#i'm still figuring out how to draw nora

[rabbitindemun]

[star-clip]

She's Cheer Captain, And I'm on The Bleachers

A/N: This is yandere!cheerleader's introduction. Also, the first introduction I'm making. Enjoy!💕

Summary: Having no motivation what so over is an artist's greatest enemy. But when your eyes land on such a beautiful girl, how could you resist the urge to capture her beauty on paper?

CW: None really, Fluff, obsessive behaviour (towards the end), Yandere, inaccurate writing of art majors

Word count: 1.6k (not proofread)

First days are never fun in any situation. Whether your first day at school, work, or whatever else, you're bound to feel uncomfortable and out of place. This time, it happens to be the former. Your first day at your new university after transferring from your previous one due to... issues. The massive brown walls were anything but welcoming. They made you feel small, insignificant. Begrudgingly, you enter. As soon as you do, you're greeted by crowds of students chatting, laughing, and wandering around. Some are wearing varsity jackets. So those are the athletes. You think to yourself. This school did have a football team. You shake your head, reminding yourself of your current objective: Find your class.

Now. You definitely could just ask one of the students for help in finding your classroom. But you feel like you'd rather die than ask a complete stranger for help. You can figure it out on your own. It's not like you're searching for life on Mars, so it shouldn't be that difficult. You take a step forward, looking down at the schedule in your hand. Your class is on the ground floor, thankfully. That means you won't have to travel very far. As you walk around, you can't help but notice how much more lively the students here are compared to your old uni. The upbeat atmosphere sure as he'll beat the gloomy air that paraded around the halls of your previous school. Distracted with your surroundings, you almost miss your classroom, but thankfully, you were able to backtrack just in time. You placed your hand on the door handle before taking a deep breath and entering. The lecture hall wasn't full, but it had no shortage of students either. The professor was still setting up something on his computer, which meant you had gotten their early. You sighed in relief before taking a seat at the back of the class.

You listen intently as the professor talks. Jotting down notes as you go along. By the end of the lecture, you're given an assignment: Draw a detailed sketch of anything of your choosing using only one shape. It wasn't the assignment itself that was difficult. But rather, coming up with an idea. What to draw?

Maybe a landscape? Or a building? Or... a bowl of fruit? God, this is so hard! You huffed in frustration. Without even realising it, you had walked over to the football stadium. You collapsed onto one of the chairs, head slouched on the back of the chair. You stare at the sky for a few minutes before pulling your head up and looking down at the field. That's when you spot the cheerleaders, dressed in green and white crop tops and miniskirts. You assumed they were practising one of their cheers. Your eyes scanned across the whole team before landing on a specific girl. Probably the most gorgeous girl you had ever seen.

The sun shone bright on her dark, silky hair that was tied up into a ponytail. Her cheer outfit hugged her figure perfectly, the contrast between the bulging green and her dark skin was impossible to miss. The way her eyelashes fluttered so softly as she blinked. She looked divine.

Without even thinking, you pulled out your sketchbook and began mindlessly sketching portraits of the girl before you. Some were pretty rough, others were neat and clean, but all featured the same dark-haired girl.

As Nora turned her head towards the stands, she spotted an unfamiliar face sitting down, writing or drawing something on a notebook. She tilted her head, her eyes squinting as she tried to see if she recognised the person, but her mind came up blank. Maybe they're new?. A smile spread across her face as curiosity got the better of her. She slowly approached the stands, ignoring the protests of her teammates. She walked over confidently, no stumbling in her steps as she stared at the mysterious person opposite her. She stopped directly in front of your, waiting for you to look up at her, but you didn't.

"Ahem!" She cleared her throat loud enough for you to hear. You jolted back as you lifted your head to see the source of the noise, making your sketchbook and pencil fall off your lap. Before you could say anything, she giggled softly before talking. "Hey! I haven't seen you around before, are you new here?" Her voice was cheerful as she swayed from side to side, looking down at you, patiently awaiting your response. You manage to compose yourself somewhat and answer her. "Uh, yeah, I am."

There was a long silence. You tilt your head at her in confusion. Is she waiting for something? "Aren't you gonna tell me your name?" The proverbial bulb on your head lit up when you realised your mistake. Right. You're supposed to say your name when meeting people. Feeling your face heat up slightly, you finally answer her. "Right. Sorry. I'm Y/N." "Nice to meet you. I'm Nora!" She quickly stretched out a straight arm your way, her open palm ready for yours. You hesitated a bit before taking her hand. Her grip was tight, not painful, but felt as confident as she seemed. You let go of her hand a few seconds later, placing your own on your lap, fidgeting slightly with your fingers. Your pupils searched around as your mind scrambled for something to say. Thankfully, Nora came to your rescue. She bent down in front of you and picked up the sketchbook you had dropped. Damn, you completely forgot about it. She hands it back to you, and you mumble out a small thanks in response.

She sits down a little too close for comfort on the chair near yours. You shift your body away slightly, which doesn't surprise her. She's used to people feeling nervous around her, but for some reason, she feels a bit of disappointment at your distant behaviour. She doesn't let it show, though. Instead, she opts to start a new conversation topic.

"Were you drawing just now?"

"Yeah"

"Oh, are you an art major?"

"Mhm"

"I heard from a friend there that there was someone new who sat next to him."

"Oh. Interesting"

...

It's not that you didn't want to talk, it's that you didn't know how to respond to simple yes or no questions like these with anything other than yes or no. You both sit in silence for a while until Nora asks a question that you were hoping she wouldn't.

"So what were you drawing?"

Your eyes widened as her cheery voice entered your ears.

"Uhh..Well..you know..just....things.."

She tilts her head at you.

"Things?"

"Yeah. Just whatever struck inspiration"

"Well can I see–"

"NO!"

You shouted as you hugged your sketchbook to your chest. She flinched back, her face painted with shock. Your grip on the notebook weakens as you try to calm yourself down. You avoid eye contact with her dark brown eyes. "Sorry..I didn't mean to yell. I just" you stumbled as you tried to find a way to explain your actions without exposing what you were trying to hide.

"No, it's fine! You don't have to show it to me. I was just a bit curious. I feel like your drawings would look really beautiful." Her smile could be used to light up an abandoned ruin. How could someone be so...radiant?

You take a moment to think before sighing. You open up your sketchbook to the page you were on before and hand it to her without looking. Once she takes it from tou, you turn around, you back facing her. Her eyes scanned the various sketched of her that consumed the page. Ones of her face, others of her standing or practicing. Her heart started racing. They're...amazing. Being as popular as she was, she was used to admirers drawing her. But this was different. She felt as if she could truly see herself in your art. While others focused on exactly what they saw in front of them, you drew her. Not just what she looked like.

"Wow"

You braced yourself to be called a creep or a stalker.

"These are..."

God. It was your first day and rumors about you being a gross freak are already gonna start appearing

"Gorgeous"

There it is. The phrase you've been dre–what?

"You're so talented! Why were you so scared to show me earlier?" She placed a hand on your shoulder, signalling for you to turn back and face her, so you do. Not face her, but you do turn around. "You..you like them?" "Of course I do! They're so we'll done!" With how excited and giddy she is, you'd think you showed her an award-winning invention.

"Thanks. I thought you would think I was a creep for drawing you." You say, shyly. "I know creepy. Trust me. And this isn't it. This is just..hm, what's the word?" She ponders a fitting word, to which you decide to help her "Admiration?" She looks at you with eyes widened. Was that not the word? Does she think your word now?

"Finishing my sentences already, Y/N? How forward." You don't miss the hint of playfulness in her tone. "That's not what I–! Whatever" she laughs at your frustrated, half explanation. She glances at the drawing one last time before turning to look at you.

You.

You understood her. The first to be able to do so. She just met you, but it's like she's known you for years. You aren't trying too hard to impress her. You were just...you. This must mean something. Nobody does all this and doesn't mean it. Nobody can act that way to everyone. Nobody..Nobody...

Nobody else can have you.

[medallionsofmadness]

I love Dadcore!! I'm so Dadcore it freaking hurts!!!

It shows in my Headcanons especially! I don't share many Headcanons, aside from @pressurereunited... But I feel like this post would be a perfect starting point!

I love turning characters into parents! I don't know why... I find it really fun!!!

And today, you're all going to traverse my gondola of my dadcore Headcanons hyperfixations!!

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

Characters my brain pictured as parents:

First up:

You guys already know RU Sebastian! He's my AU version of Sebastian Solace! He was created from my headcanon of Sebastian being a father!

(@ above for blog page so I can read in on his lore!!)

He's a gentle Dad, yet rough around the edges at times (moreso with his oldest, Damien (18-19) due to his military life.

Next, Simon (Ghost) Riley... I do not know how this one developed, honestly.... I was watching all the Call Of Duty Modern Warfare II cutscenes and I thought "Damn, what if Simon was a dad?"

My brain functions like that... It's so weird 😭.

I pictured him as a total teddy bear of a dad with his daughter (an OC of mine named Tina (Yes, this headcanon inspired the character Tina in my story Children of Silence.) calling her "pumpkin" and "Bug" (And he's British, so that sh#t sounds smoother out of his mouth 🤗)

Next we have The Master (Mother freakin') Chief!! Yes, I have imagined him having a kid... I was genuinely curious on how he would be as a father... This was further played with in my head after delving into Halo Infinite.

I pictured him as a quiet sentinel father figure. He's not overtly emotional.... Sh#t he's very stoic, but his actions would show his affection towards his son, despite being a 7-foot tall war machine 🤣. He would even call his little son "Cadet".

Lastly, Agent 47 from the hitman franchise (specifically the World Of Assassination games, because that version of him is my favorite.)

I... This one really came out of nowhere, deadass. My brain developed an entire headcanon of him finding a lost two year old child and just... Taking her in and raising her.

He would be VERY emotionally reserved, but still nice in his 47 way, tucking in his kid, watching her try and mimic his expression and mannerisms.

I found this one very cute.

And I drew the four OC children!!! Damien (RU Sebastian Solace), Tina (Simon Riley), Nora (Agent 47), and Caleb (Master Chief)

Damien Solace: The oldest son (He's 19) of RU Sebastian Solace. (Go to the blog page for lore, as he has... A lot.) His mother is Olivia Solace (also an OC of mine) Damien has 13 other siblings, but they're all babies, so I didn't include them here!)

Tina Riley: Simon Riley's six-year-old daughter, her mother (An OC named Sarah) is deceased, so it's just her and Simon. She's a little bubbly British munchkin, she is.

Nora (??): Agent 47's adopted two year old daughter whom he had taken in... Technically Diana could be seen as a motherly figure towards Nora, but nah... She's a daddy's girl, and prefers being beside 47.

Caleb-117: Master Chiefs' (Or John-117) eight year old son, the whereabouts of his mother is unknown (Context: Master Chief had wanted to understand romantic attraction, he met someone, one thing led to another, and boom... Caleb 😐.)

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Whew... That was a lot... F##king hell, my brain is a strange machine.

But y'know what? I don't care, I find this fun!!!

Hope you enjoyed reading whatever the hell I just typed in 45 minutes.

(Not even gonna lie, if y'all want to see art of that let me know 👀👀👀 I'm hella tempted to draw Simon baking with Tina 🤣🤣🤣🤣.)

[sacredwrath]

P5. Breakfast

Past captivity + torture, panic attack, ptsd, confusion, angst, whumpee thinks caretakers are whumper (briefly)

Jesse watches their family eat. Jordan is the only person seemingly unaffected by the events of yesterday. The break neck speed of their story doesn't leave room for thought, much less interjection. Jesse is glad. Hearing about the new pine fort they’re building in the forest relaxes them, keeping them grounded in the moment.

“OH- and Jes, when your leg is better, you also have to see, there's a new nest! It's over by beaver creek! I couldn't tell if they were swallows for sure, but they looked like it. One has a blue head, and you can hear the babies from all the way down the path!”

“Wow!” Jesse tries. “How's the dam? Are the beavers still working on it?”

“Oh yes! They've made so much progress. I don't really know what a finished dam looks like, but it must be getting close now! I saw one of them…”

It feels strange to see life move on. To Jordan and the rest, to the beavers, life just kept moving. They feel strangely out of place, like a time traveler peering in at their own life, their past life.

Jordan chugs their apple juice, quiet for the first time the whole meal. They slam their cup down on the table and Jesse berates themself for their flinch, glancing quickly around to see if anyone noticed.

“Anyways, see you losers later! Bye Jesse, I have to show you my bow and arrow later, Jake helped me make it while you were gone.” They hop off their chair gathering up trinkets and shoving them in a bag.

“I can't wait!” Jesse smiles. They have to look away, tears springing unbidden to their eyes. They missed this, missed breakfast, missed Jordan and their wild adventures. “Hey Jordan” they call after the scurrying figure “can I have a hug”

“Of course!” Jordan sprints back to the table and tackles Jesse in a hug.

“Oof” they grunt, but squeeze back just as tightly.

Once they've left and only the adults are left, Jesse dabs at their eyes with a napkin, keeping their eyes on their plate. They aren't ready for the gentle questions, the concerned glances, having to explain. They can sense their family's curiosity, their concern, but aren't ready to face it.

Isa jumps in, expertly filling the silence with casual conversation. Drawing everyone in and carefully steering talk away from Jesse. They have never been more grateful for that particular kindness.

Jake talks about a new girl he met down in the city. They're getting coffee, again, on Saturday. The others tease him about the disastrous end of his last whirlwind romance. Jesse missed it.

Nora complains that Misha keeps sabotaging her tinctures. “You're the worst mentor!” She exclaims. “she keeps assigning me all these formulas, then changes the recipe halfway through.”

“Don't question my methods, young one. I'm teaching you medicine not how to follow a recipe.” Misha grins wickedly. Nora rolls her eyes.

“You see what I put up with every day.” she leans over as if for a kiss, but snaps at Mishas lip instead.

“ow! You animal!” Misha snaps, dragging her into a hug.

Jesse finds themself smiling, letting the normalcy wash over them. It feels so good to finally be home.

Without warning Jesse's throat starts to feel tight. They gasp, feeling hands close around their neck. Throwing themself back, away from the table, they topple their chair and land hard, jarring their leg. Panic floods them, their blood runs ice cold. They have to get away.

Hands reach for them and they scream, scrambling back, throwing up arms to protect their face even though they know it's pointless. Hands squeezing their throat, they claw at them, trying to rip them away.

Too many people,

Nowhere to go

Escape

Escape

Escape

Escape

They scramble away

Away from what?

They lash out at something, nails ripping through skin

Are they screaming?

Their back slams into a wall

They try and wedge themself behind something, try to hide

Their heart is beating too fast, pain ripping through their chest, and the hands are still crushing their throat

“Please-” They try to beg, but the word gets stuck

“Jesse” It's Isa's voice, calm and clear

They must be hallucinating. Isa can't be here.

“Jesse, it's me, Isa, can you hear me?”

Why is Isa here?

They can't breath, how did they catch her too?

The hands are so tight on their neck.

They're getting dizzy, but still trying to push Morgan back. They aren't strong enough, there's no point fighting. There never is.

He smothers them, arms encircling theirs, pinning them to their sides.

Thought slows, their head turning to mud

They feel every millimeter of skin against theirs burning in anticipation of pain

“please…” They whimper through numb lips. The most pointless word to ever exist, but against all experience the arms let go

It's Isa, stepping back from them

Confusion and hurt flash through them. Why is she her? Why is she the one hurting them?

