#or better yet an ssr

[ventique18]

OMG I JUST WOKE UP! Like Snow White from death because I was offline the entire holidays, AND SAW THIS!

Of course Vil is my favorite because he's my top 4 twst goat 🐐 but have you seen Jamil?? My jaw literally dropped OMG.

They're all serving honestly.

Like damn twst another W just like the past 20 events 🫣

UooUUUUooUUUOOOoouuUUuu MAKEUP. AAAAAUUUHHHH MAKEUP. ANIME CHARACTERS WEARING MAKEUP. I'M SO IN LOVE AAAHHUHHHHUUH

[egophiliac]

did this as a quick scribble at like 1 AM last night and...immediately lost all motivation to ever clean it up. ( ᐛ ) but I had to draw my son being the fanciest little flower boy who ever threw petals down an aisle. oh my god.

[ad-hawkeye]

thinkign about this... sobs

[kaymarie-bell]

BOOK 7 PART 7 OUT ON MARCH 1ST

We're also having a rerun of these banners:

plus a training camp event. Good luck to us all

[every-sanji]

[shiongenkai]

Every day I live in fear of Haru bunny card. Every Goddamn Day. I'm so scared. Gacha is fake and the pngs aren't real and there's not even stories but he's a BUNNYYYYYYY

[queenendless]

💀🎃👻Spooky Greetings👻🎃💀

A/n: This literally came to mind when I saw something similar in the actual game event. First time posting twst content here. This may get a sequel. Gonna try to post variety spooky content here cause HAPPY OCTOBER YALL!

SPOILERS for the new Halloween game event going on, somewhat. Also, a bit of Skully x fem!reader and implied fem!reader x the twst bois shown/tagged down below. Short Harem drama, kinda. Not much. But I think it ain't half bad.

*DON'T STEAL, COPY, EDIT, REPOST AND TRANSLATE MY FANFIC WORK. REBLOG, LIKE, FOLLOW PLS N THNX.*

“Hello, my lovely~”

The moment this new strapping figure — “Skully J. Graves at your service~” — appeared holding you in his arms as you awoke, you were awestruck at the spooky strapping young man.

After introducing all of yourselves, watching him kiss the hand of your schoolmates was amusing; seeing their appalled expressions. Guessing they don't get that brand of greeting often, huh?

Him kissing Grim's cheek had his fur stand on end to your delight.

And yet?

The moment he took your hand — only to pull you in and kiss you smack dab on the lips?

You felt the fires of envy and hate turn ablaze as the various pairs of eyes glowed outrageously.

Many hands, gloved or not, snatched him off you.

And all hell broke loose.

“Get your grubby hands off my beloved, you cretin!” Riddle turned red even his paled up Gothic aesthetic; Trey holding the struggling boy back in his arms.

“He means MY herbivore, skeletal bastard.” Leona growled in Skully’s face as he grabbed his collar.

“On the contrary, MY angel isn't up for auction when it comes to kisses from mere worms.” Azul's irked smile gave off unpleasantness.

“Oho? That doesn't seem to be the case, surely.” Jade jested to his boss's ire.

“MY jewel’s already doing so, octo pimp. That goes for you too, street rat.” Jamil hissed them both back and forth.

“Have you no manners of consent, you mongrel? Besides, my darling Y/n has better taste than you all. Me, for example.” Vil flaunted in the others irked faces; Epel looked just about done at this point.

“Don't you dare take away my Otaku goddess, you noob!” Idia gripped dramatically to the others nuisance. 

“How dare you lay a finger on my beloved human.” Malleus spoke doom.

The air around them crackled with literal lightning as emerald flames had his hands full.

“My future Queen … prepare yourself … FOR HELL.”

“WAKA-SAMA!” Sebek switched to fanboy mode at his God's might.

“For once, we're on the same page.” Leona's smirk sent his way spoke volumes as he dropped Skully before the dragon prince.

“TSUNATARO, STAND DOWN! ALL OF YOU, PLEASE!” You got in the way to defend the new anime boy from the others' united wrath, especially Malleus's. “One kiss is not that big of a deal.”

You could hear a pin drop now as everyone, even Skully, viewed you as if you had two heads.

