#reflection conundrum | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

feathersandblue · 6 months ago

Text

So, full disclosure, I haven't been a Solas fan before.

I am now.

And that's because of Veilguard and the many, many ways in which I felt let down by this game.

The aspect that bothers me most is the reduction of nuance and complexity.

Rook's hero's cakewalk (because “journey” really isn't the right word) is a ready-made path that offers no deviation at all and never challenges the player in any meaningful way.

Sure, you can spend some time pondering the pros and cons of saving Treviso or Minrathous. Ultimately, it makes no difference. Rook does their best, they just can’t be in two places at once.

Same with the companion character arcs. What does it mean if you decide to you turn Emmrich into a lich? For the most part, it's idle musing. Indulgence. He’ll be happy either way, there are no real stakes. Yeah, your actions do have consequences, just not the sort of consequences that make a substantial difference. It’s the illusion of choice – reduced to cosmetics.

The problems with decisions that cost nothing is that they don’t feel like an accomplishment. They also don’t allow for character growth. Rook doesn’t change, they remain static. Even the section in the Fade where Rooks faces their regrets is easy and comparatively lightweight. Varric was killed by Solas, Harding resp. Davrin died in combat and either Bellara or Neve was abducted by Elgar’nan. It’s not like Rook’s decisions actually caused these events, it’s not like Rook actually failed through a choice they had to make that turned out to be the wrong one. Everyone was there willingly and volunteered to fight the good fight. Rook’s regrets are not about real guilt, they are about feeling sad and guilty. And that – it needs to be said – is not the same thing. At all.

At the same time, the story carefully avoids any kind of true ethical dilemma.

It's not even about the lack of mean or edgy dialogue options; that’s just a symptom. The cause is the writers’ unwillingness to let realism intrude in Rook’s fairytale – the lack of anything that would require Rook to compromise on morals, or fight temptation. Rook is never faced with any sort of moral conundrum, or allowed to act out any kind of vice that realistic characters have. In its straight-path simplicity, Rook's story is apparently written for children and people who remain child-like in their yearning for simple, uncontested truths.

Of all the sorts of conflicts that a story can offer, Veilguard carefully avoids the most realistic and (in my opinion) interesting ones: Character vs. self and character vs. society, aka, politics. The game firmly refuses to go there. To the point where it creates a completely unrealistic consensus on all sides that eliminates yet another sort of conflict: character vs. character.

If Rook and their companions would talk politics, they’d all be on the exact same side. In a two party state, they’d all cast the same vote.

I am sure that there are many players who feel comforted and reassured by that fact, who sincerely believe that this is how stories should be written. That stories should reflect the world not as it is but as they think it should be. But for everyone who likes their stories a little more realistic, that lack of meaningful interpersonal conflict, that lack of real diversity which comes not from appearance but from different cultures and opposing viewpoints amounts to a frankly cringe-worthy, artificial and juvenile surface-level interaction between characters. Or, to phrase it differently: the diversity remains skin-deep and doesn’t extend to the philosophical, and even in the few instances where it does, it shies away from the political.

Which means that the only conflicts that remain are the most boring and stereotypical ones: character vs. monsters resp. the supernatural, where all foes are evil in the blandest way (Supremacist Venatori! Fascist renegade qunari! Power-hungry necromancers!). These conflicts are resolved through exploring maps and endless, repetitive combat.

The only thing that brings a bit of nuance to the game is Solas’s story. And there is an element of character vs. character in Rook’s and Solas’s relationship, but the sad truth is that what could have been a fascinating mirrored character journey falls flat for all the reasons already explained – because where Solas is a character as layered and controversial as it gets, Rook is anything but.

Solas’s story shows how even people with the best intentions and the greatest integrity are ultimately broken by what life throws at them, both by the decisions that are forced upon them and the choices they make on their own. It shows how a prolonged war is always a sunk cost fallacy: I’ve gone this far, if I stop now, it was all for nothing.

Rook’s victories, on the other hand, come without a cost – both in terms of moral corruption and in accountability. The guilt Solas bears is real. The fight against the titans, followed by his war against the Evanuris, requires compromising his own morals, one day at a time, one century after another, he’s trying to save the world yet doomed to fail. Sacrificing the spirits to win a battle after the war has gone this far? Every single war leader around the globe would make the same decision. In fact, all of them do: They do sacrifice the lives of others if it will help them win, they do send soldies into the trenches to die, whether these soldiers want to or not, and they are rarely, if ever, truthful about the reasons why.

In a certain way, the story of the spirit of wisdom turned flesh is reminiscent of the biblical Fall of Man: the original sin. Solas has fallen, and he’s broken. In trying to heal the world, he’s trying to heal himself. The burden is too heavy, the responsibility to great, the knowledge that he is responsible for all of it too devastating. Solas’s greatest conflict is character vs. self. It has the potential to be great. In a way, it is. It’s the single redeeming quality that, depending on your interpretation of what went on behind the scenes, the writers managed to salvage from the original concept of Dreadwolf or the lone pillar that withstood all their attempts to bring it down.

Only sadly, infuriatingly, in the end, that fallen hero’s ending is put into the hands of a protagonist who judges him from the perspective of someone who has never even stumbled – not because they are wiser, braver, or kinder. No, just because the writers were gracious – or cowardly? – enough to never let them fail.

The game gives Rook a moral high ground which isn’t earned in the slightest because Rook never had to walk even a quarter of a mile in Solas’s shoes. They don’t know what they would have done in his stead, they have no idea what it actually means to see the sorry shape the world is in and know that it was your hands that shaped it. And even where Rook might actually be culpable – the interruption of Solas’s ritual that freed the remaining Evanuris – anyone is quick to assure Rook that it wasn’t their fault.

Whatever regrets Rook carries, they’re born from self-doubt and trauma response. Survivor’s guilt, mostly. When compared to Solas’s immense guilt, Rook’s regrets are, for lack of a better term, insignificant. That Rook manages to face them doesn’t mean that they are more truthful or emotionally mature, it just means that Rook’s story is a tale for children and Solas’s is not.

It’s not that I’m necessarily opposed to the idea that the player decides Solas’s fate through their actions. It’s the injustice of it all that bothers me: The player is led through a game that provides a safe space for their character, one that is devoid of any interpersonal conflict and any ethical quandary. Rooks succeeds through kindness and heroism and taking their companions on team bonding exercises.

As if Solas could have won the war against the Evanuris if he’d taken the time to take his companions on coffee dates.

The juxtaposition – Rook vs. Solas – fails, simply because of this deep divide. Rook’s story is detached from reality and yet Rook gets to be Solas’s judge, jury, and executioner. On what grounds?

As I said, right in the beginning, I haven’t been a Solas fan before. But by the end of Veilguard, I was firmly, irrevocably, Team Solas, just because I was so annoyed that the narrative put Rook in a position of moral superiority. I detested my own character. Jesus, what a goody two-shoes! I was rooting for Solas simply because his story was so much more: a genuine tragedy, a study in complexity. Rook, on the other hand, remains bland, snotty, unchanged. Untried.

The thing is, I don’t believe that my reaction was one the writers had intended. I strongly feel that they didn’t mean for me to pick up on their double standard, that they expected me to walk away fully satisfied, convinced that Rook and The Team were the Good Guys because they went on picnics and petted the griffon, their final victory well-earned and just. If only Solas had had a Team and taken care of their emotional needs – he could have taken down the Evanuris with nary a scratch!

It’s all so very disingenuous.

Rook and, by extension, the player exist in a bubble of sanitized content. That is clearly deliberate. The player is meant to like it there. (In that sense, it’s only logical that they changed the title from Dreadwolf to Veilguard.) And clearly, it does resonate with a certain kind of their player base: mostly with people, I think, who would like their real life to be a bubble too and whose only experience with moral corruption is when they find it in others.

