#the circumstances of their meeting is NEVER ONCE regarded as a positive thing

[ssnowflowers]

Not enough people talk about Pre-LimLife Mean Gills. And I think that’s a crime because it’s integral to their relationship growth and narrative arc (in the Life Series). Spoilers for the Entire Life Series below the cut.

Basically, their first meeting is Scott just trying to enchant his things, which is positive. And from here it’s just small, little interactions of mischief and kindness, nothing substantial. That is until Martyn and Ren demand that the Flower Husbands fall in line with their kingdom, and Jimmy burns the banner.

From here on it’s a (one-sided) relationship of animosity, with them consistently fighting and Scott even implying that someone needs to take out Martyn. This only escalates in the war between the two main factions.

And then Dogwarts kills Jimmy and Cleo.

This marks a major change. Scott is immediately joined with the Pizza Alliance solidly, switching goals. In his conversation with Cleo, Scott implies that everything will die down and he’ll just settle down in the Flower Forest. Now, Scott seeks the destruction of Dogwarts at all costs. This leads to the only low performance Scott ever gets in the life series.

He even runs off with Joel to do so, who is probably his #1 enemy in the entire Life Series. That just goes to show how much Scott wants Martyn and Ren dead. Their final fight is chaos, with Martyn and Ren killing Scott twice. During their last conversation, we see something interesting. Martyn is trying to extend a hand.

“Hey, I never wanted Jimmy to die!” “I’m sorry my Hand, but we must kill him.”

Ren is the one to deliver the final blows to Scott. Martyn is only indirectly responsible. And it shows that despite all the fighting, Martyn still holds his early time with the Flower Husbands in high regard. Martyn is still trying with Scott. Scott wants nothing to do with Martyn, which is understandable. His faction killed Jimmy and Martyn is the direct killer of Cleo.

Last Life picks up and immediately the Southerners and Scottage have a rivalry, placing Martyn and Scott as opposites again. Now, it seems like this will be a very nothing season for them. That is, until episode 8.

In this episode, Scott heads off with Martyn as Boogeyman. Many will presume this is heading in the direction of a cold and calculated kill. What happens instead, is that Scott tells Martyn that he is Boogeyman. Here, circumstances are different and Scott feels he can finally let go of everything that happened.

Martyn, who never held any hate for Scott, tries to actively aid him in getting a kill. This makes no sense from any perspective. He has no loyalty to Scott and an End Crystal could even kill him. And yet, he does it anyway. He wants to believe that Scott has finally come to trust him.

And then the finale happens and Scott kills Martyn. Twice.

In a way that mirrors what happens to Scott in Third Life, despite Scotts reservations he is forced to fight Martyn. Killing him on top of Magical Mountain and severing their tenuous bond. This time, Martyn is the one who feels the hurt. He ends up going reclusive until the battle royal, where he avoids fighting Scott until the man has him cornered in a forest and kills him.

At this point, Martyn and Scott have established themselves as fated rivals, despite how much neither wants this. And now the distrust is mutual.

Double Life brings about Divorce Quartet and it’s not pretty. Cleo is quick to forgive Martyn. Scott is not and holds resentment for the bleeding heart until the latter half of the season. Meanwhile, Martyn is resentful of the relationship Scott has with his soulmate. Once again, fate has placed them as rivals.

However, the gap is very quickly bridged in the finale episodes when Divorce Quartet end up as the final yellows. And Scott is finally able to acknowledge that Martyn isn’t so bad. Finally, Scott shares the same mind Martyn always held for him.

And then Martyn betrays him.

Martyn tries to kill him for the sake of his and Cleo winning. That has always been Martyn’s goal and Scott now stands as an obstacle. Scott is quick to message Pearl of how “they betrayed me”. As if Cleo had done anything. Rather, Martyn had betrayed Scott and now he’s hurting because of it. Because he thought he could finally trust Martyn.

And then Pearl kills Cleo. And like a Soulmate domino, Scott gives Martyn an indirect death.

I personally love this narrative. Two flawed people, trying over and over to care about each other, but they can never turn the other cheek long enough for one of them not to stab the other in the back.

In this way, anything less than Limited Life would be terrible.

Scott is so quick to bind them together as a duo. He doesn’t want to be alone again, hurt by someone who doesn’t give him the time of day. It makes him picking Martyn strange, but also makes perfect sense. Martyn always tried friendship with him and had undying loyalty.

It’s what re-contextualizes the crawling back scene. Scott doesn’t actually hate Martyn, he just wants that show of loyalty. He wants Martyn to make the effort to bridge that gap like he did for Cleo. He wants Martyn to stay by his side, like the man stuck to Ren’s. He wants the loyalty he can only get from a display of Martyn’s devotion.

And for the rest of the season, Martyn is loyal and protective. And that is enough for Scott to try. Their downfall, their hatred for each other has always stemmed from a lack of trust and betrayal. But Scott and Martyn have unconditional faith in each other now and it leads to them being the duo that absolutely dominates the season.

Scott even places Martyn above Jimmy. He completely believes Martyn will keep him safe, tells him everything, shares every faucet of his season with the man. And Martyn does the same, to a point.

Martyn hides everything bad he does for Scott. Every death in an attempt to kill someone who hurt his friend. Every betrayal he makes against other factions to ensure it’s him and Scott at the end. All the guilt he feels for every time he does something that brings Scott harm. Especially killing him for the time.

And in the end, Martyn and Scott are in final three. And Martyn betrays Scott, because the two can never get too comfortable. The two are fated rivals and someone has to kill the other.

But Scott isn’t mad. Because Martyn has proven his loyalty. He is his mean gill, and Scott couldn’t have it any other way.

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

Who lies more: Charlotte, Fouché or Barère?

Frankly I know way too little about both Fouché and Barère to be able to say something really concreate about how much they lie (@tierseta @kocokoala anyone? would you mind adding what you know?) All I really have is that what Barère wrote in his memoirs regarding the way Collot d’Herbois returned from Lyon does not seem to line up with what better, more contemporary sources have to say. In Réponse des membres des deux anciens comités de salut public et de sûreté générale… (1795) Barère, Collot and Billaud-Varennes also claim that the law of 22 prairial had been worked out in secret between Couthon and Robespierre, while the rest of the CPS had had nothing to do with and even protested against it. Only on June 10 1794, when the law was introduced to the Convention, Barère is recorded to have called it ”a law completely in favour of the patriots.”

For Charlotte, I know of the following things, which all originate from her memoirs:

Charlotte writes that before the revolution her older brother gave up his functions as a judge after having had to sentence a man to death. But according to Robespierre (2014) by Herve Leuwers, he actually never resigned from this position.

When writing about having dated Fouché, Charlotte claims this happened during the revolution, which can hardly be accurate given the fact Fouché was already married by then.

Charlotte declares a letter written by her to Augustin dated July 6 1794 had had apocryphal parts inserted into it when it got published after their death. In an inserted footnote, Laponneraye writes that”this letter […], I am convinced, was for Charlotte Robespierre an object of constant torment; the idea that someone could have thought she could have written it the way it is, and that it had really been adressed to Maximilien Robespierre, tantalized her. All the times I saw her, she spoke to me about it. One day we read it together, and I asked her to indicate which passages she hadn’t written and where infamous falsifications had been added; I publish this version in the Pièces justificatives section.”However, an encounter with the fac-simile shows that no alterations has been made to the letter, which is entirely in Charlotte’s hand.

When describing her arrest right after thermidor, Charlotte writes that she, after having been insulted and struck by guards at the Conciergerie on 10 thermidor for begging to see her brothers and been led away by some people moved to pity, she completely loses her reason and doesn’t come back to herself until a few days later, finding herself in prison with a woman who, after yet another few days, convinces her to sign a letter she has written, the content of which Charlotte doesn’t look at (and if even real, has never been found). The letter is sent off, and the next day both are set free. A story which doesn’t line up completely with what official documents tell us about Charlotte’s arrest, which according to them took place on 13 thermidor. An interrogation of Charlotte was held the very same day, in which she disowns both her brothers and the Duplays, denounces a man named Didier and claims she had almost been the victim of the Revolutionary Tribunal. For some reason or another she also gave her age as 28 when interrogated, which is obviously false… The circumstances regarding Charlotte’s release from prison are however dubious here as well, as no order for it appears to exist…

Charlotte claims to have been witnessed meetings both Marat and Pétion had with her older brother. But in both cases, the meetings she alludes to appear to have played out before she even came to Paris in late September 1792…

She also writes that her brother went to visit Desmoulins in prison once he ”learned of” his arrest, but that the latter didn’t want to see him, something which I found unlikely given the fact Robespierre had both already signed Desmoulins’ arrest and prepared his indictment, while Desmoulins in a prison letter to his wife reveals that he is writing to Robespierre, meaning he shouldn’t have repulsed him was he to come visit.

Like I have already written here, I also doubt Charlotte actually tells the whole truth regarding the things she was up to during the revolution and what it was that caused a split between her and her brothers, even if the things she does say about them do not have to entirely dismissed.

It wouldn’t surprise me if Barère and Fouché lie about more/more serious things compared to Charlotte. Though I guess the reveal of fabrications/alterations in her memoirs is still more surprising given the fact Fouché and Barère didn’t really have the reputation of being honest men/reliable narrators to begin with… Then there’s of course also a discussion to be had regarding how much of what they’ve written that is blatant lies and what is simply a partial telling/personal conception of the full truth or honest misremembering.

[aeoki]

White Brim - Battle Royal: Chapter 10

Location: Forest (night) Characters: Tsukasa & Eichi

Eichi: You’re rather cloy, Tsukasa-kun. Maybe Keito influenced you in a bad way at the kendo club.

Tsukasa: Hasumi-senpai has nothing to do with this! Please don’t try to change the subject!

Eichi: I’ve been talking on the same topic for the entire time. If you think the things I say are vague, then I think you’re the problem here, seeing as you lack the capacity to connect the information together in your head.

Tsukasa: …………

Eichi: Hehe. If you agree with me and can’t say a word, then you can never control the upperclassmen in your strong “Knights”.

If you truly became the “king” – a ruler – then you should learn how foolish it is to listen to everyone’s opinions.

For example, let’s say you had your way here. I’m sure you’re wanting to settle the score with the adorable Touri.

Tsukasa: That’s right! I was very close to cornering him in our previous battle – I shall defeat him with my own two hands the next time we meet!

…We both have our own family circumstances so if it weren’t for this opportunity, then I wouldn’t be able to fight with him head-on. That’s why tonight will be the night we settle things once and for all.

Eichi: Right. We have a fate that’s connected by blood – In other words, a fate we bear as those who were born and raised in those families.

