#like is it so much to ask that if a story relies on ''events of times past'' as a narrative base to actually y'know

[loregoddess]

"13. what's one thing you'd change about fe3h?" for the ask game :D

Ooooh, lots and lots in regards to the story writing, if only to try and patch all the holes in the worldbuilding. But if I could only have one (1) thing, I think I'd add a way for the player to access Sothis's memories as she regains them, as a way of giving narrative insight into past events, since that's one of the murkier parts of the worldbuilding.

Mechanically though I'd remove the gender-locked classes, which I'm sure is a shock to everyone. But the game should not keep me from slamming Hubert and Linhardt into the gremory class (or dark flier, do you know how much I am miffed I can't make Hubert a dark flier?), and Hilda would work SO well in the warmaster class (and also it's stupid I can't have women in the highest-tier class capable of punching people out; an all-brawling run would be SO funny, esp. if I could use everyone from the same house).

[inafever]

On how much Aziraphale has learned since season one:

This is about character development. Inside of a story, everything that happens, happens for a reason. It's meant to tell you something, to teach you or the character of your story, something.

So if the story continues and your character repeats the same mistakes again you know that they are bound to be doomed this time, and even worse the audience is going to certainly lose respect for them, cause they have made the same mistake twice, they haven't learned anything, they're gonna do it again another time, they don't deserve a happy ending. (yes I'm talking about good omens here) So you don't do that to a character that matters to you and you respect even the tiniest bit.

A Lot of us here are thinking that this is what has happened to Aziraphale's character at the end of season two, that he has done it again, repeated the same mistake again and has left Crowley to join heaven and it's been because of reasons like wanting to change Crowley (not true, see this post), still believing in heaven's goodness (not true at all), not being on the same page with Crowley (I'm gonna talk about this one especially in this post) and such likes. But these are the things he should've known better about after 6000 years and all the events that we've learnt about especially throughout season two. (It seems to be rather the whole point doesn't it?)

But we all seem to rather believe that he's made that mistake again nonetheless. so what we're doing here is trying to find reasons to justify the mistake and somehow make the reason behind the wrong actions something relatable to ourselves so we can forgive him when the time comes.

In fact I don't believe that he's made a mistake. for Aziraphale's character to be redeemable, what he has done, must be the only option that he's had for saving them both. I don't care what kind of situation could have resulted in him making this decision, but the only reason, the one and only reason, must be his love for Crowley. Otherwise it'll prove that he hasn't learnt his lessons or doesn't love Crowley enough to make a compromise, and in both cases, he's not worthy of love. He won't earn his happy ending by being tortured and feeling sorry and doing the apology dance for Crowley if he's hurt Crowley out of selfishness and stupidity again

But I'm sure he'll earn his happy ending and I'm sure he's learnt his lessons and it's too late for him to have unlearned them all in a matter of a few seconds. (He is an idiot but he's not stupid) and it's mostly because of this, that I believe the reason why he made that decision, must be very different from what it appears to be on the surface.

Anyway, this post is about what Aziraphale has learned and how he's changed.

I have made a post about their moments of conflict from both season one and two, it's here and you can look it up. This is where you begin to understand how Aziraphale has changed since season one because these are his dialogues after he's had a fight with Crowley in the bandstand, season one:

"even if I did know where the antichrist was I wouldn't tell you we're on opposite sides"

"friends? We're not friends. We are an angel and a demon. We have nothing whatsoever in common. I don't even like you"

"there is no our side Crowley. Not anymore. It's over"

And then there's season two, when they disagree on what to do with Gabriel, Aziraphale is the one to point out that they both rely on the life they've built together

He's asking him to help him take care of Gabriel together and in response Crowley leaves

In the final scene he asks Crowley to come back to heaven

"work with me" "We can be together as Angels, Doing good" "I need you."

He says anything he can think of literally to convince him to stay with him and it doesn't work

We start from "we're not friends" and arrive at "work with me. we can be together"

Even if we don't know the reason why he's insisting on taking Crowley back to heaven with him, this is an Angel that has picked up the pace. That wants them to be an us. No matter what.

But these are only a few dialogues. I think there's more than that. I think the show in five and a half episodes (out of six) has tried its hardest to make the point quite clear about how Aziraphale feels about Crowley (or how strongly he feels those emotions). all through the way he looks at him and through his gestures and soft touches from time to time

I'm gonna make another post of those moments separately and I'm gonna link it to this when I do.

update: (here's the post. not just average moments of Aziraphale looking cute, it's something about the way he looks at him)

And I'd like to even compare those wishful glances to some of those from season one, but I can't, cause they are nonexistent in there.

[feelingf1]

pretty isn’t pretty - daniel ricciardo

pairing: daniel ricciardo x female!reader

summary: you’ve started comparing yourself to the other wags, and now you’re starting to wonder, does daniel deserve someone better than you?

authors note: i am obsessed with this song. it’s not okay. this is also kinda short, sorry😭

enjoy!

—————

You collapsed onto your bed after an enjoyable but exhausting day. You had spent your day accompanying Daniel in the paddock on the last race of the season.

Because you were still mainly located in yours and Daniel’s home town, you didn’t often get the opportunity to travel so far to go and see him race, but you were glad you could.

You threw your outfit on the bench, putting on your comfy pajamas before making a call for room service and scrolling through your phone.

You opened up Instagram and saw that Carmen, George’s partner, had posted a picture of you, Lily, Isa and Charlotte.

You liked it, reposting it to your story, before checking the comment to see what people were saying.

That was your big mistake.

You opened a comment section to people slagging you off, for every reason they could.

“Y/N looks like she pulled that outfit out of her cousin’s closest”

“Jesus she could try and make some effort with her hair and makeup.”

“What?” You said to yourself. It hadn’t come to your attention before that people online didn’t really like you.

“She’s such a slag, sucking off Daniel for his money”

-> “Pity she wouldn’t use Daniel’s money to dress herself up a bit.”

“Daniel deserves way better than her.”

That last comment stuck with you. Your friends had always told you not to believe what the comments said. But surely if they’re all saying the same thing, they must be right?

You scrolled through the other photos the paparazzi had captured of all the other wags. Looking through them, you came to understand how you believed you were a lower standard compared to them.

They had the newest handbags, shoes, clothes, makeup. They had people dressing them up for this and every event they attended. They didn’t even had to think twice before flashing their card in a designer shop.

You, on the other hand, had to go to a thrift shop to buy the dress you wore so you could still afford your rent and bills at the end of the month. You used the drugstore makeup you had been using for years, as getting it done by somebody would cost too much, and you’d have to cut back on buying groceries.

How could you ever expect yourself to compare to these angels who had everything they could ever want? Of course, if you had asked Daniel, he would have bought you a brand new Louis Vuitton dress with a Gucci clutch bag just for today, but you prided yourself on not having to rely on your boyfriend for money. Maybe you prided yourself a little too much.

Tears started to fall from your eyes and down your cheeks. You couldn’t help but think you were and embarrassment to Daniel. That he only kept with you because he felt bad for you and your sad little life.

You headed to the bathroom to take off your makeup, so you could cry without looking like a panda. You stared in the mirror for a little too long, starting to point out imperfections that nobody else saw but you.

You started to cry again.

You crawled into the hotel bed, pulling the covers up over your head, and wept. You wept and wept until you felt empty. And then you came to a realization.

You had to break up with Daniel. You had to let him find someone better than you. Someone prettier, someone richer, someone who wouldn’t put shame on his name.

You were too busy crying to hear the sound of your hotel room door opening and closing. The second Daniel saw you upset, he rushed to your side.

“My love. What’s wrong?”

He pulled the covers down from your face gently, revealing your reddened cheeks and puffy eyes. A look of worry washed over his face.

“What’s happened?” He asked, softly.

You wiped your eyes in your hoodie sleeves and started at the ceiling, not even having it in you to look at his big, brown, beautiful eyes right now.

“We- we need to break up.” You croaked out.

Daniel’s face dropped. “What? Y/N, what the hell are you talking about.”

You brought your hands up to your eyes and started to cry tears you thought you didn’t have left. Daniel softly stroked your cheek in an attempt to calm you down.

“There’s- there’s just comments I saw online and they say how bad I look compared to the other girls.” You rambled out, still not able to look at him.

“Oh, doll.” He whispered.

“And one comment said that you deserve someone way better than me, which you do. I’m too ugly and poor to be with someone as good as you.”

Your breathing started to increase a little as you started to panic. Daniel pulled you into his arms, cradling you, as he rubbed soft circles on your back.

“Oh Y/N. You can’t listen to those silly little comments. I’m the one that’s lucky to have you.” He said, into your ear.

“But-” You went to argue but Daniel cut you off.

“No, listen. Y/N, I’m the luckiest person in the world to have somebody like you. Somebody so kind, so pretty, so smart, so sweet, so dedicated. You’re the prettiest girl in the whole entire world. Nobody compared to you, my love.”

He softly took ahold of your hands, removing them from your face.

“Let me see my beautiful lady.”

You smiled up at him. You were so lucky to have somebody like him. He really was one of a kind.

“Y/N, I love you.” He said.

Your face lit up, he said them. He really said those three beautiful words for the first time. Just when you thought you couldn’t love him more, he proved you wrong.

“I love you too, Daniel.”

He pulled you into a proper hugs and you stayed there for what felt like forever. You didn’t care, as long as you had Daniel, you could stay with him forever.

[flowerandblood]

The Fall from the Heavens (23)

[ dark • Aemond x Strong • niece female ]

[ warnings: masturbation, sexual tension, smut, angst, manipulation, blackmailing and threats ]

[ description: A cool distance turns into friendship and more when two children see that they can find refuge and understanding in each other. However, naïve dreams collide with the reality in which every event has consequences and what once could have been love becomes a dark, newly painful obsession. Angst, sexual tension, obsession, violence, madness, very dark Aemond. ]

The story in this series is an alternate reality from the oneshot Stay and love, leave and die, in which Aemond reads the letters his niece has sent to him over the years. They are the same characters and it shows what would have happened between them − I have changed the background story from their childhood slightly for the sake of the plot.

Characters & Series Moodboard Lady Strong Moodboard Aemond & Lady Strong Moodboard

* English is not my first language. Please, do not repost. Enjoy! *

Next chapters: Masterlist

_____

Alys had always known that, like any bastard child, she could only rely on herself. Her existence was merely an unfortunate accident to her father and brothers, with which they nevertheless came to terms, and she, in their minds, should be grateful for being allowed to stay and serve in Harrenhal.

Indeed, she never considered herself to have been significantly harmed by fate.

Compared to women who had to sell their bodies for money in order to survive, her function as herbalist and wet nurse completely satisfied her.

Milk filled her breasts along with the baby that one of the guards had put inside her. When he pressed her against the wall and lifted her gown, panting that he had desired her for a long time she did not stand up to him, even helping him by bending over and spreading the folds of her womanhood before him so that he could more easily hit the right spot with the thick tip of his length.

This particular man never aroused her desire, however, he supervised her chambers, and since she allowed him to enjoy the pleasures of her body, he closed his eyes to when and where she went out, giving her more freedom.

His wife, however, was not comforted by the fact that her husband had a mistress.

She could not conclude that her husband was a good lover; his hands only clenched greedily on her firm breasts, his thrusts violent, fast and deep. She knew that as he chased his fulfilment hissing that he would fill her with his seed, it did not even cross his mind to touch her between her thighs or ask what would give her pleasure.

She did not, however, resent him.

She recognised that this was how men were.

Although she tried not to think about it, the sight of his wife, one of her father's servants, filled her with remorse, for although she knew that this woman did not love him, she humiliated her every time she took away what belonged to her.

She had nothing to justify it, but she knew that if she told him to stop she would arouse his anger and his behaviour towards her would change.

He might want to take revenge on her for rejecting him.

She couldn't allow this to happen.

What he didn't know was that he wasn't the only man she allowed to sink between her thighs for the benefit; it was easier and sometimes even more enjoyable than trying to bribe them with money, which she didn't have much of anyway. What she was able to do perfectly was to observe people from the sidelines − their reactions and desires, coming to her own conclusions about what they needed and wanted.

Usually these men wanted not only sensation and elation, but also reassurance, a warm word and understanding; they lay with their faces cuddled between her breasts, muttering for her to stroke their heads, and she did so, allowing them to turn from men into innocent children for a moment.

The women in the fortress began to whisper among themselves that the ease with which she seduced men and with which she maintained her beauty despite her age was due to the fact that she was a witch.

She smiled piteously as she strolled through the corridors of the fortress, overhearing their conversations from afar, hearing about the potions she gave to poor, unaware men so they could not forget her, that she bathed in milk and blood to keep her face young and bright.

She did not deny the accusations, because she derived satisfaction from the fact that they feared and avoided her.

Fear, however, also tended to provoke interest and curiosity, and the young, newly arrived servants who were just learning their trade could not tell what they thought of her.

When she needed a break from the men's sweat and their aggressive, deep thrusts she sought peace and solace in the arms of young girls, much more gentle and understanding when it came to the nature of female fulfilment, their sweet moans and surprised expressions as she caressed them made her feel a pleasant pulsation between her thighs.

Although the prospect of becoming a mother did not fill her with particular joy, when she woke up one morning, feeling a pool of wetness under her thighs and saw blood, the squeeze in her throat and the tears she felt under her eyelids were proof that some part of her hoped she could love this innocent creature that was growing inside her womb.

This did not happen, however, and she, not wanting to waste her milk, from which her breasts had already swollen, decided to feed the children whose mothers had too little nourishment.

She considered her life quite prosperous and peaceful until her father and half-brother died in a fire.

Until Larys became the Lord of Harrenhal.

Everyone, including her, feared him.

He was like a writhing viper, tightening slowly around the necks of those who aroused his suspicions, his gaze black and completely blank, as if he experienced nothing, felt nothing inside himself.

He could not be seduced, appeased, pleaded with, persuaded.

He was like a stone, merciless, cruel, taking satisfaction in domination and power.

She never got in his way.

One evening, however, he summoned her to his chamber, and she feared what he desired.

When she stepped inside he was sitting at the table, having just eaten his evening meal. He smiled slightly at her in a way that made her feel the cold sweat on her back; his eyes remained indifferent, glowing mischievously in the firelight.

"Sit down, sister. I wish to discuss something with you." He said softly, and she swallowed hard, keeping an indifferent, satisfied face, looking at him from under half-closed eyelids. She sat down opposite him in one of the chairs, spreading out comfortably in her seat, sighing quietly and nodded for him to speak.

"We will have guests of honour. Prince Aemond and his wife will be arriving here within two days to spend the night here and then head off the next morning to meet Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon." He said calmly, putting a few pieces of cake from the tray onto his plate, with a hand gesture he encouraged her to eat as well, but she shook her head, analysing his words quickly.

She had heard of them.

Prince Aemond had married and taken his niece's maidenhood on the same night he chose Maris Baratheon as his wife.

His brother the King, to save the situation, married them in the eyes of the Seven before an enraged Borros Baratheon could arrive in King's Landing demanding justice.

There would not have been all the commotion if Prince Aemond had taken her as his second wife, but he clearly only wished to have one, therefore, Maris was sent away with only a dowry and humiliation.

Her half-brother continued, seeing the lack of response on her part.

"I want you to host them well. Both of them, if you understand what I have in mind. Myself and his grandfather do not believe in the success of their mission. Like most of the kingdom we know how it will end: with a war. A war we wish to win. However, our Prince, if I may say so, does not think with his mind now, but rather with what he has between his thighs. He gives in to his wife and her persuasions to bring about a reconciliation. I know you are well acquainted with human nature and will surely win both her trust and his heart."

She chuckled under her breath, shaking her head in disbelief as she looked at her fingers, trying to hide the horror and squeeze in her stomach she felt.

He wanted to expose her, to put her head under the Prince's sword if it turned out that her attempts would only enrage him, and he could wash his hands of everything.

"In any case, in a few days' time the matter of the succession will resolve itself with the help of my birds in the Eyrie. They know what to do. Of course, I'll let our Prince believe that his decision matters, however, everything is already arranged. I hope this should settle the matter. With the help of the gods, the girl might try to take her own life for the second time. Let us raise our cups for that." He said lightly, as if indeed such a course of events would please him the most; she looked at him in disbelief, thinking that she had not even noticed when he had become such a disgusting creature.

A monster that, like a black, empty hole, was consuming everything around him, destroying it and crushing it.

She wasn't in a position to refuse, and he knew it.

That was why she walked out with him to greet their guests, thinking she would simply do what he ordered her to do.

She blinked as the figure of a petite, pretty girl jumped down from the shimmering blue and silver dragon, her long, dark hair of a shade similar to hers tied into a braid, its unruly strands dishevelled by the long journey through the skies.

She stepped out in front of them, breathing heavily, her eyes big, full of curiosity and uncertainty, her gaze warm, kind, her cheeks all flushed from exertion. She stopped in front of them and forced herself into an innocent, almost childlike smile, from which she felt a squeeze in her gut.

Gods, have mercy.

"My Lady. What a joy." Said her brother. The girl blinked, not knowing for a moment what to answer, shifting from foot to foot.

"My Lord Strong. Thank you for being willing to host us." She muttered at last, clearly tense − her was voice pleasant, melodious, soft, the kind that gives comfort with ease, brings peace of mind.

They all turned their faces towards the approaching figure as they heard his footsteps; Prince Aemond in his long black leather coat and black eye patch indeed looked like someone menacing, commanding, as powerful as the great dragon he was riding.

What immediately caught her attention was that as his gaze traveled over their faces he stopped at his wife, assessing her figure from afar as if quickly examining whether she had suffered any damage after such a long journey and whether she was well.

He must have evidently concluded that she was, for his gaze turned after a moment towards her brother.

"Lord Strong. Take us to our quarters."

The Prince and her brother moved first, followed by his wife, looking around the interior of their fortress with genuine curiosity, not even listening to what her brother was saying.

She didn't even notice that her uncle was glancing at her out of the corner of his eye, checking that she was near and in no danger.

She thought he would sooner stab her in the heart than take her to his bed.

Her brother opened the door of the chamber that had been prepared for him, the largest in the entire fortress, not coincidentally located close to hers. The Prince, however, did not look impressed; his lips pressed into a thin line in disapproval when he heard that Lord Strong had assigned his wife other quarters.

"No need. My wife will spend the night in my chamber." He said coolly, as if the very suggestion was offensive and insulting to him.

He had kept her with him the whole time, she thought in disbelief, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the girl standing next to her.

She stood, gazing at her uncle as if she were looking at a statue of one of the gods; her bright, shining eyes large and filled with affection, devotion, longing, even though, after all, he was standing in front of her, at her fingertips.

She realised, swallowing quietly, that he had not taken her by force the night he married her or any night after.

How long had they looked at each other like this?

"As you wish, my Prince. However, I will leave the rooms I spoke of at your wife's disposal for her own convenience. I have also assigned her a servant to ensure that while we men are conversing, she will have company. There are several matters I would like to discuss with you." Her brother replied.

Prince Aemond then looked at his niece with a gaze as if he was about to explode − his wife pressed her lips into a thin line, immediately understanding what the expression on his face was meant to convey to her, her look of understanding and sigh was meant to add to his patience.

His gaze softened and after a moment he nodded, letting her go.

The girl looked at her, so she smiled quickly and pointed with her hand the way they should go to her quarters. Before moving behind her she looked at her husband, the Prince leading her away with a cold, sharp gaze.

Overwhelmed by this revelation, no longer knowing herself what she thought of it or what she should do in such a situation, she simply followed her into the room, closing the door behind her. She watched quietly as the prince's wife walked to the window, placing her hand on the glass, and smiled slightly, noticing something outside.