Their visual field broadens and they see everyone else too. Their whole family arrayed in front of them

Slowly, reality oozes back into focus

Isa isn't there, back in their cell, they themself aren't there. Not anymore, they were rescued. Now they're here. They're home

Here and home

They take in the room, large windows letting in sunlight and a soft, cool breeze.

Wooden floors under them, the smell of breakfast still in the air.

They realize they're huddled in a ball under the breakfast bar, a fallen chair on onside and their friends panicked faces on the other

What just happened?

“Isa?” They ask.

She reaches for them, but stops before they make contact.

“Jes! Are you ok? What just happened?”

They breath a short, unconvincing laugh. “Don't know.” They struggle, “can you help me up?”

Isa is careful to touch them, and they suddenly feel embarrassed. They never wanted their friends to see them like this. Like they were with him

Averting their eyes, they mumble a thank you as Isa half carries them to the couch.

They still feel shaky, light-headed, and confused. Now that the panic is fading, they find they can't clearly remember what just happened.

“I'm sorry.” They try “I'm not sure what happened.”

“That's ok, it was probably a panic attack. Here,” Isa takes a glass of water from Jake and holds it out to them.

In still shaking hands, they take it, focusing hard not to spill. A few sips help them feel more present, but they can't stop their trembling

“Sorry-” They try again, not sure what else to say. A tidal wave of pent-up emotion building in their chest. They fight to keep it in. “Sorry- I don't- sorry”

“It's ok Jes, there's nothing to be sorry for.” Isa reaches for them again and they flinch, tears building in their eyes faster than they can blink them away.

“Sorry, it's not you-”

“I know, there's nothing to be sorry for. You've just been through- something terrible. We all understand-”

“You don't.” Jesse snaps, regretting it immediately. Heat rushes to their cheeks “I'm sorry-” they don't want to look up and see the hurt on their faces. They bury their face in their hands.

“You're right, we don't understand, but we'd like to, we want to help you.”

Jesse says nothing. No one should understand, but selfishly, they wish someone did.

The manage to regain control of the tears, shoving them back down.

“It's ok.” They try. “I'm ok now.” They force a smile. “Sorry you had to see that.”

Isa narrows their eyes at them in displeasure. “Jes we want to help you. Just tell us what you need.”

“I- right now, I just want to drop it ok? I can't…” They trail off

“Ok. It's dropped. For now.” Isa puts on a shaky smile. “But we're all here for you when you're ready.”

Jesse nods, wondering if they'll ever be ready.

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Tag list: @whumpacabra

[concook20]

Wild Kratts Fantasy (2)

Part 2/3

I'll make the amulets powers, side effects, guardian, and weapons! That way you guys wouldn't have to figure out what it is and who gets what!

(BTW! I'm also using some pictures on Google since I can't draw and Gacha isn't helping, so I have to be creative... Sorry guys! If you want, you can design some of these if you want! Just credit me!)

Forest Green Amulet

This amulet is the most powerful amulet, that seems interesting. This has the power to heal or stop the pain, and it can also be associated with nature (like trees, plants, the forest, etc.), and it can also have the ability by shape shifting and camouflaging. But for some reason, it has the ability to make rock come out the ground (like Cassandra's powers in the Tangled show, only green), except that it'll grow more and more, and it'll get attached to you and grow on you when you touch it, unless you're the holder.

The side effect is that this one, maybe, VERY powerful, it's also VERY deadly to the holder. The amulet will kill you from the inside, which is like this: Stage 1, tiredness, at first it means nothing, but you would feel exhausted. Stage 2, having chest and stomach pain, it'll hurt like hell like you have something solid in your body. Stage 3, coughing up blood, this one is scary, since it'll be confusing and scaring the holder on how that is possible. Stage 4, weakness and losing control of your body, this one will make you look like you're ill and dying, while losing control on the fact your losing yourself, and even after taking off your amulet, it'll still be there. Stage 5, death, obviously... But not only that, during the wearing, you will also hear voices in your head, and have a personality change as well.

This amulet was held by the very first king, Nico Lee Melton III, who used it to spite his twin sister, but something happened when she used it as it wasn't supposed to have stone like abilities or make you look sickly, with the amulet being somehow corrupted with something???

The weapon this amulet has a bow and arrow that is named Skade's Fury Bow, with the arrow used to kill the target by having the decaying stone killing them in a week, even after removing the arrow.

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Ocean Blue Amulet

This amulet is in a tie as being the most powerful amulet, even if it's water based. This one is associated with water (ocean, ice, snow, etc.), it also has omniscience, infinite knowledge, and extremely hax ability, but this amulet is connected to their guardian, which is siren based powers, like having their supersonic screech, breath under water, and shape shifting into a human or a mermaid. They also have to use their hypnotic voice to lure the prey or use them for something.

The side effect is that, during the wearing, the holder would get hungry for human blood, but they can use animal blood, too, to survive the day, but if they can't actually get anyone before 9 days, they'll began to look sickly, get more hungry, lose control of their body, and die. They also can transform the holder into a siren, which hurts since it changes their ears, eyes, and they have to grow wings.

The holder of it was Nora Rose Melton, the princess to the king twin brother, Nico, but she found it while almost swimming into the sea, and used it to stop her brother, with the guardian, the siren.

The weapon of choice is a spear called the Spear Of The Sea, which can help out the holder to control the water/ice, and can kill them by making them drown or stabbing them. This weapon was found by the very first holder, who took it and drown along side the amulet and spear, which made the amulet form a forcefield for under water and obtain the spear.

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Alaigra Amethyst Amulet

This one is the fifth powerful amulet holder, with their abilities to control weather (tornadoes, thunder/lightning storms, floods, etc.) and have the ability to control the shadows, either by turning into one to blend in or by using people's shadows to attack or join their army.

The side effect is that it cannot go into darkness, if any shadows or their shadows go into the darkness, it'll practically die in there and won't come out. The weather has to work only once a day, meaning once you use it, you gotta wait for a day to use it again.

The holder of it was a famous singer, Cassandra Thompson, who was loved by all, even when she used her power for bad intentions, and most of those people began to form a cult for her as well, even her guardian, which is a spider, who can trap their victims, which their shadows goes to the holder and the spider can either eat them or leave them for the other holders.

The weapon the holder uses is the whip as it is called Luna Shadow Whip, to use to tie up people and suck the soul out of them to use their shadows. The weapon was on stage as it was close to the amulet as the shadow began to affect the whip and become one with the amulet.

That Is Part 2! Part 3 Will Be Out Soon!

[irish-urn]

I absolutely LOVED your response, and I agree! thanks for spending time on it <3 what draws me in about dasey is how complex it is, its forbidden love, “if its wrong I don’t want to be right”, the family dynamic, the drama, the suspense! so it’s always a let down when they hype it up so much and then nothing happens lol I want to see how dasey faces this hardship and how they present themselves moving forward. I’m so curious to hear about your after-LWL hc! I wonder how the family would react now that kids and divorce are involved. I know you’re currently writing a series about this so you don’t have to reveal too much, but how would Casey and Derek handle this as young adults? It’s not all unicorns and rainbows when dasey gets together, there’s definitely a storm coming.

LOOK, I didn't understand Taylor Swift's reputation album before I re-discovered Dasey. But now I do understand; and someone please remind me to put "But Daddy, I Love Him" on my kick at the darkness playlist because... Damn. If that isn't them.

Ohhhh Life With Luca!! You're right, I am writing a series about this — I'm actually writing, like, three parts all at once? (*hides face in shame*). The really interesting thing about the LWL world, though, is that Derek and Casey's priorities have shifted. No longer are they majorly concerned with George and Nora's opinions, but instead they're far more worried about Luca, Molly, Kai, and Skyler's opinions. And, maybe it's just me being a bit of a romantic, but I truly believe the only one of those four that would have some trouble with them getting together would be Luca: and that's because he still has a relationship with his dad. So for his mom to move on would be very painful for him to witness; but he's also very obviously fond of Derek. The six of them just really worked as a unit in the movie, and I think everyone can see that.

I strongly believe that Skyler would do everything in her power to see her dad happy; I actually HC that she figures out his feelings for Casey within weeks of them moving into the Guest House. And as for Molly and Kai -- we never see them even mention their dad, except for one instance where Kai says that "Mom and Dad don't let us swear"; and Molly tells Skyler that she wishes they could be "cousins AND sisters" -- so I think they're far more concerned with everyone being happy and them getting the attention they need than any social weirdness.

SO! With all that being said, I'm working on a part of that series where Dasey are together (because we all know that's where we're headed) and there is drama happening in the background. There's a little bit about how George and Nora did not react well -- to quote one part, "…Unfortunately, Nora and George were not handling this new relationship with any sort of grace, and there was no way they were going to take the kids so Derek and Casey could happily fuck themselves into oblivion." -- and I think Nora and George are choosing to view this relationship as a TERRIBLE REBOUND for Casey and both of them are calling Derek and Casey incredibly selfish and have they even thought about the kids?

(This, of course, made both Derek and Casey livid because, uh? George and Nora got engaged before ANY of them had met ANY of the other family; so who's considering who now???? Where they currently stand in that part of the series is that both parties are giving the other the silent treatment.)

I still think Edwin, Lizzie, and Marti would react the same way, no matter the ages. There's a little bit of concern regarding the children, but as soon as they checked in and saw that Derek and Casey are constantly checking in with the children and being as open as they can about the whole thing, I think they would just... be happy for them.

But Simon is struggling. Simon is struggling because he sees these two as his big BIG siblings, and unlike the others where blood only connects half of them, he IS connected by blood to ALL OF THEM. And, y'know, Casey has been with Peter for as long as Simon can remember -- one of his earliest memories is getting to hold baby!Luca. But Casey is so obviously happy and calmer with Derek, and Derek is happy and HOME so Simon can actually SEE him; so he's trying very hard to get on board. He fails a bit, says some things he probably shouldn't, but he's trying really, really, really hard.

I think, if he were a child, it would be easier for him to adapt. With my kick at the darkness series, for instance, he won't bat an eye — he's never going to remember a time when they weren't together, so he'll just... accept it as a part of his weird family. I'm currently playing with a sequel to "sick with sadness" as well, and he's 9/10 in that story; he finds it weird and kind of gross, but with the middle McTuris' help, he adapts quickly too. I got the sense from LWL that Simon loves Derek and Casey a whole bunch; looks up to them and trusts them, much like the younger three looked up to them in LWD. So I think love is going to win.

The fun thing is, I can actually see divorced!Casey caring a lot less about her mother's opinion about her and Derek because Casey has already been through a failed relationship, one where she tried to do the right thing -- I am a strong believer that Derek took off in LWL canon because he and Casey were teetering on the edge of the knife and someone stepped over the line and the other panicked. I suspect Derek is the one that leaned in too close or said something, and Casey FREAKED, and so he took off -- and doing the right thing didn't last. It hasn't stopped her from loving Derek, nor from him loving her. So why should she fight it any longer? She's already hurt the two of them enough; so what if Nora isn't happy? Casey is an adult living on her own, and she's tired of doing only what she's supposed to. She's going to get it right this time -- very much in the same way Nora is determined to get it right this second time too. Gosh, they really are mother and daughter, huh?

(Any other questions? I'm still not sure I really answered this one correctly...)

[yatorihell]

Noragami Reread Volume 22-27

I've finally reached the end of my reread. I am reading the final chapter tonight, and I haven't seen a single spoiler for the cover nor ending. This is going to be crisp.

Vol 22

84

Nora trying to keep up with Father walking away knowing she's being abandoned

Yato realising he abandoned Yukine like yes the mommy issues are now here

Yukine partying and living it up like he did when he first got named, but now he's more self aware

Remember when Yukine started become an ayakashi and then

'Your god is not your dad' Nora projecting the abandonment but yh she's right

Nora with the 'please say my name' I hate this

Takemika is ripped fuck damn bitch

Kofuku figured out Yato's plan to kill Father

Ojkjbj Takemika spins Ebisu to divine the Sorcerer's location

Oh the seahorse he buried is called Takemika how cute

Adult Yukine vision like we didn't need the reminder he won't grow up

I WANTED TO GROW UP

Hagusa is born and its a bad time for like a year

85

Oh Father's so evil (he is hugging Yukine) and he's going to the house

Yato can't believe Yukine is stray bitch same

Nora seems to have turned a corner with Father leaving her (this lasts like 10 chapters)

'Can I even be normal again' (as of right now I have read the chapter nor been spoiled so idk!!!!)

Hiyori doesn't want to be stuck this way which is good

Nora mumbling to herself about Hiyori

Nora played pretend family because she's a good girl

Foreshadowing of Nora asking why it's easy for girls to come into the world because she never made it

Shinigami protecting Hiyori from Nora and it turns out its actually her grandpa

Grandma Iki's death and her telling Hiyori to go to the person she loves

'If you wait until he's gone it'll be too late' I hate this manga

86

Seeing grief affecting the family reminds Hiyori she has to come back

Plot to hide Nora's names revealed

God it was all a ploy to befriend yukine

Hiyori and Nora the unlikely friendship

Ebisu trying to throw salt on Kofuku to protect the economy nsnd

Old Ebisu talking to himself is so cute and sad when we know what he's been through

Oh we've reached the refrigerator I'm so sad Adachitoka you make me so sad

87

Oh they're at the old house I hate this

Yukine's been dead 35 years which was a surprise

Hiyori laying flowers on the fridge and praying

Oh he's learning who he was and the barber wouldve been his friend I'm so sad they forgot about him right when they were talking

Yukine's dad was handing out fliers to search for murdered son this plot is dastardly and I don't believe we'll get resolution because that's how the world is

Sobbing they knew there were problems and thought Yukine chose to stay

Yukine finding out his life wasn't all sunshine and not wanting to know more mood

Vol 23

88

Oh it's Yukine's grave and sister's house I'm so sad

'Even you've got one or two assholes you don't want to probe'

Yato thinking Yukine would want to kill his family

Yukine wanted the dogs to eat him that killed Suzuha hate!!!