If you and Touri are truly ready to fire at one another, then in the worst-case scenario, it would end up being a bloody war between your families.

It won’t be shrugged off like two highschoolers having an argument because they get on each other’s nerves. That’s not the only position you two hold – You’re also representatives of everything that your family shoulders.

Tsukasa: Yes. I’m fully aware of that, of course.

That’s exactly why up until now, I could only do trivial things such as arguing with that horrid person, so my Frustration is all pent up.

So I’ll take this opportunity to do it.

Eichi: No no. That’s exactly why your wish cannot be granted.

Tsukasa: ………?

Eichi: Let’s talk about the fundamentals, shall we, Tsukasa-kun?

Originally, “Clam Digging” can be traced back to a real tragedy that happened a long time ago in the past.

I don’t know how much your parents or teachers have told you regarding my family’s prosperity.

But even if you did hear of our achievements, I suppose as the victors, the past will always be glorified.

It’s a story from a long, long time ago. As the mannerless invaders who marched right on in to this bountiful land, we drove out the people who were living here peacefully.

And our family was able to thrive by robbing the bounties from the indigenous people.

This is the original sin that all of the “nobles” who have flourished in the Yumenosaki area since long ago share.

This “Clam Digging” game is a ritual that serves to remind us of that bloody history.

Reminding us of the fact that we’re awful and plump fishermen who overhunt the innocent fish.

Tsukasa: …………

Eichi: You want to settle the score between you and your fated rival in a fair one-on-one battle as anyone would from a military family? You must be picturing quite the spectacular heroic tale.

Let’s face reality, Tsukasa-kun. We’re evil demons who one-sidedly trample and devour the weak creatures from an overwhelmingly advantageous position.

As long as you’re a “hunter (fisherman)” and he a “prey (fish)”, you cannot have your battle with Touri. You mustn’t.

That wouldn’t be a triumphant battle. It would simply be one-sided bullying where you beat your hateful rival to death from an advantageous position.

Do you require further explanation as to why I’m stopping you?

Tsukasa: No… My apologies, Onii-sama. I’ve come to my senses now.

I never knew our families bore such a gruesome past.

Eichi: It’s just a fairytale though – I don’t know if it’s based on true facts, just so you know.

Besides, you’re an honest and kind child, so you appear to be hurt after hearing our history.

But the lesson I had learnt from the “Clam Digging” legend is that wrongdoings can be justified.

Tsukasa: …………?

Eichi: Only the victors create history. We just have to spread the history created upon flowery words and pretend we’re secretly repenting in the shadows.

Under the guise of a secret ritual that the commoners know nothing about.

It’ll be like holding a memorial service for those we trampled on – one that soothes our conscience.

We’ll announce that we mustn’t allow another tragedy to unfold all the while we stuff those same mouths with delicious, fresh fish.

I’m moved, Tsukasa-kun. Those clean and pure are dirty and those dirty are clean and pure – It’s all so repulsive that it almost seems beautiful in my eyes.

We cannot learn from our past mistakes. All because we don’t see those actions as mistakes.

And this isn’t some fairytale from the past – It’s something commonplace that still replays itself over and over in our daily lives.

We’ll continue to steal. We’ll flourish by stealing at Yumenosaki, at ES and from others. All the while pretending to repent as that disgusting behaviour becomes justified.

We’ll live on while we eat the weak and use it as sustenance for ourselves.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ← Previous Chapter ᠂ ⚘ ˚⊹˚ ⚘ ᠂  Next Chapter →

[thekingofwinterblog]

Thoughts on those "the downfall of One Piece" videos by that Drizzt guy? He seems to really like Brandon Sanderson, and with you quiting the same author, I thought it may be interesting to contrast views that seem to be so different in regards to the quality of post time skip One Piece

I watched drizzt's take once yeah... Im not doing it again, so i'll try to give my thoughts on his from parts i distinctly remember.

Well to start off with, my opinion on One Piece isn't entierly positive. I too regard it as a series well past it's prime and highpoint... I just dont regard what came after that highpoint as bad(with exception of one arc). It's a series that is good, but is dragged down by the fact that no matter hoe much it tries, it can never recapture the glorious highpoint that was water 7/enies lobby.

By contrast Drizzt regards One Piece post timeskip more in the vein of Naruto. A series with a very clear, and obvious point where it fell off a cliff, broke it's back, and had to crawl across rocky, muddy, marshy terrain towards the finishline.

So lets start with the shit i kinda agree with him. The Strawhat's dreams are for the most part the most underutilized part of one piece by a wide margin.

Ironicqlly, the two dreams i completely disagree woth being used badly are the ones he bitched the most about, namely Luffy and Zoro. Luffy and Zoro's dreams are different than the rest, in that they don't actually have to achieve anything in between. Beat mihawk, and find One Piece. That's it.

The fact that they just travel on their journey, getting stronger along the way is not really a problem.

He compares luffy negatively to luffy, but the reality is that both of them came into the political climate under very different circumstances.

Roger had to actually do it, he was the trailblazer, the one who proved that it could be done... Evsryone else that followed him, luffy included, all had to repeat his feats to reacht he top. It was from the scramble for that goal that the Yonko system came to be, with 4 pirate superpowers who simply did it better than all the rest... but none of them had the power to sweep the rest away.

And its into this system that luffy came in, and in the end toppled, setting the stage for the endgame.

Otger than luffy and zoro though, none of the crews dreams are used in a particularily good way.

Nami wants to map all the world... We never really see any focus on her map making, and later learn there are over 10 million islands on this planet... Good luck with that.

Sanji wants to find the All Blue... I genuinely dont think it's even been mentioned in any real capacity since all blue.

Usopp wants to be a brave warrior of the sea and meet his dad again... Wrll while the latter seems likely to happen very soon, if usopp hasnt done it by now, he will probably remain a man ruled by fear for the rest of his life.

Chopper wants to create cures to any disease in the world... Sorta used in an interesting way by contrasting him with caesar and Queen... But notice he didnt actually go on to fight and defeat either of them.

Robins dream is at least in the same way as Luffy's and zoro's in that there is a logical endpoint, but unlike theirs we really could have gotten way more insights into the past before through poneglyphs discovered in the story, rather than all the lore being dropped all at once. Oda really was way too focused on the ancienct weapons to realise that the poneglyphs could have been used to give us haunting snippets of character momenys, and pictures of lore from a dying age, that brought about the world government, that would all have fit together at the end.

To illustrate this point, we dont actually know the tone or the content of Joy's apology to the Mermaid princess.

Was it a harrowing apology for his own weakness? A nochelant eh, sorry things didnt work out? A We sure gave it our all huh... And yet it didnt change anything.

The fact is, we dont know. And that illustrates what a missed opportunity the poneglyphs actually were. There was so much room to use them beyond info on the ancienct weapons.

Franky's dream is also a missed opportunity, because we are never really given focus or attention on him fixing the ship or upgrading it.

Brooks is bizarre, because he could have achieved his dream at any point during the timeskip, and just... didnt.

And finally i dont remember what Jinbe's dream actually is... Which is a bad sign in its own way.

As for his other conplaints... I don't actually recall them much. It's been a while.

My own thoughts on one Piece post timeskip is that the problems boil down to a number of key issues.

1. Way too many new characters in each arc.

2. The age old One piece problem of Oda almost never killing characters no matter what means almost nobody gets to exit this story on a highnote, and when Characters do die, it usually feels more like an afterthought, rather than a defining moment(Pretty much everyone of luffy's allies who died in wano feels like this). Combine with point 1, and you get stupidly large casts that almost never get trimmed down, meaning every single arc is full of characters who almost always devolve into greek choruses in some form by the end.

3. One piece has completely changed it's fight structures, so fights where we get to see the action from beginning to end are much rarer, rather than the norm. There is a reason most of the strawhats post timeskip only has 1 or 2 good fights each under their belt(if that), when before every single one of them(except brook) had plenty of vool fights and moments. The new structure where we usually only get to see snippets of fights rather than the entire thing mrans oda can put in way more stuff alongside them, but it also means the fights themselves are usually lackluster.

4. several characters have become worse in one or several ways, and the narrative doesnt really avknowledge this. The biggest, by far, is Sanji, who not only is a worse character in every regard, but every single genuine development he got is undermined and undone. He gets a girl who genuinely loves him in the form of pudding. He hits a woman because of the german upgrqdes and decides to abandon them completely, only for his powers to sorta still be there maybe, but in the end he didnt actually hit the girl, it was an invisible queen. I cpuld go on, but oda had some many chances to shake up Sanji's character after the timeakip, and he backtracked on all of them.

5. Haki got fucking insane in wano. Oda made a gigantic mistake early in wano's arc, where Kaido took out Luffy in one blow. It was a cool moment, but it also meant that haki's ability to let fighters stay on their feet and recover from total beatdowns in record time had to baloon to insane degrees. And lo and behold, that is exactly what happened. Which sucks even more, because the qctual explanation about how luffy had to improve to reqch thw kind of offensive that roger, whitebeard, big mom kaido and shanks have and had was actually pretty cool and set up way before this. But unfortunately that's also introduced in the arc where luffy gets up again and again after kaido beat him unconcious, with no other explanation than Haki baby! It sucks any tension out of any fight when you know haki can allow people to just get back on their feet no matter how gravely theyre wounded.

6. Gear five having no actual foreshadowing/being a zoan.

Oda wrote himself into a corner with the biggest reveal one piece ever had... And there was only 2 ways to handle it to make it truly work.

Either go all in on foreshadowing this shit, and have characters point out that luffy losing his rubber body against sea stone when he doesnt when underwater is kinda wierd(which makes sense for a zoan, but not a always transformed parmecia), and judt highlight that there is a mystery here... So that when the reveal comes it all falls into place.

Or, and this is the solution i would have gone with, have luffy awaken and have all the powers of Nika luffy, just withouth a transformation. Id have accepted the cartoon logic becoming part of the world around him as the awakened powers of a rubber devil fruit no problem... It was adding in, oh he's actually a myyhical zoan devil fruit intrical to the world's history where oda lost me.

There are other flaws too, but these are the main repeating ones, you'll find all over the story after impel down.

Overall though, O would say One piece is a good story that suceeds in spite of its flaws... But those flaws very much means that it isnt a perfect story, and after the timeskip, it has never come close to reaching the high watermark again, and thats very the big problem. When you have reached the top, there is nowhere to go but down.

Arguably one piece biggest achievement post timeskip is arguably the fact that in spite of this, it has only had one bad arc, with the rest being good, to great if never outstanding.

The only bad arc of course being dressrosa. I could make an entire retrospective about all the ways that one dropped the ball.