Had she been like this all the time?

"Do you desire to change into something…more comfortable, My Lady?" She asked finally, recognising that she needed to start any light conversation, to try and understand who was standing in front of her.

The girl shuddered and blinked, as if forgetting her presence for a moment, turning to face her. She nodded, forcing herself to smile, unsure and embarrassed, playing with the fingers of her hands in a nervous reflex.

"Yes. What do they call you?" She asked lightly and kindly, willingly shortening the distance between them, which surprised her.

Usually women of her ilk took satisfaction in calling her Lady Rivers, reminding her every time that she was a bastard.

But she, even if she was married to the Prince, was also one.

She was her relative, her brother's daughter.

She swallowed hard at that thought, feeling a squeeze in her throat.

"Alys, my Lady."

She lowered her gaze, as if pondering something for a moment, and then her bright eyes looked at her again.

She thought with pain that she was like a small flower, a daisy or a forget-me-not, which one picked to weave into one's hair, to feel as innocent as a little child again.

"I would not wish to… misunderstand who you are and what you have in common with Lord Strong, Alys." She muttered with some sort of embarrassment, from which she involuntarily burst out laughing.

Good gods.

"I am not his mistress. I am his relative, though I do not bear his name, as any bastard would." She said softly, amused; her gaze shifted, her brow furrowed in concern and curiosity.

She knew what she was going to ask her, she could feel it in her bones.

"Did you know my father?"

She named him as her father even though she was officially Laenor Velaryon's daughter.

She admitted to her that she too was a bastard without a grimace of embarrassment.

"Yes, my Lady."

Her whole body tensed, her hands clenched into fists.

"His death wasn't an unfortunate ordeal, was it?" She asked in a trembling voice, and her lips involuntarily lifted in a dangerous smirk at the thought that her directness was surprising her.

Was this how she spoke to her husband?

Was this how she forced her way into his heart?

"There are no such thing as unfortunate ordeals, my Lady."

A silence fell between them filled with the weight of their words and what they meant; she licked her lips involuntarily, feeling that she was incapable of denying herself the pleasure of having to see her reaction to her words.

To see if she was right.

"After the word has reached us here all the way from King's Landing, I have been looking forward to our meeting with impatience, and while I will admit that it is not what I expected, I am beginning to understand your husband's desperation." She said with amusement, feeling a tingle in her fingertips and in her lower abdomen at the sight of her flushed cheeks.

"What do you mean?" She mumbled quietly, embarrassed; however, it was not shame feigned and exalted, but more an expression of genuine surprise and excitement at her words.

"Men are easily driven to desperation, though it usually takes time. They like to gain and take pride in what they have conquered; the greater, in their mind, the value of what they enclose in their embrace, the less they are willing to let it go." She said calmly, turning her head away, immersed in her own thoughts.

"Your husband follows you with his thoughts even when he is not looking at you. His head, even when he is not speaking to you, is directed towards you so that he can see you out of the corner of his eye. When he feels discomfort, he involuntarily seeks your face to experience understanding and comfort."

She looked at her, wanting to see her reaction, and sighed almost imperceptibly, feeling heat in her lower abdomen at the sight of her parted, plump lips, her dreamy, hot gaze.

She knew that she had felt something at her words, that it had taken deep root in her heart and made her return with her thoughts to her husband.

Was this how she had looked at him when he made love to her?

She could not imagine that he could take her maidenhood brutally and cruelly, that he would allow her to cry beneath him in pain.

No, she thought − he surely took her with slow, lazy thrusts of his hips, letting her get used to his shape deep inside her, assuring her in a whisper that just a little more.

She felt a strong throbbing and tickling between her thighs at that thought and licked her lips, looking up at her again − her gaze lowered meekly to the stone floor, a soft, thoughtful smile on her face.

She decided on second thought, helping her change into one of her gowns, touching her soft skin, smelling the wonderful scent of vanilla in her nostrils, that she would braid the most elaborate hairstyle she could think of on her head, just so she wouldn't have to leave her chamber before supper.

She knew that her half-brother expected her to then take the opportunity to venture into the Prince's chambers to make sure he was not missing anything.

Therefore, she began to braid her soft, long, dark hair, creating a beautiful, complicated hairstyle surrounding her head.

She escorted her to the proper quarters and bowed, Larys gave her one impatient look.

She felt a cold sweat on her back, leaving immediately.

He was not pleased.

She thanked the gods that the Prince's wife had summoned her herself, wishing her help with her bath, giving her another reason not to head to her husband's chambers.

She thought that if she went on like this perhaps the situation would work out in such a way that she simply wouldn't have the opportunity to do anything, though even if she did she wasn't sure Larys would believe her.

As she walked into her chamber she saw that she herself was trying to untie her bodice, so she approached her, undoing the tangles with ease, looking at her face with curiosity.

"Was the Prince pleased with his wife's appearance, my Lady?" She asked softly, noticing from the corner of her eye that the girl had lowered her gaze, ashamed and saddened.

"Yes. Though he expressed his opinion that he prefers it when my hair is loose." She said with resignation, and she couldn't stop the smile that appeared on her face.

Of course, she thought.

The sight of her loose hair reminded him fondly of how it had been spread in disarray around her head, shining in the darkness of his chamber as he fucked her greedily.

"Oh, that's understandable. He surely associates it with your intimacy and closeness, as any man would. The entwined curls and braids are for those around you, meanwhile the softness of your hair, the smell of them, the sight of them spread on the bed is something meant only for him." She replied lightly, for some reason wanting to lift her spirits and comfort her; she heard her move in place, the sweet blush appearing on her cheeks again.

She was embarrassed, she thought with disbelief and tenderness, as if she were looking at a small child.

She was so innocent.

Was that what attracted him to her?

The idea that he was surrounding her with himself like a dark cloak, devouring her again and again?

"You know a lot about men…don't you?" She heard her uncertain, curious voice; she looked at her in the reflection of the mirror, noticing that she immediately lowered her gaze, as if she could not bear the intensity with which he was looking at her.

"Yes, my Lady."

"Have you seduced many yet?" She asked intrigued, and she smiled again involuntarily.

"Yes."

When her gown finally fell to the floor she saw her girlish, pleasing curves peeking through from under her nightgown. She watched as, with a light, confident step, she walked over to the bath and bore herself into the hot water, tilting her head back, sighing in relief, her head still adorned with the braids she had woven herself.

Such a pretty little thing.

"I would like to … make my husband happy tonight. I know he needs relief from what's about to happen tomorrow. However, I can't do it, at least for now, in the way I usually do." She mumbled out at last, looking at her with those big, warm eyes of hers, seeing in her apparently her guide, someone who could help her with these complicated and intimate matters.

She felt a pleasant squeeze in her lower abdomen at the idea that popped into her head.

"The easiest thing to do in that case would be for you to use your mouth." She replied amused, drawing out of her exactly the reaction she wanted − her cheeks turned scarlet, her gaze fled downwards, her tiny long fingers clenched into small fists.

She was wonderfully embarrassed, so sweet that he would have gladly shown her everything, step by step.

"I'm…inexperienced in these matters." She confessed with shame, and she involuntarily licked her lower lip with her tongue, feeling the throbbing between her thighs at her words, her nipples hardening under the material of her gown.

Gods.

"I see." She muttered, feeling her heart begin to pound like mad as she moved slowly towards her, her surprised gaze lifting to her as she knelt right next to her tub, cupping her wrist in her hand.

Her skin was as soft as silk.

Her gaze escaped involuntarily to her breasts, now perfectly visible through the wet material of her shirt clinging to her bare flesh; she felt a tickle in her swollen lips at the thought that she longed to lick and caress them.

She was sure that as he teased and sucked her nipples she moaned sweetly beneath him, begging for more, and he always, always gave in to her.

Because how could he refuse her?

"I can show you how you should do it, if that's what you wish, my Lady."

She saw her pupils dilate in disbelief, her lips parted as she swallowed hard, her chest beginning to rise and fall in accelerated breaths.

"…How?"

She couldn't stop the smirk that appeared on her lips, nor what she did next.

She heard her sigh quietly, surprised and thrilled when her lips ran over her pointing finger, enveloping her skin with her hot breath.

"Imagine that this is his manhood. Men don't say it out loud because pride won't let them, but they adore it when a woman shows them with gentle, tender caresses." She whispered, running her swollen lips up and down her finger leaving a sticky, warm trail of her saliva on it, surprised at how wet it made her between her thighs, how wonderfully arousing it was, how obscene it was.

She heard her draw in a deep breath without moving away, but as she guided the tip of her finger between her lips, teasing and licking it lightly with her tongue, out of the corner of her eye she noticed that her thighs clenched in some helpless, subconscious reflex.

What other reactions could she draw from her?

"− and then − when he begins breathing faster − when you feel he's completely ready −" She sighed quietly as she suddenly slipped her whole finger deep into her mouth, feeling her swollen folds pulsate hard again and again as she began to suck it in slow, steady movements with the quiet click of her saliva.

She heard her gasp on the verge of a moan as her tongue began to trail over her skin with her low murmur of satisfaction, her free hand involuntarily sliding down to the material of her gown, wanting to slip under it and bring herself to fulfilment with her own touch.

She slipped her finger out of her mouth with a loud plop and looked up at her − her face all flushed, her gaze dreamy, hesitant and warm, as if she herself didn't know what she felt or why.

Something in her gaze made a pleasurable heat spill over her lower abdomen as she dug her own fingers into her fleshy folds, all sticky with her moisture, pulsing aggressively with her every stroke in pleasure.

"− you pretty little thing − it’s usually him taking care of you, isn’t it? − he can’t deny himself − I can’t blame him −" She whispered, trying not to move her hips so that she wouldn't notice anything; she lost the battle with herself as she felt herself getting closer and closer to fulfilment, pushing against her own slit with the tips of her fingers.

Unfortunately, it turned out that her husband was more vigilant than she thought.

When he burst into his wife's chamber she barely had time to remove her hand from under her own skirt and let go of her, standing quickly and bowing before him.

"My Prince."

"− get out −" He growled, and she walked out obediently, grateful in spirit to the gods that he hadn't stopped her to question her, that he hadn't noticed the glistening wetness on her fingers.

Or he saw it and it infuriated him, she thought with amusement, feeling her heart pounding like a mad in her chest.

She finished what she had started in her chamber, bringing herself to fulfilment with sure, swift strokes of her fingers, driving their tips into her sensitive, fleshy womanhood, able now to afford to moan and rock her hips, imagining her body peeking through from under her wet nightgown.

She imagined that she knelt before him to lunge and soothe him, that she barely fit his fat cock in her small mouth, all swollen from the desire she had always aroused in him, that this proud, dark, cold man whimpered before her like a small, innocent boy when he finally gave in, thrusting again and again deep into her warm throat.

She came with a low moan of relief, panting heavily, hugging her face into the pillow, rocking her hips for a while longer, slowly coming down from her peak.

She was sure that as she lay half asleep, feeling a blissful, pleasant peace, she heard their moans in the distance and grinned involuntarily.

Of course he forgave her.

He always did.

She often had dreams whose meaning she did not understand; she saw people she had never met before, observing events that might as well have happened in the future or in the past. That night, however, her dream particularly troubled and worried her, as she had no idea what it actually meant.

Two streams of blood finally merging into one, flowing like a river, which then, however, became a lake that reminded her of a dragon's head in a crown, only to spill over after a while, and she saw nothing but red.

Was this what was about to happen?

Would Princess Rheanyra and Prince Daemon be murdered and another dragon's reign begin upon their blood?

She swallowed hard, thinking of that young, cheerful girl, of how obvious it was that she was not aware of anything, that whatever her uncle-husband knew, he had not shared it with her.

She thought that if he betrayed her, she would wilt like a flower, fade like the sun in a setting sky.

She stood up and headed for his chamber.

His gaze expressed nothing less than disgust and rage at the sight of her. He reached for his tunic, dressing it hurriedly, tense and pale, knowing full well what was to happen if the negotiations did not bring the results he hoped for.

She wondered if he realised that even if he didn't give the order, they would be murdered anyway.

"You will betray her." She said indifferently, and he threw her a quick, horrified look, his nostrils quivering in disbelief.

He knew perfectly well what she was referring to.

She thought that sometimes all it took was a gentle push, putting a mirror in front of someone's face to make them think carefully again about whether they were ready for the consequences of their choices.

"You will betray her at the moment she trusts you the most. You will break her. You will achieve victory, but she will never let you touch herself again. You will come back here to face your nephew and you will take me, because you will decide that I am similar to her enough to satisfy your pain and longing. You will put your child inside me, your bastard son, who will rule Harrenhal after our death."

She said and grinned, seeing that he shuddered all over, that his mask had cracked, his lips parted as if he wanted to groan in despair.

She knew he saw it in his mind, felt it in his heart, and she left his chamber without a word.

She let out a loud breath as she walked down the empty corridor, thinking with some kind of hope that her words, the vision she had invented to break him would terrify him enough to make him fall to his knees before his wife and confess everything he knew.

And if he doesn't, if in fact he betrays her, it will prove that he was never worthy of her.

She had come to her summons when she wished to clothe herself; she saw, crossing the threshold of her quarters, that she too was frightened and anxious, only for completely different reasons.

She wished for them to come to an understanding.

She believed it was possible.

She felt a squeeze in her throat at the thought, at the realisation that she was alone in a world where everyone but her craved war, craved power, craved the throne.

She did not look at her face, at the clear command of her husband not allowing herself any closer proximity to her, which she accepted with understanding.

After she had fastened the buckles of her leather coat, however, she allowed herself to take her soft hand in her own, stroking it with her thumb.

She hesitated and furrowed her brow, but before she could move away, she began to speak, forcing herself to whisper, fearing that her brother's servants might have heard her.

"Do not return here. Fly from the Eyrie straight to King's Landing. I saw in my dream a river of blood taking the shape of a dragon's head wearing a crown. I saw red flooding everything around me." She said quickly, feeling a squeeze in her throat.

She thought in disbelief that she pitied this girl.

"This warning, these words, are my gift to you. Look after yourself. Trust no one."

[greekmythcomix]

How I teach the Iliad in highschool:

I’ve taught the Iliad for over a decade, I’m literally a teacher, and I can even spell ‘Iliad’, and yet my first instinct when reading someone’s opinions about it is not to drop a comment explaining what it is, who ‘wrote’ it, and what that person’s intention truly was.

Agh. <the state of Twitter>

The first thing I do when I am teaching the Iliad is talk about what we know, what we think we know, and what we don’t know about Homer:

We know -

- 0

We think we know -

- the name Homer is a person, possibly male, possibly blind, possibly from Ionia, c.8th/9th C BCE.

- composed the Iliad and Odyssey and Hymns

We don’t know -

- if ‘Homer’ was a real person or a word meaning singer/teller of these stories

- which poem came first

- whether the more historical-sounding events of these stories actually happened, though there is evidence for a similar, much shorter, siege at Troy.

And then I get out a timeline, with suggested dates for the ‘Trojan war’ and Iliad and Odyssey’s estimated composition date and point out the 500ish years between those dates. And then I ask my class to name an event that happened 500 years ago.

They normally can’t or they say ‘Camelot’, because my students are 13-15yo and I’ve sprung this on them. Then I point out the Spanish Armada and Qu. Elizabeth I and Shakespeare were around then. And then I ask how they know about these things, and we talk about historical record.

And how if you don’t have historical record to know the past, you’re relying on shared memory, and how that’s communicated through oral tradition, and how oral tradition can serve a second purpose of entertainment, and how entertainment needs exciting characteristics.

And we list the features of the epic poems of the Iliad and Odyssey: gods, monsters, heroes, massive wars, duels to the death, detailed descriptions of what armour everyone is wearing as they put it on. (Kind of like a Marvel movie in fact.)

And then we look at how long the poems are and think about how they might have been communicated: over several days, when people would have had time to listen, so at a long festival perhaps, when they’re not working. As a diversion.

And then I tell them my old and possibly a bit tortured simile of ‘The Pearl of Myth’:

(Here’s a video of The Pearl of Myth with me talking it through in a calming voice: https://youtu.be/YEqFIibMEyo?sub_confirmation=1

And after all that, I hand a student at the front a secret sentence written on a piece of paper, and ask them to whisper it to the person next to them, and for that person to whisper it to the next, and so on. You’ve all played that game.

And of course the sentence is always rather different at the end than it was at the start, especially if it had Proper nouns in it (which tend to come out mangled). And someone’s often purposely changed it, ‘to be funny’.

And we talk about how this is a very loose metaphor for how stories and memory can change over time, and even historical record if it’s not copied correctly (I used to sidebar them about how and why Boudicca used to be known as ‘Boadicea’ but they just know the former now, because Horrible Histories exists and is awesome)

And after all that, I remind them that what we’re about to read has been translated from Ancient Greek, which was not exactly the language it was first written down in, and now we’re reading it in English.

And that’s how my teenaged students know NOT TO TAKE THE ILIAD AS FACT.

(And then we read the Iliad)

[rayroseu]

Now that I think about it, maybe the reason why Malleus' Magic is so powerful, because before he was born he was copiously sustained with powerful magicians like Meleanor, Maleficia, and Lilia.

The egg is born through love but only through magic can that egg finally hatch (that's where Lilia exhausted his magic). Maybe a fae's power is determined to how much magic can their parents "exhaust" in making them born(?).

So, essentially, His magic consists of the magic of powerful mages.

1) Meleanor (as his biological mother),

2) Maleficia (her magic was life support while he was incubated),

and 3) Lilia (who hatched him).

So when we fight Malleus, we are not just simply fighting "Malleus" himself, but rather a lethal culmination of Meleanor, Maleficia, and Lilia's raw power.

That's why it feels so impossible to defeat him because we're essentially fighting three powerful magicians at once, it's just in the form of "Malleus Draconia."

All these magicians have high-profile powerful magic, and all of them are faes too. I often assumed that Malleus was rich in magic because he's a Draconia but no, Meleanor used her full magical strength as well but the story didn't showcase her casting some world altering magic like stopping time and encasing human souls inside a magical barrier— Only Malleus did...

Maybe there's really no person who can defeat him as STYX theorizes... Not even Maleficia. While its true she's powerful, but based on this interpretation, she can fight Malleus, but fighting Malleus is also the same as fighting her magic, mixed with Meleanor's and Lilia's (and Levan's even though we don't know how powerful he is).

Levan is Malleus' father but so far the story doesn't imply nor mention any significant magical contribution he did to Malleus. The only thing mentioned in the story about Levan's influence was that Malleus is a kind/gentle person because of him.

I like to interpret he's powerful too! So maybe, its not just Meleanor, Maleficia, Lilia, but also Levan.... if he got the chance to bless Eggmalleus some magic before he lost. So its actually FIVE HIGH CLASS MAGICIANS were fighting against if we fight Malleus ☠️☠️ That's why he's truly "god-like".

I really like the fact that Malleus is undefeatable even by raw power or raw cleverness (like using technology). I know that's still going to be a big part, but its more intriguing for me to how TWST will handle stopping Malleus without obvious offense.

They'll only need to rely on one thing that humans are really great of practicing (more than faes): communication. Maybe the solution may be as simple as talking to Malleus that he needs to stop lol Because really, at this point, thats the most staple choice we have, anything else takes too much time💔😔

Not in the accusing way, but in a kind and understanding way. But, I know that's unlikely to happen knowing how "cringed" NRC is towards displaying kindness (which is often their downfall lol). But remember, the resolution at the fairy gala event? Where everyone was antagonizing the Diurnal Fairies, assuming they'll be stubborn and that they're thieves so they should take the stone without asking them, but then it turns out once they got caught and Silver talked with them apologetically and with understandingly, the Queen understood it and let the stone go...

