#needless symbolism my beloved

[grimtrespasser]

True forms and auras

[yvesoclore]

mother and son

[robots-are-kinda-hot]

((long post incoming)) hi i havent posted in seven years. have slugcats

@ant1quarian is to blame for this. go look at their rain world utmv au before I implode

Side note I refer to Saint as he but none of my chars care abt gender bc i blasted them with the genderfluid beam

He would be . going thru it LMAO

I’m sure “fallen saint” did not mean a saint who probably deserved to be fallen but fuck it we ball. The problem with my Saint is he will ascend everything. Whether they want it or not. This creates a shit ton of echoes. So him losing his powers (likely due to a certain oc of mine) would actually be a good thing… eventually

At first he’d be pissed as all hell. Stays pissed as all hell when he meets Dust, Killer, and Cross (or whoever else). Getting to know them goes… ehhh. They all travel together, but Saint is trying to stay distant so he can move up karma. He’s also still very angry about losing his powers, but bottling it up bc saints shouldn't have emotions (according to him).

This comes to a head when someone gives the slightest suggestion of liking being alive. He shuts them down so fast it’s almost comical, but any good vibes are killed when Saint mentions how he ascended everything he came across. Cue argument about maybe Not Doing That. Cue Saint’s outburst (“WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S WRONG?!”)

Saint storms away from the group and sleeps in a different shelter alone. He… ends up thinking a little too much and has a bit of a breakdown. Begrudgingly goes back to the group once the rain stops, looking for forgiveness, and he FINALLY gets a crumb of character development. THEN the stage is set for eventual shipping shenanigans huehehehe (Saint still needs some more character development before he has anything official though, the bastard)

Design notes (because my saint design is a bit strange if you don’t know the context) + bonus old Artificer art bc she didn’t make it in here </3 dw i still love u arti

So… I’m gonna avoid talking about the main part of his design for funsies but its blaringly obvious. feel free to guess I’m like 80% sure everyone will get it

-My Saint actually has six tentacles/“wings”- three on either side so he’s symmetrical. After he falls, he loses a wing to represent said fall.

-The Saint in the first drawing is different on purpose! That’s him at the start with no echoes :] ironically the more echoes he meets the more echoed he gets

-At least one of his ears are always askew. This has to do with his main design aspect.

-He does have teeth. Kinda. He probably wouldn’t need to eat when fallen though, he’s echoed enough to not need it

-The three thingies on his forehead act like heat sensors. This lets Saint see at lower karma levels without getting snow blindness.

-He has pupils, but they’re the karma 10 symbol… which he no longer has, so he no longer has pupils too

Arti… oh, arti. My beloved. What the fuck did I do to you /pos

I missed you and all your triangular edgy goodness. You’ll get a few modifications but your cool ass face shadow and demon horn ears are staying

A little note about Artificer’s design, too: She does have her scar here! It’s just not visible under her shadow. My Artificer got so swept up in her rampage that she straight up forgot about her pups. Not coincidentally, her scar is vaguely shaped like a slugpup’s head. She’s blocking out the memories of her past in favor of needless bloodshed.

Not pictured is her fire fur that I still adore. Basically sometimes her fur just… isn’t fur, it’s fire, and while it is a more symbolic thing I love the idea of her fur turning to flames when she jumps

[toitlechaos]

Now that I have FINALLY SEEN Mutant Mayhem, thoroughly enjoyed it, and stopped vibrating at lightspeed in excitement.

I would like to share the turt gear I made for mineself to watch the movie in, during the month long wait, for anyone whomst may find it interesting.

Also, may I say thankyou to the turtle fandom at large for being so conscientious about spoilers, as an Aussie fan, I really appreciated it.

Details for fellow weirdos under the cut ;)

So first item up on the roster, this ULTRA SOFT sideless tank

I went with the 2012 Hamato clan symbol (cause it's perty) in super soft-autism friendly-stretch applique.

The loose cowl neck is meant to evoke the last-surviours-club look (Casey Jr, Future!Leo, Ronin, ect.)

And I went with the sideless muscle tank, not only because it's comfy and i like the look, but because to me, it calls to mind the fact that the '03 boy's carapaces' and plastrons aren't connected, if their sides are squishy and vulnerable, then so should be mine.

NEXT my beloved sling bag

(which i actually made last year, but it was part of my movie-going ensemble so tckpbtblpfg)

You may note, the straps thickness, and the placement of the buckles, mimick 2012 Leo's sheath straps.

And I whipped up a quick and messy hanger charm of the '18 boys to replace its standard eye dango for the day.

And the masskkss

Stretchy material offcuts, bought from my fav fabric store (which happens to be within walking distance of flying bark studio headquarters NO IM STILL NOT OVER IT)

I couldn't figure out a good way to SEW sew these, so they're a no-sew sandwiched design, using mistyfuse and a see-through white mesh. I could've stood to make the eyes more dramatically shaped, but the mesh holds their shape and looks way less weird than actually being able to see your eyes.

They're all pretty soft and not horrendously uncomfortable pressed against one's eye sockets (Leo's is the softest by far tho) so you can wear 'em for long enough to jump around like a maniac without triggering too many sensory issues, Yay!

Long tail Mikey Mask and 'classic' Donnie mask where worn by the friends who accompanied me, other Mikey mask for a friend who had work that day.

The '18 Donnie mask went in all its eyebrow glory upon my wrist, in memorial of my friend who's overseas rn and I couldn't drag along.

Leo's was mine, and we didn't have a Raph, but I brought it with me anyway, cause im allergic to not having all four.

I'm somewhat frustrated I couldn't come up with an '87 inspired piece, but I'll work one out at some point.

My full 'fit for movie viewing was sick as, though you'll have to take my word for it, but needless to say it was Casey Sr inspired in sillouette and attitude.

If you've read this far, Why?

also Thank you, hope this was entertaining.

[traipseartist]

July 4th - 7th - Yokum's Right of Seneca Rocks, West Virginia

I claim to be a Rock Climber™ but the majority of my experience is actually clinging to plastic rocks inside of blissfully air-conditioned warehouses in the part of town that's definitely getting gentrified.

I discovered I liked to climb at a time in my life when I was desperate to find something athletic that didn't make me want to walk into the sea. My body image after high school was in shambles and I developed a certain hatred for treadmills and ellipticals--symbols of punishment for over-indulgence or a demand I adhere to some kind of standard that I never really could buy all the way into. Needless to say, exercise was always a means to an end. If I could have put my brain in a jar and made my legs run the necessary number of miles to make me a size 0, I would have. Gleefully. Surely athleticism was mastering the ability to fully disconnect your body from your brain? Who wanted to be present for the heaving and the sweating and the oh-god-oh-god-this-is-how-I-die feeling that hangs in the balance?

Then I had a long-distance boyfriend who fell headlong into the sport and in my soft loneliness, I connected to him via chalk-coated climbing facilities. We would chatter on the phone about climbing problems, the world of outdoor climbing, competitions, characters at our respective gyms. When his life drifted away from mine, I stayed close to the wall. I felt not just the urge to be stronger and solve more difficult problems, but the desire to start speaking my body's language instead of pulling out the duct tape every time I needed to push through something that felt physically hard.

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

So, yes yes, a beautiful back story. An illustrative origin that does nothing to explain why I'm clenching a stubborn half-sapling between my thighs and trying to keep all of my pistachio shells in my hat as I dangle my ankles thousands of feet above the valley floor in Seneca Rocks, West Virginia.

My partner Vincent and I are out with the Explorer's Club of Pittsburgh (some 20+ riotous humans with a distaste for a particular kind of self-preservation) on this fine holiday weekend when we agree to do something relatively stupid and exactly what we came for. We want to stand on the top of the biggest piece of exposed Tuscarora Quartz in the north east and shake in our boots while doing it even though we're mostly little indoor-monkey gym-rats.

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia is not like other climbing destinations. Some crags, especially those on the west coast that attract climbers from around the world, have their own sprawling ecosystems born of their touristic revenue. Joshua Tree has the strangest assortment of desert-proof fast-food establishments. Yosemite and the Sonora Pass have many of the trappings of a mountain get away: Adorable high streets in small boom towns scattered throughout the region, themed restaurants, condos and vacation homes stacked high and wide for visitors and returning locals alike. Something (wineries and theme parks and tucked away spas) for the person who has no desire to really disconnect from society, thank you very much.

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia has:

Yokum's Vacationland - a truly grandiose title for a double-wide cabin that feels like a themed gas station with a root-beer stand tacked on the back and some motel rooms up top. All the same, totally beloved.