[zarahjoyce]

Okay so the AU: Himeno is a famous popstar and Yanma is his bodyguard….

But here’s the catch.

Yanma is an undercover detective or something trying to uncover Himeno— who is allegedly a serial killer or something of the sort~

"Eh?" 

Yanma feels himself straighten when he notices her appraising him through the mirror. "So you're the new bodyguard Manager Kaguragi sent?"  

He bows and says, "Yanma Gust at your service." As an afterthought he adds, "Himeno-sama."

"Yanma, hmm?" He looks up at her again, finds her smiling at him this time - and feels--

"Be careful," his partner Rita had told him as they handed him a file regarding four victims who disappeared under mysterious circumstances - all while working for Kaguragi Dibowski's agency. "Himeno Ran is a known charmer of sorts. Just be careful not to fall under her spell." Yanma glared at them. "You really think someone like me is going to fall for some vapid popstar's stupid antics?" "Yes," Rita answered without preamble. Well, shit.

Looked like they were right on the money this time.

Yanma gives himself a stern shake of the head before clearing his throat. "Given that it's only my first day today, I would appreciate knowing beforehand what you expect me to do around you." 

Here she stands from her makeup chair and turns to face him, her long yellow skirt swirling prettily around her ankles. "Oh, nothing much really," she replies, taking her sweet time before approaching him - like a hunter with its prey. "I do have a lot of obsessive fans all around the country, so when we're outside, I'll expect you to protect me from their... advancements." She wrinkles her nose delicately at the word. "But when we're alone like this, you don't have to do anything - unless you want us to know each other a little bit better."

She plays with the ends of her hair, all while looking at him and saying those words in a sweet, sweet tone, and Yanma swears he can feel his temperature rise.

Shit. Fuck. Shit.

And he reminds himself of the four men who had this job before him--

--all four men who, to this day, have never been located.

The last was young Gira Hastie, who had his entire adoptive family storm the police station demanding that they look for him.

Hence this assignment.

So he crosses his arms and says, "I'd rather just do my job, Himeno-sama. I'm not paid to do anything else."

And the popstar actually pouts.

Goddamnit, even while doing that she looks pretty, too.

"I'm sure Manager Kaguragi has told you this job pays handsomely," she adds lightly.

"Yes," he replies, "though I'm wondering if the pay includes insurance for when I, let's say, disappear suddenly?"

 And Himeno's entire expression shifts.

She turns to face the mirror once more, does a thing with her small finger over her left brow - and meets his gaze on the mirror again. "Well," she says, "do your job right, and maybe you won't disappear."

Yanma uncrosses his arms and demands, "What's that supposed to mean?"

Just then, the light on top of her mirror blinks three times, drawing both their attention to it.

From his position behind her, he can see her shoulders move up and down slightly - like she's taking deep breaths.

And when she turns to face him, she looks angelic, perfect - and even smiling sunnily.

"Showtime," she says.

[thatforgottenbasilisk]

fireworks (and their ashes)

CHAPTER 2

(AO3)

A woman stumbles loudly down the stairs to the Archives.

Jon involuntarily knew that she was coming long before she entered the building, which is quite a thing to get used to, but at least he can try to meet her at the bottom of the stairs rather than force her to try to communicate to someone that she needs to make a Statement.

The haggard-looking woman has the bar along the stairwell in a white-knuckled grip as she limps her way down. There's no elevator to the Archives, unfortunately, and Jon's not in much of a position to help her, either. He leans heavily on his cane and holds out his less-scarred hand for support once she gets close enough to reach it. She smiles at him in thanks, and nearly tries to talk before seemingly remembering the clean white bandages that are wrapped around her throat.

When they do, eventually, get to Jon's office, the woman tries to communicate using a few haphazard signs, and then finally resorting to pulling out her phone and beginning to type. Jon holds up a single hand, unobtrusively enough that it takes her a moment to notice it, and she stops typing and looks up at him.

"Are you here to make a Statement?" Jon asks, and the woman nods slightly before wincing. The wound must be quite recent, then, considering that even that small movement causes that much pain.

Jon digs through his desk drawers for a moment, having nearly forgotten which drawer the empty Statement forms were stored in, but he eventually finds them and puts one in front of her, along with a pen. Then, he pulls out another file that he's supposed to be doing follow-up on- though he's only doing work at all so the woman can make her Statement in peace without him staring creepily at her the entire time- and sets about doing a bit of background research on his computer. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees her begin to fill out the form.

Statement of Eleanor Greene, regarding the man who tried to kill her. Statement given and recorded 6th March, 2018. Audio recording by Jonathan Sims, Head Archivist of the Magnus Institute, London. Statement begins.

I thank God every day for my daughter.

She's a miracle baby, because she somehow managed to be conceived despite multiple forms of birth control, but I don't love her any less for it. I won't pretend it wasn't difficult to raise her alone, but we've managed, and she is quite possibly the best thing that's happened to me. I've thanked God for her for years, because I'd never known just how fulfilling it would be to become a parent.

Recently, I also began to thank Him for leading me to name her Sasha. I don't think I would still be alive if I'd named her anything else.

It was only a week ago that I nearly died, and just two days since I was released from the hospital. It seems so strange to me now, to be in my own house with this injury, almost like I'd been imagining that going back home would magically reverse this and fix me entirely. That's not how this works, though, I know that, but it still feels so odd, odder still to live in my own house and know, truly, that there are demons that walk this Earth with the rest of us.

How else would I describe them? The scarred man and the devil woman whispering in his ear, both of them demons, or else vengeful angels here for the rapture- but I highly doubt there was anything holy about them.

The scariest thing, despite everything else that they did, despite everything else that I'm going to be telling you, is that neither of them looked anything out of the ordinary. The man had long-ish hair, just past his shoulders, I'd say, while the woman had hers buzzed short. They wore casual street clothes. The only truly distinctive parts of either of their appearances was the intricate-looking tattoo that could just barely be seen on the man's wrist, poking out of the sleeve of his coat, but I wouldn't have looked at either of them twice under normal circumstances.

The man was smoking a cigarette while leaning against a wall, somewhat ahead of where I was walking. The woman was leaning against the same wall, either already having finished her cigarette or not having smoked one at all, and neither of them were talking. The woman was watching me as I approached to pass, and the man was only looking at his cigarette. I didn't blame him; he looked tired. He looked like he needed it.

This whole thing only started because I decided to be bothered by something he did. He flicked the butt of his cigarette onto the pavement just in front of me, though it did not hit me. I could have just kept walking, and the whole thing wouldn't have happened. Instead, I stopped short, and glared at him while he was fishing in his pockets and paying me no mind at all.

"Excuse me," I'd said, in a rather nasty tone of voice, I admit, "I would rather not step on your filthy litter, thank you."

He looked up at me, and then gave me a strangely evaluating look before glancing over at the woman. She'd been watching with a mean little smirk on her face, like she knew that something was going to happen and she couldn't wait to get involved. Finally, he said to the woman, seeming entirely as though he was ignoring me completely, "No strings, right?"

The woman smiled, and echoed, "No strings."

Everything escalated very quickly after that. One moment, I was standing on the pavement, glaring at a rude man in an interaction I was under the vague impression I'd forget by time I made it home that evening, and the next I was flat on my back on that same pavement, his hands curled around my throat while the woman kneeled down next to me and just watched.

"Oh, look at her, she's terrified already and you haven't even done anything! You're doing wonderfully." She said in a saccharine voice, like that of a primary school teacher encouraging a slower pupil in basic arithmetic. As she spoke, the hands around my throat seemed to burn, like it wasn't enough that he was choking me to death, he just had to start burning me too.

"Shut up and be useful, will you?" The man growled in response, and the woman simply laughed, in a way that was only reminiscent of the crackle of a particularly large bonfire. It could have been welcoming, in the right circumstances, but now was only dangerous. It suited her in a way that warmth and invitation did not.

This is when my memory starts to get a bit blurry. He wasn't quite cutting off my air flow, but it was hard enough to breathe that I could feel myself beginning to black out. I knew I was going to die, then and there, on a populated street- there should have been people around, why didn't there seem to be any in the moment?- tinged with the slightly sweet smell of burning flesh.

"Oh, but I am, don't you see it? Rage is so easy, you don't need control yet so long as you can get yourself in a fury at the drop of a hat. You're too slow now, not angry enough. Think of... hmm. I don't know, think of whatever the hell reason you had for getting up again." She encouraged, though her tone slowly grew more dismissive as she went on, like whatever they were united in, whatever she was educating him in, they'd had very different reasons for joining. Whatever the hell reason he had seemed to be good enough for him, though, because I could swear I felt my skin start to crack from the heat.

I couldn't die, not then. I still had my daughter, she still needed me! She needed me!

I still don't know how I managed to do it. The doctors all said my voice box is damaged beyond repair, that whatever fire I had around my throat would've burned away my speech capabilities after less than thirty seconds, but I swear it had been minutes since he'd started this torture. No matter what the truth is, though, I still barely breathed out her name, a desperate plea for my Sasha.

The name must have meant something to him, because his grip suddenly became slack, just enough for me to get a good lungful of air. I had to think quickly, because his momentary mercy wouldn't have been forever, I could tell that right away, so I kicked at him as much as I could while he was still distracted.

I don't know how I managed to escape. The woman looked like she was going to give chase, but then she looked back at the man and started laughing at him, calling him "sentimental" and "weak," and I took that as my chance to run.

Nobody seemed to be around, even though I knew there had been people nearby when I was walking. Perhaps they'd all run when they saw the man attacking me? Not unlikely, especially since there's no way I wasn't burned. There's no way the man was human, anyway; it would've been smarter to keep out of the way of those demons.

I don't know how long it was before I found someone who could help. Long enough that I had to put my hands around my throat to staunch the bleeding, long enough to notice the sole of my shoe- the one I'd used to kick at my assailant- had melted and begun to burn my foot. Someone did help in the end, though- the first passersby I saw, in fact, he called an ambulance and helped make sure I got to the hospital safely.

Like I told you earlier, my voice box is damaged to such a degree that most doctors said I'd never speak again. Even the more optimistic of them told me I'd never sound the same. I'll have scars the rest of my life.

I've been learning sign language, but it's slow going. I only know about three signs so far, but Sasha's been learning along with me. I think... I think things will get better, at least. I won't be stuck like this.

I just thought that you'd be interested in hearing- well, reading- about it. An encounter with a real demon.

Statement ends.

Jon records the Statement long after Ms. Greene leaves, meaning that he's alone with his thoughts on what this Statement means.