Maybe Malleus would act like that Queen too?? After all, no one still talks with him about how "indeed, it is painful to suffer and lost, but there's merit in their existence, so we don't need to cut them out of our lives, because even those painful experiences helps us achieve our true dreams." or just a simple "You won't be alone even if Lilia passes away. I'm sure Lilia will be more happy to live his life and live it longer because he'll be remembered by Malleus even if he's just a memory now." or maybe a blunt "The world doesn't revolve around anyone, so Malleus has no rights to dictate how we should live our lives" lol

I feel like Malleus is just a person who never really thinks about other interpretations unless its been said to him... That's why I'm wishing that Book 7 resolves his overblot by not fully painting him as a "catastrophic dark fae" (like what the humans viewed Meleanor), like there'll be a balance between depicting him as a villain but also as a flawed person.

But yes I do agree that the biggest hurdle in defeating Malleus, may not just be his overpowered magic, but also his defiance in believing that he can understand humanity and humanity will understand him 😭😭

[project-sekai-facts]

Hey I've been wondering, could you explain Akito and his death symbolism? It's been constantly mentioned or implied in his recent focus songs and VBS covers (getting lines about "death" or "dying" and the likes)

It's just because the fandom is using that to mischaracterize him as an overly depressed and suicidal guy (another Mafuyu copy; pls save him and Tsukasa) and I just don't think that's what the writers mean to say and the point of his whole character!!!

(prefacing this: I'm aware there was a thread about this going round twitter a while ago, I haven't read it specifically because of this ask and if anything is the same that wasn't intentional and I apologise)

A large part of Akito's character arc is his difficulty with improvement and his sheer determination and passion that goes alongside it. He had always viewed his lack of natural talent and unrefined skills as something that made him inferior, which only led to him pushing himself to his extremes, and trying to face things independently and head-on. This is something that's touched on heavily in the STRAY BAD DOG event, where we get to see him learn to rely on his teammates more and realise that he isn't alone. Find A Way Out continues his arc of personal development, with him realising he's actually not so different to the people he looks up to, and finally learning to accept and feel confident with his improvement instead of just pushing forward almost desperately. It's that idea of him finally realising that he won't always be a step behind everyone else and good things are actually coming with his hard work.

Building off that idea, it's like a sort of rebirth. And that's where the links to Kashika come in. Kashika is a song about death and longing which gets horribly misinterpreted and has led people to believe Akito is suicidal which is simply untrue. The thing that's dying in this context is Akito's old self. The child who had no talent and was falling so far behind everyone. The child who worked so, so, so hard to be perfect is dying. And that sounds like a negative thing but it's really not. It's a metaphor for Akito reflecting on himself and moving on from the past and breaking new ground.

The 2DMV adds another layer to this with its marigolds, which not only symbolise death, but also can symbolise a renewal. And in this case, renewal refers to Akito's growth following the events of FAWO. He finally faced up to his past mistakes and overcame them, but even then he won't let himself feel relief. It's only with the help of Taiga's story about Ken that he's finally able to be more satisfied with himself and how far he's managed to come. He's finally able to break out from that belief that he's forever going to be stuck behind, and he's able to have faith in himself. Realising that Ken was just like him and managed to get to such a high level of skill and be so respected by those around him finally lets Akito believe that he too can reach that same light.

The butterflies in the background again symbolise renewal or transformation. It's not about death as per se, it's about change. Change and growth and transformation are recurring themes in prsk's character writing, and Akito is no exception. While on a surface level, Kashika is about death, if you put it next to the story, it's about regeneration. Akito is moving forward and leaving the old him behind, he says as much in the FAWO story.

If you actually read the lyrics to Kashika, it's genuinely kinda shocking to me how much people misinterpret its connection to Akito as a character. Like I get the song talks about death a lot and wanting to die, but particularly in these extracts you can see some of the key points of the FAWO event - Akito's determination, passion and self-acceptance. It's a song about Akito growing up, physically and emotionally, and saying goodbye to his past self.

Now as anon pointed out, the marigolds previously appeared in his card from Light Up The Fire. And while in the case of this event, it was most likely drawn to connect with the story surrounding Nagi's death, but it's worth mentioning that every character had their own flower, so the marigolds are specific to him.

As I mentioned in today's fact, aside from being associated with death, grief, and mourning, marigolds can also have positive connotations of optimism and passion based on their warm and vibrant colors. One of the key elements of LUTF was despair and grief, shown through more ways than one. Whilst the truth of Nagi's death came as a shock to the VBS and the others, the following battle with Taiga crushed their hope to the point that everyone except VBS gave up. VBS decides to keep trying for Nagi, and again there's that idea of a renewal. They know the truth now, and are going to come back and get better. Now while this is more general about VBS, the marigolds are still specific to Akito, considering how he's always been the most determined one who has taught himself that the only way he can succeed is through sheer perseverance. Whilst it applies to all of VBS in this instance, it applies even moreso to him.

Also it leads very nicely into his fes card story, which follows after the events of LUTF from his point of view. Something notable about his fragment sekai is that it's a completely barren wasteland. It's dead. And to top it all off, he gets amnesia. However the whole point of his sekai is to remind him of his determination, remind him that he has never once given up on this dream, how he's fought and fought to hold onto it and shouldn't let what happened with Taiga and the truth behind RW strike him down. Despite the area being dead and barren, and despite the fact he can't even remember who he is at all, he still pushes forwards and keeps walking through the dangerous environment because he knows he can't just sit around, he knows he has to do something. He knows it's not a choice, it's a necessity for him to persevere, even if he can't remember why. In the end he does remember, and finds a single flower that is managing to flourish despite the harsh conditions, and he even compares himself to it because truthfully they're one in the same. Even in a hopeless situation, Akito manages to pull through. In a metaphorical sense, he can't truly die, he still finds a way to thrive even if the world is against him. His determination truly is the core of his character.

And that leads us nicely to BURN MY SOUL, which I would consider to be the end of his first character arc. Despite having learnt a lesson about his true strength and potential in FAWO, he still hasn't reached that full potential, and he still believes that he needs to keep pushing and keep working. Through Ken's advice, he's able to realise that he's been so focused on perfection that he's bottling up all the passion inside of him. Because he's so passionate about music and it's this passion that fuels his resolve that is ultimately his core, his soul. And especially after everything that's happened, the fact that there's still a lingering sense of despair after the incident with Taiga, he needs to truly let that passion burn and realise that his true potential has been inside of him all along. His role as assigned by Ken is to light up a fire amongst the people again, so he let's the fire within him burn freely for the first time, and it works exactly as needed and is able to rekindle hope throughout the town and in one of his teammates.

Back to that idea about how metaphorically Akito cannot die, I really like the symbolism of fire within VBS and Akito in particular because it's framed in such a way that the fire lit by RW is a flame that can't burn out. Even with things such as CRaZY's "I'm so ready to die" and the "I'm going to pry it open like I'm going to die" voiceline that plays when you pull his WL card, it's not meant in such a way that he wants to die, but in a way that he's going to put his all into it as if it is the last thing he'll ever do. Akito doesn't want to die, he wants to live to see things through to the end. He's too determined to let anything snuff out his flame, and even then that makes me think of the original usage of snuffing out a flame, which was actually to trim the wick so the flame could burn brighter. If you care enough about that dumb candle analogy, you could say that Taiga/the events of LUTF tried to extinguish Akito's flame, only for him to come back from the dead (and quite literally considering the wasteland in his fes card), and now he's only burning brighter and stronger.

Akito's death symbolism isn't a negative thing. Akito isn't someone who wants to die, he's too determined to die. No matter how much the universe tells him to give up he'll never stop pushing and never stop breaking down the walls around him until he sees his dreams through. All his death symbolism is equally tied to the idea of rebirth or even just living. Kashika is about him leaving his past behind and moving forward, his fes card is about his passion counteracting despair, and Burn my soul/CRaZY/Break down the wall are all about him being so fired up that he's going to act as if it's his final day. He's learning to be satisfied with his life and where he is. He's ready to live and to say he wants to die is a great injustice to his character arc.

[multireese]

Yandere Roommate x male reader

Your new roommate seems nice enough but a string of unfortunate events lead you to rely on him financially. (WARNINGS: financial abuse, dubcon, sex mention obviously

Yandere!Roommate who drops you off and picks you up from work since your car was in the shop due to mysterious damage. Youv’e tried to report the vandalism to the police but they are not of any help. This is fine because your roommate doesn’t have a 9 to 5 so he will drive you everywhere.

Yandere!Roommate is bothered when you try to leave the apartment alone without telling him. He will drop everything to walk with you to grab a coffee or to a convenience store, even to meet up with friends. He likes to know who you're with and make sure there’s no competition. 

Yandere!Roommate is an only fans creator. This man is built like a Greek statue and is always wearing sexy cosplay and outfits. He walks around the apartment in the hottest underwear you have to force yourself not to stare. Your roommate asks you to oil him up and give your opinion before he films. He is adamant it's purely business so you help.

Yandere!Roommate offered you an opportunity when you were laid off at your job. You can wear a mask and not show your face if he can fuck you in some of his videos. He explains that it's just a business agreement but more importantly the money was too much to say no too.

Yandere!Roommate fucks you for your first time ever on camera. He played a nurse and you were the patient. After loosening your tight hole with his tongue and fingers for almost an eternity you were still not prepared for his big dick to stretch your hole the way it did. He talked you through the process which lined up with his character. The video got the most views to his page. 

Yandere!Roommate thought he would be proud to show you off but the disgusting comments about your beautiful body actually angered him. He was fine with strangers sexualizing him but you were his and his alone. No matter how hard his fans begged they would only get that one video of you. This did not stop your roommate from filming more content with you and paying you out of his own pocket. The difference being these videos were for him alone.

Yandere!Roommate convinced you to sleep in his bed together at night to create a more natural chemistry for your videos. This usually led to off camera sex which you had realized you liked a lot more than you wanted to admit. The two of you agreed it was just practice for videos but you both craved each other’s bodies. His constant praise and amazing sex made it easy to fall for him

Yandere!Roommate you were too shy to look at the posts and see what people would say but after you were more comfortable you got curious. Scrolling through his promotional page there was no sign of your body. Only that one original video. When confronted, your roommate was honest.

Yandere!Roommate was probably too honest in admitting he fell in love with you and the subsequent damage to your car, firing at your job, and tricking you into becoming a pro at riding his cock. You weren’t dickmatized enough to not realize what he did was crazy. 

Yandere!Roommate wasn’t going to just let you walk out of his life. He had ruined your career and you needed the money. “Do you really think someone else would provide you with a better life?” He directed your attention to the Richard Mille diamond watch on your wrist, then stroked your ear adorning the diamond stud you were wearing. “Will anybody fuck you like I do? You can have a good life with me or nothing at all. I promise I won’t let anyone else have you and live to tell about it.”

did this in 20 minutes let me know if you want a part 2 or expand story with this guy

[ozzgin]

Hi it’s me again 😁. I wanted to try to request something but it’s very specific so if you don’t like the idea or just don’t have the time you can just put it aside 😅.

It’s another female predator story but in this one reader is a preator that was born black with white markings which is seen as a bad omen ( i don’t think it’s real in the Yautja culture but let’s just role with it ). Reader was abandoned by her family and was found by a family of thanator ( you know those fierce alien panther from avatar ) so she was a savage and knew how to hunt without any tools from a young age. Her grandmother, a strong and important matriarch, found her and took her back to their planet. But reader doesn’t really have contact with her kind except for her grandmother and her thanators and she hunts alone a lot of dangerous enemies ( like xenoporph queens ).

I’m totally making the even up but let’s imagine it’s mating season and there is a huge a tournament to help yautjas find a good partner. Like wrestling, shooting or small combat matches… It’s time for the females to compete, reader is participating cause her grandma asked her ( she wants grandpups 😂 ) and is wrecking the events and catches the interest of many males. Especialy after the one on one fight where she would use a lot of her natural features and thanator fighting style ( we don’t really see them using there claws, feet or teeth a lot and it’s disapointing cause those are mass murder weapons). The males are enamoured and quickly process to begin the courting but reader doesn’t really know how to act with males and she never really paid it much attention before cause she’s usually hunting or founding and taking care of new alien pets companions. I bet the males are amazed with this unique and strong ( and kind of inexperienced 😏 ) female yautja.

Thanks for reading this ( long ass fuck to be honest 😂😅) resquest and i hope everything is alright for you, 😘 bye.

You'll have to excuse potentially wrong assumptions as I haven't watched Avatar and have no idea what it is about 🥲 buut otherwise I just detailed around your ideas, they’re pretty solid and I didn’t want to tamper with them more than necessary

Predator Headcanons: Predator Reader in Tournament

Featuring a Yautja female with an unusual background.

Everything happened so suddenly. Your peaceful like among your family, uprooted within seconds. One particular day and out of nowhere, a bizarre vessel hovered over Pandora's forests, alerting everyone in its vicinity. The intruders that teleported down caused even greater confusion: they looked just like you. Yet you couldn't understand their odd clicks and guttural noises, nor did you trust the intricate holograms and machinery pointed in your direction.

After what felt like an eternity - and with the help of a translator - the uninvited guests announced their purpose: to retrieve you and bring you back to Yautja Prime. Nonsense, you thought at the time. There's no "back" when your home has always been on this Planet. Despite your protests, you'd quickly learned that your hunting expertise was no proper defense against their foreign technology and so you begrudgingly accepted the proposal.

The first few months were, plainly put, depressing. The matriarch - you'd soon learn she is your remaining family - insisted on keeping your integration a secret at first. Many factors were still unknown to them: would you be able to learn their language after so many years? What about defending yourself against other Predators? Yautja communities are ruthless and unforgiving, and the matriarch could not risk killing off her only successor.

Thankfully you proved yourself efficient enough with your skills. Growing up in the forest has honed your senses, perhaps to an even greater degree when compared to a Predator who relies on modern weaponry. Impressed with the outcome, your grandmother decides to register you for the Grand Tournament. What better way to reveal the return of her long-lost suckling? You don't know what it entails, but the time spent hunting xenomorphs has gotten quite monotonous. You'd take any challenge to entertain you.

The gate opens and you step inside the ring without hesitation. There's a moment of silence, followed by suspicious murmurs from a confused audience. Unbeknownst to you, the patterns you're donning are not only a rare occurrence among the Yautja species, but a bad omen as well. The males are studying your movements carefully. It's not just your appearance; Your fighting stance is unusual, resembling a wild animal. And, as the end of the match quickly follows with an effortless win on your side, they're certain of one thing: they've found their mate.

You raise your first victoriously and don't even notice the predatory stares. Nor do you comprehend the sudden gathering of males that has formed towards the exit, awaiting your return. What's the meaning of this? You glare at the matriarch, and she responds with a smirk. You'll figure it out soon enough.

[hunieday]

Chameleon Chill - Shuffle unit Event Story Translation

Please note that I am not a professional translator and I'm only doing this to share the side materials to those who cannot access them, if you notice any mistakes please let me know nicely. Enjoy!

Natsume Minami: Everyone watching the video, good evening.

Nikaido Yamato: Hello.

Osaka Sougo: Hello.

Yuki: Hello.

Natsume Minami: ...are you ready? One, two.

Nikaido Yamato: Cha...

Osaka Sougo: Chameleon...

Yuki: Fufu... Can we get the signal one more time?

Natsume Minami: Here I go. One, two...

Chameleon Chill: "Chameleon Chill"...

Natsume Minami: It's "Chameleon Chill."

Nikaido Yamato: Hello.

Osaka Sougo: Nice to meet you.

Yuki: Uhh... "8th Anniversary! 4 Four Thanks Project."

Nikaido Yamato: Celebrating the formation of our limited time unit! The "Ask this and that!?" edition!

Osaka Sougo: Let's get "Chameleon Chill"’s version started.

Chameleon Chill: ...

Osaka Sougo: Y...

Nikaido Yamato: Ya...?

Yuki: Huh?

Natsume Minami: Yay.

Chameleon Chill: Ya…

Osaka Sougo: ...The timing… is difficult to get… isn't it?

Yuki: Probably because of our dynamic.

Nikaido Yamato: We don’t really have hypemen who can cheer everyone up and lift the mood. The ones who shout and pull you along.

Yuki: Momo, or Mitsuki-kun are good at that.

Natsume Minami: I apologize. Maybe that should be a job for us juniors.

Nikaido Yamato: Natsume-chan, can you do it?

Natsume Minami: If you’ll allow me.

Yuki: That's right. ŹOOḼ goes all out in their lyrics, so there's no way you won’t go all out now.

Natsume Minami: You’re the last person I want to hear that from.

Yuki: ...

Yuki: ...Huh? Are you picking a fight?

Nikaido Yamato: Oh god, that’s terrifying. I’m scared.

Osaka Sougo: Maybe I should do it too. I always leave it up to Mitsuki-san and Tamaki-kun...

Natsume Minami: An MC with Osaka-san's voice would sound like a wedding ceremony.

Osaka Sougo: Without further ado, here comes the bride and groom.

Nikaido Yamato: Nice one, Sou. You caught on well. Perfect timing.

Osaka Sougo: You think so?

Nikaido Yamato: Yup, good job. It’s hard to believe that you, who’s usually so serious, was able to do that… 

Osaka Sougo: Ehehe... I'm glad to be praised by you, Yamato-san.

Yuki: Yamato-kun, you're spoiling him so much. Praise my jokes too.

Natsume Minami: Nikaido-san. If you're giving words of praise, I'd like as many as I could get.

Nikaido Yamato: You guys are so greedy.

Yuki: Can I eat these snacks here?

Natsume Minami: It’s fine, what’s stopping you?

Yuki: Okay then, I'm taking some. I'm hungry.

Natsume Minami: Me too. These look delicious.

Nikaido Yamato: Sou, wanna eat some?

Osaka Sougo: Th... Thank you very much.

Yuki: This atmosphere here is loose and relaxed.

Nikaido Yamato: I think I figured out why this unit's vibe is so relaxed. Wanna hear it?

Yuki: What?

Nikaido Yamato: Because TRIGGER is not here.

Osaka Sougo & Natsume Minami: Right...

Nikaido Yamato: This is the only unit that doesn't have them. Well Ichi noticed this, not me.

Nikaido Yamato: And so, he said that whether or not this unit becomes a complete mess depends on me.

Yuki: You're pumped up today.

Nikaido Yamato: Well, I thought I should do my best.

Osaka Sougo: Please wait a moment.

Natsume Minami: What's wrong, Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: Iori-kun told me the same thing.

Nikaido Yamato: Huh? That this unit depends on you as well?

Osaka Sougo: Yes.

Nikaido Yamato: Wow, what the hell is up with that guy.

Natsume Minami: Hang in there, Izumi-san

Yuki: Sounds like Iori-kun.

Osaka Sougo: I was happy to feel like Iori-kun was relying on me.

Nikaido Yamato: Alright then, a word to Ichi then.

Osaka Sougo: Iori-kun. Thank you for your encouragement.

Nikaido Yamato: Expressing gratitude, huh.

Natsume Minami: Well then, let's add some TRIGGER elements to this unit since they’re not here.

Nikaido Yamato: Whoa, he pulled something out of his bag.

Osaka Sougo: Ah... It's the TRIGGER table pop stand from TRIGGER's live DVD special bonus.

Yuki: Do you just carry that in your bag? Well then, guess I’ll put Momo’s uchiwa fan here as well.

Osaka Sougo: Then,  I'll leave King Pudding's...

Nikaido Yamato: I really don’t understand what’s happening here.

Osaka Sougo: Oh.

Nikaido Yamato: Hm?

Yuki: What's wrong?