Harper's Old Country Store - honestly, much cuter than Yokum's but probably less trafficked unless Yokum's runs out of ice or chocolate milk

Princess Snowbird's Indian Village & Campgrounds - not touching this one. It's been here for a second. It has RV hook-ups and could not be more American in nature.

The Gendarme - your local spot for outdoor guides, good advice, and the climbing gear you forgot.

There are campgrounds (Seneca Shadows) up the hill from Yokum's, and a little science center filled with dusty art-deco furniture across the way. All of this within the cast shade of the mountain you came for, and that is that.

The end.

Yet, despite the almost video game-esque limited nature of this local map, Seneca Rocks is obviously its own ticking entity. There are people who live here. The pepperoni rolls for sale in color coded zip-block bags (RED - Pepperoni and Mozzarella, BLUE - Mozzarella only, GREEN - EXTRA Pepperoni and Mozzarella) deposited in big wicker baskets by the cash register at Yokum's are made by a woman named Betsy. The local guides that cart litters of injured recreationalists down from the mountain are no NPCs.

So when you're teetering on routes with names like "Muscle Beach" and "Ecstasy Jr." that drape the mountain high above our tiny valley below, it's hard to feel that same uncaring maw of the great wilderness that I've felt so many times before when I've been playing with my own safety for fun and un-profit far from the sympathy of other humans.

Still, when a rope strains on a carefully placed nut in the crevices of Whorl's Thicket or you see some cotton slings tangled in the branches of a marooned tree under Traffic Jam, you are reminded that your survival--that any human's survival on this little quartz dinosaur spike--is purely by permission and tolerance only. There is no conquering here; there is only playing on the shoulders of a giant. It's reckless, even though it is surely allowed and time-tested.

I learned very quickly that the people I was climbing amongst, however, did not always have a passion for the reckless nature that is the hobby. Some of them had the exact opposite problem with their bodies and their minds that I found I had. They did not wish to separate their mind from their body so that they could push through the soul-crushing boredom of exerting physical labor without feeling much reward or time passing. Instead, they wished to sever the connection so that they could overcome the crippling fear of hanging on the edge, of being too frightened to progress--something I enjoy playing with, fiercely.

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

At the summit of Seneca, there is a small metal lockbox the size you'd see keep cash in a concession stand on the perimeter of a high school Softball field. This box is full of notes, little plastic figurines, found treasure, a cow bell, a whistle. Well wishes, banal little messages for those behind or in front that may find themselves up here soon and again.

At base camp, there is a loose huddle of chairs around a dimming campfire and the air of survival from something we chose. Another day on the rock, another meal to remember the day we didn't fall off of it. Someone mentions a plaque affixed to a large boulder along the path up to the crag, seen just before the turn off to a torturous route upward to some other famous trad classics named "Stairmaster." It's a commemoration to a woman who was part of the Explorer's Club of Pittsburgh. She stepped backwards off of a steep step-around route on the mountain and fell to her death a week before her wedding in the early 2000s.

Someone says they wish they hadn't named her specifically on the plaque--it made the club look careless. Untrained.

There is a long pause before someone else says that her fiance wanted to bury her in her wedding dress. I put my mind back into my body, and my body back into my tent, and I am thankful to sleep on a solid, flat surface yet again.

[drbtinglecannon]

For the ship ask, fg of course, and Huntlow!

FG & Huntlow! Two beloved ships, they each hit such a different enjoyment for relationship types

Fair Game

1. What made you ship it?

So fg is actually what got me into rw/by haha, I never had much interest in the show before but someone I was following at the time v7 was airing was nonstop talking about them which got me to finally check it out, but then bad things happened to them sooo. Back off the rw/by train haha!

2. What are your favorite things about the ship?

I honestly still get a bit bummed when I think hard on them because like. Goddamn they suited my tastes perfectly and they got done so dirty. Literally everything about them, the opposite color schemes and semblances, their personalities, their respective ridiculous weapons, the bird symbolism, the loneliness, the ridiculous flirting of old men -- there was so much more to explore between them.

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

I agree with your point about the HC their semblances cancel each other, it feels like a lazy "solution" to the very interesting relationships they each have with their forms of luck. Also like how you dislike mild-mannered Qrow, I dislike perfect chad Clover -- give me a dork who's a bit insufferable!

Huntlow

1. What made you ship it?

ASIAS really started the ep off with Willow looking at a photo of her dads bonding over flyer derby and then she grabbed Hunter out the air the second she saw him & they bonded over flyer derby, then the ep ended with the bi flag sky & Hunter blushing?? Damn ok I can get behind this

Funny story I was never shipping it (or either char with anyone) before ASIAS aired, but I did imagine if Luz managed to reach out to Hunter earlier in the series he & Willow specifically would've definitely become friends. And I was right haha!

2. What are your favorite things about the ship?

It's just legitimately a wholesome sweet dynamic. I love that the dark prince fell for the chubby asian girl, but also I love that Willow is the protective jock and Hunter's a nerd who sews.

3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship?

Jfc where to begin, this ship has so much needless controversy around it it's pathetic. I guess I'll settle on saying that even if Huntlow was an allocishet ship it would still be good. It's extremely unlikely as Hunter is (arguably canon) bi and Willow is implied pan, but the ship is still good representation even if it wasn't queer rep specifically.

It's a bit exhausting that a lot of fandom as a whole really acts like queer rep is the only kind of rep, and even then most types of queer rep are treated as "not good enough" either

[majadejewelrydesign]

February Birthstone: Amethyst | MAJADE Blog 2023

Amethyst: The birthstone of February

One of the most well-known gemstones in the world, amethyst has a long traditional representing February. Find out more below about amethyst and why this February birthstone is very special.

Theories on why amethyst is selected to represent February

The true origin of how amethyst became the February birthstone is hard to trace, like many subjects in history. A common theory explains that in astrology, Aquarius (Jan 20th -Feb 18th) and Pisces (Fen 19th -Mar 20th) are zodiacs of February, both signs can be represented by purple and thus the association with amethyst.

Some propose the following theory and I like the poetic notion: February is a month of duality, already into the new year, yet still not completely waken from stupor of the previous. Still a cold winter month, yet there’s a hint of spring vibe in the air. Amethyst too is a symbol of duality, with purple being the perfect balance of red (hot) and blue (cold). Moreover, those who are February born trends to be dreamers and romanticist by heart. Needless to say, February 14th marks the famous St. Valentine’s Day. Purple itself is a romantic color full of imagination. In a metaphysical sense amethyst and February both embodies a mystical quality of duality, perhaps this is why they are forever tied together.

A beloved gemstone for many reasons.

Whatever the real origin is, we can all be certain that amethyst is recognized as a powerful stone in the chakra field. Most believe amethyst is a great (if not the best) stone for protection against negative energy, also wonderful for cleansing. While crystal healing is another subject that deserves its own article, everyone can enjoy amethyst for the lovely shade of purple. Subtle and low-key, yet majestically vibrant.

Being a member of the quartz family amethyst is highly versatile and have a wide application in jewelry. Tough enough to be cut into many shapes plus good semi-transparency, this gemstone can be cut as beads, faceted stones, or simply in raw state. The cut has tremendous effect on the appearance: rich deep color as bead, bright and vibrant in faceted cut, and full of character in raw stone. All cuts of amethyst are uniquely beautiful in their own ways, which to choose is really a matter of personal preference.

UNA, the minimalist design perfectly showcases beauty of amethyst

One of my favorite design is UNA set with amethyst. Personally I prefer amethyst in bead form. The rich deep purple offers a mystical and yet majestic feeling. My philosophy in jewelry design is always enhancing the natural beauty of gemstone as a goal. An abundance of design elements often overpowers the stone. However, if the design is too plain results can be bland and boring; lacking sophistication to ignite the passion of viewers. Simply put, a nice design does not need too much but need to be just enough. With the UNA set (comes in necklace and dangling earrings) a wave inspired form “wraps” around the amethyst bead, the bead is set with a post though the drilled hole, viewer can appreciate the stone at all angles: front, side, and the back. This “perfect balance” approach is best to showcase the beauty of amethyst.   

Purple would be considering somewhat a niche color, at lease in the fashion world. Definitely not as popular as black, white or blue; but those who love purple absolutely falls for it. Purple is a color for dreamers. Amethyst perfectly suits you if your birthday is within this month; or if you consider yourself a true romanticist and dreamer!

Morris, Feb 2023

[starryeyedweeb]

Valentine’s Day With Hunter x Hunter

Characters Included: Kurapika, Hisoka, Chrollo, Illumi

Content Included: Floofity fluff- Valentine’s style; fairly gender-neutral

A Valentine’s Day With...