It has to be Tim, right? Tim and Jude, still terrorizing random Londoners, though to what end? What does "no strings" mean? Do they have a deal, an arrangement of some kind? Jude teaches Tim how to properly be an Avatar of the Desolation, for... what? Out of the goodness of her own heart? The chance to slowly try to indoctrinate him into the Cult of the Lightless Flame? Some other ulterior motive? He highly doubts that there would really be no strings attached to that sort of arrangement, especially with Jude Perry involved.

Tim's escalating. He's grown more personal in his attempted murders, going from blowing up a building to choking out somebody's mother. What happened in the time between December and last week that would've escalated things this much?

Jon sighs, and leans back in his chair. He rubs at his eyes, hoping that some kind of revelation will make itself clear to him, but nothing does.

[pompadourks]

Everyday I grow angrier knowing near every prominent member of The Pact had brilliant backstories that could’ve easily made us sympathize with them like we did with John. For example, what are the implications regarding the fact Harley lost her father then immediately joined a group headed by a man who must’ve been around his age? There’s also a strong possibility of her being a hypochondriac after discovering her father’s illness and for that matter could any of her actions be symptoms of this illness? What was the accident at GothCorp in this universe that made Freeze the way he is and for that matter what was his relationship with Nora like in his own words? Bane in his wiki is described as ‘The king of Peña Duro Penitentiary.’ How did he reach this level of notoriety? And did this prerequisite of being the strongest play a hand in his overuse of Venom? Even Riddler, again it’s said he was trapped inside SANCTUS for years all while his mind deteriorated. How did he and Selina meet? She mentions she liked him but we never got a good idea as to why. She was one of the only characters who had a positive relationship with him and we don’t even know why.

Sure I have my own ideas and such as to why these things happened and why characters do the things they do but they’re all speculation on a dozen things that could’ve been used to flesh The Pact out more. Can you imagine how much more tense the bridge scene could be? Or the battle with Bane in the vigilante route if we knew just a little bit more about these characters and their motives. Can you imagine trying to talk Harley down not just so she doesn’t kill innocents but also, maybe just the littlest bit because you also want to help her. Can you imagine trying to tell Bane he can still beat his addiction even without LOTUS? Can you imagine Selina standing up for Riddler even once to offer a trait she liked about him?? Can you imagine helping Freeze when he gets infected not just out of obligation but also because part of you hopes he can save Nora? Or at the very least cure her illness??? Can you imagine??

Especially as Bruce who shares similarities in all these character’s stories. He and Harley may be upset with their fathers for different reasons but that doesn’t change the fact they’re both angry with them. One scene, I wanted one scene where they bonded a little and maybe Bruce even asks why she’s more angry then sad he took his own life to which Harley responds something along the lines of ‘Being angry is easier then being sad.’ Because they both know that, they both intrinsically understand being upset over circumstances out of their control is easier then just accepting it. Hell Bruce may even help Harley realize her dad wasn’t an awful person for what he did, just sick. It isn’t like his dad had the excuse of not being in the right mind. And Bane is extremely strong, why wouldn’t Bruce use his undercover status to his advantage and ask for some less lethal moves to stun enemies (Just so he can draw out their deaths obviously Bane) what is it like for Bane to be in a fair fight? He seems to respect people willing to get their hands dirty so it can be assumed that even tying with him in any type of strength based feat is worthy of his respect. He and Bruce are both similar in their constant need to be stronger though, so it wouldn’t be far fetched to assume Bane may get downright angry if they godforbid have to call a truce. It can also be a great way to explore their different modes of fighting for a cause. Bruce fights for people and Bane fights for himself but also sometimes for groups if they suit his needs, does Bruce ever see himself in Bane? Can he even understand needing something so bad he’d be willing to kill for it? Of course he can. He could probably see himself killing for many things, and that’s scarier then Bane ever could be. He can also relate to Freeze’s desperation to get his wife back even if somewhere deep down he knows she probably would be unhappy with the world she woke up in. He knows if he got his mom, hell even his dad back they’d both be horrified by his night job. He knows he’s toeing Riddler’s line and he knows taking down SANCTUS will upset everyone even if it’s the right thing to do. He knows he’d kill to take down SANCTUS to protect everyone even if they’ll never know he did it for that reason.

[charlesdesvoeux]

terror rewatch time!!! i'll be using this post to comment on ep. 7 "horrible from supper" block the tag terrorwatch2 if you'd like :-)

"see you in a months time mr. hickey" you guys don't know what happened to me when I first watched this. and I can't put it into words either

waaaait is this the moment where hickey zeroes in on tozer. "i hope I'm stood next to you when it comes" and of course he meant it as "so I can shove you to the creature and not me" but ec's delusional ass was like "oh. he desires me carnally" which to be fair was also true, I think, even this early. AND BILLY MAKING SUCH A WEIRD FACE IN THE BACKGROUND TOO.

i love that billy was the first one to express mutinous intentions. AND HICKEY TOUCHING HIS WAIST WHEN HE TELLS HIM TO SPEAK HIS MIND AAAAAAA

hartnell ❤️❤️❤️ also hodge kinda looking :-/ and hickey noticing it.......

collins :-((( trystan gravelle the actor that you are.......

goodsir trying to protect silna from the lead poisoning tipping hickey off that something was wrong!!!! also the brewing dissatisfaction expressed by tommy armitage!!!!

and of course, the burden of morfin and tozer of being the only two men who know that they are even more doomed than they thought they were, that lieutenant fairholme is dead and his men are dead and really they're all living dead men right now. i hadn't noticed they were tied by this, and then later tozer mercy-kills him.

also of course crozier choosing to keep this from the crew also brewing dissatisfaction. as blanky said to jfj "if you're gonna keep things from the men you need to give them something in return"!!!!!

little crozier dad son bonding time 🥹

tozer trying to get the mutiny boys guns and crozier being like ok until he hears. of course. mr. hickey. SOLOMON YOU FUMBLED THAT ONE. "The reason is sound, some of those names are not"

"My head. Cut it off. Put it with the others". We circle back to the idea of what is "a mercy" that was also very present in the last episode.

the cut from harry and silna together, to harry alone facing in the direction she had been the past night....... oh my god.......

funny thing is. hickey wanted to be noticed by crozier so bad. and if he had just done his fucking job well and been a nice person he probably would have been noticed and well regarded just like hartnell was. thing is though hickey doesn't even necessarily care for the "well regarded part" he just wants to be SEEN and if it's for being a shithead so be it (we can see that in his first interaction with goodsir, clearly goodsir dislikes him but still hickey beams with joy because AT LEAST HE WAS SEEN)

"that is my job you are shaving away" they were fucking crazy for that.

hodge not being at the command meeting probably really got under his skin.

ooooooh crozier promoting jopson is on one hand a good idea and in the other a bad one. bc "it's never been done" so I guess it highlights how bullshit that whole hierarchical system which divides human beings into "officers" and "men" is bullshit and it'll probably foster resentment. but it's also good for crozier bc it means there's someone he trusts in a position of authority.

"some modicum of protocol must be observed, even here" oh but soon this'll break too. don't worry.

re: the lead poisoned cans i must say once again hickey is actually a smart person. thing is he is also a narcissist with god delusions and thus he fucks up more than he should and doesn't usually learn from his mistakes because well. narcissism.

just the fact that hickey and tozer can pull hodge aside and talk so frankly about everything and call francis not "the captain" or "Mr. Crozier" but just. "crozier" something which even like 2 months ago would have been unthinkable. it shows how inadequate these structures they have are in the face of that landscape, those odds, those circumstances.

this reveals so much about both hodge and hickey!!!! "I'm not a captain, I'm not made of that" "you can be whatever you need to be now" which is ec's whole life philosophy.

also "let me be your lieutenant" he knows how to play psychologically..... an officer would balk at allowing himself to be led by a caulker's mate....... so he must think he is the leader..... while clearly hickey is running the operation.

when hodge takes armitage and pocock (new terror guy unlocked!!!) and jirv realizes then that he must take hickey he looks SO UNCOMFORTABLE

"The captain said so, didn't he?" That the netsilik would help them and yup he was right, at which moment hickey realizes it would be useful to kill the both of them and pin it on the netsilik and then kill the netsilik so as to leave no trace of his fuckery in order to further undermine crozier too

"my name is lieutenant john irving of her majesty's royal navy" and the way. the way this means nothing to them. babyboy. forget about being an officer. try being a man.

THE WAY HE IS ALMOST CRYING WHEN HE JUST SAYS "JOHN".

and like. the way he kills john feels so. professional. practiced. even before we get the confirmation that he indeed killed cornelius hickey we get the impression that ec has killed before. ec was a killer; cornelius hickey was not. but now cornelius hickey is a killer too.

[lawyerserving456]

Consultation Lincoln Psychologist, Family Law Consultation And Divorce Counseling

Given the current climate of the housing market in Ontario and the problems at stake when parenting issues are involved, many spouses are pressured to cohabitate for months after separation. In addition, as married spouses, each family law attorney consultation partners have an equal right to possession of the house. There are many inventive ways to unravel a family law concern, however some choices are better than others.

Parents who qualify can register online for a free family mediation program. Every MacLean Law file is unique and we are going to work with you to handle your particular circumstances. We are practical and earnest in our work and will never waste time. Referring you to other companies that might be useful to you. Eligibility free of charge consultations is assessed on a case by case foundation.

We are additionally able to assist with mediation or arbitration anyplace within the province of BC or Alberta. Creating a parenting schedule that is in the most effective interest of the youngsters family law consultation. My aim is to attenuate the impact of separation and wherever possible, maximize the chance for a artistic decision that advantages each events.

In addition to requiring authorized prowess, they demand understanding, consideration, and sympathy. At Visionary Law, our mission is to guard you and your family from further stress. When you search our providers, our family law attorneys work instantly with you to identify your goals and help you create a decisive plan of motion for your case. If you need assistance drafting a radical prenuptial agreement, litigating a toddler support concern, or submitting for divorce, you can trust our family-focused legal team to guide you in course of a positive end result.

Rest assured, we are centered on serving to you thru this traumatic time by offering you with attentive, competent authorized assist throughout every stage of your case. Whether you may be looking for divorce through the court docket, or need assistance writing a sound separation settlement, you can count on us to protect your finest pursuits. CHILD CUSTODY Our firm values minimizing the negative impression family law consultation fee that a separation between mother and father has on youngsters. We might help you develop a well-thought out parenting plan that meets the most effective pursuits of your youngster or advocate for their best interest if a judge’s choice is required. Our agency values minimizing the adverse impact that a separation between dad and mom has on youngsters.

I am available for consultations Monday to Friday throughout normal business hours. I may have the ability schedule meetings at other occasions if I become your lawyer. Since March 2020, our agency has operated completely on a digital basis. If you would possibly be experiencing problems in your relationship, our company also provides companies regarding mediation and arbitration.