Living Yukine encouraging his sister to live and run towards the future he wouldn't see

Father goading Yukine into finding his family and talking about giving him a proper burial I've had enough of this dude

Gunna throw up there's a beer can in the fridge

'Even now my father is still killing me'

Yukine's had his reverse Kaneki phase

Fuck offf with the flower Father you heartless bitch

Oh Yukine's gone baby boy he's Hagusa nke

Yato's face that Yukine is changed and the ending saying unprecedented agony fucking mood

89

Yukine's mother is dead reveal

'He's my hafuri'

Yato apologising and explaining immediately why he did it

Yato's hesitation to draw his sword against Yukine

We've got a catboy on our hands

Sorcerer was human and has a grave finally a plot to kill him for good

Yukine seeing his dad in Yato

Yato protecting the tree and cutting Yukine's hand because he chose that spot for Yuka to think of her brother and he's actually there

Yato laying absolutely fucked up on the grave of the boy who just did it to him

BISHAMON AWAKE

90

Oh Yukine doesn't even realise it was Yato he thought he hurt his dad

Hiyori's got a letter for Yuka oh we were dying to know what it said for ages

'You'll die you idiot' and Hiyori's face like I didn't believe it would happen

Hiyori death foreshadowing tracker: 7

Hiyori and Nora holding hands when they meet Yuka

Oh I'm so sad Yuka thinks Haruki is alive and had children Adachitoka you make me so sad

Yato not wanting to draw on Yukine because of his dad

Remember when we got that panel of Yuka and it had showed up in chapter 3 like 1p years ago the foreshadowing is insane

Yukine's possession of people is a good thing tbh but it goes too extreme

Once again the art is insane rip Adachitoka

91

Yuka has the letter ndnd

Yuka forced the divorce and the were forced to rock paper scissors to decide who would stay behind

Bishamon is kinda up I wish she did more in the final

Throwing up screaming thank you Okuninushi for blessing Yatori's plaques I can't wait to see what the effect of that is in the final chapter

Oh the return box of letters all torn up I hate this

Yukine's power just shows the good of humanity but its still flawed like humans

Ooharai begins and lasts like 25 chapters

Volume 24

92

Yato's back in the trashcan

Nora doesn't hate heaven but Yukine does because he cut it accidentally trying to save Yato logic

Father laughing about taking Yukine to the fridge he is the worst man

OK so Rekki can't cut the word interesting

'Daddy's just gunna have to take another one away from you' and trying to name Kazuma

Shocked pikachu face that Yato sold him out to Heaven

93

The expressions are really popping off

Father mentioning Yukine's dead in front if Kazuma hhfn

Yukine let Yato get away <3

'Mind full of nothing but viina just like normal'

Takemika and Ebisu the unlikely friendship to go lookinf for the grave

94

Yukine on a rager about finding his dad and Father hitting him here we gooo

'You're not allowed to have desires and wishes because that's what a god is'

Father back on his breaking Kazuma bullshit

'Kazuma's love is unphantomable like a bog'

Father neck cut tracker: 2

Adachitoka really got us with the earplugs for Kazuma a bit of common sense finally

'Yukine is mine, Hiyori will die someday, so why bother running from me'

Nora backstory

It's strange how an ayakashi could latch onto Nora before she was born

'I wanted someone who knows neither good nor evil'

Baby Yato and his ear necklace ft Sakura's tree??

Father is the delulu king he thinks Yato's putting on an act to save him

Oh the image of baby Yaboku fighting father sjbdbd

Father was this close to getting killed and then nothing

95

Takemika and Ebisu did a room of requirement finding the island tbh

Amaterasu feeling the net

'Heaven has missed things so we have to find someone to punish' logic

How did we go from Father's pinned down to back fighting

How dare Yato betray him after getting food water shelter

Oh Yukine can't look when he's told to attack Yato I hate it here

Gods are getting stuck in the net

Saving Yukine is priority over killing Father <3

Kazuma gets called Kazune and makes up a sweat song ldndb

We're so close to saving Yukine and then it gets worse

Volume 25

96

Oh the letter Yuka never got his letters and he's asking why she won't wrote back I'm so fucking miserable

AND IT LED TO HIS DEATH oh I'm so sad Adachitoka you make me so sad

Kazuma trying to fly to Yukine with Rekkis scarf sjdb

Oh yes we're getting Okuninushi fucking it up like I wished

Nora be like I'm not stupid he's trying to use me and then....

Ah now the gods are calling the shinki when they shouldn't

Oh Nora why did you have to go to him

97

Nora's just so happy to be useful again

Damn the town's really just burning

'Someone like me who's ever called her Nora doesn't have the power to call her back' hopefully Nora gets/choses a name for herself irrespective of shinkihood

Likening having a name to being given life

Fathers lost it he doesn't even want to do what he wanted he's just angry and wants to kill Amaterasu now and Nora's like no

Grave has been found and the gravekeeper family was a surprise

The Sorcerer killed someone who escaped justice and saved the gravekeeper

Lol remember when we got Father's backstory and people were trying to argue that he didn't kill the monk

I wonder if he stole the clothes off his body they're awfully similar

Nora is absolutely fucking them up go girl

98

Father used Heaven's systems to his advantage to name Nora, control ayakashi and create Yato

Father calling himself a necessary evil and Amaterasu clapping back that Yato is the necessary one

Amaterasu starts taking Nora's names

Father flashback to Yomi and Kaya revealed

Yukine stopping Amaterasu as she tries to release Chiki

Oh all the vents opening

Amaterasu can't take names made with the word

Yato's back in the fight let's gooo

99

Father does have a bit of a point to be like why do gods do this to the world

Father's finally been shot

We never really get Amaterasus story, was she reincarnated to keep young and manageable, is that just how old she grows

The living live and the dead die

Yukine's finally realised what he's done to the world

'To death do we part and in death we shall meet again' oh I'm so sad that's such a Yatori thing Adachitoka you make me so sad

Yukine's gone to Yuka oh he sees her as a young girl I'm so sad adachitoka you make me so sad

Oh this is the last time Yukine sees Hiyori before That happens I'm so sad this is awful

Their mother was absolutely spinless she just have the letters back to him and gave him money and she never heard from her son again

Oh Yukine's realised he's dead and he sees the truth and Yuka I'm so sad

Oh I'm so fucking miserable Yukine's memories and the burial and he's at the postbox and he's got the protection charm Yato and Hiyori gave him and Yato's hand reaching out and he's called him name and he's gone back to blond I'm actually so miserable this is awful

LIKE SNOW FALLING INTO YATO'S ARMS!!!!

Oh he knows he's dead I'm so fucking miserable this is the worst chapter in my opinion (so far)

Vol 26

100

Oh Hiyori can smell Yato now I'm

DID YOU BURY ME YATO

Oh I'm actually so sad this is the worst manga in the world

Kazuma still blissfully ignorant of death <3

Father's lost it again he's so mad

Bishamon shown up

Bishamon wondering where Kazuma is and that she won't forgive herself if something happened to him hsdbdb

Yat about to finish the job and Nora has to go break Kazuma

101

Oh Bishamon can feel Kazuma fading

Nora was holding back all that time hdhd

Kazuma believes he and Nora are even

It's been quite a day yeah it started with Hiyori and Nora meeting Yuka and it ends with That

Back to Father's backstory

Father saved the village from a boulder and was enshrined by the villagers who keep his grave

Takemika is just ready to destroy the grave

Oh Yuka says about visiting Haru's grave if she knows where will Hiyori even get the chance I hate this

Father I'm begging you just die Yato isn't coming back to you this wasn't a little prank

Oh Hiyori no go home

'Because I love my father'

Oh Hiyori's tail is hanging by a THREAD

Hiyori death foreshadowing tracker: 7?

102

Nora healing Hiyori's blight and sorting her body before leaving she is a good girl really

Remember when we found Hiyori couldn't go back to her body shdhf

'You're gunna be fine' my mantra until That happened in 108

Quickly flashback of baby Yato foreshadowing what's about to happen

Ebisu figuring out the gravekeeper does soul calls

Remember when we thought they were gunna kill that whole family jdbdb

Father is the queen of gaslighting himself

Father neck cut tracker: 3

The reveal that the gravekeepers family were ghosts was so good

Ebisu promising to keep going but I know that his name will never be revealed not even to us for that fourth wall content

Love how the gravekeeper just died like immediately thank you king

'I'm going to go on with them living in a world without you' please please please final chapter they get to live together (they can't <3)

Oh Yato's hand is small in Yukine's he's ready to reincarnate

103

Oh Kazuma is remembering

Oh we were so pressed that he said he could go home and he vanished but its because he's gone back to Bishamon I'm so sad

DISAPPEARING WITHOUT A TRACE WOULD BE A FITTING END FOR ME this is the worst I'm so sad this is awful I hate foreshadowing

It's just endless isn't it Father with 5000 lifelines

Back to Father's backstory ie how he got killed over rice and then rejected dkndn

Oh he made a mask that looked like her

Father likening Kaya to paradise in death

Oh I'm so fucking miserable Kazuma returns to Bishamon and asks if he's in Heaven this is peak romance

'Can you just shut up and die already' fucking mood

Father with the two lifelines like just die

Vol 27

104

We are shook that Father's original form has appeared

Poor Fujisaki's gunna feel so hungover been possessed by that musty bitch for like 16 years(?)

Oh he called Nora a dumpster baby now its personal

Oh Yomi powers we've got the final form and new nation

Shiiho calling Arahabaki dad <3

Oh Okuninushi and the reincarnated gods I'm so sad

Hiyori is in the nation and the Sakura tree is there I hate this I wanna stop

Oh he's put Yato and Nora in their weakest forms I hate him die die die

Oh Nora has completely given up same

And now it's world domination some men just need therapy tbh

It's interesting that all the sacrifices of the real world are apparently in the new nation and Father really thought he'd find Kaya alive in there djbdbd

People say he's a good dad and I agree <3 (he is attempting deicide)

This is the worst manga in the world the fridge is full of sakura blossoms and Yukine is coming to save Yato and now he's a fucking ayakashi dog he's fully evolved into a furry

105

If you told me this was the final boss fight when I joined this manga I'd be like how the hell did we get here

Now we've got the human possession

I wonder if the people who were killed will come back or if the gods just had to kill them for real

The gods telling their shinki they have to kill and like this is a fucked up situation but it needs to be controlled ig

Nora beginning to question Father and what he does and realising she's scared of him and she's been a pawn

So Sekki is able to break the barrier

106

Oh Hiyori you're looking rough

Oh Yukine is disintegrating help

It's strange how we never get an inkling he's looking for Kaya and this new nation, it was about culls and removing the gods not finding her

Amaterasu really doesn't interfere she just watches or sometimes gets involved

How is it that the shinki can be seen by the near shore now its still the true world

Father be like I've returned from the dead and I scare you why don't you love me you were crying

Someone says divine punishment and immediately Father is like the gods did this specifically like he didn't play a part in her death

Father bitches that forgiveness is for the weak but thinks Kaya would forgive him

Father says he couldn't do anything but the belief system back then meant that he could be recalled after death did he even try?

Daikoku refusing to kill that child like a normal person

'He's been seeking something his whole life just like me' and there's the shrine and Yukine

We fr thought we'd found Kaya lol I mean I guess we did but Father thought she'd be normal and not like the others he called sacrifices

Oh he's so sad it's giving Pedro Pascal (I think I said that when it came out and I was shot)

Screaming throwing up Yato knows Hiyori is here

Oh I'm so fucking miserable 'we shall meet again those words have come full circle' I gate this life

For a brief shining moment I thought it was a trick and the real Hiyori was elsewhere but then SOMEONE had to go and do THAT

LET'S GO HOME

Oh I'm actually so fucking sad Yato's voiceover saying its his fault he wouldn't fix her problem with the flashbacks and then Sakura's words about you can never see them again when they die Adachitoka you're the worst

Kiun seeing sense and letting the young lesd because times have changed

Kofuku calling Daikoku's actions irrational like he's just not only locked him in a phone box for a bit instead of killing him

I wonder who summoned all the shinki though because how are Kuzuha and Kuruha helping with containment, Bishamon's not around

Takemika saying that Amaterasu may never change

'Why would you do that to her' because he's a bitch!!!!!!!

Oh I hate this manga Father's trying to name Hiyori and he pulls her head back and the light is gone fron her eyes and there's a tear and I'm ending it after tbe final chapter

Oh he's naming her I hate my life Yukine's nearly gone too

All this time all the warnings we never believed we'd get this

Oh its all her memories and one page is just Yato and he's thanking her for the shrine I'm so sad Adachitoka you make me so sad why did you do this

Oh the shattered image if Hiyori like reflections of my life

FINAL FATHER NECK CUT TRACKER: 4

OK so theory is that because Hiyori was a shinki made within the nation of the word, she was able to destroy it?

Also if the brush is gone then Chiki and Yuuki should be gone

108

Yukine's back oh I'm so sad

Oh I'm so fucking miserable Hiyori looks so innocent and Yukine nearly says her name but Nora stops him and then Yato nearly says her name and then he realises he can't and then he screams and so do I

Father die challenge?????? Stfu

Yukine furry form is here to stay ig I wish he mauled Father a bit but he found her body!!!!!

Yato saying be can't handle a world without Hiyori but he can't destroy it like his dad would

Oh I'm so sad 'this world she protected is the grave where she sleeps' worst manga ever

'You can make miracles happens can't you'

DON'T GIVE UP YET

Remember when we thought Yato was looking up to Amaterasu for help lol

Kazubisha having a quick catch up

Now is not the time but Yato looks good jdhdb

Hiyori just not got a clue whats happening

Father's still being a little bitch

The fact he has no lifelines like when did Yato cuts Fujisaki's ties???

Nora finally standing up to Father

Father has drowned, ignored by his children <3<3<3<3<3<3<3 my heart is so full

Oh I'm so sad they've been there so long there's snow on their heads and Yukine is crying and I hate it

But that also means they keep Hiyori clear of snow to keep her warm I hate it here!!!

Yato disappearing because everyone who knew him was dead and he breathed Hiyori back to life and saved her (and himself I'm maifesting)

Oh now they're both crying for Yato and Yukine's hugging him this is the worst day ever

I'LL GIVE YOU ALL THAT I AM

Oh this really is the worst day ever the final kiss of life and HIS TEAR IS ON HER FACE WHEN SHE WAKES UP

Oh she nearly says his name I'm so sad how is this going to end there is so much to unpack in this manga

[romancomicsblog]

Harley Quinn adjusts to the status quo while still maintaining most of its charm - REVIEW Season 4 Ep 1-3

*Spoilers for all of the Harley Quinn show*

Harley Quinn is a show that continues to impress me with its swings and devotion to beloved characters. I would say this is one of if not my favorite DC Universe. You can have fun portrayals of classic characters that feel authentic, and you can have the Joker become the Mayor.

Going into season 4, I was a bit skeptical about the idea of Harley joining the Bat-Family. The concept itself is fun, but the Bat Family, particularly Barbara and Nightwing, have not been my favorite interpretations of the characters.

Don't get me wrong, I love Harvey Guillén, but this Nightwing is too uptight. And Batgirl remains too fangirly for my taste. Nonetheless, having Harley trying to figure out Batting and having a day out with Alfred was probably my favorite episode.

"I wish a bitch would try" from Alfred likely got the biggest laugh from me. It is rather unfortunate to me that Alfred will not be a part of that story any longer, as he get imprisoned at the end of episode 2.

So far the Bat Fam/Harley parts of each episode has been the main draw for me. Harley trying to figure out the superhero game while likely making fun of superheroes has comedic potential.

I really like that the central struggle of the season is Harley & Ivy needing to figure out the new work life balance. I think a lesser show would've had them break up for Harley even considering being a hero, or have both of them become heroes.

Now we have two coinciding stories that will eventually have to come to a head: The Bat Family vs The Legion of Doom.

While many of the Ivy jokes in the workplace were funny, I do think Ivy needed more characters to bounce off of. I think pairing Ivy with Nora Fries is an excellent choice. While it took me a while, I have taken a liking to Nora. The idea of Mr. Freeze's beloved wife being a real asshole and incredibly obnoxious gets funnier and funnier to me by the season.

Bringing in King Shark in IT and doing more with Bane to flesh out her entourage seems like a winning strategy. I'm sure in time the Ivy storyline will draw me in more.

Also introduced in these episodes is Talia Al Ghul, who I assume will be the big bad of the season. I like her having a foot in both Ivy and Harley's world, manipulating both the Bat Family and Ivy for her own ends.