#solas #veilguard #dragon age #dragon age veilguard #datv #datv critical

1K notes · View notes

gghostwriter · 9 months ago

Text

Whispered Truths

Spencer Reid x Fem!Reader

Summary: Your weekly reading club with boyfriend, Spencer Reid, has never been as sweet and life-changing as this night Trope: Fluff! Just fluff! w.c: 0.8k a/n: This is actually a request from @bloodredrubyrose and I really liked how this came out. I also used my favorite piece of fiction here as a prop so I hope you like it! Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated! 💗 masterlist

Couples, no matter how new or old, tend to create personalized dates as a way to strengthen the relationship. Some go on hikes together, some go on travels, while some stay in the comfort of their homes—under a blanket with a chosen book on hand.

You and Spencer definitely fall under the latter category. It was quite obvious from the first meeting that literature would be one of the strongest bonding agents between you and him. After all, it was how you were brought together—crashing into one another at the library with books and miscellaneous items scattered on the tiled floor. A few shy glances and bewitching dates later, you found yourself spending your Saturday nights in the presence of your boyfriend of six months, hosting an exclusive reading club with just two members, you and him.

“I never thought of it that way,” your left hand paving an aimless path through Spencer’s curly hair while the other held the book up high.

The pitter patters of the rain outside softly echoed through the walls. You were propped up on the loveseat sofa, his head resting on your lap as he looked upwards in question in regards to your statement.

“Never thought of which?” His voice low and soft, striking a resemblance to how he gazed at you oh so lovingly. As if you were the most riveting piece if art he had ever laid his eyes upon.

“How water played a big symbol throughout the whole book. It was really focused on during the first chapters but I—I just never quite connected the dots,” you clarified, bring the book to a close.

It was your choice for the week, East of Eden by John Steinbeck—a modern classic and had been your favorite work of literature since high school. Spencer had lent his copy to you last week and you vice versa—both turning brown from age, pages about to fall apart from its binding, annotations scribbled on the margins and any lengthy self reflections written on various notebook pages sandwiched in between.

“Your explanation on the empty pages at the end—how water is capable of bringing both life and death. Water being essential for the crops but at the same time, drowned victims. It’s such a poignant note that I think I just fell more in love with Steinbeck’s writing,” you added. “It also made me realize how water in his novel represents the dual capacity of the human soul for good and evil. How we are all filled with conundrums and contradictions and what makes us different from the other species on Earth is our ability to choose whether we are good or evil—” Spencer had sat up and leaned in, interrupting your musings. “—what?” You breathed out as his lips hovered on yours.

The once cozy atmosphere quickly charged with tension and desire that seemed to ooze out of Spencer. There was little space in between and you had no doubt that from the outside looking in, it looked like he was kissing you but he was not, rather a sliver of air was still given space to pass through. So close but so far.

You studied his features up close. How his long lashes fluttered like butterfly wings beating against the wind as his molten, darkened, hazel eyes flickered between your lips and eyes. How his nose lightly caressed yours in an endless Eskimo kiss. How his cheeks stained into a lighter shade of red. And how his pink tongue peeked out to wet his pillowy lips.

“I’m in love with you,” he whispered as if it was some kind of national secret that he now felt right to expose.

Your breath caught in your throat. This was the first time he had said it. His love for you had been conveyed with every touch, with every action, and with every silence but this was the first time he had put it into words.

His lips caressed yours—the pressure almost non-existent. A ghost of a kiss to gauge your reaction and consent.

“I love you,” he repeated a little louder this time, eyes locking into the very depths of your soul. “You and your mind have enchanted me since the beginning—so beautiful, so captivating.”

The butterflies set free in your stomach caused you to viscerally shiver in reaction.

“I love you too, Spencer.”

A smile graced his face and it was bright and as blinding as the sun, like it had finally decided to stop hiding behind the clouds and show itself in all of its glory.

He leaned in once more. The pressure from his lips now heavier and headier, trying to stamp his everlasting mark on you and in between all these kisses were whispers of his utter devotion and adoration until there was no more space—until you both became one on his loveseat sofa.

Comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated!

#spencer reid fanfic #spencer reid fanfiction #spencer reid fic #criminal minds fanfic #criminal minds fic #criminal minds fanfiction #dr spencer reid #spencer reid #spencer reid fluff #spencer reid oneshot #spencer reid one shot #spencer reid x fem!reader #spencer reid x y/n #spencer reid x you #spencer reid x reader #spencer reid request

851 notes · View notes

morallygreychaoticneutral · 8 months ago

Text

Astarion is only real around you.

More in my head only canons about this seemingly simple conundrum of an elf. Contains some game spoilers.

Astarion is only "real" around you. And by real, I mean his true personality as he regains it.

Trust clearly goes a long way with him and if you befriended or romanced him, you've earned it and that is no small thing.

One hidden truth being that he is capable of caring. Something that got him into one hell of a predicament in the past that makes him reject that aspect of himself.

However, you were a complication he did not see coming.

Around the group he is guarded. More resting bitch face and flippant retorts. Most of the banter he has with the party reflects this. His answers are mostly deflective or avoidant.

Lae'zel: "The more I learn of this plane Astarion, the more I believe love is its greatest disease."

Astarion: "Oh, I don't know. The screaming fever is pretty bad."

( I laughed till I had a headache when I heard this the first time.)

Trauma armor : People can't hurt you, if you offer no weapons. So he makes it seem he is aloof and unmoved under the mask of sass.

But as time progresses he shows you that hidden part more often.

For example, his comment about he noticed how kindly you speak to him and about not selling yourself so short in the conversation after his siblings attack. Which to me translated to "Don't speak about yourself as if you are not a unicorn amongst jackasses you abnormally wonderful person." Or the Dark Urge speech where he tells you he is not afraid of you and is by your side no matter what. He's genuine, soft and giving full eye contact in those statements. Its just you and him and he's confident and forward. But wouldn't dare show such vulnerability with the others. Such as when you meet Araj in act 3 (Spawnstarion) he still expresses his concern about not wanting you hurt, but it comes out like its uncomfortable to express.

The difference? People are around. And it's not that he's ashamed. But it proves he has a soft spot for you and he learned that is dangerous information in the hands of others. So the armor goes back on.

Even a the epilogue party, he genuinely wants his friends happy. But he still keeps his distance and instead grouses about the lack of blood.

Which was kind of rude on Withers’ part. Really you dusty rag? You obviously made a stop at a butcher shop.

Anyway...

I like to think Astarion info dumps Gale style when you are alone together after a day of adventuring.

Him telling you excitedly about something he witnessed or learned. His face animated with the memory of how he felt about it. His hands gesturing wildly to make his point. Or laughing so hard at a mishap he has to wipe tears off his face. Or contemplating how each companions' are doing amidst their own plights.

You: "Aww, I can't wait to tell Gale you are worried about him."

Astarion: "Pft..you can try my love. But, thanks to my hard work, he would never believe you."

#astarion #baulders gate 3 #my headcanons

427 notes · View notes

goshtoon · 7 months ago

Text

Jayce Talis Hips

Short Drabble based on certain gif a moot of mine posted a while ago, featuring Jayce Talis councilor era with his fat ass

Jayce Talis x gn!reader (established relationship)

Warnings: suggestive, featuring Jayce Talis ass, featuring Jayce Talis lowkey giving slut, brat!Jayce, sub!Jayce

You wonder if he’s aware of it, hands propped upon his desk, broad back hunched, to catch a better glimpse at the schematics strewn before him.

He notes something down, leaning forward, his behind pertly presented as if on a platter. And he does it again— that slight shake, it’s hypnotic, seeing the focal point of your ever poignant arousal sway left and right, like the pendulum of a clock.

And much like a pendulum it is trance-inducing.