“Good grief. Ya sure you're not magical? Cause you're bewitching them into lovestruck fools. And you're not dating any of ‘em. God, you're an idiot.” Grim griped.

Leona, Jamil, and Sebek appeared as glowing eyed phantom monsters ready for the kill. “YOU'RE ONE TO TALK, FUR BALL!!!”

Yet Skully looked unperturbed, his charming toothed smile arised, as Grim got chased by three SSR dressed pissed off mages. “Oya oya … What a lively bunch, you all are. And all because I took a kiss from your sweet lips, lovely Y/n. But if you are single, then may I ask you out?”

“NO!!!” All the former overblot cases now turned bachelors for your token affections shouted in unison.

Trey, Jade and Epel and you hung your head in exasperation.

Ah, quite the Harem dilemma.

Halloween coated, no less.

[mysteryshoptls]

SSR Malleus Draconia - Lord of the Abyss Voice Lines

Lord of the Abyss Malleus Draconia does not have a vignette.

My weakness, inexperience, and even my foolishness will build the very foundation that allows me to grow even more powerful.

Summon: My name is Malleus Draconia. All you small peons would do well to bow your heads and kneel before me.

Groovification: To all those filled with insatiable greed, I shall rain down a punishing bolt of lightning upon them.

Home: This look suits me well.

Swap Looks: I shall permit you an audience.

Home Transition 1: Weaklings may fear overblotting. However, once this power is mastered... It actually isn't so terrible after all.

Home Transition 2: These short-lived and weak beings band together in order to build a better future... Hm. I feel as though I can finally understand the meaning behind Lilia's words.

Home Transition 3: ...Your countenance seems changed slightly. You must have evolved through overcoming the many hardships encountered while traveling from dream to dream.

Home Transition - Login: Heheh... My magical power is overflowing down to my very fingertips. I feel as though I could destroy anything I touch.

Home Transition - Groovy: You wish to see my dream, as well? First, you call me Hornton, and now this... You truly have nerves of steel.

Home Tap 1: The various creatures of the night are beings that live under the divine protection of dusk and moonlight. To my fellow compatriots: Night's Blessings.

Home Tap 2: They may still only be learned apprentices, yet they gave their body and soul to bring me back to the correct path... Heh, it seems I am truly blessed with wonderful retainers.

Home Tap 3: It is a grave sin indeed to trample completely over the deeds of those who strived to see me hatched safely. Those senile senate wretches... What sort of punishment would be fitting for them?

Home Tap 4: Within the horns of a dragon lays an abundance of magical power. That is why we of the Briar Valley royal family adorn our horns, as it is a symbol of our great strength.

Home Tap 5: Don't touch me so carelessly. I may not be able to fully control my power while in this state.

Home Tap - Groovy: You still call out to me in spite of everything that happened... I wonder how many humans could say they are not terrified of even simply seeing me in this form.

Duo: [MALLEUS]: Allow me to be your opponent. [IDIA]: Heehee, time to unleash the secret weapon.

Requested by Anonymous.

[vylosinbound]

hi i love your writing and blog so much!! i got this idea just now of the seven om brothers reacting to mc calling them their “current boyfriend/husband” (like the trend!!) and i was wondering if you could please write some headcanons or a drabble (whichever is easier!) of how they would react to that?? thank you so much and i hope you’re having a good rest of your day!! :D

Heyy! Thank you so much for your sweet words, they really made my day! And well, let’s just say your request couldn’t have come at a better time! With the announcement of the new Obey Me game, this trend feels incredibly on point. So I thought: why not go full “husband” mode? I had so much fun writing this one, especially seeing how each of them would handle it.

Husband? Already?

The brothers when MC calls them their husband

Characters: Lucifer, Mammon, Leviathan, Satan, Asmodeus, Beelzebub and Belphegor.

Genre: Romantic fluff / teasing / emotional warmth

Inspired by a trending joke, MC casually refers to each of the brothers as their “husband.” Some are flustered, some smug, and others... might take it a bit too seriously.

LUCIFER

You catch him mid-paperwork when you offhandedly murmur, “My husband is working so hard today…”

The pen stills in his hand.

“I beg your pardon?” he says, though his voice is more curious than stern.

You glance up to see him studying you over his glasses, his expression unreadable, but the faintest flush colors his ears.

