass die Sonne scheinen" by the Wise Guys (translates to let the sun shine, and the song is about how you MAKE the sun shine in your head when there’s every weather (also emotionally) besides sunshine. This song is amazing.) 10. A song that makes you sad. “Fairytale” by Sunrise Avenue also “Ich will zu dir" by the Wise Guys (the title translated to “I want to (go) to you” aw god no that sounds awful and doesn't have half as much melancholic meaning as the German title does. It also implies “I miss you" but like in a stronger way because “I" can’t bear to be in a place you’re not in, everything draws me to you. It’s about a break-up I suppose and how one feels soon after.) 11. A song you never get tired of. Phantom of the Opera. Everything in it. 12. A song from your preteen years. “YELLOW SUBMARINE” by the Beatles. I have no idea what was on the radio when I was in my preteen years, but that was what my dad was listening to. 13. A song from the year you were born. “No Diggity” is the only song I know 14. A song you'd love to be played at your wedding. “All I ask of you” from Phantom of the Opera. Although no, actually I will probably propose with that song. Even though I don't have anyone to propose to, and I am aware that I am a cliché lesbian with that. I already know how to sing that song in its entirety…Also at my wedding I will need to hear the song “This" by Ed Sheeran. And if someone performs “Read all about it" by Emeli Sandé I will bawl my eyes out but in the best possible way.

15. A song you like that's a cover by another artist. “Crazy little thing called love” by Maroon 5. Also everything by Postmodern Jukebox. 16. A song that's a classic favourite. RETURN TO SENDER! ADDRESS UNKNOWN! THERE’S NO SUCH NUMBER! NO SUCH ZONE! by Elvis 17. A song you'd sing a duet with someone on Karaoke. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and also RISE LIKE A PHOENIX (a good friend of mine wrote a beautiful beautiful second voice to that and we actually sang it and we also sang Phantom of the opera together although we still have to sing a duet together in front of people but I would love to do that one day!!! Our voices mesh very well together, both very classical in sound. So phantom of the opera is really perfect for us. Anyways....) 18. A song you like from the 70s. I don’t know? You expect me to know what time the songs I like are from? Well, you expect too much from me. 19. A song that makes you think about life. “What do I know" by Ed Sheeran 20. A song that has many meanings to you. Sev, I hope I may steal your song because that is also very true to me. So “I will survive” by Gloria Gaynor 21. A song you like with a person's name in the title. GRACE KELLY  by Mika HELL I LOVE THAT SONG 22. A song that moves you forward. In which way though? I shall choose “Three little things” by Jason Mraz 23. A song you think everybody should listen to. MY OWN SONGS no, joke, I didn't publish anything anywhere at all. Hm. Let me think. Okay what the hell “Das Wasser" by Wise Guys (the title just means “the water" and the song is about reaching an oasis in the desert after a long, long journey, who knows how long, maybe days, weeks, months, years even and about just jumping into that water and how that feels. I mean it’s obviously a metaphor but yeah. That song is amazing and means so much to me.) 24. A song by a band you wish were still together. You think I know that much about bands? Well, you thought wrong. Oooooorrr I could just say Beethoven to mess with you. 25. A song you like by an artist no longer living. Ummmmmm yeah I'll go with Beethoven's fifth. Or Carmina Burana? There is too much good stuff out there. No, no, I choose Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata because that piece is fucking magnificent (and I have started learning how to play it!!!) 26. A song that makes you want to fall in love. All songs. No. Sorry. I am currently in a state where I want a relationship. Sadly. I wish I could be a 100% happy single and I am 100% happy, but when I'm in a relationship I am 150% happy so - yeah. I am not a good single. Annnnyways. “Ein Kompliment” by Sportfreunde Stiller 27. A song that breaks your heart. Everything by Adele pretty much. But probably “Love in the Dark”. That might be tmi but WHO CARES the content of the song is half the reason me and my ex broke up (but like I was Adele and she was the person she’s singing about). What a self-conscious bitch with shit-ass commitment issues. Sorry. It was mostly a good relationship until the end, I just gotta bitch sometimes. 28. A song by an artist whose voice you love. Adele. And Kristin Chenoweth. And Hildegard Knef. And Marlene Dietrich. But probably most of all Ella Fitzgerald. I choose her song "Mr Paganini", it is so beautifully funny and masterfully sung. 29. A song you remember from your childhood. “Singing in the rain” by Gene Kelly. I remember dancing on the carpet in our living room to that song and them spinning so long until I would fall over from losing my balance. I was a happy child. 30. A song that reminds you of yourself. Ahahahahahaha "Glitter and be gay" from Candide, I still love Kristin Chenoweth's (and my) version most. This was soooooooo much fun I love music so much my god. And there was suprisingly much German music in there =) I’ve been listening a lot to Hildegard and Marlene lately =)

NOW I MAY TAG PEOPLE MUAHAHAHAHAHA (I love you guys):

@whos-to-know, @piscesbuffy, @pixiesstolemysocks, @randomreindeer, @cassiopeiasara, @monsterintheballroom, @pandorabox82