It seems the scientist does it in response to a triumph, at least what he suspects to be one. Each time he seems to have overcome another calculating conundrum he lets out a self satisfied hum, in tandem with the mesmerizing display, his lower body does.

It’s maddening, you press your lips together in concentration as you try your damndest not to nurse your, already sore, lower lip between you teeth.

Akin to Jayce’s muscle memory, your own is no longer under your influence. With your legs pressing against each other, your eyes flitting up to him and down to the block perched upon your lap. You suppress a frustrated sigh, you really wanted finish reading this book.

But now you’ve been stuck on the first page of the last chapter, for a good 15 minutes, leading to it suffering from crinkles, at the haphazardly folded corners, the outlet of your pent up nerves.

A clank and whispered sorry pulls you back to the instigator of your problem.

It makes you wonder if he’s too far in his head, or if you could attempt to bait him. If you must suffer from his mere presence, why shouldn’t he know just how much?

So you give it a start, “What are you thinking for dinner?” you inquire, trying to sound as nonchalantly as possible in your state. Mulling over the leather bound book, as you press it shut.

Jayce huffs, not in frustration but in thought, your query ringing throughout his skull.

“I really liked that place Sky recommended…” he states, casually, over his shoulder, not sparing you a glance just yet.

Your eyes fixated on his backside, as you slowly prop yourself up, placing the unread book atop the, now, abandoned chair.

You hum in thought, gazing at Jayce, watching the muscles in his back shift underneath his, notably tight, cream colored shirt. He tilts his head “Not what you were thinking?”. His voice tinged in wonder, even as his back is turned to you, you, your presence is his sole focus.

“Not really” your heels click across the lab, as you idly take note of all the clutter Viktor had strewn about his own work station. Unsurprised it’s seemingly in a scientists nature to be untidy.

„Anything particular on your mind?“

The wording couldn’t have been more on the nose, because there is something very much particular on your mind.

You’re aching to have him know, know what he does to you. How just small subconscious gestures of his, have you needing him on his knees.

Though you want him to figure it out by himself.

You occupy yourself, picking up a stray cog, turning it over on your fingers, as it reflects the blue hue of the hex-crystal powered machinery before you. Turning your head sideways, from the corner of your eye you see him shift, shooting you a look.

Almost got him hooked.

„I was thinking we could safe the pocket change and get something more local“ Jayce mumbles something underneath his breath, but it’s evident you’ve truly got all of his attention now, as it has him gently prying his gloves off, turning to fully face you.

Leaning against the desk, tapping his notably, ink smudged, chin in thought.

You send him a slight glance over your shoulder.

The display has you smiling to yourself.

„I’m somehow feeling like there’s something, I am missing here“ he mutters, his shining eyes now taking you fully in.

„Well, you are a scientist, figure it out.“

You lilt, gently placing the cog back before sauntering towards your lover. Paralleling his stance, you reach your thumb up to your mouth, pressing your tongue against it.

Jayces eyes follow the display with keen interest, his own tongue darting out to wet his lips.

His half lidded expression soon gets wiped of when your thumb reaches his chin to clean of the ink smudge. The brunette hums lowly in mock displeasure, his eyes falling shut as his eyebrows crinkle, but there’s a very apparent uplift to his lips.

„Are you going to tell me what this is about or am I going to have to beg?“ he whispers, as your warm palm cradles his cheek, him nuzzling into your gentle touch.

„I’m very much not opposed to any begging on your behalf“ you press your lips against the corner of his mouth, ending the affection much to soon, as Jayce tries to chase after your redend lips.

A sharp whine bubbles from his throat, one that has you snorting out a laugh.

„Must you?“ he mumbles, having the look of a kicked puppy as you crowd him against the table. The swell of his prominent arousal already tenting his pants.

„Must I what?“

Another gasp rasps through his chest as you slowly let your hand drift across his hips, mulling your thumb over the hip bone, before moving them to the small of his back.

„I’d like to ask you the very same question“ Jayce’s bottom lip begins visibly trembling, as his pupil widen. His brows draw together, but there’s something about his avoidance of your gaze.

„You knew“ you deduct, he peers at you briefly, his lips drawing together in a small pout.

With the bobbing of his throat, the small droplet of sweat tantalizingly slowly trickling down his exposed neck— the stark look of guilt.

„Councilor Talis were you trying to tease me?“ it comes out with a note of awe, it’s not often Jayce takes this sort of initiative.

Using his title also seems to do something for him, knowing that it holds no weight when he’s with you. He can try to acclaim his superiority as much as possible but it’ll all just melt away with a tilt of your head.

„I wasn’t. I was conducting an experiment“ he choked out, crossing his arms, before peering at your hands drifting down to the enticement of your evening.

„Did it bear any results?“ you mumble, kneading your hands into the muscled yet, pillowed by a nice layer of fat, globes of his ass.

He swallows thickly, letting out harsh puffs of air as his hands rest on your shoulders for purchase. The tenting in his pants more apparent than before, but you barely spare it a glance, much to Jayce’s dismay.

„My partner is undeniably needy“ he exposes his neck as he presses out the words, short breaths slithering out of throat, presenting his canines in the process.

„And my partner is undeniably mouthy today“ you squeeze the fat of his left cheek, raising your brows, watching his jaw slacken. His amber eyes clouding over, as he arches his back into your massaging grip.

„Does that mean no food?“ almost like an excitable dog he tilts his head, his face flushed with sweat pearling at his neck. And those pursed lips, begging to be bitten.

„Well, I would say that all depends on how good you can be“

#arcane #jayce talis #jayce arcane #jayce talis x reader #arcane fanfic

298 notes · View notes

awwsana · 10 months ago

Text

₊˚⊹ ᰔ 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚...𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐡

.☘︎ ݁˖ 𝐬𝐲𝐧. 𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘧𝘦'𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘴 ᥫ᭡. 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭. 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧, 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 ༯ 𝑴𝑰𝑵𝑶𝑹𝑺 𝑫𝑵𝑰

...word count: 1.1k

...note from irene: don't ask.

nanami kento rests languidly on the edge of the bed, your back in his view as he graciously takes the mantle of an attentive husband.

“i literally can’t with you. you’re a natural at this stuff,” you huff, somewhere between a vent and a bout of praise that he found endearing nonetheless. he raises an eyebrow, albeit dazed by the hypnotic show of you being able to reach your own zipper - who’s a natural at what? you, who resumes your tirade with an obliviousness towards his wandering eyes, is a natural at enchanting him. your hair was blown out, almost reaching your shoulders in cloudy tufts - that had been the last mission of tonight, a hairstyle more laborious than the act of lifting weights. “you can easily get away with being stand-offish, which…i’m not saying you are but…”

he releases a soft chuckle, adjusting his cufflinks, “now, humor me for a second, my love. when have you ever seen me get defensive?”

“huh?” you tilt your head in confusion eyeing him expectantly through your reflection as you secure your earring.

“you don’t need to worry about insulting me, darling. i can take it. if you think i’m stand-offish, just say it.”

you briefly turn to face him, bestowing a histrionic look of indignation. “i wasn’t saying that! okay—” you raise your hands in surrender, “you are quite stoic. does that do you justice?”

he offers a hum, one of satisfaction, an invitation for you to continue to the point you had intended to make. and you do just that, bending over the vanity to apply your lip gloss as kento’s attention blithely averts to the curve of your ass. “so, yes. you could get away with what will earn me, at best, some auntie in the corner asking me if i’m okay like…please! i’m fine! i just wanna be left alone!”

he chuckles along with you again, silently basking in your mirthful exchange… until he notices it. within seconds. the brief drag of hesitation as you began working on your hair. your makeshift puff remains put, arms raised for your hands to take the temporary role of a hair tie and…

…oh dear.

you were staring at your underarms again. in acute disdain.

he needn’t say a word - this conundrum was as foreign to him as a blue sky. but you’ve only complained about it once, a main focus on the fruitlessness of your spending. all these regimens, remedies and receipts the length of the great wall of china for them to still be there - sizable splotches of pigmentation that you just can’t seem to get rid of, no matter how hard you try.

once, you’ve verbally lamented.

but more than once, you’d been reluctant to don anything without sleeves, participate in anything remotely related to summer - and if you did, not lifting your arms was the war you were prepared to die in. and tonight, well, you’d had the misfortune of learning life’s indifference. the thin straps of your silky, cream white dress were well in torturing you with a reminder.

a click of the tongue bounces off the walls of your bedroom, and kento tries to think less about how your beauty terrifies him, opting to soothe you with his adeptness in subtlety.

