#i would rather they don't make a second server | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jellieland · 1 year

Text

A week or two after the games, Grian will usually check in with the victor.

It's a habit that's probably more for his own benefit than anyone else's. But it is, he thinks, a good habit nonetheless.

After all, as fun as it all is, things can get a bit... intense, towards the end, and it's good for his peace of mind to make sure the last one standing is ok with how things shook out.

Nothing much has ever really come of it before; they're all pretty resilient. He doubts this time’ll be different. Except- well.

Something about it all itches at the back of his mind, and he hasn’t been able to work out why. There was the actual ending, of course, but also Grian may have been whispering in Martyn's ear about how boring that final showdown was turning out to be, and how narratively satisfying it would be if he just betrayed the other two and got it over with, so.

If nothing else, it feels like he's got no reason to break with tradition.

There's just one more concern.

Martyn seems to have made it almost impossible to contact him.

It's not... unheard of, for players to keep to themselves most of the time, especially when it comes to those they don’t share a server with. It seems a little uncharacteristic of Martyn, but the last time Grian saw him outside the games was before they even started, so maybe he does things differently these days.

There are certainly a great many reasons why that could be the case, most of which are perfectly sensible.

But Grian's never been able to resist picking at a puzzle put in front of him, whether the puzzle likes it or not, so he is going to talk to Martyn. And he can just see what happens, and worry about any consequences if and when they appear.

Luckily, he already has a way to do just that.

He doesn't usually need to do this - although it is very funny to startle Scar or Mumbo with it sometimes when they're concentrating. Honestly it's usually less effective than communicators, with how much effort it takes.

But he does have a way. The same way he used to whisper in Martyn's ear very recently, in fact.

He reaches out, away from his home, away from his body, and it feels a little like simultaneously overextending himself, and putting his foot down on a step he thought was flat ground.

That is... not how this usually feels.

It's odd. Rather unnerving.

But it works.

He finds Martyn. Watches the vague shape of him solidify into something more real.

He’s still wearing his red life outfit, for some reason. His eyes are closed. Around his head, the coral curls like a blood-red crown.

“What do you think you're playing at?” Asks Grian.

Martyn blinks his eyes open slowly, looking less confused than Grian would expect for someone hearing a disembodied voice out of nowhere. “Oh good.” He says dryly. “You again.”

He squawks indignantly. “Hey, what's that supposed to mean?”

There is silence for a few seconds.

“...Hey.” Martyn says, and as flippant as he suddenly sounds, he looks as thrown off balance as Grian feels. “Not sure who this is, but I think you might have the wrong number!”

“I think that's unlikely.” He deadpans. “Where are you? I haven't been able to get hold of you.”

“Uh-” There's a short pause as he looks around at wherever he is right now. “Falling into endless nothingness, looks like. Same old, same old, am I right?”

Grian rolls his eyes. “Yeah, ok. Well, I suppose you don't have to tell me.” A part of him makes a note of Martyn’s wording, though. Just in case.

“...Hm. Well, not gonna lie, I do appreciate the change of pace, but I would love to know what exactly you want from me. You know, just on the off chance that you feel like giving me any clues.”

It's at this point that Grian remembers: one of the main reasons this method of communication is good for messing with people is that it makes him sound, um. A little different. And while he can see Martyn, it’s not as if Martyn can see him.

...Best to just pretend that hadn't slipped his mind.

“You do realize this is Grian, right?” He asks, as though it ought to be obvious.

“Riiight, yeah, sure.” Says Martyn. “And I'm also Grian, did you know that?”

“Oh for- what, do you want me to tell you some secret only the two of us would know, or something?”

“Nah.” Says Martyn. “That wouldn't work.”

“Elaborate.” Says Grian, through gritted teeth.

“You know what? I don't think I will!” Replies Martyn brightly.

Grian takes a deep breath in through his nose. “I'm beginning to wonder why I bother.” He grinds out.

Martyn snorts. “Tell me about it.”

There's a short silence.

“But- ok.” He continues. “Just suppose for the sake of argument that you are Grian.”

“...Yes?” Asks Grian warily.

“I have a question for you.”

“...Yeeees?” Asks Grian, even more warily.

The silence stretches for several long moments.

“What's up?” Asks Martyn.

“Yeah ok, this isn’t worth it, I'm leaving now.”

“Wait! No, I'm serious!” Under the amusement, there's a note of something that sounds almost like nervousness in his voice. It's uncharacteristic. Unnerving.

“What are you talking about?” Asks Grian, trying very hard to keep his voice at least mostly free of annoyance.

“Oh, you know! What's going on, what's the deal, what'd you want to talk to me for?” There's a slight hesitation. “You need help or something?”

“I- ok. That's actually sort of relevant. It's really nothing too complicated, Martyn.” He says, grumpily. “All I wanted to do was make sure you're good with what happened at the end of the last game.”

Martyn blinks, and goes very still.

There is a long silence - long enough that Grian starts to feel concerned.

And then Martyn laughs.

It's not a nice laugh.

“Good, huh. You want to know if I’m good with it. That sure is an interesting choice of words.”

“...How so?” He asks, guardedly.

“Grian. Grian, I’m not sure if you remember this, but I won. I won this one, Grian.” Every word he says, however restrained, sounds like it’s had to claw its way out of him. He glares at nothing. “And guess what? It's just like the others. I don’t really care enough for any of it to matter to me, anymore, and that's fine by me.”

Now that's... a lot to unpack. “You- I'm sorry?”

“Well that makes one of us then, doesn't it?” His voice is coated with scorn.

“What are you talking about?”

“Do you actually think I’m going to explain myself to you?” He asks, looking half-amused. “You, of all people?”

“Well unfortunately, Martyn, I can’t exactly put Ren on the line, so I’m afraid I’m all you’re going to get.” He snaps, and instantly regrets it when he sees the look in Martyn’s eyes.

There is a short silence.

Grian shifts uncomfortably. He’s not going to apologize, obviously. But. Well. “That... ok, maybe that was a bit much.” He says.

“...Little bit, yeah.”

There is another silence.

After a while, Martyn speaks.

“I would’ve betrayed him too, you know.” He says coolly.

“What, Ren?”

“Yeah. At the drop of a hat. Soon as it was convenient.”

“I mean sure, I suppose?” Says Grian, caught off guard. “You didn’t, though. Did you? When you had the chance.”

“Eh.” He shrugs, as though that’s an irrelevant detail. “It would’ve been more dramatic later. You know how it is.”

...There's no real way he can justify saying no to that, is there? “Yeah.” He says. “I guess I do.”

He tries to picture the King, betrayed. The Hand, triumphant.

“I dunno, though.” He says, thoughtful. “I don’t think you ever could’ve done it, to be honest. Not in the first one. Whatever it was you were planning, it was just never how that story was going to go.”

“That’s not true.” He says it just slightly too fast. “I know that’s not true.”

Grian scoffs. “You know thinking about something isn’t the same as doing it, right?”

“What, no, really?” He rolls his eyes. “You don’t say!”

“What I’m saying,” He lets his voice turn biting, “Is that you’re being stupid.”

Martyn lets out a startled laugh. It’s surprisingly genuine. “Wow. You’re really bad at this, dude.”

Grian bristles. “Well why am I the one who has to do it then? Why don’t you talk to someone else, if you hate talking to me so much?”

“I mean…” He makes an unconvinced noise. “Obvious problems aside, when do you even expect me to do that? We usually have other things to worry about.”

“I don’t know, maybe at literally any point between the games?” He sighs exasperatedly. “There’s no way you’re that busy.”

“Between the games?” Martyn asks incredulously, and Grian suddenly feels as though something dangerous is hovering over their heads, just about to drop. “What do you mean, between the games?”

“I mean between the games! Like- now! What do you think this is, right now, if it’s not between the games?” He snaps.

“This right now?” He looks nonplussed. “I think we’re usually asleep for most of this bit. Or possibly we forget about it. As you can probably imagine, it’s hard to know for sure.”

“Now I know that’s not true.” He says firmly, ignoring the unease trying to creep up on him. “I know I do stuff between games, and I know I don’t just forget about it. That makes no sense.”

“I mean, I don't necessarily mean everything between the games, more just this specifically.” He gestures around at nothing. “That gets more complicated, though. But you- hm.” He looks curious. “That’s interesting. Where even are you, then, at the moment?”

“I’m at home! Which is where I thought everyone else was too!”

Martyn seems to consider this for a few moments, and then he frowns, and then his expression goes blank. “…Oh.” He says. “Yeah. No, that… makes sense, actually. Yeah. You’re probably right.”

“Wha- what do you mean? Right about what?”

“Everyone probably went home. Or, at least, they thought they did. And hey, what’s the difference, when you get right down to it?”

“...Ok, I’m going to ignore the second part for now, I already got past that little existential crisis after Ren and Doc’s whole… thing… in season eight- if you think everyone went home, why are you- what was it you said- ‘falling into endless nothingness’?”

There’s another pause.

“...You’re really gonna make me say it, huh? That seems cruel, even for you.”

“Wait, no, what do you-”

“Where else do you think I would go?” It sounds less like an admission and more like an accusation. “What ‘home’ do you think I have left, Grian?”

“Look.” Snaps Grian, feeling vaguely tricked. “It’s not my fault that you-”

“Yeah, it never is, is it?” He glares into the darkness. “It’s always a tragic inevitability with you, never a choice you’re making. That way you get to stab people in the back and pretend to be sad about it. Best of both worlds, huh?”

Grian splutters for a few seconds. “Why are you being so rude to me??”