Also just the bit of her not knowing how old her son is or how to raise a child kills me.

While some fan favorites are missed for me, like Batman and Joker, what I really miss is the group dynamic. King Shark is off having kids, Clayface is now working in Vegas, and with Harley and Ivy both working their new jobs, the show feels very split.

I fell in love with the show due to these unlikeable secondary characters becoming a villainous crew. I hope the all join forces once again somehow. But narratively, I understand why there's a split.

Overall, I think this season has a lot of potential and had a solid start. While I wasn't as drawn in as I have been before, I think there's definitely a lot of room for this to wow me. And if there's anything I've learned from three seasons and a Valentine's Day special of Harley Quinn, it's trust the writers, sit back and relax. The show is in good hands.

Thank you for reading! If you'd like to support me, you can follow me on my socials here!

[ao3-rex1223]

Chapter 7: Conviction

Twelfth Floor Intern Masterlist

Pairing: Miles Edgeworth x fem!reader

Summary: You and Miles secure a guilty verdict for the first time together and get a few moments to learn more about each other. You vow to be better about staying professional at work, but that's easier said than done.

Tags: Power Imbalance, Mentor/Intern, Miles wants you so bad but he's ethical AF now, No use of y/n, depictions of violence, Discussion of Rape, description of murder victims, adult murder victims, child murder victims, Eventual Smut, Happy Ending, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Vaginal Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Creampies, Loss of Virginity, Miles is the king of prosecutors but also the king of consent, Fluff and Smut, Romance, Blow Jobs, Nightmare about sexual assault, cross posted on AO3

"There are two possible explanations here," Nora begins, "either you're cheating on your secret boyfriend with Miles Edgeworth, which would be so unlike you I hesitate to even include it in my theory, or he is your secret boyfriend." She narrows her eyes and stares directly at you. "I'm going to go with the latter because given the overachiever that you are, of course that's who you'd go for."

You drop your head and nod.

"So, it was him the whole time!" Nora declares. "Miles Edgeworth is your secret boyfriend!"

"Can you lower your voice!?" You beg. You walk over to her bed and sit next to her.

Nora smirks at you, but obliges and speaks quietly, yet still emphatically. "I can't believe it! Miles Edgeworth punched your V-card!" She gushes, nudging your shoulder.

You grab her hands and hold them together right under your chin. "You can't tell anyone! Please, Nora! It would ruin everything!" You plead.

"Oh, of course I won't. I'm just impressed, is all. You really swing for the fence, don't you?" Nora teases.

You sigh with relief and shrug, releasing her hands.

"How the fuck did that happen?!" Nora asks.

A guilty sigh escapes your lips. "It just kind of happened. I mean we spend almost every minute of every day together and, well, we just sort of...clicked," you explain, not wanting to share every detail.

"So, were you not actually as busy as you said you were today?" Nora asks.

"No, we were definitely swamped," you answer.

"When did you have time to get a hickey on your neck?" Nora questions.

"Well, I guess there was a little bit of down time," you admit through gritted teeth, wincing. "...in his office."

"You..." Nora stops and covers her mouth with her hand once she realizes what you're implying, eyes glaring wide open at you, her gasp still audible behind her hand. You nod in confirmation. "You had sex with the chief prosecutor in his office!?" Nora concludes in complete disbelief, hands flying to her cheeks.

You squeeze your eyes shut and confess, holding up two fingers, "twice."

"Oh my God!" Nora exclaims and falls back onto her bed.

You drop your head into your hands, mortified and whimper.

Nora pulls herself back up and draws you into a hug. "I love you so much more now!" She exclaims.

You roll your eyes. "Thanks, Nora. I'm so glad I have your approval," you reply, sarcastically.

"I'm never going to look at him the same way again," Nora says. She pauses for a moment, lost in thought. She looks at you, seriously. "Have…you told your dad, yet?"

You bite your lip, feeling guilty your parents are still in the dark even about your mentorship with Miles. "...no," you confess.

"You're going to have to tell him and your mom sooner or later. Do they even know you're working with him?"

You shake your head, more guilt spreading across your face. "You know how my dad is. As soon as I talk a little too much about Miles, Dad is going to figure out what's going on. He can't turn off the detective in him," you explain, justifying your withholding of the truth from your parents.

"Well, he's going to find out eventually. Especially, if you don't move home after law school like he's expecting," Nora reminds you of your parents' ongoing hope that you'll move back to Colorado Springs once you've graduated. Your dad even told you at the start of the summer that he'd talk to the chief prosecutor there, who's a friend of his, to secure a job for you. The chief prosecutor back home is a very talented attorney; you've known him since you were a kid. You might even end up chief prosecutor there, yourself, after working under him for a time.

But no one could replace Miles. Part of what makes this internship so exciting, besides the obvious, is his passion for the practice. His dedication is unwavering and it pushes you to be better yourself and strive for perfection. You've never met anyone else like that. You highly suspect that when your father does find out about everything going on between you two, he'll greatly disapprove, but it won't be for a legitimate reason such as any kind of deficit in Miles' ability to care for you, provide for you, or make you happy; all of which he does, marvelously. Your father simply never found anyone worthy of his precious daughter. NPR is more lively than your dating life was back home.

"Yeah, I know. I just…don't want to deal with Dad telling me Miles isn't good enough. I know he'll find some reason to say it," you lament.

"How could he?" Nora asks. "Who could be better than Miles Edgeworth?"

"I don't know, Nora. Dad's just unreasonably picky," you explain.

"Do you plan to stay with Miles or not?" Nora asks.

"Yes," you answer without hesitation. You can hardly picture your life without him anymore. When you think of returning to school, graduating, getting your first job, you think of Miles being right there with you. He's turned your life upside down since you met him. Everything has happened so fast and yet, it all feels like it's gone exactly how it's supposed to…

"You might want to consider at least telling him you're working with Miles," Nora advises.

"Yeah, I will. Just let me deal with one headache at a time. I have to be in court tomorrow and Miles is going to expect me to participate during the trial," you reply and stand up to walk over to your bed and crawl in under the sheets.

Nora closes her laptop and turns off the lights. "So, he's still going to be your mentor? Even though you're sleeping with him?"

You groan. "Yes, why?"

"Just clarifying," she replies.

"I can hear you smirking at me!" You scold.

"I hope so 'cause I'm smirking pretty loud," Nora snaps back sarcastically.

"Goodnight, Nora!" You roll over in your bed.

You drift off quickly but wake early. Unable to return to sleep, you opt to leave and get a head start on the day instead of wasting time tossing and turning in bed. You decide to park yourself in the library and squeeze in a bit of bar exam prep before you and Miles need to leave for court. It's barely past six AM and you're sitting down in one of the library chairs, cracking the bar exam textbook you've found. You're wearing a gray, fitted business dress and a pretty, silk scarf with Van Gogh's Starry Night printed on it…to cover the hickey on your neck. You're pretty sure Nora would have laughed at you as you tied it on if she had been awake.

You realize, as you sit in the office library, you finally have a quiet moment to yourself. Between your internship and your growing relationship with Miles, you haven't had any time to sit and organize your thoughts. It feels as though you've been running since the start of the summer and all the dust that's been kicked up hasn't been able to settle. Granted, you can now look behind you and see the distance you've gone; the progress you've made. Still, to be able to take a moment to compartmentalize your thoughts and feelings is a welcome thing.

You close your eyes, listening to the ambient hum of the office building and the soft chirps of the birds just waking up outside. The librarian is the only other one here and she's behind the circulation desk, presumably getting ready for her day. You continue reading through the book, writing down a few notes in a notebook you carry with you.

"You look like you could use some of this," a pleasant voice says as a paper cup of coffee is set next to your book. You look up to see the librarian smiling down at you, holding her own cup in her other hand. She's a middle aged woman with blonde hair tied in a bun behind her head.

You give her a relaxed smile. "Thank you! This is perfect!" You take a sip of the fresh coffee. It feels like a warm hug for your soul.

"You must be a student," she surmises.

You chuckle and smile sheepishly. "What gave it away?"

"Well, for starters, you're reading a bar exam prep book. I don't know any licensed attorneys who even touch those. And it's kind of written all over your face," she explains.

I hope you're not able to glean anything else from looking at my face. "You hit the nail on the head…and I definitely needed some coffee," you reply kindly. "Thank you, again."

"No problem, hon," the librarian cheerfully replies and returns to her desk.

You return to your reading and enjoy the peaceful downtime before your phone buzzes with a text. You sigh. I can barely get even five minutes to myself.

It's from Nora. "See you left early. Do I even want to know what you and Edgeworth are doing in his office right now?"

You reply, "hey! I'm studying for the bar right now, thank you very much!"

A few minutes later, your phone buzzes again with Nora's response, "yeah, sure, okay. Is that the cover story you two are going with? 'bar review'?"

That would be a good cover story, you think to yourself. You tuck that one away for the next time you need to convince Mrs. Brekkie to let you spend excess time with Miles. Perhaps you'll leave out the fact that the 'bar review' will be at Miles' personal residence. You shake your thoughts back to the present and type your answer back to her, "Sorry to disappoint you, but I am actually studying for the bar. I'm in the library with a review book and everything!"

"Uh huh. Sure you are. You enjoy your 'bar review'." Nora responds.

You roll your eyes but set your phone back down and return to your reading. When you've finished your coffee, you check your watch. Miles should be here by now, so you put the review book away and head upstairs. The excitement to see him in the morning never fades from day to day.

As you push the ajar door open to step inside, you're greeted with a gorgeous smile from him as he wraps up a phone call. "Thank you, Detective," he says into the phone and hangs up the receiver. "Good morning," he says to you.

"Morning," you return with a smile. You close the door behind you. Miles takes note but says nothing. You force yourself to stay on the other side of his desk from him, the tension in the room quickly rising. If you could just have one kiss…

But your colossal failure to restrain yourselves yesterday has pushed you to do better. Why does he look so handsome today? Your mouth is watering.

"How are you?" Miles asks. He remains standing behind his desk as if he's fully aware of how wound you both are right now

Desperately wishing I could kiss you right now, you think to yourself.

"Well, then, why don't you?" He asks, smirk on full display.

Your eyes widen and a gasp escapes your lips. "Oh, God, I said that out loud?" You reply, face burning with embarrassment. Your hands rush to your cheeks.

Miles nods with a chuckle.

"I want to. I just…I thought I should be better than I was yesterday," you admit.

"I'd say a kiss would still be widely better than we were yesterday," Miles argues.

"That's true," you agree and move your hands down to your side. You stay still, however, scolding yourself, internally. Have some self control! "I just…don't know if I can stop with only a kiss." You ache with desire as if parched. It's almost painful being in his presence and not his arms. "But, I can't bear the thought of both tarnishing your reputation and losing you as my mentor. I'm afraid if we continue to be so careless here, we're only jeopardizing both our careers."

"You have a point," Miles admits. "Your progress as an attorney is of the utmost importance to me. As for my reputation," he smiles, as if laughing internally at himself, "I've built it back from worse. I do, however, wish to preserve yours."

You take a deep breath and sigh. "We can do this. We have to," you say, more to yourself than him.

"This won't last forever, don't forget. Come the end of the summer and subsequently your internship here, there is nothing forbidding a relationship between us," he reminds you and offers a reassuring smile. "And I, for one, will be very vocal about it, especially to Fredericks."

You smile and chuckle. "At least wait a week or so to make it somewhat believable that we didn't behave like animals around each other behind closed doors the entire summer," you reply.

"Five days," Miles playfully retorts with his trademark smirk.

"Okay, Romeo, five days it is," you agree with a laugh. Surprisingly, you both feel some of the tension disperse. You take your usual seat on the sofa and Miles sits at his desk.

Miles scoffs. "Please, you insult me. Romeo was an idiot. Galavanting around with young girls. He marries Juliet, murders her cousin, then skips town without her. And they both end up dead. Trust me, I was faring far better at eighteen years old."

You chuckle. "I would commit felonies to meet eighteen year old Miles," you admit.

He laughs. "It would not be anywhere near as interesting as you're imagining. Much like you, I was in the middle of law school; an intern fighting to make a name for myself."

"Imagine you and I in law school at the same time," you muse with a laugh.

"You might not feel the same way about me as you do now," he reveals.

"Why?" You ask.

"I wasn't in the same mindset I am now. In essence, I used to be willing to do anything to secure a guilty verdict, even at the expense of the truth, real justice. I don't like who I was then," he explains.

"What changed?" You're fascinated by this tale.

"An old friend of mine, like a brother to me; he pushed me to take stock of my values, challenge my beliefs," he confesses.

"I never knew that about you. I'm glad you told me," you say, the desire to kiss him is nearly unstoppable. You have to fight to keep your legs still.

He gives you a sweet smile. "What about you? I am beginning to feel very curious about what you were like at eighteen."

You blush. "Well, let's see…I was finishing high school and getting ready for college," you answer vaguely.

He looks at you quizzically, suspecting your withholding more. "No Romeo to call on you?" Figures he'd ask that.

You try to find the best way to explain…you sigh and lean your chin on your hand, fingers resting against your cheek. Your elbow sits perched on your knee.

Miles smirks. "'See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. O, that I were a glove upon that hand, that I might touch that cheek'," he says, parroting The Bard's famous work.

"Do not quote Shakespeare to me at seven o'clock in the morning," you playfully chide. Normally, a woman would swoon at hearing a man quote Romeo and Juliet to her but Miles was clearly teasing you with it.

He chuckles. "Sorry, you were saying…"

"Dad…wasn't the most approving when it came to the boys around town. He was never happy with any of them. Most didn't really try very hard. Everyone in town knew him. Among his accolades as a near perfect detective, he was the stereotypical overprotective father as well," you explain. "Any boy that came around the house…well he had to get through Dad first and no one got through Dad. In his defense, none of them really held my attention much anyway"

Miles narrows his eyes. "Not one?"

You hesitate but shake your head.

"You're a bad liar," Miles says, immediately calling out the hesitation you definitely failed to conceal.

There was one. One. Nothing happened though, so it hardly counted. "There's an air force base in my hometown. Dad and I went to the air shows a lot and I met an airman there when I was seventeen…do you really want to hear this?" You ask, hoping he won't ask you to tell the story.

"Absolutely," he answers, still smirking. One day you may figure him out. Today is not that day, though.

"He was nineteen and Dad was furious. The airman, his name is Chris, came by a lot, even though Dad wouldn't let him in the house. Mom," you chuckle, "Mom loved it. She helped me sneak him letters. Sometimes I would walk to the end of the block to drop them in the federal mailbox so Dad wouldn't find out. Mom and I would try to get to the mail before Dad and watch for Chris' letters back to me. We got to have a few dates when I left for college. I lived in the dorms so all Dad could really do was disapprove from the corner. Chris got deployed overseas not long after that." You frown. "We kept up sending letters to each other for a few years and we got to spend a little time together when he was home on leave, but then I went off to law school and we just…drifted apart. We sort of still keep in touch. He got married and I think he and his wife are expecting a baby. Last letter I got from him was back in December."

"I'm sorry to hear it ended the way it did," Miles replies.

You shrug. "I'm not," you reveal. Miles most certainly isn't either, but you decide to let that slide.

"You're not?" Miles asks.

"No," you answer, smiling sweetly.

"Interesting. Why is that?" He watches you curiously.