“darling,” he begins, standing to walk towards you, “i think you should wear your hair down.”

“hm, i think so too,” you smile warmly at him through your reflection, conducting his suggestion by letting go of your hair and instead opting to comb it out, “let’s just hope it doesn’t rain tonight. i honestly don’t get the appeal of outdoor parties.”

all that follows is a soft hum, one of admiration. truly, you are an angel sent from heaven. more than just the angelic glow of your skin under the vanity light, your smile - your soul - can account for that. he watches you, deftly pulling at your coils to maintain the perfect shape - watching you fruitlessly strive to perfect the one thing that has always been just that. you. perfect.

“what?” you meekly acknowledge his stare with a shy smile, halting your movements.

“my love,” he drags, moving close enough for his hands to reach your hips. your attention moves away from your hair, prompting you to put your comb down and heed the sensation of his chest meeting your back. kento’s hands are calculated, a dexterous trace of your curves striving for a different kind of tenor - a lead from one thing to a delectable other. he moves his lips towards your ear, hazel eyes meeting yours through the mirror in a wordless declaration of unabashed desire. “you know that every inch of you is perfect, right?”

you shiver, at your best to conceal your want to reciprocate by scoffing playfully, “fancy, i’ve never pegged you for the corny type.”

“i mean it,” he rejoins, ignoring your jest, softly kissing the shell of your ear before he performs the unexpected, a hand moving to gently grab your wrist, lifting your arm up above your head. “every…inch.”

oh.

he really means it.

heat rises to your cheeks, noting how observant he had been towards your behavior earlier - this wasn’t new to you. you could stain a white shirt with pasta sauce and he’d counter your dismay by saying that it should’ve been there when you first bought it. he’d praise any part of you from head to toe. that realization had been made many moons ago. now, as all attention falls upon your exposed underarm, you forgo the need to protest, keeping your arm raised and resting your hand on the back of your husband’s head, fingertips blissfully pricked by the sharpness of his undercut.

“mmm…every inch, you say?” you murmur with feigned cynicism, a grin rising as Kento’s hand gently slides down the tricep of your raised arm.

“mhm…every…inch” your heartbeat is the toms of an acoustic drum set, as he reaches your underarm, lightly grazing the skin with his fingertips, prompting you to shiver at the ticklish sensation. “god, you’re breathtaking…”

he breathes it out like it’s the first time, and the sight before you is…sinful? a burlesque plays out in your reflection, a hand sensually caressing your hip whilst the other continues to draw reverent patterns on the area you’ve detested for eons. your husband, so fucking handsome, buries his face in crook of your neck, inspiring every last bit of your scent, and you still can’t help but huff in amusement, “hm, my black armpits were the ones to bring you to that revelation?”

“you amuse me, my love,” is the muffled, half dismissal towards your counter, followed by a kiss on your neck, “now, let me enjoy you.”

you giggle softly, meek at how your husband's brief praise towards your underarm has ever so slightly titillated you, “we’re gonna be late, you know…”

he perks up, privy to the suggestion you so dared to make, “if memory serves me correctly, it’s you who fails to see the appeal in these outdoor parties.”

#jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu nanami #nanami x reader #nanami kento #jjk nanami #nanami x you #nanami smut #nanami fluff #nanami x y/n #nanami x black!reader #nanami x black y/n #jujustsu kaisen x reader #jjk smut #jjk scenarios #jjk x black reader #jjk x you #jjk x y/n

253 notes · View notes

bowandbrush · 7 months ago

Text

A sketch of the blue trio!!

An animatic idea I have for the maskface AU (that I have no time to actually start on 😭)

cowboy episode! Leo gets to hang out with some non-brother pals, and boy is it chaotic. (I’m gonna rant the general story below)

Mystic energy throughout the US is fluctuating and causing mini-earthquakes and vibrations that not only start momentarily irritating dogs/animals, but disrupt cloaking brooches and other mystic areas like nether realms, force fields, and invisibility cloaks. hueso’s hidden restaurant and passages to the hidden city are slowly being revealed, which is a huge problem.

The secondary story is with Frida, actually. being Big Mama’s daughter, she has since abandoned her high position in the Battle Nexus and as mama’s number two to be with her blood family.

In the first couple weeks of Venus temporarily living with the hamatos as a spy for Mama, Frida watches through a mystic orb longingly, observing the cold assistant Venus soften and learn what friendship, love and family is about. She grows to love the Mad Dogs with each day, and decides to flee from her life with Big Mama.

Unlike Venus (who’s still undercover, but losing her will to fulfill her mission and return to B.M.) she hated the spider for years behind a facade. Despite acting the most like Mama out of anyone, She was given enough freedom in her teen years to discover Big Mama didn’t mean anything she said.

now she’s showing her brothers and human sister on how to have a proper spa day. Raph is loving the his retirement from leadership.

Leo, Venus and Usagi portal just in time to where the source of the problem seems to be, Texas. With Donnie communicating through Leo’s wrist comm to help him navigate and uncover the issue. Leo’s portals now being nearly useless with the mystic quakes, this gives the trio the prefect excuse to dress like cowboys and wrangle some horses.

Leo is very sure of himself. He helped hueso charm a bird before, right? Wrong. The horse drags him about with the rope Leo tried throwing over its head. Much to his dismay. He loves ponies.

Venus approaches a different horse. She has this in the bag. Unlike Leo, who is a self-assured idiot. With a straight face, she’s got this handled. Also Wrong! Now there are two turtles being thrown around.

Usagi tries befriending a horse by sharing a love for carrots. Sure enough, they all love him. He’s just a natural animal charmer.

this whole adventure is really distracting Venus from her real mission established about 2 months ago. She doesn’t even want to go back to wearing 10 pounds of armor, being forced into things she doesn’t want to do or wear, and guarding empty hallways for days at a time.

And she forgot how much she hated Leo when she first knew him. Some arrogant, annoying reflection of what draxum really wanted in a super soldier that she couldn’t give to him as a yokai child. But now she couldn’t love Leo any more. It was making her sick.

later on, they discover an illegal oil rig operation going down, drilling into a mystic hotspot that is causing the whole ruckus. They use the power of friendship and stupidity to stop the bad guys and fix the mystic conundrum.

That’s basically the episode.

#Rottmnt #rottmnt au #rottmnt maskface #maskface #bowdoodles #rottmnt leo #rottmnt usagi #rottmnt Venus #AGH SO MANY TAGS IM SORRY #guys THIS IS DUMB IM SORRY IF YOU READ ALL OF THAT LOL 😭😂💀🪦

175 notes · View notes

earthkittytarot · 5 months ago

Text

PAC READING - (PICK A CAT READING!!!) 🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

By EarthKittyTarot.

Choose a cat that you feel the most drawn too, if anything calls out to you from the image that is your cat/oracle message!

Top left cat🪓: 1

Top right cat 💅🏼: 2

Bottom left cat😛:3

Bottom right cat🔮:4

Pile 1:

Middle world present.

