#she was the only one. the ONE CULPRIT CHARACTER THAT DIDN'T GET A LOCATION

[laugtherhyena]

You know what, no, i don't think I'll ever not be mad that Ayame was the only Dra culprit that didn't get an island or area dedicated to in Sdra2. That fact will always make me feel an ungodly rage within my soul.

[yumeka-sxf]

After what seems like a long time, we finally have a full "Forgers bonding" chapter, in a new location as well 😁

Even though the focus of the chapter was the murder mystery (heavily inspired by Detective Conan) and it didn't have a serious tone (just look at the names of the guest characters! 🤣) there were actually quite a lot of Twiyor tidbits scattered throughout, and I'm here to slurp them up!

Firstly is Twilight trying his best to make sure Yor and Anya are safe with their amateur skiing skills.

And as usual, overlooking anything abnormal that Yor does 😅

When they get to the lodge, he considers her feelings about sharing a room.

Even though she says she'll put up with it, he knows it makes her uncomfortable, so he volunteers to sleep on the sofa so she and Anya can have their own beds. Of course, just the thought of sharing a room with Loid is too much for Yor to handle 😅

Twilight starts to wonder when she doesn't come back for a while.

He's obviously happy when she returns - in the Japanese version, he even says おかえり(welcome back/home).

When he sees there's foul play going on, he immediately wants Yor and Anya out of danger (he also trusts that Yor will keep Anya safe).

Despite Yor being the only one without an alibi, he doesn't show any suspicion (even after hearing her "probably" slip up!)

And lastly, when the others start accusing Yor, he defends her. This scene reminded me a lot of the scene way back during the Eden interview where Swan started putting her down and he stuck up for her without any second-guessing. Even though Twilight gave a lot of fake smiles throughout this chapter, the mix of determination and anger in his expression on the below page is not fake - it's a true look of "I will definitely find the culprit (so no one should accuse my wife!)"

I guess my only nitpick about the chapter is that I wanted it to go on longer, mostly for more Forger interactions (and Loid/Yor reactions when sharing the same room, lol). I thought it would last at least another chapter where we'd see exactly how the mystery was solved. But I guess the joke is that the Forgers are the most OP crime solving team without even knowing it, so no culprit can get away from them for too long! Between Loid's intelligence, Anya's mind reading, Bond's visions, and (though it didn't come into play here) Yor's super strength, they'd be able to solve murder mysteries and apprehend criminals before the police could even file a report! 😂

A couple final comments, I like that Twilight decided to trust Anya's intuition in the end, despite not seeming that way at first (and did she seriously bring the detective outfit with her on the trip?😆) And just like with Yor, no questions about this peculiarity with Anya - no wondering why she knew the time and place of the next murder...what's that expression, "love is blind"? 😅

And Yor always ready to protect Anya ❤️(also looks like she's having some alcohol while Loid isn't...guess she needed something to calm her nerves at the thought of sharing a room with him!)

Endo is going to take a break, so next new chapter won't be until February 19th. Have a nice break, Endo-sensei!

[casualgay-mer]

Short ND game review: STFD

Stay tuned for Danger

Plot: ND heads to NY city bc local soap opera soap-er star is getting death threats - boy would she make a career nowdays.

Characteristics: Really good atmosphere and character depth we got here, an effective culprit as well, the game lets you be a detective for once. BUT. A huge BUTT. The whole gameplay is cheesy, wonky and at times stupid and irrelevant. A bootleg Life is Strange prequel - Nancy is expected to do some stuff WAAAY before the danger situation... wait...

Usually I do not provide spoilers but.

THE FUCKING BOMB SEGMENT FUCK FUCK FUCK AND FUCK AGAIN I HATE HATE HATE IT.

MANY REASONS

The solution to the bomb puzzle - which is in Rick's room - is located IN MATTIE'S ROOM.

The solution is THE COLORS OF THE MARKINGS ON MATTIE'S SCRIPT

You may not FIND THE SCRIPT AT ALL

And if you do you may not know that YOU CAN TURN PAGES ON IT SINCE THE GAME LETS YOU DO SO ONLY ON teeeeny tiiiiny corner of the screen

AND IF YOU DO YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GUESS THAT ONE THING IS RELATED TO ANOTHER - LIKE A NORMAL PERSON!!

If you do not have a screwdriver from the stage room - you are screwed (pun totally inteded)

If you didn't get the plyers from the prop room - you are also screwed

And if you didn't get plyers AND a door knob you are EXTRA screwed! If you played the game you sure know why.

And the biggest fucking pet peeve of mine. If you played other ND games before you are really getting used to danger segment solution being somewhere within the danger segment/the danger segment won't activate until you got everything prepared. That means that ND players who completed other later games probably WON'T EVEN CONSIDER LOOKING AROUND THE STUDIO FOR TOOLS - JUST LIKE FUCKING DID.