“Do you really understand what that word means, MC?” You tease him in return, but later that evening, he appears at your door. He’s brought you tea, a rare gesture from him.

“I’ve been thinking,” he begins quietly, “If I were truly your husband… I’d want to be the kind who listens. Who supports. Who makes you feel safe.”

You blink. He avoids your eyes. “So… if that’s what you meant, then yes. I’ll accept that title.”

MAMMON

You call him “my husband” in passing, maybe while introducing him to an exchange student.

Mammon.exe has stopped working.

“H-HUHUHUH?! H-HUSBAND?!”

He repeats the word like it’s physically attacking him, then tries to act cool about it thirty seconds later. “I mean, of course ya’d call me that! I am your first, after all…”

He becomes a hot mess for the rest of the day, stumbling over compliments, bringing you random gifts, and texting you “do ya rly mean it or were ya jokin?”

The next time you call him that, he beams like the sun. “Say it again. Just once more. Please.”

You say it. He melts.

LEVIATHAN

You’re in his room, watching an anime together. As he’s explaining something passionately, you smile and say, “You’re so cute, husband.”

Levi freezes.

The anime keeps playing.

He stares at the screen, pretending he didn’t hear it, but the deep pink blush blooming across his cheeks says otherwise.

“…I-I’m not worthy of such a high-ranking title!! I mean, husband?! That’s like, the SSR of relationships!!” But then he adds, quieter, “Unless… you really think I’d be a good one?”

He makes a custom character in one of his games named “MC’s Husband.” You don’t find out for weeks.

SATAN

You say it during a quiet moment, while handing him a cup of tea. “Here you go, husband.”

He raises an eyebrow, lips quirking. “That’s a rather dangerous thing to say, MC.”

“Oh?” you reply playfully. “Why’s that?”

“Because now I’ll have to live up to that title.”

He begins casually incorporating husband-like gestures: walking you home every day, pulling your chair out, making sure your favorite books are stocked in the library.

You think he’s joking, until he pulls you into a slow dance in the middle of the study one night. “No ring yet,” he murmurs in your ear, “but someday?”

ASMODEUS

You joke about it while getting ready for a party. “Hurry up, husband, or we’ll be late!”

He squeals. “Husband?! HUSBAND? Oh MC, do you know what you’ve just done?”

He spins dramatically, grabbing his perfume and fluffing his hair. “Now we have to match! And I simply must take a thousand photos to commemorate our honeymoon-phase debut!”

He doesn’t let it go for days. He introduces himself at the party as your “future spouse” to anyone who’ll listen.

Later, in a quiet moment, he leans on your shoulder. “Even if it was just a joke… I liked hearing it from you.”

BEELZEBUB

You call him “my husband” while handing him a snack, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

Beel stops chewing. Looks at you.

“…You really think I’d be good at being your husband?” You nod. He smiles shyly.

“I’d want to take care of you. Like you take care of me. That’s what a husband should do, right?”

He eats the rest of his burger quietly, but his eyes are softer than usual.

Later that day, he makes you a snack plate without being asked and simply says, “For my wife.” You’re not sure if he’s teasing or not, but your heart flips all the same.

BELPHEGOR

You call him “husband” while dragging him out of bed.

“Ugh… so demanding…” he groans, but his sleepy smirk says otherwise. “Is this how married life is supposed to be? You stealing my naps and my heart?”

You laugh and try to pull him up again, only for him to yank you back down and wrap his arms around you.

“Husbands get to cuddle their spouses whenever they want,” he murmurs into your neck. “And I’m not letting go until you say it again.”

You give in. He wins. Again.

[pampel-mousse]

i miss playing blackjack with the wizards so much, it truly was superior

I think we moved on too fast from last years april fools event i know its been over a year but!!!! Those cards were so gorgeous the lore was so good too i will always miss the black jack (i think thats what its called?) minigame

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

HOO MAMA TREY CLOVER THE MAN THAT YOU ARE 😩😩🔥🔥🔥🔥👌👌💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 💦💦💦💦💦💦(this is about his new atory card if you haven’t seen it yet YOU SHOULD he’s so hot)