Once you might have retained your family law lawyer, you might be keen to begin your new life and move forward. Your lawyer’s job, however, is to ensure a few family lawyer consultation crucial steps occur to make sure a smooth transition from your relationship or marriage. The first essential step is on your lawyer write to your partner to advise them you may have retained a lawyer.

A family lawyer with extensive experience can information you thru the authorized means of resolving your dispute, whether or not or not it's through negotiation, mediation, or litigation. An preliminary, free consultation with a family law attorney helps you put together prematurely for the case. During the primary meeting along with your potential lawyer, you will be discussing things which are very private, some of which you might need not mentioned with anyone else. While it’s natural to need to hold some embarrassing data private, being trustworthy will assist the lawyer get a greater understanding of your information.

[hnours]

@ragelit​​​ cont. 

"I'll admit it, Yugiri, that I do find you very pretty."

It's a simple smile that adorns his face, his sole silver eye looking up at her from his sitting position.

          it was supposed to be a mere joke— some friendly bantering and back-and-forth teasing because she was relieved to see him very much alive again. she must admit that it was partly her fault the humour went unrecognised, given how she always regarded him with an absolute professionalism and a rather austere demeanour that was strictly duty-related, and how frequent each meeting with f’err resulted in never-ending troubles; the dire circumstances had left little room for playfulness. they had time now though, doma was liberated, yanxia was picking up the pieces and rebuilding to once again reclaim its former glory, its people were finally able to live like they were meant to— like free winds that danced across the rolling hills and carried only laughter and happiness, so she dared unshackle herself from the formality no matter how brief. 

          this... development was unexpected, honestly. she wasn’t anticipating such genuine reaction from f’err especially with how poor her attempt to crack a joke was... (forgive her, the number of times she did such a thing was pitiable). it rendered her speechless. pretty wasn’t something she heard often, and defintely was a foreign word when yugiri mistwalker was in the picture— ferocious, fast, precise, resilient and everything in between, yes, but pretty? when her body was flawed with myriad scars? when her hands roughened with rigorous training, and her heart steeled with each death stolen? when she was nothing but a grim shadow in the dark, living on the blood of the fallen? if such monstrosity was pretty... she was glad she was pretty to him.     

          ‘ i thank you for your kind words. ’     nevertheless, she shouldn’t— mustn’t dwell on it any further. there were other things of much more significance that called for their attention.     ‘ how fare your training with lord hien? ’     yugiri said, deliberately avoiding their discontinued conversation earlier. 

[lochnessies]

as hilarious as i find rhea’s “the youth need me” before booking it from seteth, i think it shows a lot into rhea’s mentality regarding… well… everything.

it’s quite obvious so it really doesn’t need to be said, but rhea has a very unique role in the story. despite her apparent age, and being a mother herself, she primarily plays the role of the daughter. the child that looks for security and comfort in her mother’s love and protection. and despite how some people in the fandom portray her, rhea genuinely wants to make connections with humans, especially children.

she is willing to upset a noble house to save a child from slavery

takes in orphans that have nowhere else to go (like after remire)

personally heals them (student!catherine & young!jeralt)

takes their mental/emotional needs into mind (giving byleth herbs to give to the struggling students)

insists on having the ball to ease the students minds after a troublesome year

wants to sit with the students in the dining hall but isn’t sure how to approach

there are many npcs (children and adults alike) that fear for her safety and want her back during the timeskip because she means something to them

left the children of the elites alone despite their parents cruelty because they, in her own words, were innocent

she has spent over 1000 years hiding her true identity and is willing to reveal who she really is to the world in order to save the students and prevent another massacre when edelgard attacks

rhea says that she was “young” when the red canyon tragedy occurred and she heard her mother’s voice in the holy tomb. i think rhea, due to the tragedy, never got to have a proper childhood and had her innocence taken away before it’s time which affected her deeply. because of that, she seems to be very protective over the youth/children of fodlan and wishes them to avoid the same helplessness and isolation she felt.

i also think that on some level, despite her maturity, she still has a childlike aspect still inside her that she keeps buried due to the pressure of her position. yet in heroes, when she is able to shed the archbishop robes, her alts all reflect a very gentle and sometimes playful and mischievous personality (not saying it’s a bad thing at all, it’s very cute, and it’s completely possible to be carefree without being immature).

in sharena’s meet the heroes dialogue she says this about seiros:

“seiros was a saint, pure of heart and loving toward her people.” and “the adrestian empire was later established to honor her presence in the area.”

so it would appear that rhea was quite popular since the people must really love you quite a bit to establish an empire to honor your presence.

then there’s her halloween alt: “her magic staff is designed to look like a jam cookie, hinting at her playful nature.” quite simple, and like i said, a more childlike side that she keeps hidden. also her jp voice lines are very lighthearted and delightful! she’s very clearly having fun.

and finally, in her alt with byleth they have this little exchange about being at the beach:

byleth: should we invite seteth and flayn next time?

rhea: that would be lovely. the students should come along as well.

rhea, once again, wishes to spend time with the “youths”/students and relax now that she has been able to shed her robes and “spread her wings a bit”. a brief reprieve from the heavy adult responsibility.

i’m not at all saying she’s mentally a child. she’s very clearly not, and she’s very mature and is doing alright for herself giving her circumstances, but it isn’t until her character arc on ss/vw/am that she learns she can’t keep being the daughter forever. her mother is never going to come back the way she once was. she has to move on for her own sake by looking towards the future, and by doing that, letting go of that isolating burden she carried for so long.

by the player caring for and offering support through their choices, she can either recuperate in zanado, giving her the time to reflect and make peace with the life she lost there by starting anew with people who love and care for her (both catherine and seteth). or with byleth’s guiding hand, continue on as archbishop with a renewed spirit. no longer as a young daughter desperately waiting for her mother to return home, the house door locked and afraid of everyone, but as a woman who allows herself to unlock it and finally start living.

[aziraphales-library]

do you know any fics where Aziraphale justifies (either to himself or to other angels) his relationship/friendship/love with Crowley as "Loving everyone of God's creations" and especially "do you know of a being more in need of love than a demon?" or something along those lines?

Here are some fics in which Aziraphale does some mental gymnastics regarding his feelings for Crowley...

You were an Angel Once by cyankelpie (T)

In the photo, Crowley lounged across the corner of a park bench while Aziraphale sat on the other side, his mouth open in a laugh at something that Crowley had said. All the blood drained from Aziraphale’s face. “I-I can explain.”

“Oh, there’s no need,” said Michael sweetly. “I’m sure I already understand.”

With a great effort, Aziraphale tore his eyes from the photo and looked up at her.

“Truly admirable,” she continued, “to try saving the soul of a demon.”

(Aziraphale has two years to save Crowley's soul and convert him back into an angel. If he fails, he will be ordered to kill Crowley with holy water.)

One Night of Honesty by cyankelpie (T)

Crowley should not be in the bookshop right now. Heaven has stripped Aziraphale of the ability to lie, and he's gotten himself so drunk that he's completely incapable of holding back the truth. It's the perfect storm of circumstances for him to accidentally let slip something that he can never take back, and he would never forgive Crowley if he let that happen.

So why did Aziraphale start drinking in the first place, and why is he so adamant that Crowley stay?

Transference by iamtheenemy (M)

There was always a low level hum of attraction and lust in the air when Crowley was around. In fact, Aziraphale couldn’t recall a single time, after their first meeting on the wall, when he hadn’t watched Crowley dazzle and transfix every poor human that they encountered. He’d even seen Eve give him the eye when he was in his human form, back in the day, and she’d been with child at the time.

Aziraphale couldn’t blame them for falling victim to Crowley’s considerable wiles. He was a demon, after all. Tempting was in the job description. Plus, he’d clearly designed his human form to be utterly irresistible to all humans, from his eye-catching hair down to his stylish clothing. It was overkill, if you asked Aziraphale. But then, he supposed, overkill wasn’t really a thing with demons.

Aziraphale would win a gold medal in Mental Gymnastics.

Technicalities by curtaincall (M)

Aziraphale is always very careful with his wording. Crowley's never really been in a position to question it.

The Damned by LadyMango (M)

Demons were captured by angels during the Fall, and have been kept as servants ever since.

Aziraphale, feeling lonely, decides to purchase a demon. Naturally, he chooses the most frightened one.

parallax by leaveanote (E)

It’s just to ensure Crowley’s doing it correctly, Aziraphale tells himself at first. To make sure he’s getting the miracles right. But when Aziraphale hides and watches Crowley perform his first miracle since his fall, Aziraphale finds instead that Crowley--oh, he was made for this. The love that brims from him when he is allowed at last to heal, to help, to save. A demon shouldn’t love performing Heaven’s work like this, should he? What else, then, is a lie? (Don’t ask questions.) Aziraphale can’t stop watching, through the centuries. Presently, Crowley catches him, and many, many truths come to light.

- Mod D

[the-witty-pen-name]

The Nanny Pt. 1

Lee Bodecker x Nanny!F!Reader

18+ 

Word Count: 3k

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, implied age gap (reader is in her 20s), cursing, Sandy and Carl being bad parents, 18+ content in later chapters 

Summary:

Based on this Request: The reader moves to Meade/Knockemstiff while answering an advertisement for a nanny in the paper. We learn that the ad was posted by Sandy, who has the reader watch her child whenever she and Carl leave to do their secret thing. After one of these trips, Sandy and her husband never return, so the reader is left caring for their baby. With the new investigation into these events, she meets Sandy’s brother Lee, the older, out of shape, alcoholic bachelor, and they are suddenly thrown into each others lives as he begins looking into his sister’s disappearance. Through it all, Lee starts to fall for her, and they slowly become a family.

A/N: Here is the first part of my newest series and I want to thank the anon who reached out to me with this idea! 

If I missed anything I should include as a warning that I missed please let me know!

Taglist Form is in my bio and should be updated to now to include this fic! (If for some reason it isn’t working send me a message and I’ll make sure you’re added!!)

“Damn it, Sandy, can’t you handle that?” Carl yells from his dark room as the baby starts crying again.

“Fuck you, Carl,” Sandy shouts back, hurrying to put out her cigarette before heading to the nursery.

Their little girl was just about a year old, and neither one of them knew what they were doing. Carl was incredibly indifferent and despite her honest attempts at motherhood, Sandy’s maternal instincts never kicked in like she thought it would happen. Carl was annoyed that it cut into their time they would be on trips. They weren’t able to photograph models with the baby on the road, so he’d been itching to get back on the road.