“Because you’re you and I’m me.” He smirks. “Don’t know what you expected, honestly.”

“Oh yeah? Who’s hiding behind inevitability now?” Grian retorts, perhaps a trifle vindictively.

“I never said I wasn’t a hypocrite, sometimes. Also, I never said I felt bad about it.” He replies levelly, and all at once, they’re talking about something else.

“You didn’t need to say it.” Snaps Grian. “You might be good at lying but you’re not perfect. I could see in your face that it hurt.”

He narrows his eyes. “It felt good, actually.”

“Wow, good for you.” He says, almost amused suddenly. “You didn’t say I was wrong, though.”

His expression twists into something unreadable. “I know you, Grian. Like recognizes like.” He says, voice low and dangerous. “You’re a liar.”

Grian shrugs, despite the fact that Martyn will not see it. “And you’re a coward. Your point?”

“I don’t need to justify myself to someone who refuses to admit that he could have chosen to be better, if he’d ever wanted to.” He spits out.

“Hey, at least I don’t try and convince myself I’m a monster just because I want to survive.”

That one strikes something tender; he can tell. “Right, yeah, and you’re just a blameless angel and everyone you cut down had it coming, I’m sure.”

“I didn’t say that. But since you bring it up… how many people did you give up your time for, again?” He grins. “Is it less than one? Because I think it is. I think I’ve got you beat there, Martyn.”

“And where did it get you?” He snarls.

“Home, in the end.”

Martyn flinches back as though he’s been struck.

“Did you forget about that part?” Asks Grian.

There’s a long pause.

Martyn fidgets with the end of the banner he wears around his waist, pulling at where the white threads are coming undone. He stares out into the darkness. “Yeah.” He says. “I guess I did.”

The satisfaction of winning the argument feels less potent, suddenly.

“You’re right.” Says Grian, after a while. “I’m really bad at this.”

Martyn laughs quietly. “To be fair, I’m not exactly helping.”

“You’re really not.”

He sighs. “You know pulling the knife out just makes the wound start bleeding again, don’t you? That’s all we’re doing here. That’s all we’re going to do to each other. We’re too alike to do anything else, unless we just don’t do anything. And hey, we’re not great at that either.”

“Hmm.” Says Grian begrudgingly. “I’d say something about inevitability again, but I honestly don’t think you’re wrong.”

“We both just enjoy pushing buttons too much to be particularly good at not pushing them, I guess.” Martyn sounds half-amused, half-resigned.

Grian makes an irritated noise. “Yes, alright, I don’t need another reminder of the whole button debacle.”

There is more silence.

After a while, Grian speaks again. “There’s something I was wondering about, actually.”

“Oh yeah?” Martyn raises an eyebrow.

“What’s the reason?” He asks.

“You’re gonna have to be more specific with that one, mate.”

“‘This is a death match for a reason.’” He says matter-of-factly. “That’s what you said. So- what is it? What’s the reason?”

Martyn blinks, then lets out a short, harsh laugh. “You think I know that?”

“No, not really. That’s why I wondered what you meant when you said it.”

“It- look. I don’t know if you’re expecting philosophy from me, or something. It’s a death game. People die, and it doesn’t have to mean anything. It doesn’t have to be special, it doesn’t have to be honourable, it doesn’t have to be fair. That’s what I meant.” He frowns. “You know that.”

“I do.” He admits.

“Then why ask?” Martyn looks around as though this time, somehow, he might be able to find Grian’s face in the dark.

He doesn’t.

“I just-” Grian sighs. “What do you want?” He asks. “What do you actually want, Martyn?”

The question sits heavy in the darkness between them.

“What do you want me to say?” Martyn asks. He sounds more tired than Grian’s ever heard him.

“I want you to tell the truth.” Grian says. He needs to know. He needs to know.

“Now, Grian.” Says Martyn, voice gently chiding. “Have you met me? You know I can’t do that.”

“Pretend it’s a lie, then.”

Martyn’s grip on the banner he wears tightens, slightly. There is a long, long silence.

“Or how about,” Says Grian, eventually, “You say something, and I won’t know whether it’s a lie or not.”

There is another pause.

Martyn frowns at the red of the fabric in his hands, as though it might offer him something.

As far as Grian can tell, it does not.

He’s just beginning to give up hope of ever getting an answer when Martyn speaks, so softly he almost doesn’t hear it.

“I want it to be warm again.” He says.

It’s quiet.

For a moment – just a moment, no more – Grian remembers bloody, aching fists. He remembers burning heat.

“Well.” He says. “That makes one of us, then. Doesn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Says Martyn, voice low. “I guess it does.”

There’s another short second of silence before Martyn speaks again, sounding cheerful. “So, suppose I’ll see you in the next one, huh? If that ever happens.” He grins. “Wanna take bets on how hard Scott’ll have to try not to win it? I’m gonna go with very.”

Grian snorts. “I’m not taking that bet. That man is infuriatingly good at surviving.”

“You’re not wrong! You are not wrong.” He gestures into the void. “And don’t even get me started on Timmy’s whole thing, I think we both know how that one’s gonna go. Unless you want to bet against him being gone first next time round?”

“You’re not Scar.” Says Grian. “There’s no way you talk anyone into taking that bet in a million years. Except maybe Timmy.”

“Fair, fair.”

There’s a short pause.

Grian hesitates for a moment before he speaks – almost, but not quite, reluctant. “Why do you keep looking back?” He asks. “There’s nothing left for us there. You know that, right?”

“I mean, let me know when you find a better place to look.” He tilts his head to the side slightly, curious, and frowns. “Do you really never want to go back?”

“No.” Says Grian. “Never.”

Martyn opens his mouth, and then, uncharacteristically, closes it again. “Yeah.” He says. “Me neither.”

Grian is tempted, momentarily, to tell Martyn to take the banner off and let it go. Let the darkness take it. Prove it.

But just like Martyn, he lets it drop.

Mutually assured destruction is a potent thing.

Now all he has to do is the hard part. The part he’s dreading most of all.

The main concern is phrasing it correctly. Making it sound just how he wants it to sound.

After some thought, he thinks he’s found the words he's looking for.

He could always be wrong, though. He’s usually more one for incredible violence than smooth talking.

“Martyn?” He asks cautiously, casually. “Do you want me to help you?”

The expression that crosses Martyn’s face is unreadable.

He processes the question for a few moments, before he answers.

“Nah. I’m good.” He says, voice guarded. “Don’t worry about it.”

And that’s the rub, isn’t it.

Because now Grian has to decide whether he’s going to let Martyn lie to him or not.

Whether he’s going to pass the test that’s been set before him, or not.

...

Grian’s not a monster.

He’s just realistic.

There's nothing he could do, anyway.

“Well.” He says levelly. “Just let me know if that changes.”

(Martyn would do the same to him. It’s not a justification, or an excuse. But he knows it to be true.)

Martyn stares out into the darkness. His eyes are almost, but not quite, resentful. “Sure thing, man. Why wouldn’t I.”

It’s not said like a question, so Grian doesn’t answer it. “Well, you know I can’t stay here forever.”

“I do know that.”

“Any messages you want me to pass on to any of the hermits? I know you haven’t seen Mumbo in a while.” It’s not really a compromise, or a peace offering. Hopefully, however, it’s close enough to one or the other of those to act in their stead.

Martyn closes his eyes. Breathes in. Breathes out. Opens his eyes again. “If you were Grian, then maybe.” His gaze is cold. “But I think this hypothetical has gone on long enough.”

...It’s a lot easier for both of them, if Martyn believes that.

He’s positive Martyn knows that.

Just this once, perhaps he can manage to not look a gift horse in the mouth.

“For what it’s worth,” He says, looking away, “I moved on from the Bad Boys when it got too expensive to keep them alive.”

“It’s not worth a lot.” Says Martyn flatly. “And it would be worth even less coming from Grian.”

Grian sighs. “Alright. Fine. I’ll see you around, Martyn.”

“I know.” Says Martyn. He closes his eyes.

After a few moments, Grian does too.

When he opens them, he’s home.

…

Oh, that doesn’t feel good.

It really doesn't.

He could dwell on this. It wouldn’t be hard. He could drown himself in guilt over what he’s done, or not done, or will not do.

But- well.

Grian never really saw the point in letting someone else drag you down with them.

#once he's sure that the thing he's decided to pretend was not grian is gone #martyn goes back to falling #and wishes he still felt enough grief to be able to cry.#limited life smp #life series #grian #martyn inthelittlewood #my writing #i finally managed to finish this. it took me. a while.#they're narrative foils to the point of absurdity is the thing #they're incredibly similar and also completely different #it's fascinating

1K notes · View notes

favorvn · 17 days

Note

Heyhoo~☆ I played episode 2 and OMG, I literally had 10 emotions rotating every 5 seconds while playing. XD I read on the discord server, you don't take donations?_? But it l mentioned keychains.... is there like a approximate time window for when they could be purchased? I reeeeeeally wanna give you some cash for your amazing games.>\\<

This is so sweet and I'm just beside myself at these kind sentiments 😭😭

At this point of my life I don't want to charge for my games. But I do think it would be fun to sell little merches of my Favor and BSH characters 🥰. But I'd prefer people buy them if they like the merch/characters rather than to just support me monetarily. If none of my merch interests you, keep your money and buy yourself a little treat, boba, coffee, pastry (ect) instead :3 !

If you want to support my games, giving a review on itch and spreading the word amongst friends that may like it is honestly what is really flattering to me. I make games because I love to do it, and I want people to enjoy and be able to engage with my silly little creations~ it's a creative outlet for me rather than a career or side hustle.