Natsume Minami: Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: Without further ado, here are some questions we received from the staff!

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, okay.

Yuki: He started out of nowhere.

Osaka Sougo: Sorry. I remembered what I said earlier about doing my best to MC, so…

Natsume Minami: Your articulation was great. I can feel the enthusiasm in your voice.

Osaka Sougo: Thank you very much. Now, onto the staff's question...

Osaka Sougo: The question is, "are you getting along well?" what do you think?

Yuki: Yes, we get along.

Natsume Minami: That’s right, well...

Nikaido Yamato: Here, look. We even shot a movie together.

Osaka Sougo: That's right, it’s "MISSION."

Natsume Minami: Osaka-san, did you watch "MISSION"?

Osaka Sougo: Of course. It was very interesting.

Yuki: I’m glad.

Nikaido Yamato: Yes it was.

Osaka Sougo: But, the scene where Natsume-kun's character's fiancée is murdered was really scary...

Nikaido Yamato: Yeah, it’s quite shocking.

Natsume Minami: Nikaido-san you’re the one who killed her.

Osaka Sougo: Tamaki-kun couldn't forget that scene and was freaked out for a long time, so I cheered him up by singing "PoiGang"

Natsume Minami: Huh...? Why did you sing a ŹOOḼ song...?

Osaka Sougo: I thought I could replace the memory of “shocking images of death” with an “impression of a strong life” by looping an aggressive and energetic song…

Natsume Minami: Doesn’t that sound like a light form of brainwashing.

Osaka Sougo: Does it... But since Tamaki-kun is straightforward, the more I kept repeating it, the more he started thinking that way.

Natsume Minami: You're so interesting, Osaka-san. I also had fun when we worked on the song together.

Osaka Sougo: I'm flattered.

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, right. The three of you gathered in Yuki-san’s studio except for me to work on composing the song.

Yuki: Gaku-kun was there as well, though. Well, there are various connections.

Nikaido Yamato: How do you manage to compose together? Wouldn’t many cooks spoil the broth? 

Yuki: No, surprisingly, we're all the type to compromise.

Nikaido Yamato: Ah, is that so?

Yuki: That’s right, Gaku-kun prioritized our opinions as well.

Natsume Minami: Normally I wouldn't yield when it comes to composing my own songs for ŹOOḼ. But for collaborative projects, I got to enjoy it…

Osaka Sougo: It was a learning experience for me.

Yuki: If we start asserting ourselves, we'll definitely clash.

Natsume Minami: But well, you two did have some moments where you clashed.

Yuki: Well look, Sougo-kun doesn't yield much.

Osaka Sougo: Natsume-kun never yielded once, right?

Nikaido Yamato: You guys didn't compromise at all. That scene sounds scary. Did you not drive Yaotome away?

Yuki: That’s not true. Next time, come and hang out with us, Yamato-kun.

Osaka Sougo: Ah... I'd love to have you visit.

Natsume Minami: You're welcome to join. Please come and judge.

Nikaido Yamato: Absolutely not... It’s like being a middleman to the poetry match between controversial poets. (1)

Natsume Minami: Oh, you know about the poetry match controversy.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san, you’re very educated.

Yuki: Shizuo-san trained you properly.

Nikaido Yamato: Wai...!

Yuki: Ah, oops.

Nikaido Yamato: Damn you… we can’t use that anymore, even though I was being praised.

Yuki: My bad.

Osaka Sougo: How about adding a beep sound?

Natsume Minami: It might make one’s imagination go wild.

Yuki: Sorry, sorry. Let's naturally bring up Yamato-kun's intellectual side.

Nikaido Yamato: No, it's fine. It'll definitely seem staged...

Yuki: It's okay. You're genius young actors after all.

Osaka Sougo: Wow... I'm looking forward to seeing your performance live and up close.

Nikaido Yamato: Seriously!?

Natsume Minami: I'll follow up. Let's do our best.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Nikaido Yamato: Huh? Hell no... It’s like being a middleman to the poetry match between controversial poets.

Natsume Minami: Oh, you know about the poetry match controversy.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san, you're very educated.

Nikaido Yamato: Naaaah, it ain’t like that...

Yuki: Why are you being so casual out of nowhere?

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Natsume Minami: Just like that, we get along very well!

Nikaido Yamato & Osaka Sougo & Yuki: Yaay.

Natsume Minami: Now that we've answered the staff's question. Let’s start asking each other questions.

Natsume Minami: Who would like to start?

Nikaido Yamato: So, we can ask whatever we want to get to know each other better, right?

Natsume Minami: Yes, that's correct.

Nikaido Yamato: Hmm, what should I ask… Sou, do you have anything?

Osaka Sougo: Well...

Osaka Sougo: When you fight within the group, how do you all resolve it?

Natsume Minami: A fight within the group...

Yuki: Oh, nice. That’s an interesting question.

Nikaido Yamato: What about me? Can I talk about IDOLiSH7? Sou would know about it.

Osaka Sougo: Of course. As long as Yamato-san answers from his perspective, it's fine.

Nikaido Yamato: Got it. Ah... but to be honest I'm curious about other groups.

Nikaido Yamato: You see, we have seven members, so we are an odd number. We resolve disputes by taking a majority vote.

Yuki: Would that really resolve things?

Natsume Minami: IDOLiSH7-san, you’re not that democratic.

Nikaido Yamato: Don't diss other groups. But you know, Re:vale and ŹOOĻ both have an even number of members, right?

Nikaido Yamato: Since a majority vote won't settle things, I wonder how you deal with disputes like that.

Natsume Minami: Just for reference, how about MEZZO"?

Osaka Sougo: What about MEZZO"?

Osaka Sougo: Well let’s see... I face Tamaki-kun with a genuine, peaceful and attentive attitude, but...

Nikaido Yamato: MEZZO" always seems chaotic despite your attentive attitude.

Osaka Sougo: Yeah... Maybe because we're a duo... What about Re:vale-san?

Yuki: Momo usually lets me have my way.

Nikaido Yamato: I’m sure he does.

Yuki: But when I really want him to yield, he aaaaaaaabsolutely refuses to let go.

Natsume Minami: Ahh...

Yuki: When that happens, well... Since we're not animals nor delinquents, we end up getting in a verbal argument, right?

Osaka Sougo: That's true.

Yuki: How many people in the entertainment industry do you think can win in a verbal argument against Momo?

Nikaido Yamato: Ahaha! Now that you say it!

Natsume Minami: Because Momo-san is quick-witted, right?

Yuki: That's why you have to express your opinion firmly at first so as not to be swayed by Momo.

Yuki: I have to really steel myself so I won’t let him win over me.

Yuki: Then I gradually start losing my composure in my tone...

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, you lose your composure...

Yuki: Before I know it, I end up going too far, and when Momo looks sad I end up feeling really sad too.

Natsume Minami: I’m sorry to hear that... How do you resolve it at the end of the day?

Yuki: ...

Yuki: I wonder how we resolve it?

Osaka Sougo: I don't know...

Nikaido Yamato: But being close with each other means that you compromise after you say what’s on your mind, right?

Yuki: Yeah, I guess so.

Natsume Minami: I think it’s a good thing to convey your true feelings even if you fight.

Yuki: Thank you. But we rarely fight to that degree. Momo is always kind to me.

Yuki: What about ŹOOḼ? I mean we don’t really know much about you.

Natsume Minami: Yeah, I don't really understand us either.

Nikaido Yamato: Don't say that yourself.

Yuki: Although you seem very assertive, you’re always concerned with the reactions of people around you, aren’t you?

Natsume Minami: Oh wow... This guy probably never cared about other people’s reactions...

Nikaido Yamato: It can't be helped. He has good qualities in his own way...

Yuki: What are you mumbling about over there. You're talking about something normal, right?

Natsume Minami: Please continue.

Yuki: Do you end up fighting? Or does it end up with a gloomy atmosphere?

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: A gloomy atmosphere, I guess. That’s why it doesn't flare up easily. It simmers with dissatisfaction.

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, that's not good.

Natsume Minami: When everyone's dissatisfaction gauge fills to the brim, it feels like a "fight!!" moment.

Osaka Sougo: Like a battle royale?

Natsume Minami: Well, not exactly… Everyone has become more considerate of each other lately.

Natsume Minami: Inumaru-san is a straightforward person, but the other members are rather complex, and they tend to demand a lot from each other, you know...

Osaka Sougo: What do you mean by “having a lot of demands”?

Natsume Minami: It's like they expect others to understand without saying anything, or assuming that others know what you want...

Yuki: You mean like Yamato-kun?

Nikaido Yamato: Hey, don't point fingers.

Osaka Sougo: That’s troublesome... I'm not very perceptive, so I’d probably end up offending everyone.

Natsume Minami: Is that so?

Osaka Sougo: Yes... I don't want to cause trouble, so I'd like everyone to write down what they want on paper and tell me to do it.

Natsume Minami: No, that’s no good. I want them to be troubled.

Osaka Sougo: Is that so !?

Natsume Minami: Yes.

Natsume Minami: I want them to be troubled, or rather, I want them to do some internal thinking. And then, I want them to understand.

Yuki: Wouldn’t it be faster if you wrote it down on paper...

Natsume Minami: I'm not ordering dinner at a restaurant.

Osaka Sougo: No matter how much I think about things, there is still stuff I don’t understand, so I hope they can be lenient in their scoring...

Nikaido Yamato: I understand both sides. The feeling of wanting to demand something and the feeling of thinking it's too much of a hassle.

Osaka Sougo: I don't think it's bothersome.

Yuki: Neither do I.

Nikaido Yamato: You people with partners should stop correcting others while having a specific audience in mind… 

Natsume Minami: Inumaru-san is that type, right? He doesn't think it's troublesome, but he doesn’t live up to your expectations.

Natsume Minami: And yet, he really, earnestly tries to face us. Mm, how do I explain it…

Natsume Minami: It's like playing "bird-in-the-cage”...

Yuki: ŹOOḼ’s conflicts are too scary...

Nikaido Yamato: So Inumaru ends up in the middle of that "bird-in-the-cage” circle, right...?

Osaka Sougo: Please go easy on him…

Natsume Minami: How about IDOLiSH7’s conflicts? Nikaido-san.

Nikaido Yamato: We had a lot of trouble at the dorm... 

Nikaido Yamato: But being together for this long, we've learned that even if we fight for a bit, we can understand each other by talking it out.

Osaka Sougo: Ahh... That’s true, isn’t it?

Nikaido Yamato: So, first of all, we talk about it. We know we're not enemies.

Yuki: Huh. How ideal.

Natsume Minami: Does such a peaceful world truly exist?

Nikaido Yamato: I know what you mean. I wouldn't have believed that things could be resolved through discussion a long time ago, either. 

Nikaido Yamato: Someone must put up with it, while the other does what they want.

Nikaido Yamato: But after spending so much time together, you start to understand each other gradually.

Nikaido Yamato: I don't want to hurt them. I want to make things work in this group. They’re all such important friends…

Nikaido Yamato: When you think about it that way, you’ll find that the root of the problem lies elsewhere, or that there are misunderstandings happening between you.

Nikaido Yamato: So you unravel them carefully. That’s all there is to it. 

Nikaido Yamato: In other words, even if we become something similar to a family, it’s still necessary to do that.

Nikaido Yamato: It's impossible to get along with someone you barely know without being careless in some way.

Natsume Minami: That's true...

Nikaido Yamato: But you still seek them out, right? Especially when I was a child, I felt loved as if I were the center of the world.

Nikaido Yamato: People around me naturally took care of me. When you live and get used to that comfort, the gap between that and reality can be tough.

Yuki: That's deep.

Nikaido Yamato: What were we talking about again? Oh right, resolving conflicts. Anyways, in our case it's through discussion.

Osaka Sougo: I would have liked to hear about TRIGGER's experiences too.

Yuki: TRIGGER are very blunt, so I might end up crying.

Nikaido Yamato: I might cry too.

Osaka Sougo: It's because they trust each other that they can start boxing with each other, right?

Natsume Minami: Who said anything about boxing...?

Nikaido Yamato: Alright, next. Who wants to go for it?

Yuki: Can I go?

Nikaido Yamato: Go ahead.

Natsume Minami: No problem.

Yuki: What kind of asparagus dishes do you like?

Nikaido Yamato: ...Huh...?

Osaka Sougo: ...Asparagus...?

Natsume Minami: ...Like the vegetables...?

Yuki: Yes.

Nikaido Yamato: Hey you, do you even wanna do this?

Yuki: I do, I do. Complaint letters will roll your way again if you keep talking to me in that tone.

Natsume Minami: What are you talking about?

Nikaido Yamato: I received complaint letters from Yuki-san's fans...

Yuki: Since we’re here anyways, I’d like to take this opportunity to explain the situation properly.

Nikaido Yamato: What do you mean by opportunity? Are you stupid? You’re gonna cause trouble for the innocent Jyuurokugumi, you know?

Natsume Minami: Wahh... the way Nikaido-san is talking to his senpai from Re:vale is a bit scary…

Nikaido Yamato: Wow. Natsume-chan, you're a good actor.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san is a serious person when he needs to be.

Nikaido Yamato: Sou, thanks for the sharp comment.

Yuki: Let me explain why Yamato-kun is so rude to me in very brief words.

Nikaido Yamato: There’s no way you can explain it briefly.

Yuki: Yes I can.

Yuki: Yamato-kun was the son of the manager at my part-time job.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Natsume Minami: Is asparagus a vegetable?

Yuki: Yup. I received a whole box of them.

Yuki: Momo likes meat, so I'm eating them pretty much by myself.

Yuki: I was wondering if you had any recipes you could recommend.

Osaka Sougo: That must be quite difficult. If it's okay with us, we'd like to help.

Yuki: Thank you. You're kind juniors.

Yuki: May I ask Yamato-kun as well?

Nikaido Yamato: Oh... no problem. I just received a rabbichat from Mitsu.

Yuki: What kind of rabbichat?

Nikaido Yamato: An asparagus recipe. It's a coincidence. Just happened.

Osaka Sougo: Maybe his sixth sense kicked in.

Natsume Minami: Please tell us about Izumi Mitsuki-san's asparagus recipe.

Nikaido Yamato: Asparagus rice. Cook rice with asparagus and salt. You can also add sesame seeds or corn.

Yuki: Oh... Rice, huh. Sounds good. Momo might eat it too.

Nikaido Yamato: I've had it before and it's seriously delicious. Right, Sou?

Osaka Sougo: It's delicious. It's like bean rice.

Yuki: Huh... Then I’ll try making it. Thank you, Mitsuki-kun.

Osaka Sougo: Next is my turn... I recommend asparagus kimchi.

Yuki: Kimchi? Did you make it yourself?

Osaka Sougo: No, I got it as a gift.

Natsume Minami: Surprisingly you really like spicy food, right Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: I like it. I like it right up to the limit.

Natsume Minami: What do you mean by the limit...?

Osaka Sougo: Asparagus kimchi is mild, not quite at the limit, but I recommend it as a side dish.

Yuki: Alright, I'll buy some kimchi stock and try making asparagus kimchi. If it turns out well, I'll share it with you.

Osaka Sougo: Thank you very much.

Yuki: How about you, Minami-kun?

Natsume Minami: Grill it in charcoal and sprinkle it with salt. That's it.

Nikaido Yamato: Oh, what do you know, that tastes like the most delicious thing ever.

Natsume Minami: That's right.

Yuki: I understand. Topped with mayo would be good too.

Natsume Minami: Momo-san grills the meat, and Yuki-san grills the asparagus. Why not just turn it into yakiniku?

Yuki: That's a good idea.

Yuki: Thank you, it was helpful.

Nikaido Yamato: I can't believe you really went with this question...

Osaka Sougo: Who goes next? Natsume-kun or Yamato-san...

Nikaido Yamato: Alright, I’ll go.

Nikaido Yamato: When it comes to chameleons, they’re all about mimicry, right? So, among the 16 idols in this project...

Nikaido Yamato: If you could impersonate any of them for a day, who would you want to be?

Yuki: MEZZO".

Nikaido Yamato: I said one person.

Yuki: Then, I'd like to be Sougo-kun. Please let me try.

Osaka Sougo: If you’re okay with me…

Yuki: I want to be Osaka Sougo of MEZZO" and do whatever I want.

Natsume Minami: Oh wow…as if Re:vale’s Yuki doesn’t already do that…

Nikaido Yamato: Natsume-chan, shut up…

Yuki: What about the other two? Who would you like to be?

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: Not much these days... I know it doesn't make much sense...

Nikaido Yamato: Mhm.

Osaka Sougo: So who do you want to be?

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: ...It's fine. It’s nothing.

Nikaido Yamato: No, just say it. Feel free to answer casually.

Natsume Minami: Casually...

Natsume Minami: The answer might be a bit extreme and difficult to answer, is that okay?

Nikaido Yamato: Huh...?

Yuki: Is it that serious?

Osaka Sougo: But since we're here, it might be better to reveal it and leave it behind...

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: Rokuya Nagi-san...

Nikaido Yamato & Osaka Sougo: Ah...

Yuki: Huh. Why? What's the reason?

Nikaido Yamato: You’re the only one here who’s never been to Northmeir, so you don’t get how cold the temperature is there… 

Yuki: What do you mean by temperature? You mean because he's a prince from a cold country?

Yuki: Minami-kun, do you like the cold?

Natsume Minami: ...

Yuki: Y-You dislike it?

Natsume Minami: ...Like or dislike... If I had to say I dislike something, then I hate Rokuya-san.

Yuki: What. Nagi-kun?

Natsume Minami: Fufu... Even though we hadn't met back then, it's strange.

Natsume Minami: ...

Natsume Minami: I'm sorry. Forget it.

—PLEASE WAIT A MOMENT—

Nikaido Yamato: Uhhh…

Nikaido Yamato: Well then, how about you, Sou? If you could mimic any of us 16 for a day, who would it be?

Osaka Sougo: You mean I would impersonate them right?

Nikaido Yamato: That’s right.

Osaka Sougo: ...I’m not too keen on the idea. Because no matter whose appearance I take, it’s gonna be a serious responsibility… 

Nikaido Yamato: Just relax and have fun. Think of it as a one-day experience.

Osaka Sougo: That’s right…

Osaka Sougo: Well, in that case... maybe Tamaki-kun. I'd like to experience the world through Tamaki-kun's eyes and see what it's like.

Osaka Sougo: What looks wonderful and what feels painful... I want to know and use it in the future.

Nikaido Yamato: That's more of a study for yourself rather than for your own enjoyment.

Yuki: Even though I said I wanted to become Sougo-kun and do whatever I want...

Osaka Sougo: Oh... If that's the case, I'd like to become Yuki-san for a day and play the guitar well.

Nikaido Yamato: Well, exchanging experiences isn't a bad idea. What about you, Natsume-chan? Who would you like to imitate?

Natsume Minami: Well, let me think. Maybe Isumi-san?

Natsume Minami: I don't have any regrets, but if I had a chance, I'd like to go back to my high school days and start over.

Natsume Minami: Just for one day.

Nikaido Yamato: I see. Thank you.

Natsume Minami: You're welcome.

Yuki: Alright, last question. Minami-kun, do you have a question for us?

Natsume Minami: As you can see in the lyrics… talking about one’s true self.

Natsume Minami: When did you all start to realize your true selves?

Natsume Minami: When you’re a child you still have a vague sense of self, right?

Natsume Minami: So in relation to your true self... When did you all start sensing your individuality?

Natsume Minami: Was there any specific trigger?

Osaka Sougo: My individuality, huh..

Nikaido Yamato: The true self, huh?

Yuki: May I go first?

Natsume Minami: Go ahead.

Yuki: I've always only understood myself.

