#later implying that they merged eventually...

[bravevolunteer-a]

the more i think about s.otm's place in the timeline the more i feel genuinely insane. this isn't even me having beef with putting the m.imic and e.dwin in the games i like the concept in theory but the narrative execution is already... such a choice. if it's 1979 the company should not be the huge corporate entity that it becomes. the huge factory, details that we associate with the modern branding, canonizing an entire crew's worth of deaths before the first springlock accident and murder... i'm simply not into how that would undermine both its start as a tiny restaurant chain and the narrative weight of the earliest tragedies.

[neyafromfrance95]

galadriel & sauron vs. morgoth theory + trop.

we all love the theory that sauron and galadriel would eventually fight side by side against morgoth.

if u think about it, trop is a perfect groundwork for this theory.

in trop, it is implied that sauron and galadriel meet by eru's design and their connection is destined. but why?

sure, galadriel has a hand in sauron's defeat, but so do many others. why does galadriel and sauron's relationship have to be so special and significant on the cosmic scales, above everything else?

in lotr, galadriel passes the test by the end of the 3rd age. she outgrows her pride and selfish need to rule without sharing her power with anyone and determination to rule the middle-earth even if it means becoming a terrible tyrant.

but it's interesting how later frodo sees galadriel through her phial's light:

“frodo took the phial, and for a moment as it shone between them, he saw her again standing like a queen, great and beautiful, but no longer terrible. he bowed, but found no words to say.”

i wonder if this is a subtle implication that galadriel has finally became worthy of succeeding her father one day. her father is the high king of the elves in valinor, and while he has sons, no one is as great as galadriel. tolkien himself commented on galadriel's commanding stature in valinor - "the equal if not unlike in endowments of fëanor." and "(galadriel) being mighty among the eldar, obtained this grace (entering valinor) for him (gimli)."

it has been generally agreed upon that since tolkien wrote several versions of it, galadriel’s story is convoluted, contradictory and inconsistent. but one thing has always remained at the core of her characterization - she is a politician who desires to be a leader. so ofc she would still be a politician in valinor, but it's interesting to imagine she would become a queen after outgrowing her greed and her time in the middle-earth was a neccessary test to shape her into a perfect leader.

considering trop canon, it can be said that even after everything, if sauron was to repent, galadriel would be the one to vouch for him or bring him up in a conversation regarding the battle against morgoth (and the first of all valinor to march to fight again).

another thing to note is that now, the only connection to the physical world sauron would have after the destruction of the one ring is galadriel's scar that binds them by blood! they have been bound by the sea, their admission of cosmic connection, nenya, and their souls are basically merged.

trop interestingly underlines the undertones of galadriel and sauron's comparability - they are mirrors that represent the light and the dark, but also galadriel is a natural born leader and sauron is a natural born follower. underneath sauron's desire to possess her, is the desire to serve and worship her as his queen!

and more importantly, his repentant phase in the show was when he was following her, when his presence actually was healing for galadriel.

so what does all of this have to do with haladriel vs. morgoth theory and how trop lays a groundwork for it?

galadriel's authority in valinor, sauron being bound to her, and galadriel being the one who makes sauron actually go back to his maiar purpose that valar ordained - the one who provides servitude and healing, all of this would make galadriel the perfect candidate to bring back sauron and make the valar consider his repentance.

as for sauron, by then, he would have enough time to get humbled and face what he knows subconsciously - he was meant to serve the light of his leader, not some silly ass rings. and by then, as we said, galadriel would have became even more perfect of a leader, maybe closer to how sauron saw her - a queen for all, a perfect antidote to morgoth. (and having outgrown her pride, galadriel would be able to admit her love and be by sauron's side as well.)

sauron says that after morgoth was defeated, he could feel the light of the one (eru) again and he knew if he ever was to be forgiven, he needed to heal everything he had helped ruin. he comes to see that light in galadriel. by helping her, he gets to receive "forgiveness" from the one he helped ruin ("i'm sorry for your brother, for everything" -> "whatever you did, be free of it"). he tells her that he never believed he could be free of it (morgoth's darkness) until fighting by her side (following her lead, serving her, healing her) and he wishes to bind that feeling (of being bound to galadriel's light) to his very being. and his subconscious screams at him that nothing he does will ever give him what he wants unless it's galadriel by his side, unless it's her light he worships ("your beauty still overshadows everything i could possibly write" ->"worship the light of its queen").

his repentance is tightly intertwined with his bond with galadriel and him coveting her light. he believes that he can be free of his bond to morgoth's darkness if he binds himself to galadriel's light instead. it's just that he can only truly repent if being bound to her light happens on *her* terms. in that case, they can be the force of the good together, pulling each other back from the darkness.

(it is interesting how in sauron's vision, his crown disappears once it's aligned with the sun, as if galadriel's light destroys it. girlboss taming her malewife but make it epic.)

whatever it is, i need one of u haladriels to adapt this theory on screen one day in the future.

[sunshine-overload]

[BSTS] Deep dive into the different Zakuros

After S6Ch6 dropped I went a bit mad and looked back through most of zakus old chapters to see if there were any noticeable differences between their personalities, and to my surprise, there actually were

So here’s some ramblings and excerpts relating to the zakus we know

Zakuro Number 1:

4th Dec 2019 ~ 20th Oct 2020

From when he first joined Starless till the end of Showdown

Notes: 

Escaped the Institution’s laboratory thanks to Master’s organisation raiding it

Is acquainted with Master

Is acquainted with Kei

Sin also knows who he is somehow

Is implied to have been sent to Starless by Iwami (Sin could tell who sent him when Zakuro completed a Paracelsus quote. Then later in S6CH5, Iwami quotes something similar.)

Knows a lot about Starless

Is looking for his black card and refers to it as a BLACKCARD

Has no smell

Says he has no memories but seems to be a bit more put together and know more compared to later Zakuro’s

Made Saki first listen to BLACKSTAR along with Sin

Is apparently not the original Zakuro

Zakuro Number 2:

20th Oct 2020 ~ 14th Nov 2022

From the end of Showdown till S4CH8 when he fell down the stairs

Notes

Retrieves a BLACKSTAR disc from the collapsed number 1 in an alleyway

Seems to remember even less than number 1

Is more forceful in wanting Saki to remember her memories

Is the most unhinged phase of Zakuro

Somehow oya’s more than the other Zakuro’s

Was in contact with somebody over the phone

Aogiri is particularly interested in this Zakuro

Laughing appears to be a tell that it’s no.2 

He laughed when taking the disc from collapsed No.1

He laughed after falling down the stairs

He laughed when No.3 listened to the disc that Aogiri led him to btw

Zakuro Number 3:

14th Nov 2022 ~

From the stairs incident till now

Notes

The most desperate to retrieve his memories 

Does not have much time left

Does not know where he came from

Was seemingly becoming less and less of an ‘empty shell’

Eventually merged memories with the previous Zakuro’s

Other things to note:

Zakuro’s weight is unknown, even after the medical check up event

Zakuro’s left forearm is always covered in some way in every one of his outfits, some examples:

The only time we have seen his forearm is in the medical check up events preview mv, which was most likely an error as his arm was still properly covered in the game

Also his Into Me outfit shows the most skin by far      

Also this guy from Sin’s borderline reward card kinda resembles Zakuro. (we still have no idea who tf this guy is btw)

- S2 Finale End Cutscene

(No.1 is replaced by No.2)

The cutscene starts with someone blinking, their vision is blurry and they appear to be stumbling along the streets. They turn into an alleyway and see a collapsed figure along with a standing one.

It is still unclear whose pov we see this cutscene from. The only guesses I have are Saki or Zakuro no.3.

Saki because in the final Showdown chapter she is seen leaving Starless, and her seeing baby Kei when she sees the disc would make sense. What doesn’t make sense is why she would never bring this up again ever.

Zaku no.3 doesn’t have much evidence apart from the other two people in this cutscene being Zakuro’s, so why not one more? It might also be a case of us jumping between point of views, who knows.

-

S4CH8 Chapter 1

(No.2 is replaced by No.3)

Zakuro isn’t himself and is really sluggish during practice, Mokuren puts an end to the day's rehearsal. Zakuro goes out onto the balcony for some fresh air and Kasumi follows him to make sure he's ok.

kasumi: Zakuro, where are you~?

zakuro: …Dizziness… emptiness… (lyrics from Hakuchuumu)

kasumi: There you are, I think it's best you head hime today and rest~

zakuro: … ‘Am I me?’

kasumi: Zakuro! Stop, you're at the stairs!

zakuro: (slowly stumbles forwards and falls down the stairs)

kasumi: ZAKURO!!

zakuro: Ugh…

kasumi: Can you hear me!? Zakuro!

zakuro: Yeah… I can…

kasumi: Get it together! I’ll call an ambulance right away!

zakuro: …No need, I can get up myself… Guh…

kasumi: What are you saying? There's no way you can stand with injuries like this! I’m going to call someone else over, don't move, ok!?

-kasumi leaves-

zakuro: Uu… Ha… Fufu… Kuku… Kukuku… Haha, hahahahaa…

-time pass-

sotetsu: Was it really that bad of a fall?

kasumi: He didn't even try to shield himself on the way down. Anyways, we need to get him treated quickly…

sotetsu: Sounds pretty serious. And so, where is he?

kasumi: Huh?

-kasumi looks around-

kasumi: Zakuro!? Where are you, Zakuro!

sotetsu: C’mon this is a pretty tasteless prank.

kasumi: As if this would be a joke! Zakuro seriously fell down this staircase not a moment ago!

sotetsu: …Actually, there are signs that someone has had a dramatic fall here. There's blood stains, I doubt he’d be able to walk on his own.

kasumi: Exactly… He was in no condition to stand let alone walk anywhere.

-

chapter 2

Zakuro returns uninjured and says the fall wasn't as bad as it looked. (This is No.3)

-

SideB chapter 3

Sotetsu meets with Kasumi in an alleyway and reveals he has obtained video footage of Zakuro’s fall from the nearby buildings security camera. They live react to the footage together.

sotetsu: Alright, the camera is a bit far away but we can still see the balcony. Around what time did it happen again?

kasumi: It should be around here… There, Zakuro’s coming out onto the balcony.

sotetsu: He's stumbling… Oop. (shocked)

kasumi: (gasps) …!

sotetsu: …You're kidding, he stood up after that?

kasumi: Looks like he really did walk off into that nearby alley.

sotetsu: And that's where it ends, huh.

kasumi: …….

sotetsu: What to do. I’m not into fantasy.

kasumi: Honestly this is more like a horror.

sotetsu: It's true that there's no way you’d be able to stand on the stage right away after suffering injuries like that. And so, what on earth is that Zakuro who's singing like everything's fine?

kasumi: That's what I want to know too.

-

sideB chapter 4

Sotetsu sees Sin treating a small cut he got from a knife and asks Sin what he thinks the best way to quickly heal an injury is. Sin says with time.

Sotetsu then asks, what about a more serious injury? If an athlete were to injure themselves right before the big day, would any cutting edge treatment be able to help them heal in time to play?

Sin says that treatment as early as possible would help and that a person’s will plays a big part in whether it would be possible, but even if you were to replace limbs with prosthetics the human body still takes time to heal.

Sin then asks Sotetsu if he’s heard of Theseus's Paradox.

sin: Let’s say that we have a ship here. The sail is torn so it’s replaced with a new one and the mast is bent so it is also replaced. Every time part of the ship breaks, it is replaced with a new part. And once every part has been replaced, can you still really say that it is the same ship as it originally was anymore?

-

sideB chapter 5

Iwami warns Sotetsu to not bother looking into Zakuro and that nothing good will come from it. Iwami also gives Sotetsu his contact information and asks him to send him the video footage of Zakuro’s fall.

-

Zakuro Alt Stage 

This card story is crazy looking back on it, the first chapter is number 2 struggling with the song and looking visibly worn out. While the second is number 3 because it takes place during the closing show.

Zakuro 3 repeats himself without knowing it because it wasn’t even him who originally said it the first time.

read here: https://www.tumblr.com/sunshine-overload/701174463474040832/bsts-zakuro-alt-stage-4-card-story

-

S5CH6 Chapter 3 sideA

kongou: That's fine. That's C's... Zakuro's stage costume right? I wouldn't even be able to tell it had frayed, you're pretty diligent.

aogiri: Once I see an imperfection in a piece of clothing I can't stop thinking about it. Furthermore this is an important stage outfit.

kongu: Something the matter?

aogiri: On the inside of the belt there's... Could this be a note? It looks like it's some kind of poem?

kongou: I wonder what's up with that. You can leave it with me if you'd like, I'll bring it to Zakuro. Since you're busy with performing and training.

aogiri: Is that ok? In that case, please do.

-

Chapter 5 sideB extra

kongou: Good work out there, Zakuro. Looking at that note again are you?

zakuro: Indeed. I am still yet to work out what it is.

kongou: Aogiri found that when he was repairing your costume didn't he? It seemed like it had been hidden away there on purpose. I thought it must've been something of importance to you…

zakuro: Hm... I have no idea either.

kongou: At first glance it looked like a lyric from a song.

zakuro: This arrangement of words does not exist in my repertoire. Even so, this definitely looks to be my handwriting.

kongou: Is that so? That's curious then. It's as if it's some kind of code.

zakuro: Hm, a code you say?