Wah… The new Trey SSR is so pretty (<- not usually a Trey fan) 😭

I love the quilting and all the bling on his chef’s outfit (especially on the apron; they almost look like luster dusted crystal candies and sugar pearls)! The jacket forms a heart shape when buttoned up and the apron also resembles the Queen of Heart’s skirt. Very fitting for his role in the dream! I’m laughing a little at how his + Cater’s new outfits are uniforms that are typically white (Heartslabyul dorm uniform and chef’s coat) but just. Dyed black…

The lighting is also really neat! Slightly psychedelic, like Cater’s tricked out courtroom. The color of the stuff he’s whipping up in the bowl reminds me of the coloring and shading of Idia’s hair in his Suitor Suit groovy:

Not sure how I feel about the… expression Trey is making?? HE’S AT LEAST NOT MAKING HIS USUAL 🤨 FACE BUT. I don’t know if stealing Jamil’s copyrighted blep is any better/j It’s okay, IT’S OKAY, I’m sure you Trey stans are enjoying this cjsbsjwvwuvzkVajw

*sighs* Depending on what the groovy for Trey looks like, I fear I may have to roll for him and those massive wobbling cake towers… I cannot resist a card featuring tasty looking food and Alice in Wonderland imagery 😔

[sleepyorchidmonster]

Okay, but what if Riddle attempts to fight Malleus alone to buy Idia some time?

Like, we know Riddle is both reckless and confident in his power, also, if timed correctly, Off With Your Head can be make a difference in a fight, and even Leona was having trouble with it (granted it was normal not-overblotted Leona and this is Malleus we're talking about).

It can also play with the reveal that Riddle thinks everyone hates him, so he convinces himself that the least he could do is make sure Idia stays safe, both for the mission and Ortho (and maybe he's feeling guilty because last he checked Ortho required urgent repairs and it's his fault). Or maybe Riddle just feels like his lack of understanding of technomancy is not being helpful enough andhe is eager to actually do something right (he doesn't understand the situation and, as far as he can tell, everything went wrong after his dream).

And then Idia has to stop his doomed typing with a side of panicked ramblings to take a deep breath and tell the 17-year-old kid to "Calm Down. We're not dead yet, and I'm not letting you go on a suicide mission."

And before Riddle can make a counter-argument, Idia is already following up with some extra points:

1) "Yeah we're both housewardens and troublemaking SSRs. I'm also older so I'm supposed to be the responsible one here."

2) "Technomancy is my domain, so if I say you're doing okay, you're doing okay. It's natural for veteran players to carry the noobs when they're just starting out!"

3) "You're a powerful DPS, but you're also a glass canon. Meta dictates that good DPS units need great supports, and I'm trying to summon them with negative gacha pulls and a dream here!!!!"

4) "If we open the door to let you fight Malleus, then the door will have been opened anyway, and that guy can multitask like a PRO..."

5) "You know chess right? Great. We're currently in check, with the only thing between total anihilation being a Rook (A.K.A. my precious door) and the Queen (A.K.A. you). The lil' pawns may have metamorphosized into a murderous army, but there's still a whole board between us, so we have to hold on!!!"

6) "And before you get the chess analogy wrong, I am NOT keeping you around just because of your magical power. You're a TEENAGER not a weapon, for crying out loud. Did you really think I'd be that stupid?? Ortho is literally my brother and I'd rather DIE than treat him like a weapon!"

7) "Is it really that hard to understand that I don't actually hate you? Sure, you have zero E.Q. and is in my "Top 5 Most annoying Students in NRC", but I don't want you dead! Who would drag me to dormhead meetings then? Vil and Ortho need a buddy who's not afraid to break the doo- NOT NOW MALLEUS"

8) "I actually like being alive and don't want Trey and Cater to kill me, and neither that freaky cat friend of yours. Or Floyd, Kalim, Sebek, Silver, Vil..."

Idia: And that would be all! Thank you for coming to my TED Talk! Now, I know the Final Boss is right outside that door, but why don't you read a manga or two to pass the time? You've already helped me A LOT, so why don't you rest a bit?

Malleus, from the other side: You should listen to Shroud, Rosehearts. I will even refrain from tearing the door down while you read, rest assured!