Kurapika

Kurapika’s actually beyond excited for Valentine’s Day with you, and has counted down the days until the event

He has a pretty traditional way of celebrating Valentine’s, but isn’t it tradition because it’s beloved by all?

He had made arrangements to get off work early that evening weeks in advance, and when the day finally comes, he can’t wait to go pick you up for your date

Like most, he had made reservations at a romantic restaurant, but the one he had chosen was more of a hidden gem- in a quieter part of town, with a niche menu, and in an intimate setting

You observe your surroundings in delight as you’re led to your table, where you sit side-by-side in front of a spindly vase of flowers

“Do you like it?” Kurapika asks, a light blush dusting his cheeks as he watches your reactions carefully. “I saw this restaurant months ago, and I’ve always thought you would enjoy it.”

“It’s perfect,” you reply, squeezing his hand lightly, and he averts his eyes with a sheepish chuckle

After enjoying your romantic course meal, Kurapika takes you off to the next spot of the night: an observatory, which is conveniently empty of all other people

“I’ve always wanted to go stargazing with you, but it’s too cold to go now. Even if it wasn’t, though, you can’t really see any stars in the city,” he explains. “So I decided on the next best thing.”

You could sense his nerves, for he wanted so badly for you to enjoy yourself completely

“I love it, I promise.” You press a kiss to his cheek. “Come on. Let’s go sit down and enjoy it.”

With hands still linked, you relax into your reclined seats and stare up at the celestial scene above you, pointing out constellations and naming your favorites

After settling deeply into your contentment at the time you were having with each other, Kurapika sits up slightly and reaches into his pocket

“I’d like to give you your gift now, if that’s alright.”

“You got me something?”

“I did.” He laughs gently, his cheeks reddening again. “I’ve always wanted to get you a nice gift, and this seemed like the perfect occasion.”

He hands you the pristinely wrapped package, which you open to find a delicate necklace, with a single but stunning ruby charm

He had saved up for months to get you something nice, and had labored over picking out something that would remind you of him without being too pretentious on his part

So, needless to say, happiness swells in his chest when you break into a wide grin

“It’s so beautiful,” you breathe

“Would you like me to put it on you?”

You nod, and with gentle fingers brushing against your skin, he fastens the chain around your neck, placing a whisper of a kiss just below your jaw.

“Thank you for spending this time with me,” you murmur as the two of you sit back again, your faces illuminated by the starry scene above

“If it was up to me, I’d never leave.”

Hisoka

Going into Valentine’s Day with a partner as unorthodox as Hisoka left you with many questions about what he would do to celebrate, if anything at all

You were prepared for anything, so you were less surprised than you might’ve been when he shook you awake nearly at the crack of dawn

“What’s going on?” You mutter sleepily. “Why are you awake so early?”

He merely drops a bag down next to you and strides out of the room

“Put that on,” he instructs, shutting the door behind him

Your brows knit in confusion as you reach into the bag and pull out an outfit that toes the line between summery and skimpy, presenting the question of “Is this streetwear or lingerie?”

Knowing it would be more fun to play along with his plan, you do as he told and go to meet him outside the room

Your breath catches in your throat as you see him with his hair down and makeup off, almost as if he was going incognito

“It’s a little cold to be wearing something like this, isn’t it?” you ask by way of announcing your presence

Sighing headily as he takes in the sight of you, he approaches and wraps his arms around you, his hands sneaking down to give your ass a squeeze

“It will make sense soon, I promise.” He grabs your coat off the rack and holds it out for you. “We need to get moving if we’re going to make it on time.”

You allow yourself to be swept up in his plan, which ends up with the two of you on a plane he had “borrowed” from Illumi and the Zoldycks, flying towards an unknown destination

“Seriously, Hisoka, what’s going on?” You demand, peering out the window for clues

“Relax, darling. Would I ever lead you wrong?” He pours you a drink and holds it out to you

You take it and flash him a dubious look. “Do you really want me to answer that question?”

“Fine. I’ll give you a hint. I’ve always hated the cold, so I want to take the opportunity of a romantic holiday to escape it with you.”

“That’s better, I suppose.” You sip your drink, noticing him look you up and down out of the corner of your eye

“I did an excellent job picking out that outfit for you,” he declares, cocking his head slightly sideways. “We still have a while to go. Why don’t we do something to keep busy?

You slide a bit closer to him, drawing a finger up and down his hip. “What did you have in mind?”

Hours later, when the plane finally arrives at the mystery destination, you find yourselves on a secluded island, approaching a quaint beach house that had been carefully prepared for your arrival

“Was this the surprise?” you gasp, staring at the scene in awe.

“It was. Some time away where we can pretend the rest of the world doesn’t exist,” he replies with a self-satisfied smirk. “Are you pleased?”

“I am! This is perfect.”

He snakes his arm around your waist, leading you towards the entrance of the house. “Let’s get started, then.”

“I thought we already did get started.”

“Darling, you should know by now that what we did was only a warm up.”

Chrollo

Chrollo had been secretly planning a celebration for months, mapping out all of his operations around keeping that one special day open

On Valentine’s morning, he’s gone, but in his place is a tray of your favorite breakfast and a note instructing you to dress warm and be ready to leave by 7:00 that night

There are no other clues, so as you indulge in the breakfast, you wonder what he could have planned for you

Because with Chrollo, it could be anything

Meanwhile, he’s spending the day making all the last-minute preparations for your celebration, and hen the hour arrives, a knock sounds on your door

But instead of Chrollo, you find a driver that had been sent to take you to the date spot

You end up being driven so far outside of the city you halfway wonder if you’ve finally fallen victim to one of the revenge kidnappings Chrollo had always warned you about

Until the driver pulls up to the base of a massive hill, where your boyfriend waits with a smile on his face

“What on Earth have you planned this time?” You ask as he extends his hand to help you out of the car

“I’m a criminal mastermind, love. I simply cannot afford to be predictable.”

He leads you up to the top of the hill, where he set up a candlelight picnic on a blanket covered in rose petals, situated overlooking a fantastic view of the entire city

“Oh, Chro, it’s lovely,” you breathe, but can’t resist a shiver as you sit down and take the glass of wine he offered

He tuts. “I thought I told you to dress warm.”

“You didn’t leave much more information, so I wasn’t sure just how warm.”

“Well, then, I suppose it’s a good thing that I planned for this, too.”

He takes out a blanket and wraps it around both of your shoulders, and you enjoy your cozy meal whilst overlooking the lights of the city

“Let me guess,” you begin, reaching for yet another gourmet appetizer. “Everything here is stolen.”

“Why, of course it is.”

“And the Troupe is probably quite angry with you for sending them on such a trivial errand to get all of this.”

“Initially, but they were alright with it when I offered them half of the spoils for their own enjoyment.”  He shifts, pulling something from his coat pocket. “But I’d like to give you something that, for the first time in years, I haven’t stolen.”

“You actually bought something?” You gasp incredulously, taking the small box in your hands.

“Sort of. I had it made.” He shrugs. “I wanted it to be perfect.”

With him looking over your shoulder to gauge your reaction, you flip open the top of the box and discover a ring, the delicate silver band formed in the shape of an elegant spider web, tiny diamonds glistening at the points

Once you’ve taken the sight of it in, Chrollo takes the ring out of the box and slides it on your finger

“Since you’re reluctant to get a Troupe tattoo, I wanted something else to symbolize.”

“To symbolize what?” You ask, admiring how the ring glistens in the candlelight.

“To symbolize that you’re my home,” he replies with a cheesy, almost joking expression, but his eyes sparkled with truth. “Do you like it?”

“Chro, I love it.”

The corners of his lips turn upward as he cups your cheek

“And I love you.”

Illumi

Honestly, Illumi had never even heard of Valentine’s Day before you came along

So, needless to say, no plans to celebrate were made until he was out for drinks with Hisoka the night before and Illumi was asked what he was going to do to celebrate

He just blinked, completely confused

“You know, people tend to get very upset if their partners don’t do anything for Valentine’s Day. They’ve probably got something planned for you,” Hisoka teased.

When Illumi was still staring at him with a blank expression, Hisoka explained the concept and helped Illumi make some last-minute arrangements

So, when you wake up on the morning of Valentine’s Day, you find an ornate vase full of orchids and a box of luxury chocolates sitting at the end of your bed

Gotta use and abuse the Zoldyck family funds, you know

You’re overjoyed and pleasantly surprised

Honestly you had expected nothing at all, so assuming that the flowers and chocolates were the entirety of your surprise for the day, you happily go about the rest of your own Valentine’s plans: a day of self-care and self-love

Dating an assassin with a personality like Illumi’s was rewarding, but also immensely challenging, so you definitely deserved it

In light of cliche and tradition, you decide to make some fondue for yourself, and are just getting ready to serve it when you turn around to find Illumi standing behind you in the kitchen

You let out a startled yelp and drop the spoon you’re holding

“Illumi, you scared me!”