(And to be clear, I have nothing against side hustles. Side hustles in this economy are how so many people survive as many jobs don't pay enough to live off of alone.)

I just prefer not to tie my art/hobby to any monetary value at the moment. I may change my mind if I make something complex enough in the future tho, idk. This is just where I stand at the moment.

#favorvn #yanderevn #favor asks #visual novel #concretespeaks

81 notes · View notes

jjledragon · 6 months

Text

Life Series Alliances/Teams I want to see in future seasons

Jimmy and Cleo aka the Teachers.

I think it'd be fun to see them bond over their previous jobs as teachers, and Jimmy could use the protection Cleo offers by being aggressive and intimidating.

Scott and Joel

It'll continue Scott's trend of never teaming up with the same people twice, and Joel's aggression paired with Scott's chillness would be a fun dynamic.

Cleo and/or Pearl and/or Gem and/or Lizzie

All girls alliance YES PLEASE

BigB and Jimmy aka the Evo SMP members that still haven't had a win (at the time I'm posting this)

Mumbo and Skizz

Skizz's extrovertedness paired with Mumbo's introvertedness would be hilarious. The idea of Skizz giving an affirmation like he did in Limited Life and Mumbo just crumbles to the ground would be iconic.

Gem and Etho aka the Canadians

Gem could be the PvPer and builder and Etho could be the redstoner and her hypeman.

Jimmy and Scar

I don't care if Scott forbids it it would be a pairing full of shenanigans. And since they definitely wouldn't make it to the end, they could focus on making some chaos

Grian and BigB

I personally don't count the Secret Soulmates from Double Life as an alliance bc of how badly it failed, so I'd like to give them a doover where they're teamed up from the get go

BDubs and Jimmy

They could bond over being made fun of and being easily reactive. They would make each other worse off because of it, but I would be an amazing duo.

Pearl and Ren

Ren's theatricality and Pearl's deranged nature would be one hell of a plot device.

Lizzie and Joel

Their undying bond and their tendency to make chaos would be on hell of a watch.

Joel and Cleo

They would singlehandedly destroy the server the second they're both on red

Scar, Scott, and Skizzleman

All their names start with a "Sc" sound, which Skizz would have a ball with.

BigB and Scar

The amount of swindling/gaslighting they would do would cause permanent psychological damage to everyone else

Impulse and Cleo

These two would rather die than let go of a grudge they're holding. BDubs and BigB better watch tf out

165 notes · View notes

impish-ivy · 2 months

Text

Some clarifications about my post

Firstly I'd like to apologize about my first post. By keeping it vague I made it sound like the app would be deleted soon, when that's not the case. There's no reason to believe the app will be deleted in the near future, and I'm really sorry for the confusion and panic I may have caused!

Why do you need to start archiving?

Because realistically speaking, the OG shutting down is only a matter of time. Solmare is a business and running two congruent apps at the same time is twice the money being spent to upkeep it. Maintaining servers alone is expensive and with the OG's drop in player base, it's bound to happen sooner or later.

I was honestly surprised at the amount of people who seemed shocked at the idea of the OG closing its doors. The writing was on the wall the second the AMA started. It's why a ton of people were upset, it was a precursor to the end.

What to archive

I'd say the best thing to archive right now would be devilgrams, phone calls and chats. They did say that seasons 1 through 3 are important for Nightbringer's story, so I'm guessing they'll come up with some way to bring OG's main story to NB.

When should you start archiving?

We don't know when exactly the OG will be shut down, but it shouldn't be anytime within the next year. That being said, it's always better to start archiving soon rather than putting it off for some time because once the game is down, that's it. Also keep in mind that making a private archive for yourself should be fine, but once you share it publicly you'll be in hot water

Anyway, if you don't know how to archive things you can DM either me or @melverie and we'll give you a few pointers!

#obey me #obey me shall we date #obey me nightbringer

74 notes · View notes

bonzos-number-1-fan · 4 months

Text

JMJ: Frankenstein; or, the Modem Prometheus

Originally this was going to be titled "So Your Favourite Couple is Dead." but that would probably be a better outcome.

Spoilers for The Magnus Protocol episode 1, and all of The Magnus Archives by implication, below the cut.

This is going to be building on a couple of ideas I've seen throw around. Too often to cite any particular source, unfortunately, but I've not seen this conclusion reached and I think it might have more backing to it. Additionally, it's built upon the assumption that because "Chester" and "Norris" share VA's with Jon and Martin that they are Jon and Martin. Which naturally leaves that other J for "Augustus" being Jonah.

A very common thread in the conversations around episode 1's incident reports is that they're foreshadowing the major themes/beats of the show. The second one is obvious enough; don't got to the Magnus Institute. A sentiment we can all get behind. The other, a story of partial reanimation, has been taken to be a warning that the people you love don't always come back the same. I think that's likely the implication but a potential clue hasn't seen any attention AFAIK.

Before we get there though I need to briefly explain the history of JMJ. If you were a part of the ARG you'll know all about Colin's Code Collection. For those who don't know out favourite OIAR code monkey kept a selection of projects on the OIAR servers and through some covert means we gained access to this. Lots of it was normal stuff like Colin thinking he could improve Linux. However there were several encoded strings left by _6A1F7106A_$. These strings contained a few things but of importance for us is a few code blocks encoded in a monoalphabetic substitution cipher where the ciphertext was alchemic symbols. 6A1F7106A itself is an encoded string but unlike the rest of the ARG it was encoded in three layers. 6A is hexadecimal for "J", while 1F710 is Unicode for "🜐", and 🜐 was "M" in the aforementioned alchemic cipher. JMJ.

Now back to that incident. Coming back wrong was the entire premise of why that incident was scary. JMJ have come back too., and as that incident was about partial reanimation everyone ran with that idea mapping onto JMJ. But "Reanimation (Partial)" wasn't the only option for it as it could have bee "Reanimation (Amalgamative)".

This whole time they've been saying JMJ. It's not ever just been J, or M. Even before we knew it was JMJ it was 6A1F7106A. Always one string; like one name. We've been talking about how shunting the Fears through the portal could've mixed them together but they're not the only ones that could've happened to. So what if it's not about JMJ coming back wrong, but coming back pieced together into a new whole?

It's not just the naming either but how they act. An amalgamation of Jon, Martin, and Jonah vying for control. Jonah, again presuming Augustus is Jonah, is the rarest of the three because it's 2-on-1. Jon and Martin can try to suppress him. Additionally, the .jmj error also makes more sense if you treat them as a single entity rather than three entirely separate ones. The trailer initialises them all as separate things but any effects of them we see is a single name and given all the above they don't seem to be able to act independently. The reason the trailer mentions errors and undefined drives for the master–slave drives would then be because there is no singular consciousness in control of the whole. There is a lack of authority, no truly dominant aspect to them, no hierarchy. So they're vying for control and causing those errors. The .jmj error, the encrypted text when plaintext would have been more useful, Fr3-d1 breaking down, the fact they seemingly can only manifest single personalities at once, Jonah's rare appearances. There is an obvious conflict at play here.

The opening to this wasn't a joke either. I was planning on writing about how they're likely dead for real. We've known Elias' VA wasn't coming back for a long long time so if it's Jonah in there it's OG Jonah. OG Jonah who doesn't have a body, which means more than likely whatever has trapped them hasn't stored their bodies. They're in there forever. No getting out. No returning to life at all. Just a cyberspace hell.

But at least they've got some close company.

#I didn't make a typo #The title is a pun #It's like an ogre #the magnus protocol #tmagp speculation #tmagp theory #tmagp #the magnus archives #klaus = kl4-u5

78 notes · View notes

lurkingshan · 4 months

Text

I've had all the different Love for Love's Sake interpretations rotating in my brain and kind of picking and choosing what I want to take from each of them, which is a very cool thing we can do with this show because it supports many different reads. I think for me I have landed on a few core ideas that I am stewing on the most:

Is Myungha in control of the game?

One thing I'm feeling pretty solid about is that my preferred interpretation is one where Myungha's consciousness is in control of the game. @jemmo and @biochemjess and @wen-kexing-apologist all offered up some thoughts about this that resonated with me and give me a framework that helps me make sense of the game glitches and server errors as manifestations of Myungha's emotional overwhelm and inability to accept love, rather than a creator forcing cruel choices and punishments on him. I like that idea a lot.

The initial assumption the show invites us to make is that the game world was created by the author based on his own novel, but I don't think that idea holds up as the show goes along. Because if this world we're in was truly based on the novel, I would expect we'd have seen some of it. Instead, we get a world that is populated by Myungha's own significant people--those he loved, those he lost, those he regretted--and no real hints about the novel world we're supposedly in. We never met the novel leads, for instance, or learned that Myungha had pre-existing knowledge of any other characters besides Yeowoon. So that tracks better with Myungha simply pulling his blorbo, the character he identified with most, into this afterlife world he created for himself.

Are Yeowoon and the romance "real" within this world of the show?

Which leads me to the next thing I'm stewing on. Is Yeowoon "real" in any meaningful sense within this universe? Is their relationship? Because functionally, Yeowoon is a mirror of Myungha and a stand in for his own self within the game world. Making Yeowoon happy becomes making Myungha happy. Loving Yeowoon is a form of self love for Myungha. One could argue that because the afterlife feels real to Myungha, it becomes real, and therefore everything that happens counts. But @troubled-mind mentioned in her post that she can't really latch onto the love story in this show because the reality is that Myungha has died and this afterlife is "wishful thinking." As an atheist, that resonates with me, and I think it's perhaps why I was not quite as emotionally moved by the romance ending as some of y'all seem to have been. Don't get me wrong, I thought it was beautiful. But I did not experience this as a happy ending to a love story in the way that some did. More than anything, I think I take it as a final bit of closure, that Myungha was able leave in peace having found some measure of love for himself in his final moments. I don't know that I am sold on the idea this means he is living a whole second life with Yeowoon.