This segment is fucking scary in russian dub and it gave me nightmares for fucking years

THIS IS THE WORST PUZZLE EVER DESIGNED IN HISTORY OF WORST PUZZLE DESIGNS

Total score: 18,8/25. Would recommend only if you know beforehand about this bomb fucking segment

[jojosdiaryfiles]

Thoughts on Chapter 1 of Shirley Jackson's "The Haunting of Hill House."

Word count 952

For support, please don’t hesitate.

Dreams keep us sane in the face of reality. But what happens when our supposed hero turns out to be the villain? Those were my initial thoughts after reading the first sentence.

I found it peculiar that the first character introduced was Hill House. Is Hill House, despite being inanimate, the main character, as the novel is named after it? Will Hill House be the hero, the villain, the culprit, or the victim? Hill House has existed for 80 years and may continue for another 80—who built it, why is it in this specific location, and, most importantly, why was it abandoned yet kept alive? If Hill House was human, I'd see it as a character who is only alive because of its power—a stone amid woods. However, what was the cost of its power?

Dr. John Montague is the second character introduced. He studied philosophy, but his true passion is investigating supernatural occurrences. I think he'd be a deceiver who'd use any means to attain his aims while maintaining his social standing. I'm curious what he'd choose if he had to pick between his social position and his aspirations. Though a proud man, he compromised for his aims, indicating that he is more concerned with long-term goals than short-term comforts.

Dr. Montagues’ work on the cause and effects of psychic disturbances in a house brings him to Hill House. I feel like the author's stating that he thought himself careful and conscientious would be one of his undoing. The doctor seems calculative, and he knows this about himself. What if this leads to overconfidence?

Eleanor Vance has been caring for her sick mother since she was 21. I understand our obligation to our parents, but putting her life on hold for 11 years? Why didn't her mother urge her to get out there and live her life? Why couldn't she find a way to balance caring for her mother and living her life? I believe she became overly accustomed to that way of life. Aside from their unlikable traits, I believe she despises her immediate relatives because it is easier to despise them than it is to hate herself for putting herself in a cage. Freedom was what led her to Hill House.

Theodora strikes me as a free-spirited person with a sharp memory. A free-spirited woman with the moniker Theo. Her journey to Hill House was motivated by her curiosity and pettiness. I found reading about Theo and her friend's squabble amusing; they were petty, and I had no doubts that they would become friends again, if not stronger. Sadly, she left.

Luke Sanderson, I think, is a good-looking man who is a menace to his aunt but generally reasonable. The doctor perceived in Luke an instinct for self-preservation; I hope to see this in action. He is forced to go to Hill House; I guess he should have been less of a menace.

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

Back to Eleanor. Eleanor’s reaction is what happens when people push too much. No matter how passive a person might be, if one pushes too hard, he or she will fight back. Fighting back is part of survival; this explains why she was surprised by her own action. I am curious how their reaction will be when they find out that she took the car regardless. I think they would throw her out. A real family will be understanding, but so far they haven’t acted like one.

Eleanor is curious and observant, but I've noticed that she doesn't always make the crucial first move. I also wonder if she spent some of the time caring for her mother with her head buried in books because her imagination is tuned to a realm of fairy tales. She is remarkably innocent for a woman of 32; perhaps being cut off from the outside world may have prevented her from seeing the evil that permeates it.

I liked how Eleanor's happiness was conveyed without the author explicitly saying it. It was obvious from Eleanor's descriptions of her surroundings. She romanticized her surroundings and appeared enchanted by everything. I also observed that she was easily sidetracked and has not yet mastered the skill of compromising. She takes her commitments seriously, which could work against her. Although she believes herself to be socially awkward, she has so far been the first to strike up a conversation and is perceptive of social cues.

Why do I have the impression that I haven't seen the last of "the man"?

"Since the gate was so clearly locked—locked and double-locked, chained and barred," honestly, who in his or her right mind would try to break into a deserted, towering house in the middle of nowhere?

The last character introduced is the very cheerful, accommodating, and welcoming caretaker, Dudley (note the sarcasm). For now, while I think Dudley might be a threat, I don’t think he would be as much of a threat as he tries to be. (Empty gallons make the loudest noise.)

I wonder why her cheerful disposition did a 180 as soon as she saw Hill House. Is her subconsciousness warning her, or is she just projecting Dudley into the house?

In chapter 1, we are introduced to the characters, their lives before Hill House, and their reasons for coming to Hill House.

I'm guessing chapter 2 will be about them finally meeting and reacting to each other. I'm curious how Hill House will react to suddenly having people other than sour Dudley in it. It should be fun. I’m excited.

If you've read it, what are your thoughts?

If not, do you want to?

For support, please don’t hesitate.

[earthtooz]

FORMATION B!