"Chris was the first to dare to defy my dad. It was something of a novelty to me, I suppose, but looking back now, I can see that the connection I felt with him was barely a fraction of what I feel with you," you confess, blushing again. "If we had tried to stick together, between law school for me and the air force for him, we wouldn't have lasted."

"Are you suggesting I would have tried to steal you away?" He asks, amused.

"Would you?" You retort, a cunning smile shining back at him.

He looks deeply in your eyes and ponders. "No." He finally says. "I would have respected the choice you made. That being said, I still would have coveted your affections; I still would have invited you under my mentorship, and bear in mind, I still would have had to wait for your initiation of a personal relationship, anyway."

"So, we could have ended up right where we are now," you surmise.

"Would you still have chosen me?" He asks.

You don't need to think about it. Chris doesn't hold a candle to Miles. He never would. "Yes, easily," you answer.

He smiles. "One might call that fate, then," he replies.

You chuckle. "I suppose it could be."

"Does your father approve of me?" He asks.

"He…doesn't know about you, actually," you admit, guilt creeping across your face. “Well, he knows who you are, but not that we’re together and…together.”

"I don't see a problem with your own mother and father knowing of our relationship," Miles says.

"You don't know my dad," you begin, inhaling deeply and sighing. "He keeps hoping I'll move back to Colorado after law school. He's rather close with the chief prosecutor there and is already trying to secure a position for me with him. Dad'll be thrilled that I'm studying under you as an intern…but when he finds out about everything else…he'll be upset." You frown, wishing that wouldn't be the case. You've never wanted your father to approve of a man so much.

"If that is in fact the case, I have a rather important question, then," Miles begins.

"Okay," you reply.

"Should your father react the way you anticipate, will you want to continue our relationship?"

"More than anything," you reply, smiling longingly at him.

"Then we will," Miles reassures you.

You let a soft laugh out. "Even if my dad tries to rip us apart?"

He nods. "If he thinks he can keep me from you, he's sorely mistaken. As much as I would like to have his acceptance, I do not require it. I prioritize your desires, not his."

"Thank you, Miles." You're comforted by his confidence. Damnit, the urge to kiss him is rising again. Maybe, just maybe, if Miles fights hard enough, Dad will give in.

Miles checks his watch. "We should head to the courthouse. I'm anxious to see you question your witness," he says with a proud smile.

You return his smile. You're nervous, but eager to prove yourself. He holds the door for you, but refrains from touching you.

At the courthouse, you and Miles take your place at the prosecutor's table.

"Is the prosecution ready?" The Judge asks.

"The prosecution is ready, Your Honor. I will also be supervising my law student who will be participating with witness testimony today."

"Very well…" The Judge agrees. He verifies the status of the defense team and begins the trial. "Will the prosecution please call its first witness?"

"You're up," Miles whispers in your ear. It sends shivers through you.

You clear your throat and project, "Your Honor, the prosecution calls Brian Hagen to the stand."

Your witness enters the courtroom and takes his seat on the stand. He is a middle-aged man with a shaved head and clean shaven face. He is quite lean. You recall from your internship last year he is very physically active and has even run marathons before. He is dressed in a very sharp, dark gray suit. Once he has been sworn in, you begin, Miles observing your every move. "Please state your name and occupation," you begin.

"Brian Hagen and I'm an employment attorney," he answers, beaming with pride at watching you perform like a proud father watching his child in the school play.

"Mr. Hagen, will you please testify about your relationship with the victim?" You ask. The defense attorney watches you like a cat watches a bird.

"Well, he contacted me about a month ago requesting legal counsel after he was fired from his job. He told me he had a crushing injury to his hand after an accident at work. He told me he had filed for FMLA but was fired before the request was processed. I never heard from him again and didn't find out he was dead until you informed me," Mr. Hagen testifies.

"Can you explain to the court what FMLA is?" You begin.

"Objection!" The defense attorney shouts. You pale. "This intern is requesting expert testimony from a lay witness!" He sneers as he says the word 'intern'. You see Miles' hand twitch out of the corner of your eye, but his face remains neutral.

"Objection sustained," The Judge rules. He addresses you by name, "you cannot ask a lay witness to give expert testimony."

Your face warms with embarrassment.

"Objection!" Miles shouts. "Mr. Hagen has already stated he is an employment attorney and therefore is perfectly qualified to make an expert testimony regarding employment law. My intern simply needs to voir dire her witness prior to requesting the expert testimony." He turns to whisper to you, "you're perfectly fine using Mr. Hagen as both a lay and expert witness. You just need to establish his expertise first."

"Right," you whisper back and collect your thoughts. You turn your attention back to your witness. "Mr. Hagen, where did you go to law school?"

"University of Florida," he answers.

"Can you speak briefly about your work experience?" You ask.

"I've been an employment attorney for twenty years and owned my own law firm for ten. I've handled wrongful termination cases, discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, and medical leave," Mr. Hagen explains.

"Does the defense have any objections to the witness testifying as an expert in employment law?" You ask, looking the defense attorney dead in the eye, trying to suppress the snide tone you wish you could use. You see the smallest smirk from Miles.

The attorney glares at you, but you stare him down. He shakes his head.

"Mr. Hagen," you begin, continuing where you left off before, "can you explain the Family Medical Leave Act?"

"It's a federal law that protects an employee's job while they take medical leave," he explains.

This is all information you are very well aware of but to prove your case, it has to be spelled out. "Would this law provide payment to the victim?"

"No, that's under workers compensation," Mr. Hagen answers.

"Who pays for that?" You ask.

"The employer," Mr. Hagen answers.

"What did the victim say about his needs following the accident?" You continue.

"He would have needed extensive surgeries and rehabilitation, likely totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Maybe more," he answers. Excited whispering scatters throughout the courtroom.

"Mr. Hagen, did you see the FMLA paperwork that the victim filled?" You ask.

"Yes, he faxed me a copy after he filed it with his employer," he replies.

You produce the copy of the FMLA paperwork for the judge to see. "Your Honor, I'd like to submit this as evidence," you stare.

"Objection!" The defense attorney shouts. "How is this relevant?" He asks. Miles smirks.

"Sustained," The Judge rules and turns to you, "please explain the relevance of this evidence."

"Yes, Your Honor," you begin. "As Mr. Edgeworth pointed out yesterday, the defendant was at the victim's home the afternoon he was murdered, but what we were unable to establish was a motive. Given Mr. Hagen's testimony about his consultation by the victim prior to his death, a probable motive is clear. Firstly, the victim applied for medical leave and was presumably going to then apply for workers compensation. Secondly, the victim died before the FMLA paperwork could be processed. Thirdly, let us recall that through a thorough examination of the defendant's business files, there was no hard copy of the FMLA paperwork and additionally, there were no corresponding emails between the victim and the defendant."

"Objection!" The defense attorney shouts. That was getting old. "This intern cannot prove my client was aware that the victim filled FMLA paperwork prior to his murder. Perhaps he had completed the paperwork but not submitted it."

"You're incorrect, counselor," you say. "This copy of the application clearly states at the bottom that it was electronically filled a week before he was terminated. Unless your client ignores his business email, he had to have known about it. Given your client's testimony to Mr. Edgeworth yesterday, he is a very dedicated business owner and claims he hardly ever misses work," you rebut. You turn back to your witness. "Mr. Hagen, how much was the victim going to pursue with his lawsuit?"

"He was going to ask for three million dollars," Mr. Hagen answered.

You smirk. Miles, following your line of thought, leans in to whisper, "go ahead. I think you can wrap this one up."

"Mr. Hagen, had the victim informed his employer, the defendant, of his lawsuit?" You ask.

"He served the notice to the defendant himself," Mr. Hagen answers. The audience in the courtroom collectively gasps.

The clacking of the judges gavel rings throughout the courtroom. "Order!" The Judge commands forcefully. When the chatter dies down, he continues, "the defense may cross examine the witness."

The attorney does cross examine your witness, but it's fruitless. His testimony is iron clad and the defense team isn't able to make any argument to sway The Judge.

"Guilty!" The Judge declares, securing your second win.

Once is an anomaly and twice is a coincidence; just as with your first guilty verdict, the defendant attempts to lunge at you from the defendant's stand. You feel a hand tug at your arm and before you realize it, Miles has pulled you behind him as the bailiff secures the newly convicted murderer. He shields you until the man is removed from the courtroom.

In the prosecutor's lobby, Mr. Hagen finds you and Miles. "You did great, kid!" He shouts and engulfs you in a big hug. You laugh happily and glance at Miles, knowing his apprehension for men touching you, but to your surprise, he is smiling calmly. Mr. Hagen releases you but keeps his hands on your shoulders. "I'm so proud of you! Look how far you've come! Can't wait to tell the missus how well you're doing!"

"Thank you for helping me, Mr. Hagen," you reply.

"Hey, it was an easy day for me. You did all the heavy lifting!" He says, still grinning proudly. He turns to Miles to shake his hand. "You've done an excellent job teaching her, Mr. Edgeworth," he compliments.

"Please, call me Miles. And thank you, but it's not a difficult task. She picks up everything very quickly," Miles replies.

"She's a smart one. Takes after her dad," Mr. Hagen adds and gives you a smile.

"She'll really be put to the test when we get our next case. She joined this one half way through and she still secured a guilty verdict," Miles says. He flashes you a quick glance. "I'm anxious to see how she does being involved from the start."

"I am as well," Mr. Hagen says and turns back to you. "Let me know if you ever need me again and of course, there's a spot for you at my firm next year, too!"

"You'll have to get in line, Mr. Hagen," Miles chimes in with a smirk.

"I see that," he replies with a chuckle. "Well, I do think prosecution suits you better," he comments to you and buttons his suit coat. "I suppose I should return to my office. Please, keep in touch," he adds and turns to Miles, "take care of her. She's like a daughter to me."

"I will," Miles replies firmly.

Mr. Hagen nods and heads for the exit. You and Miles take your leave as well and return to the prosecutor's office.

He sits at his desk. The urge to sit in his lap is almost disorienting. You force yourself to take your usual seat on the couch. You meet his eye contact. "I'd like to hear your reflection about this trial," he instructs.

"I felt a little lost sometimes, but less today than yesterday. I…really embarrassed myself by not establishing expertise for Mr. Hagen, didn't I?" You blush, mortified by your mistake in front of the entire courtroom, including Miles.

He chuckles, "I told you I didn't expect perfection from you, but discussing the errors now is important because I want you to recognize any deficits you have and work to improve them. I guarantee you will never again forget to voir dire your witness, wouldn't you agree?"

A sheepish smile creeps across your face. "Yes, I suppose this will stick in my mind forever." You look down.

"Don't dwell too much on it. This is how you learn to swim, so to speak. I will let you flounder a bit, but I won't let you drown. I want to see you learn on your own and rely on me only when necessary. This is your practice. I expect you to take ownership of it," he explains.

Good God, he's sexy when he talks like that. You take his feedback to heart, though you stare a little too long at his mouth. "I've never been great at handling failure," you admit.

"I wasn't either. I've learned to take everything I can from my missteps, though, and make myself stronger from it. You can do the same," he replies.

"I'm having trouble picturing you operating at any speed less than perfect," you comment, flirtatiously.

"Remember, I have been doing this for ten years," Miles reminds you. "You are still only in your second year of your formal education. Don't forget how advanced you already are. Mr. Hagen was a great starting mentor. I can tell he set a great foundation for you," he comments.

You narrow your eyes and smirk at Miles. "Speaking of Mr. Hagen, why is it that he gives me a hug and you have no problem whatsoever but Professor Fredericks touches my shoulder and you just about kick him out of your office? I'm noticing some pretty big inconsistencies," you playfully tease, leaning back and crossing your arms.

"Intent," Miles simply replies.

"Intent?" You repeat.

"Mr. Hagen sees you first and foremost as a daughter to him. I can tell by the way he treats you and he said it himself. With this, I have no problem. Fredericks ogles you. Combined with touching you is enough to leave me incensed," he clarifies.

"Right," you reply sarcastically. "Got it now. Mr. Hagen, good. Professor Fredericks, bad."

"You do learn quickly," he replies. He looks down and checks his watch. "It would appear we have some down time. Why don't you grab that bar exam book from the library and I'll help you study?"

"How'd you know I was down there this morning?" You ask, staring curiously at him.

"Do you really think you can be in this building without my knowledge?" Miles asks, eyeing you intently.

"When did you get here?" You ask, his hot stare melting your inhibitions quickly.

"Shortly after you. The secretary told me you had arrived. I saw you in the library talking with the librarian. You seemed rather content so I let you be. I knew I'd be seeing you soon, anyway," he explains.

You turn your eyes away. "Miles, you can't look at me like that…not here," you warn.

He lets out a low, seductive chuckle. "I see you are covering your neck today. Goodness, why might that be?" He asks sarcastically, with a mischievous smirk. His stare remains hot and intense.

Your smile wanes from your face. You can't take another second. You stand from your seat. "Miles, I can’t…” You struggle then sigh. “One of two things needs to happen. I either need to study in the library alone, or you need to get me the hell out of here…because I can't stay in the same room with you anymore and not touch you."

Miles rises from his seat, hastens toward you, grabs your hand, and leads you from the office. He whips his keys out of his pocket and locks the door as you both leave. "I have bar review materials in my home office," he says as you head for the exit.

[jeremy-ken-anderson]

What is a Deck?

A superior pile of secrets! But enough talk!

I've talked some about what a Card is, philosophically. Pox Nora called itself a Card Game and I just...didn't agree. There were card-shaped token representations, sure. But Pox Nora is a miniatures game, and the cards were stat cards for the minis. It'd be like calling certain releases of Warhammer card games because the unit stat blocks for the battles are on cards, or 4th Ed D&D a card game because you can keep track of your actions on cards.

There's a physical component - a card is a card if it's rectangular and on card stock. But I'd argue a game card is a game card only if it gets mechanical value out of being randomizable and/or flippable.

So with that said, what's a deck of cards? If I'm distinguishing between the physical thing - a card being a card because it's card-shaped and made of cardstock - and the usage - a game card being a game card because you pick it at random or flip it face down to hide your Trap Card from the opponent until it's too late...then what's a game deck?

Also, what's a good mode for devising a computerized deck? Because I've seen a number of ideas and they all have values and costs...

Let's mess with the first question first. Philosophically, what is a game deck, as a deck of game cards? It seems to me it is defined by what it contains, and by what it denies. That is, if you're able to use every card in your deck and you can see all of them and pick which one to use...that's a hand. No matter how many cards you put in it, if you have unimpeded access to all of them it's not a deck.

Also, a deck contains cards. While I think it'd be cool and it'd be totally viable in a video game format, If you're "drawing" a ham - not a "Ham Card" but just, like, a ham from your deck, there eventually comes a point where you're not dealing with a deck but just a well-randomized pile of assorted goods.

In both cases, there's nothing wrong with it being this other thing. This isn't a question of right or wrong, of values; It's just a matter of definition and word use.