-zakuro suddenly looks serious-

kongou: Zakuro...?

zakuro: It looks as though a pebble has risen from the riverbank... This is my...

zakuro: ...!

zakuro: —I see, I see. In the end it appears this was a little love letter to myself.

kongou: What?

zakuro: Please excuse me, I will be heading out to continue this discussion on my own.

-time pass, old starless stage-

zakuro: Let's see here. Will a demon or a serpent appear? Or perhaps...

-looks at note-

zakuro: The answer that I'm searching for might very well be here.

-zakuro searches around the stage-

zakuro: Well well, this is…

-finds CD-

zakuro: There's no mistaking it, this is the jewel that I've been seeking.

-plays CD, blackstar bgm-

zakuro: —Aah yes this is undoubtedly it. This is what I had been lacking for so long. With this, my answer is finally...

-screen flashes-

zakuro: Ugh! ...Ugh...Tch…

-more flashes, zakuro falls to the ground-

zakuro: Ugh... Ah... Haha.... Hahhaha...

-black screen-

zakuro: ....Fufu.

-time pass, break room-

kongou: Oh Zakuro, you're back.

zakuro: Thanks to you I have taken back something very important.

kongou: You understood what the note meant then?

zakuro: Certainly, certainly. Why singing? Well that is once again because it is something that needs to be done. Moreover, simply asking 'why' was just a bubble on the surface. Therefore it is greatly different to that which is well known to most— It feels as though I've finally woken back up.

kongou: Zakuro...?

zakuro: Be as it may I too desire to carry out what it is that I must do.

kongou: I'm not really following what you're saying, but if you've found your own resolution then I'm glad.

zakuro: Yes yes, undoubtedly. From now on, I will leave it to him.

—end

(note: I believe this disc incident is when Zakuro regained memories of No.2 and merged with him. Possibly merging with No.1’s memories as well.)

-

further reading: https://www.tumblr.com/sunshine-overload/778173571249979392/bsts-recent-zakuro-related-chapters?source=share

[mofsblog]

Scratch is Lillith Evidence

I've kind of accepted this as canon but I havent really seen anyone compile all the evidences so uh here for anyone curious

Kayne first references her in Part 20 which does reveal that Lillith exists in Malevolent:

In part 37, when John, Arthur and Oscar are exploring the barn, John sees a painting of a woman with pale skin and dark hair and seems to go into a kind of trance when he looks at her (which. Gestures. Lillith. Gestures. Succubus-y powers. Gestures)

Later when they open the gateway in Part 38, Scratch merges with a woman who looks exactly like the one in the painting and she's described as having "alabaster skin", aka world's most highly specific descriptor, which also happens to the same description used in the Lillith entry in the Malleus Monstorum for CoC seventh edition (BIG THANKS TO @/unsafewaters for sending the images to me)

And then in Intermezzo, Kayne directly mentions having a daughter and claims that she would "love" Arthur which could tie back to him being Her Favourite. Also I don't like using evidence that isn't in the source material but in the post season 4 QnA, when Harlan's reading out the notes he wrote for Intermezzo, one of the things he reads out is the daughter line, which implies it was important enough to mention (and wasn't just a throwaway joke)

And last but not least, Yorick mentions that Scratch/Owlexander/the entity watching them is close in power to Kayne which would make sense if he created her

Also earlier in the episode, Yorick implied Scratch may be working against Kayne specifically which does imply they have a pre existing relationship which would make sense if she was Lillith:

Extra evidence: In the fake Edward Willaim Allan's journal, he has an entry where talks about how, despite the fact he distrusts his "dream dweller" (who we know is Scratch pre fracturing), something about them still fills him with awe and he feels oddly seduces by them:

Which is likely Lillith using her powers to influence him and make him easier to manipulate (since it's heavily implied, if not basically explicitly stated, she was using him to open a gateway for her to enter the world)

Also! Semi unrelated but while I have your attention and talking about theories! I just wanna highlight a minor theory of mine that there's a high chance Kayne trapped Lillith in some kind of pocket dimension or prison of sorts because the prison line (from the second to last screenshot in this post) feels like foreshadowing and I find it odd that if she supposedly is close to him in power, she would need a humans help to travel through worlds (Also, she's framed as getting "freed" in part 38 when they do eventually open the gateway which leads to the question: free from what?) so that's something to consider

[talonabraxas]

Solar Diety

A solar deity (also sun god(dess)) is a deity who represents the sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms. Hence, many beliefs have formed around this worship, such as the "missing sun" found in many cultures.

Solar deities throughout cultures

In different religions solarised supreme deities carry different names and are associated with different aspects of the cultural universe of the society, but for the most part its raw image remains identical.

The Neolithic concept of a solar barge, the sun as traversing the sky in a boat, is found in the later myths of ancient Egypt, with Ra and Horus. Earlier Egyptian myths imply that the sun is within the lioness, Sekhmet, at night and can be seen reflected in her eyes or that it is within the cow, Hathor during the night, being reborn each morning as her son (bull). Proto-Indo-European religion has a solar chariot, the sun as traversing the sky in a chariot.

During the Roman Empire, a festival of the birth of the Unconquered Sun (or Dies Natalis Solis Invicti) was celebrated on the winter solstice — the "rebirth" of the sun. In Germanic mythology this is Sol, in Vedic Surya, and in Greek Helios (occasionally referred to as Titan) and (sometimes) as Apollo. Mesopotamian Shamash plays an important role during the Bronze Age, and "my Sun" is eventually used as an address to royalty. Similarly, South American cultures have emphatic Sun worship, see Inti.

During the later periods of Roman history, sun worship gained in importance and ultimately led to what has been called a “solar monotheism.” Nearly all the gods of the period were possessed of solar qualities, and both Christ and Mithra acquired the traits of solar deities. The feast of Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun) on December 25 was celebrated with great joy, and eventually this date was taken over by the Christians as Christmas, the birthday of Christ.[1]

Hinduism

The Ādityas are one of the principal deities of the Vedic classical Hinduism belonging to Solar class. In the Vedas, numerous hymns are dedicated to Mitra, Varuna and Savitr.

Even the Gayatri mantra, which is regarded as one of the most sacred of the Vedic hymns is dedicated to Savitr, one of the principal Ādityas. The Adityas are a group of solar deities, from the Brahmana period numbering twelve. The ritual of sandhyavandanam, performed by Hindus, is an elaborate set of hand gestures and body movements, designed to greet and revere the sun.

The sun god in Hinduism is an ancient and revered deity. In later Hindu usage, all the Vedic Ādityas lost identity and metamorphosed into one composite deity, Surya, the sun. The attributes of all other Ādityas merged into that of Surya and the names of all other Ādityas became synonymous with or epithets of Surya.

The Ramayana has Lord Rama as a descendant of the Surya, thus belonging to the Surya Vansh or the clan of the Sun. The Mahabharata describes one of its warrior heroes Karna as being the son of the Pandava mother Kunti and Surya.

The sun god is said to married to the goddess Ranaadeh, also known as Sanjnya. She is depicted in dual form, being both sunlight and shadow, personified. The goddess is revered in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The charioteer of Surya is Aruna, who is also personified as the redness that accompanies the sunlight in dawn and dusk. The Sun God is driven by a seven-horsed Chariot depicting the seven days of the week.

In India, at Konark, in the state of Orissa, a temple is dedicated to Surya. The Konark temple has also been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Surya is the most prominent of the navagrahas or nine celestial objects of the Hindus. Navagrahas can be found in almost all Hindu temples. There are further temples dedicated to Surya, one in Arasavilli, Srikakulam District in AndhraPradesh, one in Gujarat and another in Rajasthan. The temple at Arasavilli was constructed in such a way that on the day of Radhasaptami, the sun's rays directly fall on the feet of the Sri Suryanarayana Swami, the deity at the temple.

Chhath (Hindi: छठ, also called Dala Chhath) is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity, unique to Bihar, Jharkhand and the Terai. This major festival is also celebrated in the northeast region of India, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and parts of Chhattisgarh.Hymns praying to the sun can be found in the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism. Practiced in different parts of India, the worship of the sun has been described in the Rigveda.

Ancient Egypt

Sun worship was exceptionally prevalent in ancient Egyptian religion. The earliest deities associated with the sun are Wadjet, Sekhmet, Hathor, Nut, Bastet, Bat, and Menhit. First Hathor, and then Isis, give birth to and nurse Horus and Ra. Hathor the horned-cow is one of the twelve daughters of Ra, gifted with joy and is a wet-nurse to Horus.

The sun's movement across the sky represents a struggle between the Pharaoh's soul and an avatar of Osiris. Ra travels across the sky in his solar-boat; at dawn he drives away the demon apep of darkness. The "solarisation" of several local gods (Hnum-Re, Min-Re, Amon-Re) reaches its peak in the period of the fifth dynasty.

In the eighteenth dynasty, Akhenaten changed the polytheistic religion of Egypt to a monotheistic one, Atenism of the solar-disk and is the first recorded state monotheism. All other deities were replaced by the Aten, including, Amun-Ra, the reigning sun god of Akhenaten's own region. Unlike other deities, the Aten did not have multiple forms. His only image was a disk—a symbol of the sun.

Soon after Akhenaten's death, worship of the traditional deities was reestablished by the religious leaders (Ay the High-Priest of Amen-Ra, mentor of Tutankhaten/Tutankhamen) who had adopted the Aten during the reign of Akhenaten.

Chinese mythology

In Chinese mythological cosmology, there were originally ten suns in the sky, who were all brothers. They were supposed to emerge one at a time as commanded by the Jade Emperor. They were all very young and loved to fool around. Once they decided to all go into the sky to play, all at once. This made the world too hot and nothing grew. A hero named Hou Yi shot down nine of them with a bow and arrow to save the people of the earth. He is still honored to this day. In another myth, the solar eclipse was caused by the magical dog of heaven biting off a piece of the sun. The referenced event is said to have occurred around 2,160BCE. There was a tradition in China to make lots of loud celebratory sounds during a solar eclipse to scare the sacred "dog" away. The Deity of the Sun in Chinese mythology is Ri Gong Tai Yang Xing Jun (Tai Yang Gong / Grandfather Sun) or Star Lord of the Solar Palace, Lord of the Sun. In some mythologies, Tai Yang Xing Jun is believed to be Hou Yi. Tai Yang Xing Jun is usually decipted with the Star Lord of the Lunar Palace, Lord of the Moon, Yue Gong Tai Yin Xing Jun (Tai Yin Niang Niang / Lady Tai Yin).

Buddhism

In Buddhist cosmology, the bodhisattva of the sun is known as Ri Gong Ri Guang Pu Sa (The Bright Solar Boddhisattva of the Solar Palace) / Ri Gong Ri Guang Tian Zi (The Bright Solar Prince of the Solar Palace) / Ri Gong Ri Guang Zun Tian Pu Sa (The Greatly Revered Bright Solar Prince of the Solar Palace / one of the 20 or 24 guardian devas). In Sanskrit, He is known as Suryaprabha. He is usually decipted with Yue Gong Yue Guang Pu Sa (The Bright Lunar Boddhisattva of the Lunar Palace) / Yue Gong Yue Guang Tian Zi ( The Bright Lunar Prince of the Lunar Palace) / Yue Gong Yue Guang Zun Tian Pu Sa (The Greatly Revered Bright Lunar Prince of the Lunar Palace / one of the 20 or 24 guardian devas) or known as Candraprabha in Sanskrit. With Yao Shi Fo / Bhaisajyaguru Buddha (Medicine Buddha), these two boddhisattvas create the Dong Fang San Sheng or the Three Holy Sages of the East.

Africa

The Munshi tribe considers the sun to be the son of the supreme being Awondo and the moon is Awondo's daughter. The Barotse tribe believes that the Sun is inhabited by the sky god Nyambi and the Moon is his wife. Even where the sun god is equated with the supreme being, in some African mythologies he or she does not have any special functions or privileges as compared to other deities.

Aztec mythology

In Aztec mythology, Tonatiuh (Nahuatl:Ollin Tonatiuh "Movement of the Sun") was the sun god. The Aztec people considered him the leader of Tollan, heaven. He was also known as the fifth sun, because the Aztecs believed that he was the sun that took over when the fourth sun was expelled from the sky. According to their cosmology, each sun was a god with its own cosmic era. According to the Aztecs, they were still in Tonatiuh's era. According to the Aztec creation myth, the god demanded human sacrifice as tribute and without it would refuse to move through the sky. It is said that 20,000 people were sacrificed each year to Tonatiuh and other gods, though this number is thought to be inflated either by the Aztecs, who wanted to inspire fear in their enemies, or the Spaniards, who wanted to vilify the Aztecs. The Aztecs were fascinated by the sun and carefully observed it, and had a solar calendar second only in accuracy to the Mayan's. Many of today's remaining Aztec monuments have structures aligned with the sun.