GOJO X F!TEACHER!READER, SFW, formation 'b' except you're the victim of the first year trio and gojo's antics >:) stereotypical 'someone is hitting on y/n so we're going to stop them'! maybe ooc characters?

"y/n is taking a long time," itadori mutters, lowering the menu as he glances around the restaurant.

megumi mutters, "i'm sure she'll be back soon."

"don't worry, the only reason itadori is complaining is because he's hungry from battling curses," gojo coos, waggling his finger at the younger, peach-haired boy.

"because no one could care about y/n as much as you do," megumi remarks with the faintest smirk. itadori and nobara make 'ooo' noises, making smoochy noises at the white-haired man.

"do you hate me?" the sorcerer asks, exasperated.

itadori snickers, "come on teach, you just have no game!"

"the nerve, i treat you all to a nice dinner as a reward for a successful mission and i'm the punching bag?"

"that's cause you barely helped us," nobara comments absentmindedly, resting her chin in her hand as the older male gasped in feigned offence- not that kugisaki would've cared anyway.

"i did! i thought you three could handle it, especially with y/n's help and i want you to get stronger! kids these days. so ungrateful to their superiors."

"speaking of, is that y/n over there?" megumi asks, pointing towards the direction of where the bathrooms were located.

without another second wasted, all three heads turned to look in the direction of shikigami user's gaze and lo and behold, there you were, conversing with a male your age that was definitely flirting with you.

(it didn't seem like you could tell, but gojo knew that lovestruck expression anywhere because he wore it all the time around you.)

what a scum, gojo muttered beneath his breath.

"oh! is y/n getting hit on?" exclaimed yuuji.

the first years immediately glance over to their teacher with knowing grins and without even a breath of hesitation, gojo rapidly stands up from his seat. "formation b!" the white-haired sorcerer yells.

the sound of forks clinking together, ceramic plates colliding and chairs scraping the marble floor momentarily disrupts the bustle in the nice restaurant.

whilst you were oblivious to the antics of your companions, you were having a nice conversation with a man you just met. unfortunately, that conversation came to a halt when itadori started tugging harshly on your arm.

"oh, yuuji, what-"

the next words that came out of his mouth horrified you to the core.

"moooooom!" he whines, "i'm hungry, hurry up and come back to the table!"

"itadori!-" before you even had time to scold him and ask what in the world was wrong with him, nobara came crashing onto her classmate with the same doe-eyed expression.

you fear what nobara's going to say before she even says it, "it's not nice to leave your starving children alone! talking to a man too? what would dad say?"

"dad?" you gawk, coughing the words out, "who's dad-"

there's a gentle tug at the bottom of your shirt and you look over to the culprit. megumi's neutral expression stares back at you and you're relieved to think that maybe he'll be your saving grace from itadori and nobara's antics-

"can i get the steak, mom, i want steak."

oh my goodness.

you shake off the first years, face warmed with embarrassment as the man you just met stares at you weirdly because if he had any common sense (thankfully he does), then he'd be able to see that no one had any features in common with each other. you'd be pretty overwhelmed too.

the cherry on top was the white-haired sorcerer who loomed over everyone with a blue button-up, jacket thrown haphazardly over his shoulders and sunglasses to replace his regular blindfold. his azure eyes were very visible like this.

the way his gaze wasn't directly focused on you, but rather the stranger meant that the line between intimidation or charm was blurred, but regardless, your first instinct was to scold him for taking off the blindfold.

"there you are, darling."

the gag that formed at the back of your throat was too hard to repress. nevermind, he could suffer without the blindfold for all you cared.

"the kids and i have been looking all over for you," his voice sounds oddly calm for once and you're surprised gojo could even muster such a polite impression. "you know we're all excited for this reservation tonight, i even told you i was paying so come on, let's hurry back to the table."

when the white-haired man grabs your hand, your fight or flight kicks in and boy, were you ready to kick his ass.

dropping your hand from gojo's hold, you needed to at least regain a little of your dignity, so you take a few steps toward the stranger and utter out words of apology. "i'm so sorry! i don't know what's going on so you'll have to excuse th-"

there's no chance to continue as yuuji and gojo grab your shoulders to push you back in the direction of the reserved table, offering a snuffy wave of goodbye to the man.

the immediate glare you send directed at every member of the party says volumes. itadori whistles innocently, megumi sits down like nothing happened and nobara pretends to fix her crisp uniform- gojo even pulls your chair out for you, offering a seat.

"seriously, what was that?" you asked, slapping the bicep of the white-haired male who yelps.

itadori and nobara pokes their fellow dark-haired classmate, trying to say 'y/n won't be as mad if you're the one who says it'.

"we wanted food and you were taking too long," megumi mutters.

"so you thought humiliating me was the best way to get my attention?"

gojo winks, "how could we ever be humiliating when you have someone as gorgeous as me pretending to be your husband?"