Yuki: In a way, I've always been my true self.

Natsume Minami: That's quite amazing...

Yuki: Well, I'm just a regular bastard. Being my true self is truly nothing special.

Nikaido Yamato: Don’t say that... You're rather kind, honestly. You've been really kind to me.

Yuki: Haha, thanks.

Yuki: But I met a really good person, and a really good man, so I wanted to be good too. (2)

Yuki: And that's who I am now.

Yuki: It might not be my true self, but it's not a lie or pretense. I consider it growth.

Yuki: In that sense, I've always been nothing but my true self since I can remember.

Natsume Minami: I see...

Natsume Minami: What about you, Osaka-san?

Osaka Sougo: The true self... that's a difficult question.

Osaka Sougo: Looking back now, I think it was back when I deepened my bond with my uncle that I started to understand my true self.

Natsume Minami: Your uncle... I think I've heard about him somewhere.

Osaka Sougo: He passed away already, but I had an uncle who loved music, and he influenced me in a lot of ways.

Osaka Sougo: It was through him that my interest in music blossomed.

Osaka Sougo: However, if someone were to ask if I was my true self there, I’d still think I couldn't fully crystallize it...

Osaka Sougo: It was after joining IDOLiSH7 and spending time with my trusted friends that I gradually came to know my true self.

Osaka Sougo: At least, that's how I feel.

Yuki: I see. It seems quite late then.

Osaka Sougo: Yes... When I was a child, I was the kind of person who followed what adults around me said as best as I could.

Osaka Sougo: I was a version of myself who tried their hardest not to be disliked by others rather than my true authentic self.

Natsume Minami: I understand... It’s easier that way at first, isn’t it?

Natsume Minami: Follow someone's orders, get praised for doing well on your task, and feel a sense of relief.

Natsume Minami: But as you continue to listen to others' orders, you forget what you wanted for yourself.

Osaka Sougo: That's right... Maybe I was like that too.

Osaka Sougo: Since joining IDOLiSH7, even now at this moment, I feel like I'm walking the path I chose, making decisions I chose for myself.

Osaka Sougo: Being true to myself. That's how I feel.

Yuki: What a good story. What about you, Yamato-kun?

Nikaido Yamato: I guess I feel somewhat the same as Sou...

Natsume Minami: Did you get to meet your true self late down the line?

Nikaido Yamato: Hmm... No, I don't know. I feel like my true self has always been there since the beginning.

Nikaido Yamato: Not like you, Yuki-san, but in my case, I was a little shit… A spoiled brat who doesn’t know anything.

Nikaido Yamato: But well, a lot of things happened to me... I realized that the self who thought, "Whatever, it's fine, isn't it?" was an idiot.

Nikaido Yamato: I pretended to be someone who had no desires, someone who was easy to live with, someone who was hard to hurt.

Nikaido Yamato: Being indifferent is easy, right? It’s easy to convince yourself that you don’t care. That it's not painful, not sad…

Nikaido Yamato: If you think something doesn’t matter, you don’t get attached to it and let go comfortably.

Nikaido Yamato:...But after joining IDOLiSH7, the things I couldn’t let go of increased unexpectedly…

Nikaido Yamato: When I couldn’t pretend to not care anymore, the little shit of a kid in me manifested himself again…

Nikaido Yamato: Ugh! Embarrassing! Stay inside, don't come out! Or so I thought.

Nikaido Yamato: But everyone was so kind to that bratty child in me.

Nikaido Yamato: So, I kinda thought... Ah, this is fine. Maybe I can be my true self now.

Yuki: What a heartwarming story.

Nikaido Yamato: No…Well, thank you for taking care of me.

Osaka Sougo: Yamato-san, that’s the thing about you... Somehow, I might have felt a similar part within myself.

Osaka Sougo: At that time, Yamato-san understanding my feelings was a tremendous emotional support for me.

Nikaido Yamato: I'm glad to hear you say that...It feels like the atmosphere has become quite serious.

Yuki: No, I’m glad. I want to hear Minami-kun's story about his true self as well.

Natsume Minami: Okay, then during the after-party.

Yuki: Sounds good.

Nikaido Yamato: Oops. Now that the questions have gone full circle, Sou, go ahead.

Osaka Sougo: Alright. The “8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project”!

Osaka Sougo: Celebrating the formation of the temporary unit! This was “Ask this and that!?”, “Chameleon Chill” edition!

Chameleon Chill: Please drink! 'Chameleon Chill'!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Osaka Sougo: Hello, everyone!

Osaka Sougo: I'm Osaka Sougo from “Chameleon Chill”!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Nikaido Yamato: Hello! I'm the big brother of ‘Chameleon Chill”. Nikaido Yamato!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Yuki: But I’m the big brother in this unit, aren’t I?

Nikaido Yamato: I'm sorry. Force of habit, so if I don't say it I’ll feel weird...

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Natsume Minami: I'm Natsume Minami from “Chameleon Chill.”

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Natsume Minami: Louder!

Audience: Kyaaaaa!!

Natsume Minami: That's good. Tonight we’re gonna show you all your true selves.

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Yuki: Good evening. I'm... Yuki from Re-

Yuki: Yuki from “Chameleon Chill.”

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Nikaido Yamato: What did you just say? You were going to say Re:vale, right?

Yuki: Sorry, sorry.

Osaka Sougo: Thank you for participating in the “8th Anniversary! Four Thanks Project” campaign.

Nikaido Yamato: To the 1000 winners selected by lottery!

Natsume Minami: And to the special ones here with us!

Yuki: Let’s start the “Miracle Limited-Time 4 Unit Thanks Live”.

Audience: Kyaaaaa!

Osaka Sougo: Now, please listen to our unit song, which is also the CM song for 'Chameleon Chill'!

Osaka Sougo: Here we go. One, two..

Chameleon Chill: 'Chameleon'!

The end.

They make a reference to “独鈷鎌首” in the original text, which apparently is a story about a poet known for his love for debate in “the poetry match in 600 rounds”, the women of the household nicknamed it the controversy between “Tokke (an implement pointed at both ends) and Kamakubi (gooseneck)”, this is used to describe a poet with a penchant to engage in debates. I couldn’t find much info about this, and I’ve never heard about this before, so any correction if I’m wrong would be greatly appreciated ;_;

In the OG text, Yuki says a good “man” (in reference to Banri, since he’s older than Yuki) and a good “kid” (in reference to Momo, since he’s younger than Yuki). Since the public doesn’t know about Banri, I chose to keep the gender vague for him and use “man” on Momo.

[lil-beanz000]

I woke up an chose violence for xmas eve~ LINE UP BOIZ

I kinda just went nuts on this....I am sorry no one asked for it haha Gunna share what I have thought out so far tho. ~ more below!!!!

Virus started in Draxums lab, Zombie are mutated yokai/human undead affected by the Oozesquitoes. The events of the apocalypse start before the pilot episode of rottmnt, So the boys do not have the Ninpo and the weapons they get from draxums labs. The boys never learn about it before Splinter dies. (this is to give more of a challenge to the story an fun 0w0 no tech an no powers. We SURVIVING BABY) This also means that the boys dont understand the hidden city an yokai as they would in the show. This is all silly fun so its not that serious~ I just wanna have some fresh angst an zombies yo

~~more of the injuries -Mikey, he's mostly Deaf due to an accident with a bomb created by Donnie. To close to the explosion and the whole thing was hectic but that's why Mikey has a large scar on the right side of his face/neck as well. He is the most un "damaged" of the 4, as his brothers fiercely protect him. Mikey is more emotionally distant due to the trauma of the undead and people dying around him. -Leo arm goes chop chop pretty early on in the apocalypse due to a bite, he duels with one katana an his arm in close combat. He's less humorous in this AU, a bit more stricter. I don't have much information on him XD He leads along with Raph. -Donnie, no tech, still wears battleshell but it no longer functions. Its heavily modified due to it being the same size when the apocalypse started. Left leg was bitten in a food/supply run with Raph (Raph also lost his Tail as well during this time((bite)) Donnie is a much more tactical fighter, distance an smarts. Uses staff to impales undead head at safer distance. Donnie is much more cruel spoken in this au later on in life, he's not very optimistic but finds humor in it. Almost switching rolls with Leo's personality, not completely but almost like a trauma response to the apocalypse. -Raphie~ Uses double barrel gun as a last resort, He relies on his Sais an his thick skin to protect his family. His right eye is blind due to yokai zombie attack.(was zombie big mama 0w0) he lost a large portion of his tail along with Donnies leg the same time. (Will go more into detail of that later) He is much more protective of his brothers, untrusting an weary of strangers.

[skymoral]

🩵Meeting The Family🩵

BI-HAN X B!F Reader

Summary: Your family has been pestering you to introduce your boyfriend to them. And they thought the most sane thing to do was invite you both to your family BBQ

Tags: Family/Fluff, Slice of Life, Comedy, Love, fun, chaotic, shockingly Bi-Han is enjoying himself

A/N: Who doesn’t love a black family bbq lol

┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓

“Bi Han babe, you really don’t have to go. I have a big family… And you know they can get annoying.” You explained slightly having a tug o war with your boyfriend in the bed.

Tugging the invitation back and forth from each other.

“Your mother specifically requested me to join your family event. It would be wrong for me to decline.” Bi-Han told you, finally snatching the invitation from your hand.

“I don’t want you to go.”

“Why?”

“I already told you why.”

“Which was not a good enough reason… Are you embarrassed by me?” Bi-Han asked you with a slightly displeased look.

“What!? Fuck no, you daddy are the whole package… I just don’t want to make a bad impression, and you might… not want to be around me anymore, because of my family… They can be a bit much.” You hung your head messing with the sheets.

You really liked Bi-Han, and you want to continue a future with him. You’ll do anything for this man, but knowing his personality and character.

You weren’t so sure if being around your loud ass family would cause a shift in your relationship.

Bi-Han lift your chin up to look at him, “I will be the judge of that. I do not care what your family will say or do. Just as long as you know that you are still M I N E.”

You blushed at his proclamation, Bi-Han was literally one of a kind. And definitely out of this world(Literally). You pulled him into a passionate kiss.

You just hope your family would keep there chaotic behavior to a minimum.

┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓

• Next Morning on Sunday •

You were with your mother “Whitney” and father “Charles”. Helping prep for the BBQ, for the family and before you went to get your boyfriend.

“I hope you told that young boy about the BBQ?” Your glared at you from the stove pointing at you with her hot spoon.

You rolled your eyes as you were sorting the deviled eggs in the pan on the island in the kitchen.

“Unfortunately yes, despite my refusal. He was dead set on coming.”

“Good! I’m happy he still coming despite my baby thinking we gonna embarrass her in front of her man… OOH! I also asked Gina to pick up some Chinese cuisine and dishes, I want to make sure the baby have something he can eat.” Your mother was stirring the spaghetti.

You did think it was sweet, your mother was trying to be considerate of his palette and taste.

“That boi is gonna eat what we make. We ain’t always going to cater to all these lil boys you bring around this family.” Your father shouted from outside cooking on the grill.

You groaned at the comment, “CHARLES HUSH! She didn’t ask me to, that decision was all me. Do not be rude to this man when he comes.”

It was your father turn to groan, you laughed at his frustration. At least you could rely on your Mother to not embarrass you.

┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓

Y/N was secretly hyperventilating in her room with her aunt Erica. Her boyfriend was almost here…. Which she knew but…

HE WAS BRINGING HIS BROTHERS! You just hoped that at least they were dressed… Normal, and not in fight gear

Why was his brothers coming you asked

• Flashback to two hours earlier •

“Why is Kaui and Tomas coming!?” You asked your boyfriend. Confused and upset.

You were walking behind Bi-Han, as he was watching his clan practice different fighting forms.

“They asked where I was going, I told them. They asked if they could come, sense it’s a family thing. I told them yes, because I assumed you would feel less uncomfortable, end of story.” Bi-Han finally facing you.

You sighed, then giving him your best smile. “Bi-Han babe, Sweetface. You’re amazing, sexy, and a top notch nigga… But that idea is far from making me comfortable.”

“Then you can tell them you don’t want them to come, problem solved.” Bi-Han left you speechless.

“That’s not fucking SOLVING ANYTHING!” You shouted upset. You could’ve sworn you heard him laughing like a jackass in the distance.

• Flashback over •

“Listen peaches, I know it’s a lot with how already chaotic it is. Not to mention yo cousins and there kids over… but you can’t hide that man forever.”

“Trust me it’s possible TT.” You sighed, she just chuckled at you.

“Cmon now, It’s better if you’re down there. Where he can see a familiar face. Or do you want your uncle Gregory seeing him first… Remember the incident with your sister.” Your aunt smirked eyeing you closely.

That made you quickly stand up and rush downstairs. You were dodging everyone and there long winded conversation. Your grandmother almost caught you, because woman could talk for eons.

Just as you stepped outside to find him and his brothers. Your uncle was already greeting them.

“Well lookie here… Where you boys from? Ya lost? Ooh wait I know y’all the delivery people? I don’t see any packages or fo-“

“Haha! Thank you Unc! This is my lover Bi-Han and his brothers Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada. Bi-Han, Kuai, Tomas this is my uncle Gregory. Cool? Cool!”

Before you could pull them away, they greeted him. Your Uncle shaking Bi-Han’s hand “Well well well! You the boy this girl keep talking about like every day news. How she wants to have kids with and mar-“

“UNCLE! AUNTIEEE!” You whined loudly, Bi-Han just smirked at you. It was rare for him to smile in public and his brothers saw this.

“Gregory leave that poor girl and them boys alone. Go on now.” Your Aunt Erica shooed him away. “Hello it’s a pleasure to meet you boys, especially my niece’s boyfriend. Anyone my peaches cares and love, we do as well welcome to the family Bi-Han.” She gave him a hug, which he returned stiffly, the others returned happily.

“Likewise madam.”

“Ooo! What an octave.” Your blushed slightly, giggling as she walked away. You rubbed your hands down your face.

“I’m glad you guys came normally at least, and I apologize about my uncle… He ain’t all there the head.”

“We didn’t want to embarrass you, so Tomas had asked Johnny for some help on outfits… It was harder trying to get Brother to go through with it.” Kuai Liang pointed at Bi-Han who scoffed.

“We had to explain it to him from your point of view. Besides it was nice seeing your relative, they were quite welcoming and homey.” Tomas told you.

You were now kinda happy he brought his brothers along. On top of them making him dress normal, which you had to admit… he was definitely looking like a meal.

┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓

You were impressed the event was going smoothly. Despite everyone fawning over your boyfriend and his brothers.

Kuai and Tomas was surrounded by hormones from your cousins. Although they didn’t noticed… Well that’s what you assumed as they were still talking and hanging around them.

Your mother was an angel and the sweetest, she literally welcomed Bi-Han and he was already in the family and son-in-law. Even so she didn’t need to tell you about your ratchet days and giving him copies of your photos from your childhood. He was enjoying those stories.

Your father on the other hand was sizing him up, and you don’t know why Bi-Han was doing the same thing. He probably didn’t appreciate that.

“So you dating my sweet little girl huh? I see you couldn’t find nobody your shade Y/N?”

“DADDY!”

“CHARLES!” Your mother yelled, hands on her hip.

“I don’t believe that should be your concern or problem.”

“BABE!?”

“BROTHER!?” Kuai shouted. He wasn’t far from the scene. Bi-Han was standing next to her father at the grill.

“I’m her father, and you think being rude is going to get me to like you? Did your father teach you respect boy?”

“My Father is Dead. And I understand your role and blood to my Y/N. I only returned what you gave to me. As a grandmaster of my clan, I do not respect those that disrespect me or my wife! No matter who they are.”

“W-Wife?” You spoke to yourself blushing, but at the same time wanting this to not escalate further.”

Your father just stared at him quietly, before breaking into a fit of laughter patting Bi-Han’s shoulder.

You looked so confused then upset, Bi-Han still having his same demeanor and stoic face. Your mother shaking her head.

“I like him Y/N, he’s a keeper. A man isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He ain’t like them other ones you were with. Can you promise me you’ll keep my little girl safe? She’s the last one and means the world to me, I’m entrusting her to you.”

“I give you my word she is safe with me, and if anyone dares to try and harm her. Will die by my hands.” Bi-Han responded with a serious tone.

Your father can tell he was not playing and don’t know whether it was a good or bad thing. But happy someone will care and protect you. Because he’s getting to old.

You ran up and hugged your father, “Thank you daddy.” You smiled, he nodded holding back tears. By hiding his face in your shoulder.

They pulled away, you took Bi-Han’s arm to bring him inside the house. Before y’all could leave.

“Also I’m sorry to hear about your father, if you ever need anything Bi-Han. You can always talk to me, as well as your brothers. Sense you’ll marry my daughter soon, we’re practically family.”

You and your mother thought that was the sweetest thing. Bi-Han’s brothers looked touched, and maybe your boyfriend as well.

“It would be our honor… Father.” Bi-Han told him and the trio did a bowing gesture.

Now that melted your heart.

┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓

It was slightly dark, the older people were around the fire pit outside.

The food for the BBQ was fucking fire, even Bi-Han and his brothers enjoyed the food.

It was a mixture of what they eat and what your father cooked.

The kids and a couple of the other families were surrounding Kuai and Tomas outside. Watching them as they were teaching a couple of kids the Lin Kuei martial arts. Which was extremely adorable.

You were trying to figure out where Bi-Han was, you was only talking with your cousin for a little bit. He wasn’t outside, and then you asked your mother. Who told you that he was inside the house in the living room.

You entered and pause slightly hiding behind the side wall of the entrance. You noticed your little cousin Angelica sitting on Bi-Han’s lap. Talking to him.she had French braids with colorful beads and big glasses. She was the shyest girl in the family, and him being the angriest and detached.

Like is the world coming to an end?

“So then he kept pushing me down on the floor in gym class. All the kids started laughing at me, I don’t really like conflict and didn’t want to get in trouble. So I just stayed on the floor in the corner while the other kids played… Not that anyone would play with me either.” Angelica told him sadly.

“You did not retaliate? What did your parents say?”

“Nothing really, at first they told the principle. Which only made it worse for me and then both families got into a heated argument… I just want them to stop bullying me.”

“If you wish for them to stop, the you must MAKE THEM STOP. Crying and hiding will not solve your problems. It’ll make them feel as if they have power over you, which they DO NOT! Undisciplined snots should be taught a lesson, we are family now. And anyone in my family will not be weak and defenseless.” Bi-Han sat her down, standing up.

“I will have you train with the girls of the Lin Kuei, I will inform your parents.”

“Really!? That’ll be cool… But uh… I have school tomorrow and he’s going to be there.” Angelica losing her excitement.

Bi-Han kneeled in front of her, doing a finger gesture telling her to come closer. She brought her ear to him. He whispered something in her ear. Making her jump from excitement.

“That will be our plan.” Bi-Han, smiled at her, Angelica nodded at him. Then gave him a big hug, before hearing her mother calling to her they are leaving.

She ran out passing you, Bi-Han looking at you. You approached him, wrapping your arms around his neck. Giving him a sweet kiss, he grabbed your waist tight.

Pulling you close to deepen the kiss, you pulled away. “Are you really going to teach my lil cousin how to fight? That girl is not a fighter.”

“Of Course, and she will be. Also you have a bad habit with eavesdropping.” Bi-Han starring at you with longing eyes.

“Yeah I know… guess it’s genetics, I get it from my mother.”

That made Bi-Han laugh, which was always music to your ears.

“Today was… different, you do indeed have a strange family. With a strong bond, maybe stronger than with my own.”

“Well you can always strengthen your bond with your brothers… By being a bit nicer yea?”