“I thought I’ve been teaching you about awareness lately. You should’ve sensed my presence.”

“I was just distracted. Besides, I wasn’t expecting you to be here at all. I thought you were supposed to be working tonight.”

“I just learned what ‘Valentine’s Day’ is. I rearranged the plan so that I could come spend the evening with you.”

You sense a warm feeling spreading across your chest, and have to fight the urge to swallow him in a hug.

“Well, perfect timing. I was just about to serve dinner.”

The two of you share a two-course fondue, then settle in on the couch

Illumi wasn’t really a TV person, so you play some music softly in the background and gaze out the window as rain begins to fall outside

As you lay with Illumi’s arm folded around your waist, you reflect that your quiet Valentine’s Day was a little less than orthodox, but the peace it brought was exactly what the both of you desperately needed

[vowled]

Kill Your Darlings: An Analysis of its Twists and Themes

A few days ago, I watched Kill Your Darlings, and needless to say, I became completely mesmerized by it. Naturally credible characters with well-crafted backstories portraying a true story of Love, Obsession and Murder, it's everything a person could ask for in a movie. The colour palette of the movie radiates comfort and the sound track takes you back in time when these two bright young men were falling in love. Right from the start it was apparent that there were many themes in the undercurrent of the movie, and these were such that required some amount of thoughtful contemplation. And I was incredibly sorry to not find any post or review which critically discussed the themes of the movie and did it justice- so after doing some reading and digging up as much as I could, here I am making an attempt to analyze the twists and themes of the story.

The Crucial Plot-twist

The Night In Question- why the movie's recounting of the events is fictitious:

When faced with the prospect of writing the deposition for Lucian, Allen tried his best to gather information about the events that led to David's murder. However, it proved to be a difficult feat as Lucien himself would not speak much about it clearly. So he pieced together what he could from the bits of information he got. However, we see Lucian vehemently opposing the deposition written by Allen and claiming it to be false. After some thought, I find that I believe Lucian's claims. Most of the following arguments are rooted in the fact that Lucien's relationship with David was an abusive one, where David basically groomed Lucian and was a sexual predator. I suggest reading my post here to gain more insight about how the abuse affected him.

"You weren't there, you don't know what happened." These words right here- they're the words of a victim. Being subjected to a form of sexual abuse myself, I found these words hitting me like a brick ton. These are words coming from a pained soul that refuses to recount traumatic incidents. He's practically saying that the abuse was so bad he had to kill his abuser to be free from it.

Even after Allen saw first-hand what a total creep David could be, even after knowing the man had stalked Lucian across multiple cities, he had to ask Lucian why the latter killed David when he "could have run". This tells me he couldn't exactly relate to Lucian's situation and wasn't very keen on believing him. Although he displayed a moment of intimate affection, there's still a lingering feeling of yeah but he broke my heart inside him. After learning how Lucian drowned David, he even begins questioning if he should help him at all. At this point, Allen doesn't trust Lucian enough to actually care how accurate the story is. So he wrote what he could, what he felt right. But even he couldn't condemn his friend/first love to such a fate as prison, so eventually he submitted it as his final paper. In all honesty, I thought that turning it in was a brilliant move, and one which also further proved that the "once you loved him too" version was mostly fanciful fiction.

Throughout the movie, sequences have been played in reverse frames (and I found this so pleasing) and from the nitrogen-inhaling scene, we know that these sequences designated memories playing out in Allen's head or his subconscious creating dreamscapes. And here's the catch- the entire scene of Lucian taking a walk with David and eventually killing him began with frames played in reverse order. This gives the absolute proof that the movie's depiction of the events were fictitious.

Allen's P.O.V. of the events mainly relied on the argument that at some point, Lucian genuinely loved and needed David. This couldn't be further away from the truth. When you're 14 and and being groomed and coaxed by an older guy, a lot many things could feel like love because you haven't experienced them before; but in reality, it's never love, it just is another form of violence.

Themes running through the movie

"There can be no Creation before Imitation"

We see Professor Steves saying this at the beginning of the movie, hinting that it would be a theme in the story. This statement is reflected throughout Allen's progression and development as a poet:

In the beginning, we see him being hugely influenced by his father's works and possibly trying to imitate him through poetic devices such as consonance.

Next, we see him imitating Professor Stevens' style of writing in his poem "the rose that scents the evening air, grows from by beloved's hair" which Lucian outright criticizes.

It is only with the poem Allen recites to Lucian on the boat that he starts developing some sort of originality. That poem in particular is directly drawn from his personal experiences and delivers splendidly.

This development continues as he proceeds to write "The Night In Question" wherein he brilliantly describes his opinion of how things went down. It was this streak that would eventually propel him to write his most celebrated poem, "Howl".

The Circle of Life and How Allen Breaks it

We see Lucian telling Allen how "Life is only interesting if it is wide" and about Yeats' "Circle of Life". As displayed by the linked document, turns out the circle of life is quite complex a thing, and the movie displays a lay-man's version of it. As Lucian tells about it to Allen, unbeknownst to them both, Allen also enters the circle and changes the turn of events:

It is obvious that at the party at David's, Allen was a misfit. David even goes so far as to literally call him out and point how unremarkable he was, but says how given the correct circumstances, even Allen could change things. And what's extraordinary is exactly this happens next: the liquor runs out in David's party and Allen suggests they should change the venue of the party- hence hijacking David's party!

We see Allen's life widen as he becomes closer to Lucian and starts doing things he'd never done before. At the same time, he also plays an important role in changing Lucian's life as well. It's Allen who suggests at first that Lucian should break up with David and stop taking his help. Later in the movie, after learning about David's obsessive behaviour, it's again Allen that said "we should get rid of him". Again, here we see some foreshadowing. Allen could have worded it in any probable way, and yet he suggested getting rid of David which subtly implied killing him. I do believe that this happened to become a subliminal suggestion to Lucian and furthered his murderous intent.

Hence, although Lucian radically changes Allen's life, the latter does so too in unlikely and unexpected ways.

Sacrifices (and Rituals?)

Since the beginning of the movie, we know that the characters are all extraordinary men and that they are capable of something revolutionary. But it was apparent that all of them would need a catalyst to set things in motion- a sacrifice of some sort which would help them break their moulds and free their inner poet. Allen's love for Lucian and his wish to impress him did make him work toward become better at writing. It was the fear of completely losing Lucian to Jack that made Allen put all his effort into writing, and made him come up with his best work yet - here, the fear acted as the catalyst.

However, the most significant thing in connection to this happened in this scene where Lucian cuts both of their palms and holds them up together - this can be considered a Blood Ritual.

"A blood ritual is any ritual that involves the intentional release of blood. Blood rituals often involve a symbolic death and rebirth, as literal bodily birth involves bleeding. Basic to both animal and human sacrifice is the recognition of blood as the sacred life force in man and beast. The participants may regard the release of blood as producing energy useful as a sexual, healing, or mental stimulus. In other cases, blood is a primary component as the sacrifice, or material component for a spell."

The fact that this event took place inside Allen's head during a trippy session outlines how Allen had subconsciously taken a blood oath with Lucian to further The New Vision. This process of developing their revolutionary ideas would successfully progress for the rest of the movie; however, before its completion, the oath demanded a sacrifice- and the murder of David became this blood sacrifice.

"With Death comes Rebirth"

In the first half of the movie we see the initiation of this theme; after they've agreed upon to bring up something revolutionary, Allen talks about how rebirth comes only after death, and in their naivety, they play out a pseudo-suicide scene to imitate death. Little did they know greater sacrifices would have to be made. Eventually as events play out, we come to realise that it is David's death that became the cause and medium for their rebirth- both academic and intra-personal. Jack and Bill co-wrote the book "And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks" about the murder of David Kammerer, and eventually rose to fame, while Allen became popular with "Howl and Other Poems", none of which could have been initiated/inspired without David's death. As for their personal growth, none of them were the same as they were before the affair. I like to think all of them changed for the better. Lucian must have finally felt a sense of relief after getting rid of his abuser, while Allen finally took-off his rose-coloured glasses, saw Lucian under a more critical light, and developed a sense of self-esteem.

A Study in Violence (I was unsure whether to include this point in this analysis or not due to the violent nature of it. But I figure this analysis would remain incomplete should I leave it out. So here it goes..) The sequence from 1:10:00 to 1:12:00 was an in-depth survey of Violence and how it can occur in different forms. In particular, it focused on how any form of penetration is intimately violating.