"that's a pathetic way to try and fix the bullshit you just caused," you groaned, rolling your eyes and looking away from gojo.

his heart breaks a little.

"and he was cute too," you sighed. gojo's heart breaks a little more. "satoru, why are you so against me having a nice love life?"

"if i can't have a love life then neither can you," he jokes with a shrug and you chuckle humourlessly.

"whatever. so now that i'm back, what did everyone order?"

as itadori and nobara begin to ramble about all the options they considered, you glance to look at gojo who meets your gaze.

"i am expecting you to paying tonight."

the white-haired lets out a boisterous laugh. "darling, your every wish is my command."

;)

help i have so many ideas for jjk x reader

@inniterhq your ass is getting tagged in this.

[opalsdarkreadings]

✰𝙅𝙪𝙟𝙪𝙩𝙨𝙪 𝙆𝙖𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙎/𝙊. 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙨: 𝙎𝙪𝙠𝙪𝙣𝙖 𝙍𝙮𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣✰

Pairing: Gojo, Yuji, Fushiguro, Nobara, Sukuna x gender neutral reader

Warning: angst, depression themes, mentions of blood

Notes: I love the smell of saddens and crying in the morining, great starter of the days. lol I hope you all enjoy, there’ll be some grammical errors so please just ignore and I’ll try to fix them when I spot them. And I’m addicted to this series and characters so I’ll be releasing a bunch of others stuff regarding this show soon.

✵𝗴𝗼𝗷𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘂✵

You were going to get up, you always did. The two inseparable prankster would be back at it agian like always. Like old times. You....you were fine

But the pit of his stomach twist and churn, his heart aching with a new found sense of despair. He knew, so why didn’t he just accepted it.

NO! You were going to get up, you just liked to joke around that’s all. So why did he feel a surge of rage so deep, so painful that ach his very core. Even destroying the special grade left nothing but dissatisfaction.

For the first time in his life he felt... hesitant.

Your body unmoving from the blow dealt by the curse demon. The curse being dealt with in seconds afterwards. The stillness felt eery, his heart pounding against his chest as he makes his way to you unmoving body

He crouch and pulled the slik blind off his face, beautiful bright blue eyes scanning over you body. Sadness being reflected in them but he kept that signiature smile of his

“S/o...can you still move?” He asked hoping, silently praying you could at least answer him.

...nothing.

“Cutie-chan~ quit playing around...get up so we can go home....” the weak laugh that left his lips felt more like whimper, as you continue to not answer him.

He doesn’t even know why he’s trying, he should be use to it. He’s lost thousands of friends in battle, time and time agian. One of his students wouldn’t come back, a coworker that didn’t make it, a close friends that died tragically. He’s heard it all.

So why did it hurt so much?...

Droplets fell over you color ridden cheek, you body being lifted into a broad chest. As Satoru buried his face into the crook of your neck, that awful perfume he hate infiltrating his nose, a choked laught left him.

“God I hate that perfum..”

That smile of yours as bright as the evening star, flooded his mind, your words ringing out as he cradled your dead body.

“I know you do, but you still love me~.”

✵𝘆𝘂𝗷𝗶 𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗶✵

That face, you always made that face whenever you did something stupid. Honestly, he couldn’t talk much, seeing on half the crap he’s done was on impulse, however...god you were an idiot.

You Could’ve lived, left him there on the cool slab of the concrete, the beast that was too far over their heads coming his way. He could’ve handled it, Sukuna was a stubborn bastard, but wouldn’t let him die.

You were and utter fool and he cursed about it to this day.

But it all felt like slow motion, the pounding of your footsteps hitting against the ground, his weak shouts trying to get you to go back. The drop in his stomach as that sickening crack echoed out the domain.

There was so much blood, the walls were splattered with it, the floor painted a sea of red, your body nothing more than crushed remembrance of what it used to be.

He’s never felt such a feeling of rage so strong before. All his actions a blur until late on. When he’s bound by a cursed rope and set aside near the school where the cursed demon was located.

A stretcher hauling, what’s once was your body. Your hand peeking out from under the blood covers. That’s all it took for him to lose it.

The rope keeping his struggling body from moving as he sobbed hysterically.

“S/O! S/O! Answer me please..please! Why would you do that?! You’re such an idiot damnit, don’t you dare leave me...you promised.” He fell over the harsh ground, tears cascading down from his cheek to the floor.

Fushiguro and Nobara gazes lowered to the ground. Effectively trying to hold back their friend as your body was carried off.

His sobs turning into quiet whimpers. It dawned on him, he’s was official alone now. You and his Grampa being taken from him unfairly. He had no one, you would never smiles at him agian

Slap his head whenever he got a little to handsy or tease Him relentless when he slipped up and blurtted out random things

Your sweet laugh would be distance memory of the past, something that made his heart squeeze with hurt.