MIDDLE WORLD REVEALED:

Our here and now is largely based on media information, much of which creates an illusion of separation. Many perceive the present as the only reality open to us. The present we have created is not without roots or branches. Do not become lost in this middle world of paradoxes and conundrums. Look ahead to the branches and be mindful to tend to your roots.

OTHER DIVINATORY MEANINGS

Stop living in the past. Your desire for yesteryear is holding you back. Fears for the future do not serve you. Release your worries.

Make a list of all you are grateful for. Meditate to help you focus on the present. Striking a balance between roles is key.

MIDDLE WORLD SPEAKS

The place that you reside is here, Upon this earth realm, have no fear.

Live firm betwixt and in between, Connect with all, seen and unseen.

Overall message: Spirit is asking you to focus on the present and on what you can control which is your mind and thoughts. Do not live in the future or the past, as that is causing stress and fear in your present, rather take time to delve into your own inner world where peace of mind can be found. If you are feeling lost, reconnect to your roots, as they will allow you to see where the road leads to. Do not focus on the news or media as that could make you feel a sense of yearning for peace, truth is peace and balance can be found In the present moment despite narratives that are being portrayed. Do not fear, you are here. (In the present and in the moment).

Pile 2:

Altar Honouring.

ALTAR REVEALED:

An altar is a sacred space in which to honour Great Spirit. Nature itself is an altar to the shaman, but having your own altar (Thaan) helps you to focus on rituals, ceremonies and prayer. It is for the laying out of ritual tools and for holding pictures or artefacts of chosen deities and ancestors. It is a place of worship and of honouring personal beliefs. It is a meeting place between the ordinary and spiritual realms.

OTHER DIVINATORY MEANINGS

Honour that which is sacred to you. Make room for quiet time.

Dedicate an altar in your house or garden to that which you are aligned to spiritually. Focus will bring desired results. Make time in your day for gratitude and thanksgiving. Time for reflection.

ALTAR SPEAKS

Precious gifts and sacred items lay bare, Holding a space to bless all that is there.

Ancestors, elementals, directions and more Come speak with them and be reassured.

Overall message: Spirit is asking you to create an altar, similarly your body is an altar that you can nourish and adorn; what are you feeding yourself, wether it be mentally or physically, what type of materials are you wearing ? How are they making you feel?(higher quality materials can help you). The time is now to create an altar and a sacred space for you to connect with and assist those in spirit. Place your ancestors or deities favorite items, food or colors on your altar and make it your own. Spirit is saying to personalize your altar to your energy, place things that can bring you peace and relaxation. Spirit is also saying that you are creating this internally as well, commence the creation of your sacred space within and externally. Go to your altar for answers and insights, the answers may be more clear than you think.

Pile 3:

North solitude.

NORTH REVEALED

According to Native American and other aboriginal peoples, the north represents recuperation, self-reflection and readjustment.

Associated with the element of earth and the season of winter, north is about personal lessons that can test physical and emotional boundaries and expose the primal self. 'Going north can be a major turning point as much is gained from first-hand experience and achieving something alone without the influence of others.

OTHER DIVINATORY MEANINGS

You have come so far, please don't give up. There is light at the end of the tunnel. All good things come to those who wait. A time of great blessings, that may seem disguised right now. You are on the right path. Be patient. Time on your own serves you well.

NORTH SPEAKS

When times are hard, you will survive, You have the knowledge to stay alive.

It is within you, the courage and will, To be alone, stay calm and still.

Overall message: Spirit is saying “through turmoil a blessing will soon be revealed”. Continue walking the path you are on, as that is the path you’re meant to be on. You have the knowledge about your chosen path and now is not the time to listen to naysayers or your own imposter syndrome. Time alone serves you well, as you will be able to determine the next steps. If confusion has set in and you don’t know what to do, remain still, in time you’ll know what to do. Continue your walk on this path and journey. Do not give up just yet. The flower will sprout.

Pile 4:

Cave - retreat.

CAVE REVEALED

Across continents and beliefs, caves provided shelter for prehistoric humans and are gateways to the underworld. Many great prophets including Jesus, Elijah and Mohamed where born in, lived in or were buried in sacred caves. They are the abode of hermits and sages, a place of spiritual retreat or the transition from isolation and fear to rebirth within the womb of Mother Earth.

OTHER DIVINATORY MEANINGS

Focus on you. Get away from it all. Retreat to a spa, enjoy a massage or take a sea salt bath to revive your spirit. Your soul craves quiet time. Rest and recuperate without guilt, in preparation for the next leg of your journey.

CAVE SPEAKS

Rest ye from thy weary feet,

As I invite you to retreat.

Now heal within my sacred womb,

Restoration shall resume.

Overall message: Spirit is saying you and your sacred energy is being revived. Retreat into your abode wether it’s a house or a cave. Rebirth is happening now in your life and nature and caves call out to you. Rest and rejuvenate, do things that bring you physical healing. Your body has been through so much, retreat into a cave and ask earth and cave spirits to assist in healing and in your rebirth. Remove yourself from obstacles, overthinking and harsh energies, this time is for resting and recuperating, a break may be needed. Spiritual retreats taken will bring newfound peace and balance. If you lost something or feel something missing, retreat into a cave and gain spiritual insight.

#tarot #oracle #tarot reading #tarotista #pac #pick a card #readings #timeless #cats #tarot deck #tarot cards #oracle cards #pick a pile #divination

91 notes · View notes

thewertsearch · 2 months ago

Text

GG: Dad has the whole house in full fatherly lockdown mode. Talk about blowing a few measly "assassination attempts" way out of proportion!

I'm just picturing the Tiaratop whispering in the back of Jane's mind, making sure she stays asleep.

Isn't this all so normal, Jane? Don't we love how normal your life is? Your father's such a worrier, isn't he, Jane? But we know this is all so, so, normal.

GG: [...] Did you ever track down the slippery Mr. Strider? [...] GG: I'm debating whether or not to enlist his help in the matter of my current imprisonment. But I'd rather keep it as a plan of last resort.

I don’t know what kind of solution Lil' Bro would have to Jane’s Homestuck status, but I don’t think I want to see it. He'd probably try to burst her doors down with a tidal wave of Smuppets, or something.

GG: Right. Well, not to keep you too long, since we both still have our missions ahead of us, but I wanted to tell you about that dream I had. [...] GT: *Whips up bucket of freshly popped corn.* [...] GG: Ok, but, I should say that the nature of the dream was a bit worrisome.

I might not know everything about what's going on in this timeline, but I can say, with absolute certainty, that nothing in those clouds was ever going to be good news.

Let's get into it.

Unlike John's first foray into Prospit, Jane's dream self appears to be fully awake.

This was initially a little confusing to me, because the above quote from Jade seemed to imply that waking one's dream self involves acknowledging your destiny as a Player. Jane, however, is furiously looking away from that destiny - and yet, she's up and about, which is the opposite of what you'd expect.

Upon reflection, though, this actually makes a lot of sense. After all, Dream Jane isn't wearing the tiara, so her thoughts aren't being influenced the way they are on Earth. Jane might be prevented from acknowledging her destiny while awake - but, at her core, Jane does accept that she's a Player.

GG: Are you sure you haven't woken up there before? GT: Haha i WISH.

And Jake, despite being completely immersed in Sburb lore, is not awake. It's a lot harder to make this one make sense, which might be a sign that I'm wrong about how Dream Selves work.

I suppose you could argue that Jake, despite all the information he has access too, still doesn't really understand what's going on. He has a lot of data, but lacks a true understanding of his role - so he sleeps.

...nah, I don't think that fits. After all, we just watched Jane completely fail to understand the Nannalore, so by this logic, she shouldn't be awake, either. I guess we'll revisit this conundrum once we're more familiar with Jake's personality.