We see a lonely Allen being so lost that he's about to have sex with a complete stranger. This itself is very unlike him, who in the beginning of the movie was shying away from Lucian kissing an unknown girl. A few sequences later we see how he wasn't very comfortable with this idea (he wanted to turn off the lights but the other guy turned them on) and yet he was made to shift into a position he did not prefer and hence was made to have rough sex.

We see Bill looking very solemn and injecting drugs into his hands.

We see the violent altercation between Lucian and David. We see David forcing himself on Lucian and eventually being stabbed by him.

We see Jack recieving the news of the death of his friend.

In this way, we see every member of the group being exposed to some form of violence, be it sex, drugs, physical altercations or death.

First Love and its aftermath First love is also an important theme of the movie as it shows how one's first love has the capacity to radically change a person from within:

Allen's first love changed him from the shy, people-pleasing always-upright persona to the bold, radical, critical and unafraid person he became at the end of the movie.

Allen's discovery of his own style of writing can also be majorly attributed to Lucian's criticism of his rhyme-schemes.

All in all, it was his love for Lucian that drove him to become a more out-going person and ignited the mischief in his spirit, while the heartbreak of realising Lucian didn't feel the same for him also lent him invaluable insight and allowed him to develop confidence and a sense of self-esteem, which would play a significant role in him eventually becoming his own person.

While Allen's first love furnished him with the overall better things in life, the same could not be said for Lucian, sadly. Lucian's first love reminded us how oppressive love can become if the other person isn't suited-well for us; it showed us how sometimes love and obsession are separated by a thin line, and how dangerous it becomes when the line is crossed.

Lucian's story also showed us how sometimes a relationship can be more abuse than love, and when that happened, how easy it became to confuse violence with love.

The most significant message that the theme of first-love portrays is that there will always be consequences.

With this, I bring my arguments and analyses to a close. I hope a future (or even past) lover of the movie happens to stumble upon this someday and learn something fascinating about the movie (or reignite their love for it). Thank you for reading this far!

[P.S. an uplifting fact: in real life, Lucian, Allen, Jack and Bill each got the type of life they wished for, and remained friends for the rest of their lives :) ]

[beardedhandstoadshark]

Y‘ALL

AAAAAH

Spoilers under the cut:

SKY CHICKEN AUNT MY BELOVED <3

They did the thing! THEY DID THE THING!!

HE DID HIS THING TOO!!!

(And look at him being all smug about it. Like yeah I did the cool A button move whatcha gonna do now huh)

How it feels when you finally reach that itch on your back

No wonder he’s been so angry all this time

(Also this guy- didn’t expect to see him so much both here and in the game, but it’s cool)

…This canon shoots more highly destructive lasers than I remember it doing. RIP Renado‘s house.

(Also that symbol on the house, am I just confusing things or does this look a bit like the symbol on Gossip stones? Was that a thing in the games too? Or is it just the Goron’s symbol since this Kakariko is usually friends with them? Ehh not like it’s important at the end. But still a cool detail in any case)

Me three seconds into the room with the falling blocks

Mission failed successfully

Also their faces are amazing here. Especially Shad’s lmao

But Shad my man that’s a SWORD what were you THINKING-

Needless to say I really enjoyed reading this

[makeste]

some rambling about legacies, and opening up, and All Might has two sons more at 11

can I offer you an essay about All Might and his children in these trying times.

so back before he got swept up in the great tides of character development, Bakugou used to think that in order for him to succeed at becoming the best hero, it meant that Deku could not succeed. he thought it was a zero sum game; he could only be strong if Deku stayed weak. if Deku grew strong, then that would mean he was the weak one. there wasn’t room for the two of them to reach the top together. it could only be one or the other.

this is of course patently false, and we’ve since seen it disproven beyond a shadow of a doubt, and Katsuki has learned that it’s okay for them to work together. not just okay, but correct; the only way, the best way. it doesn’t make him weak; working with Deku improves them both and helps them both to succeed.

so given that, I think it stands to reason that if this holds true for success and power levels, it should also hold true for their character development, and their personal relationships -- such as their relationship with All Might.

   oddly enough, this is something that’s come under a fair amount of criticism. and interestingly, these criticisms have come from two very different perspectives. All Might spent too much time with Deku and focused too much on him and ignored Katsuki in his favoritism, which did a great deal of harm to Katsuki’s mental health. or the reverse: All Might’s bond with Deku is special and important, and there’s a closeness there that should never have been encroached on by Bakugou, and him sitting in on all of the OFA Club meetings now is unfair to Deku and takes away the one special thing that he had, and for once Kacchan should not make it about him and should butt out.

there isn’t room for both. or so both of these standpoints would seem to imply. All Might cannot be a close mentor to both Katsuki and Izuku; if he gets closer to one, it must necessarily be at the expense of the other.

pardon my very blunt take, but... bullshit.

let’s start by talking about something which I don’t often see discussed: All Might’s similarities to Bakugou. yes, Bakugou. not Izuku, the little green Might Jr., but Bakugou Katsuki, whose hostile and volcanic personality would at first glance seem to clash with All Might’s in almost every way possible. All Might is kind and altruistic and empathetic and burdened with a soul-deep need to help and protect others. All Might was born quirkless. All Might is the mirror image of Deku. All Might chose Deku as his successor specifically because he sees himself in Deku. all of this is absolutely true.

but All Might also keeps to himself. All Might goes to great lengths to avoid being seen as weak. All Might doesn’t let people close to him. All Might rarely works as part of a team. All Might is a natural talent. All Might smiles when he’s up against a wall. All Might is synonymous with determination. and All Might takes responsibility far beyond what he should, and burdens himself and blames himself when things go wrong, even when the outcome is out of his control. and at those times, All Might blames himself for not being stronger.

do you see?? All Might is like Deku, yes, but not only Deku. the truth is that All Might and Katsuki are alike as well. not only are they alike, they’re far too alike, in ways that All Might probably wishes they were not. where Deku is a mirror of All Might’s goodness and selflessness and optimism, Katsuki is a mirror of All Might’s strength and resolve and determination. but he is also a mirror of what is possibly All Might’s greatest weakness: his isolation.

this, perhaps, is a natural consequence that comes from having the sort of physical talent that both he and Katsuki possess. All Might grew up quirkless just as Deku did, yes, but once he received One for All from Nana in his teens, he took to it just as instinctively and intuitively as Katsuki has taken to his quirk. there was none of the steep learning curve that Deku experienced; OFA came to All Might easily, and he was by all accounts a force of nature during his school years.

the downside of this, however, is that when everything comes easily to you, you start to feel like everything always should. that because you are capable, you need to be capable. you start to build up expectations of yourself that don’t take into account the simple truth that no matter how gifted you are, everybody fails at some point or another. and because you are strong, because you never fail, you never learn how to let yourself rely on other people. you never learn how to ask for help.

and needless to say, this is a terrible, even fatal weakness to have. and what makes it all the more destructive is that this particular weakness is self-perpetuating and feeds into itself. you don’t know how to admit when you need help, and so you never get the help you need. it’s a brutal fucking cycle, and so it’s no wonder that All Might spent years and years and years trying to do everything all alone.

and he lost Nana. his mentor, the woman who was like a mother to him. and that only made matters worse. he lost the person who believed in him and encouraged him, and who understood the burden he was carrying better than anyone else, because she herself had struggled with that same burden. and so the one person he might have been able to reach out to, he ended up losing in the most devastating way possible. and so not only was he heartbroken and traumatized and likely blaming himself, but it also left him more alone than ever before, with the pain of that loss basically ensuring he wouldn’t ever open himself up and let anyone else in again.

and it’s easy to look at the impact of All Might’s downfall at Kamino, and the many shortcomings and vulnerabilities it exposed, and wonder what the hell he was thinking, and to blame him for not recognizing the fragility of the society he helped to build, and for the arrogance of thinking that a lone pillar could support an entire country all on its own and not inevitably come crumbling down. and yes; for all of his goodness and optimism, the notion that All Might had of a lone Symbol of Peace was deeply flawed.

but we learn from our failures. and after decades of struggling to support the world all on his own, All Might finally did fail. and after years of stubbornly trying to fight on anyway in spite of his injuries, he was finally forced to accept that his time was coming to an end, and that he needed to pass on his legacy. and in many ways, his mentoring of Izuku has been as much of a learning process for him as it has been for his protege. 

because for all of the similarities I discussed earlier, there are also ways in which Deku is not like him at all. Deku is used to failure. Deku is not afraid to ask for help. and Deku does naturally what All Might has always struggled to do: he reaches out.

and who does he reach out to? first and foremost, to another boy with whom, as I mentioned, All Might shares all too many similarities.

another boy who’s isolated. another boy who doesn’t know how to ask for help, who is afraid to fail.