Malleus: Also, who gave you the idea that everyone hates you? I just want to have a pleasant chat with them! Lillia taught me the importance of understanding the point of view of others! :)

Meanwhile the others are trying to use Meet Me in a Dream while driving a gigantic Blastcycle so they can speedrun the dream hopping and get back to Idia's dream so they can make sure Idia is okay (Ortho), complete the final stage of the plan (the others) and locate Riddle (Heartslabyul and Equestrian Club mostly, but everyone's at least worried that he's MIA). Also Silver is resting while Ace uses his UM and Deuce drives.

Leona got what he wanted (a better mean of transportation between dreams) but at what cost (two freshmen at the wheel, and they're not the competent robot kid).

[angelwishess]

You have been invited to the Fairytale Soiree! ‧₊˚ ⋅.𖥔

Angel’s 100+ followers event!

a/n: Hi hi everyone! I’d like to thank everyone so, so so very much for 160 followers!! When I first started this blog about a month ago, I genuinely did NOT expect to get this much love and attention. It was such a surprise, but I’m so very thankful nonetheless! During my short time running this blog I have met so many wonderful, talented, charming, amazing people, and I appreciate all of you so much! Thank you once again for supporting me until now! ♡

Story:

Every 100 years, a group of fae gather together to host a grand party to celebrate the beginning of a new century. And tonight, once the clock hits 12 it will be the genesis of a new era once more. The stars seemed to shine brighter than usual on this evening, and magic swirled around as the faeries gathered to sing, dance, feast and party the night away.

But of course, there was one more thing they had to do. Every Soiree, the three hosting faeries summon a group of humans, beastmen and merfolk alike to join them on this joyous occasion! Once every one hundered years, it truly would be a waste not to share the joys of tonight.

It just so happened that this time, a group of students seem to be the ones that were chosen! Waking up in an unfamiliar palace-like building, lush with gorgeous flora and hues of pinks, blues and purples. Although skeptical at first, they soon joined the fae with their grand soiree.

That was, until they swiftly picked out Kyra from the crowd. Declaring her as the “Dreamer of Tonight”. They explained, that at the end of every soiree, just before the clock hits 12, all of the fae come together to grant one wish. Whether it be riches that overflow into mountains of gold, power beyond imagination, or knowledge of the unknown— whatever it is, they grant it. And it may even shape the course of the next century.

Kyra pondered this for a moment, sitting upon an elegant throne-like chair as she looked at the faces of all her friends. She frowned, and the faeries were curious. That was until she asked,

“Could I share my wish with my friends?”

Taken aback, the faeries asked why she wanted to do such a thing.

“Well… It just seems kind of unfair. They all deserve to have their wishes granted, too.”

An air of silence filled the room. Only to be broken by a rampaging laughter from all of the fae. They laughed, and laughed, until tears prickled in the corners of their eyes. No one had ever asked for something so ridiculous. The very first time anyone had asked for such a thing!

Amused, the fae agreed to let her share the wish— but with only one person. Now, its up to the rest of the group to decide whether they want to convince Kyra to share the wish with her, or simply just enjoy the party. But they better hurry up, because the clock is ticking! Either way, the faeries are expecting a good show out of tonight’s soiree.

Why, it might just be the most exciting one yet!

“Share this wish with me!”

Dress Code:

There isn’t a really stict dresscode— but of course the characters will all be wearing clothing suited for an extravagant ball!

And, if the name wasn’t obvious enough, this event is very Fairytale themed! So I suggest taking inspiration from fairytales! Whether it be characters, tropes, or items in the fairytale! Go crazy!!!

Theres not really a certain colorscheme either, Id rather you use the colors you think fit the characters you choose the most !!

Featured Characters:

Kyra Lovelace SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Floyd Leech SR (Fairytale Attire)

Ace Trappola SR (Fairytale Attire)

Vil Schoenheit SR (Fairytale Attire)

Azul Ashengrotto SR (Fairytale Attire)

Leona Kingscholar SR (Fairytale Attire)

Jamil Viper SR (Fairytale Attire)

Sebek Zigvolt R (Fairytale Attire)

Jamil Viper R (Fairytale Attire)

Jack Howl R (Fairytale Attire)

OCs:

Victor Sanderson SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Yuuel “El” Mirume SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Yurena Lovelace SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Yuubeni Choga SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Joseph Akaba SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Yuki SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Dranav Taryn SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Ame SSR (Fairytale Attire)