“That’s no fair...it’s not fair.” He mumbles soflty to himself

Sukuna for once, was eerily silent.

✵𝗳𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗼 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗺𝗶✵

He still couldn’t believe it. It all happened so quickly. One minute you two were sharing a passionate night, basking under the moonlight as you kiss and bodies dance together.

And the next, he’s cradling your bleeding body, words stuck in his throat and horror swirling on his eyes. Trembling hands trying to stop the blood from gushing out from your neck.

The bastard had got away but he could care less. “S-s/o..just...just stay awake for me okay...c-can you do that for me?” His words trembled off his lips, your eyes shifting over to his. The dullness setting in.

Weakly, your fingers brush over his cheek, his hands reaching up and taking hold of them as he kiss over the knuckle. “You’re....you’re gonna be okay! I promise the others are coming.” He hadn’t realized it but tears had already started falling from his eyes.

He was lying out his ass, the culprit behind this, another cursed user, has been terrorizing this part of town for months now. They weren’t letting him getaway, so you’re mostly his responsibility till the aftermath. He knew you didn’t have that long.

He went to move you but you grunt in pain, more blood pooling out from the wound. He cursed and held you on the bloodstained ground.

“I’m sorry...I-I’m so sorry..” he mumbles into your neck, uncaring if his face was stained with blood as his quiet sobs racked his body.

With as much strength you could muster, you raised your hand to be lazily placed over his head and stroked it over it like you always did.

“I...I l-love you..” you whispered to him, your body becoming slack and your hand falling to your side.

He didn’t need to check, he didn’t need to see whatever expression your face was making to know that you were gone. His grip over your lifeless body tightens, his cries reaching into screams.

This felt all too familiar to him.

He wanted to blame you for breaking his defense, to inching so close to his heart. For making him so happy and attached, but he couldn’t lie and say he didn’t enjoy the moments that came with it.

The memories that’ll forever stay replaying like a broken record in his mind. This is why he didn’t try to make friends, he didn’t try to get close, he hated that he loved you so much.

✵𝗡𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗞𝘂𝗴𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗶✵

Maybe she was too mean to you, not caring enough, She mishandled you to many times, to many fights and arguments over tedious things that should have been left as it was.

Was this her punishment? She allowed for such actions to boil and fester, and now what? A dumb argument over a stupid past that no longer connected to you and the exchange was your life. 

Even though you said you sorry’s, I love you’s, there was still tension before you both part. Nobara saving to say all those mushy things she felt for when you were back in her arms

Oh, the deep regret she felt.

The way her teammates came back quieter than usual and more seemly more sluggish then earlier

“What are you idiots standing like that for, that cursed demon shake you that bad. Hmph, simple enough what would you guys be with me?” She teased her sly smile spreading over her lips before it falter

They didn’t even try to agrue much less protest, they just seem distraught, stunned even. Then I dawned on her, they were missing someone...they were missing you.

“Where’s...where’s s/o?” She asked them soflty. A look of guilt overcame Yuji's features as he fished for something out of his pocket.

Confusion ran across Nobara face before it morphed into horror. A single scrap of a school uniform being held out in his hand.

“We...we couldn’t get their body..” Megumi finished his gaze meeting her’s before falling back to his feet. Fist clenched tightly to his side.

She barely heard anything after that, her eyes fixated on the single scrap of clothing. She inched to Yuji taking it and stroking her thumb over the material.

She bites her bottom lip, this was fates cruels joke. She didn’t deserve you from the beginning, it seems like everywhere she went someone had to leave her.

But why did it have to be violent? Why you out of all people. Maybe she should have told her how much you meant to her.

How much of a rock and pillars you were in this crazy life of hers. A beam of reassurance and love that she could always depend on whenever she needed you.

How does she continue now, that beams were gone, taken from her so harshly. The only things she could cling so desperately to have been the last thing she saw you in.

What a cruel world she lived in.

✵𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐚✵

There was always some form of a catch when it came to huamsn. No relationship or friendship was formed without a common goal or another interest being taken into play.

The sweet smiles, honey-coated words, and gentle touches were always a facade...wasn’t it?

He could care less about what happened to you, what became of you. After all humans are dirty devilish creatures so even more so then cursed beast.

But he didn’t understand... he didn’t understand why he felt such strong stings of anger, sadness, and a bit of shock bubble in him as you push him out the way.

Did you place some sort of technique over him, that made the king of curses catch such disease as emotions? Laced your words and touches with magic that only you could see and undo....no that’s not it.

Possible it was this damn vessel's fault. Always hanging off your words and embraces like a lovesick fool. Opting to distract himself with your praise and love then rather focus on what’s important at hand.

though denying that he didn't enjoy your persevere, from time to time would make the ping of guilt worsen.