So then, who is the author?

I have also been thinking a lot about who exactly this author is and how he's involved in this game world. @bengiyo suggested that he was someone who loved Myungha in life and created this world out of his own grief, and @twig-tea had suggested to me even before the show ended that the author was trying to help Myungha through the game. I see a logic to these reads, but I can't say either particularly resonated for me, in part because of what I mentioned above re: the cruelty of the game world if the errors are not self-inflicted by Myungha. @crapyouknowme suggested that the author is in fact a manifestation of the star Myungha wished upon, a loving presence that came to him because he yearned for it. I kind of like that idea personally, that this is another form of self-love Myungha willed into existence for himself. @dropthedemiurge wrote that in the end it seems all the text messages of love and yearning were from the author, and I do tend to agree. So under this interpretation, the author appears to Myungha and sends messages of love and guides him back into this game world with Yeowoon because Myungha wills these things for himself. I like that idea that Myungha is ultimately still the one in control of how he chooses to leave the world.

I think ultimately for me, I am arriving at seeing this story as less of a romance and more of a journey to self love and closure at the end of life. I do think there is a hopeful tone to the ending despite how dark the realities of Myungha's story are, and for me that hope is primarily based in his ability to love himself on his way out of this life.

#yes i am still thinking about this and no i do not intend to stop #love for love's sake #korean bl #kdrama #shan shouts into the void

103 notes · View notes

sageglitch · 11 months

Text

listen i have so many thoughts on the differences between the governing styles brought up by bad, baghera, and gegg in the qsmp debates today so just bear with me okay?

bad is my least favorite of the three. he seems to say numerous times that he wants to simply "get rid of the role of president" and that the government just isn't needed, so they don't need to have it. my problem with this is that the government ALREADY exists. the federation is the one putting on this election, and so by saying you'll just dismantle the role of president and give power to the people, without having any system of keeping power against the government, the federation would be able to simply say "okay we'll just do another election" or even just take easy and total control right there. so i dont think bad's approach would work in anything other than theory because the federation is too unpredictable to assume they would just go along with the idea of no longer having a president (not to mention, leaving the role empty could allow certain people like elquackity to take up the power of the role to "fill the void")

baghera's is my second favorite. her entire idea relies on the concept of a presidential council, with advocates from each language, to ensure that every member of the community is being advocated for. hers is probably the one that would work the best in theory. it allows members of the community to speak up for themselves, and be able to relay it to the federation, likely through baghera herself as she would be taking on the role of president, making her the one to bring the citizen's needs to the federation. the downfall of this plan is the likelihood of the federation to twist baghera's wants and needs, as well as promoting infighting among the council, same as we are seeing with the presidential election itself. this would keep people from trusting baghera, each other, and essentially worsen a lot of the relationships between members of the server because the federation does NOT want what is best for everyone as we've established.

now, gegg. gegg. my favorite approach. anarcho-community. gegg's main approach to the presidential platform is "the federation does not make us feel safe. we are all one (gegg). we need to come up against them as a collective, it is our only chance." gegg's platform heavily relies on the knowledge that the federation cannot be worked with because they are actively harming people already. gegg also knows that they cannot ignore the governing power that the federation has. gegg's concept for president is that all the members need to come together as a collective and not just use it to better create events or things like that, but rather to use the close proximity to the federation the presidential role has and use it to dismantle the system from the inside out. the concept of working with the federation leaves the citizens up for being used like a doormat because the federation would absolutely break the president and citizen's boundaries slowly and slowly over time in order to make the president the federation's puppet, and gegg absolutely knows this. gegg sees through the presidential election as a way to keep the server members from coming together as a collective and going after the federation, just as many members were starting to get more and more frustrated with how they've been treated by the federation. gegg wants to dismantle the systems of government so that bad and baghera's ideas can work because gegg knows that community is the strongest thing they have.

sorry i just really love the philosophical dynamics behind politics that the qsmp brings up, it is SO interesting

276 notes · View notes

writerthreads · 2 years

Text

How to write a gripping beginning

by Writerthreads on Instagram

Personally, I find beginnings to be one of the hardest parts of the whole book because it's so important. The beginning is what makes or breaks your book. It's what keeps readers interested after they pick it up at a store, or when they first download it on their Kindle. Below are some tips, as well as some analyses, on how to perfect a story's beginning.

Introduce your main character and the setting: Mrs. Dalloway

By "introduce", I don't mean a giant 10-page info dump on royal family tree or the ten kingdoms the world is made up of. Rather, I'm thinking of a character in a place, or doing something. The best, and one of the most famous examples would be how Virginia Woolf started Mrs. Dalloway:

Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.

Already, you have the titular character, Mrs Dalloway, introduced. She's doing something, too. She's saying that she's going to buy flowers herself, setting up a scene later where she's probably going to, or back out of, buying flowers. The pronoun "herself" suggests to the reader in Woolf's era that she's of a middle-class background and that somebody (eg. a servant) would normally be running errands for Mrs. Dalloway, but the character wanted to do this simple task herself.

I could go on forever about how each word in this simple sentence has implicit meanings and my ex-A Level Eng Lit teacher will probably be very proud of me, but that's not the point. The main idea is that in just a single sentence, a lot is being revealed to the reader without the writer having to info dump anything.

Allow me to continue to the second paragraph of the book:

For Lucy had her work cut out for her. The doors would be taken off their hinges; Rumpelmayer's men were coming. And then, thought Clarissa Dalloway, what a morning-fresh as if issued to children on a beach.

More characters are introduced now: we have Lucy, Rumpelmayer and his men. Mrs. Dalloway's full name is revealed, and so is her personality through her thought. It's childlike, whimsical and light, and that's why her name "Clarissa Dalloway" is used here instead of the stiff "Mrs. Dalloway".

In just two paragraphs, we are introduced to the titular character and some minor characters are mentioned. We also know bits and pieces of what's going to happen. Woolf artistically starts off the book with simple prose. Everything is well thought out, yes, Virginia Woolf is a literary genius, yes, but this is something that we can all do: write a simple introduction without weighting readers down with lots of detail we don't need, and get straight into the story.

Start in media res

Fun fact: "in media res" is also the name of our Discord Server!

When you start in the middle of an action, readers are transported straight to the story, hooking them in. For example, if you were writing a rom com, you could start with the main character bumping into a long-lost friend:

Emma saw a familiar cowboy hat bobbing in and out of the crowd in front of her. Emma found herself pushing through sweaty limbs into the crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of the person who wore the hat, trying to see whether it was really her friend who had ghosted her five years ago.

Obviously this isn't the best beginning in the world, but you get the point.

Try something interesting

A strong story opening makes you want to know more. Donna Tartt does this perfectly in A Secret History:

The snow in the mountains was melting and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.

What is up? Who is Bunny? What's so serious about their predicament? Tell us more!!! Bunny's death makes us want to know what has happened, while mentioning the characters' situation wants us to know what's going to happen. Tartt forces us to continue on to find out the full story.

Lead with a strong statement

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy:

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.

Tolstoy’s first line introduces the domestic strife that drives the story’s tragic events, using a bold, sweeping statement, while Dicken's catchy first sentence introduces us to the book's main themes.

There are way more examples of good beginnings that you can only learn from by reading. If you're a beginner, literally comb through a library shelf of the genre you're writing in and see how published authors have written their beginnings. Alternatively, you could go check out our post on the best story beginnings for more ideas!

1K notes · View notes

ventingfanfics · 1 year

Note

an angsty to fluff fic where shuri is a known player in the royal family but the reader is a sweetheart and then shuri falls for her and tried to win her over but reader cannot believe it or is flabbergasted?? happy ending tho pls <3

First of all, many of you are so cute with your little requests. So many of you are creative! Okay, this one is LONG. I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to leave comments. It probably will have a second part.

Don't Wanna be a Player No More

The meeting at the palace finished, but M’Baku stuck around, joining Shuri for lunch. Together they walked into the cafe.

In time, they had grown closer with the Jabari leader taking on the role of a big brother. He would never replace T’Challa nor was he trying to. He simply cared about Shuri and felt she’d been dealt extremely cruel hands. He wanted to be of support to her. Plus, they found that they enjoyed the other’s company.

“Bast, I’m starving,” Shuri said, approaching the food court.

“I could eat multiple feasts right now,” M’Baku agreed.

“That’s you on the daily.”

“And what about it? A king has to eat. Do you see my stature? I can’t afford to play small.” Just as he said that, his eyes landed on one of the servers. He offered his best smile. “See, Hadiza here knows just what I’m talking about.”

“Why must you bring Hadiza into it? She’s here to feed your belly not your ego.” Shuri cracked a smile at the pretty worker who softly laughed.

“I come in peace,” Hadiza said, piling food onto their plates and earning laughter from them.

“Ah, here’s Riri. Someone with respect,” M’Baku called, seeing the science genius enter the premises. She was not alone. Another woman accompanied her. You.

Shuri, who sat her plate down at a table, followed M’Baku’s gaze.

“Goodness, could you stare any harder?” He said rather than asked Shuri, who nodded in greeting at Riri.

“For your information, she looks familiar.” As Shuri watched you taking your turn to get your food, she tried to place you, but to no avail.