He scoffed at that playing with your frohawk. “I enjoyed talking with your mother. May be my most favorite thing about this event.” You laughed shoving him away, as if he was excluding you.

“Well I’ll let her know the great grandmaster. Enjoys my mother’s company, which is very high praise where you come from.”

He smirked pulling you into another kiss, which you didn’t mind. You’re glad the BBQ and your family didn’t scare him and his brothers away.

It may have just brought y’all closer together

┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓┏━°⌜ 赤い糸 ⌟°━┓

• BONUS •

Angelica was gathering her things as school was over. Her ride was here earlier than usual, as they were waiting for her.

As she stepped out of the building, she was immediately shoved. Making her miss a step and failing on the concrete.

She slightly teared up, holding her scrap knee. As the boys were laughing at her in front of her face.

She stood up, grabbing her cracked glasses. She glared at him with glossy eyes, puffing up her chest.

“Ooh look seems like Ms. Four eyes, is trying to stand up for herself. You won’t and can’t do anything.” The bully boy told her.

She wiped her eyes, smirking at him, “Oh I won’t, but Big Brother Bi-Han will.”

“Bi-Han?” The boy noticed his guys were tossed in the bushes. Before someone picked him up from his backpack.

“That’s grandmaster to you.” A deep menacing voice came into the boys ear. Before he could say anything. He was flung in the air with such strength and height.

All the kids looked up, Angelica smirking. As they heard the boy screaming. He was coming down, but his pants got pierced and caught on the flag pole. Going through his pants and shorts. Giving him a wedgy making him cry and scream.

Becoming snotty shouting for his Mommy, the kids started laughing at him.

“Let this be a reminder to you boy and everyone else!” The kids went silent.

“If I find out anyone has laid a hand on her. You will get the same treatment as him.” Bi-Han glared at all the kids and superiors. All of them nodded.

“Come! Your training begins today.” Bi-Han turned away with Angelica behind.

“Don’t mess with the Lin Kuei BOYYYYY!” She crossed her hands, then followed behind Bi-Han giving him a high five. Before holding his hand, going through a portal.

A/N: No lie that one was a lot longer than expected, but it was fun. I mainly enjoyed the Angelica bit, to see how he interacts with kids

Hope you ladies enjoyed this one as well!💅🏾

BI-HAN’S OUTFIT

KUAI LIANG’S OUTFIT

TOMAS VRBADA’S OUTFIT

[thekingofwinterblog]

The Importance of Banter: Varric Tethras

So one of the more interesting takes I've gotten on my breakdowns of Dragon Age characters is the argument that Varric in terms of character development is one of the lesser characters in the game.

He stays the same, doesn't change much from beginning to end, and while enjoyable, his inclusion doesn't add nearly as much as some of the other characters in the game, and relies way too much on the goodwill from da2 to do most of the legwork for his inclusion in the game.

Now this isn't an argument without merit, I might agree a lot with this take... If it wasn't for the inclusion of one Dragon Age's staples, and one of the aspects that Inquisition arguably does better than ether ADO or DA2.

Character Banter.

Character Banter is extremely important because it gives us an insight into how characters think, how they interact, and showcases the more subtle elements that aren't always on display in the game itself.

Compared to the rest of the Characters, Varric is a bit different in that because he was a companion in the previous game, we can see how he's changed since the previous game.

Cassandra Pentaghast

So it's not an exaggeration to say that Cassandra and Varric has what is easily the most dynamic relationahip between any of the companions, having far and away the most interactions together out of party(And thats not even including the fact that all of DA2 is technically them talking to each other.

And this is reflected in their banter as well, where the two of them go back and forth like a married couple.

The thing that most be understood about Cassandra and Varric's banter though, is the fact that Varric is way, way smarter than Cassandra, who isn't dumb, but is not a genius by any stretch, which is reflected in the Dwarf's tendency to run rings around her all the time.

Cassandra: Have you heard from any of your Kirkwall associates Varric?

Varric: You're asking me? So you don't read my letters?

Cassandra: You're no longer my prisoner, much as you like to act like it.

Varric: Yet I still get all the suspicion.

Cassandra: I am not without sympathy, especially given recent events.

Varric: Why, Seeker, I would never accuse you of having sympathy! By the way I tend to refer to my "associates" as "friends". Maybe you're not familiar with the concept.

Cassandra: (sigh)

---

Varric: You know, Seeker, for someone with your tact and charisma you assembled a... pretty good little Inquisition. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you didn't drag them all here by force.

Cassandra: How kind of you.

Varric: I mean, you never know, you could have kidnapped Ruffles and she'd be too polite to say anything.

Cassandra: Leliana recruited Josephine. They're... friends.

Varric: So there's a rational explanation after all. Just when I thought you had layers.

---

Varric: It makes sense that Leliana did the recruiting when the Inquisition started. Not everyone can be intimidated into signing up after all.

Cassandra: I recruited Commander Cullen.

Varric: Lucky him.

Cassandra: He has made no complaints about my manners.

Varric: His last boss was a raving lunatic who turned into a statue. That's not a high bar.

All of these three bits of banter is from early in their shared chain, and illustrates their dynamic very, very well. Varric reads Cassandra like an open book, and is able to completely take control over a situation just by playing the role of the ass who is just sniping at her because he feels like it, when what he's actually doing is maneuvering the conversation so it can end on him having the last words by playing on the things Cassandra knows she cannot refute without lying.

That takes a lot of sponanous wit and an ability to think on the spot, something cassandra does not possess, but Varric has in plenty.

Of course this dynamic is only at the start as they have plenty more as the story develops. One innparticular is their relationship regarding Varric's liturature, which is one of the more entertaining side quests in the game, but it does tell us more about them in the followup banter.

Varric: Seriously? Swords and Shields? How did you find that serial? Scrape it off the bottom of a barrel in Dust Town?

Cassandra: It was research! I thought I might learn more about the Champion.

Varric: I did write a book about the Champion. You might remember it. Had your knife stuck through it last I saw.

Cassandra: I already read that one. Twice.

Here we learn how much Cassandra actually loves to read Varric's work, but more importantly we get something we rarely see in Varric. Him talking about his own failures.

Varric likes to pretend he's this amazing writer who always produce masterpieces, as he himself says to Bianca, as if he'd write about his own failures and mistakes...

And yet there is swords and shields, a book that Varric has deemed an abyssmal failure. A joke, a mediocre piece of trash not worth the paper it was printed on... And yet it has it's fans. This work that varric despises still managed to find an audience, and despite how much satisfaction he had smugly giving it to Cassandra, that still grinds his gears.

People shouldn't like his bad work. It should be forgotten in favor of his masterpieces. A very dwarven way of thinking.

Varric: I can't believe you picked the absolute worst of my books to read. Why not Hard in Hightown?

Cassandra: I have enough mysteries and investigations of my own.

Varric: What? You don't want to solve more in your spare time?

Cassandra: Then you killed my favorite character in Chapter 3, so I threw the book across the room.

Varric: Ah, a critic. Say no more.

In this one, we get Varric both genuinely questioning Cassandra, as he seems to have assumed she actually does like investigating mysteries(she does not), but also tries to nudge her over to read High in Hightown instead.

Cassandra: Varric, how could you let the Knight-Captain be framed for murder?

Varric: Well, I did spent three entire chapters setting it up.

Cassandra: But she didn't deserve it! You'd already put her through more than enough!

Varric: Look, Seeker, if you love a character, you give them pain, ruin their lives, make them suffer. Maybe even throw in a heroic death.

Cassandra: That makes no sense!

Varric: You care enough to argue. If she had a nice afternoon and took a nap, you'd stop reading.

I could deconstruct this, but basically it's just a bit of meta commentary on what makes a good story. Not only will it not be the last, but it's not even the most blatant. After all, this one could apply to other people besides Hawke.

Cassandra: What made you write about Hawke? All your other books are complete fiction.

Varric: Someone had to set the record straight about the Champion.

Cassandra: Yet your book is still full of lies.

Varric: But true ones. That's important.

Varric loves stories... But he understands what stories are at their heart. The difference between a Recounting, and a Tale. That's what history is after all, the Tales everyone passed down.

And what good tale doesn't have a bit of exaggerated bullshit?

Cassandra: Why is the second Hard in Hightown so completely different from the first?

Varric: (sigh) Because I didn't write it. Shit, did you pay actual coin for that book? One of these days, I'm going to find the duster who wrote that garbage and introduce him to my editor.

Cassandra: By "editor," do you mean your crossbow?

Varric: No, my actual editor. Best in the business. She runs half the Coterie in Kirkwall. Stickler for grammar. She once killed a man over a semicolon. I'd never print anything without her.

This one is more meta commentary, but it does have a bit more meat to it. Varric's whole spiel about his editor being super powerful in the Coterie could be the truth, it could be complete bullshit. Or it could be something in between.

That's not the important part. The important part is that he wants Cassandra to guess, to assume, to speculate, because that is far more powerful than just laying it all out could ever be.

Cole: She has to reach the other side of the hill.

Cassandra: Who does?

Cole: The Knight-Captain. But she's injured.

Varric: (sigh) Good job, Kid.

Cassandra: Is she alright? Is that how the book ends?

Varric: Not anymore.

Cassandra: Cole, what happens to her?

Cole: I don't know. The hill went away.

So here we see that Varric is one of THOSE authors. You know the kind, the ones who will rewrite an entire storyline because the big twists was leaked ahead of time.

It's not that important in the grand scheme of things, but it's interesting how through the game we see a very consistent picture of how Varric likes to write. He's a gardner variety writer, but unlike GRRM he's not the kind thst sticks to what he had in mind and sets up if the big twist is learned before it's finished.

As for His banter with Cassandra related to Hawke, it's entertaining, but not exactly that enlightening. Except for one.

If you chose in DA2 to save carver or Bethany by making them grey wardens, you get this bit when Cassandra Questions him about them.

Varric: Aveline took him off somewhere when the Calling started going nuts, but he'll tag along. He always does.

Varric: Aveline took her off somewhere when the Calling started going nuts, but she'll try to keep Hawke out of trouble.

Cassandra misses the obvious, but you probably didn't.

Varric knew about the calling from the start. Oh he didn't know the details, and he didn't know why... But he knew there was something up with the calling from the very start, and probably figured out this was the key reason from day one.

And he didn't share it. At all.

That speaks volumes of where his true loyalties lies, and it's something a lot of people miss.

Cassandra is right. Varric's heart will never truly belong to the Inquisition so long as Hawke and his Kirkwall friends exists outside of it.

There is also a turning point in their conversations, starting around the point where Varric's personal quest with Bianca happened.

Cassandra: Am I to understand your Bianca is married?

Varric: Oh, have we reached the stage where we gossip about each other's love lives?

Varric: Did you hear that, boss? Don't worry, I'll tell you whatever she says.

Cassandra: Forget I mentioned anything. It was a simple question, Varric.

Varric: There was nothing simple about it.

Varric actually blatantly questions wheter they've reached the point where they are now talking about each others love with each other. The truth is though, they actually have.

Varric: You brought up Bianca, Seeker. Does that mean I can ask about your conquests?

Cassandra: I would rather you didn't.

Varric: No tantalizing secrets to divulge?

Cassandra: None.

(If the Inquisitor is in a relationship with Cassandra)

Varric: So no one within, say, a five foot radius has caught your eye?

Inquisitor: Really? No one at all?

Cassandra: This... is not a discussion I want to have here.

Varric: (laughs) Are you blushing, Seeker? Maker, the world really is coming to an end.

Or

Inquisitor: Perhaps Cassandra—and her conquest—would rather not discuss this in public.

Varric: Spoilsport.

Or

Varric: Nothing? You do know he's standing right there...

Cassandra: I... have no conquests.

Varric: How about dalliances? Liaisons? Illicit affairs?

Cassandra: No.

Sera: Enough poking, Varric.

Varric: Is it, Buttercup? Is it?

It a rather humorous affair, but it does show that Varric at this point is comfortable prodding Cassandra's love life, figuring out how far he can push.

Which speaks for itself at how close these two have gotten at this point.

Cassandra: Very well, Varric. If you wish to know about men I have known, I will tell you.

Varric: Look, Seeker. I was only...

Cassandra: You are right. I pried first, and fair is fair. Years ago, I knew a young mage named Regalyan. He was dashing, unlike any man I'd met. He died at the Conclave.

Varric: Oh.

Cassandra: What we had was fleeting. And years had passed. Still, it saddens me to think he's gone.

Varric: I'm sorry.

Nothing to add here, just that Varric sorta gets sad when he realizes that was friendly prodding touched a very bitter and sad point from Cassandra's pain.

For which he apologizes.

Varric: Look, Seeker, I didn't mean to make you talk about your mage friend.

Cassandra: I know. I was not trying to make you speak of Bianca. If I was, you would know. I would yell, books would be stabbed.

Varric: (Chuckles.) I'll keep that in mind.

Also as the game reaches the end section, Varric and Cassandra begin to really banter in a much more friendly way.

Cassandra: I still don't understand how drakes take that hand.

Varric: ...Hmm. Maybe we should start you on Shepherd's Six.

Cassandra: Isn't that a children's game?

Varric: Yeah.

When trying to teach Cassandra card games at this point in the story, Varric has the perfect set up for a punchline like he did in the early game, but he doesn't use it, because he isn't mocking cassandra here, he's genuinely trying to teach her how to play cards.

And so he suggest starting her off with something simple, like a card game for children, cause he understands thats where she has to start at her level.

There are plenty more, but most of it is just well written, engaging or funny back and forths. But before moving on, i wanna highlight two of them.

Varric: Did you really think the Conclave had a chance of making peace, Seeker?

Cassandra: You do not?

Varric: What was the Divine's plan? Bring everyone together and hope really hard that they would all get along?

Cassandra: Most Holy did not confide her plan to me. Perhaps she thought they were tired of death and conflict.

Varric: Oh, when is that ever been true? For Templars or mages.

Cassandra: I will not mock a dead woman, Varric. She did what she could, and that is more than most.

This conversation is very important for one simple reason. It showcases how much Varric has changed since DA2. Varric used to be one of the big believers in compromise in that game. He didn't come out and say it out right, because in that game the Templar far and away were the more evil faction, and so there was way more chances for Varric to stick up for mages, but Varric really, REALLY didn't want the mages and Templars to go to war.

He had so many friends in both factions, friends he knew would die if it ever did come to true blows.

I would say that varric was probably the best example of what neutrality in such a situation should have been. Someone who is neutral because he understood thst fundamentally, both sides even at their worst, were people. Not demons, not monsters, but human beings or elves. But unlike many others who clamor for neutrality, Varric wasn't stuck up his own ass about it.

If he saw one side go over the ljne, regardless of which it was, he would not just stand by wheter it was power hungry necromantic blood mages, or Templars like Ser Alrik.

But here, he mocks the very idea of neutrality. He has completely given up on it, and he's accepted that the only solution here, is for one side or the other will have to decisively crush the opposition.

Of course he doesnt come out and say it like that, but that's the message to take away here. So long as there is a templar or mage on the field, this war will continue. He doesn't like that fact, but he has accepted it.

Cassandra: I hear reconstruction is progressing well in Kirkwall.

Varric: I know things are bad there.

Cassandra: I wasn't trying to...

Varric: You weren't trying to remind me how bad is it in Kirkwall? So you decided to talk about it?

Cassandra: About its recovery!

Varric: What you're talking about are the buildings, and even that will take years. People don't recover so easily.

Kirkwall, that is to say, the Kirkwall Varric was born in, grew up in, and spent the happiest years of his life(When he was running there with Hawke), is dead and gone, and never coming back.

He is never getting it back.

Which will be very important for the next companion's banter.

Blackwall

Blackwall is different than the rest of the crew in that he's utterly reliant on the Banter to have any sort of presence. He has no charisma in the actual game, but he does showcase a much more entertaining character in banter.

In regards to Varric though, his mian purpose is to showcase aspects of Varric we don't often see.

One of the most important comes very, very early into their relationship.

Blackwall: I once met a dwarf who made the best home-brewed ale.

Varric: I once met a Grey Warden who got possessed by a spirit and then blew up a Chantry and killed a hundred people. What makes people think you want to hear what others of "your kind" have done, anyway?

This is a moment that is:

1. Very uncharacteristic of Varric, who usually loves talking about other people if he gets any excuse to do so, and will be demonstrated in a very similar moment in his banter with the Iron Bull, only with a different reaction.

2. It's here to showcase Varric's hatred for Anders. Other than Sebastian, Varric misses pretty much the entire DA2 cast, his true best friends... Except for Anders.

Varric LOATHES Anders for his actions, for kickstarting the Mage Templar War and getting lots of his friends killed, but also for destroying his home and making his own worst fear come true.

Varric's biggest fear as shown in the fade is becoming his parents... And that's exactly what he has become in DAI. The depressed exile from a home city that he can never return to, and if he does, it won't be the same life they miss so dearly. Varric misses Kirkwall. He misses it's people, the Hanged man, and always thinking back on the glory days of his life.

And he misses Hawke.

All lost to him and never coming back, all thanks to Anders. Varric can never return back to that time, that place, that era, that friend group that was the highpoint of Varric's life, because the city of Champion Hawke and Varric the sidekick is as dead and gone as his parents.

The hanged man will never be the same, Hawke will never be the revered Hero they were after act 2, and every single one of the countless friends that Varric misses will not come back.

And so he hates Anders with a level of hatred he reserves for very, very few people.

The rest of Varric's starting relationship with Blackwall is about him trying to figure out what makes him tick, innitially pegging him as another Sebastian. Boring, safe, droll.

He also has more banter where he shows how depressed he actually is about Kirkwall.

Blackwall: I've been to Kirkwall. The Hanged Man, actually, probably been twenty years now. It was a dive if I remember correctly.

Varric: It's the dive. Filled with the best and worst people in the world.

Blackwall: Yes, I heard it was a haunt of yours.

Varric: Haunt? It was home.

He finally clicks with Blackwall, as they get into a shared passion nobody else in the party has. Jousting. The sport consistent of knocking people of horses with pointy sticks.

As a Free Marcher Varric has grown up with the Grand Tourney as a focal point of his identity, and loves the sport, so he and Blackwall bonds and argues over the sport, with the most notable part being their disagreements over who is the better jousting knight, where he also gives his own cents in the form of a meta commentary between who is the better protagonist, the Hero of Ferelden or Hawke.

Blackwall: You can't really think Reeve Asa is a better knight than Honorine Chastain. Her record's flawless. Four hundred jousts, never unseated. No one's ever come close to it.

Varric: Oh, she's easily the most skilled. That's a fact. It's just "scrappy" is better than "flawless." I like heroes who try their damnedest, even if they fail a lot. It's easy to be valiant when you always win and everything goes your way. There's nothing great in that.

The rather unsubtle meta message here, is comparing the protagonists of the first games.

The warden is the stronger, more skilled and more competent protagonist who ultimately always triumphed, changed the world, and became heralded far and wide as the greatest hero of her age.

Meanwhile Hawke is the scrappy underdog hero who always gets back on their feet regardless of how hard they fall, and never actually suceeds in anything. Hawke is a failure Hero who couldn't save their mother, their city, at least one of their siblings, maybe two, Ketojan, couldn't prevent the Qunari attack, and constantly failed to save the day through DA2.

Now i don't really agree with this rather simplistic reading of the Warden, but it's a good scene, because it shows that Varric is more than capable of overlooking all the work, effort and time it takes to produce a "perfect" result, as well as show that Varric has a very hard preference for underdogs, and the stories they produce.

Which leads into his reaction when Blackwall confesses his sins.

Varric: Maybe I've been too hard on you.

Blackwall: Oh, so you don't think I'm dreadful now.