All Might understands Katsuki remarkably well right from the start. of course he does; how could he not? and because he is all too aware of the effect that kind of stubborn self-reliance has on a person, he is hesitant at first to reach out to Katsuki in the same way that he does to Izuku. not because of a lack of care or concern, but because he knows -- all too well -- that Katsuki will not accept it. and so instead he takes a different approach with him, trying to guide him while still respecting his pride and stubbornness.

so this is kind of the status quo for them for a while. but now here’s where things finally get interesting. because as All Might’s powers continue to wane, and he’s forced to come to terms with his own weaknesses and to rely more and more on others, he finally begins to see where it was that he went wrong. and as he grows to care more about Izuku, he realizes that he doesn’t want him to have to suffer in the same way that he did.

and during this same time, Katsuki is also starting to go through his own personal journey which includes so many of the same struggles that All Might came up against. everything that comes along with the mindset of thinking you only need to rely on yourself. so here, again, is someone who is so much like All Might was. who is putting the same kind of pressure on himself of thinking that it’s not okay to fail. and who, eventually, also comes to experience the same pain of feeling responsible for the “loss” of someone he admired more than anyone.

and it’s one thing for All Might not to acknowledge his own pain, but it’s quite another to recognize that same pain in someone else. and I think that once he did, he came to the same realization he did with Izuku: that he doesn’t want Katsuki to suffer like he did. see, that’s the thing about being selfless. you’re numb to it while it only affects you. it’s not until you see that same pain affecting someone else that you finally start to realize how fucked up it actually is.

  and so this, fittingly, is what prompts All Might to finally reach out to Katsuki. the realization that Katsuki has been struggling alone, the same as himself. and at the same time, the long-overdue and crucial recognition that the past doesn’t have to be repeated. that he can be there for him, even if he’s still trying to figure out the best way how, and even if he still hasn’t come to terms with the near-identical burdens that he bears himself.

and so Katsuki has now officially gained one (1) Dadmight as well. and so here we have two boys, each a reflection of their beloved hero in their own way. two boys, and one legacy. a legacy which All Might carried proudly, but which nearly ended up destroying him in the end. two boys whose strengths and weaknesses seamlessly complement each other’s. two boys who already share a bond the likes of which All Might himself never had growing up.

the solution is obvious. but more than that, it’s necessary. so that neither of these boys has to go through what he went through. so that neither of them will ever have to fight alone. so that if they fall -- when they fall -- the other one will be there to help them get back up.

Deku has the quirk, but One for All is more than just a quirk. pardon me for getting all sappy, but it’s right there in the name -- One for All. it’s more than a power; it’s the legacy of working together to fight evil. a legacy of inspiring hope in others. and a legacy of never, ever giving up.

that legacy is both of theirs to share. that will is both of theirs to inherit. both Izuku and Katsuki are All Might’s successors. and he takes pride in them both.

and All Might doesn’t love Izuku any less because he is also a mentor to Katsuki. and All Might doesn’t care about Katsuki any less because he also has a close bond with Izuku. and All Might mentoring the one will always also be in the other one’s best interests. because the stronger they become, the stronger they can be for each other.

and they’ll need to be. because one thing All Might does understand all too well is that regardless of whether he lives or dies, he won’t always be able to be there for them.

so do you see? the reason why it’s so important for All Might to mentor them both. to mentor them together. because Katsuki can inspire and support Izuku in ways that All Might can’t. Izuku can reach Katsuki to an extent which All Might cannot. and All Might knows this, and has understood it almost from the start.

in conclusion, there really isn’t and never has been a war for All Might’s affections. Katsuki becoming a part of the squad isn’t forced; it’s foreshadowed. it doesn’t take away from what All Might has with Deku; it’s proof that All Might cares deeply about Deku and is taking steps to secure his future. and for All Might himself, it gives him a new purpose: to be there for these kids, to guide them and continue to support them.

and them coming together shows their growth. it shows how far they’ve come as characters. it’s the culmination of something that has been in the works since the start. All Might has two sons, plain and simple, and debating which one is the favorite child is really missing the entire point. that this is the story of two boys, who grew up admiring the same person.

and the story of how the two of them take that legacy, and make it their own.

together.

anyway that’s my post! if anyone needs me I’ll be sitting here thinking about these boys and how much I love them and their dad, and pondering other comforting topics to write therapeutic essays about.

[beardofkamenev]

19, 24, 25 for the history ask :)

Thanks friend!

19. What’s your favourite historical book?

Unfortunately, the vast majority of historical fiction I’ve read has been total garbage, but I think my favourite one has to be In a Dark Wood Wandering: A Novel of the Middle Ages by Hella S. Haase. The prose is so effortless in the way it captures the opulence and chaos of the Hundred Years War, without resorting to clunky infodumps and needless exposition (which was a huge problem I had with Sharon Kay Penman). It’s not that the other histfic ‘classics’ are necessarily bad, but this one is one of the few that I think truly deserves to be considered Masterpiece Historical Fiction.

24. Who do you consider to be one of the most underrated historical figures?

Answered here (Hint: it’s Henry VII).

25. Who is the most overrated historical figure, in your opinion?

This will be no surprise to anyone who knows me, but Richard III lol.

I don’t actually have any strong feelings towards him as a historical figure, but the bizarre cult of personality that’s grown around him makes me very uncomfortable. A lot of that has to do with the English exceptionalism that underpins his modern legacy, where Richard III has somehow become a symbol of English martyrdom: “the last true English king”, a “true defender of England”, universally beloved “by the English”, a “true son of the North”... of England. It’s especially icky when his “Englishness” is used to argue that he was innately better at ruling England than “foreigners” like Henry VII and Henry VI; in reality, the Norman-French Yorkist Plantagenets weren’t any more English than the Norman-French Lancastrian Plantagenets or the Franco-Welsh Tudors. But re-casting Richard III as an English martyr often means exonerating him from every crime he was ever accused of, which inevitably means blaming everyone else for his actions. People would rather blame Elizabeth Woodville for his usurpation of her sons, or her 12 and 8 year old sons for their own imprisonment at the hands of their uncle, or Margaret Beaufort for their probable murders (even though Richard was the immediate beneficiary from their deaths). It’s become a real stain on the WOTR community.

Aside from that, I find that Richard III is often credited with doing things he simply didn’t do, or being something he simply wasn’t: inventing bail (he didn’t), spearheading the English printing industry (Anthony Woodville), making English the official court language (Henry IV), being the ‘real’ Lancastrian heir (how?), or being the ‘true’ uniter of York and Lancaster (he didn’t even marry Joanna of Portugal, smh). He’s even regarded as one of the 100 Greatest Britons of All Time, which... COME ON lmao. Then there’s just the plain double standards, where he's excused or even praised for things which other rulers are not — eg. Richard ruling against his retainers shows his “love of justice”, but Henry VII ruling against his supporters shows his “ingratitude” and “paranoia”.

Now, I’m not saying that most Ricardians think like this or that Richard III isn’t worthy of interest and re-evaluation. I’m just saying that what makes him overrated for me is that many of his fans are in love with an ideal of him that never actually existed, rather than who he actually was. But I guess I’m just Tydderite Trash like that.

(The history ask meme is still open!)

[crimson-snowfall]

Ikemen Vampire: Language of Flowers - Vlad

Flower: Peach/Peach Blossom

Meaning/Symbolism: Your qualities, like your charms, are unequalled (Peach) / I am your captive (Peach Blossom)

Word Count: 1108

Vlad eyed you with curiosity as you peacefully slept on his lap. As per your request, he had taken you to the field of roses he often spoke fondly of, and your reaction upon taking in the iconic view made it worth his while.

After carefully removing the thorns from the rose he had been working on ever since you fell asleep, he leisurely tucked it behind your ear, a little smile forming on his lips as he did so.

How did things come to this, Vlad genuinely wondered. In all the centuries he’s lived, never once has he met a human who is resistant to a pureblood’s thrall, so having you around had been rather stimulating. It made him a little sad thinking that you would eventually return to your time, for he has grown to care about you as an object of his interest and would rather refrain from sabotaging your return once again, because he’d rather not lose you to the void of space-time.

What Vlad had not been expecting though, was that you would actually come to him. He didn’t knew when you started to develop feelings for him– and at first he simply accepted because he thought it would be a rather entertaining way to torment Comte who was evidently opposed to the idea of you staying with him.

Vlad welcomed you with open arms with the intention of establishing ownership over the object of his interest, but even after turning you into a vampire, you remained immune to his powers. Vlad also thought that turning you into a vampire may not be the wisest decision he’s made in centuries, for in the very instance he had known the taste of your blood, he felt himself spiraling into the depths of his greatest addiction. You had him addicted so bad to the point that it’s almost shameless for a pureblood vampire, who in the vampire society are supposed to be exemplars of restraint.