“She also looks like your next victim,” M’Baku said, amused by his own joke.

Shuri threw a crumb at him. “Hush up. I’m a single woman.”

You walked with Riri over to them, feeling a little nervous about meeting Wakanda’s new Queen. You knew this day would come considering your opportunity.

“Hey y’all.” Riri smiled. “Shuri, I’m sure you know Y/N. M’Baku, this is Y/N.”

You wanted to shake Shuri’s hand but it seemed like bad timing with it being lunch and all.

“How are you?” M’Baku cordially greeted you, slyly taking you in.

“He’s the leader of the Jabari tribe,” Riri explained to you.

You laughed a bit and nodded because you were well aware. “And this must be Queen Shuri,” You said, successfully making the others laugh. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” You bowed.

Riri’s smile faded as she sat down. She had told you it was unnecessary to do that yet it did in fact feel necessary. First impressions were everything and you were raised to respect people and if bowing was a royal custom, so be it.

There was a mysterious small groan that could be heard.

“You don’t have to do that,” Shuri said, to which M’Baku agreed.

“Told you,” Riri muttered before eating her baked potatoes.

“I’m sorry,” You said, feeling your skin heat up.

Shuri waved it off with a smile. “All good. Just promise me that’ll be the first and last time you do that. Deal?”

“Deal.”

You were relieved that things were going well so far on your first day at the palace.

“So Y/N, do you work with Riri?” M’Baku asked, making conversation.

“I do, only for two hours, though. I’m mainly here to do outreach work.” You ignored the fact that Shuri was staring at you. Of course she’d be interested in this conversation. It was her business.

“Ah, that’s how I know you,” the Queen said, holding her fork. “Nakia referred you.”

You smiled. “Yes.”

“That’s impressive ‘cause Nakia wouldn’t just send over anyone.”

“Duh,” Riri said, making M’Baku laugh. She grinned at the look Shuri gave her. “Nah, but I just have a good feeling about Y/N being here. She’s dope.”

“Aww, thank you! The feeling is mutual. It’s an honor to be surrounded by greatness,” You said, looking at the three of them.

“You belong here,” Shuri said to you.

You repeated the statement to yourself, knowing you’d never forget it.

You were focused on your data work. It consisted of the different organizations you’d been in contact with. In just your first week, you’d connected with hundreds of individuals. The doors opened, but you remained focused.

“Hey,” You heard Shuri say, causing you to acknowledge her. “Where’s Riri?”

“I think she’s at the cafe with Kenya,” You answered, referring to the genius scientist’s girlfriend.

Shuri nodded. “Are you coming with us tonight?”

Some of the team was having an outing this evening. Of course you’d been invited and didn’t mind the idea of attending. You liked your colleagues thus far and wanted to make another good impression by showing up.

“Yep, even though I don’t drink…”

“Neither do I. And I still know how to have fun.” She shrugged a shoulder and came closer, observing your screen. “I really hope you have fun tonight, you deserve it.”

You smiled. “I’m sure I will. You all seem like a good time.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you a good time?”

You chuckled at her sheer curiosity, tilting your head to the side thoughtfully. “I mean, I wouldn’t say I’m the life of the party, but I vibe off good energy.”

Shuri smiled, her beauty on constant display. “I know just what you mean.” She rested her hand on your desk. “I promise I have good energy.” She was staring at you while you were entranced by her tattoo.

“Cool tat.”

She laughed softly. “Thank you! Do you have any tattoos?”

Before you could answer, you both heard Riri come in, declaring, “Alright, we out!”

“Hold on,” Shuri called, turning back to you. “Y/N, are you good to go straight there? Or did you need to stop home first?”

“I think I’m good, I have everything I need.”

“But a ride,” Riri said. “C’mon, Kenya’s waiting.”

“Can she at least use the bathroom first?” Shuri said back, pulling a face at you, as if to say “can you believe this girl?”

“You didn't go already? Never mind, it’s cool. I’ll wait.”

“Or you can ride with me,” Shuri mentioned to you.

Riri smirked at the Queen.

You lifted your hands in surrender. “Okay, okay, I do need to go to the bathroom, but I won’t be long. Riri, I don’t want to keep you and Kenya waiting, though.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Let me go with you.” She waited for you to grab your stuff.

Unbeknownst to you, Shuri admired the view of you as you walked towards Riri.

“Thanks for offering though, I appreciate it,” You called over your shoulder, smiling at Shuri, who quickly brought her eyes back to your face and matched your expression.

Shuri did her nightly check-in of the lab before leaving. When she went to the bathroom, you were exiting it. You held the door open for her with your usual kind smile.

“Thank you, usana,” the royal said. “That’s a nice dress, by the way.”

After debating, Okoye got involved in this heated exchange that consisted of a female letting Shuri have it. “Excuse me, what seems to be the trouble here?”

The girl’s eyes widened before she glowered and pointed at Shuri. “So you do have a girlfriend!”

Okoye rolled her eyes to the high heavens.

“Yes, this is my girlfriend,” Shuri deadpanned, and shooting Okoye a look that said “just go with it.”

Okoye had other plans. “I am the general, thank you very much.”

“You’re fucking your general?”

“For Bast’s sake,” Okoye said as Shuri stifled a laugh.

“Walk away,” Shuri said, steering Okoye away from the infuriated young woman. Okoye of course stayed behind to make sure the stranger left.

Shuri finally released her laugh as Okoye wore the ultimate look of disgust.

“You have got to be more selective, your highness.”

“Hey, what’d I say about formality after hours?”

Okoye shook her head. “I thought I was going to have to hurt her, but she’s just an idiot. Why can’t you get involved with one girl? Preferably a decent one with a working brain.”

Shuri smirked as she eyed you across the room. “Funny you say that because I know someone.”

Okoye followed her vision. “Is that the new girl Y/N?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Maybe I should retract my statement. She seems too good for you.”

“I’m sorry, how did you say you know her again?” Shuri narrowed her eyes at her.

Okoye smirked. “You know I’m right.”

Shuri tuned Okoye out as you and her made eye contact. You both smiled. Shuri made her way towards you as you finished your plastic cup of soda.

“The vibes must be off,” said Shuri, speaking down into your ear so you could hear her. She could have sworn she saw you shiver. “Are you cold?” She pulled away and unzipped her royal green Adidas Ivy Park tracksuit.

“Oh, no, no, you don’t have to do that,” You replied, though the royal was now clad in just a tank top that showed off her fit form. You forced your eyes on her face.

“You sure? It’s not a problem, Y/N.”

“I don’t want you to be cold.”

She chuckled inwardly. “You’re so cute. Tell you what, if I do get cold, you can help warm me up.” She studied your reaction, only getting a little laugh. You were very oblivious.

“Is that your way of saying you want to dance?” You asked her.

“Actually, yeah. I’d like that.” She took your hand, leading you to the dance floor.

It just so happened they were playing one of your new favorite songs. When that song came on, you didn’t care who was around.

Shuri and others gassed you up as you moved. But when it was all over, you suddenly turned shy. You looked around and saw two chicks staring you down—but bitterly.

“Well, damn, what did I do?” You thought aloud.

“Hmm?” Shuri looked at you, listening attentively as you cupped your hand around her ear, informing her of the two strange women. Shuri found the culprits and glared daggers at them until they averted their gazes.

“Do you know them?” You asked. “‘Cause I don’t. Never seen ‘em a day in my life.”

“Don’t pay them no mind, they’re just jealous,” Shuri said, pulling your back against her front. She felt warm, soft, and firm all at once. And she smelled divine. She must have wanted to comfort you because she was stroking your arms.

Clearly you weren’t the only sweet one.

You leaned into her, which made her smile yet again. “Can we keep dancing? You’re so good at it,” she asked. You laughed and nodded, feeling boosted by her compliment. The next grind-inducing song came on causing you to whine your hips. Fueled by the music, you even dropped it low, backing it up against Shuri, who gripped your hips and moved with you.

“Damn, Y/N! Okay!” You heard Riri say. “She said I’m not a wallflower no more!”

You and Shuri had a good laugh.

The royal noticed you seemed slightly out of it; she deduced it to her jacket and all the dancing and excitement. She gently removed the jacket from you and held it. “Let’s get you some water, party girl.”

She held your hand and you felt protected as you trekked to the bar.

“I’m getting ready to head out,” Shuri said. She never liked to stay out too long.

“Oh, okay,” You looked at her nodding. You weren’t quite ready to leave yourself but if Shuri was leaving, you didn’t care to stay either.

“I can give you a ride,” She offered, to which you accepted.

Shortly after, you said goodbye to everyone. Kenya was the designated driver for Riri.

“Bye girl, see you Monday!” Riri hugged you. “Bye, Shuri.” The Queen gave her a side-hug and nodded at Kenya before resting her hand on the small of your back, escorting you out of the club with Okoye and Aneka in tow.

Shuri programmed your address into her car. It smelled as good as she did.

“I hope you don’t mind, but Okoye and Aneka are gonna follow us,” she mentioned to you before starting the car.

“No, I know. It’s cool. That’s their job.” You got comfy in the chair, leaning back.

“Oh, you’re going to sleep on me?” Shuri asked, starting the car. She jokingly sucked her teeth. “Damn, Y/N.”

“Noo, I’mma keep you company.”

She chuckled and turned on her music at a comfortable volume. “Nah, it’s okay. I’ll wake you up when we’re there.” Although you were close to dozing off, you fought to stay up with Shuri. You felt bad about sleeping when she was giving you a ride.

She was a little worried that you might fall out, so she walked you to your door.