Your body hit the floor with a loud thud, the gaping hole through your chest made the anger and feelings of anguish flow in him.

He didn’t even notice when he had taken over Yuji's body, destroying the very thing that took you away from him. The slaughter more animalistic and erratic as his state of sanity seems to be blown out the window.

He cares not for the look of horror and fear that clouded Yuji's teammate's face. Not concerning much of his attention to them, he came over, plucked your dead body from the ground, and disappear.

Appearing back to that place you talked with Yuji so dearly about..what was it again. He couldn’t recall the name, only knowing about the large wisteria trees that guard the scenery. 

“Dumb human...surely foolish beings you are.” He mumbles you head was press into his chest as he looked out from the Cliffs view.

“Look what you have done, making me feeling things for you..” his voice soft as he pushed back small strands from your face. Yuji memories of this morning playing back

“You two better make it out of here alive or I’m kicking both of your butts.” You proclaimed earning a whine from Yuji and scoff from Sukuna as he appeared on the other’s cheek. “Dare I ask how you’ll be able to deafest me, don’t bite more than what you can chew.” He threatens but only succeeded in making you laugh, “Mhm..yeah you’re right I’m just worried about my two favorite boys.” You had told them, leaning in and kissing a flustered Yuji, “I love you both so be safe.” Okay and no stupid actions.” You scolded Yuji plucking the boy's head.

A weak laugh fell off from his lips, “Looks who’s talking, you’re the one that’s gone and died on us..” he spoke aloud. Moving to crouch by the tree and sit your body against the bark.

He let one finger trail over your lips and down your features letting them be engraved in his memory as he gazes down at you.

That disease having still affecting him, even as you lay dead in front of him. These feeling of sadness and heart ach and most of all loneliness suffocating and clawing at his throat

He dare not shed a tear, Yuji would do enough of that for the both of them. Instead, he let his hand gently cup over your cold and colorless cheek. The warmth he remembers oh so clearly, know felt like something that occurs ages ago.

He leans his forehead against yours and shutting his eyes, and allowing Yuji to take control.

You’d never heard him say, though he wished you are hear so he could that dazzling smile as he did

“I love you... S/o.”

[itsbenedict]

Two-Faced Jewel: Session 8

Welcome to the Hotel On-The-Floor, Yeah

A half-elf conwoman (and the moth tasked with keeping her out of trouble) travel the Jewel in search of, uh, whatever a fashionable accessory is pointing them at. [Campaign log]

Last time, the party identified the culprit behind the murders in Barley and Wheat, but... well, it's complicated. The culprit was apparently being coerced by a dragon, and they managed to talk him down rather than fight. If they want that to stick, though, they'll need some kind of plan to get rid of that dragon. And... is it really worth bailing this guy out, anyway?

Saelhen, Oyobi, and Vayen all start discussing their plans in Elvish, which it doesn't seem like Arnie understands. Oyobi advocates for just killing the guy, but is a little less keen on the idea once Vayen advocates for the same. Saelhen would rather give the guy a chance, and points out that there's not much point to killing him as long as the dragon is still around- they'll need an answer for that, and the answer to a dragon is probably just as good an answer to Arnie.

Looseleaf, oblivious to their Elvish chatter, describes the basic plan to Arnie.

Arnie: "So you're, what... you're gonna get the church involved somehow? What're you gonna tell 'em?" Looseleaf: "Well, probably also Deathseekers," Looseleaf thinks, out loud. "We'll tell them there's a dragon conducting sacrificial rituals at the site of an altar to the god of pain. We'll get the church involved by virtue of proving to them that there's a dragon fucking around with divine shit, and we'll get the deathseekers involved by convincing them that there's a dragon stacked to the gills with cool magic items, which we'll prove by bringing them one of said items." "The important thing is to get going as soon as possible, right? There's a time-limit here measured in, uh... human... corpses..." Arnie: "Wait, how are you gonna get one of its magic items?" Looseleaf: "How do you think, mister 'I work for the dragon so he gave me a bunch of magic items to serve his dread will'?" "We'll bring the deathseekers that magic cloak you said you had." Arnie: "Uh, that's..." "Mine, though."

Eventually, after a persuasion roll or two, Arnie agrees to loan them the cloak, as long as it comes back in one piece. He also tells them how to safely retrieve it from the laundry room- as long as they exchange some dirty laundry for the clean cloak, they'll be happy and won't attack. He's got plenty lying around downstairs, which he heads down to grab.

While he's downstairs, the party confers, and decides to all go together to the nearest city- Cauterdale- to ask the local Deathseekers for aid. They figure Arnie's not a flight risk, since he doesn't have anywhere to run and a draconic boss who'll hunt him down if he tries.