Indeed, in his needless attempts to control you, he had been the one who had fallen under you.

To begin with, it’s not like Vlad needed to bind you– you willingly belonged to him. It didn’t even matter if his feelings towards you weren’t that of love, just him allowing you to be there for him was enough for you. There’s simply no end to how much think the world of him, and you found perfection even in his imperfections-- you’re absolutely smitten. In your eyes, no one can possibly ever hope to compare to Vlad, and you are devoted to him in every sense you could think of, so his desperation to have you under his spell came off as particularly strange to you.

Unbeknownst to you, Vlad has indeed fallen for you not long ago, but the pureblood has yet to completely come into terms with the fact that he had actually fallen in love. So he masquerades it under the guise of wanting to subjugate you simply for his entertainment, when in reality he would probably end the world should he succeed… because then your love for him wouldn’t feel as genuine as it is now.

When your eyelids finally fluttered open, you found yourself under Vlad’s loving gaze– a look that honestly suited him better than the look of a fallen angel hell-bent on delivering his definition of a peaceful world, but you didn’t mind because that’s also one of his charms. 

“Had a nice nap?”

“Yes, my lor-”

“I believe I have told you not to call me that when it’s just the two of us,” Vlad promptly reminded you, caressing your cheeks. Your skin flushed under his touch.

“Vlad…” His name escaped your lips in a soft whisper.

The pureblood smirked in approval, before pulling you up to straddle on his lap. You feel like you could lose yourself forever in the tenderness of his gaze that’s reserved for you alone. You dared cup his cheeks with your hands and press a kiss on his lips, which he returned just as gently, before pulling you down with him as he laid on the field of roses.

“I have a question for you,” Vlad spoke as he reached out beside him to take another rose, snapping the stem into a more manageable length before his fingers began their work on removing the thorns.

“What is it?”

Without meeting your curious gaze, the question came out of his lips. “Just why do you adore me so, dragă mea?”

You weren’t expecting him to ask that of all questions he could’ve possibly asked that moment, so it took you a while to collect your thoughts. “There are a lot of reasons, Vlad. But if you’ll ask me how did I first come to admire you… maybe it’s because I wanted to see the future you want for this world.”

Your response caught him off guard, causing his fingers to slip, a fresh cut now running along its tip. Your pupils dilated as you were assaulted by the sweet, intoxicating scent of your beloved’s blood.

“You don’t think it’s a horrible thing to do?”

“N-no. Not at all. The future I c-came from was already heading t-towards the dystopia y-you spoke of.”

A devious smile graced Vlad’s handsome features as he listened to your voice falter, that he intentionally pricked another finger with the thorns. “But the other purebloods believe it’s best not to interfere.”

Your fangs started to ache for him. “I-I think… it’s a n-noble thing to w-want to take a-action on thi— n-no, y-you mustn’t!” You watched in horror as Vlad pricked a third finger, before letting go of the rose at your sudden interjection. He offered you his now bloodied fingers, a smug grin on his face.

“I mustn’t what? Tell me, dragă mea.” But it’s too late and the act has been done, and now you’re lustfully sucking on his fingers, eyes clouded with desire as the mischievous act fueled your arousal. With his free hand, he tugged on the collar of his shirt, exposing your favorite spot where his neck meets his shoulders.

You greedily accepted this invitation and in no time your fangs were embedded in that sweet spot, eliciting deep groans of pleasure from Vlad. In the frenzied evening that ensued, Vlad carved into your body the unparalleled zenith of what it meant to be his dearly beloved, and in those moments, you just knew.

No matter what comes out of the future Vlad had coveted for this world, you’ll never regret a single thing about captivating his heart, and you’ll gladly burn with him should the worst ever happens.

“Dragă mea” means “my darling” in Romanian (yea that’s where the historical Vlad came from) and yea... I think it’s a pureblood thing to call their beloved “my darling” kek

In case you’re wondering why Vlad gets two flowers...I was actually bamboozled that they’d include Peach on that list when it’s not actually a flower wow such fake news bruh it says Language of Flowers not Language of Fruits... or maybe I’m just a dumdum and there’s actually a Peach flower and it ain’t the same thing as Peach Blossom... oh well but then it fits so yea might as well

This concludes the Ikemen Vampire - Language of Flowers series and if you’re wondering why there isn’t any for Charles and Faust, let’s just say that I wrote Vlad’s on the last minute because I love him and this one wasn’t actually planned... so yea think of it as a bonus. Even if I wanted to write one for the other two I just really don’t know them that much and my interest ain’t just there yet... but since both of them are February babies I may consider writing one for them next year for their birthdays :3

More on this series:  [[Napoleon]] [[Mozart]] [[Leonardo]] [[Arthur]] [[Vincent]]  [[Theodorus]] [[Isaac]] [[Dazai]] [[Jean]] [[William]] [[Comte de Saint Germain]] [[Sebastian]] 

[dreamdropcity]

I was going to postpone writing about this until tomorrow but i’m too excited skhdksjd

Okay so, Re:Mind.

The two endings.

It’s pretty obvious that Re:Mind is going to follow the Bad Ending. Why would they bother adding such a dramatic ending for nothing? Something that dramatic couldn’t have been just for shock value. Or, maybe it was. Nomura is a crazy man.

But for sake of discussion, let’s just assume the Bad Ending is the tie into the next game.

So, why is the Bad Ending so important?

One word: Symbolism!

Let’s dissect the bad ending.

When Yozora defeats Sora, Sora is.. shocked? Sad? It’s sort of hard to read his emotions here. Yozora says some cryptic shit, including the line “Sorry, but I don’t lose.” and it’s very unsettling. Man... I need to make a post about Yozora.

Anyway, Sora is crystallized and Yozora wakes up in the Final World. And then it transitions into some like... Uber? It’s definitely a car. And Luxord is driving it?

Then, the lines “I’ve been having these weird thoughts lately... Like, is any of this for real? Or not?” are spoken by both Sora and Yozora.

And then only Yozora says “None of this makes sense to me.”

Pretty confusing, to say the least.

There’s a party about the Bad Endjng that really makes my toes curl, though.

Sora’s part in Dearly Beloved is missing.

As I covered in The Dearly Beloved Theory, the Dearly Beloved’s very closely resemble Sora and Riku’s relationship based on that game. DB resembles their hearts in tune. The sound their hearts make when they are perfectly in sync and free to sing.

Let’s go over some possible reasons why their hearts would go out of tune.

1. They had a falling-out.

Unlikely. They haven’t seen each other in a year, and there’s not a doubt in my mind that they want to see each other again.

2. One of them died.

I don’t think that’s what the crystallization represented, but it’s always a possibility. Also seems unlikely

3. A heart went dormant

Ok, I ALSO need to make a post about this, but hear me out. Sora was frozen, so his heart may not be beating? This isn’t to say he’s dead, but his heart can’t beat when it’s frozen.

4. He forgot Riku.

Now this is a very popular theory in the fandom right now. Ever since KH3 it feels like Sora has been forgetting more and more about Riku. What if this crystallization somehow completely wiped his memory? Just made him a clean slate?

needless to say, i’m scared for the next game.

[the-siren-saga]

Scenes from the City

Shanna

It starts with thunder so loud it seems to beckon to the land, lightning that strikes into it like the sharp sting of a blade, and the land responds in kind with feverish tremors. The sky is vivid, aurora of green and blue and deep purple flashing across it like brush strokes on canvas. It seems to coalesce in a roughly circular area around the city, as if creating a barrier, or perhaps a focal point. 

Needless to say, Shanna Averil is not impressed. 

"Figures this happens on a day I have to go into work," she sighs, flopping onto the couch in her pajamas. 

Victoire looks over from her computer. "They've closed all the roads anyway. Looks like all three of us have been granted a little forced vacation."

"Speak for yourselves," Moirah laughs. "My work is never done. A client wants info on this new TV preacher who's blown up overnight, and by the Hethe, this one's a slippery son of a bitch."

"The client or the preacher?" Victoire asks innocently.

Moirah slumps in her chair, an utterly lifeless expression on her face. "The preacher. And he's so calculatedly inoffensive, can't find a single crack in that disgustingly squeaky clean image he puts on for the cameras. I just want to break every bone in his body," she hisses.

"Is this what you're doing instead of going after the real threat here?" Shanna snaps. "I'm going back to bed. Wake me up when you've got your priorities–"

Another shudder as the ground moves under their feet. Shanna scrambles for something to hold onto, and, finding nothing, hits the floor with an unceremonious thud. 