“Thank you, Shuri. I had fun tonight,” You spoke as you used your keys.

Your words lit her up. “My pleasure, and you most definitely are a good time.”

You could only yawn in response.

Shuri chuckled. “Have a good sleep, okay?”

You gave her a hug and she gladly accepted, squeezing you. “You too. Get home safe.”

“I will, babe.”

Whenever she called you a pet name, it made you feel gooey inside, but you always pushed it out of your head believing it meant little if anything at all.

All you could think that besides the ones your grandmother gave, that was one of the best hugs you ever had.

Shuri waited until you were inside with the door shut before taking her leave. You were surprised when you awoke in the morning to see a text from her: Made it home safely. Enjoy your weekend! x

“You texting somebody?”

Shuri’s smile faded. She was responding to your reply about her making it home safely. You had wished her a happy, restful weekend. “Yes, Imani. Why?”

“Just trying to figure out who with that Kool-aid smile. They gave you good news or something?”

Shuri stared at her and the woman stared back, arching an eyebrow.

“How’s your food?” Shuri changed the subject. She had taken one of her lady friends out for breakfast.

“It’s good,” her companion admitted, flipping her locs over her shoulder. “I’m not done either.”

“I said you could have whatever you want,” Shuri dryly reminded her.

“I know. Excuse me, waiter? Yes, I would like try your international omelette next.”

“Okay, and for you, miss?” He addressed Shuri.

“I’m good, thank you.”

After breakfast, Shuri took Imani to the mall. She was losing patience because unlike herself, Imani was no fast shopper. To say she was taking her precious time was an understatement. Shuri knew it was intentional. Imani felt like she was entitled to get under her skin.

She was about to just tell Imani to call her when she was done and she’d pick her up. Until she saw you. You were looking at dresses. And just like that, Shuri’s irritation melted away.

She snuck up behind you, covering your eyes. “You didn’t tell me you were coming to the mall.”

A puff of surprise left your throat. “Shuri?”

“The one and only.”

You turned around, revealing your bright smile. “You didn’t tell me either, miss thang.”

Shuri motioned to the clothes. “I see you’re looking at dresses, what’s the occasion?”

Her eyes bored into you as you shared that you were buying some work attire.

“Ah, I see…you sure none of these are for a date?”

You chuckled. “I mean, I guess they could be…” The two of you kept your smiles. “So, what brings you here?”

Shuri’s visage dulled. “I’m here with a friend.”

“Oh, that’s cool.”

“What are you doing after this?”

“Well, actually, I was planning to get a tattoo. Remember you asked me if I had any? This will be my first one.”

Shuri was so interested, firing off questions about what and where and when you planned to get the ink. And then someone shouted her name.

You, Shuri, and other patrons whipped their heads to look at Imani.

“I’m ready,” she announced.

“What did I tell you about screaming my name like that?” Shuri asked after a beat.

“You don’t mind it any other time,” Imani shot back.

You could feel the tension. But what mainly captivated you was the fact that this chick looked awfully familiar. She looked exactly like one of those women who seemed like they wanted to shank you at the club the other night.

“It’s rude to stare,” Imani said to you.

“That’s funny, weren’t you staring last night?” You blurted.

Imani pursed her lips smugly but you just walked alway. You didn't want any trouble. And now it was making sense as to why she’d had a problem with you.��

“Looks like your little girlfriend is upset,” Imani commented to Shuri sarcastically.

M’Baku watched as you entered the cafe and took your plate before leaving.

“The first time I see her all week and she disappears,” he said. “Do I even need to ask what happened?”

“She probably just doesn’t like you,” Shuri said.

He was unamused. “Ha-ha-ha. Shuri, did you do something to that girl?”

“Her name is Y/N, and, no, but I know you love to think that.” She took a long sip from her water jug

“Then why doesn’t she come around anymore? Even with Riri being out sick today, you would think she would feel welcomed to sit with us.”

“She’s been eating as she works.”

The silence was deafening.

Shuri sighed and looked at M’Baku’s knowing expression. “Ever since she found out about Imani, she’s been keeping a distance,” she quietly relayed.

His eyebrows went up and he nodded. “And why do you think that is?”

Shuri was exasperated. “I don’t know, maybe she liked me?”

“So, you didn’t lead her on?”

“No!”

M’Baku took Shuri in, but without judgement this time. “Okay, sis.”

Shuri stabbed at her food. “It shouldn’t matter anyway. She’s my employee for Bast’s sake.”

After lunch, Shuri returned to the lab. A week ago you’d worked in pure silence, but now you had taken her invitation to listen to music. It sounded like a movie score that you were listening to. She watched you bob your head as you worked with concentration etched onto your side profile.

You sensed someone watching you so you turned your back to find the gaze belonged to Shuri. You offered the weakest smile she’d ever seen and redirected your attention to your device.

Shuri decided to let you be for now. About forty-five minutes later, The Griot alerted there was a visitor on the premises named Zen-daya. Shuri pulled a face in confusion as she saw her information. “I have no idea who this is—“

“It’s for me,” You clarified.

Shuri noticeably calmed down. “Oh. Who is she?”

You chuckled. “Don’t worry, she’s safe. I told her to meet me here.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“If you must know, she’s my date.”

The room fell silent and thick once more. You packed your things and used the Kimoyo beads you’d been given to confirm with Zen-daya that you were on your way outside.

As you proceeded to leave, you looked at Shuri—really looked at her for the first time in a week. Although most probably wouldn’t have noticed it, you could tell something was bothering her. You didn’t need to know her long to know she was possibly affected by your obvious detachment. You had gone from warm and engaging to polite and short with her. Although you were doing it for the right reasons, you sympathized with her.

“Have a good weekend, Shuri,” You said, holding your bag over your shoulder.

She turned her head to eye you. “Y/N.”

You slowed down and faced her with a questioning gaze.

She looked serious. “It won’t take long. I wanted to check-in with you.” You nodded and she continued.

“If you want to keep things strictly professional between us, I understand. I just hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable.”

You thought of what to say. “You haven’t made me uncomfortable.”

She stood up. “Then why the sudden change? Why don’t you speak anymore?”

“I say good morn—“

“That’s all you say. You stay in here for lunch, avoiding me—even M’Baku has been asking about you. What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

You were right. She was absolutely affected.

“Is this about Imani—the girl you saw me with at the mall that day?”

A look and feeling of revulsion washed over you at the reminder. The truth was, you’d developed a crush on Shuri following your time at the club together. And you felt foolish when you realized she was involved with someone else—someone she had pretended not to know. Furthermore, Riri had warned you to watch out for Shuri because “she had heartbreaker tendencies.” Overall, keeping things professional seemed for the best.

“No, it’s about me doing what I feel is best.” You mentally high-fived yourself for the mature response.

Shuri’s frown deepened. She reluctantly nodded and turned away.

All you could think about was how sad she looked and how you wanted to give her a big hug. But you didn’t dare.

Riri had enough. She pulled Shuri out of the lab. Shuri looked puzzled at Riri’s shrewd countenance. “Yes?”

“Cutting the formalities, you’ve been acting like an ass this whole week, what’s up?” Riri confronted using her hands as she spoke.

Shuri scoffed.

“No, you have been, ask everyone!” Riri then looked around and lowered her tone, “We can all feel and see how snappy you are.”

Deep down, Shuri knew that for Riri to pull her aside, it was serious.

“Thank you,” she said, just as earnest.

Riri softened a tad. “You welcome. Now tell me what’s wrong.”

“Just some personal stuff, it was inappropriate of me to bring it into work. I will apologize.” Without another word, Shuri returned to the lab. She clasped her hands, looking around and soon getting her staff’s attention. “Everyone, a word. This week I’m sure you all noticed a change in my behavior, and for that I sincerely apologize. I have been dealing with some personal matters, but that is not an excuse to mistreat my team. I hope you can forgive me.”

“We know you’re still grieving,” someone called.

It was time for your shift in the lab. You saw Riri standing just outside the doors, watching what was happening inside. You greeted each other, though you could immediately tell something was off.

“Shuri just apologized to the team,” She filled you in.

“Oh, really? That’s good.”

Riri didn’t react. She looked contemplative. Almost reluctantly, she moved towards you. “Why do I get the feeling some shit went down between you?” She whispered.

“What do you mean?”

“She hasn’t been the only one acting off. You’ve been strange, too, acting distant.”

“Distant or professional?” You defended.

Riri heaved a sigh. “Y/N, just answer the question.”

You checked your surroundings and whispered defensively. “For my own sanity, I had to fall back—you even told me to!”

Riri just listened.

“Nothing happened beyond what you saw at the club,” You added. “We didn’t kiss, sleep together, none of that…”

Suddenly the doors parted, making room for Shuri, and silencing you and Riri.

“Y’all need to talk,” Riri insisted, eyes darting between you and Shuri. “Let me get back to work.”

“I have to work, too,” You said, shaking your head. “Did you want to talk to me?” You looked at Shuri searchingly, who wore a stoic expression.

She looked at you for a moment. Then, she shook her head. “No, you can go in.”

To make up for her moodiness, Shuri treated her team out that same night. She mingled with her staff—except for you. Though beneath her shades, she kept a watchful eye on you. There was something about you that warranted her protection. She knew how the club and how people could be.

She was surprised to see you drinking. Though, your reaction to the liquor was comical. You spit it out just as fast as you’d sipped it. This caused you to stain your clothes. Riri was hysterical. Fortunately, as Shuri presumed, Riri accompanied you to the bathroom.

Suddenly, a manicured hand reached for Shuri’s tapered cut but was intercepted by Okoye.