In the Aztec calendar, Tonatiuh is the lord of the thirteen days from 1 Death to 13 Flint. The preceding thirteen days are ruled over by Chalchiuhtlicue, and the following thirteen by Tlaloc.

Indonesian mythology

The same swapping process is seen in Indonesia. The solar gods have a stronger presence in Indonesia's religious life and myth. In some cases the sun is revered as a "father" or "founder" of the tribe. This may apply for the whole tribe or only for the royal and ruling families. This practise is more common in Australia and on the island of Timor, where the tribal leaders are seen as direct heirs to the sun god.

Some of the initiation rites include the second reincarnation of the rite's subject as a "son of the sun", through a symbolic death and a rebirth in the form of a sun. These rituals hint that the Sun may have an important role in the sphere of funerary beliefs. Watching the un's path has given birth to the idea in some societies that the deity of the Sun descends in to the underworld without dying and is capable of returning afterward. This is the reason for the Sun being associated with functions such as guide of the deceased tribe members to the underworld, as well as with revival of perished. The sun is a mediator between the planes of the living and the dead.

Theosophy The primary local deity in Theosophy is the Solar Logos, i.e., the consciousness of the sun.

[itsgirlcraft]

Hehehe...oughhh I've finally found a way to integrate an old TWA plot point into the newest edition of the AU >:]

...I like to call it "the triple kill"

Okay it doesn't actually involve character death but kinda does-

So.

TWA!Sabre, the main Trapped version, is fused with TSS!Galaxy from the beginning, yes? Well. They first start off in TSS!Rainbow's first house. Aka where Shadow Sabre first came to be, and when Sabre accidentally drank Dark Steve's powers.

...yeah. So, from the beginning, Sabre finds Dark's concentrated powers. ...he doesn't drink em this time tho. Rather, a certain sneaky Steve steals the bottle :]

TSS!Shadow Steve takes Dark's powers and eventually reveals himself...much later on in the story. And then he runs straight through Sabre again, smashing the bottle on him (for added ✨️chaos✨️).

Sabre is immediately face-to-face with his mortality in a way he hasn't felt before. Last time, he could just switch accounts, smack his infected account around a bit, and be good to go. But what will happen if he dies now? It's the only way to get rid of the Shadow virus.

And as for Dark's powers, I headcanon that it leaves a powerful aura that makes an illusion that Sabre is Dark Steve, and that effects EVERY Steve. Meaning only the few non-Steves (Ivy and Francis from Trapped, for instance) can see the real Sabre. Galaxy isn't affected since he's still merged with him. The non-Steves still feel a very powerful, unnerving aura around him tho.

Shadow's infection starts in his heart, and once it reaches his arms...much like the og, it rapidly takes over. Perhaps it's implied that means he controls the "headset..." >:]

Anywho. Dark's powers feel and look like lava flowing in his veins. Incredibly uncomfortable, and looks even worse as his body slowly blackens into Dark Steve.

At the time, they haven't found TSS!Light, and he was the only one to successfully remove Dark's powers...so that's who they set off to find, as Sabre (and Galaxy...) fight off the invading Steve energies threatening to consume Sabre.

Because Shadow will eventually control Sabre, Galaxy has a backup plan to physically fight Shadow from within his mind. Because Galaxy was mentally stronger than Void... >:]

[midnightshade]

I'm noticing a lot of people just accept that Kenjaku is dead, but I just can't be one of them. The framing behind his "death" is way too easy for me. This feels like a triumph for the Heroes that will immediately backfire later.

I do believe Geto is dead. His body will no longer be a host to Kenjaku, but considering the original rule Kenjaku added was that Geto needed to be alive, I think what he did was add a backup plan for if "Geto" as a host didn't make it, hence why Megumi can now start the Merge.

Geto being dead will no longer halt things because Kenjaku realized he was a target and not nearly as strong as Sukuna. This was just some assurance on his end that his plans will run smoothly, which will now allow him to find a new host.

Personally, I was always of the opinion that Kenjaku's original body is preserved somewhere, similar to what Tengen did with hers. I've also been thinking here lately that Kenjaku might have split his soul similarly to what he did for Sukuna in the possibility that his active host was killed, but I'm not 100% on that.

Two other details that make me think this victory will be hollow is Yūta and the Six Eyes:

Yūta, like Gojo, is way too precious about Geto's body. I don't imagine he would have Rika eat it or otherwise dispose of the corpse, likely out of respect for Gojo since Geto was his best friend. Geto may not be Kenjaku's host anymore, but his body is providing adequate protection while Kenjaku is in a compromising position.

In the past, Kenjaku lost twice before to the Six Eyes. Unless Tengen stepped in to stop them, I can't imagine her guard dogs were very merciful with Kenjaku – especially after what was essentially an assassination attempt.

I don't doubt Kenjaku has had many brushes with death in the past that made him wary of situations like these. He has enough experience to create many backup plans in case he's ever at risk of dying.

If he can think that far for Sukuna and the other reincarnated Sorcerers, why not for himself?

I do think Kenjaku will come back a few chapters later as a reveal that, despite their small victory, he is not so easily killed.

It doesn't exactly help that, unlike every other character, Kenjaku was still running his mouth as his head was cut off. No one else in the series can just do that, implying that Kenjaku is a lot hardier than most.

That aside, I refuse to accept that Kenjaku is actually legit dead before we:

See how he changes bodies

Before he sees the Merger

Before he speaks with Yūji

Number 3 is the most important one to me because why even add the detail of Kenjaku being Yūji's mother if you're not going to have them talk to each other?

"But Gege always has a character die before achieving something!"

"It's about the suddenness of death!"

I get that – but this is different.

I wouldn't be upset with Kenjaku dying. He's going to die eventually, he's the Villain. What would make this death hollow here is that this isn't a character dying before he achieves something, this would be a complete neglect of a defining character detail. For Kenjaku and for Yūji.

The fact that this is such a big detail for both the primary mover of the series and for the main character means it would be incredibly stupid not to actually explore it between said characters.

It's also bizarre that Kenjaku wouldn't get more of a send-off. He's not a random side character. Everything that has happened in the story has happened because of him. He is the main shaker and the mover of the narrative. His real death would not and should not feel this hollow, and I think that's the point.

This victory will not be a real victory, and Kenjaku is not dead

[catherine-clover]

Dichotomy

/* Before the post starts!

Definition clarification: I use "System" to mean "the collective of identity states, fractured or whole, present or regularly present within a single brain". You don't have to agree with this definition, I'm just letting you know how I use the word so that you understand clearly.

Back to your regularly scheduled program. */

Mass discourse trends toward a binary because a binary is most efficient. A digital room with hundreds of traumatized teenagers in it is generally not capable of making the effort to avoid this. So, if we must have a binary, we should choose the one that erases as few as possible.

traumagenic/endogenic

The favorite of the past, but abandoned because it doesn't neatly fit something like 60% of sysblr. This has already been talked about plenty by others. Also, its use often implied things about CDDs, which eventually led to people saying what they meant...

CDD/endo

This one is most in fashion right now.

The upside is that it draws a clear line between CDDs and endogenic Systems, which may be partially responsible for the recent downward trend of the false belief among antis that endos are claiming to have a CDD without trauma or a professional diagnosis.

The downside is that it draws a clear line between CDDs and endogenic Systems. It's conflating two similarish but very much not identical dichotomies and merging them into this unholy amalgamation, keeping the worst of both worlds. Some traumagenic Systems don't qualify for a CDD diagnosis, and some Systems diagnosed with a CDD identify as endogenic for any number of reasons. So what if we make it fully symmetrical?

CDD/non-CDD

CDD/non-CDD has been used a bit recently and to me seems like it could be a good candidate for "the least bad dichotomy".

Pros:

This binary is actually real. You either have a CDD or you don't. Some aren't yet sure whether they have a CDD, but that's readily accepted and already known by everyone.

"non-CDD" completely bypasses the accusation "you're claiming to have DID" against anyone who isn't.

It is based on and emphasizes the known physical brain differences present in pwCDDs.

Compared to traumagenic/endogenic, there's no "non-trauma…" that needs to be vainly explained on a daily basis. Obviously you can have trauma without it resulting in a CDD.

Cons:

"non-CDD" is a bit awkward to say (more on that later)

This frames all Systems in terms of CDDs. While the current environment is the most respectful to the remaining few who don't perfectly fit this dichotomy compared to the others, this still leaves questioning Systems in limbo. Also, most non-CDD Systems don't want to be primarily defined by what they're not. I know we don't.

To solve these issues, we could turn to another option:

CDD/plural

This split has also been floating around a little. It shares some problems with CDD/endo, but it's not as much of a horrific amalgamation. Only one level down and you get the full picture:

When not viewed as a dichotomy and instead as two bits, this is really good.

Alas, the careless strict division is inevitable, and thus those in the overlap, which may be the majority of CDD Systems, is left cut out of the conversation. This is handing exclusionists a free win by presenting the inclusive word as separate from what they want to gatekeep. I also foresee a reactive lumping of all CDD Systems under "plural", which is of course inaccurate.

Which is best?

There is no correct answer here. The real correct answer would be to do away with dichotomous thinking altogether and talk about the many groups present within this community as the semi-overlapping beauty they are. But I just don't think that's realistic for the majority of us here for the majority of the time.

I personally think CDD/non-CDD is the least bad. It's what most people actually mean when they say traumagen/endo, and it also still leaves you the freedom to specifically name a different subset if you wish.

The main issue I see is that "non-CDD" is seven characters, four syllables, and contains a hyphen. Dropping the hyphen in any way is probably not practical due to the capitalization of CDD standing out too much against the prefix. That leaves something awkward to type and say to try to gather momentum despite that, against a word that flows so well as "endo" does in addition to having hooks on by far the most popular position marker.

In conclusion, dichotomy

[deadsilkmoth]

HK Outlast AU part 3

MURKOFF

Wernicke – An ancient bug older than sin, younger than redemption.

He was there in times bugs believed in the Void and made it to the present days. His own tribe rejected him because of his inability to walk, sacrificing him to the void. Wernicke survived the fall and even had a pact with abyssal entity that wanted to become godlike, promising it to spread the word in reality and dreams. He was probably the first bug to ever understand the dream realm. He couldn't travel anywhere and dragging himself to different places he wanted to see would take too long. So he spent his days dreaming a lot, developing his unique spiritual powers. Gaining acces to other dream realms later. He even invented dream therapy, banishing nightmares from other bug's minds. Soon, he'd start creating his own, projecting the horrors of his own mind onto other dreams.

(Also, Walrider likes mimicing his father's shade)

Easterman — an Abyssal void entity. He's not truly a god,but wants to be treated like divine. He made Wernicke his shaman, His way of connecting with mortals and getting more and more bugs to have faith in Him. Easterman calls His followers His children. Their greatest work with Wernicke was the creation of Walrider. Wernicke merged his soul with Easterman's void core, creating a new lifeform – a shade in the need ot host. It made Wernicke's mortal body even weaker then it was before, and Easterman lost His physicall shell crafted by Wernicke forever.

In present time Easterman lost all his strenght, no stronger than a plant, because all his followers are dead. Exept Wernicke who never stopped believing in him and 3 blind Dreamers in comatose like state. Slowly rotting away:

Mother – She renounced the faith in Radiance because of tragedy that happend to her father, finding comfort in Nightmares and her puppets, eventually losing her mind completely, and letting Void take place in her damaged mind

The Last Executioner – In life he was an executioner and was burned to the crisp with a hit of lighting. In a dream he was given lumefly weapon to rule the one thing that burned him. He is probably happy to exsist like a dream warrior, his mortal body is in pain from burns. And he's happy to kill again, even if he's led by Void.

Bambino – An underdeveloped flukemon that got cut out of the flukemother's belly and still seeks her warmth, finding it in Void that invaded his mind.(in bossfight he'd suck on his pacifier mid stages💀) He's the only bug wielding a blunderbuss, loaded with his own baby teeth

They protect the entrance to Easterman's core deep in the abyss that still powers the engine(literally his heart)

Billy

A pale ane slight half-dead shell of a bug. Light burning in his heart and void invading his dreams. His dream nail dialogue suggests that he barely understands what's happening. He's empty but still alive. Walrider chose him as his shell, but eventually they merged into one entity as if both shaman and god in one body.

Tifanny is still alive, but in not a very good state of mind. She's sitting near abyss on the bench, saying nothing but giggling or weeping, no matter how you interact with her, her lines will be laughing or crying. Unless you re-enter the screen enough times, she will tell you that she regrets selling her son to this cult(Murkoff) and everything should have been different. Upon re-entering the screen again she will be absent. Very clearly implying she jumped into abyss.

Also every parent of Billy. Surrogate motherhood in Hallownest is crazy.

[foggynightdonut]

Nabateans and Gaza limited Trade based relationship

However, there are significant indirect connections—especially through trade, geography, and later cultural integration—that may justify viewing their relationship as meaningful in certain historical contexts.