“Is she hungry?” he shouts back, not even bothering to take his eyes off of the most recent photographs he had been developing.

“I just fed her!”

“Then why is she crying?”

“Fuck if I know,” Sandy shouts back exasperated. She scooped up the baby from her crib and started to rock her back and forth in her arms. Sandy also tried burping her, humming a little lullaby she made up on the fly… no luck. She walks around the house with the baby on her hip, trying to rock her back to sleep.

“We haven’t able to get back on the road in a year,” Carl says, clearly frustrated.

“That ain’t purely my fault,” she spits back, “Takes two to make a baby, Carl.”

“Fuck I know,” he groans, “But I need new inspiration. If I take one more picture of nature…”

“If she’s such a hindrance, pay for a damn sitter like I suggested months ago,” she counters.

“We can’t have no stranger walking around the house Sandy,” he points out.

“Just keep your damn room locked, it’s not a huge deal,” Sandy sighs. “Besides, no one is gonna snoop around if you pay ‘em enough. You damn well produce your own incriminating evidence; you should always have that room locked anyways.”

“We only have to worry about your damn brother,” Carl points out, “We hire a fucking sitter that’s two people we need to worry about.”

“You’re just to goddamn cheap to hire somebody,” Sandy states, moving back towards the nursery, the baby now snoring softly.

“You know what? Fine,” Carl says defeated. “But you’re in charge of putting the ad out and hiring somebody.”

“Thank you,” she says in a sing song tone, happy she got her way. But the moment of quiet that follows is short lived as they baby starts crying again.

“Please for the love of God can you just take care of that?” Carl yells, and the argument circles back to the beginning.

You had sat in the small dinner in the corner booth hunched over the newspaper and nursing your now cold cup of coffee. You had just arrived in Knockemstiff and were looking for work. “Any leads?” Julie asked as she topped off your coffee. Julie was your roommate. You had found her the same way you were currently looking for a job. You must have answered at least ten terrible Roommate Wanted ads until you had found Julie. The two of you now share an apartment- the top floor of a three-family owned by a sweet older couple.

“Thank you,” you say without looking up from scanning the ads. “Maybe this one?” You say pointing to one of the ads. She looks to see her manager stepped out for his smoke break before sliding in the booth across from you. You slide the paper over to her and she reads the ad out loud.

NANNY NEEDED Knockemstiff, Ohio

Couple that travels for work in need of a nanny for one-year-old daughter.

Temporary live-in position for several weeks at a time. Pay negotiable.

Call Sandy Henderson at the below number.

“I can sublet the room temporarily while you stay there,” Julie offers. “It’s a pretty vague offer,” she continues. “I wouldn’t commit until you call and speak to that Sandy woman.”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll need to be interviewed,” you agree. “What kind of people are comfortable just leaving their baby for weeks at a time with a perfect stranger?”

“Paul is still out back I think,” she chuckles, “I’ll let you use the wall phone.”

You take a seat at one of the stools at the counter, and she dials the number for you and then passes you the receiver. You mouth a thank you and she waves her hand in dismissal as she heads over to take someone’s order.

“Whaddya want?” the woman on the other end answers abruptly.

“Oh, I’m calling about the ad in the paper regarding the nanny position. Is it still available?”

“Oh, shit. I’m so sorry, hun,” the woman says, now in a much nicer tone. “Thought it was my brother calling. Yes, it is, and we need it filled as soon as possible. When are you available?”

“For an interview?” You ask.

“Yeah,” she says mumbled, like she is dangling a cigarette from her mouth. “Can you come today?”

“Oh, wow. Yes, I can,” you reply.

“Great, um, you got a pen? Take down this address.”

About two hours, a change of clothes and a cab ride later, you were standing outside a house towards the end of town. It was a little run down, but what building in this town wasn’t? You were a little nervous of course, but it was also the most unconventional way you have gotten an interview. Part of you was relieved, because the woman on the phone sounded real, not phony, but the circumstances still made you uneasy. Julie had the address and said you’d call when you got back to the taxi dispatch.

“Welcome, welcome,” Sandy smiled, opening up the door for you. She had one hand on the doorknob and one of the cutest babies you’d ever seen in the other. “Come on in, make yourself comfortable.”

“Who is this?” you coo, leaning down to the baby’s eye level. “She’s darling.”

“This little sweetheart is Valerie,” Sandy smiles, passing the baby to you. “She’s so well-behaved. Hardly ever cries.”

“She’s adorable,” you smile, as the baby cuddles up close, resting her head on your shoulder. “I didn’t properly introduce myself on the phone. (Y/N) (Y/L/N).”

“I’m Sandy,” she introduces herself. “Please take a seat on the couch, get comfortable. I hate things that are so formal. Bleh.”

You take a seat on the couch, and readjust the little girl in your arms so she’s sitting on your lap and her back is resting against you so she is supported.

“So, my husband and I are on the road a lot, usually,” she begins, “We took some time off when we had Valerie, but we really need to start working again, you understand.”

“Of course, what do you both do?” you ask politely.

“We’re photographers,” she beams, “Mostly nature and landmarks- which reminds me! We have a darkroom in the house, but that door will be locked when you’re staying here. We don’t want any damage to any of the negatives we have stored in there you understand. Everywhere else in the house is yours to explore! And of course we gotta spare bedroom you can call your own.”

“Fair enough,” you joke.

“So, tell me about yourself, honey,” she smiles, crossing her legs in the armchair where she sat.

“Well, I just moved here a few weeks ago actually,” you begin, “I just recently finished school, and now I’m looking for work. I just got my degree in early childcare from the state college.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” she says with a clap of her hands. “So, you’re local?”

“Yes, I live in town.”

“Excellent! We’d also love for this to be like an on-call thing as well, you know for date nights and things like that for times when we’re home. Like for a few hours here and there. And of course, we’ll always live money for groceries or whatever you need on top of your pay for emergencies incase Valerie needs formula or diapers or anything.”

“Perfect,” you smile, surprised how well the conversation was going. Sandy was easy-going and nice to talk to. The two of you sat and talked for a little under an hour, her asking all the standard questions you anticipated. You also were able to ask her some more of your own questions as well. It was the most effortless interview you had been on easily.

“I’m sorry you weren’t able to meet Carl today,” she says when she is showing you out. “But hun, I feel confident to offer you the job. We haven’t had many applicants and you’re the most qualified one I’ve spoken to. The job is yours if you want it?”

“When can I start?” you smile, making her laugh.

“Your number is on the resume, right?” she says, scooping up the baby. You nod, waving goodbye to the baby and then saying goodbye to Sandy.

“I’ll call you when I speak to Carl, but I think once he knows he’ll want to head out as soon as we can. Plan for Sunday,” she says as you get into the cab.

Just like she had promised, you get a call from Sandy on Saturday afternoon asking you to show up the next morning at 9. You spend the day packing up your clothes and anything else you’d need for a few weeks. Sandy said they’d be back in two weeks but you pack for three just in case. Julie was also nice enough to help you. You didn’t need to do much. Ever since you had settled in Knockemstiff, you had been pretty lazy with unpacking and for once procrastination played out in your favor.

Julie insisted on taking you out to celebrate that night before starting your job tomorrow. There was a small little bar, a little shack of a place just on the outside of town you went to. Julie had a car and you drove, anticipating she’d have a lot more to drink than you. It was a hotter summer night, so you drove with the windows down and the radio playing a little louder than you normally would.

The outside was decorated with string lights of primary colors and the wooden awning looked like it was one more storm away from collapsing. But the atmosphere inside was to die for. The jukebox was playing loud dance music, and the place was crowded. Empty recycled glasses lined the walls on a high shelf as decoration along with weathered posters of anything Americana. A row of motorcycles and trucks were parked outside the little place and it looked like a pileup from how crowded the lot was. People lingered outside as well, and you both hoped you’d find seats inside.

The two of you found a high-top table and Julie made her way up to the bar, skillfully maneuvering through the crowd to grab you both some drinks. You let your eyes wandering, surveying the room and just people watching. Couples were dancing closely to the music that was rattling the jukebox, and a group of people were sitting at the bar huddles in to watch the little black and white portable television. You also noticed a group of men in uniform several tables down, local police. They weren’t paying any attention to anyone but their own conversation, except one.

He just so happened to have looked up just as your eyes landed on their table. Steel blue eyes cutting across everything and just staring right back into yours. It was a fraction of a second and his gaze was broken by Julie taking her seat across from you. You cleared your throat, and finally allowed yourself to exhale. You felt her raise an eyebrow at you but she didn’t press, just gave you a knowing smirk you brushed off. You still felt his gaze on you even if your view was now obstructed.

Sandy and Carl were in a rush when you arrived in the morning. Sandy ran you through the details of where everything was kept and told you that she would call to check in when she could when they made stopped. She helped you carry your bags in from the trunk of the taxi while Carl packed their bags in their car. He was polite enough, but you felt in your gut to just keep your distance. Sandy led you upstairs to the guest room she told you she worked to clean out for you. It was simple, a bed and a dresser with a small closet. She said it mostly had been storage and her weekend project had been clearing it out for you. It was simple, but good enough for you for sure. You thanked her and she dismissed it saying you were the one doing her a favor, making you laugh.

The whole ordeal was very hurried. Carl was rushing to get on the road as soon as possible and you could tell he was clearly irritated at how long Sandy was taking showing you around and explaining things about Valerie. Carrying the baby in your arms, you finally were settled in to your new role and Sandy gave one more big hug and a kiss on Valerie’s head before rushing down to the car. You waved to the pair of them from the small front porch, Sandy looking back and waving to the baby from the passenger seat until they were out of your line of vision.

The first day was a little daunting. New space, living in a house that isn’t yours and a baby babbling in your arms. She was a sweet thing, and she already had taken a liking to you. Heading over to her nursery, you saw that she had a little play pen folded up in the corner of the nursery and you quickly set it up in your room so you could unpack while keeping an eye on her. She babbled just happy utter nonsense to you while you navigated around the space and her big eyes just followed you, just watching you was entertaining for her for now. You were a new face and she was entertained just by that for now.

A few hours later, Valerie had settled down for a nap in the early afternoon. She was sleeping soundly in her crib and you were getting formula ready for when she woke up. It was quiet, the only noise in the house was the small sounds of your own rustling in the kitchen. You wondered when you would hear from Sandy, if it would be later tonight or in a couple of days. You just were lost in your own thoughts when you were startled by a loud knocking on the door. Instantly, Valerie began to cry. You wiped your hands quickly on the skirt of your dress before grabbing her. You rested her on your hip and rocked her gently, shushing her to calm down while you went to grab the door.