Varric: Actually, I thought you were boring before. Completely different. We're all dreadful. Every one of us, fundamentally flawed in a hundred different ways. That's why we're here, isn't it? Take all the risks, so the good people stay home where it's safe. With the whole "Blackwall" thing, you told a story so compelling even you started to believe it.

Blackwall: That's much nicer than saying "You're a dirty liar.", I'll take it.

Varric: A story-teller's got to believe his own story, or no one will.

Here we can gleam a sad fact. Varric very pointedly notes "we're all dreadfull", as Us, as in, him included.

Varric doesn't really consider himself a good person anymore, if he ever did.

It's not like the Varric of Yesteryear considered hinself a saint or some knight in shining armor, but there was a sense that he was happy with himself during that game, in a way he is not in DAI.

Something has changed, and that something is guilt over unleashing the red lyrium on the world, and probably guilt over killing his own friends.

It's not really focused on as much as it should be, but Varric had plenty of friends amongst both the mages and Templars... Which meant that when Anders blew up the chantry, regardless of which side you picked, Varric was forced to kill people who genuinely mattered to him.

Hence why he's so quick to forgive Blackwall for his lies.

For the most part this generally manifests itself in regards to Red Lyrium, which he blames himself for bringing into the world. I would argue that the more subtle parts you get to see in Banter though, is far, far more interesting and better told than the stuff in the main quest.

Because despite his flaws he "takes all the risks, so the good people won't have to.", just like Varric and Hawke.

This is in large amount what Varric in Inquisition is for the most part all about. Guilt, self loathing, and wanting to be a better person.

He just masks it with his usual wit, charm and charisma.

Kinda like Blackwall, only he doesn't really have much charisma or wit to hide behind. Hence why he is so accepting of, and willing to give him another chance without question.

On a final note before we move on from Blackwall, we also get to see varric try to play matchmaker between Blackwall and Josephine which is cute, but not exactly surprising, or give us further insight into Varric's character.

Cole

Now, I'm not going to cover Cole here, not because the banter isn't interesting, or we don't learn anything, but that's all from the way we learn about the world, or Cole himself.

Varric's side of these banters can be summed up in one sentence, for pretty much every single banter.

Varric is Cole's dad.

Rinse, repeat.

Dorian

Similarily, I will not be covering the banter with dorian, not because it's bad, far from it, it's some of the most entertaining in the game, but it doesn't exactly add much beyond the fact that both Varric and Dorian love to gamble, and share witty banter.

Also nugs has some creepy ass feet. The stuff of nightmares.

The Iron Bull

Far more to be dissected, can be found in Varric's banter with the Iron Bull.

There is so much to learn from this banter, from Spy work to how the Antaam is viewed by the other Qunari and so on, but we'll focus on the stuff relating to varric, as he and bull talk about a lot of things.

Varric: You're not the first Ben-Hassrath I've run across. Hawke and I went on a caper with one named Tallis.

Iron Bull: You don't say.

Varric: She caused us no end of trouble. You wouldn't know her by any chance?

Iron Bull: Hey, one time I ran into this dwarf on the road. Short, grouchy. You think you might know him?

Varric: I'm in the Merchant Guild. Ten royals says I not only know him—he owes me money.

Iron Bull: Oh. Well... no. I don't know Tallis. Sorry.

In stark contrast to his talk with Iron bull, when not involving Anders or other people he hates, Varric loves to talk about people. To the point that in his comeback to Iron Bull, there is an invitation here for Bull to specify who this random dwarf was, because chances are, he actually might know him, and could elaborate on the guy.

Varric: How could you possibly be a spy?

Iron Bull: Well, it's a pretty easy job. I do some fighting, and drinking, and then once in a while I tell Par Vollen about it.

Varric: Heh. Where's the sneaking, the plotting, the subtle machinations?

Iron Bull: If you do that, everyone knows you're a spy. Drinking, fighting, writing notes, that's all it really takes.

Varric: Shit. You're either the worst qunari ever, or the best. I can't decide.

He also showcases great frustration with the way Iron Bull pokes holes in his Bond like spy writing, in favor of the mundane realities of Cloak and Dagger stuff.

Because for all that he prides himself on tall tales, varric does like his writing to somewhat be plausible. Its why he gets pissy at the inquisitor when he tells him how stupid so many parts of DA2 were writing wise, cause Varric wrote it how it happened, and while embelishing it, it was mostly true.

And if his spy writing isn't realistic enough that it might plausibly happen... Then it's not as good as it could be.

Iron Bull: By the way, Varric, you write some nice fight scenes.

Varric: Well, thank you. I'm surprised you think so. They're not exactly realistic.

Iron Bull: I figured that out when the good guy did a backflip while wearing a chain mail shirt.

Varric: And that didn't bother you?

Iron Bull: Back in Seheron, I fell on a guy who tried to stab me in the gut. I felt the blade chip as it went through my gut and hit my back ribs. But I was alive, and on top. I sawed through the armor on the rebel's neck, back and forth, until it went red. I don't need a book to remind me that the world is full of horrible crap.

Varric: Impossible swashbuckling it is.

Meanwhile, this bit is surprisingly layered.

First off, there is Bull's retelling and describing the way he dealt with the Vint while bing impaled as "realistic". If this was not a world with magical healing such as potions or poultices he'd had died from this incident, due to infection if nothing else. That's meant as a bit of meta irony.

But the actual meat of this, is that Varric is just letting Bull rant.

The whole "Backflip while wearing chainmail armor" is something Hawke can literarily do in DA2, Provided you are a rogue Hawke and has high enough stats. If so, when hit by a trap, Hawke will simply backflip out of the way, even if wearing chainmail armor.

It is the kind of shit that for a long was normal for Varric, and he writes it into his fight scenes(Which he has a self dig at calling them not realistic, despite having seen shit like that for himself all the time).

But he doesnt say any of that.

Instead he just lets Bull rant, get it out there how shitty he really feels, because varric knows when to talk, and when to listen, and here is a time to listen.

Varric: So, Bull. You and Dorian?

Iron Bull: Mm-hmm.

Varric: "Two worlds tearing them apart, Tevinter and Qunari, with only love to keep them together."

Dorian: I don't see how this is even remotely your business, Varric.

Iron Bull: Could you make it sound angrier? "Love" is a bit soft.

Dorian: Please stop helping the dwarf.

Varric: How about passion?

Iron Bull: Yes, that's better. Love is all starlight and gentle blushes. Passion leaves your fingers sore from clawing the sheets.

Dorian: You could at least have had the courtesy to use the bedposts.

Iron Bull: Hey, don't top from the bottom.

Varric: Passion it is, then.

Also, i wanna highlight his banter with bull, if he and dorian hook up, and if both are with him in the party. It's really the only bit of Dorian varric banter with real character meat to it, as it puts Dorian's rarely seen tsundere side on full display, and why he makes such a good match with the easy going, yet equally passionate iron bull.

Iron Bull: Hey, Varric, I was reading your stuff... Where do your bad guys come from?

Varric: Well, some of them come from Tevinter and some are Ben-Hassrath spies... but I like the stories where the villain was the man beside you the whole time. The best villains don't see themselves as evil. They're fighting for a good cause, willing to get their hands dirty.

Iron Bull: All right, that's really deep and all, but I meant where do the bad guys come from literally? The way you write it, it's like they just fall from the sky and land on top on the hero.

Varric: I like to leave some things to the reader's imagination.

Also, final bit i'll cover of these two here. It's both a meta hit of writing in that it's supposed to be about solas, but can also apply to Iron bull, and is a self depreciating dig on the single worst gameplay mechanic from DA2.

Sera

So, as with Cole and Dorian, im not covering this sequence of banter as it doesn't really reveal much about Varric as a character. Its generally just Sera trying her usual bullshit, and Varric taking the piss out of her, much to her frustration.

Im not exactly a big fan of Sera, and even here, where most of their dialogue is about Varric basicaly running rings around her, don't really makes me smile.

There is one bit of banter though, that i do want to highlight.

Sera: (sing-song) La la la la la, Sentinals are shits.

Varric: Like it or not, Buttercup, that’s where you come from.

Sera: Says the undwarfiest dwarf ever!

Varric: Fair enough. Paragons can be shits too.

So, this one i feel is extremely important, for the reason that it goes to showcase that 1. Sera doesn't understand Varric in the slightest, and 2. Really goes to showcase Sera's complete and total lack of self awareness, and just how out of touch she is, raiding other people's homes, and calling them shits for defending themselves.

But that second one i'll save for Sera's banter review.

For this one, I want to highlight how Varric, just like Dorian understands and more importantly loves the Culture he originates from. He knows how shitty dwarven culture can be, and will never avoid taking the piss out of it for all it's flaws, but he also admires it. He admires their ability to create marvels, their grit and determination that has seen them take on the Darkspawn for a hundred years and still stand, and the individuals that stood up and above the rest to serve as legends, just like Hawke and the Inquisitor.

There is a reason his hangouts in both games are decorated full of very traditional dwarven furniture. Because he wants to live in a home that looks dwarven.

Because the past is important.

It's a bit of wisdom he tries, and fails to impart to Sera, that you simply trying to pretend your roots don't exists never works. And he's right. Even though Sera never admits wrong on her own part, she fully admits she burnt out on this spiteful hatred in Tresspasser.

Solas

Solas and Varric's banter though, is far, far more interesting.

Both of them are tricksters, both value the past greatly in their own way, both understands the power of a story, both of them lie to the Inquisitor, and both would rather remain the side character than step up to take the spotlight.

And yet they are different. Opposites almost.

One of Varric's defining feature as a person is that he cares about all his friends and how those friendships transcends the chains of status, having become friends with dwarves, Qunari, kossiths, humans, elves, templars, mages, seekers, antivans, fereldens, kirkwallers, orlesians, tevinters, anders, revains, avvar, and so on.

Solas single defining feature is how he sees everyone he does not knows except for his own, very small list of what he considers countrymen, as not things, and is willing to destroy the world for them to prosper.

Varric stays out of the spotlight cause he likes being the power behind the throne. Solas does it because as the Herald's Judas, he doesn't want anyone to question the many, many questions about him further than they have to.

Varric lives in the present, but respects the past. Solas in the past, and is terrified of the present.

Which leads to some of the most interesting banter in the game.

Solas: By the end of Hard in Hightown, almost every character is revealed as a spy or a traitor.

Varric: Wait, you read my book?

Solas: It was in the Inquisition library. Everyone but Donnen turned out to be in disguise. Is that common?

Varric: Are we still talking about books or are you asking if everyone I know is a secret agent?

Solas: Are there many tricksters in dwarven literature?

Varric: A handful, but they're the exception. Mostly they're just honoring the ancestors. It's very dull stuff. Human literature? Now there's where you'll find the tricky, clever, really deceptive types.

Solas: Curious.

Varric: Not really. Dwarves write how they want things to be. Humans write to figure out how things are.

Solas questions Varric about the to him, alien Dwarven liturature, trying to figure out what the new, "lesser" dwarves might write about when no longer part of a hivemind.

Varric gives it to him straight, but there is a deeper bit of character here.

Varric is able to explain this to Solas, because as a man who understands Dwarven culture, strengths, flaws, and weaknesses, and how it ticks, as well as undoubtedly having read a lot of dwarven literature, Varric is able to point out all it's shortcomings, or more accurately the way Human and Dwarven literature trends differentiate due to different cultural values.

Varric: You really spend most of your time in the Fade?

Solas: As much as is possible. The Fade contains a wealth of knowledge for those who know where to look.

Varric: Sure, but I don't know how you dream, let alone wander around in there.

Varric: Especially when the shit that comes out of the Fade generally seems pretty cranky.

Solas: So are humans, but we continue to interact with them... when we must.

Here Varric pries a bit into a topic he(If you took him with you in night terrors) only has experienced once before for himself, from someone who knows more about the fade and the veil than anyone.

Solas ends it on a much darker note than Varric assumes though, as what he means is, we have to tolerate them "for now."

Solas: Is it true that the entire dwarven economy relies upon lyrium?

Varric: Mostly. We've got the nug market cornered as well.

Solas: And the dwarves of Orzammar have never studied lyrium?

Varric: If they have, they certainly haven't shared anything up here. Why?

Solas: It is the source of all magic, save that which mages bring themselves.

Solas: Dwarves alone have the ability to mine it safely. I wondered if they had sought to learn more.

Varric: The folks back in Orzammar don't care much about anything but tradition.

So here we have Varric flat out bullshit Solas in several ways. He knows way more about lyrium than most, having studied red lyrium himself, and yet he does not give that information to Soals, the way he does with the Herald, showing that deep down, Varric trusts you far more than Solas, if not as much as Hawke.

He also knows that both surface and underground Dwarves have deeper knowledge of lyrium than any human, being it's the source of all the enchantments and magic, and that while they might not know it's origins, they understand how it works, and how to use it, transport it, store it, and so on.

If there is one thing Orzammar is good at, and not stuck in tradition, it's exploiting Lyrium to the hilt.

And yet he bullshits Solas about it completely. Because this is an early banter, the likely reason is simply that he does not trust him.

Which given his other important lies is not surprising.

And solas later recognizes this.

Solas: I find the fall of the dwarven lands confusing.

Varric: What's so confusing about endless darkspawn?

Solas: A great deal, although that is a different matter. Dwarves control the flow of lyrium. They could tighten their grip on it.

Varric: It's hard to get the attention of the humans when the darkspawn aren't up here messing with their stuff.

Solas: You're active in the Carta. You know your people could tug the purse strings. You could claim sovereign land on the surface, or demand help restoring the dwarven kingdom, but you don't.

Varric: You're not saying anything I haven't said myself, Chuckles. Orzammar is what it is

Solas Attacks Varric's arguments from adifferent angle here, without directly calling him a liar from the banter before, as he points out just how much power Orzammar has through it's economic might, how even if they know how to use Lyrium so effectively, they haven't been wielding that might to effecrively hammer out an anti Darkspawn coalition to crush the darkspawn in their own dens and wipe them out from the source.

Realistically, the dwarves are rhe only ones who could see it done, and yet they havent. Because before Bhelen, there was never a king willing to upend the entire system to get results.

Varric doesn't actually give his direct thoughts in this bit of banter, but it goes into future ones. Before that though, im gonna quickly cover another bit of banter.

Solas: Do you ever miss life beneath the earth? The call of the Stone?

Varric: Nah. Whatever the Stone - capital S - is, it was gone by the time my parents had me.

Solas: But... do you miss it?

Varric: How could I miss what I never had?

Varric: But say I did have that sense, that connection to the Stone. What would it cost me?

Varric: Would I lose my friends up here? Would I stop telling stories?

Varric: I like who I am. If I want to hear songs, I'll go to the tavern.

Solas: You are wiser than most.

Solas worships the past, to such a degree that he thinks being part of a hivemind under the titans, must have been better for the Dwarves, because of what it allowed them to accomplish by magic, and more importantly that it's what they used to be.

And what they used to be, must be better than what they are now, because the past is better.

Meanwhile Varric is content with the present. He never had stone sense, so why worry about it? Why dream of it, why become his parents? That would be absolutely awful, so why not embrace what you have now.

Though Solas doesn't know it, his backhanded praise here is actually even moreso than he knows.

Its backhanded by intention, because he acknowledges that varric is wiser than those who would wail about their lost glory... But as we'll see in the following banter, he regards all Dwarves, regardless of wheter they are like Varric, as lessers and fools. So varric is better... But he is still a fool.

Meanwhile, on Varric's part, it's even more backhanded than Solas intends because Varric is doing exactly what he's saying he isn't here.

Dreaming of glory days when all was simplier and he was a happier man. He's not dreaming of stone sense itself, but the sentiment is the same.

And he knows it. That's one of the saddest things about Varric in DAI. He became his parents, his worst fear, but he's very much aware of that fact.

Solas: Is there at least a movement to reunite Orzammar and Kal-Sharok?

Varric: What is it with you, Chuckles? Why do you care so much about the dwarves?

Solas: Once, in the Fade, I saw the memory of a man who lived alone on an island. Most of his tribe had fallen to beasts or disease. His wife had died in childbirth. He was the only one left. He could have struck out on his own to find a new land, new people. But he stayed. He spent every day catching fish in a little boat, every night drinking fermented fruit juice and watching the stars.

Varric: I can think of worse lives.

Solas: How can you be happy surrendering, knowing it will all end with you? How can you not fight?

Varric: I suppose it depends on the quality of the fermented fruit juice.

Solas: So it seems.

---

Solas:: I am sorry to have bothered you with my questions about your people Varric. I see so much of this world in dreams. Humans, my own people, even qunari. Dwarves alone were lost to me, save scattered fragments of memory where some spirit cared to watch. Now I know why I see so little.

Varric: And why is that?

Solas:: Dwarves are the severed arm of a once mighty hero, lying in a pool of blood. Undirected. Whatever skill of arms it had, gone forever. Although it might twitch to give the appearance of life, it will never dream.

Varric: I'd avoid mentioning that to any Carta, Chuckles. They might not take it the right way.

---

Varric: What's with you and the doom stuff? Are you always this cheery or is the hole in the sky getting to you?

Solas: I've no idea what you mean.

Varric: All the "fallen empire" crap you go on about. What's so great about empires anyway?

Varric: So we lost the Deep Roads, and Orzammar is too proud to ask for help. So what? We're not Orzammar and we're not our empire.

Varric: There are tens of thousands of us living up here in the sunlight now, and it's not that bad.

Varric: Life goes on. It's just different than it used to be.

Solas: And you have no concept of what that difference cost you.

Varric: I know what it didn't cost me. I'm still here, even after all those thaigs fell.

---

Solas: You truly are content to sit in the sun, never wondering what you could've been, never fighting back.

Varric: Ha, you've got it all wrong, Chuckles. This is fighting back.

Solas: How does passively accepting your fate constitute a fight?

Varric: In that story of yours—-the fisherman watching the stars, dying alone. You thought he gave up, right?

Solas: Yes.

Varric: But he went on living. He lost everyone, but he still got up every morning. He made a life, even if it was alone.

Varric: That's the world. Everything you build, it tears down. Everything you've got, it takes. And it's gone forever.

Varric: The only choices you get are to lie down and die or keep going. He kept going. That's as close to beating the world as anyone gets.

Solas: Well said. Perhaps I was mistaken

This entire banter line is about Varric and Solas.

On solas part it's about his very well spoken and articulated racist opinions on the modern dwarves compared to those who came before and trying to rack his brian around them not going to the lengths he himself would have gone to save their race.

Also the fact they are no longer part of the Titan hivemind. He's really stuck on that for reasons we don't really fully understand.

However, far, far more importantly this is about Varric's entire storyline in DAI.

Varric talks about Orzammar, about the loss of the deep roads, and yet they are all still there, still fighting, still marching on, rather than laying down and dying.

That is the true strength of the Dwarven race.

The ability to keep going even after losing everything. The original dwarves lost the titans and their magic. They marched on.

The dwarven empire lost the deep roads, and all but two thaigs. They marched on.

The surface dwarves lost their caste the last remains of their magic, and their status in dwarven society. They marched on.

Varric lost kirkwall. He lost his entire friend group that was the people who he loved more than any other group of people he has ever know. He lost his home that he grew up in and loved. He lost his parents and he lost Barthrand, the only remaining family he had, and who despite it all deeply, deeply loved. He lost Bianca, a teenage infatuation he never was able to get over.

And he lost Hawke. Either to Anders kickstsrting the war, or to the fade.

He lost everything he loved.

And yet He. Marched. On.

Varric's story in DAI is an understated one, one that isn't really given story focus, but unlike all the rest of the attempts at telling a more subtle story with the companions, this one actually worked.