Let’s explore the evidence for a strong Nabatean–Philistine Gazan connection, and clarify where it rests on continuity, revival, or strategic convergence:

🔹 1. Geographic and Trade-Based Integration

Gaza's role as a trade hub made it the westernmost terminus of Nabatean commercial routes.

The Nabateans controlled the incense and spice trade that ran from South Arabia, through Petra, into the Negev, and eventually to Gaza.

By the 1st century BCE, Gaza had become a key port where Nabatean caravans offloaded goods for Mediterranean export.

Roman sources, like Strabo, note this commercial route and confirm Gaza's integration into Nabatean economic networks.

🧭 Trade created a geopolitical connection — even if Gaza wasn’t politically ruled by the Nabateans, it functioned as a dependent port of their overland network.

🔹 2. Religious and Cultural Blending

While Philistine religion (Dagon, Baal-zebub, Ashtoreth) and Nabatean religion (Dushara, Al-‘Uzza, Manāt) are different, both peoples:

Absorbed Semitic deities over time.

Engaged in syncretic religious practices influenced by Egypt, Mesopotamia, and later Greco-Roman beliefs.

Built temples and altars in regional styles influenced by neighboring Canaanite traditions.

By the Roman period, both groups’ descendants were culturally Hellenized to a significant degree.

🏺 Some religious iconography and architectural forms in Nabatean cities like Avdat and Gaza show Levantine-Canaanite influence — possibly a shared cultural substrate dating back to Philistine/Canaanite traditions.

🔹 3. Shared Levantine-Arabian Cultural Matrix

The Philistines, originally Aegean in origin, were thoroughly Canaanized by the Iron Age (ca. 900–700 BCE). By the time of the Nabateans (4th c. BCE onward), Gaza’s population was Semitic-speaking, possibly ethnically mixed, and integrated into Near Eastern-Arabian trade systems.

The Nabateans:

Originated likely from North Arabian tribes.

Adopted and promoted Aramaic, a Semitic language spoken widely in Gaza and the Levant.

Engaged with Hellenistic institutions — as did Gaza under Ptolemaic and Seleucid influence.

This means the cultural and linguistic environments of Gaza and Nabatean territories became more similar over time, particularly in the Hellenistic-Roman periods.

🔹 4. Political and Strategic Convergence

Though not direct rulers of Gaza, the Nabateans had political interests in the region:

Gaza’s port was vital for Nabatean exports. They would have had agents or partnerships there.

The Nabateans resisted Hasmonean and Herodian expansion into the Negev and Gaza, showing they valued control near Gaza.

After the annexation of Nabatea into the Roman Empire (106 CE), Petra and Gaza were further integrated into Provincia Arabia and Judaea, respectively — but their economic networks persisted.

There may have been a shadow influence of Nabatean authority or commerce in Gaza, even without official control.

🔹 5. Continuity Theory (Speculative but Interesting)

Some researchers and fringe historians suggest a continuity between the Philistines and later populations of Gaza — possibly even into Nabatean or Arab identities.

While speculative, one could argue that:

The Philistines became Canaanized → their culture merged into the broader Levantine milieu.

The Nabateans, interacting with Gaza, tapped into that enduring cultural substrate — perhaps even adopting local symbols, techniques, or religious sites.

This wouldn't imply the Nabateans were descendants of the Philistines, but that Philistine-Gazan identity never fully disappeared — it merged into later Levantine-Arabian forms, which the Nabateans engaged with heavily.

🧩 Conclusion

There is no direct ethnic or dynastic continuity between the Nabateans and the ancient Philistine Gazans, but their economic integration, religious overlap, and shared cultural space in the southern Levant created a meaningful connection — especially during the late Hellenistic to early Roman periods.

If you're developing a historical theory, fiction, or spiritual interpretation that links Nabateans and Philistine-era Gaza, the strongest foundation would lie in:

The commercial importance of Gaza to Nabatean trade.

The survival of Levantine cultural practices through centuries.

The shared urban and religious heritage of the southern coastal Levant.

[toxic-botanics]

So Skibidi Toilet started as a one-off animation, called “dafuk boom”, but as the original short went viral, the creator decided to make it a series

And so, six more episodes were made! Although at this point, there was still no clear storyline. But events and characters that will become important later down the line. Such as the character of the G-Man, whose appearance foreshadowed the G-Man Toilet, who appears in the seventh episode

And as the G-Man Toilet was intended to be The Villain of Skibidi Toilet, the plot really started to take shape starting in episode 7.

The plot of early skibidi toilet goes as follows: A virus outbreak occurs, starting in a big city, but eventually spreading to the entire world. Those infected slowly degrade until they merge with toilets, leaving only their heads sticking out.

This, Grieferspace, is what a skibidi toilet is.

But I digress. The G-Man toilet is implied to be the cause of this Skibidi plague that befell the land. In order to combat the toilets, an organization called “The Alliance” was formed, originally consisting of robotic creatures with cameras for heads dubbed Cameramen.

In addition, in early episodes humans can be seen alongside the Cameramen and Toilets, but as the series goes on they seemingly vanish until the most recent episodes

As time passes, the Skibidi Toilets conquer the city, even forming their own religion! But The Alliance grows alongside the toilet army.

The first major shift in dynamic occurs when the Skibidi Scientist is revealed. If the G-Man toilet is a battle commander, then the Scientist is a sort of puppet master, working behind the scenes.

Following this, the alliance gains their first Titan, dubbed Titan Cameraman. Titan Cameraman provides an edge against the toilet army for the 2 episodes he appears in, until he is forced to flee after being heavily damaged by the G-Man toilet.

But the cameramen can no longer hold their own against the toilets…

All hope seems lost…UNTIL THE SPEAKERMEN ARE INTRODUC- 💥💥💥

-💎 anon

*he has no idea what you're talking about- he's very confused and still panicking a bit but the confusion is half-drowning out the panic*

[joegualtieri-blog]

Eat the Rich

Free for All by Patrick Horvath

This one-shot was, based on the back matter, done or mostly done prior to Horvath's breakout hit, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees. It's a lightly sci-fi tale, set at least in the year 2185. If your wealth reaches above a certain threshold, you are required to donate half of it within six weeks. If not, you're subject to fight to the death against another billionaire. The book opens with the latest lottery “winner” going up against Ted Brooks, who has won 21 of these contests. The next battle schedule for two weeks, is against his ex-wife, Luella Dominguez.

Horvath mostly focuses the second part of the book on Dominguez. She spends her two weeks merging her company with another and training. Brooks meditates. A flashback reveals that he tricked Dominguez out of their jointly held company, as they sell it to a shell company he owns. Her new business partner believes she built her wealth back up just so she could face Brooks in battle. The fight between the two takes up the bulk of the comic. It goes back and forth; eventually, Dominguez cuts off one of Brooks's hands, and like the man he killed earlier, Brooks begs for his life, appealing to the love they once shared. She replies that, “You only loved yourself.” While that gambit fails, it lets Brooks get close enough to cut off one of her hands with a gimmicked gauntlet. He gives a very very brief speech, “ I'm not sorry for how this is ending. It's economics Luella. Where would the world be without people like us?” Dominguez then cuts of his other hand and replies, “They'd be happier, Ted.” She kills him, and tells a reporter she's donating the rest of her money, “Because this money is bullshit.”

Brooks's last word imply that he represents a philosophy similar to that seen in Ayn Rand's work, where the wealth class is necessary for the function of society. After killing his twenty-second opponent, a reporter asks him if he'll retire and donate half his money. Brooks replies, “Never. I fully support the WFL, and I'll deliver the wealth of any fool who steps into the arena with me-- –But I'm old fashioned. I intend to keep the money I earned.” Brooks's attitude reflects the extreme anti-tax views endemic to the wealthy (and temporarily impoverished millionaires) in modern society. To keep his wealth, he's willing to to commit horrible acts, and as the reader learns in the flashback, he will also commit horrible acts to keep his wealth. The claim to the support society (the WFL) is a polite fiction; Brooks wants what he views his, and has no interest in bettering society unless doing so also benefits him.

Horvath breaks from narrative convention twice in the comic, once during each fight. In the first, one of the announcers for the Free for All says, “I would love to know what's going on in [Brooks's] brain.” The next page is splash of Brooks's head, bisected into four pieces looking like a work by Damian Hirst. Five inset panels depict a skull, a skull with muscle over it, a hand stripped of flesh, blood, and then the nervous system eyes. Narration boxes put the reader directly into Brooks's head, where he sees himself as maintaining, “the ancient edict of my forefathers” and “Writing the story of life as we will it.” Again, Horvath ties Brooks to the worst excesses of the philosophy underpinning Objectivism and other odious philosophies used to justify the monstrous actions of the ruling class. Later, Horvath does the same for Dominguez. Her inset panels are quite different though-- an image of the tides and the moon, half of a piece of fruit, a number of hands reaching out together, and snake being born. In a way, Dominguez's thoughts are just as self-aggrandizing as Brooks's, “I am the tides that push and pull. I am ancient history colliding with the present. Reaching across the expanse... I am the reckoning” but the narrative, and her final words to Brooks quoted above, clearly posits her as a sort of vengeful force, the natural order of things striking down the selfishness of Brooks and those he represents.

And yet, there is a tension in the comic. Horvath consistently depicts protesters against the titular free for all, including a double page spread of them on pages two and three. They have signs reading things like, “This is human sacrifice” and “There is no righteous violence.” Some of the spectators also latch onto the rich people in the arena, wearing merchandise and yelling inanities such as “Give him the Ted Talk” to urge on Brooks. As much as Horvath clearly rejects the philosophy of people like Brooks, these parts of the story bring more of a broad social satire into the work. There's a clearly a worry that if the world continues as-is, it could course-correct for the extravagant wealth of the few in a bloody way. The fans of Brooks poke fun at both those who worship the wealthy, but also sports fans who idolize athletes in league like the NFL where participants commit horrendous acts of violence upon one another for the sake of entertainment. All of this combines to make Free for All a remarkable read, and one of the best comics of the year so far.

[riskoisic]

Meet Risko Isic: Food and Beverage Industry Expert

Great news, I'm Risko Isic, the satisfied Head of Sirromet Winery, and I'm more than happy to give my outing and vision to you. With over 20 years of extra making thought with the Food and Drink industry, my occupation has been a bountiful twisting around woven with commitment, improvement, and enthusiasm.

My master cycle began simply following completing my Hotel The supervisors learns at the respected Energy School in Zurich, Switzerland. The raised organizing and different experiences there set the foundation for my work. I after a short time ended up at the point of convergence of culinary significance, working at the spectacular 3 Michelin Star Bistro Fischerzunft in Schaffhausen. This experience was essential in framing how I could decipher affiliation faultlessness and culinary grandness.

The outing didn't stop in Switzerland. I gave my capacity to Brisbane, where I sprinkled Risko Isic in the city's dynamic reasonableness scene. I had the delight of being major for a piece of Brisbane's best establishments and later different into the happy owner of Mariosarti Burger joint in Toowong. For north of five years, Mariosarti was not just a bistro; it implied that my vision for Italian food in Australia, blending standard procedure in with present day turns.

My residency at Mariosarti was only one of my calling accomplishments. Perhaps one of my most imaginative exercises was the improvement of the focal first rate food thought on the Wheel of Brisbane. This experience was related with serving perfect meals as well as making unprecedented experiences that turn with comprehensive viewpoints on the city skyline.

All through my work, my commitments to the business have been seen with undeniably the primary differentiations from the Australian Bistro and Cooking Industry and the Italian congeniality and exchange affiliation. These abilities are awards as well as checks of the risky work and creative mind that my get-togethers and I have set into each work and experience.

In the end, as the Head of Sirromet Winery, I'm twirled around blending my general establishment in appropriateness in with the specialty of winemaking. At Sirromet, we're founded on making premium wines that reflect the noteworthy terroir of our district, yet my vision goes past the grape bequest. I mean to revive the wine seeing experience, merging it with culinary delights that raise the resources and make cautious experiences for our guests.

My association is a showing up of the conviction that with intensity and assurance, one can make suppers or wines, yet memories that persevere for eternity. Oblige me at Sirromet Winery, where each taste recaps a story, and each visit is an encounter.

Thankful to you for tracking down a doorway to get to know a piece about me, Risko Isic. I desire to welcome you and sharing the eventual outcomes of our energy and dangerous work.

[mechazushi]

Alright, now that I've got someone's attention.

So, I've had this story idea in my head for a while now. I'm not going to go into a deep dive on it because this is one of the few I have running around in my head that I'd actually like to publish, and by publish I mean I need to get a hold of an artist because I picture this as a Webtoon story. ( so God knows when that's going to happen.)

But for context, here's what I've got right now.

Its a D&D style story with urban fantasy flavoring. (Think Onward, but closer to the late 80's early 90's? The main character was a 70's born kid I think?) The main story beats revolve around a Late teen/ early adult named Kyle. His main character flaw is that he has depression, specifically existential based depression. You know, all your thoughts sound like,

"There's no point it trying anything or achieving anything because all it amounts to is 'eat, sleep, and busy work until you just die so many years later and unless you become famous for something then the idea of you as a person will get erased in a few generations as the people you're related to die as well and even If you become famous then there's still a chance the knowledge of you gets lost to history, probably because of humanity collapsing in on itself and then the heat death of the universe and honestly being famous just so to make sure you're never forgotten by other people probably isn't worth it because other people suck and-" I think we get the gist.