Rory Queens SR (Fairytale Attire)

Shuu SR (Fairytale Attire)

Rayven Ludwig SR (Fairytale Attire)

Arlo Wake SR (Fairytale Attire)

Erice Ainsbourg SR (Fairytale Attire)

Delilah Koshkin SR (Fairytale Attire)

Kaiia Haunt SR (Fairytale Attire)

Yumi Yozakura SR (Fairytale Attire)

Reyu Carrera SR (Fairytale Attire)

Caspian Ashengrotto SR (Fairytale Attire)

Philosophy Freay R (Fairytale Attire)

Yuhua Wei (Fairytale Attire)

Asher (Fairytale Attire)

AJ (Fairytale Attire)

RULES!!!:

- Despite this being a follower milestone event, everyone is welcome to participate! ♡

- You can use any kind of character to enter into the - event! OCs, Yuusonas, and canon characters that haven’t been listed in the participants! All characters are very much welcomed !!!

- Any kind of entry is also welcomed! Art, edits, fics, ect.

- Please tag me in your post and use the tag #Fairytale Soiree! In your posts!

Strictly no NSFW or proshipping.

There is no clear deadline nor winner, this is honestly just for fun so go crazy!!

Theres no real limit on the amount of SSR cards either, so feel free to do whatever you’d like, whether you choose to make an SSR, SR or R card !

Feel free to dm me if you have any questions :3

Once again, Thank you all so very much for supporting me thus far!! (Reblogs are appreciated :3)

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

Hey, since Rapi got a SSR upgrade, can we haz an imagine with her!

As for its contents… how about a date night set up by her S/O!

(GoV: NIKKE) Date Night with Rapi

It didn't honestly take much for Rapi to be happy with a date.

Staying inside the Outpost and spending quality time was nice and all, but S/O wanted to treat her to something a little special, especially with the salary they had been saving up.

It wasn't going to be anything grandiose, since Rapi didn't particularly care about things like that.

Just a dinner at a nearby restaurant out in "town", a classic date!

Something Rapi agreed to without hesitation, though that was mostly because anytime spent with S/O was a good date regardless.

And so, at 7:00 PM, S/O exited the Outpost with Rapi, hand in hand.

All the while the couple was being watched by Anis, Neon, and the Commander.

(Commander) "Girls, let them be."

Neon spun around pointing at S/O, amazingly keeping her voice quiet despite the fact she wanted to yell out:

(Neon) "But, Master! What if S/O isn't romantic enough?! They need proper guidance to have a good date with Rapi!"

(Anis) "Psh, are you kidding? With the way Rapi is, S/O is gonna be in danger! They even so much look at another woman, she's going to obliterate them!"

Granted, the Commander couldn't disagree with that last part, seeing Rapi's reaction when it came to other Nikke's trying to speak to them.

And yet-

(Commander) "I trust them both, and you should too. They deserve a nice night out to themselves without us shadowing them."

(Neon) "Hm...fine! But if Rapi comes home crying, then I'll just say I told you so!"

(Anis) "I think Rapi is going to be making other people cry first of all..."

...

S/O and Rapi rode the elevator down back into the Ark, the two of them finally relaxing once they were by themselves.

(S/O) "Let's see...Our tables should be ready by 8, so we have some time to walk around."

(Rapi) "Is there anything specific you'd like to do, S/O?"

S/O moved closer to Rapi, smiling at her.

(S/O) "Not in particular. Maybe window shop for clothes? I don't really have anything fancy besides my uniform."

Rapi smiled back at S/O, intertwining her hands with them again.

(Rapi) "I have a few outfits that the others have gotten for me...But, I think I'd like something different."

(S/O) "Heh, if you want I could pick something out for you."

Rapi blushed a little harder at that, but her smile seemed to grow brighter too.

(Rapi) "...I think I would like that, yes."

In the end, Rapi got a rather tacky pair of pajamas, against her better judgement.

It had cat prints all over it while colored a bright red.

S/O thought it'd be comfy for her to sleep in at the very least so that way she's not just sleeping in her gear all the time.

Truthfully, Rapi did like it, so she figured why not? After all, this date night was all about trying out new things to shake up the norm. This was a good way to start...Probably.