#homestuck liveblog #full liveblog #act 6 #s186 #4208

135 notes · View notes

haleswallows · 5 months ago

Text

*lobs this over this fence without looking*

Part 1: Cross My Heart (Hope to Die) CHAPTER UPDATE Fandom: DC x DP Crossover Pairing: Dead Tired (Danny Fenton/Tim Drake) Rating: Teen

Teaser: "Why don't you just ask him yourself? He's your boyfriend."

Not really, Tim grumbles but keeps it to himself, trailing after him. Nightwing makes a good point, if it was that simple. Too bad it isn't. Tim doesn't do simple. Nothing is ever as it seems, same as his 'relationship' with one ghost hero.

Tim huffs and refuses to self reflect on that conundrum. None of this is real with Phantom, so it isn't like Tim's looking to set things up to be a healthy relationship.

"Look," Nightwing continues, stealing Damian's chair at the BatComputer to enter his notes from their stakeout. "If you're so curious, literally just ask. He'll be flattered. Don't do your stalker thing."

"We're taking it slow," Tim mutters, entirely on reflex. "I don't want to make it weird."

"Red, I promise you, not asking and stalking him will make it weird. I don't care what you and B think, stalking is not a love language." There was a hurt in there, somewhere. Something about Bruce, pushing Dick away but then violating his privacy. His mouth twists, before Dick remembers himself and his expression smooths out.

But hey, stalking had always worked out well for Tim. In a round-about way. And, wouldn't it be suspicious if Tim didn't stalk his totally-real-not-faking-a-relationship-boyfriend? It'd be out of character for him. This was Tim selling it.

"I don't know why you're being so weird about this," Dick continues in a louder voice over his typing. "You're dating him, he isn't going to be freaked out by you asking his birthday. What are you going to do, surprise him with flowers and a card at his house?"

"Does Phantom have a house?" Tim asks, genuinely curious and hops to sit on the table at Dick's elbow. Do ghosts have homes? Phantom has to have somewhere he went when he isn't on mission, or skulking around Gotham with Red Robin. Right?

Dick peels off his mask. Seemingly, he does it just so he can give Tim the full force of his disbelieving glare. "Please, just ask him."

"We aren't to that point yet," Tim whines. "I said we're taking it slow. I can't just ask him."

"I swear to God, Tim…. If you stalk him, you'll scare him off. I promise you, he won't find it cute. And don't read his Justice League file."

Oh. Too late. Tim has Phantom's League file, including Batman's unique notes, practically memorized at this point. "Oops?"

Dick presses his hands to his face and screams.

#dead tired #Danny Fenton/Tim Drake #Pretend/Fake Relationship #Promises Promises #my writing #dpxdc #dp x dc crossover #dp x dc fanfic

113 notes · View notes

thejadevvitch · 1 month ago

Text

The Jade VVITCH pt. 1

A/N. I had this idea after reading a Bob Reynolds x Witch!Reader fluff. Not copying it by any means.

Background

What if Wanda Maximoff had a teacher?Another orphan girl who came to find Wanda after she saw footage of her fighting with the Avengers against Ultron in Sokovia. A girl with green magic who knew what Wanda would become. Wanda adopts her as a younger sister figure and they grow powerful alongside each other. The Jade VVitch. (The double V is purposeful. Witch VVitch looks cooler)

Bob Reynolds x Witch!Reader

Warning! Mention of child abuse. Mention of child death. John Walker...

It all started when she turned on the news.

Live: Avengers Fight Android

Newscaster: I am getting reports that the Avengers are taking on yet another world threatening conundrum. Talk of mental robots flying across the city and... F... Folks it seems we have a live video being recorded from one of the civilians.

What 16 year old Jadis saw... changed her world forever.

"Oh my goddess..." She said to herself. All her life Jadis has been an outcast. Growing up without parents and being a runaway from the American Foster Care System. But at the age of 13 she came across a woman by the name of Agatha Harkness. A woman whom took a special liking to the young girl who she knew to be a witch. After some time Jadis absorbed the knowledge of the craft and started to develop her abilities as what's known to be a Green Witch. A witch that works towards the sacred balance of the world. Life and death in constant flow. A witch that worships the structure of nature itself. Accepting growth and decay as the natural order of all things. Reminding Agatha slightly of her old love Rio Vidal aka Lady Death.

One day Agatha bestowed upon Jadis the knowledge of the Darkhold. Giving the young witch power beyond belief. Her use of the book had a cost. Darkness had infected her soul. Her fingers turning black accompanied by green veins that would appear on her neck and face. The latter being something Agatha had awed at. A darkness that took over until Jadis realized she was being used for her gifts. Uncovering that Agatha was going to take her power in an attempt to become, "The Scarlet Witch." A being of chaos and spontaneous creation. "The Scarlet Witch is not born she is forged." Agatha once told her. And with her magic she was one step closer. But when she was made by Jadis it was over. The young witch stealing a few of her grimoires that was given to her by her original coven and splitting.

Years past and Jadis used her magic to sustain a life for herself. And the day came where she approached Wanda. When she saw her she immediately knew. "The Scarlet Witch..."

A few months after Ultron Wanda was in the Avengers Compound along with Steve, Natasha, Vision, Sam, and Rhodey. Going over one of their missions they were interrupted by 3 agents who looked out of it. Also their eyes were green. "You men alright?" Steve asked them. Instead of answering they moved in sync. Stepping aside revealing a young girl with long green hair. "Who are you?" Natasha asked her. Jadis stepped to Wanda who looked at her curious. The men behind her in a similar trance she'd put others in. "Wanda Maximoff..." Jadis said before she moved her hand beside her showcasing her magic.

The room stared in disbelief. "We have much to discuss."

The years flew by and Jadis instilled everything she had learned into Wanda making her become more powerful faster. By the time of Civil War Jadis had become a well known and loved Avenger. Even earning her own "Jade VVitch Costume" on Amazon. Her signature green crown and everything.

Wanda grew to love Jadis and vise versa. The two forming their own coven of 2. Teaching each other magic and even flying on brooms which turned to be Wanda's favorite thing. The latter also questioned why she did not have the same appearance as Jadis. The green witch stating, "A witches crown comes to them in a time of great self reflection. When the barriers of what is and what can be. Becomes nonexistent. Magic is the simplest thing in the world. All you have to do. Is want something. And then let yourself have it."

Jadis survived the Battle of Wakanda against Thanos. She survived the snap. Becoming alone once again. She had her team. Her family. Though there was no need for the Avengers these days she dedicated herself to using her magic to help people. And when it was time for the Endgame, she was ready. She went back in time and retrieved the Time Stone along with Bruce. And when it was all over. For the first time in 5 years Jadis hugged her sister Wanda.

Jadis was there when Wanda unleashed her power in West View. She watched as Wanda broke down on the house lot and cried. Releasing a wave of magic so powerful that it even took over the mind of The Jade VVitch who Wanda desperately tried to get her to remember but couldn't. Not even seeing Agatha aka Agnes did she remember. Though a plot in the WandaVision show she created was that Jadises character "Korinna" hatred and did not trust Agnes for some reason. Jadis even helped Wanda give birth to her sons Billy and Tommy. And when it all came to a head. She watched as Wanda became, The Scarlet Witch.

Wanda kept her distance after that. Constantly on the move to keep Jadis from finding her. The Darkhold calling out to the young witch since she used read from it. Jadis was too late. Wanda was now gone. Though not dead. There's no way that one of the strongest being in the Multiverse was killed but a few rocks. She spent her time trying to find a way to bring her sister back. That was until she felt something. A powerful presence. Something stronger than her. Stronger than Wanda... Bob. She first felt it when he was being tested on. But it went away. But tonight. She felt it again. Choosing to follow it.