So a deck contains cards, and denies access (however temporarily) to those cards. It usually denies knowledge of the cards by being facedown and not permitting you to look at the facedown cards in their current order. Some games will show you a decklist so you know what-all's in your deck, which can be useful for figuring out what your deck still needs if it's a deckbuilder. (For instance if I've played multiple sessions of Ascension in a row I'll sometimes forget whether I've bought a Trashing card on this run)

Usually the draw mechanic is a matter of the deck being some form of resource and drawing represents some variety of "how you gain or recover resources over time." There are a LOT of variants on that theme; In Shadowrift or Slay the Spire, it's your action cards, so it kind of represents your vitality - even to the point of having Wound cards that are useless and clog up your limited hand. In Magic or Pokemon, the cards representing energy you use to get stuff done are in your deck and you have to draw an appropriate mix of both "getting stuff done energy cards" and "stuff you want to get done with energy." Thus, drawing a LOT and/or using special effects to draw the part of that equation you've got less of can be quite powerful.

Okay, enough deck philosophy for a moment. Let's talk nuts and bolts.

If your cards are static or if the ways they aren't static are defined by your character - say, if your Fire cards are given +2 if you have the Fire Master skill - then you can get away with your "deck" being a visual representation stacked on top of a list of strings; Basically, just a bunch of the card titles. Drawing, at that point, instantiates the card, making it on the spot.

Personally I like the list to be of the actual card objects themselves, not just titles. That seems a little less error-prone to me. At that point your command is "Instantiate one of these" rather than "Instantiate the thing in that location over there that has this as its name."

I admit, there's a part of me that thinks you should just put the cards in the space. Even if you still do sleight-of-hand to avoid them looking janky on screen (such as having them sit offscreen and teleport "into" the deck just as you're drawing them, rather than having 40+ near-2D objects sitting atop each other and probably having weird collision physics), having the objects all present means you're keeping track of where they are by...moving them there. In space. Like you do in a regular physical card game.

The option of "put the cards in the space" is probably slightly inferior on performance, and isn't any better on organization...unless you have a "writing on this one card" mechanic, particularly in games where you've got multiples of cards. That is, if you've got 2 Aces of Spades and you write "If you play this after the 3 of Hearts you win the round" on it as a bonus rule, programming that to work right and only on one of the two Aces you have gets really messy with the "instantiate everything on the spot" method.

[bmodiwrites]

I Guess I Have To Fall In Love With Strangers

Hi friends! I know I'm late as heck but I'm finally coming through with my contribution to Lex's Spicy Six Spring Fanworks Challenge. @thefreakandthehair is amazing & put together the best prompts! The one I claimed for this work is scavenger hunts, so I mixed in a little Nick & Nora with my Steddie. Catch it below or over on AO3 here! I hope you guys enjoy!

Steve blinked awake with a gasp, quickly coming to. His eyes were heavy as he tried to clear them. Once the crusties keeping him blind were gone, Steve took in the room around him. For a moment, he worked his brain double time to figure out what woke him when the reason suddenly smacked him across the face – the house was much too quiet, which had to mean danger was afoot.

Unlike most mornings where all hell was already breaking loose before Steve even had the chance to peacefully wake up, silence lingered in the still clean and put together space, instead. Taken aback by the change, Steve sat up to investigate a little further.

Now fully awake, Steve started to notice more things sticking out like a sore thumb. Eddie, who usually slept in well after their alarm and cuddled Steve like the octopus he’d grown to be, was nowhere to be found. The bed next to Steve was cold, even, frozen from the cool air circulating around the room and Eddie’s missing body heat.

As the clues added up, the idea that he’d been abandoned started to settle in his stomach. Steve, who was trying not to spiral into some sort of mental breakdown, jumped out of bed to truly take everything around him in. It was only then that he noticed the folded up piece of paper sitting innocently atop Eddie’s pillow. The square was chunky and uneven, like his boyfriend allowed their three year old son to do the heavy lifting. Chuckling at the thought, Steve didn’t hesitate to reach out and grab the note obviously waiting for him. He hoped it explained exactly what was happening.

After scooping it up, Steve’s breath caught in his chest. There, in the corner, was an old drawing that Steve never thought he’d see again. The simple circle that gave way to two bunny ears and two x’s for eyes was a blast from the past that made Steve’s entire being light up with excitement. Quickly, thoughts of despair were replaced with anticipation Steve hadn’t felt in so very long.

See, that little drawing was what first brought Eddie and Steve together. All those years ago when things were different, when Steve didn’t have all his shit together, Bad Wabbit, the smallest little metal band to ever exist, knotted up two humans in the best of ways.

Thinking back on that time, Steve affectionately recalled the very first time he ran into Eddie Munson.

Since he was keeping his like of the band a secret, Steve set out on Bad Wabbit’s venue scavenger hunt all by himself. Hawkins’s newest spark of a band didn’t do things the regular way, so there shows were always a mystery. No one knew where they’d play or for how long until the day of when they’d release clues to help fans find their show. The mysteriousness of it all was what first caught Steve’s attention. The skill he finally got to see after two failed scavenger hunts was what kept him coming back for more.

The guy on the radio said the hunt would be easier with a partner or two but Steve figured he was smart enough to navigate a city he’d spent the entirety of his life in, especially after many successes stashed under his belt. The first clue was obscure and off the wall, though not too much for Steve. His love for caffeine and observant nature made the answer obvious. Within minutes of hearing Bad Wabbit’s announcement over the radio, Steve headed to the town’s coffee shop, solved clue in hand.  

Upon arriving, Steve was shocked to see someone else already there, looking intently at the cork board Steve assumed the next clue would be hanging on. Stepping up to it, too, Steve tried to play it cool. Throughout all of his adventures thus far, no one else had caught his eye along the way. For some reason, Steve wanted this interaction to go off without a hitch.  

He didn’t clear his throat or awkwardly bump into the boy standing there with a questioning gaze. Instead, he reached over his shoulder and pointed at the poorly drawn bunny on the corner of a help wanted sheet tucked behind the day’s newspaper.

“It looks like we need to pay Fred a visit at the dry cleaners,” Steve said, tapping on the sign again, making the bunny even more obvious. The boy looked at him curiously, yet didn’t speak, so Steve continued. “Unless you’re looking for a babysitting gig. Let me give you some friendly advice, though – don’t work for the Wheeler’s. Mike’s a little shit.”

Instead of the laugh Steve thought his joke might get, a loud and resounding quiet stuck fast between them. Despite himself, and the fact that the boy next to him was a complete and total stranger, Steve wanted something more to happen. He craved a feeling he couldn’t name or describe, though it lingered all the same. So much so that disappointment started to settle in as the silence continued. Ducking his head after a while, Steve made a decision to keep moving, to at least do what he set out to.  Though, not before shifting a thing or two to mess up the next person looking for the clue.

Steve reached out and tore a couple numbers off the bottoms of the ads attached to the board. He kept the paper for Fred’s place clean as a whistle, though he did turn it slightly so the rabbit was harder to see. Once he was done, Steve took a happy step back. He was seconds from turning to head out when a voice finally broke through all the lingering fog.

“Did you just wreak havoc on the rest of the innocents trying to find out where Bad Wabbit is playing?”

Based on the tone of his stranger’s voice, Steve wasn’t all that sure whether this was a friendly exchange or not. He sucked in a breath then steeled himself for whatever reaction might come from the odd boy standing next to him.

Without blinking an eye or hesitating any longer, Steve grinned widely while his lips formed around an easy answer – “damn right I did.”

The stranger’s face went through an array of emotions before settling on something Steve figured to be close to enjoyment. His smile matched Steve’s and for a second, it was easy to forget that they didn’t even know each other’s names, that they were strangers who meant nothing to each other.

In that instant, Steve understood something about his life had just changed.

After sweet talking Fred for the next clue, Steve’s performance was impressive enough for his stranger to finally introduce himself.

“You’re pretty impressive, whoever you are.”

Steve looked thoughtfully at his companion, then held out a hand between them. “Thanks. I’m Steve. Or Harrington if you’re more of a last name guy.”

A soft yet calloused hand slipped into his and his stranger, that beautiful boy, said a name Steve knew he wanted remember for the rest of his life. “Hi Steve. I’m Eddie. Eddie Munson.”

Eddie Munson, as it turned out, was just in town to catch the concert. He told Steve about his life back in the city while they finished up the remaining clues of the scavenger hunt and actually getting a spot in the concert space before Bad Wabbit took the stage. Steve learned Eddie was a year older than him, though a failed class had him repeating his senior year. If all went well, the two of them would share a graduation year. ’85, baby!

At that moment in time, Steve was excited by anything similar between them, anything at all that could tie them together even tighter than they already seemed to be. Something as silly as graduation seemed so huge when Steve wanted to find things that might keep Eddie interested in him.

Neither boy knew things would escalate well passed sharing space at a concert, that when all was said and done, the two of them would build, create, and share an amazing life.

With that thought in mind, Steve dragged himself back from his trip down memory lane. He found himself brushing his finger over that all too familiar rabbit drawing, a fond smile on his face. Without having to open up the note in his hands, Steve knew the day was going to be an interesting one. Though, impatience had him wanting to find out what was in store. He allowed himself one last drag of his finger before pushing on.

After a brief perusal of the paper as he opened it, Steve determined the sheet came from Eddie’s personal journal. It was thick and heavy, familiar in Steve’s hands like the handwriting he recognized almost instantly. Eddie’s chicken scratch hadn’t gotten any better over the years, though, the sentiments he wrote down with it always did.

Gathering up all his strength, Steve drew in a calming breath. When he shifted his eyes and took in the words before him, the game truly began. For one more second, Steve reveled in the room’s easy peace. Then, the silence became too much and an eagerness to find out what happened next won out over silence and easy isolation.

Stevie –

Take your cute little butt back to the place where we first met. Instead of hunting down a clue on that cork board, find the person who holds the key to the other half of your soul. She’s got your next clue.

Boyd & I are waiting.

xx Eddie

Steve was grinning by the time he took in the last word. Without having to think, Steve knew Robin was waiting for him at their favorite coffee shop in town. Unlike other significant others who found his closeness with Robin to be threatening, Eddie leaned into the solidity of their relationship. He understood, right from the get-go, that Robin was a permanent fixture in Steve’s life, that nothing was ever going to change that. Instead of working hard to impress his parents or Steve himself, Eddie busted his ass to win Robin over. After Steve realized that, he was a goner.

Smiling even harder at the memory, Steve let himself think about THE conversation with Robin.

It’d been a day or two after that first concert he and Eddie went to together. Steve felt like he’d been floating on cloud nine since that night. Despite Eddie not kissing him, or even cluing him into how he felt, Steve’s gut feeling told him his stranger would be anything but very, very soon. Something in their interactions (and the several phone calls they’d had since leaving each other) left Steve happier and more content than ever before. Only someone important could do that.

Robin eventually caught onto the goo-goo eyed lovesickness that Steve was carrying around and bluntly asked him about it. “What’s making you so stupid right now, Harrington? You’ve rescanned the same movie three times now.”

“It’s not what, Rob. It’s a who. I think I’m in love,” Steve said as he scanned Return of the Jedi in for the fourth time.

Slightly taken aback, Robin stopped what she was doing and gave Steve her full attention. “You’re what now? Weren’t you in here the other day pouting about your disturbing lack of dates? What changed between Friday night and now?”

Sensing her shift in mood, Steve dropped the movie in his hands back to the counter in an attempt to focus. With his hands free, Steve could easily wrap an arm around Robin’s shoulder. After pulling her close, Steve felt comfortable enough to talk.

“Everything has changed, Rob. I met him at the coffee shop. I was in there hunting down Bad Wabbit – “

With a snort, Robin cut him off before Steve could continue. “You mean your mystery love is a fan of that stupid band, too. You guys must be the perfect match.” She rolled her eyes, though a smile was starting to form across stubborn lips.

“You’re just upset it’s now obvious that you’ve got bad taste. Two always beats one, Rob,” Steve said, easily clapping back with an insult he knew would wound her. Robin scoffed and tried to hit him, but Steve was faster.

“Stop trying to smack me and listen! Don’t you want to hear about the boy of my dreams?”

Aside from another loud sigh, Robin didn’t say anything else for the rest of Steve’s story. He told her about the scavenger hunt and the time they spent together after Bad Wabbit wrapped up for the night. Steve was so reluctant to leave Eddie that they spent another couple of hours talking in the back of Eddie’s van. They probably would’ve stayed in that spot forever but the rising of the sun brought reality back to the forefront, finally separating them. Though, not before Eddie sneakily got Steve’s number.  

So caught up in his retelling of what happened, Steve failed to see Robin’s manic grin until she decided to elbow him in the side. “You really are in love, Harrington. I guess this beautiful stranger is someone I’m going to have to get used to.”

Happy to have her approval, Steve squeezed Robin a little tighter to him. He rested his head against hers, happy to be in her presence and happy to be accepted. Robin let the sentimental moment go on for a second longer before she struggled out of Steve’s arms. Sharing emotion was still hard for her, despite everything they’d been through together.

Knowing that, Steve shook off the brief feeling of hurt. It was easy to collect himself and dive back into the happiness when Robin didn’t immediately start to rib him for his corny feelings.

She made it a whole five minutes, even.

“I’m glad you fell in love with a stranger. I’m starting to think it’ll be more fun for the both of us.”

And what a truth that statement had been. Over the next few years, Eddie and Robin became as thick as thieves. Where Steve and Robin juxtaposed each other in that inescapably beautiful way, Eddie shared many similarities with Robin that made it easy for the two of them to fall into stride. She understood Steve so well that Eddie reaped the benefits of that knowledge, sometimes to the point where Steve ended up the odd one out. When all was said and done, Eddie walking into Steve’s life was a blessing to Robin, too. Though Steve and Robin were platonic soulmates and always would be, Eddie brought everyone together and made them a family.

Especially after Boyd was born. Robin gave them the greatest gift by carrying him to term for them. When the idea initially came up, Robin was offended that they didn’t think of her first. Though, it took a quick conversation to clear everything up and set them on a path that none of them ever saw coming. Introducing Boyd into their lives created a tangible link between the three of them. They were a family. The type Steve never had but always wanted.

The warmth of that reminder carried him through the coffee shop door where a smiling Robin was waiting for him. Without missing a beat, she pulled him into her arms for a tight hug. Steve tucked his head into Robin’s neck, letting the all too familiar smell lull him into a sense of comfort he only ever found around Robin Buckley.

Pulling away, Steve stuck out his hand, waving his fingers impatiently. “I know you have my next clue. Give it here, please,” Steve said, trying hard not to sound demanding. The wrinkle in her brow told him his efforts had not paid off, however.

“You’re not even going to try and ply me with small talk? Where are your manners, Stevie?” Robin feigned offense and upset, all while digging into her pocket with an eager hand.

Steve rolled his eyes at her, still holding his hand out impatiently. “I know you’re doing great. You’re sitting in our favorite coffee shop with a croissant, a fancy latte, and the slightest idea of what’s going on. I’m the one hanging on the edge here, pal. Cut me some slack.”

“Yeah, yeah. Here you go, asshole. Go find your stranger.”

Steve didn’t even try to stop his laugh because Robin still called Eddie that after years of being corrected and then corrected again whenever the man himself was in earshot. It was a private joke between her and Steve that wouldn’t ever get old. With a smile and a quick lean in to give Robin a kiss on the cheek, Steve collected his note and hightailed it out of there. If he didn’t and let himself read the next clue with Robin by his side, Steve was bound to take her along for the rest of the ride. That little something in his gut told Steve this one was for him and him alone. Whatever that meant, Steve was very, very ready to find out.