Moirah offers her a hand, which she refuses, either out of anger or pride. "We'll have this conversation when the sky's not falling," she murmurs. Crawling to her feet, she looks out the window, to the electric-flashing sky and the wall of clouds that is beginning to build around the perimeter of Taveril'domaine, and as the immense golden door begins to materialize on the outskirts of the city, she silently curses the Hethe for never allowing her life to be normal.

Timothée

He can't stop looking at the sky. It's his nature to distrust anything that transfixes him so, but it's impossible for him to look away. But oh, how he wants to. How he wants to run, to never look back. How, if he wasn't obligated to stay, he'd have done it already.

"What's happening in the palace?" he asks his contact through their earpatch network.

Carine, an experienced spy in the Court, looks around briefly before answering. "They're all transfixed. Obviously. I don't blame them."

"Where's Marchosias?" he asks. "Does he have anything to do with this?"

"Ha, yeah," Carine laughs, trying not to draw attention to herself. "Marchosias Aversen controls the weather. Is that what they teach in that Society of his?"

Respectfully, Timothée chooses not to dignify that with a response.

"No, he has nothing to do with it. He seems pretty interested, though. I'm sure he's gonna make some grand address on the subject later– I'll patch you in to watch if you want."

Timothée makes an effort not to cringe. "I'd prefer not to hear whatever he has to say. Just send it to Asra, they're more able to handle that shit than I am."

"Asra's a little busy right now," Asra's voice echoes through the earpatch. A deafening chant can be heard, almost drowning out their voice. 

"Where the hell are you?" Timothée questions them. "And for the love of Ced'ric, please turn on push to talk. That chanting is incredibly distracting."

"Done, there, got it," Asra pants in response. "And to answer your question, I'm at the door. I wanted to prove it a fake, just in case it turns out to be one of Marchosias's schemes. But, uh–"

Timothée can feel himself growing impatient. "But what?" he sighs. "Please tell me it's a, like, a cheap stage prop or something. Just once, let SOMETHING be simple."

"...To tell you the truth, I'm not sure what it is," Asra says quietly, a definite note of awe in his voice. "But I can tell you one thing. It's definitely not a stage prop."

Marchosias

Once the sky is clear, he gathers his faithful in the High Cathedral– and not just his faithful, either. Somehow, whether due to his celebrity status both within the Court and outside it or simply due to his otherworldly talent for swaying the minds of others, he's managed to get a camera crew to film this address and broadcast it on every channel in the city. A message to all with ears to hear it, Malistrade had said when he heard about the plan. Absolutely inspired, Master– my mind thrills at the thought of what a boon this could be. Marchosias's mind is, admittedly, caught up in the same thrill.

Forgoing his usual royal purple suit for a robe of flowing black silk trimmed in gold, he sits upon a gilded throne surrounded by flickering candles. His High Companion sits at his feet, looking up at him with an expression of worship, and his dear, sweet consort leads the assembled faithful in songs and chants of adoration, working the energy in the room into a frenzy. One heart, one soul, one body, one mind. One Power to lead us, one Purpose defined. It's more than music to his ears. Their worship is as much a drug to him as his presence is to them, and right now it's coming over him like a hit of pure jacrit, sharpening his senses and making every nerve in his body awaken. It's this moment that he lives for, the knowledge that his power is so absolute and unquestioned that he could tell them to fight for him, to die for him, to kill for him and they would accept this new directive without question.

He turns his power up as he rises, just enough to leave them craving more. To the ones who have come before him, kneeling at his feet and clutching at his robes, weeping and gnashing their teeth for more of him, more of his intoxicating aura, he gives a fond smile. To those in the back, scarcely an acknowledgement is given.

The cameras turn on.

"It's rare that I address the people like this," he purrs, stepping down from the altar to create at least the appearance of humility. "The sight of this innermost sanctum is usually reserved for my truest and most dedicated servants, those who are held eternally within the pulses of my Heart. But today… oh, today is a special occasion."

The earlier argument forgotten as arguments between those who truly love one another often are, Shanna, Moirah, and Victoire are in the living room, flipping channels as background noise for a more pleasant conversation. Shanna suddenly freezes, her whole body going rigid. Staring out from the screen is the face of none other than the man she used to serve.

"No," she whispers. "Not him. Can't be him. Can't be– I don't want to go back to him, please don't make me, don't lead me into the Heart, please…"

"Victoire, scrap the current project," Moirah says in a low, cold tone. "See to Shanna, make sure she's okay for the night. Looks like I've got unfinished business to take care of."

"You may have seen the door that appeared just outside of our fair city earlier today," Marchosias says in a tone that can almost be described as reassuring. "I want to make an announcement, both as a Master of the Dekn Court and as the head of this Society, that no one has anything to fear from today's events, or from what lies on the other side of that door. In fact, quite the opposite– that door is but a symbol, my beloved people, a symbol of a new age which is beginning to dawn upon the Lathrym as a whole!"

He pauses a moment, to allow the raucous cheers from the gathered worshippers to pass. What a lovely sound, the sound of those unable to restrain their adoration of him. He smiles as he takes it in, rewarding their enthusiasm with yet another pulse of that delicious, addictive aura. The deep purple neon lights that line the ceiling pulse in time.

He takes a breath before continuing. "We are entering an age of benevolence, of wisdom," he continues in the same soothing, disarming tones. "An age where all suffering shall be washed away, leaving only the joy and the thrill of worship. An age where the true God of this world shall be revealed in full. This door is the symbol of my new era, and within it is all power given to me for the building of this world. And so I offer a hand to all of you who wish to assist me in this creation."

Kellan and Asra watch the address with a sinking feeling of dread. All they've done, all they've tried to sabotage him, and he just comes back stronger.

"We can turn this off if you want, love," Kellan says, brushing a strand of hair out of Asra's eyes. "It's okay to take a break. I know how much this is hurting you."

Asra turns away, their eyes still glued to the screen, not out of Beguilement, but out of a compulsion to understand just how bad things are about to get. "Leave it on," they answer. "I don't want to be caught unprepared."

"All you have to do," Marchosias says with a chilling gleam in his eyes, "is come to me, and give yourselves over into my hands. You have my word that I will keep you safe– in fact, I may be the only one who can do so."

[peepingtoad]

@asaraltu​​ said: It was something both carefully planned and inevitable, the Uchiha having taken one of Jiraiya’s lesser-used haori. Except, when he’d present it to the sage, his fiancé, on its back would be the Uchiha’s uchiwan embroidered proudly on its back. “Happy birthday, beloved,” he began with a heartfelt smile. “As clan leader... you’re officially part of the Uchiha clan, if you choose it.” Who else but the love of his life deserved it, on his birthday, no less? “...I love you.” || birthday asks; accepting! ||

Jiraiya was sitting in the grounds outside their home, half-shaded by a parasol and flanked by one or two empty bottles and a cup whilst puffing away on a fragrant blend of kizami he’d treated himself to for his birthday. Clearly not one to shy away from pampering himself as evidenced by the entire set-up, it was with a smile truly at ease with the world that he greeted Madara as the latter took a seat beside him on the flat-woven mat he’d set up for his little outdoor relaxation time, only for that look to gain a slight air of attitude when he realised what was being presented to him in an elegant, flat box.

“Oh? And when did you swipe this one away, ya sneaky bastard?”

Despite his manner, he figured there’d be something different about the garment, which happened to be pretty damn near to new and thus perfect for modification... but maybe the midnight blue hue of it should have been a pretty solid clue as to what the new addition would be. Of course, it stood out to him right after unfolding it and turning it to examine the back, because it was right there—the bold Uchiha crest, and sitting comfortably within the perimeter of the golden ring representing Myōbokuzan, no less!

Needless to say, his expression softened to something both impossibly sentimental and bashful as he held his kiseru a safe distance away so as not to tumble ash over it (he was just a touch buzzed, after all), while tracing the skilful embroidery with the fingertips of his free hand. After a moment of quiet appreciation, he turned his misty gaze on his fiancé, hand sliding now into his slightly smaller one to keep it in a loose, comfortable hold.

“As surreal as it still feels to say so, I know nothing would make me happier,” he said earnestly and with a smile that was equally as sincere, no wisecracks or silly jokes to be seen for now. “You’re my family now, Madara... and I’ll happily wear this on my back to show it, a symbol of my love for you.”

With that said, he leaned closer to place a string of light kisses on Madara’s cheek, mouth curling somewhat by the time he made it to his jaw, where he bumped him playfully with his nose.

“Just know that I also want one in red, green... oh and grey, too. In fact, I demand it.”

No wisecracks, indeed—for now, being a key element of that phrase.