Varric's story, is about his march onwards.

He lost everything due to Anders actions, and yet here he is. Marching forward through life. He hasn't laid down and died. He's still here. He's still fighting.

He still has hope.

And so he marches on through the twilight of his life, and keeps going, even if he loses Hawke forever... He keeps going, and he makes it through his depression, and grief to make a new life for himself in Kirkwall.

A new Kirkwall, but Kirkwall nonetheless.

Solas: That crossbow is remarkable, Varric. I am surprised the dwarves have not made more of them.

Varric: The woman who made Bianca would rather that not happen. Wars are bloody enough as it is.

Varric: A crossbow that fires this far and this quickly with so little training? Every battle would be a massacre.

Solas: Indeed. I am surprised, not disappointed.

Here we get a lot of insight into Varric... But also a moment of great moral ambiguity.

Everything Varric says here is true... But it would also mean his people finally, finally being able to destroy the darkspawn for good and all. Such a tech advantage would allow them to wipe the blighted Creatures from existence with ease.

Varric is more than brilliant enough to understand this... But he chooses not to think about it, or wheter it's a good course of actions, because he is shackled to Bianca even now, even still.

Bianca wants this crossbow not to be on the market, so he doesn't put it on the market, regardless of good or bad.

Varric: Hey Chuckles, do you ever play Wicked Grace?

Solas: I'm not much of a gambler anymore.

Varric: You don't have to play for real coin, that's just for keeping score.

Solas: What do you play for?

Varric: Conversation mostly. That way I win no matter how the cards fall.

This is a followup to Varric's original introductionary short story from way back in the day.

From that one we learn that Varric doesn't actually drink anything served at the Hanged man, he just orders a wine glass or beer mug, because he knows people get nervous if you don't drink in a bar, so he crafts an illusion to aid him in his rogue life.

Vivienne

So like a number of these I'm not gonna cover them in full, as while good, and well written, and paints a very clear picture of Vivienne, they're not exactly deep character pieces for Varrix... But I do wanna cover a few.

Vivienne: Am I to understand, Varric, that you knew the apostate who destroyed Kirkwall's chantry?

Varric: Unfortunately, yes.

Vivienne: What could he possibly have hoped to accomplish with such madness?

Varric: Exactly what he got: a whole lot of innocent people killing each other.

Vivienne: I take it he's no longer on your Wintersend gift list.

Varric: Depends. Does a flaming sack of bronto dung count as a gift?

Vivienne: Only if you tie it with a silk ribbon, my dear.

More Varric hating Anders, and laying all the blame of the Mage Templar Wars and ruining his life on him.

Vivienne: Tell me, Varric, who is the protagonist of this serial?

Varric: You know, we're so far into spoiler territory right now, I think I better stop talking.

Vivienne: Come now, darling. You can tell me.

Varric: Not on your life, Iron Lady. The best way to ensure a book's nevered finish is to tell someone your entire plot.

More Varric showcasing he cannot stand spoilers coming out, and it destroys his entire ability to write.

Vivienne: You know, Varric darling, I read your Hard in Hightown.

Varric: You did? Seriously?

Vivienne: Most of the Imperial Court did. It was in fashion a few winters ago.

Varric: Just how much gold is my publisher stealing from me?

One detail i really like about Varric, is that he tries to create this image of himself as always bring in control and all that... And then he has moments like this where his regular ass publisher swindles him for a shit ton of money.

Vivienne: How many chapters will this book be, Varric dear?

Varric: Well, the first one will come out in twelve chapters.

Vivienne: The first one?

Varric: I've read enough Orlesian fictions to know you never tell a story there in fewer than three complete books. They think you're just warming up after one.

Vivienne: And what happens to the scheming duchess in the first book?

Varric: Are you asking for spoilers, Madame De Fer?

Vivienne: Hints, darling. Not spoilers.

More Varric showcasing he understands other cultures and how they write stories.

[drdemonprince]

something im kind of connecting the dots to re: your posts about shaming people who don’t wear masks…in ‘20 and ‘21 I spent a lot of time posting shaming instagram stories telling people they needed to mask, and i yelled at family until i was blue in the face bc they weren’t masking, having big weddings, etc. and it really created a rift (obviously) in my relationships. I’ve also spent a lot of time and energy in the past 4 or so years telling people that it’s not possible to be an ally to trans people if they still engage in any media created by jk rowling. Especially given that her anti trans manifesto has been cited in anti trans legislation in the uk, she says that she assumes that anyone who continues to engage with Harry Potter media approves of her transphobia, etc the list goes on. And yet i still see my friends going to the wizarding world of Harry Potter, marathoning the movies with their friends, going to see the new movies in theaters, and so on. Obviously my aggressive shaming posts and conversations (which have alienated a lot of people) aren’t doing jack shit. Your mask shame posts made me realize that it probably wasn’t right of me to do that. But I don’t see how I can stand up for what I believe in and show people that it’s not okay to keep doing this shit AND play nice and not create trouble. Do you have any thoughts?

Thanks for this great question and for sharing your experiences.

I think when we shame, part of it is a grappling with our own powerlessness. It feels terrible to confront that no matter how much we care, and no matter how much we plead, we cannot make another person take action. When people we love or rely on won't hear our pleas and won't take action, it wounds us so deeply, and it makes sense we react in anger or seek to shame them hoping it will make them care. But it isn't effective.

I think one of the first steps is accepting our powerlessness as individuals. We have to stop expecting ourselves to somehow persuade people to change their behavior and views, when all the research indicates that such change is rare, slow, and very hard, and cannot be accomplished on a person who does not already want to be influenced. We have to sit in the humility of not being able to make others care, and take time to grieve how badly it hurts. Our understandable and huge hurt feelings need to be processed. many of us have a powerful need to express our rage and have it witnessed by others who understand.

From there, we have to think very strategically about what kind of collective work we can do that will shift social norms, facilitate the behavior we want to see, and fight for systemic changes that will actually address the root issues.

This may be things like passing out masks at protests. Joining a local mutual aid fund to contribute to the expenses of people who are quarantining. Protesting an event space to make them institute a masking policy. Unionizing with our coworkers to demand paid sick leave. Shoplifting tests and redistributing them to people in need. Terrorizing the business leaders who dragged us all back into the office. Sharing the wastewater data. Asking loved ones about their COVID mitigation decisions in a sincere way. Organizing outdoor events for our communities. Paying for a buddy's vaccine.

There are countless ways for us to be plugged into an active community that is larger than us. The work is humble, and ongoing, and what you do personally will never be enough on its own, and you must accept that in order to believe that it does not have to be. We are in this together.

In short, I think the tough emotional realities of feeling disrespected and not cared for much be addressed by finding community with people who do care and will give us room to voice our outrage. And then we have to work together to create the circumstances that allow real systemic change to germinate.

Right now, people conflate that emotional need to express rage with the political need to take action. And what feels cathartic to do or say is not necessarily what's persuasive. There has to be room for both.

[lutiaslayton]

Did someone ask for more scans? No? Too bad, have more scans.

Emmy's letter to Professor Layton, post-Curious Village. The fabled letter, which can only be accessed properly if you rip open your copy of the Japan-exclusive Azran Legacy Guidebook (more or less).

Years ago, there were photos and a fan-translation floating around on tumblr. Now, I give you the new and high quality version, as well as a full transcript. You're welcome :>

It's been literally eight years since your post, but since your tags say that you wanted to be warned if a better scan were to be made, well... Here you go @puzzilitis x) I'm also tagging @the-azran-legacies, but I'm pretty sure your blog is completely dead since this translation post seems to be its latest sign of activity, and that was ten years ago.

Seriously though, just in case you get to see this -- thank you both so much for what you did all these years ago. Without your posts, I might never even have heard that this letter existed in the first place! Or, well, I likely would have heard of it by now given the fact that I've been documenting every single Layton media I can find -- but I would have lived through an entire decade of ignorance by that point.

The translation below has been done exclusively with DeepL because my free time is limited, sorry for that ^^' If you want another one in order to compare, you have the one linked above, and I will likely make another one later (much later).

みんなのエピソード２１｜レミからの手紙

Everybody's Episode 21: A Letter from Emmy

親愛なるレイトン教授へ Dear Professor Layton,

あれから数か月になりますが、教授、お元気ですか？ It's been a few months since then. Professor, how are you?

一緒に仕事をしている仲間からレイトン教授が遺産相続騒動を解決したという話を耳にして思わず手紙を書いてしまいました。 When I heard from a colleague I work with that you had solved an inheritance dispute, I couldn't resist writing to you.

タージェントから世界を救ったあのレイトン教授が単なる遺産相続のナゾトキの依頼を引き受けるなんて。まさか…と思いましたが、ナゾには目がない教授ですし、きっと知的好奇心を刺激される不思議な出来事だったんでしょうね。 How could the very same Professor Layton who had saved the world from Targent, now accept a mere inheritance puzzle request? I could not believe it… But you always had a penchant for puzzles, so I am certain that it had to be a mysterious event which truly stimulated your intellectual curiosity.

ルークはしっかりと役目を果たせたでしょうか？ Has Luke fulfilled his role well?

実は…私はいま、ワールドタイムズでカメラマンをしています。教授の活躍を教えてくれた仕事仲間って、ボストニアス号で世界を旅したときに出会ったドリスさんなんですよ。 By the way... I am now a photographer for the World Times. The colleague who told me about your activities is Doris. We met her when we were travelling around the world on the Bostonius.

教授のもとを去ってから私がワールドタイムズで働き始めたきっかけは、教授との旅がとても楽しかったから。 I started working for the World Times after I quit my job as your assistant, since I enjoyed the journey with you so much.

世界各地でのいろんな人との出会い、見る者を虜にする美しい景色…。それを世界中の人々に伝えたい、いっしかそんな気持ちになって、自然とワールドタイムズ編集部に足を運んでいました。 Meeting all kinds of people in different parts of the world, finding beautiful and captivating landscapes… I wanted to tell people all over the world about these experiences, and this is how I naturally came to visit the World Times editorial office.

今の仕事は、本当に楽しいです！ I really enjoy my current job!

ムスロッホでリボの滝と鍾乳洞の取材をしていたら、長老のシメジイさんから気になるうわさ話を聞いたんです。 While I was reporting for the Ribo Waterfalls and the limestone caves of Musloch, I heard interesting rumours from the elder, Mr Simejii.

そんな話を聞いたら、調査をするしかありませんよね！ After hearing such a story, I simply could not resist investigating!

村人たちの情報を頼りに鍾乳洞の奥を突き進んでいったら…幻の｢神秘の密林｣を発見しました！ After going deeper into the limestone caves, by relying on the information the villagers gave me… The fabled "Mystical Jungle" has been discovered!

ワールドタイムズの大スクープとして一面に大きく取り上げられたので教授もご存知かもしれませんが、これは私の初スクープなんですよ。 You may have already known of it since it was featured as huge news on the front page of the World Times, but this was my first scoop.

記事には書きませんでしたが、密林の奥には古代遺跡が隠されていました。 We did not mention it in the article, but there were ancient ruins hidden deep in the jungle.

ここにもたくさんのナゾが隠されているはずなので、いつか教授にナゾを解いてもらいたいなぁ。 There must be a lot of puzzles hidden there. I hope you will solve them one day.

もしかして、アスラント文明とは別の考古学史上に残る大発見がある…かも？ Maybe there is another major discovery in the history of archaeology that is unrelated to the Azran civilisation… maybe?

そんなスクープを追いかけて世界中を飛び回る毎日ですが、いま追いかけているのは、スラム街に現れた｢ナゾのマスク男｣です。この話、知的好奇心をくすぐられませんか？ I spend my days travelling around the world, chasing this kind of scoop. What I am chasing now is a "Puzzling Masked Man" who has appeared in the slum quarters. Doesn't this story tickle your intellectual curiosity?

お金持ちから金品を盗み、スラム街の子供たちにお金を与える現代の義賊｢マスク男｣。 The Masked Man is a modern-day righteous bandit who steals money and goods from the rich and gives it to the children in the slums.

最初は、この｢マスク男の正体｣をスクープするためカメラ片手に追いかけていましたが、スラム街の子供たちを見ているうちに、１人の記者としてそこに暮らす人々の現状もじっくりと取材したい、と思うようになりました。 At first, I followed this "Masked Man," camera in hand, in order to get a scoop on his identity. But as I watched the children in the slums, I began to think that, as a reporter, I should rather take the time to cover the current situation of the people living there.

スラム街にはたくさんの孤児がいます。私たちを無垢な笑顔で迎えてくれる子、まったく目を合わせてくれない子など、いろんな表情を見せてくれます。 There are many orphans in the slums. We see many different faces, from those who greet us with innocent smiles to those who don't make eye contact at all.

そんな彼らの姿を見ているうちに、昔のことを、ふと思い出してしまいました。 As I watched them, I suddenly remembered something from the past.

私も子供のころ父を失い、孤児になってしまうところでした。しかし、それを救ってくれたのは、おじさまだったんです。 I lost my father as a child and almost became an orphan. But Uncle Leon saved me from that.

あの頃、父を失った私をおじさまはまるで娘のように育ててくれました。 Back then, I had lost my father, and Uncle Leon brought me up as if I were his daughter.

だから、あの場所でおじさまを裏切るわけにはいかなかった。優しかったおじさまを裏切れなかった…。教授に嘘をついていたことは、申し訳ないと思っています。 So this is why I couldn't betray him in that place. I couldn't betray my kind Uncle Leon... I truly am sorry that I lied to you, Professor.

でも、こういうことがあったからこそ、教授に出会えた。人の運命って不思議ですね。 Still, it was because of these things that I met you. The destiny of people is a curious thing, isnt' it?

あ…、今の私を伝えたいと思ってこの手紙を書いたのに、過去の話になっちゃいましたね。私の話は、また教授に会ったときにお話ししますね。 Ah... I wrote this letter in order to tell you how I am now, but all this is about the past. I will tell you my story when we meet again.

というわけで…今は楽しく仕事をしています！ So, all that to say... I really am enjoying my work now!

そうそう、長かった髪を思い切ってばっさり切りました！ Yes, I also cut off my long hair in a very drastic way!

これまでタージェントの一員として生きてきましたが、いま、ワールドタイムズでカメラマンとして働く普通の女性として歩み出すことができた、そんな気がしています。 I have lived my entire life as a member of Targent. But now, I feel that I have been able to step forward as an ordinary woman, who is now working as a photographer for the World Times.

きっといつか、あなたにまた会える、その日まで。 I am sure that one day, we will meet again. Until that day.

ＰＳ．取材中の写真をドリスさんに撮ってもらいました！あっ、後ろにマスク男が…！ P.S. Doris took photos during the interview! Ah, the Masked Man is in the background...!

Emmy Altava

Important translation note: Emmy calls Bronev "oji-sama," all in hiragana, which makes it unclear whether she is related to him by blood or not (おじ means "uncle," but can also just mean "man who is older than the speaker" (at least from what I know)).

The Eternal Diva novel introduces Emmy as "a beautiful woman of Asian lineage" (and yes, I know, Asia is huge with a lot of different lineages, and I don't know either which corner of Asia is being talked about here), so make of that info what you like. In order to leave it as ambiguous as I could, I replaced all instances of "oji-sama" with "Uncle Leon."

There might be a few other translation changes I made, but I think this was the most important one to take note of.

By the way, I actually scanned the whole guidebook, and I will share it when I can (though don't hold your breath, as you probably know I am currently juggling between way too many projects). The scans aren't ready to be shared yet because they were basically done with me not really caring whether the pages would be perfectly straight, upside down, etc, and as such they need some editing.

(I checked and the resolution of the scans is high enough to make it so that editing doesn't hurt the quality in the slightest. I swear that when the scans are finished editing, you won't even realise it and they'll look just as good as what you're seeing above with Emmy's letter).

The editing also includes linking the pages together for aesthetics purposes. Some pages have artworks that spread over both pages, so I'm doing my best to make it look seamless! Here, have an example for the first double page in the book that really does it:

As you can guess, editing each of the 128 pages in order to get this result is time-consuming, and translating that is going to be a doozy. But let's just appreciate how awesome it will be once it's done, eh? :D

Anyway, next up on the blog is going to be the Eternal Diva novel translation. I'm still working on getting some buffer done, but hopefully the first "chapter" will get out soon! I'd like to post on Saturdays. Let's cross our fingers for tomorrow. Or next week, if today's translation is enough to satiate you all for now!

[queer-ragnelle]

Hi! I really want to read the vulgate cycle but I have a hard time staying focused when reading it. Are there any sections of the vulgate that are not as important to the understanding or able to skip? Thank you so much for making all these stories accessible and thanks for your reply :))

Hello my friend! This is a great question and one I get a lot. The Vulgate Cycle is long and daunting, but I can help you navigate it!

Firstly, here is the full Vulgate Cycle PDF collection for everyone to read. Secondly, I'll summarize what you can do, and elaborate below a cut.

TL;DR

If reading a PDF, use CTRL+F to find your favorite character's name/stories.

If reading a physical copy, utilize the index (located at the very end of the Post Vulgate) to find them.

Discover chapters of interest from the summary page (also located at the very end of the Post Vulgate).

Skip The History of the Holy Grail and begin with The Story of Merlin or Lancelot I.

Now, let's break down the ways you can navigate the Vulgate Cycle step by step.

CTRL+F

This option will certainly be less effective if your favorite character is a prominent one such as Lancelot or Gawain as they appear a million times. However, if you want to learn more about someone else, say, the Lady of the Lake, you can search her up and find every instance of her appearance. Like so.

Index

In the very back of the final book of the Post Vulgate, there's an Index listing every named character [Ex: Gawain], location [Ex: Orkney Isles], entity [Ex: Holy Spirit], animal [Ex: Gringalet the horse], and language [Ex: Hebrew] mentioned in the entirety of the Vulgate Cycle. There you'll find a list of which book/chapter/page they appear in. Here are all the mentions of Gawain's horse in The Book of Merlin.

Chapter Summaries

Each book of the Vulgate Cycle has a Table of Contents with the chapter numbers and long, descriptive titles. That alone may give you an indication of what you want to read. However, at the back of the Post Vulgate, right before the Index, there's a list of every chapter in the Vulgate Cycle with a summary of events. That will give you more detail and may help you decide if you want to read in full.

Skip

If it sucks, hit da bricks. The beauty of the Vulgate Cycle is that you don't need The History of the Grail or The Book of Merlin to understand what comes later. I enjoy them because History gives a ton of background to the religious themes the Grail Quest will eventually explore and sets up all the motifs way in advance and Merlin has the Orkney Bros as well as Yvain and Sagramore as kids which is fun. But the fact is you can begin with Lancelot I and you won't be lost. Lancelot I was written first, Merlin is a prequel, so it's optional, and the motifs of the Grail Quest are going to be heavy handed when you get there anyway without the added stuff from History. That's hundreds of pages you can skip if you want to! Norris J. Lacy, the head editor, and his translation team did a phenomenal job with footnotes throughout, so if a character off-handedly refers back to something, you can rely on them to leave a little note at the bottom for you to refresh your memory with. It'll even give you a chapter/page number if you want to refer back yourself. Here's a footnote referring to Agravaine's unnamed amie [his ladylove] who helped wing woman her sister to romance Gawain. That was 4 chapters prior to this moment.

So there are plenty of ways to navigate the Vulgate Cycle and make it more digestible. That being said, it's translated so beautifully by Lacy and his team, that it reads like a modern novel. I have no doubt that once you get started, you'll become invested, and find it much easier to work through than you first thought. It's long-winded and character dense but it's fun. I do hope you're able to read it and understand why I love it so much! Thanks for this ask and I hope this helps. Have a great day!