After that, S/O and Rapi had a meal outside, looking into the artificial night.

(S/O) "It's nice to get some fresh air like this."

(Rapi) "Indeed."

She continued staring up, her thoughts drifting to the past leading up to now, but quickly Rapi shook her head.

Right now, she shouldn't be focusing on what used to be, or what could be-

(S/O) "Rapi? You okay?"

She turned to S/O, the warmth in her expression growing as she met their eyes, smiling.

Rapi instead gave her full attention to the person she loved. Now that she had the confidence, she should show it.

She moved her chair over to them, taking another bite before nodding.

(Rapi) "Better now, I think."

[burberrycanary]

This quote from CATWS came up in a recent discussion and I've found myself continuing to think about it:

Nick: You know, I read those SSR files. Greatest generation? You guys did some nasty stuff. Steve: Yeah, we compromised, sometimes in ways that made us not sleep so well. But we did it so that people could be free.

The language here is vague, which I'd argue is a deliberate technique the MCU uses. Are they talking about everything the SSR members of Steve's generation did that Steve, like Fury, read about from files long after the fact? Things Steve might have been aware of—or partially aware of—at the time but not directly involved in or occurring under his command? "Compromises" Steve was personally involved in?

And what nasty stuff are they talking about? Developing and using atomic weapons? MKUltra? Or just the inherent nastiness of warfare, even when conducted within legal limits and according to international standards?

I'd argue that the text here is designed so that viewers with different political and ethical beliefs about warfare in general and American international projections of power in the 20th century in particular—as well as a range of preferred interpretations of Steve Rogers as a character and as an American propaganda figure—can take the reading they like from an inherently ambiguous text.

That's similar to how we see Steve's actual involvement in WWII through a brief power-fantasy montage and a hagiographic public exhibit at the Smithsonian—and yet the details in both of these parts of MCU canon are hard to square with the actual historical record or make even internally consistent. That leaves a lot of gaps for the viewer to project what they want onto Steve Rogers.

Because, in my view, that's fundamental to how the MCU version of Steve Rogers was written. These techniques—vagueness and strategic lacuna—allow audience members with opposing, even contradictory, core political beliefs to all be able to walk away feeling like Steve Rogers agrees with them. It maximizes the potential global market for this product.

But because of this, it's frustratingly difficult to ground any fleshed-out, particularized interpretation of Steve in canon. At the same time, this is also an opportunity for fans and fannish engagement: that's a lot of white space. For better or worse, there are a lot of different interpretations of Steve that are equally compatible with canon evidence. I don't see the point in trying to argue that one particular reading from among this range is the most correct, since we all choose how to resolve the internal contradictions, what to weight more heavily and how to fill in the gaps.

Steve is a character built around having moral authority but deliberately not tied to many specific moral positions: "I don't like bullies." Good as far as it goes. But as we've seen in contemporary politics, who is considered the bully in a situation is tragically and disturbingly manipulable. (That I lose sleep over the scale and success of this manipulation is not the point of this post.) And yet I think this problem is baked into the propaganda nature of Steve Rogers as Captain America, who represents the American military fighting "bullies" abroad. This problem becomes more acute once Steve comes out of the ice.

But to circle back to the quote that sparked these musings, even WWII—almost universally viewed as America's most righteous and morally justified war—contained a lot of ugliness and moral compromises. I struggle with the implications of Steve Rogers as the fantasy of war as a system that an individual can participate in without moral compromises if, on an individual basis, you are a good enough person. That's not how systems work, especially not authoritarian systems. And propaganda is a fantasy with political teeth. This is my particular interpretive cross to bear as someone who has come to love this character deeply. These concerns drive how I personally fill in the lacuna of canon. I don't claim it's the text; it's how I'm making the text meaningful for myself. Ultimately, I'd argue that MCU Steve Rogers is a powerful fictional figure because he's a doorway to exploring these big, interesting, important ideas about history and morality that can be both uplifting and troubling. To take only one of those two sides and call it a complete truth is to ignore either the power of ideals or the reality of history.