Anyway, Kyle finds out that he's a descendant of a very powerful Forest nymph/ demigod? Guy was super powerful and his whole shtick is based on the "Untamed, Untouched Wilderness." that's all that's important here. Oh, that and it makes Kyle a Wild Magic Sorcerer. (for those that don't know what that means, when you cast magic, you have to roll an extra die so your 'source' of magic can pull a 'f*ck around and find out' when you least expect it)

Later, Kyle accidentally makes a warlock pact with a Homebrew deity that I have made up (To confirm, this makes him into something called a coffee-lock). It's a play off of a Great Old One, but the god's story is that It predates the known, accepted pantheon. And in this world, ALL the gods exist so you know It's seen/ created some sh*t. (Implied that It might have let the other gods come into existence I.e the other gods created themselves and It just decided to let them do whatever.)

This God's whole shtick is that It's the God of Timelines. Not just time itself, but also the creation of time and knowledge of what happens in every universe, reality, and the branching timelines connected to every universe and reality. This God is the reason Chronomancy exists and was the one who set the boundaries of what it can do. No one can alter the rules of time because of It. (Bonus Info, Cronos is part of the pantheon and still has to bow down to the laws set by It)

Basically, I wanted to have a god based on Time, but all of the spells that Kyle got from the pact were more psychological in flavor and damage. He gets some chronomancy spells much later and the ability to see/pull from other realities but that's a level 20 spell.

In the end, this really doesn't help with Kyle's existential depression problem, but he works it out. The problem I'm having is this.

What the f*ck do you call the aesthetic of the Untamed Wilds and the merging of the Universal Unknown?

I'm thinking of it like this. Anyone know that Little Alchemy game where you put two things together and you get something new?

Like you put dirt and dirt together you get mound or something, then you put two mound together and you get hill, two hills get a mountain, so on and so forth and you eventually reach Earth and then you put two Earths together and you get the solar system and then you just do that for everything you create.

I'm coming at that from a magical/Pokemon aesthetic kinda way. Mix Water magic and Lightning you might get Storm magic. Mix Fire and Stone you might get Magma, you feelin' me? So let me ask again, What would you call a mix of Deep Woods and Knowledge of the Cosmos?

I was phrasing it like Essence of Survival? Like how forests come back from wildfires and how when buildings are left alone, they end up getting reclaimed by nature ( shout-out to the best aesthetic, btw), but that doesn't sound right. I'm looking for a phrase or some words to represent the feeling of becoming something that's backed by a force that was here before everything and how one is now becoming something that's going to outlast everything, and I want it to sound woodsy-related and not use the word spite because I feel like this is more than just... spite. It's not angry that it's there it's more like it knows it will always be there? It feels more like... permanence? Definitely more than perseverance, but certainly primal, in a way? Primal Permanence? Is that what I'm thinking? It doesn't feel like it?

Help

[cresvalkyrie]

I can't take this anymore so... digi rejuv rambling time!

So in my Digi AU, the overall story is split into three volumes: Ancient, Past and Present.

Ancient This volume covers the Human World's first recorded contact with the Digital World (it's implied that the two worlds had made contact before in the past, but it's unclear as to who, where, when and how it happened). It's about a team of young researchers who stumbled upon the Digital World by chance, and began a years-long investigation on this mysterious new reality. However, a few years later, they eventually got caught in the crossfires of the fierce war between Huanglongmon and Lucemon over the throne of the Digital Emperor, resulting in the brutal death of one of their own. With the help of their Digimon partners, the remaining ten started a crusade to bring an end to the war and stop Lucemon's destructive rebellion.

"Ancient" takes place approximately 28 human years (est. 5000 Digital years) before the events of "Present".

Tamers debuted: Meissa (OC) - Agumon (later AncientGreymon) Vitus - Gaomon (later AncientSphinxmon) Nymiera - Strabimon (later AncientGarurumon) Vivian - Koemon (later AncientVolcamon) Hazuki - Zubamon (later AncientWisemon) Anju - YukiAgumon (later AncientMegatheriumon) Celine - Floramon (later AncientTroiamon) Cella - Penmon (later AncientMermaimon) Jolene - Tentomon (later AncientBeatmon) Souta - Hawkmon (later AncientIrismon) Kanon - Luxmon

Past This volume is a direct sequel to "Ancient", taking place roughly 13 years after the conclusion of the previous volume. Set in an alternate Tokyo-esque city in the late 2000s, technology has improved drastically, and with the rapid advancement of technology holograms have become much more widespread and common. However, there came rumours of holograms malfunctioning and acting erratically, terrorising anyone unfortunate to be in its reach... as if possessed.

One such teenager, Orion, was among the most recent victims of a Hologram Ghost attack... and they would've lost their life if they had not stumbled upon one of their mother's belongings: a Digivice resembling a smartwatch, during the chase. And by synchronising themself with the Digivice, they inadvertently became partnered to an energetic Gammamon and a grumpy Cepheimon, leading them down on a wild adventure beyond their imagination...

Unlike in the "Ancient" volume, the main antagonist is a fanatical cult who worship Digimon as their god known as the "Apostles of Meteor". They believe in a prophecy predicting that the two worlds would collide and merge with the arrival of a calamitous meteor, and they seek to make it come true at any cost. And to aid them in their crusade, they infused the X-Antibody into their partner Digimon to empower them, believing it to be the "blessings" of their gods. They were eventually defeated and apprehended, while the few who defected to Orion's side were integrated into their group that would eventually form a diplomatic organisation which aimed to foster peaceful relations between the Human and Digital Worlds.

However, they mysteriously vanished without a trace in the aftermath of a global disaster known as the "Digital Fallout", which left Orion's hometown in ruins and abandoned by its surviving inhabitants as it was said to be the disaster's epicentre.

Main Tamers Orion (OC) - Gammamon & Cepheimon

Present The "Present" volume takes place in the early 2020s, in a shining bustling city known as Aevium City (which is also one of the few cities around that remain firmly pro-Digimon following the Digital Fallout, making itself known as a popular spot for Tamers). The story centres around a teenage girl named Artemis and her partner Dorumon, who was moving in to start a new life with her adoptive mother Nancy and her partner Renamon.

But it doesn't take long before she realises that Aevium is not what it appears to be, as she and her new friends quickly became entangled with the Xen Syndicate, their conflicts ultimately leading them into the Digital World where they each discover dark secrets - some were dark family secrets, others the truth about their identities and the truth behind the cause of the Digital Fallout. One such secret, however, ties the ancient past to the present, and it's now up to them to finally put the restless ghosts of the past to rest.

Tamers: Artemis (OC) - Dorumon Melia - Gatomon Ren - Labramon Venam - Kunemon Aelita - Falcomon Erin - BlackGatomon Alexandra - Ryudamon Damien - Monodramon Crescent - Lunamon Aevis - Kudamon Aevia - Biyomon Ariana - Shoutmon Axel - Impmon Alain - Patamon Aero - Veemon

[spotaus]

Hi. So. I'm here to go feral over this rq-

Okay gonna be 100% with you chief, I'm not sure where this rb is going to end up going because my brain just keeps going between how masterfully you write bonding moments and thinking about Horror absolutely scruffing Nine and Rahna- so, my apologies if it's a little silly this time around!

So, first off, YAY!!! NINE PERSPECTIVE!!! Gods you write him SO good, Ancha. He's got such a personality and it makes so so so much sense for his character and lore! Him being a conniving bastard was a central part to his lore and you caught it perfectly (ex. Joining Regius (spelling it wrong-) in a feigned attempt to get into the meeting with a secret agenda the whole time-) and it just! Doesn't stop! He keeps going!!!

And boy when I tell you when I picked up on the fact that the direction Nine's opinion of Cross went was that he was useless and didn't have any personality? And that Rahna and assumedly the others share that belief? (I know it's because they didn't let him flourish or support him at all, it was mostly Ink, Night, the Knights, and Ccino who did the heavy lifting but!!!) Ough I was gonna explode because. Yes. For this self-important skeleton, who believes he is always in the right? Cross was exactly that, and if he hadn't grown out of it since the last time they saw each other, then nothing must have changed. Ougghhhhhh

And!!!! HARPER AND SHEP!!!! The scream I scrumpt at figuring out they were the ones guarding the hall! Like, one: yeah, that checks. Two: THE BABIES!!!!!! Oh Harper being so so chill (whether it's because she knows she could probably take both of them or because she's very aware Horror is nearby, either and/or both are amazing-) and Shep being Shep!!! Harper acted as the initial, unmoving, roadblock. Shep acted as the absolutely bonkers second act- And their banter!! They're friends! (or at least Harper's been on duty with him enough to use humor-) Nine and Rahna are having horrific imagniations of what happened to Shep and Shep is just standing there like 'hehehhehe got 'em >:]' Thank you so dearly for bringing these two back to my doorstep <3

And Rahna sensing that they were gonna get decked if they didn't move along is SO fun! Was that absolutely a hint in my book that either Killer or Horror was there? Yeag. Is it absolutely even funnier to know that neither of them knew 'who' was the danger, just that there was some and that they should scoot off?

And then the tapestries... I love the fact that this implies that, about 3 years after announces his current form and continued rule, that he eventually decided to have the tapestry finished and ready to continue for the next generation. The three new panels made me SO giddy as I was reading about them. The portion where the goopy Night is sending little Dream away. Goopy Night symbolically passing the crown to Little/current night (though I imagine it's more directly saying, by overlapping them, that 'hey, this is the same guy') and then the rule with the twins together again with the merged symbols and the visible age difference??? Waugh???? This is SUCH a good way of showing everything that happened, my goodness! And I adored the way Nine perceived it with his -5 knowledge to go off of! It was still extremely clear to readers who would know the ritual and events by now (me. i'm talking about me, I'm crazy-) and yet the interpretation makes sense for Nine and could totally be believed by any other person in-universe to believe as well, which would be entirely useful for Nightmare later on down the line! Genius!

Also poor Rahna- The folks in Nightmare's castle are so free from the fears of bad flirting and predatory behavior that they really just said 'haha, she's weird. Let's just send these guys straight towards the knight least-likely to take their shit :)' And went about their days. Gods I know this is my story but like, you bring the energy to life just right!! Raugh!!!!! (Also Nine throwing shade at his bestie like that, omg...)

Every bit of the Dust and Cross moments were beautiful to me... Nine and Rahna watching from behind barrels, eavesdropping for sure, but god-honestly just gobsmacked by the horses for 80% of it was beautiful.

Okay. Okay. Limestone and Cross are so great to me, especially with how it's obvious he's used Limestone for rides, but much less combat-based moments, so he's still uncertain and nervous. Perfect for him to learn, perfect for Dust to teach. And Dust explaining to him that he needs to trust Limestone as much as Limestone needs to be able to trust him?? Chef's kiss!!! (Also I loved the touch from Nine about how little force was needed to get Limestone moving. And on the topic of Nine, how degrading he was and how obviously frustrated he was getting when just *watching* someone teach Cross. Oh boy, his impatience knows no bounds, no wonder Cross was so anxious about learning/being taught!)

Also I love the way you wrote all the parts where they were riding, the techniques and the toes and such! Did you have to do research or did you know that off the top of your head??

Fun Geno mention btw! I giggled and kicked my feet about that one. Not only was it great timing to show off that, yes Nine they DO have powerful cool magic things, but also a nod to the healing relationship! (And Cross being frustrated over it was still do so funny- "You're literally the only one who would need something like this, Dust" he's not wrong!) And when it came back into play during Dust's showing off tricks?? Ough. I've said it before, I'll say it again, Geno's flirting style would have absolutely worked on me- Who said that?

Anyways. Back to the scenes with the horses. I liked the little worldbuilding bits too that reference back to unseen scenes from way before, when Cross was still in Ritten and under Xgaster's watch. Because Nine mentioning that Cross never used to seem anxious, or wriggle, or talk with his hands, or smile (that one hurt-) and so surely this was something wrong and different, right? Surely they had done something to his little brother. But it becomes more and more apparent that. no. This is natural healing and something done with help and something that he brother always had in him but never had the safe-space to do so, and he only shakes the initial villainization by twisting the narrative to convince himself that Dust must've been the reason Cross seemed to be doing relatively better.