“Sorry, general, I just wanted to dance with the Queen, is that okay?” The woman responded mildly exasperated. Okoye looked at Shuri, who nodded. Okoye moved back to her position on the side but kept her eye on the woman.

Shuri’s shielded eyes traveled up the woman’s curvaceous frame. She allowed the woman to wrap her arms around her neck. The intensity of the woman’s perfume practically burned Shuri’s nose. Shuri turned her face, wincing, and gently holding the woman’s waist.

“I’m sorry,” Shuri told the woman before excusing herself. Okoye and Aneka following her.

Shuri went to the ladies’ room where you and Riri still were.

“Just take it to the cleaner’s, it’ll be alright,” Riri was saying as you furiously attempted to rid the purple stain from your cream-colored number.

“Hey Shuri,” Riri said in between a chortle. “Do you see this?”

Shuri gave a half-smile. “I don’t know why you were drinking to begin with.”

You looked at her through the mirror. “Because I can.”

Shuri just smirked and you watched as she splashed some cold water on her face.

“Don’t ask,” she said, knowing she had yours and Riri’s attention.

“Oooh, they’re playing my song!” Riri exclaimed. “I’m sorry, Y/N, Shuri is gonna have to take over, I’ve been in here long enough.” She rushed out the door.

“I might as well just suck it up,” You sighed, defeated.

Shuri removed her leather jacket and held it out to you. Looking at it and then her, you softly declined.

“Suit yourself,” she said, sniffing into a paper towel.

“What happened to you?”

Shuri finished with the paper towel, her nose reddening. “This woman, her perfume was overpowering.”

You burst into giggles.

“You’re laughing, but it made my nose hurt,” Shuri said, smiling small. You laughed harder when she started sneezing.

“Okay, that’s enough,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully after wiping her nose once more.

“Yeah, you better keep your jacket, girl.”

“Hush.”

“Make me.” You then chuckled. Shuri cornered you and you quickly grabbed her hands. You held up her tattooed hand and admired it again. “I was supposed to get mine.”

“Oh, you didn’t get it?” You shook your head. “I can take you.”

Shuri was amused and moved by you analyzing and tracing her tattoo. She also secretly enjoyed your touch. “You’re just trying to get out of being tickled,” she said.

You tightened your hold on her hands even more making her cackle.

“I love your hands,” You blurted.

For the first time you saw her blush. “Yeah? What do you love about them?”

“They’re strong yet delicate. Just like you.” You smiled.

“You’re so corny, Y/N.”

“Yeah, whatever, I told no lies.” You turned away from her.

Shuri backed you against the counter, making you yelp. She learned it was because you got some water on you. Her mouth was covered by her own hand in shock. You pushed her away from you.

“I am so sorry!”

You grumbled and went towards the door, Shuri fast on your tail.

“Come on, I have clothes in my car,” she said.

“Y/N, what happened now?” Riri questioned when Shuri announced that you were leaving.

“This one got me wet,” You said, sternly pointing at Shuri.

“In what way?” Riri wriggled her eyebrows.

“Riri, don’t start, I’m embarrassed as it is,” You retorted. “Shuri, let’s go.”

Riri smiled. “I’m just glad to see y’all like this again.”

“How are you getting home?” Shuri asked her. “You should come with us.”

“Kenya is meeting me here.”

“Let’s just wait until she gets here,” Shuri suggested to you, to which you readily agreed. You both went outside and she fetched a pair of basketball shorts and a sports bra for you to change into in the backseat. Shuri, Okoye, and Aneka waited outside.

When you’d already finished, moments later, Shuri opened the car door. “I just met Kenya at the door. We’re good to go.” She looked you and up and down and smiled. “Don’t you look cute.”

Shuri took you home, but didn’t let you get out of the car just yet. Instead of discussing what she wanted to with you during the ride, she chose to bring it up now.

“I’m just gonna come right out and say it…I’ve fallen for you. I know it’s only been going on three weeks, but not a day goes by that I don’t think of you and wish I could be right there. It was torture when you pulled back, then to top it off, you were dating that Zen-daya girl. I was miserable, angry, and confused, and taking it out on my team, which wasn’t cool. I never expected to fall for you let alone anyone. Not so fast, not like this. But here I am…not wanting or thinking about anyone but you.”

Your mouth was ajar. This time you’d gasped albeit quietly.

“True story,” Shuri confirmed.

“…I was not expecting that!”

“Hmm.” She smiled to herself.

You were truly flabbergasted. You had heard that Shuri was a player, plus you were her employee—you didn’t imagine she only wanted you and all to herself.

As if reading your mind, she continued, “I know you’ve heard…bad things about me when it comes to my dating life, and I want you to know I will prove to you that none of this is a game to me.” Her eyes held yours in earnest. After a beat, she laughed some, grasping your chin. “You should really close your mouth before something goes in it.”

“I’m truly flabbergasted…”

Shuri nodded. “This is a lot to take in, so I’ll give you as much time as you need. I promise I’ll be patient.” She leaned over the console and pressed a kiss to your forehead. “Let’s get you inside, yeah?”

Part 2

#reader imagine #reader request #shuri x reader #shuri x you #shuri imagine #princess shuri #queen shuri #marvel fanfic club #shuri x y/n #shuri x fem!reader #shuri x f!reader #shuri x fanfic #shuri fluff

399 notes · View notes

solarmidnight · 5 months

Text

Chreon Fic Rec List!

As promised, here is my Chreon fic rec list. Please leave a comment and kudos to show these authors some love!

If you are a fanfic author and find your fic on this list and you'd like it removed, please message me and I will remove it immediately.

Please make sure to read the tags for each fic for warnings/triggers.

Be My Remedy by tirsynni (8K)

When Leon agrees to do a favor for Chris, he should have expected everything to go to hell. At least this time he isn't alone when the mission is done.

Persona Non Grata by Yuu_chi (26k)

A no strings attached arrangement with the love of your life seems like a good idea right up until you realize he's in love with somebody else.

you don't fare well without me by realpoutydadsurvives (23k)

Leon shuddered a breath out of his frozen lungs and asked numbly, “Why do you hate me?” There was a quiet more invasive than the deadly silence of the world beyond the walls protecting them and Leon hated himself for being so stupid— stupid fucking Kennedy saying shit he wasn’t supposed to say— fumbling for a way to cover up his fuck up, when Chris’s low voice broke the silence, saying, “I don’t hate you, Leon. I never have.” “Liar,” Leon accused softly into the darkness of their warm refuge. “You’re a f-fucking liar.”

fate changed (we keep loving as if the story isn't over yet) by fonulyn (note: past relationship Piers/Leon) (34k)

In hindsight, Leon knew the second he opened the door and saw Chris standing there, dressed in his service uniform, mouth pinched to a grim line and unable to meet Leon’s gaze straight. There was only one logical reason for it, only one way to explain why he was standing there like he would rather be anywhere else, and Leon almost slammed the door right in his face. “Leon, I…” Chris started, suddenly forgetting every single word he’d prepared. “Piers. He…” he trailed off, and risked a glance at Leon, who was standing there like a statue. It was like he wasn’t even breathing, with the way he was staring at Chris. “He saved my life. He saved Sherry. And he saved Jake. Hell, he probably saved the whole world, but he—” “Don’t.” - Or the one wherein no one really knows how to handle their grief, but somehow life goes on anyway.

Chris by Any Other Name by leftid (30k)

“Christopher Adam Redfield,” the rookie said, admonishingly. “You clean up your mess this instant.” “Who?” was Chris’ reply. ———————— Leon Scott Kennedy takes pity on Christopher ‘No-Middle-Name’ Redfield, and spends the next several years they know each other trying to find one. Technically it’s a series of 26 drabbles spanning from RE1 to RE8. A small line of plot managed to sneak into this episodic series.

Cocksucker by r3zuri (note: also features Krauser/Leon) (12k)

When Leon is ten, he tells his parents that girls are gross and he’s never getting married. They tell him he’ll change his mind when he’s older.

Collide by NovelNormandy (8k)

“Oops,” Chris says and Leon huffs a surprised laugh, now using his grip on Chris’s arm and the back of his neck to help hold his weight. “Sorry.” Leon shrugs, looking back at him. “It’s from IKEA.” “So what do I owe you, like 38 bucks?” Leon adjusts his hold on Chris, wrapping his legs firmly around the other man’s hips. “Can think of another way you can get me back.”

Welcome Back by nanaa127 (5k)

After an extended mission, Leon unexpectedly shows up at a conference Chris is attending. Chris is happy to see him. Very, very happy.

New Rookie by leonsknife (6K)

There's a new rookie at the R.P.D. and he's caught Chris' attention.

who am i after tasting you? by chthonicheart (38K)

“I fear the entire floor might have heard us last night,” Chris starts. Leon’s ears start ringing. What? “Yeah, I know. The server told me to tell you he gives us his ‘sincerest congratulations.’” “Christ,” Leon mutters, mostly to himself. “If only this complimentary breakfast came with complimentary mimosas.”

One Tomorrow at a Time by Requiem (37K)

During the fight with Arias, Leon gets infected and turns into a B.O.W. Chris is not giving up on him that easily.

as i drown in irresistible love by FireandLightning (5K)

It's a late night at the BSAA offices when Chris receives a text from Leon containing a photo of Leon himself next to... Chris can get very, very jealous of people flirting with Leon sometimes. Leon knows just how to turn that jealousy to his advantage, especially for when he wants to get literally demolished and punished suitably by Chris Redfield.