The first thing your eyes saw were the same blue eyes who was looking at you at the bar last night. The man’s eyebrows furrowed and he looked really confused. He had one hand rested on his hip and the other against the doorframe, but he stood up straight when he saw it wasn’t who he expected. Your eyes then went down to the shiny Sheriff’s Badge fixed in place on his uniform.

“Who are you?” he asks abruptly. “Where’s Sandy?”

“Sandy and Carl left this morning,” you explain, not sure if he recognizes you. “I’m their nanny.”

He laughs and shakes his head as he looks down, almost like he doesn’t believe you, or he just doesn’t believe the situation. “Carl? Carl Henderson hired a nanny?” he scoffs and you nod, holding Valerie a little closer. The little girl rubs her eyes and yawns, when her eyes flutter open, she looks at the stranger in the doorway and immediately reaches out to signal she wants to be held by him. You ignore her resistance to wanting to be in your arms until you get more information about why the Sheriff is at their doorstep, though she obviously knows him.

“I’m Sandy’s brother,” he explains, “Did she say when they were coming back?” He doesn’t try to hold the baby yet, just holds out one of his fingers and her little hand holds onto it tightly.

“Two weeks.”

“They hire a complete stranger to watch my niece and live in their house unsupervised while they drive around?” he scoffs, shaking his head again in disbelief.

“I’m more than qualified…”

“It’s not a jab at you, sweetheart,” the man tries to explain, “More so a reflection on my sister and her husband is all. They are… fairly selfish people and I wished this situation surprises me more than it does.”

“Should I tell her you came by when she calls?” you ask.

“If she calls,” the man chuckles, “Sure, let her know Lee stopped by to visit.”

“You don’t think she will?” you ask, tilting your head.

“We’ll see,” Lee shrugs, “Do I know you from somewhere?” He rests his arm back up on the doorframe and looks down to the baby again, extending out his free hand to her again and scrunching her cheeks.

“I don’t know,” you shrug, not wanting to admit you remembered seeing him last night. He purses his lips together and nods, not pressing further. He pushes off from the doorframe and puts his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.

“Must’ve been in a dream then,” he smirks, and you feel your cheeks flush. He walks down the steps and back towards his cop car. “What did you say your name was?” he asks, turning back around.

“I didn’t,” you chuckle.

“Hmm,” he nods, and raises his eyebrows, waiting for you to fill in the blank. You tell him your name and he repeats it back to you like he’s thinking about it, trying it out to see how it sounds.

“Well,” he says, standing behind the open driver’s door, “Good luck, and I hope Sandy proves me wrong. Let me know if she calls.”

Taglist: 

@adelaide-walker @thedepressolit @samanthadegaro​ 

[whoree321]

yo can i get some tech x chaotic gender neutral reader headcanons?

(fuck yeah bestie you understood the assignment. also i kinda went on my own interpretation of chaotic so if you had something a little different in mind lmk and i can make adjustments!)

tech x chaotic!gn!reader headcanons

ok so here’s the thing about tech

he is literally surrounded by/related to some of the most chaotic individuals in the entire galaxy

like wrecker? crosshair? talk about a hot mess express

and let’s not act like he doesn’t have his own little chaotic streak festering beneath that rigid hairline

so long story short, when you come along in all your chaotic glory, it really isn’t a big adjustment for him

he might be a little surprised after he first meets you (how could someone so alluring and attractive also have that personality??) but overall your presence is simply an addition to the pre-existing insanity of the bad batch

he notices right away how well you fit in with his brothers (matching wrecker’s rambunctiousness or crosshair’s quiet nefariousness or both in your own special way) and tbh he’s a little jelly

and by a little jelly i mean he’s 100% super jealous

he watches how you joke around with them and plan pranks with wrecker and make dark commentary with crosshair and how your antics get a laugh out of echo and sometimes even hunter and how well your energy matches theirs and part of him absolutely hates it

(the other part, of course, is too busy being enamoured by the music of your laugh and the mischievous twinkle in your eye and the electric brush of your shoulder against his armor when you move past him in the cockpit of the marauder to really form an opinion on your relationship with his brothers)

despite his envy, tech is not the type to allow his emotions to derail positive outcomes (on missions or in personal matters)

he’s not gonna spoil y’alls fun or even let you know he’s upset about it. if there’s one thing tech thinks he can do it’s keep his emotions in check

when chaos ensues, he regards you with the same familiar condescension and snark he uses with wrecker (although you realize quickly there’s an amusement in his gaze when he mocks you that’s absent when he speaks to the others)

as much as he loathes the current situation, he ultimately also recognizes that it’s no ones problem but his that you are more compatible for individuals with personality types more like wrecker or crosshair

(little does he know you’ve had your eye on him and only him pretty much the whole time)

before your relationship, tech is the unsuspecting victim of a lot of your tomfoolery

you tend to mess with him the most (totally not bc you have a crush on him or anything nononono)

hiding a tool or his data pad when he’s not looking? a classic

“tech i have no idea where your wrench is i don’t even know what it looks like” “y/n you play this practical joke approximately 3.7 times a standard week I know you are lying”

stating completely made up facts about different things or places with full confidence and arguing with him when he corrects you? tried and true

“fun fact: loth cats actually have a secret fifth leg tucked up underneath them and it only comes out in extreme emergency circumstances” “that could not be more untrue” “ok well have you ever checked” “…no, but..” “see tech there’s just some things you can’t know from book learning” “*deep sigh*”

the best is when you flirt with him tho

it is bold and brash

“I need something sharp to cut through this” “just use your jawline ;)”

“the system we are traveling to is known for its extreme heat and rough terrain” “hot and rough? sounds like you in the bedroom ;)”

he chokes and blushes everytime

despite the constant torment and how much he acts like it’s a nuisance, he secretly loves all the attention you give him (even if it’s at his expense)

knowing our sweet boy he is wayyy too socially awkward to make the first move in this situation (or to even recognize there is a situation tbh)

tech is pretty confident you view him as strictly a friend and an easy target for your shenanigans

like even if you basically admit to liking him, he’s gonna think it’s another joke. plotting and scheming with the other boys to make him step up (a classic “i’m gonna pretend to make a move on them to force your hand” for example) will not work

you have to very directly confess to him and it has to be very very genuine and away from the rest of the boys in order to get it into his exceptional mind that you seriously have feelings for him

once he gets that you mean it tho, he’s over the moon

and once youre in a relationship? the rest of the batch should be WORRIED

now your focus is no longer on messing with tech, and you have a super genius on your side

he may have enjoyed being a casual observer and constant victim before, but now that you’ve allowed him on your team it’s a totally different ballgame

he’s still happy to take a backseat and let you do your thing, but he also loves to be a background player in all your hooplah

you wanna play a prank? tech is scheming and building shit and looking at diagrams to figure out the best way to execute it

hunter gets mad at something you did? tech has already figured out a way to pull focus off of you and onto one of the other boys

OR EVEN BETTER a non-batcher (a reg, a superior, a random streetgoer) takes an isssue with you? tech is launching into a full rant with them about something completely unrelated and giving you time to scamper away before they can even begin to reprimand you

tech is the kind of boyfriend that isn’t gonna overtly match your energy, but can keep up and will balance you out

you still mess with him, but now he has the confidence to mess with you right back

this also creates a really spicy sexual dynamic (I won’t go too into that but def a lot of teasing, brat taming kinda stuff)

overall i actually think tech would be really good with someone more chaotic and wild bc he can seem so rigid but isn’t actually like i think that type of relationship would really suit him

you bring out his playful side and he keeps you grounded, out of trouble, AND acts as a top notch audience/partner in crime

rip hunter tho now he’s got tech to worry about on top of all the rest of you (except echo he’s a perfect angel who could never cause trouble for anyone <3)

[min-jpg]

Hi!! Can you do they boys getting kidnapped but its Diluc, Childe, and Kazuha? Thank you!!💗💗

Note: I just want to point out that there's no actual reason on how I choose for the reader to beat up the kidnappers since part 1,, it's totally random as long as I'm trying out different ideas whatever fits ehe. Enjoy! 💖

---

Kidnapped Genshin Boys x Fem Rich!reader pt.2

Part 1 (Kaeya, Zhongli, Xiao)

Characters: Childe, Diluc, Kazuha

Genre: fluff, established relationship, some woman kicking ass action, (TW: mentions of blood and violence)

---

CHILDE

Your boyfriend would definitely try to go head-to-head against the shady group of people who abducted him. The gang accountable must be living under the rock for even considering one of the most dangerous Harbingers as their prey to carry out their schemes.

However, Childe learned that there would be ramifications if he tries to be rash without gathering solid intel first. Having no knowledge of your current circumstances and whereabouts troubled him to the core. They could have already sent out a corresponding group towards you and endanger you if he failed to listen.

Being wealthy is not a foreign concept to Childe as he is also a wealthy man himself. That said, the premonition of being a target for a ransom would not be unrealistic to him. For now, he is glad that he is the victim here instead of having to witness you kidnapped.

"You know, you could've asked me nicely for some money. I might just give it to you, instead of doing all this for my girlfriend's money." Despite being in a position far from desirable, Childe leisurely sat on the chair that he was bound to, crossing his legs. He was making small talks to push away the worst scenarios happening to you. Are you safe? Are you crying? Did they hurt you?

"I don't know who you are to be running your mouth, but you should value your life a little more." Their leader emerged from the group.

Childe's ocean eyes squinted as menace casts upon his pupils, his voice lowered, "Is that so? Ironic, because you guys seem to value money more than your lives."

The head stepped back slightly, "Enough with your empty threats! You should be aware of the current situation you're in. We're not fooling around here."

"I'm not fooling around either."

As sparks were thrown back and forth, you made your way in through the main entrance. Tapping the shoulder that belongs to one of the men, "Excuse me, I need to get to my boyfriend." Your fist sunk into the side of his face when he turned towards you. He collapsed on the ground with a few broken teeth and blood spewing out of his mouth. Moving on to the next adversary in your path, you fought with full faith in your abilities no matter how intimidating they were.

Soon, the leader and people further ahead finally took notice of it. You pave your way towards your boyfriend and eventually, both your eyes meet each other. Childe puffed out a breath of relief when he finally saw you, but also registering the fact that you just took down most of the men with your bare hands.

Kicking away the men who tried to grab you, you then waved enthusiastically at Childe, "Hey girlie, hold still." Rushing right ahead to the leader, you brought your arm near your face, elbow pointing outwards. The sharp edge from your elbow jabbed his throat, causing him to choke and lose balance.

As his reaction dulled, it was your chance to strike again. Thus, you gallantly overthrew their leader and the entire gang by yourself.