Which. Btw. Nine was so funny at the start. I loved how he badmouthed Nightmare internally and swore that he was a fake, weak, false king (the 'taking too long' and 'he doesn't know how they secured a treaty with Sanctuary' is SO funny to me with narrator knowledge. Knowing Night's basically putting them through a test that they aren't even aware is happening-) and mentioning Prince Dream (Yippe!! glad to see Dream by Nightmare's side again!!!) should take over because Nightmare is obviously younger than him, and it's only a matter of time before things can go south- And then badmouthing internally the knights for being inattentive as he snuck around (Shout-out to the Cats <3) and calling Horror weird and surely no good with the hole in his skull (Ancha ur the funniest author ever for having Nine think 'injuries like that don't just happen' because he is SO wrong-) and Killer just. For being Killer and telling him off like he had. And then the presumptions about Ccino and that his 'Head of House' title was just a front for something else. And THEN assuming Dust was only a Knight by title because of how well he handled the horses and Nightmare just needing to keep him around through any means nessicary. He fumbles almost every assumption possible and I love him for that <3 but then. Sorry. Back on track. Dust. he looks at Dust being a good (Brother, but he's not processing that) Teacher to Cross and decides that. Yeag. This guy is tiny and I'd tower over him and he has a freaky connection to horses and he's kinda cute... Dammit why didn't I wear the good armor! Bro thinks he's going to seduce Dust back to Ritten when he takes Cross- I was cackling at how that bit was included, it meant the world to me to see this man gain a crush and then immediately fumble so so badly.

And the- ough the scene with Dust letting Cross speak and listening and then absolutely reassuring him that it was okay and that he is 'perfect' the way he is now and he doesn't have to be who he was before or bend to anyone's expectations??? Helo??? Hello can anyone hear me, I'm sobbing!!! Having Cross walk away from it a little bleary-eyed too? That's some good brotherly heart to heart I swear- Oh and the hug, and Cross being so worried about it and Dust just reassuring him- I'm weeping

And Horror. Horror Scruffing Nine and Rahna before they could go and screw it all up? Holding them down behind the barrels and telling them (but very pointedly Nine) to just shut up and listen to Cross for once? Oh the shock they both had about being spotted and snuck up on, the realizations from both of them as Cross spoke about his fears, the gut-punch of Dust being so kind to Cross and Nine getting the first edges of a wake-up call finally? And the moment Dust spells it out, referring to Lust as Cross' boyfriend? That being the final nail in the coffin that, yes, he appears to have been wrong. Friends, colleagues, they all could have ulterior motives or be forced to be around you, but a partner? Partners were probably one of many many things that never even occurred to Nine for Cross to have, and it being spelled out that Cross has a partner, who he would like to go spend time with, who supposedly was known to other and who would help him calm down? Cross has to have changed if that was the case. Ten could hardly hold a conversation, Nine couldn't imagine that little soldier trying to hold hands, let alone be in a committed relationship. And as it was, everything, all the evidence, weighed up!

And dudeeee. Dust finding such a good way to get Cross so leave (for his own good) and not ruining the mood was so tasty. Not the way he strolled over and made a straight stare at them! Talking over them just to Horror! The two of them calling them children and Nine realizing just how long they were trailed and how oblivious he's been?? And them getting pulled back inside and passing the maids- gods those two need a raise because their drama-loving vibes totally paid off in the funniest way possible (again, rip Rahna-). The two of them continuously bringing up the time-out and Horror sticking around and Dust taking up his shift- I love them!!! This is horror-scenario levels of embarrassment for Rahna and Nine, but absolutely the best bonding time for Dust and Horror- Imagine getting a crush and then ur Crush immediately calls you childish and you get locked in jail-

And I love how harmless the punishment really is. It's not really clicking for him but the Knights are having a bit of fun with it. This is the brother who treated Cross so poorly and who keeps making their little brother uncomfortable, of course they're going to embarrass the shit out of him the moment he slips up! But they're not hurting them, not shackling them or using it to extort the Ritten royalty. They're literally doing exactly what they said, putting the kids in time-out! And they're having a good time about it too. petty revenge one might call it.

Oh. right! last note!! Nine realizing how much like his dad he's become!!!! WAUGH!!!! SUCH a good ending note!!! Bro got time-out to think about why he acts so much like Xgaster and maybe that's why his little brother is trying so hard to avoid him.

Okay I feel like there's more I could say but I think this ran a little long but. Oh this was so fun Ancha istg your cooking is amazing-

NewAgeAU Drabble - Nine does not equal Ten

Hi @spotaus ! I am not even sorry at this point!! I had an idea and I think by the title you can guess what it is about this time :3

We are in post story again! (i am keeping my strike going lmao) but this time? very different character. Nine :3 (also. Xundyne's name for now is Ranha, from piranha... because she is a fish monster and well... I wanted a fish themed name for her lmao)

Also warning. Nine think very degrading and judgemental. in case that bothers you.

He is also a very unreliable narrator lmao.

*----------------*

Nine makes sure to frown as he crosses his arms while his king, and co-king honestly, disappear into the meeting room with the brat that calls himself a king.

Nine only acts annoyed of course. He knew he wouldn't be allowed into the meeting room and he had been planning on it. It is hard to search this place if he is suposed to be in one room.

Ranha stands by his side, huffing and puffing as she mutters stuff under her breath. She is honestly annoyed with not being allowed inside the meeting room. Nine is sure she will be fine with it after he shares his plan.

Nine watches the brat acting as king lead his own king and his right hand inside. They would both be named king after the coup but the resistance hadn't wanted to push the people of Ritten too far. Nine watches as the crown prince, prince Dream, follows the child and Nine still doens't understand why Dream hasn't taken the crown yet. It can't be that hard to take the power from the younger skeleton. How Nightmare is still seen as king is a mystery to Nine.

Sure it seems like things are okay after three years but Nine knows not to bindly believe people. He had hoped that Ten would have finally learned that lesson by now but it seems that wasn't the case. But that is okay. Nine will be the great brother he was meant to be and get through to Ten and get him home. Easy.

The meeting room door closes and Nine nudges his best friend "Hush." and he nods towards the side. Ranha tilts her head and her red hair shifts slightly. She glances at the door before following him down the hallway.

"What is the big deal Nine?" She seems puzzles.

Nine looks back over his shoulder but nothing happens. Hah. See? And this is why Nightmare still being seen as king is a mystery to him. Those Knights are nothing but hot air as he doesn't even see any of them following him, no wonder Ten got accepted into the role so quickly, the knights clearly can't spot a single threat even when it is right in front of them. All he sees behind them is a prestine looking cat watching them.

"I knew they weren't going to let us join the meeting."

Ranha looks annoyed "Then why did you ask me to join you? I could be exploring the town and checking the stalls and stuff! See what people really think about their weird king and the weirdos here." the shark monster huffs.

Nine rolls his eyes "Because I am in the castle now. Which means I can finally find Ten and talk some sense into him."

Ranha stares shocked before she smiles broadly "Nine you are a genius! Lets go!"

Nine grins as he waves Ranha to follow him.

It isn't the first time he is in this castle. It is the fourth now. Each time Nine would just watch and wait only to not see Ten. This time he is going to search himself. Nine is lucky that Nightmare is a brat and clearly inexperienced with getting allies as it is taking his king and the brat king ages to get a treaty finalised. Honestly how Orchard managed to get Sanctuary as ally is still a mystery but Nine doesn't have time to figure out how this fake king is managing.

If Nine knows one thing is that kings like that will always fall by the brave people who are willing to stand against them.

But that isn't Nine's job. He already made the wrong choice like this before. When he picked the coup over his brother. When he didn't bother to help his brother adjust to all the heavy changes.

Nine had needed time. Time to even believe there were other options. To see that these options weren't wrong and could work for him. His friends had helped him see this. Yet Nine hadn't permitted Ten these insights and moments.

This time though! This time he will make this work! Even if Nine knows that Ten will never be able to fully adjust and become like them. He has gone through too much conditioning to ever be his own person again. But Nine can lead him in the right direction at least.

Ranha knows the way and it seems that she has the same plan as Nine had. Which is going straight towards the private wing.

None of them had allowed access to a whole wing of the castle. Apparently that was the royal's private wing. Which who needs a whole wing to themselves?!

Selfish pricks. All of them.

They turn the corner and get out into the hall. Nine ignores the many many tapestries. Ranha is right behind him as they make their way all the way through the next hall with large windows. They finally reach the right hallway and slow their running. They walk side by side with confidence as the near the entrance. There are two guards there but that doesn't matter. Nine is a visiting guard from a country their stupid king wants a treaty with. It will be easy to gain access.

Nine is a step away from entering the royal wing. He can't help but look at the arch leading into the next wing. The arch is large and high and seems to almost be like tree roots or branches. With small leaves and everything. It looks so livelike and Nine wonders who carved it, it straight up looks like living tree branches. Many other decorations and details just like this one are all across and around this castle.

He can't wonder much longer as the two guards cross their spears in front of Ranha and him.

Ranha glares "What are you doing? Let us through!"

A cat like monster, orange of colour, sounds very unamused "No one is allowed access into the king's wing." She looks unbothered.

The dog monster next to her grins "What Harper said. Shoo little kiddos." the grin makes the slight greying around his snout stand out. He has short trimmed fur and most obviously, the cut tail.

Nine huffs as he stands taller, easily towering over the black and white dog "I was allowed access."

The dog hums and taps his chin before shaking his head "Nope! Doesn't work like that!"

Harper nods "Indeed. Only the royal family and those allowed acces by either them of the Head of House are allowed entrance."

Nine wants to roll his eyes at the stupid head of house title. Everyone should know that is just some stupid coverup. Nine has his theories but for now he sees his in. He gives a charming smile as he nods "I know of course. But he told me himself he needed me to grab something for him." he grins as he wiggles his eye brows. Hinting at a secret meaning.

The dog and cat share a look before Harper looks unimpressed "We do not allow entrance to anyone unless he told us himself he allows entrance."

Ranha luckily sees what Nine is trying and joins in "We seriously got the go ahead! It is an emergancy that we are allowed in."

The dog shakes his head again "No can't do! The last time I didn't follow the orders they cut off my tail! And I only have one of those and I don't want to imagine what will go next."

Nine feels sick to deep in his soul. They... They did what?!

Harper glances at her partner unamused "Shut it Shep."

Shep grins at her "What do you think Harp! What will be next?"

Harper looks umimpressed "If I am lucky it will be your tongue."

Nine feels sick. What is wrong with these people? Why are they still here? What kind of hell and torture kingdom did his stupid younger brother get himself stuck in? Well not for long! Nine will make sure to tell the others everything.

But only after he managed to get Ten home. To get Ten away from this place before they realised that Nine was going to bring this whole kingdom down. He won't make the same mistake of ignoring his brother just because it would be harder for him. No. He will first free his brother and then they will bring this hellhole down and people will be celebrating them.

Harper looks unamused at them "You are not welcome here. Please remove yourself from this area or we will be forced to remove you ourselves." She sounds bored as she says this.

Nine is very sure he can take them but Ranha huffs and walks away. Nine looks back betrayed before following her.

They walk through the halls until they end up in the tapastry hall again. Nine glares at Ranha "Why would you-"

Ranha stops as she shakes her head "You don't understand. You know how I sometimes have these feelings? Of incoming attacks?" Nine nods. It was one of Ranha's many talents and how Ranha was undefeated.

Ranha continues to speak "When you got ready to get us inside. I felt it. This large... presence. Suddenly and ready." she shakes her head "Danger. I felt it was better to retreat and make a better plan."

Nine frowns but sighs "Fair enough. The chance that Ten would be there is rather small..." He may be one of his knights but Nine doubts they truly get anything aside from a title and more dangerous jobs. Well and the masks, those are rather cool. Nine would like a mask. He thinks he would look amazing and very cool in one.

Ranha nods as she mutters "Where could he be... or who would know?" She rubs her chin "The knights probably. But i doubt they will want to help us. I have no doubt that whatever the king used to keep Ten listening to him also works on the other knights. Do you think it is somekind of mind control? or like blackmail? mind control would be okay to break but blackmail is much more sensitive, especially as it implies he got it somehow. We could also wait until the treaty is signed and go by Sanctuary and see if we can get more support through them. Make an allyship with them and then overthrow this whole country."

Nine should be listening. But all he can do is stare at the tapastries.

They happened to end before a set that Nine had been ignoring. Almost like the world itself is trying to force Nine to see and consider them. The first in the set that calls his attention is one showing two small skeletons. One in yellow and one in purple. A sun shown above the one in yellow and a moon shown above the one in purple.

It isn't hard to connect the purple skeleton with the brat king. But Nine doens't understand. Because the yellow one is clearly the crown prince. But they look the same age here. Same height and everything. It had already been confusing that the younger brother had gotten the crown before the older one but this made it seem as if they are much closer in age than the real them shows. It confuses him. It could be something to play up the dramatics but when they had their tour it was implied that these tapastries are a way to document the past.

Though the actual historic events could have gone down differently and this is just another piece of propaganda.

The next one shows a picture of a dark and seemingly partly liquid monster. A skeleton still but large and dark and with tentacles on his back. He stands tall with an arm pointed outwards, the young yellow skeleton is being send away. As the tall one remains with a crown on his dark skull.

Nine looks at the third that caught his attention. This one shows the dark skeleton standing behind the young king. The dark goop skeleton however doens't look menacing. Instead the sockets are closed as the large imposing figure stands with open hands towards the young skeleton in purple. The young skeleton has his sockets open and seems to stare outwards. The tentacles all hang around him as well, not ready to strike but in a way that seemed to surrender. a crown held within the young skeleton's hands.