#resident evil #chreon #leon kennedy #chris redfield #chris x leon #chreon recs #fic recs

56 notes · View notes

b0njourbeach · 2 months

Text

People who think that Kalim is based on Iago or even Jafars staff irritate me so much - Like have you ever seen Aladdin even once in your life??

This text will be my proof that I'm betting my soul on my belief that he's based on the Sultan until the day I'm proven different by an official statement of Disney or Yana Toboso.

[Spoilers for Book 4, parts of Book 1-6 mentioned]

Firstly, I'd like to begin with the personality of Iago, which is a rather sassy yet obedient one. He's undoubtedly Jafars minion, does as he say and even helps him by giving him input for his evil plans - As a good Villain' helper should do. While being a parrot, Iago has smarts and the sass, additionally to the ego to be a worthy Disney Villan Henchman. Though at the end of the day, he obeys Jafar.

As we know, all Villain Minions/Henchmen/Right Hands "obey" in the Twisted Wonderland version as well:

The Card Soldiers who obey the Queen | The Heartslabyul Students who obey Riddles word.

The Hyenas who obey Scar until he betrays them to save his own skin | Ruggie who follows Leonas lead until if is Leona who's willing to sacrifice him at the end

The Moray Eels who follow Ursulas Word | The Tweels who (most of the time) do as Azul says

The Evil Queen who orders the Hunter to end Snow White (and gets betrayed) and also the one who creates the poison apple | Rook who chooses Neige before Vil if given the chance and Epel who has no choice other than do as Vil says

The only character who doesn't have his little minion is Idia because we weren't given any characters based on Pain and Panic (Though they are in the game, just like many other parts of the movie but that is a different topic). I can't say much about Malleus yet because I'm playing on EN server and there isn't much of Book 7 yet.

Notice how I don't mention Jamil/Jafar? Book 4 is without question different in a few ways and it's mainly based on the simple relationship between Jamil and Kalim. Every Housewarden was the Villain, why wasn't it the case in Scarabia? Why wasn't Jamil given the role of the Housewarden (which he honestly deserves)? Because if he would've been given the highest position in Scarabia, he wouldn't be based on Jafar. Yes, it's just that simple.

Jafar, the Villain that is a Villain because he isn't the first. The most powerful. His source of evil is simply based on his spite for the Sultan, the one who is the reason why he is the second place to begin with. Now, who is it who puts Jamil in his former second position? Correct, it's Kalim and it always has been Kalim, the heir of the Al-Asim family and future Sultan.

If Kalim Al-Asim would've been based on Iago, he would obey Jamil, not the other way around.

But not only Jamil and Kalims relationship makes it rather easy to tell that Kalim is not Iago/Jafars staff, it's even Kalims personality as is that proves with ease that he is undoubtedly the Sultan in the original Disney movie.

The Sultan is a rather simple-minded man (I mean it in the most respectful way possible). He's easily entertained by the smallest things and is easily distracted by actions/objects that take his interest. You can almost watch his attention jump from one subject to another. Some might call his behavior rather "childish" if you take in that he's the literal Sultan - An important position that should be taken seriously at all times. Having mountains of riches, his taste is expensive - After all, he can afford it. As soon as the Sultan notices the flying Magic carpet, he's all over it, wanting to take a ride immediately and while doing so, he was quite "adventurous" and impulsively dangerous on his flight, putting others and himself at danger. There was also a quote that has caught my attention: The Sultan describes himself as an "excellent judge of character", yet it is him who blindly trusts Jafar and his words. Jafar, the man who openly brainwashes and hypnotizes him to get his way around.

Does it feel familiar to you?

#twisted wonderland #twst #kalim al asim #twst theory #twst analysis #jamil viper #disney jafar #🥀 twst

32 notes · View notes

amberstormblade · 3 months

Text

Girl Help I became possessed and wrote over 1000 words for the Viking-Piglin AU I came up with the other day. I don't know how this happened and I'm slightly scared that it will happen again. Enjoy

Part Two

It all started off so simply. Joy was trying to make a potion that would allow her to speak with piglins. She was always needing Nether materials and it would be nice to have the ability to trade again since the villagers still hadn’t forgiven her for the incident that had taken place oh so long ago. It was hopefully in its final stages, she just needed some help testing it. That’s where Legundo, the server’s resident piglin hybrid, came in. She would drink the potion, ask him to say some things in his native tongue and see if it was properly translated. Then, she would say some things and he would let her know what language he heard them in. They both decided it would be best to test this at Joy’s house to keep any mishaps contained since her more customized potions could be a bit wild. It wasn’t until they were walking up the path that Legundo noticed something strange.

“Hey hey hey! Wait a second, did you see that?” Legundo asked as they approached. “Seems you have a bit of a haunted house!” There’s a laugh in his voice as they both stop and peek through the window at what was clearly Viking, rummaging through Joy’s rather unorganized potion collection.

“Oh! Maybe he needs more fire resistance? The poor guy keeps running out. Maybe he’d be interested in testing my newest potion out with us! I’ll go ask and-”

“Wait!” Legundo stopped walking and put a hand on Joy’s shoulder. He gave her a mischievous grin. “Viking’s always scaring people by just showing up out of nowhere, right? I say we give him a taste of his own medicine! He’s got his back to us right now so as long as we stay quiet and take it slow… Oh yeah, this is gonna be great!”

The two nod at each other and carefully make their way to the door. Legundo took the lead as they snuck through into the sitting room area that had been taken over by Joy’s latest project. Surprisingly, Viking still hadn’t noticed them, too focused on all of the potions that had been haphazardly pushed to the side. Legundo took a deep breath as Joy did her best to stifle her giggling.

Just as it looked like Viking was going to turn around, Legundo screamed, “BELL NOISES!” causing Viking to jump and let out a high pitched screech, almost seeming to phase out of the physical world for a second.

Legundo and Joy shared a laugh at Viking’s shriek. They were quick to stop when they heard the shattering of glass. The shimmering red cloud that had escaped the potion bottle was instantly drawn towards the phantom, mingling with his semi corporeal form.

“Guys,” there’s a tremble in Viking’s voice, ”I don’t- Something doesn’t feel riGH- AH!” He’s suddenly clutching his chest as the potion properly takes hold. He grits his teeth, trying to keep from screaming as it suddenly feels like he’s burning from the inside out. His knees give out as tears begin streaming down his face, the only thing keeping him from bashing his head on the floor are the sudden arms around him. He’s not quite sure who caught him, but he doesn’t have it in him to care as he curls into them and screams. The noise tears its way out of his throat as he feels as his spine almost seems to twist. He vaguely thinks he hears someone mention milk and someone else say it’s too dangerous and the thought would almost be funny if his mouth hadn’t just been filled with blood as something forces its way out of his gums. There’s a weird sensation in his chest, like someone has pushed two observers together and set off a piston with them. If he wasn’t in a constant state of almost dead, he’d think it was a heartbeat and that it was dangerously high. His screams reach an impossible volume and the arms around him just hold tighter, seeming to not care how the hand that isn’t glued to his chest is practically clawing into theirs. Through the pain and confusion he thinks he can feel leather, a belt of sorts, thinks he can fit a face to the arms but then the agony crescendos and all he can think is that he’s dying again and he’d never get the answers he was looking for. He thinks someone tells him to breathe. He wants to laugh, say that he’s not needed to do that in a long time, has only been doing it lately to keep the others from freaking out more. His lungs are burning. That can’t be right though because he doesn’t have any, shouldn’t have any. In a haze he sees what he thinks is his hand but it’s not right, it’s a pale but no longer transparent with thicker, almost claw-like nails on the end and that’s not right. He’s not alive, not really so why isn’t he transparent anymore? The burning has stopped but he still feels warmer than he has since he died. That weird pounding is still going on in his chest as well. He sucks in a breath, and then another. Noise starts filtering back to him and he realizes he’d stopped screaming at some point. The chest he’s leaned against rumbles as the person speaks.

“That’s it, just like that. Keep breathing, you’re doing great.” A calm and gentle mantra, the tone almost unfamiliar when coming from Legundo. This close to him and the man almost seems to purr. They’ve started gently swaying, rocking side to side as the tears finally slow. “Hey bud, you seem to be coming back, that’s great.” His voice stays at an almost whisper and he starts rubbing circles on Viking’s back.

On first attempt to speak, all that comes out is a hoarse croak, leaving him coughing until Joy comes over with both a bottle of water and a clearly labeled healing potion. Viking alternates sips of each until he feels like trying again. “G-guys? What just happened-” a cough escapes his throat, making him wince. “What happened to me?” There’s still the weird movement in his chest but it’s slowed, he’s starting to think that it actually is a heartbeat but still doesn’t know why.

“That potion you dropped,” Joy starts, looking nervously around the room, “That was a highly experimental project I was working on. I was calling it a Nether Potion for now. It turns things into their Nether counterpart.” She nods at some crimson roots sitting in the corner. “Those used to be beetroots. It’s been two weeks since I dropped some of that potion on them and there’s been no sign of changing back. I never even thought about what it might do to a person but,” She pauses for a second, looking between him and Legundo, “It seems you two now have some things in common?” She cringes a bit at her attempt to make light of the situation.

“Wha-” before he could finish asking, Legundo cut him off.

“What she’s trying to say is that, you’re a piglin hybrid now. You’re alive again, Viking.”

#dominion smp #viking pilot #legundo #rnjoy #Viking Piglin AU #Dominion AU #I honestly don't know how this happened #I just wanted to write out a little snippet and it turned into a whole freaking chapter #am I an author now? That's too much responsibility! I'm not cool enough to be an author!

41 notes · View notes