(As they prepare to leave, a natural 20 on a perception roll alerts Looseleaf that Vayen has ransacked Lumiere's personal library, stealing- specifically- Lumiere's books on gods and divine magic, for some reason. She doesn't make any objection to this, though- Vayen's a creep, but it's not like they weren't all on board with looting the dead guy's tower.)

With Arnie's bloodstained laundry in hand, Looseleaf heads upstairs and retrieves the cloak without incident. She tries it out, and...

The result of her crit failing her Wisdom saving throw on the magic item is... nothing, apparently. That's always good to hear! The cloak appears to work exactly as intended! She's wearing a very fancy outfit.

Further experimentation reveals a few limitations- first, the cloak's shape is illusory, so it can't become armor or anything with particular utility. Second, it can get overly literal if you ask it to copy an outfit outright- you have to use your imagination properly. Third, it seems to get tired the more you ask it to change, so there's some limit on how often you can update your wardrobe. Those appear to be the only drawbacks!

So, with Arnie temporarily kept from murdering people, the party gets back on the road.

Saelhen du Fishercrown: For caution's sake, Saelhen calligraphs a piece of paper to say WE HAVE NOT BEEN TORTURED TO DEATH, and sticks it on the door on the way out.

As they make their way northeast, they make some Animal Handling checks to keep hold of their giraffes, as something seems to spook them. Looseleaf gets a critical success and is able to calm her giraffe right away... but the party ranger, who is proficient in neither Animal Handling nor Nature nor even Survival, because what kind of monster hunter needs to know that boring crap, has no idea how to handle an overexcited giraffe and is thrown from her mount with a critical failure.

Benedict I. (GM):There's a small sign by the road, heading off west towards what appears to be an actual forest. The prairie is giving way to a somewhat hillier and more forested terrain here, but the forest is thicker than anything you've seen on your way there. And as you're approaching the crossroads marked by that sign, your giraffes all try to bolt for it. Looseleaf is able to realize that they've been forced to graze on grass for miles, and when they see the trees, they get overexcited. Vayen and Oyobi get completely thrown from their mounts, and you have to follow them down the road a bit to catch up with them and rein them in. Looseleaf: Haha, oh, well, hopefully they don't try and spend the rest of the whole day grazing a pit-stop is within tolerances but we really do have to make it to Cauterdale sooner rather than later. Many lives are on the line! Saelhen du Fishercrown: Good thing Looseleaf can radiate peace at them! Benedict I. (GM): Looseleaf is able to beckon them back before they completely get out of reach, and pretty soon you've got them calmed down- but you've lost some time. There's a choice to make here, now: continue on to Cauterdale, but make the last hour or so of the journey in the dark- or rest at the location marked on the map near here.

On the map, where the sign marked "Umbrella Village" points (shut up, I don't even play Resident Evil, don't worry about it), is simply a warning that reads "EVIL WITCHES- AVOID!!!"

Oyobi and Orluthe inform the others that "witches" usually means "druids"- and Zero cashes in something from character creation. Looseleaf's background as an academic provided her with a book on some historical topic, which was never allocated because at character creation he didn't know enough about the world to decide on something interesting. Here he declares it's a book on the history of druids!

Benedict I. (GM): Druids, from what you've read, are sort of like clerics. They channel a divinity of some sort- which is typically revered as Mother Nature, or Gaia, or... every druid you meet is going to have a different name for it, because while it needs to have a thing to call it by, it is emphatically not a god. Druids have a complicated relationship with Ccorde, who's ostensibly the goddess of environmentalism and hippy communing with nature type stuff- but most druidic traditions regard this as a false claim on a divine domain. Nature is untamed and wild and exists on its own terms, a vital force that is not to be tamed with rules- people must forge their own relationships with Nature. The author of the tome you acquired was herself a cleric of Ccorde, and the tone of the book is defensive on that subject. The author's curiosity outweighed that defensiveness, though, and there's a long section dedicated to the theoretical differences between the channeling of Nature and the channeling of Ccorde- in particular, there's no common dispositional element with druids. Whatever Nature is, it's willing to act through anyone who puts in the effort. The author didn't seem to know anything about animism, but you suspect druidic practice might be related in some way- that their nature-spirit-channeling abilities may be a form of animism. The book is unfortunately light on the practical details of druidcraft, as the author prefers that the reader eschew the practice in favor of fealty to Ccorde.

Okay! So, they head down the road to stay at the druid village for the night- and notice something odd on the way, after some Nature checks. They notice that the dirt road they're going down seems to divide the forest in two- between a sparse, ivy-choked pine forest to the northeast, and a dense, healthy-looking deciduous forest to the southwest. You usually don't get such a sharp delineation between forests like that.

And Looseleaf notices... that their map doesn't show a forest on the southwest side of the road. The road is supposed to just go along the edge of the pine forest. Also, Looseleaf can see the trees' spirits there, and there's something... not quite right.