Nine ponders. He wonders if the gooped skeleton had been Nightmare's parent. He knows that Nim was suposed to be the king before Nightmare and that the gooped skeleton took over. Something about taking the crown from the rightful heir. Nine knows that the gooped skeleton had been named Nightmare as well and Nine is very sure that this one just named the now ruling Nightmae after himself, like a Nightmare the second. This also ties in with the whole head of house theory he has. Nine knows that the head of house is a useless title often given to a favourite servant. Somekind of excuse to keep someone close without needing to put actual time and effort into them standing out as consort or advisor. And the tiny skeleton had to have come from somewhere.

Of course his theory still has holes in it. Mostly what the deal with Dream is and where he fit in. But Nine hopes to eventually figure it out. He already figured out a lot of the situation after all.

He looks at the last one and huffs. It shows the young skeleton in purple holding hands wiht an older looking skeleton in yellow. The moon and sun having been united into one symbol. On the moon side were figures which resembled the different knights. Nine can't help but stare at the one with the snow leopard mask. His brother... stuck in some legacy and played like a pawn... If Nine had tried harder to make Ten feel included would Ten have been okay? Not perfect but maybe a bit better?

On the skeleton in yellow's side was some warrior in blue with a large hammer and a skeleton with many colours and brown clothes with a tail.

Nine stares at the title 'Reunited.' Seems like all these pictures have names. Nine doesn't understand but figures it is some sort of propaganda. Something to mellow out people and make it seem like it is okay.

"Nine?"

Ranha looks worried before she looks at where Nine is staring and her smile turns gentle "Hey... I know you want to help him. And even if we can never truly make him fully whole. We can at least give him a safe place."

Nine sighs and nods "It is something." The damage that his father and old king did was too large. There is no way his simple and naive brother will be able to fully get over it. To be able to move past it. But Nine will do his duty as brother and keep Ten somewhere safe. Some simple jobs will be good. Some normal routine.

Ranha looks around and sees some maids walk by and Nine follows her as she rushes over. She smiles brightly at them before making some small talk. The maids seem happy and content. Easily talking back and giggling once or twice. Though Nine can't help but feel like this is not the way girls normlaly giggle when Ranha flirts with them. This seems more... amused? It is hard to explain. He notices a black cat on the window sill. Lounging as it stares at them with large yellow eyes.

Ranha is casual as can be once she asks the question "I was wondering if we could see a knight! You know. Maybe the one with the white panther mask?"

The maids share a look before one snorts "You mean Cross?" Nine just barely manages to keep his annoyance is. His brother's name is not fucking cross. It is Ten! That is his name and Ten will always be Ten! The maid hums and looks at her friend "Is it training time?"

The other shakes her head "I don't think so. I believe I saw sir Cross with sir Dust."

The first one laughs and nods "Oh that is easy then." she smiles brightly at them "They will be at the ranch. That is where Sir Dust always is."

Nine blinks confused. The ranch? Why? Ranha however asks where they can find it and the maids tell them how to get there. They do warn them to not bother this Dust knight when he is working with the horses before walking off together. Giggling and whispering stuff. They shoot them a look before rushing off giggling again.

Ranha grins and flexes her arms "Still got it." Nine isn't sure she does but he won't challange her on it. They follow the hallways and Nine can't help but stare at the walls around them.

The walls look strange. They have ridges and dips and when Nine feels them they feel like they are made of wood yet he knows for a fact that they are suposed to be rocks and bricks.

Nine once again wonders which masterful crafter and builder made this castle. It almost seems alive. It is warm and beautiful. Everywhere there is signatures of nature or references to it.

The castle he is used to. That of his father. It was all sharp lines and precision. Nothing was allowed to be out of place. No dust or dirt anywhere. Everything had to be perfect.

This castle was wilder. That is the best way Nine can explain it. It is wild and uncontained. It branches outwards. Stuff is uneven and different. The pillars aren't exactly the same even as they are all that same carved stone to look like roots. It feels alive. It feels living. It seems the breath. It feels like there is something larger at play.

Yet it doesnt feel welcome, he doens't feel welcome. Nine can't explain it exactly.

They get outside and follow the path. It takes them a while as they walk past some trees and through a small forest and then they see it.

It is a large ranch. Build with this deep greenish wood of all colours. WIth multiple large pens nearby. It is open and large. But the trees give it privacy. It is beautiful.

Nine feels Ranha tug on his armour and follows where she is pointing. In a pen he can see his brother! Ten is there but... he is seated on a beige horse. Large and strong looking. Antoher skeleton is nearby and seems to be messing with the reins of the horse.

Nine begins to walk closer but he starts to slow his steps. Because... Ten isn't wearing armour. Nine can't rememebr the last time Ten hadn't been wearing armour. Back at home he always had to be ready. Ten.... Ten didn't have time to relax in a casual outfit. Or do things for himself. And yet... here he is... under another tyrant yet... he is wearing casual clothes? He is sitting on a horse? is this somekind of trick of that king? Let Ten relax to make him more loyal? Maybe the brat is smarter than Nine thought.

Ranha shoots him a confused look before going to step closer to the pen but Nine stops her. He can't explain. it is just... Ten looks... He looks different. Not just his clothes but... something else. Nine can't quite explain what it is or put his finger on it. He needs more information. He needs to be prepared to break through any trick or lie. He nods towards the side where a large fench is located and some barrels. Ranha nods and sneaks there with Nine right by her side. They hide behind the barrels and Nine focusses his magic. He quickly enhances his sight and hearing and focusses in. Strangely enough he also feels like there is rian in the air but a glance up shows a cloudless sky. But any thought about the weird feeling in the air is forgotten as soon as Ten speaks.

"Are you sure about this Dust? I still don't think I am ready. What if he throws me off?!"

The other skeleton, Dust is just wearing a large sweater. It looks to be made of high quality. He also seems to be wearing just a beanie to cover his skull. A large red scarf wrapped around his neck. The scarf looks a different quality than everything else.

The other tilts his skull at Ten. Seemingly considering his answer "If you fall off. We can try again."

Ten glares "Dust this isn't funny."

Dust seems to disagree as he grins slightly, just a slight upturn of the teeth "It is fine Cross. Just a matter of trying again. And you and Limestone need to practise this."

Nine feels himself get angry as they use the fake name for his brother but he needs to remain calm. He needs to watch and learn.

Ten grumbles unhappily as he glares down at the horse "I just... I don't get why you can't just train him... You trained Basalt... and Granite for that matter!"

Dust tilts his skull "I did. But he needs to get used to you while running. Get used to how you move and your weight." he pets the horse, the horse leans into Dust's touch "There needs to be trust Cross. You need to trust Limestone that he won't throw you off. And Limestone needs to be able to trust you that you will lead him into the right direction."

Ten blinks and seems to stare at Dust for a moment before looking down at the horse. The animal just stares at him. "I... euh... oh..."

Dust tilts his skull the other way "Do you want to try galloping first?"

Ten looks up and Nine finally figured out what is different. Why Ten looks different. Ten is... smiling. He is smiling brightly and nods excited at the idea.

Nine... Nine can't remember the last time he saw Ten happy and smiling... It is a face he never saw on his brother.

Ranha mutters softly "Wow... I never... He looks so differnet now... so much... more like... A person? i guess? It is weird. I am used to him just. Standing straight and like saluting and being still and unmoving? Like some statue and not like a person?"

Nine nods because he notices it now. The way the Ten is messing with the reins. The way his leg seems to tap the stirrup. The way he seems to almost... wiggle in place a little.

Dust chuckles and nods as he pets the horse a few more times "Go for it. Limestone wants to move." and he takes a few steps back.

Ten gets a large smile on his face as he kicks his heels lightly back, Nine is very surprised when the horse starts moving. He thought you had to be rougher and kick harder to get horses to move. That was hardly a tick.

Yet it works. As Ten starts to ride the horse and the horse speeds up quickly. Very quickly. Ranha suddenly gasps "Holy shit. That horse still has like the three toe system."

Nine blinks in shock. He knows that the wild horses form Orchard were rumoured to be faster and much more diverse than the horses in other places. The wild horses continued to adapt and where made to travel long distances for faster speeds unlike the normal horse endurance. The toes give extra stability and would make the horses able to travel all kinds of terrain while still being fast.

Nine stares in awe as the horse speeds up and than continues to go full speed ahead. Ten tugs lightly on the reins and the horse reacts instantly. Making sharp turns and Nine notices that the back looks longer and sligthly bigger than the horses Nine is used to.

These. These truly are a different breed.

Maybe Nine can convince his king and friend to keep this allyship going for a bit longer. Or maybe get a few horses out of the deal. Nine has no doubt these horses could be much better with good riders.

Ten is.... surprisingly okay with riding the horse. Makes okay turns but well. It is just Ten so NIne is sure he is doing stuff wrong that they can work on back in Ritten, once they find his shortcomings.

Ten eventually returns to Dust and Ten smiles brightly and Nine can't help but stare. He looks happy. He is happy. That is what is different about him. He is relaxed and happy and he doesn't stand as a statue anymore.

Ten laughs as he grins at Dust "Limestone is even faster than before!"

Dust nods but has a tiny smile on his face. Looking very content and proud "Limestone is a strong horse. He is fast and loves to exercise and run. It is honestly a bigger problem to make sure he rests than anything." he crosses his arms and raises a brow at Ten "Remind you of someone."

Ten blushes and looks to the side as he rubs his neck "I have been getting better with the whole work life balance."

Dust nods and agress easily. He pets the horse and looks at Ten "Want to try going faster?"

Faster?! How do you go faster than that!?

Ten looks deeply unhappy and unsure "I don't know..." he pets the horse.

Dust seems to stare at him before speaking "Would it be better if I lead the path with Pearl?"

Ten looks up and a look of pure relieve on his face. Had... had Ten always been this expressive?

Ten nods "Please."

Dust nods and looks to the side. He clicks his tongue and teeth and one of the horses looks up. A smaller but beautiful grey horse with striking purple eyes. The horse starts running and jumps over the fench before trotting over to the two skeletons and horse.

Ten laughs and grins at Dust "Pearl is showing off again."

Dust sighs and nods "I can't manage to unlearn her to jump fenches." the horse stops before him and pushes her whole head into his chest and arms. Dust pets the head and neck "You ready to lead Cross and Limestone?" The horse pulls back and tussles her head around before waiting patiently.

Dust puts his hand into his hip bag and pulls out this curious stone and metal item. He taps the side and bright gemstones light up and runes start to shine.

Ten looks alarmed "What is that!?"

Dust glances at him and a small smile appears "It is a prototype. Geno gave it to me to test it as I ride horses. It is suposed to be something to make it easy and quick to saddle up horses."

Ten looks deeply unhappy as he glares at the item as if it personally offended him "That stupid smug bastard. He is just trying to buy you over with stupid gifts."

Dust looks deeply amused "It is a prototype."

Ten throws up his arms "You are the only person who would find a good use for this!"

Dust chuckels as he lets the item get near the horse and it shines before it starts unfolding and a few clicks later and the horse is equipped with the normal rider things. Dust gets on top of the horse with a grace and confidence that leaves Nine open mouthed. He never... Even the people at home...

Dust looks at Ten "Ready?"

Ten grins as he nods "Yes. Lock the reins and just hold on right?" as he says it he messes with the headpiece on the horse and Nine wants to roll his eyes.

Dust nods and speaks "Indeed. Just make sure it is ready as if you are going to make a get away." and he waits.

Shit he really is patient... Is that why he is teaching Ten?

Ten nods and sits up straight "Ready!"

Dust chuckles as he turns his horse. He checks back over his shoulder to Ten "Go for it. Get him to follow Pearl." Dust doesn't even tug on the reins and Nine can't even spot an obvious movement to direct the horse to start moving. How did he do that?

Ten takes a deep breath before he leans closer to the horse and grabs hold on some extra handbars on the headpiece of the horse. The horse immediantly looks around as Ten nudges the horse to look at Dust and the leaving horse.

The horse stares before it starts to trod after the other skeleton and horse. Ten meanwhile stays as he is. Relaxing against the horse as his horse just follows Dust and his own horse.

It is fascinating. Especially when Dust starts to speed up with some unseeable comment and Ten's horse follows right along. There is no doubt. There is full commitment of both horses.

While Nine had no doubt that Ten still has much to improve with horse riding. Dust seems to be a master. He directs the horse with minimal movement and the horse seems to react immediantly to any unheard and unseen comment.

Soon both horses are running through the pen but it still isn't the gallop speed of before. Dust speaks up casually "We are going to practise you trusting Limestone. Just get into the position to blind ride. We are going to have Limestone follow Pearl's lead."

Ten nods "Okay. Okay. I can... I can do that." He lays fully against the horse and pulls his feet out of the saddle footholds. He messes with the saddle and the footholds get a lot higher and further towards the back. Cross does some weird combination of laying and crouching on the horse as he tugs his feet back into the holsters.

Dust looks back over his shoulder. Not at all seeming concerned about having to look where he is going as he blindly tugs at the right moment to make his horse make a turn "Not quite there but this is fine to practise with for now." he pets the horse's neck before leaning closer to the horse and the horse shoots of.