Jadis flew through the air. Her magic carrying her through the clouds out in the middle of a desert. In the distance she sees a structure and touches down there. The pull she is feeling is at its strongest. Using her magic Jadis finds her way through the fortress and down to the lower levels until she comes upon a room with people. Three of them in tactical gear. And a man in a hospital outfit...

“No, no!” he exclaimed, raising his hands in surrender. “I’m—I’m Bob.” The man had no idea where he was.

“Who?” said the woman in light colored armor, eyes trained on Bob. “Bob,” said Bob, shrugging. Thats who he was she supposed. But Jadis also felt the strength of his presence. “Who sent you, Bob?” asked the blonde woman. “Nobody, why would I be sent?” he said, hands trembling. He was afraid. Jadis felt bad for him. He clearly had no clue as to what was going on. “You were all… you guys were all sent?”

"Do any of you know why you are here?" Jadises voice echos through the room and everyone turns to see where the voice came from. It is then that a puff of green smoke appears in the center of the room. And Jadis appears to everyone making a few jump back in fear and even causing John Walker to scream and shoot something at Jadis hitting her in the neck. "FUCK!!!" Jadis pulls a dart out of her neck and turns to Walker before she uses her magic to send him flying across the room. Jadis suddenly feels weak and falls to her knees. Only for Bob to come and help her off the ground before he realized who she was. "O.. ohh my god. Oh my fu.. OH! You're... *jumps* Y.. You're The Jade VVitch!" While Bob's excitement is evident. Everyone else is put off. Of course they knew who she was. One of the most powerful OG Avengers. EVERYONE. Knew who she was.

The ghost stepped back again and lowered her gun. Her eyes shifting from... well... The Witch. To the door. “I.. *clears throat* I'm not sure what’s happening here, but my job is done.” She gestured to the dead assassin on the ground and stepped forward to go. Followed by the young blonde woman raising her gun to her. "Yeah well my job is not done. So you're not going anywhere." The man with the shield walked over. He tilted his head at the woman and scoffed. “Convenient cover for someone stealing weapons from O.X.E.” The blonde shook her head in confusion. "I am not stealing she is st..." Meanwhile... Jadis had been reading their thoughts the entire time. She caught on before everyone else did. "You got it now?" She asked.

The blonde Jadis now knew to be Yelena sighed. “Okay. It’s clear we have all worked for Valentina in some sort of shadow ops capacity.” Then the dumb one spoke. "Yeah, so?" How can someone be so dumb? “So all of this shit is O.X.E’s secrets. And so are we.” She gestured to the crap surrounding them.

They even eventually start arguing about who is right while Jadis turns around to face Bob. "H..hi." He says as he gives her a shy wave of the hand. She smiles. "Hello. How did you get here?" Bob's face contorts in slight confusion. "Oh... *blows raspberry* Uh... I woke up." She attempts to read his mind. Her eyes glowing green and the green veins appearing in her face. Her green crown glowing at the tips of the horns to where the crown touches her forehead. Bob smiles wide at this. "That's so cool. You know I.. i have always been a fan." He starts to ramble on but she's having trouble reading his mind. Her green eyes flashing giving her a headache. She turns to look at Walker walking over to them. "What the fuck did you shoot me with?!" He ignores he and instead goes for Bob. “I’m not leaving here without completing my mission,” said the man. “Valentina gave me a clean slate, guaranteed—I’m not screwing that up. You were part of my job, so I gotta know. How’d you get in?” Jadis didnt realize it until now but Bob actually scooted closer to her when Bob walked over. Fidgeting with the cuff of his sleeve, Bob shrugged. “I don’t… Pfft. I don’t know. I don’t remember.” One of Walker’s eyes twitched. He should get that checked. “Terrific answer. Great. Well, alright!” He looked to Jadis, Yelena, and Ghost. “Tie yourselves up. I’m sure there’s rope in here somewhere.”

Jadis laughed before speaking. "I'll make you spend the rest of your life believing you are a 7 year old girl if you touch me." Walker just shifted in his stance and looked to Yelena and Ghost. "Chop chop!" Causing the two to laugh as well. Ghost then stepped forward in her attempt to exit. But when she did all the doors sealed themselves followed by an ear piercing alarm. Everyone covered their ears. All except Jadis. If spending time with heros like Steve Rogers taught her anything it was to look after the ones who can't defend themselves. In this case. When the alarm sounded Jadis wrapped her arms around Bob and they lowered down in cover. But then... ev.. everything... went black.

THE VOID

Jadis appears in one of the worst places she's ever been. Her last foster home... She was 11.

She was watching herself sitting in her room that she shared with two other girls. Another girl around her age and a 15 year old. She looked at the latter and her pulse started to race.

The door was kicked open. And in he came... "WHO ATE MY FUCKING DORITOS?" Her foster father came in half drunk and pissed. And her stomach flipped. She was the one who ate them. Young Jadis just shrunk. Causing her foster father to grip her by the shirt. Yanking her off the bed. He took that... that ugly... brown leather belt and whacked her with it. Just hit after hit after hit.

Jadis watched with horror and flinched at the scream her younger self let out in pure fear and pain. "It was me!" The elder girl yelled. Making the foster father look up. Instantly he dropped young Jadis on the grown and ripped the 15 year old off the top bunk. Pulling her out of the room. She could hear it. The beating. The breaking. And then... "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!" Her foster mother high on something at the time... Young Jadis opened the door... and there she layed on the floor. Dead... Her neck broken... The first dead body she ever saw. Young Jadis screamed causing the windows to shatter. While The Jade VVitch turned around to see... Bob... Both with tears in their eyes. "I'm so sorry..." He said.

The Vault

Jadis was still crouched on the ground. "Earth to magical weirdo!" Yelled Walker. Jadis shot up huffing in anxiety. Looking around. Her eyes fell on Walker. "Are you gonna help us look?" He turned back to looking for the device powering Avas power blocker. Jadis turned to see Bob. Tears running down his face. "I.. I didn't..." He couldn't figure out what to say to her. "HEY! Help us look!" Yelled Walker once more. “What... what exactly are we looking for?” asked Bob. “Not stupid questions, Bob!" Walker said. “Ignore him. Look for something with circuitry. Wires, a battery cell, that kind of stuff.” The whole time Jadis just looked at Bob. Who looked at her and gave a sad smile before looking around. Followed by Jadis trying to use her magic. Grunting in frustration when it didn't work.

"Captain Dumbfuck! What did you shoot me with? If my magic was working I could get us all out of here." Jadis yelled at John Walker. "Wow! Nice going..." came Avas voice. John rolled his eyes before speaking. "Relax it's a nullification dart. It weakens an enhanced persons abilities for a short period of time." She could kill him. Send him up into one of those heaters before it went off. Eventually Ava found the power source. Followed by Walker smashing it with his discount shield. "On your left!" Jadis rolled her eyes as the sparks went off. "Wanna be Steve Rogers so bad." She said to him.

Ava then ran through the door and... Welp...

"Christ..." Jadis scoffed. She looked at Bob looking up into the vents. "Hey don't." She grabbed his arm hesitantly but nothing happened. Bob looked at her ring covered hand and up into her pale green eyes. "Stay with me." She whispered to him. It was then that Ava got the doors open. And all ran through following a blast.

Everyone was down for a moment. Bob and Yelena knocked out in the corner. "Everyone OK?" Jadis asked. Walker groaned and scoffed. "If by OK you mean annoyed, in pain, and ready to kill someone. Then yes we are all terrific." Jadis rolled her eyes at the man. "Why are you such a cunt?" That caught him off guard. Bob and Yelena stood up. "You two alright?" The two of them nodded to confirm. "See? That's how one would answer that question." Jadis said to Walker. The latter having it. Moving towards Bob. “I’m tired of your bullshit! Tell me how you got in here right goddamn now!” Jadis flinched towards them before stopping. “I swear I just woke up in this place,” Bob said, jumping like a spooked cat. “One minute I’m having my blood drawn for this medical study, and the next I’m here. I don’t know what’s happening, I really don’t.” Walker didnt seem to believe that. “Okay, then show me where you woke up!” Bob hesitated, then pointed into the incinerated room. “In.. in there.” Walker looked back at the door then him. “Where everything’s on fire, that’s real convenient.” At this Jadis groaned.