Shaky fingers tore at the folded edge until Steve could flatten out and peruse the next clue.

Stevie –

Remember our first apartment? We broke that damn mailbox by the front door a billion times. Take a trip back, walk through the front door and take in all the memories. I bet you’ll find something new there you least expect.

xx Eddie

The mere thought of their first apartment made Steve’s heart race. Fresh out of high school, the two of them did whatever they could to make things work. While Eddie was working overtime and then some at the local bike shop, Steve juggled two jobs to make ends meet. The place they were able to afford was nothing to brag about but it was somewhere they got to call home. It was a room and a kitchen and a bed Steve and Eddie eagerly shared, night after night. And though they were both more than ecstatic to say goodbye to 301 when the time eventually came, Steve recalled the years there with the fondest of memories.

It was where they had their first major fight, the one that Steve never thought they’d come back from. Eddie got his acceptance letter to college in that tiny little kitchen, halfway through cooking dinner. Steve was certain the spaghetti that exploded because of their distraction was still glued to the ceiling. Looking back at that place now, Steve felt glad to have a reminder of the progression of his life, how things have changed and progressed, yet stayed so much the same, too. While the places got grander and their space multiplied, Steve and Eddie, the love they created together, never changed. It couldn’t – not when they both were so committed to it.

The eventual drive to their old apartment complex took no time at all. Each collection of buildings looked exactly the same as Steve pulled in, despite almost 15 years passing by. Steve let the car practically steer itself until he was parked out front of building 3. Their unit was in the furthest corner, the little Metallica flag Eddie insisted on still flapping in the wind. Though, it was more than unrecognizable, Steve saw it like it was brand new, like he was standing before their apartment the very first time he entered it. So many memories and thoughts and feelings flooded him as he tried the front door. When it easily opened under the pressure, Steve shouldered his way inside.

A soft gasp left his throat when he caught sight of Boyd standing there.

Their three year old son, who’d gotten Robin’s height, was alone in the room, innocently holding another folded up piece of paper. Like usual, those round cheeks pulled into a wide smile the second Boyd saw Steve. Despite having an attitude that better matched Eddie’s temperament, Boyd loved Steve. Their relationship was a lot like the one Steve had with Robin. Things just sort of worked when they were together. Steve understood Boyd the very first moment he held that little boy in his arms. Unlike his own father, Steve did everything he could for the little boy currently toddling his way over to him.

“Hi, sweetie,” Steve said, crouching down onto both knees so that he and Boyd were on the same level. His eyes lit up as Boyd smiled back at him and waved his free hand. His little fingers were covered in marker, as if whatever was on the page he was holding actually came from Boyd’s own hand.

“Are you here by yourself?” Steve asked.

Instead of answering Steve’s question, Boyd walking into Steve’s arms, wrapping his own easily around his daddy’s neck. The squeeze was tight for a moment, then a little voice echoed in the room.

“Papa’s here. Somewhere,” Boyd said, shrugging all the while. For a second, his little eyes stared at Steve, taking him in like he hadn’t seen him in ages. Or, maybe that was just how Steve felt as he looked back. Hazel eyes were hard to blink away from but Steve eventually managed.

“Do you have something to give daddy? I think you have my next clue in your hand there, baby.” Steve so desperately wanted to see what was on that paper. Yet, the last thing Steve wanted to do was tear the note from his son’s hand. After being a dad and learning the sort of patience that went along with parenting, Steve clung to his ability to keep his shit together, though only just barely.

A second later, Boyd let out the cutest little noise, almost like he’d suddenly remembered why he was standing there in the first place. The biggest grin overtook those pink cheeks, practically squishing his eyes up so that only adorable little slits remained. Then, Boyd threw the note at Steve, chuckling all the while.

 “That’s for you, daddy.”

Barely resisting the urge to scoop his little boy back into a big hug, Steve picked up the note from its place on the ground. On instinct, his thumb found the bunny on the front, tracing the haphazard drawing lightly. Steve couldn’t stop himself from smiling – whatever Eddie was planning, he absolutely had Steve on his toes, completely stumped. They didn’t have an anniversary coming up and Steve hadn’t missed any birthdays. Despite being completely in the know about pretty much everything, Steve had no idea what the next note could possibly hold.

What Steve initially brushed off as typical toddler behavior quickly showed itself on the paper in his hands. The handwriting was so much different than what Steve had been looking at all morning. Each letter that was readable was shaky and formed by someone not completely confident about the shape. Purple marker gave up the note’s author. Boyd, who’d been idly looking around the room, was now perked up, staring straight at Steve.

“Did you write this, Boyd?” Steve asked, showing his son the paper.

A little head nodded and then his son’s smile grew. “Yes, daddy. Want me to tell you what it says?”

Steve didn’t have the composure to do anything but nod, which turned out to be okay because Boyd was going to barrel on ahead regardless of Steve’s answer, anyway.

“It says – Daddy, will you marry Papa?”

As that adorable little voice spoke, a set of footsteps had Steve looking up. With tears in his eyes, Steve watched Eddie walk into the room and stop beside Boyd, a ring box in hand.

“That was great, buddy. Thank you for helping,” Eddie said. He got down onto one knee and softly cupped the boy’s cheek. “Head to the kitchen for me, will you? The drinks we brought in earlier are there.”

Boyd let out a triumphant noise and turned on his heels to run across the room without any further prompting.

Suddenly, Steve and Eddie were alone together.

“I know, I know. It’s been a crazy day,” Eddie started as he reached out to grab Steve’s hand. They were both on their knees, eye to eye. “When I decided I wanted to ask you about forever, I knew I had to do it up special. And for a while, nothing was right. You deserve the world, Steve. While I can’t give you that, I can send you on a wild goose chase with the sweetest of endings.” Eddie laughed then, his eyes crinkling. “In the end, I thought going back to the beginning was my best bet. That day, seeing you in the coffee shop, my whole world changed. You came in there without a thought or care in the world and completely shifted everything about me. I love you, Steve. With everything in me. Always have. Always will.”

Then, because his words hadn’t been enough, Eddie pushed the ring box in Steve’s direction. Tucked into the satin, safe and sound, was Wayne’s old wedding ring – sized up and ready to sit on Steve’s finger. Between the history and the meaning and Boyd being the one to ultimately ask the question, Steve didn’t stand a chance. Tears spilled from his eyes like a leaky sink.

“So, what do you say? Want to get married?”

Steve didn’t have access to his words, so he simply nodded excitedly. He’d eventually scream yes from the rooftops, shout his happiness for days on end. For now, the gesture worked. He knew it did because Eddie looked the happiest he ever had.

Before Eddie could get smart about the cheesiness or say something to ruin the moment, Steve grabbed Eddie’s cheeks and pulled him close. The kiss they shared was hot and intense and so satisfying that they were caught up in it until that little voice sounded in the room again. This time, a bit more impatiently.

“Is it time for sparkly juice, Papa?” Boyd asked from the doorframe, the unopened bottle in his tiny hand.

Both of them beckoned Boyd over, who didn’t hesitate to launch himself into their joint embrace. As their little one snuggled into their chests, Eddie used his free hand to pull Steve’s ring from the box and slide it onto his finger. The fit was perfect, made even more so by the moment Steve found himself in.

While Boyd squirmed and got excited about the fancy drink they were about to consume, Steve and Eddie stared at each other, reveling in their brand new promise of forever.

[spoiler-alert-andabunchofnumbers]

A Long Rant About Why Hope and Snow’s Arc is Brilliant

"You've changed, haven't you? Seems like you've toughened up."

"I'm a l'Cie. I had to."

"The only ones that ought to be fighting the army…are us dumb grown-ups."

"You think it's stupid to fight?"

"It is if you get killed. Anyway, just lay low. Let the dummies duke it out. The army's no match for NORA, right?"

"He was…he was smiling!"

Let's talk about this. LET US TALK ABOUT THIS!

In just one scene this game managed to make you believe that Hope and Snow are going to implode.

Right before this, when Hope was with Lightning, Hope was on the path to healing. He'd confessed what happened to his mother - for the first time since the incident, I might add, - and how much he hates Snow. The Gapra Whitewood alone is amazing but let's stay focused.

Lightning and Hope are brilliant together, with Lightning seeing what her influence as a role model is doing to an innocent kid. She's a maternal figure, both to her sister and eventually to Hope, but she's been running from her failure to save and believe in her sister as well as losing her entire home and identity. She finally realizes that the warpath she's on is unhealthy and the wrong path for her. Maybe she'd succeed in toppling the Sanctum, maybe she wouldn't have, but an enemy and a goal are things she can kill and accomplish.

The only problem is Hope. When she gives him the advice that she herself is following, to control her emotions, find an end goal and block out everything else, she starts to see how unhealthy her choices are both physically and mentally. She's sent Hope on a warpath, and when she finally announces that "I made a mistake!", Hope is still left angry, thinking there's nothing left if he doesn't have anyone to fight. Hope is shouting at her "Then what battles do we fight? And against who?!"

When she finally convinces Hope to calm down, he says "I'm sorry, I messed up" and you can feel his anger slowly fading as he regains his reason. At the end of that section, Hope's final words are, "Snow believed Serah, didn't he?" That one line demonstrates how Hope is willing to see past his first impressions of Snow and listen to who he is as a person, that maybe Snow really was just trying to save everyone. Both Lightning and Hope together are on the path to forgiving Snow and healing for their own sake.

Then, the next scene happens. They're reminded of how little hope they have of surviving, how they're on the run, how Rosch reminds the army that they aren't people, they're targets. Lightning immediately volunteers to sacrifice herself if it will give Hope a chance to live and find himself in whatever time he has left - "You survive."

Snow was a bonus, since she doesn't want Hope with her while she takes on the whole army and draws their fire so Hope can get away, but leaving him with Snow is safer than bringing her with him. She chucks him at Snow saying "Take care of him", knowing Hope will be uncomfortable but he'll be protected. She likely didn't account for Fang following her and hadn't intended Hope to be left alone with Snow.

Fun bonus is that when Hope is thrown off of Shiva and the soldiers converge on him, Hope rises to his feet and is already in a battle stance. When Snow last saw this kid, he cowered at nothing but the hopelessness of their situation, much less a soldier aiming their weapon at him, but now Hope was fully ready to kick those guys' butts if Snow hadn't intervened. And so began the slow descent as Hope started seeing everything he hated in Snow - Snow automatically assumed he couldn't defend himself, that Snow needed to save the day.

Hope had begun to forgive Snow, hearing Lightning coming to the realization that he believed Serah when no one else did and believed in her when she was ready to give up because of her fate. Then Snow is back in his arrogant glory, treating Hope like a kid because he hasn't seen all the growth Hope has gone through. Lightning treated him like a kid until Odin happened and she started properly supporting him to grow stronger rather than just "babysitting" him. She talked to Hope like he was an adult with a little less life experience - which is how you should be treating a kid as smart as Hope.

Then the scene comes up.

But Snow keeps calling him "partner" in their battle quotes and taking charge when Hope clearly already knows what he's doing now thanks to Lightning.

Hope is a bit confused at where Snow's been and what he's been up to with a branch of the army trying to kill them, but he's passive aggressive at best. Just because he doesn't want to kill Snow anymore doesn't mean he has to like him. Snow does not get the hint, still seeing Hope as just a kid and he has a right to teen angst considering all he's been through.

"The only ones that ought to be fighting the army…are us dumb grown-ups."

From Snow's perspective: he's telling Hope that kids shouldn't have to go through such a horrible thing, to have the whole army training their guns on you and calling you nothing but a target. Hope shouldn't have to be running for his life, taking on the military that's supposed to be protecting citizens and kids like him. Adults are just dumb like that, getting ourselves into trouble. Kids should be smarter than that - be smarter than that, Hope.

From Hope's perspective: Snow just called any adult who tries to fight the army a fool - including his mother when she volunteered to help fight their way out of the Purge. She fought because Snow asked for volunteers (he knows but often forgets that her main reason for joining was to keep Hope safe; Snow hadn't even thought of asking for volunteers until a bunch of people asked to help them). He just called Nora a fool for fighting to save Hope’s life at Snow’s behest.

"You think it's stupid to fight?"

"It is if you get killed."

Whew we're just gonna stop right there mid-sentence. In those two sentences we managed to create two sides of a conversation that perfectly encapsulate the miscommunication between Hope and Snow that’s driving a 14-year-old kid into a murderous rage even after he'd begun a path to healing.

Snow just called adults stupid for fighting the army, then he goes and pushes it further by saying that it’s only really stupid if you get killed. From Snow's perspective, this is a perfectly reasonable thing to say. It helps no one if you run into battle and get killed - no matter if it's just your life on the line or if you have others you're trying to protect. The people you're trying to protect don't necessarily benefit from your sacrificing yourself by throwing yourself at the enemy in a desperate kamikaze, and Hope himself shouldn't just give up on his life even when the army has them outnumbered and they have no plan - he'll find hope to go forward, he should never just give up and go out in a blaze of rageful spite.

From Hope's perspective, that idiot just insulted his mother! He just called Nora stupid for fighting the army even though she had multiple good reasons to have volunteered - Snow asking for volunteers and putting civilians into the line of fire (even though they were already and Nora joined for Hope and it was entirely her choice). Then he calls her especially stupid because she got herself killed.

In essence, Snow just voiced the thoughts of everyone who hates on Nora's character in general. “She was a MOTHER, what was she DOING volunteering to FIGHT, “Moms are tough”? psssh she DIED, what an idiot.”

I was angry for Hope in that moment, man. I was ready to stab Snow too.

"Anyway, just lay low. Let the dummies duke it out. The army's no match for NORA, right?"

Ooof, and then we have the final line where Snow uses the name NORA as his acronym for "No Obligations, Rules, or Authority." As Lightning had told Hope in the Gapra Whitewood, (let me quote the datalog entry for that moment): “They wish to live without restrictions, she explains, though some might argue that what they really wish is to live without responsibility.” This means that Snow just used NORA in the context of ignoring the responsibility of those who he himself brought into the battle under his leadership. He was in charge of those volunteers, including Nora, but now he acts as though he’s forgotten all of the weight of their deaths that were directly or indirectly his fault.

So in conclusion, Snow just insulted Nora Estheim in three different ways in the span of one short conversation. Nice going, bud.

To be clear, it’s made very obvious in the beginning that Snow is absolutely crushed by the guilt of everyone who died under his command. Nora in particular has traumatized him because he blames himself for letting her fall out of his grip (see this post for that rant). Snow isn't a children's cartoon character telegraphing his every thought and the lesson you need to learn from him; he's repressing his feelings and he's very good at hiding it. He is brilliant at acting like he's happy and fine and running away from the guilt because if he let it crush him, more people would get hurt because he was too distracted and didn't protect them.

His breakdown when Hope presses him explains the final puzzle piece: he didn’t know how to possibly atone - so he just kept avoiding it.

“There is nothing that can make something like that right again. When someone’s dead, when someone’s gone, words are useless…I know! It’s all my fault! But I don’t know how to fix it! Where do you start? What do you say?”

When Hope finally wakes up, Snow has finally come to terms with his guilt and confesses it outright. It was his fault Nora died, he shouldn’t have said a lot of what he said before about words being useless, how he could never make up for someone dying so he needed to keep going.