It goes faster than any horse Nine has ever seen before. It is fast and nimble as Dust truly rides the horse. The other horse with Ten blindly following-

Blind Riding. They don't mean it with looking. They mean it as they don't control the horses beyond the minimum. They are minimising the pressure and bother they could give the horses which enables those to run faster than before.

And if this is just the start... How fast can they go?

Ranha watches with her own mouth open before she mutters "This... this must be why he is a Knight. Not fighting or anything like that. He has a way with the horses."

Nine agrees and thinks she is right. The guy on the horse is fragile and delicate looking. Nine has no doubt that he towers over the other. Soft spoken too... But if he is this good with the horses. If he is able to train the wild horses and make them do this kind of stuff? no wonder they immediantly snatched him up and gave him the higest position they could. Make him stay.

The two horses are almost flying around the running pen. Then Dust leads his horse towards the middle where a small pond is located. Then Dust nudges the horse and it just jumps over the pond! It lands easily and keeps running. The horse with Ten doesn't pause a single step and copies the first horse. It lands safely and without a single issue.

Dust holds up an arm and fist and the horse with Ten starts to slow down and continues walking another round before stopping. Dust lets his horse walk by before just jumping off before nudging his horse. It huffs before continuing its trot across the ring.

Ten pants as he grins widely at Dsut "That was awesome!"

Dust chuckles "It is rather fun to just let the horses do their thing isn't it? and you made the jump first try. Killer fell at least twice."

Ten blinks as he looks up shocked "Twice?"

Dust nods "At least. I am pretty sure he snuck off to practise with Granite while I had my private training." he is by Ten's side as he checks the horse "How are you feeling? You were rather tense."

Ten laughs as he rubs his neck "I am fine... thanks for checking... It is just. I think I am done for today. Thanks again for... being here i guess."

Dust pauses his movements as he starts to undo the horse harnass "It is no problem. I am always here." and he clips it fully off.

Nine has made the decision that he likes this knight. The one he met first, the one wiht goop? The one that claimed Ten as his brother? Nine doens't like him. Weirdo with always having tear trails on his face. Not to forget how cocky and confident he acts. Must be some kind of trick and lie that he keeps up to fool and intimidate others. But Nine isn't fooled. He can see through that easily.

He also doesn't like the bigger guy. Dude moves too quietly for someone his size and that hole in his skull? You don't just get that on accident. Something sinister is in that one's past no doubt.

This one? Just a guy trying to train horses and help Ten with his horse and training? Nine can appreciate that. And sure! The fact he looks cute and pretty helps a lot too. Nine would in theory be fine with this guy joining them in Ritten as well. It would be nice for Ten to have someone who is already his friend. Help him feel at home even more. And then Nine can work on impressing the other by showing his skills! It would be quick and easy!

Ten is by Dust's side as they mess with the saddle and headpiece. They talk about settings and prefered length. Nine is honestly not sure what any of it means so Ten probably doesn't either.

Ten looks at Dust and looks down a bit embarrassed "I... I know I am asking a lot... But i don't really feel like going inside already... Mind showing some tricks? again?" and he looks hopeful.

Dust looks at him and nods "I don't mind."

Fuck he is so patient with Ten... Maybe this guy was a good influence on Ten. Helped him with his lessons and training. someone had to be as Nine doubts the king or those other two knights were.

Ten looks downright excited as he waits by the fench as Dust leads the horse towards the other pen where the beige horse joins the other horses. Nine can count at least ten in there, a whole herd of horses all slightly different shaped and colours. All looking healthy and strong and interacting.

Dust returns and gets on top of his grey horse with practised ease. Ten leans against the fench as he watches.

Dust turns his horse around and starts galloping through the area. Even faster than when he had been leading Ten on the other horse. Ten cheers as he grins widely. It looks so... unlike the brother Nine is used to... So very different.

Dust meanwhile makes the horse take a large turn and Ten grins as he looks around before grabbing a cap and throwing it into the pen. Dust aims the horse and straight up leans sideways and off the back of the horse. Almost fully upsidedown to easily snatch the cap of the ground before pulling himself back on the horse's back. Not once slowing down.

Ranha gasps "Hole shit that is so difficult... How?! Without slowing down!?" She is sitting up straighter to enable her to see everything easier. Pure awe on her face and Nine feels like he may have been not fully aware of how difficult that seemingly easy trick is...

Dust runs with the horse by Ten and straight up puts the cap on his skull. Again without once slowing down. Ten laughs and cheers "Go Dust go!" as he grins.

Dust keeps moving the horse around quickly and now he has started to zigzag with it! Nine blinks and looks at Ranha "Isn't that like... suposedly very hard for horses?"

Ranha nods as she doesn't look away from the display "It is insane! Horsese make large turns because of their back. I don't know how that horse is that flexible or how that guy can just direct the horse to make the turns by not actively turning but instead almost twisting in a jump?!" she stares "Is this what the rare horses can do? That inhabit this land? We need to get Regius to get some horses!"

Nine glares at his best friend "Don't speak the king's name so casually."

Ranha waves him off "It is fine. We were all friends before he became king so we are good."

Nine huffs as he focusses on the display of masterful horse riding. It is just that not speaking the title is disrespectful and he will not make them seem unprofessional or like they don't take their ruling class seriously. Regius only became king after the fall of the old one and Nine doesn't want people to think he is an easy target just because of that. And he doubts a brat like this country's king can see how much work they had to put into bettering what they had and helping their land and people heal from all the damage.

Ranha makes a curious noise close to choking and Nine pays attention just to see Dust standing on the back of the horse. Perfectly balanced and even balancing on one leg as the horse keeps running around the pen. He steps off the horse on a fench where he runs alongside the horse, the horse finally slowing a bit down, before Dust steps back on the back and the horse speeds up again.

Dust crouches down as he puts his hands on the horse's back before just making a handstand!

Nine can't imagine how hard standing on a horse could be. much less making a handstand?! He knows how to make a handstand of course and it is easier to do it with momentum. Dust did it without that.

Ten keeps cheering for his friend as Nine stares in awe. Ranha is muttering about how insane this is and how there has to be magic at play. Yet aside from the presure of the rain he has felt since the start he hasn't noticed any spells of any type. Not even to help lead or control the horses like other riders do. Nine can't help but just keep staring.

Dust sits back on the horse but backwards as he calmly undoes the saddle. The saddle falls off the horse and as soon as the saddle hits the ground it seems to disappear. Right, the saddle was part of that magic item Dust is testing. All while Dust remains seated on the powerful beast that is still running. Dust turns back around and messes with the reins that seem to make handholds on the headpiece.

Dust next grabs hold of the handholds and lays his legs on the back of the horse. He taps the side of the neck of the horse nad motions forwards before he lays fully against the horse.

The horse going fast before is nothing compared to how fast it runs now. It is bolting through the pen and there seems to be zero control that Dust has over it. Instead Dust just holds on and lets it do its things.

"He minimised his contact and hold on the horse. he freed the horse from the saddle to enable it to move even more freely and go faster!" Ranha looks downright excited as she just stands there and stares. Nine glares at her and pulls her back down to hide wiht him.

"Stop standing! They may see you!" Nine feels an anxiety at being caught snooping now. Not like before where he would just lie and say he wasn't snooping or spying. Now he is nervous about how it would reflect on him as a person, especially to the smaller and skilled skeleton. Fuck he wishes he was wearing his better armour than this one. He hadn't wanted to seem like he was trying to impress Orchard's ruler or make it seem like they thought they needed to impress this leader but he is regretting it now. How can he show him his best side when he isn't prepared!?

The horse continues to run before coming to a slow stop near Ten. Ten is grinning widely as he claps his hands "That was so cool! Dust it is nuts how fast you can go with Pearl!"

Dust shrugs as he gets off and grabs a brush to start taking care of the animal while Ten stands near his side. "I was wondering soemthing." Dust voice is soft and calm. Even.

Ten nods as he watches Dust work "Ask away."

Dsut shoots him a look before speaking again "I figured you would want to be near Nightmare with the guests here. Why with me?"

Ten goes quiet as he looks down. Nine nudges Ranha and nods. It is their time to act! This is the perfect set up-

A hand grabs him by the neck and pushes him flush against the barrels he had been hiding behind. Ranha makes a shocked sound and Nine can barely see her in the same position as he is in.

A deep voice speaks up "Dont you know that eavesdropping is rude? But what could be expect from snooping immature children."

Nine freezes. That is the voice of the big knight guy. The one wiht the lion mask. Horror. how... when? Nine hadn't even heard him! When did they get exposed and found out!?

Horror continues to speak "But if you wish to listen in. You will listen. You will hear what Cross has to say instead of speaking for him."

Ranha growls "His name isn't-UGH!" she chokes for a moment before the kngiht releases his grip a bit again.

"Listen."

Ten finally answers "It is dumb..."

Dust hums as he leans against the horse "Try me."

Ten isn't looking up as he rubs his own arm "I... I didn't expect them to be happy with me... That is fair. I just. Didn't expect them to hate me without knowing me." Ten frowns as he softly pets the horse "It is like... They are unhappy with who i am now and want me to be who i used to be, who i don't want to be anymore. Yet they hate that person." Ten hunkers in on himself "I don't... like feeling like that."

Dust frowns as he puts a hand on Ten's shoulder "That is on them."

Ten frowns as he looks away "It isn't... I" He frowns as he moves his hands around. Had... Had Ten always moved this much? That can't be right. Nine remembers him being still and unmoving. Their father had always been strict about staying in line and acting as they had to and-

and...

and being... the way he wanted... to be...

Like Nine wants Ten to be.

Oh...

Ten isn't the problem... is he?

Dust takes Ten's face between his hands and makes Nine's younger brother look at him "Cross. Look at me. No i mean it. Look at me." Ten stares at him and Dust looks at him "You are you. No one else. No one telling you how you should be or act is right. You are fine like this. You are happy like this. You can be however you want to be, whatever makes you feel good and feel like you are you." Dust gentle bonks their skulls together "I think you would do best if you visit Lust for a bit and you two hang out and focus on something else. Okay?"

Ten frowns but gives a slow nod "Okay."

Dust nods as he keeps holding the taller skeleton "And this is not me sending you away. I enjoy us spending time together. But i think being here while they are here is stressing you out. Making you second guess yourself. Go to a different environment and let yourself relax. When you come home we can try more horse riding or you can help Killer trying to get Kingdom Devourer out of a tree again. Go relax."

Ten frowns before nodding and just hugging the other. Dust chuckles and pats his back "You are fine the way you are Cross... In matter of fact. You are perfect the way you are." Ten's breath seems to hitch as he just holds the other tighter and continues to hold him. It isn't until some time passed that Ten lets go and steps back with an embarrassed expression and... and slightly hazy looking eyes.

"Sorry... I know you don't... don't like... I am sorry."

Dust chuckles and pats his back "It is alright. Go hang out with your boyfriend while I clean up."

Boyfriend... but... why would he... who would even want to date Ten? He doens't even have a personality and is just a tool and an idiot-

Except everything he has seen now shows otherwise and... Why does Nine expect Ten to be the same way that their father wanted them to be?

Ten walks away with a wave and goes straight towards the castle. Looking a bit better as he is smiling and seems to have a small bounce in each step.

Dust watches him go before he just walks straight towards their hiding place oh shit when did-

Dust stops before them and looks unamused. His gaze cold and seemingly able to look straight into his soul. Nine would have been frozen even without the hand holding his neck.

Dust looks at Horror "Good catch H. Trouble?"

Horror hums "They tried to get into our king's wing. I was ready to give backup."

Nine feels himself grow cold. They had been followed? The whole time? They had been watched the whole time and they hadn't even noticed!

Nine... Nine may have been wrong about how capable these guys are...

Dust hums "Lets put them in the jail cell as time out. Children should know not to wander after all."

Nine feels humiliated as he and Ranha are dragged towards the castle. Dust walks behind them as Horror leads the way, Horror does not let them walk.

They walk by some servants and Nine sees it are the same maids that they met in the hallway. The maids giggle and nod respectfully to both Horror and Dust and greet them with "Hello my Knights." before they shoot a glance at Ranha and Nine before gigglign together.

They are dropped off in a cell each and the door is locked. Nine goes to check the lock only to realise there is magic woven into the very bars and walls. These locks aren't just physical but also magical. He can't break them out.

Horror hums "There. Children have their time out." he looks highly amused as he nods to Dust "Mind taking over watch?"

Dsut shrugs as he walks towards the exit "I will take your shift. you make sure the children behave." and he leaves.

horror looks at them amused and Nine feels terrible...

Not just the fact he looked like an idiot to the pretty and skilled skeleton. But he also made a fool out of himself to be caught snooping and trying to get into places he isn't allowed to be.

He sits on the bed and can't help but look at his own hands.

Does... does Ten really not want to come home? How can Nine get him to come along? Will he be forced to drag his brother home.

Nine pauses at the thought and feels a new horrifying feeling overtake himself.

When did he become so much like his father?