"Ohhh my goddess. You saw an open box in the room with a foam inside outlined like a body did you not?" Walker turned to look at her. "And how would you know oh so Powerful Witch? You were looking for your contacts or whatever the hell that was." He came at her with. “Walker, relax,” said Yelena. Followed by Jadis. "I read your mind Captain Asshat." Bob chuckled to himself catching Walker and Jadises eyes. “You don’t remember anything?” asked Ava. “Bag over your head, a needle in your neck?” Then it was Walkers turn to speak apparently. “Chokehold? Nerve pinch?” Bob stepped back again. “No, none of those.”

“I think he’s just a civilian,” said Yelena, eyeing Bob carefully. "Is he?" Walker asked Jadis. Jadis looked at him again trying to read his mind but failing. "I.. I can't see anything." Walker looked confused. "So you can read everyone else's mind but his..." Jadis fired back. "Well maybe you're just easy to read." Bob chucked again pissing John off. “Okay, well, if he’s a civilian, he knows too much and if he’s an agent he sucks. Either way I say we throw him back into the fire!” Before Jadis could say anything. Bob starting laughing. More a wheeze. “You said you’re… Captain America?” he said, smiling incredulously. John countered, “What’s funny about that?” Bob looked amused that he didn't get it. “It’s just, heh, you’re… you’re an asshole,” Bob said between his fits of laughter. There was a beat of tense silence. Then John smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. In an instant, he was an arm’s length away from and Bob. Gripping him by the throat and shoving him back so hard his back crashed into the wall behind him. Jadis mustered up all the magic she could to grip Walker by the throat. Choking him before flinging him away from Bob.

"Okay! Everyone chill" Yelena yelled out. Bob looked at Jadis and smiled. "Thank you." He said to her. Just before her magic faded away again. "UGHHH! This shit better not last much longer Captain Crashout." After he got up Yelena went to check on him. And everyone started looking for a way out. Until Walker was finally useful for something. “Hey, are you guys done with your therapy session yet?” John snarked to Yelena and Bob. Yelena, after saying a final few words to Bob, let him go. Bob made his way to Jadis. "Are you OK Bob?" Bob looked up in disbelief that someone actually cared enough to ask. Let alone an Avenger. Let alone his favorite Avenger. "Pfft. Yeah... yeah I'm.. I'm OK." His eyes shifted in awkwardness and he gave a small smile. Jadis knew he was hiding something. "OK. Just let me know if you need someone to talk to." Jadis said as she smiled at him. Causing him to blush.

Everyone crowded into the bottom of the elevator shaft, staring up at the endless void above. “So… none of us fly? All of us just… punch and shoot? And... cast spells?" Yelena asked, looking around. Jadis looked at her. "Oh no I can fly. But seeming as Captain Fredricksen here has weakened my magic..." Everyone groaned. "Seriously. Nice going Walker." Said Ava once again. Walker rolled his eyes before moving everyone over.

"Don’t worry, I got this.” He kicked off the wall and jumped into the air. A few seconds later. He was on his ass. “You should try that again,” Ava suggested, grinning down at him as he struggled back to his feet with a pained groan. Then, Walker turned his gaze to Ava. “Can’t you just phase up there and throw down a rope for us, or something?” Ava looked shocked and annoyed. “First of all, someone other than you would have to ask me. Second, I’ve only ever been able to hold it for a minute, and who knows how long it would take to get up there, I’d be crushed under the weight of it before I could phase back.” For a second it was quiet. Before Bob spoke up. “I… have an idea." Raising his hand like he was in school.

Their backs were pressed up together, her legs legs splayed out onto the metal wall as the group slowly inched upward. "I'm glad I'm not in my formal... *grunts* Outfit." Jadis said. Glad she was in jeans and combat boots opposed to her leather green outfit and platform boots. “Ew,” said Yelena. “Which one of you is wet?” Bob whos arm was linked with Jadis said, “Sorry, I run hot.” Jadis sympathized. "Don't apologize. We're confined in an elevator shaft. It's hot. And we're doing the best core workout I'm willing to bet any of us have ever done." She grunted out.

“Someone’s got a weird, hard butt,” Walker groaned. “That’s not my butt, that’s my suit,” Ava hissed in return. “Pardon me for the inconvenience. I only spent my entire life in labs, hooked up to machines so I could create this physical cage to keep my material body from disintegrating at all times!” Yelena let out a laugh. “You don’t want to start the whole sob story game. I’d win. Enslaved child assassin over here.” Then Walker spoke, “Well, you were just a kid, so—” What? “Oh!” said Yelena. “Does that make it better? Gee, I wish someone had told me that earlier! That makes me feel so much better.” Jadis groaned. Walker then spoke to her. "What you got something?" Eh why not? "Yelena might take the cake for this one. *huffs* But since you're asking... Bounced around from foster home to foster home until I was 11. Beaten. Belittled. Abused until I ran away. Lived on the streets for 2 years until I was found by a witch who recognized my untapped power. Anyway. She mentored be for 4 years. Taught me magic. Influenced me with dark magic. Darkened my soul forever. Conspired to drain every drop of magic from me killing me in the process in her attempt to become the most power witch in the cosmos... Second place for me." Walker nodded his head to the side and said. "Ehh I guess." The he saw a door. “I see a door!” Awesome! “Now what?” Yelena asked. “Uhm—I guess one of us should… go first…” said Ava from her other side, uncertainty weighing her words. “No, then the rest of us would immediately fall!” protested Yelena, breath trembling with the strain of holding herself up. “Shit… sorry guys, I guess I didn’t really think this through." Bob muttered. “Genius fuckin’ plan, Bob!” Walker exclaimed. "And what exactly the fuck have you done. Shut up Walker." Jadis defended Bob yet again. "Bob. We wouldn't have made it this far without you. Give yourself credit when it's due." Bob smiled. But his smile fell when he had to sneeze. “Cucumber—cucumber, cucumber!” he said, scrunching up his face. “What the hell is happening?” Yelena asked. Jadis chimed in. "He has to sneeze." Bob spoke up immediately. “Growing up, somebody told me if you have to sneeze, you yell out cucumber to confuse your brain. I have to sneeze, but if I do, I’ll lose control and we’ll...” Drop. “This is insane!” Walker bit out. “I can get us all out of here, I just need to go first!” Ava shook her head. “NO! There must be another way!” Bob tilted his head back, knocking against Jadises “Oh, no,” he said. “Cucumber! Cucumber, cucumber! Yelena and Ava both began chanting. Walker with his patience worn thin, reached behind and grabbed Yelena’s baton. Then, he jumped out of formation. Everyone fell and Jadis tried to use her magic. Ava stabbed into the wall. Yelena grabbed onto her and shot her grapple down and caught Jadis by the ankle. But what about Bob who was still falling. "NOOOOOO!" Jadises voice pierced through the air as her magic shot from her hands and wrapped a cocoon around Bob's body. Pulling him up towards Jadis. Bob finally sneezes before smiling at Jadis. The latter smiling back. "Stay with me." Jadis repeated to Bob for the second time.

#marvel #the avengers #Avengers #avengers doomsday #bob reynolds #bob reynolds x reader #bob reynolds x you #marvel mcu #mcu fandom #mcu #marvel x fem!reader #thunderbolts #new avengers #sentry #thunderbolts x reader

45 notes · View notes