Benedict I. (GM):The left side of the woods- there does seem to be some ambient magic. Your Sight Unseen ability doesn't exactly detect magic, so much as it lets you see spirits, including the spirits of spells- but what's going on here isn't a spell effect. It's just that the spirits of these healthy-looking deciduous trees don't quite match their physical forms. Their spirits seem... sickly? Frail? Like they're not full trees, not trees that grew in their places from fallen seeds. There's something false about them.

Looseleaf: When you said 'the left side of the road is full of healthy-looking deciduous trees and the right side is full of misshaped thorny things' you know what the first thing i thought was it was, 'the left side is the dangerous side.' i didn't say it out loud but i was totally thinking that, and i am glad to have been vindicated.

The weird forest doesn't seem to be attacking them, though, so they head onward towards Umbrella Village, which seems to be built entirely on the pine side of the road. It's kind of cool-looking- every inch of available space, on the lawns, roofs, and walls, is covered in fruiting vines and various plants. The whole village is a carefully-cultivated ecosystem.

The villagers seem surprised to have visitors- apparently it's not a common occurrence. They seem normal enough, though- while they don't have an inn, they direct the party to visit the village elder, who might know where the best place for them to spend the night is.

(Oyobi once again crit-fails her Animal Handling check, and is unable to prevent her giraffe from ripping a tomato plant off the side of someone's house, which gets her scolded. Why are you a ranger, Oyobi?)

They head down to the village elder's house, which is unique in not being overgrown with crops- and knock on the door.

The door is answered by a little lizardfolk girl, who doesn't have any idea what she's supposed to do about there being... people... here? People she's never seen before? Who don't live in the village? What???

Benedict I. (GM): "...Who...?" "GRANDMAAAAA," she calls back into the room. Which she didn't really need to do so loudly, because there's an elderly lizardfolk woman sitting right there next to a small fire.

Looseleaf: Oh, and Looseleaf was about to ask if the little girl was the elder. Never let external appearances color your preconceptions, and all that. Benedict I. (GM): "Eh?" "Gramma there's Mysterious People!" "They don't exist!" The old woman gets up. "Who's... oh, visitors?" The little girl looks confused. "Vizza-what?" Looseleaf:"Indeed, we are emissaries from the Faraway Phantom Lands of Nonexistence," Looseleaf says in deadpan to the girl. "Behold as my incorporeal voice from out of the thin air astonishes you!" To the old lady, Looseleaf says. "Excuse us. You must be the elder?"

They inquire about a place to stay for the night, and the elder... checks the weather. Looseleaf, who has Druidcraft as a racial ability, also checks the weather, using a fancy little snowglobe spell!

Looseleaf: "I'unno, does this help?" Benedict I. (GM): "Oh, goodness. I thought you were from outside- do they..." "That's very well-done, really, and you smell delicious, but..." Saelhen du Fishercrown: uh Benedict I. (GM): "Well, it ought to be fine." Saelhen du Fishercrown: "...hmm," says Saelhen. Benedict I. (GM): "Just put your bedrolls out anywhere- we're not doing rain tonight." "Well, anywhere in town, anyway." "You shouldn't set foot in the Mysterious Woods." Saelhen du Fishercrown: "Ma'am, rest assured that we have less than no interest in Mysterious Woods."

So the party beds down in some soft pine needles, making use of Looseleaf's recently-acquired Extremely Comfy Pillow and a few bedrolls. They have a druid elder's assurance that the elements won't be a problem, so... nothing wrong with camping!

And as they're going to bed, Looseleaf rolls a 21 on Perception.

Luckily, Looseleaf fails her unarmed strike roll, which would do no damage even if it hit because her strength mod is -1. So she does not do any damage to...

Benedict I. (GM): So, you kick out at the mouth full of sharp teeth. Saelhen du Fishercrown: Fwff, goes Looseleaf's puffy moth footsie. Benedict I. (GM): The mouth full of sharp teeth goes "Eeek!" and recoils before you make impact, and you see the little lizardfolk girl scamper away into the darkness. Looseleaf: "What." "Wh- how dare you bite me! I am an emissary of the Phantom Lands and all that or whatever." "Come back here and explain yourself to My Imperial Nonexistingness!"

The little girl, affronted, explains that if she's not real, then it's not bad if she bites her!

Vayen: Vayen stirs. "...Shouldn't kill a child," he mumbles. Saelhen du Fishercrown: "...this is a new dream," remarks Saelhen. "Better than the dreams about dad." "Vayen's even deciding not to kill someone. This is super neat, subconscious, keep going."

Saelhen argues that maybe Gramma doesn't know what things taste good, because sometimes grammas think things that taste bad taste good, like bell peppers! The child has no defense against this devastating logic bomb, and scampers off into the darkness, indignant.

Next time: the journey to Cauterdale, and the menace of the bobbledragon.