After helping Childe, he stood up abruptly and placed his hands on your shoulder with eagerness written all over the face, "I never knew you could fight so well! How about a spar with me right now?" Expect your boyfriend to continuously bug you to indulge in his rampant itch to fight anyone that comes across as a worthy opponent. Though, the real takeaway from this experience was the way your hair clings to your face with sweat as the adhesive and the triumph look in your eyes. It was a rather attractive sight to relish in his taste.

DILUC

Your boyfriend would be infuriated that crooked people like these exist, much less target him to extort money from you. Just another validation to add up on how incompetent the Knights of Favonious is, he thought. Someone will have to clean up their mess, that someone being him. What better way to do that than to follow them to their hideout to seek out the whole organization?

Diluc is renowned for being one of the richest men in Teyvat. Naturally, the group thought they hit the jackpot on not only holding him for ransom, but potentially garnering some money from him as well.

The only concern he carries is your wellbeing. Diluc fears that this incident will affect you mentally. His head started filling up with formulations on ways to resolve this matter without causing any uproar to guarantee your safety.

When the head was introduced to him, he gritted his teeth to suppress every ounce of his might to not reach for his claymore. Diluc still has to prioritize gathering information first regarding the gang. His patrons at Angel's Share are usually the ones providing him with promising intel of any evildoers, but some things are just meant to be obtained by himself.

"Is this the only hideout you have? Quite in a shambles, don't you think?" Diluc's eyes shifted around the dilapidated building, observing the surroundings to know his enemies better.

The leader rolled his eyes, "It wouldn't be so bad once we get some funding from you and your girlfriend." Diluc hummed. Judging from his answer, it is safe to assume that the organization is rather a small scaling one. Defeating them right now will result in uprooting the source once and for all.

As Diluc was about to do so, a lackey of the gang ran frantically towards them, panting labored when he reached and trying to catch his breath. "What is it?" The leader question.

"T-there's... there's someone." He pointed towards a direction with fear layering his voice.

"What? Why are you so scared?" They all glanced towards the spot.

"I swear there was a woman! I don't know who it is, but she took out some of our guys on guard outside."

In disbelief that a woman could have done anything so reckless, the leader trudged to said location. As it is a spot lacking light, the darkness and shadow made it challenging for him to pinpoint if anyone is there. When he moved closer, you crept out behind from his blind spot and kicked the back of his head, causing his head to spin. Your arm lunged forward, gaining a tight hold onto his nape. You put everything into pushing him, his forehead hammered down to the floor. Creating a loud thud, it gave him a concussion.

"Looking for me?" Your foot stamped onto his back, just making sure he stays down.

Everyone, including your boyfriend, had their pupils dilated at the scene. You sighed at the silence, "All of you just messed with the wrong couple." Lifting your foot away, you stomped forward without giving them a second thought. Your arms and legs are all warmed up for many rounds against your foes.

Diluc watched you from afar as you drove your way towards victory. Although he could step in to help, he admits silently to himself that he would like to observe you a little longer. Putting his trust in your calibers to carry you far, his eyes never left your brave figure.

Once you cleared the group, the next thing to do is checking on Diluc. Already unfastening the restrains himself, he walked to you, "That was well executed. Your abilities shouldn't be underestimated. Don't join the Knights though." He stressed the last remark, scoffing. You chuckled and held his hand to guide him out of here, "Thanks. Glad to impress you, Master Diluc. Let's go home."

KAZUHA

Your boyfriend is a rather hard target to impose on for their plans of kidnapping him. His senses are just too refined for an ordinary person to challenge. Basic tactics, such as overthrowing him with the element of surprise have proven to be futile. Thus, Kazuha will always be able to evade falling prey into their hands.

The only way Kazuha could have been kidnapped is through falsifying evidence of you being in a life-threatening situation. Although he has successfully saved his own skin, not the same could be applied to you. Feeling his resolve shaken, what other choices could he have? Prioritizing your safety is the most important thing right now.

Kazuha may have faced similar situations in the past when out in the sea, encountering pirates of other crew aiming for the Crux Fleet's fortune. Being in the position as a captive for ransom is new. He actually found it amusing, rather than having thoughts of blaming you. It is not your fault that you are blessed with wealth. It is the fault of the criminals.

"Ain't you that the kid who's with Beidou? You're part of her crew." The leader questioned his target, to which he was greeted by Kazuha's silence. "Tell you what. You're just like the rest of us. We want to be rich. How about you ask your girlfriend to bring some more money and we'll give you a share as well?"

Kazuha's face darkened, "I don't know what you've heard, but it must be really valiant of you to assume to worst out of the Crux Fleet and myself. I'd appreciate it if you cease lumping me together with criminals like you."

The Crux Fleet does put up with an infamous reputation amongst the Qixing. Perhaps the abductors concluded that Kazuha has a negative conscience just like them, as in upholding a relationship with you to have a taste of your assets. Still, if he tried to talk his way out of it, barbarians like them will never reach a mutual understanding with him. Kazuha shut his eyes, ignoring any further confrontations to preserve his energy as he contemplates a plan.

He was interrupted when he thought he heard your voice nearby, carried by the wind. The others around him did not hear it since it was just something only Kazuha could pick up. Applying full concentration, he managed to form what he heard, "Get out of my way, please, while I'm asking nicely."

Opening his eyes, he turned to stare at the entrance. As if on cue, the door swung open when you kicked it down, announcing your presence. Some men fainted below your feet.

The others instantly reacted by storming towards your direction to stop your advancement. You stood still in your position, taking a mindful deep breath. One thing you learned from Kazuha is to always remain cold-headed before engaging in a fight.

Kazuha wanted to get out of the restraints to rescue you, but instead, you started dishing out few moves against the men.

When you thought you finished with the remaining numbers, their leader was about to declare his victory, "I got you!" Encircling his arm around your neck in an attempt to strangle you, you huffed and grinned towards Kazuha to signal him you have it under control.

You elbowed his stomach and felt him loosen his grip when he winced. Making enough gap between his arm and your neck, you slipped away and swiftly kicked in between his groins. The color drained from his face and tumbled to the ground, passing out in pain, "Hmph, this is what happens when you touch a lady without her permission." You brushed away the hair from your face after an arduous fight.

Jogging towards your boyfriend, "Kazuha!" He brisked towards you as well and held you in his embrace, softly rubbed your nape, "You're giving me plenty of inspirations for a haiku after such a wonderful performance." Kazuha would appreciate you refraining from such a heedless approach next time. He was comforted to see you safe and knowing the threats were nothing more than to use you, his weakness, against him. After witnessing that, Kazuha will be slightly ashamed he even doubted you in the first place, so he trusts that you can watch out for yourself next time.

[skyprowler]

If I had any talent (or patience) I would like to write a Silmarillion AU where Fëanor  does also end up stealing a boat but with the little difference that:

a. he is still a very teenage Fëanor  and

b. it is just one boat - which he has no idea how to steer

In a fit of rage he decides to run away, since no one wants him anyway, everyone prefers his brother, and a boat seems a good option because what have the so called blessed lands of the blessed Valar ever done for him! I mean, which child or teenager has never seriously considered running away? He would have probably reneged on his attempt (as most of us do) but by the time he was clear headed enough, he was already on a boat he had only theoretical knowledge of how to navigate with a brewing storm and a rapidly vanishing shoreline at his back - even if he would never acknowledge it publicly he knew at that point that he had fucked up. The only positive (maybe?) thing about the whole situation being that his fellow apprentice and daughter of his master Nerdanel ended up in said boat with him - trying to stop him of course. If it had been anyone else Fëanor  would have been quick to blame them for “distracting him with their arguing” and therefore being responsible for the boat coming off course but Nerdanel was the only person next to Mathan himself he would not dare to accuse of this. By some luck or divine providence (or divine spite? or Ulmo just not noticing?) they end up being washed all the way back to Middle Earth where they meet distant kin, new challenges, adventures and tragedies.  

Finwë is inconsolable of course and searches far and wide but he just cannot find his firstborn. Even the Valar do not give him a clear answer to where his son might be found (they themselves are frantic because their sight of Middle Earth is shadowed at this point in time, no one wants to tell Finwë that this, according to Ulmo, is most likely where his missing progeny ended up, and Mandos is frothing at the mouth and not responsive due to destiny currently being a mess of constantly rearranging parts in his brain).

While Fëanor ’s half-siblings do share in their father’s grief they are understandably not as destroyed by this event as their father. As time passes wounds both on this and the other side of the sea start to mend because they are not currently being kept open by proximity. And encountering other elves who know the grief of the death of a parent and seeing how they handle it even the haughty eldest son of  Finwë starts to both understand his own feelings and why his stance towards his father’s decision and siblings’ existence might have to be reconsidered (slightly! At most!), if only that he himself might find peace (his firstborn will still be  Nelyafinwë, reconsidering spite should never go too far). In the depths of my brain, where it will most likely stay, this tale would further include: survival and bickering in Middle Earth, a great deal of inventions (some the same as in the Silmarillion, some new due to circumstance),  Fëanor and Nerdanel slowly falling in love and deciding that being king or queen is vastly overrated, somehow still ending up with their own realm (probably the equivalent of a very very large and well defended university with more holdings) and Fëanor  gets to meet dwarves. More random would be our dearest pyromaniac being astonished how people DARE to call him an arrogant prick! Nerdanel delighting in her friend finally being utterly bad at something (he never ever learns to steer a ship) and Melian wondering if this was actually revenge for not telling her brethren where she went for a few hundred years. Finally, after Melkor’s release he spreads rumours that it was Indis’ faction who got rid of the crown prince and as a results her children vow to find their brother and proof him wrong. This starts a whole new set of issues (which thankfully include grudgingly lent but not stolen ships) but at the end stands a surprisingly successful family reunion. However, Fëanor and his family  refuse to return to Valinor thereby cementing the Noldorin presence in Middle Earth. (”The only happiness I ever found in Valinor, father, was your love and joy, my wife and my craft. My wife and craft have come with me to these shores and much more happiness then I had ever hoped for has sprung from the lands that others had proclaimed unworthy. Long ago I could not understand your decision to remarry, but now, after all this time I find my views much changed. As you once chose happiness, partnership and a future that seemed worth living, knowing that it would hurt one you love yet not diminishing that love, I, too, have now come to make the same decision. And as I now know and understand your choice, I hope you too will understand the decision I made to not return to Valinor, even though I love you and do not want to cause you grief” - yo, or something along those lines. I have no idea.). Would I ever get to it, it would be very very self-indulgent, with a happy (or at least bitter-sweet) ending for everyone and Beleriand not vanishing under tons of water. But, yeah. I have no patience or talent. So, this is probably all I will ever write down regarding this matter.