“I thought if I couldn’t make up for it, then all the apologies in the world wouldn’t mean thing. So I decided I had to find a way to pay for it first, before I’d even have the right to say sorry. But, it’s like you said. I was using that as an excuse, so I could run from my own guilt.”

Snow finally acknowledges that he’s been running, that Nora’s death is his fault, and notice that he hands Hope Lightning’s knife, telling him to dish out any punishment he wants. Hope could kill Snow right then and there, but instead, he just finally confesses, “She’s gone, Snow.”

Hope closes the knife. He lets go of his hate.

Let’s quote the datalog again, because no one likes reading except me, apparently, but the datalog has genuinely brilliant writing: “He didn’t survive this long to see revenge - he saw revenge as a means to survive.”

Palumpolum concludes three character arcs:

Lightning

She admits how she snapped from losing Serah and her life all at once and went down a dangerous warpath (dragging Hope along with her)

She finds a new goal in surviving to see Serah wake up

She apologizes to Snow!

Hope

He gathered the strength to pin the blame on Snow despite knowing it was the Sanctum’s fault for killing her, despite knowing killing him wouldn’t bring her back

He acknowledges that he went down the wrong path, even if he did it to survive

He accepts his mother’s death

He forgives Snow

Snow

He admits that Nora’s death is his fault and that he’s been running from the guilt of not only her but many who died because of him

He was too overwhelmed by the idea that he didn’t know how to atone for his actions, so he just kept avoiding his responsibility

He faces the consequences, apologizes even knowing that it won’t fix everything

Anyway, if you made it this far, here’s a picture of some chocobos and sheep just hanging out in order to form a barrier:

On the next edition of Final Fantasy XIII actually had really good character arcs: Sugar and Rainbows

[kawaiisdisaster]

Heyyy, are you guys ready to hear about an Animaniacs and Pinky And The Brain Swap AU idea i came up with? Yes? Okay so basically in this AU, everything in Animaniacs is almost the same... Except all the characters are replaced with PATB ones!

The only exception would be the Pinky and Brain segment itself which instead of them, it would be starring... Minerva Mink and Hello Nurse! Yeah that's right, it's MY AU so i can do whatever i want hehe! /hj Anywho, here are all the character roles:

Darky (Dark Pinky) as Yakko Warner

Pinks (OG Pinky) as Wakko Warner

Suavy (Pinky Suavo) as Dot Warner

The Brain as Hello Nurse and viceversa

Minerva Mink as Pinky

Billie as Minerva Mink

Floyd Nesbitt (that rude guy from the "Fly" episode) as Thaddeus Plotz

Julia as Nora Rita Norita (I'm thinking of making her be with Billie in this, altought I don't ship Minerva with Nora. Nothing against anyone that those, tho!)

Snowball as Dr. Scratchansniff

Larry as Ralph T. Guard

Egwind as Ralph's wife

Cupcake (Snowball's sister) as Jürgen Scratchansniff

Dark Brain as Nurse Doom (he's Brain's twin brother in this)

Precious as Mindy

Bobby-Bob Yokel as Buttons

All three versions of Pinky are triplets in this and everyone has their original age, including them!

Still figuring out roles for the other characters and i might change some of the already chosen ones, but here's the plot:

Pinks, Darky and Suavy were first created with the purpose of being the new toon stars but as they came to life, they brought nothing but chaos to the studio.

Darky was an extreme trouble-maker and would cause mayhem just to get a laugh out of it, Suavy was considereted to be too sensual as he had way too many people swooning over him on a daily basis, and Pinks was too dump as he would unintetionally cause a few messes here and there aswell as annoying a handful of the producers.

Technically speaking Darky should have been the only one to get locked up, but we're talking about the same people who willingly locked up three literal children in the original show... so all three of them were sent to the tower. That, or perhaps Pinks and Suavy didn't wanna leave their brother alone which is why they joined him inside the WB Water Tower.

Anyways you know how the rest goes: after a few years the Pinkies escape the Water Tower and brought chaos back to their world. So Mr. Nesbitt orders for Dr. Snowball to get them to behave themselves or make them act more "normal", which Snowball is very mad about but has no choice but to do it as it his job.

Incase that doesn't work, Nesbitt orders Larry to chase the Pinkies around to catch them and get them locked back in the tower. Meanwhile Pinks and Suavy take an interest in Hello Brainy, the studio medic and Dr. Snowball's assistant, whom Darky dislikes for some reason. After a few years pass Nesbitt retires and Julia takes his place as CEO.

There's more but i still need to figure it out! In the mean time, here's a drawing of Hello Brainy:

[lunartflare64]

I did it. I made an OC to be Leonora's GF. The shipper in me wouldn't let her get away with being a disaster lesbian without a GF. So here is the other disaster lesbian, Julie! Personality and background under the cut! (Be warned, I ramble)

So! Julie! She's a year older than Leo, making her 19 to our girl Nora's 18, and an artist

Julie cut off contact with her parents when she was 14 (they sucked), and two years later she found herself mutated, and since her roommate has a green keel-bellied lizard...she got stuck with bright blue-green scales and a pretty long tail

It sucked those first few months, obviously, but she was already kinda a hermit, and what's done is done, so she wanted to focus more on finding what her new normal looked like

Weirdly enough, very few mutants were content to live semi-normal lives, mutant communities were very.....combat focused. Even if Julie was interested in fighting, her tail would give her a massive learning curve, so.......no, that's not happening

So how will she contribute to the mutant community? Well, tattoos don't really stick around through the mutation, and getting tattoos the regular way doesn't really work well (fur and scales don't cooperate with tattoo guns, and that's before you take into consideration things like shedding), so she'll focus on bringing tattoos to the mutant community! Luckily her roommate (a biologist in college) took her mutation well and is happy to help figure out how to make that actually possible

Its not just tattoos, she learns how to do a wide variety of piercings and body mods, her only limit being actual surgery (she has a strong stomach but not that strong). She believes its important to give these options to mutants, its not mandatory, but if a mutant decides they want to have fun with their form, have control over how they look, then they see a future with their mutated body. Its acceptance. The majority of them didn't choose to be this way, but now that its done they should have the chance to have fun with it, should they want that

Outside of her new career, Julie has found a love of parkour. It started out as something she did for convenience, since the rooftops are safer to travel on for mutants than the road is, but it turns out the species she was mutated from are super big on climbing, so when she's feeling particularly pent-up, scaling the nearest skyscraper is the ideal workout for her

I haven't quite worked out how Julie met Leo yet, but Leo's siblings weren't there for it. They had no idea about Julie for the first few weeks, and even after they found out their sister was seeing someone they still didn't meet her for a while after that. Leo hasn't really had many opportunities to have a life completely separate from her siblings, and she loves them, but Julie was a breath of fresh air. Aaaand Leo wanted to keep her GF to herself for as long as her nosy siblings would allow.

Julie is a pretty smart person on her own, she started one of the first "mutant" businesses, of course she's smart. And no matter how chill she is, she likes to stick to her schedules. But with Leo......that all kinda goes out the window. For both of them. Their braincells cancel each other out and suddenly they're staring at a livestream of a goldfish tank for three hours straight.

It has it's downsides, schedules fall to pieces after they start dating, everyone hates it, but it also gives them the rare opportunity to just...forget their responsibilities. And since neither of them do that ever, anyone who plans on interfering with it is gonna find waaaay too many ninjas in their house the next night

Okay, I thiiiink I'm done rambling about Julie. For now. Time to give my wrists a break, and then I can move on and start drawing these dumb lesbians, I love them so much

[flooficandii]

what do u think ab an au where the vp takes in kids with radiant abilities to train them as the "future" of valorant

this idea's kinda scuffed af bc idk much ab the lore actually i'm still confused ab kingdom n earth but i just want an excuse to see the agents babysitting chaotic kids with powers LMAOAoadjdj

IM NOT GONNA LIE THAT WOULD SOUND SUPER CUTE LMAO RADIANT BABY DAYCARE,,,, also this is a perfect excuse to put my headcanons about which of the agents are the best with kids

parents. like, literal parents dude

brimstone. he is the first immediate thing that comes to mind when i think of parenting. i mean look at the way he talks to the rest of the agents, you can't tell me he won't do well with kids

CYPHER!!! bro cypher would LOVE kids,,,,i hc he was really excited to be a dad but nora kinda died with his unborn baby so,, yknow he has that yearning feeling and he kinda projects that nature onto the younguns. he may be super secretive and shifty but you can tell he cares for them and would love to have children running around the base

sage!! sage radiates this energy of warmth and comfort and security, you'll always feel safe with her so she'd be wonderful with children :]] she won't hesitate to be strict if needed though so just make sure to stay on her good side unless,,, "YOUR HOMEWORK IS NOT OVER!!!"

reyna. surprisingly. although she isn't as much a parent as the rest of them, she wILL break someone's arm for a kid. she may be very murderous but kids might be her soft spot (glances vaguely at her little sister)

tbh i see her as the kind of caretaker that'll let her kid do awful things lmao

"miss reyna can i say a curse word ple a se ,,,"

"of course, cariño."

"FUCK!!!!"

okay at it/awkward but trying

omen. omen isn't sure how to interact with children,,,, like, i headcanon he scares them away a lot

if one of them happens to be NOT scared?? *immediately imprints*

i think the most he'd do while watching over children is just sit there with his knitting needles and grunt Menacingly whenever they start causing trouble

viper. viper also scares kids away, understandably so, but she does have this maternal nature despite her scary aura (exhibit a: duality)

i headcanon she actually dislikes children and tries to avoid them as much as possible but will be incREDIBLY protective if they're threatened

yoru. he finds kids annoying. but if he were put in a situation where he HAD to keep an eye on them he'd probably try

just a little bit

as a treat

he'll call them brats or something lmAO what a bitch

unless one of them calls him cool and feeds his ego

then yeah he'll love them lol

imagine yoru going into his rift and picking the kid up to make it look like they're flying

a parent? maybe not, it's really not something on his list of ideals. but a big brother figure? sure! it means he gets to bully tease children to his heart’s content

sova. sova is okay at babysitting. he’s very quiet though so the kids usually get bored with him

he’s quick to straighten them up if they’re misbehaving

maybe he’ll tell fairy tales about the mountains or something

*deep thick russian voice* “When I was still living with my babushka in the frigid mountains of the North,”

babysitters at most

jett. jett seems like the cool babysitter who lets you do anything and everything lmao,, stay up past your bedtime?? sure thing. snacks before dinner?? hell yeah. you want her to show you her cool spinny wind trick?? of course!!

raze! raze gives off the vibes of the girl next door who everyone in the neighborhood knows and loves. she probably hung out with the kids in her town a lot and would draw with them, make music with them, etc. very big sister vibes 10/10 just don't let her have explosives around them

ASTRA!!! astra astra astra i bet she’d be the type to give piggy back rides and make little stardust confetti to wow them with!! she’ll sing songs and read stories and maybe do little puppet shows for them  

skye would do great with kids! she’s strong enough to catch up to them during vigorous games of tag and she’d let them pet her tiger

her animals love the kids too

imagine taz lying on his back as they pet his belly and hawko perching on top of their heads

haha! *slowly pulls them away from the children*

breach. i dont know about you guys but if you left him with a kid he would lose them in like 1.5 minutes

“what? they’re tiny, you think i’d notice?”

bro he is such a fucking bully he’d punt a kid across a football field

i guess he’d let them sit on his giant bionic shoulders but thats it

phoenix.

says he has it under control

does NOT have it under control

“alright, fam! leave it to me, i can handle some younguns-”

*burns down the entire hq after trying to show them a trick*

killjoy. bro she would use them for her experiments without batting an eye

“KILLJOY WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THE KIDS”

“testing the sensor range of my turret!! :DD relax, it won’t hurt them- they’re wearing helmets!”

“KILLJOY THEY’RE WRAPPED IN BUBBLE WRAP I DON’T THINK THAT’S HUMANE”

kay/o.

i dunno man i don’t think he’d even know what to do with kids

also he might accidentally break their spine if they wanted a hug lmao

he won’t hurt them on purpose but this is just,,,a safety measure

k would do great with kids though :]] big friendly guy

[razorblade180]

I'm going to be honest. When I think about it, what bothers me the most about Yang and Blake telling Robyn about Amity is not the fact they did it. They told her behind their teams back. They did not consult them about telling Robyn. What if Robyn was a spy for Salem! It's one thing to not trust Ironwood, the man wasn't exactly the picture of stable so I get that, but not even consulting the people you basically call family at that point? That is a line they crossed and no one actually calls them out on that.

You’ve given me a great excuse to talk about something I’ve thought about for awhile.

I’ve made several post about how I wish that was a team decision and that I wished Ruby was upset at Yang specifically considering it was her idea and she had the nerve to tell Ruby “we tried it your way.” No you didn’t. You went behind her back and did something to add to Ironwood’s “I can’t trust you” list.

This and other recent Yang and Blake interactions would upset me less if they would’ve lead to one thing, giving Blake the arc they decided to give Nora. I think having a character that wants to find themself as a person before they are in a relationship is a very positive message to send and as good as it is for Nora, Blake needs that way more. She has the ground work for it.

I would love for someone like Weiss to point out how Blake has her own thoughts, opinions, and ideals but conformed to Adam’s for awhile until eventually she left; effectively hindering the group she used to believe in and factually being a bad partner for Adam. All of that has now made Blake try really hard to be a good partner towards Yang, but in doing so she’s allowing herself to be swayed in a similar fashion she was with Adam, in an effort to avoid draw out disagreements. In trying to be a good partner Blake is still falling in similar pitfalls and her new team is suffering a little because of it.

Yeah she has a way better partner that actually cares, but the way Blake is influenced by her partners hasn’t matured much because realistically she hasn’t given herself time to reflect on all the mistakes of her last relationship. Her and Adam may not have been together ever since the trailer, but all the actual drama and fallout from that relationship actually ended in the V6 finale; V7 almost immediately dives into Blake and Yang getting romantic without a moment for Blake to fully express what she just went through.

Blake herself talks about how being with someone makes them become apart of you and the moment one part is officially dead, she’s getting more attached to a new person who’s she’s been prioritizing for awhile. Blake hasn’t really taken her own advice of figuring herself out as a single individual. It’s extremely hard to reflect on past relationships when diving into a new one.

Now why they don’t allow herself to take time for herself, I do not know, because this doesn’t discredit bumbleby. V9 could literally have Weiss bringing several of these major points up in a less than friendly argument. It could have something to do with Ruby going through a rough patch between what happened and Jaune did. Weiss ends up feeling like she’s the only person really trying to get things mended because Yang and Blake seem distracted by their own relationship. In the end, you have Blake thinking about what Weiss has said and she tells Yang her honest feelings about the two them but also tells her that right now it would be best if things didn’t get romantic right now because she really wants to find herself and the independence that comes with being single. That way she can fully voice her own opinions and not feel as concerned if they differ from her partner instead of her girlfriend. The conversation could end or start with a kiss, the shippers still get hear “I love you.” Just because they aren’t doesn’t mean the ship can’t sail.

If anyone has a problem with that, then they’re hypocrites because that’s literally what Renora did and it’s perfectly fine! The label is decoration at this point. Everyone knows who loves who and that’s not changing. People are just growing and their significant other is respectfully giving them that opportunity. I think that says a lot more for Blake and Yang’s dynamic than as they are now, but like I said, they probably won’t do it because they gave that development to Nora in a volume where she is mostly knocked out.