I think it's telling that the MCU came out with major non-ambiguous writing for Steve only once they'd reached the end of this economic run with the character—no, he really is a guy who wants to go back to the American mid-century, which he thinks is a "beautiful" life, and wow is that inescapably taking a political stance. And this unambiguous writing choice ended up permanently alienating a segment of fans, myself included. I don't watch MCU films anymore. Writing choices the MCU made for Steve to remove the core ambiguity from the character that let him support a wide range of readings is one of the two main reasons why I've stopped watching MCU films.

Ironically, in the pursuit of maximum shareholder value, Disney accidentally created something interesting across this series of superhero action films for a global market. And yet this multi-national corporation of very questionable politics and morals—made up of individual actors with their own politics and agendas—can't actually go back and change the Captain America trilogy, which as texts remain ours to read and interpret and explore, even if they can send Steve Rogers back to the past and keep on trying to rewrite his story. Except it's already out there.

So here perhaps is the comfort: we, the audience, always get the last word.

[twisted-wonderland-but-gayer]

Oh! I dont usually see Grim dislike/hate. Can I ask why you don't like him? I think there's def room for improvement for him, but I cant find it in me to truely hate him since he reminds me of a character I really like. (Puppycat from Bee and Puppycat)

He's just such wasted potential.

Look I'm into flawed characters, but I don't like stagnant asshole characters that are in the majority of a media. Grim has barely improved since the start of the game.

He's rude, obnoxious, continues to actively cause you problems and throws you under the bus quite often (I mean look at the most recent Crewels SSR card– he tries to blame you for his mistakes and yet still gets you in trouble).

In every event he's the same. Be annoying, make a few dumb/rude remarks abt the culture, "I'm hungrryyy". I think in one event I've counted him talking abt food abt 35 times? Like I don't mind the trope of "monster creature loves food" but that's all he is and doesn't have half the endearing traits. He never shuts up about himself. He's so boring/generic. How is Morgana better than him

He still seldom shows affection for you. Like you barely get to semi bond when talking about his past. This was the only main scene we had to get attached to him before book 6. Seriously throughout every book he's just been overly cocky, rude, annoying, and suddenly you care only about him and not the fact that several people were kidnapped and the school was trashed and that the world is ending.

I thought he would have a huge change of heart after book 6 and his moment of him crying— which honestly didn't move me cause he didn't do anything for us to get attached to in canon. You really have to make up your own headcanons and theories to really make him "good". He's also your buddy but it seems he aknowedges as much as the rest of the cast

He didn't even have a change of heart as he immediately went back to being him. Sure there was that scene in book 7 where he says he's gonna protect you and calls out for you but it's like... cool you had several years to develop and we have maybe 4 scenes of you being an actual character and not some plot device/instigator.

The other thing too is how he is in school. He wants so badly to be a good mage and be the best in NRC but doesn't actively do anything to achieve that. He continues to never study and slack off (which fucks Yuu over cause they're 1/2 a student).

By all means, I'm not saying he can't be annoyed at what being a mage entails or a hypocrite (flaws are important). But he's been one for years and hasn't changed a bit. He still has shown very little improvement for someone who claims to sorta care about his "henchhuman" he certainly continues to impact their grades and school life. (Plus consider yuu not being from this world and all the extra effort they have to put in for a -C, its implied in the book). I wouldn't be surprised if he hurt Yuus pockets a lot too with his selfish appetite.

The main issue I have with him overall is the lack of consequences for him. He almost set everyone on fire? OK. He apparently scratched yuu very bad and that's that. No scene where you confront him about it or the rocks that he eats that you continuously warn him about. You can argue book 6 was the punishment but it didn't seem like it. He'll cause so many issues and get a slap on the wrist for it.

I think the best thing to do right now is to have Yuu snap at him so he improves. Fuck up their friendship. Make him realize he has been bad and actually have him change. A dramatic friend breakup. It would be the only way for Grim to change quickly rn with how long it's been

Have Yuu become a full student and watch him fall apart as Yuu doesn't need to rely on him and they're able to get their As in peace as Grim gets his Fs. Let them get angry. Seriously I'm so mentally ill over the concept of Yuu in general esp in game Yuu and all the ways to make them foils to characters or have them be angst fuel.

I want to like Grim. I love found family. But he just doesn't deserve that currently. He just sucks.

Do do understand why people like him. But I'm not one of them with the state he's in. I'm sorry I don't feel bad at all.