#the last one their smiiiiiles!!

[chuckaf]

“Agent Walker, despite your heroism, you have directly disobeyed several orders.” “Wait, General. Isn’t the most important part of being my handler making sure that I stay alive?”

[sixeyesgojo]

Pictures of You

Summary: prequel to I’ll Be Your Enemy - fluffy!

Characters: IBYE!Reader, Gojo, Yuji, Megumi, Nobara

Word count: 2,3k

Content warning: none

A/N: requested by @thecaptainsbride

If anybody got the reference Gojo made when he was late; congratulations, you have been successfully hurt (but this time it was not me).

Since I left the relationship between Gojo and the reader up for interpretation in IBYE, I will do the same here! Consider this piece me trying to mend your hearts <3

Taglist applications open for anyone who is interested!

“A trip to an amusement park or something like that doesn’t sound so bad,” you mused in front of Satoru. “It serves as relaxation and maybe the first-years can get closer to each other, you know, bonding and so on. They will see each other many times from now on, so getting along with each other is important,” you reasoned, your eyes almost sparkling from the thought of a day off.

“But Jujutsu Sorcery is an individual–” he began.

“Satoru, I think you should see this as vacation. A vacation where you can eat sweets until your teeth rot and absolutely nobody will hold you back,” you interrupted him.

“Okay, I am sold. Am listening now.” You just knew how to convince him. Sweets.

So that was exactly how the first-year students and you ended up at a fairground somewhere in Tokyo; it was quite neat, not too small but not too spacious either. None of you could get lost in it. Still, it was buzzing with life and all kinds of people mingled. The colorfulness was a refreshing sight to take in, compared to the dark world of Jujutsu Sorcery where seeing people suffer was your daily routine. The pleasant smell of food wafted through the air, making your mouth water, as you walked past the different booths with them. Waffles sounded like absolute heaven on earth right now.

Jujutsu Sorcery certainly was a draining sport, mentally as well as physically. Therefore it was only right to take a break at times, right? Self-care days were just as important as working.

In order to wind down a bit, you had suggested a one-day trip – just you, Satoru and the three first-year students you had adopted in your mind right away after meeting them several times.

“Sensei, you look very pretty today!” Yuji complimented you. Even Megumi noticed: “Did you have a haircut? Your hair seems a little bit shorter.”

“Yeah, Nobara had a field day with me. Cutting my hair.. or more like trimming the ends, choosing my outfit, doing my make-up and so on just for today,” you gushed as if you were a high school girl again. “Leave it to master stylist Kugisaki Nobara and nobody will ever look bad,” the brunette girl commended herself. Yuji was affectionately patting her on the back.

Undoubtedly, Satoru was late – nobody was surprised about that. You already went ahead and generously treated the trio of students you loved dearly to some food.

“Thank you for the food, sensei!” As usual, Yuji and Nobara were in perfect harmony with each other, seemingly sharing a brain.

“Thank you very much,” Megumi also expressed his thanks sweetly. If you hadn’t known better, you would have thought the way his lips seemed to twitch was unintentional. “Absolutely no problem, kiddos. You guys enjoy it while I try to contact Gojo-sensei, yeah?” you shot them an apologetic smile, already fishing out your phone. The three of them nodded in perfect synchronization. They’re as cute as little ducklings, you thought.

You didn’t even need to bother calling.

You were about to dial Satoru’s number on your smartphone when Yuji’s voice boomed, “Oh! There he is! Gojo-sensei, we are here!!”

The boy waved at his teacher.

Satoru immediately spotted the pink-haired student and skipped over to where you all were standing. “Sorry for the wait! I’m afraid I got lost on the path of life!!”

“Nice of you to finally join us, but sadly, the fun is already over and we decided to go home. Just wanted to call you to let you know! We’ve been here since morning,” you deadpanned as the white-haired man arrived, looking Satoru dead in the eye – if they weren’t covered. “Wait, wha– Hold on, I am very sure I am not that late. MY MOCHI?” Satoru sounded frantic, facing his students who just shrugged their shoulders. “Serves you right,” Megumi stated calmly. Nobara, being the sassy girl she was, also joined in, “Losers don’t get to have fun and that’s a fact.”

It was such a wholesome and funny moment for you to see the students playing along with your prank without being told beforehand.

You broke out in laughter, not being able to contain it any longer, “You should have seen your face, dumbass! I was just joking!”

“Phew, I almost thought I had to kiss the idea of eating sweets today goodbye. What a horror that would be, my day would be OVER this instant,” the blindfolded man pouted, “so where should I buy my sweets? I’m gonna buy the entire place anyway, but where do I start? Any suggestions for Great Teacher Gojo?”

“Hold up, Satoru! We gotta take a picture together to commemorate this special day!” you suggested, bouncing up and down with enthusiasm. “I swear I just saw sensei’s eyes sparkle but I might be wrong,” Yuji remarked, looking at his dark-haired friend for confirmation.

“Sensei, if you want to take a picture, we have to take it at the right angle!” Nobara chimed in, the secret Instagram influencer in her on full display. She continued to explain, “It would come out great if Gojo-sensei took the pic, long arms privilege and so on.”

The female student almost seemed more into it than you were, it was adorable to you to see the usually bold student be this into taking pictures.

You hand the tall man your phone, but not without shooting him a “if you drop my phone, I’ll make you drop dead” look.

“Okay, ladies, now let’s get in formation,” the male teacher commanded loudly. Upon hearing that, Megumi immediately slapped his hand in his face and turned away in embarrassment. Why was this man like this?

“...Ladies?” Yuji asked, the expression on his face screaming ‘confusion’ “Gojo-sensei just referenced a Beyoncé song, Itadori,” the dark-haired boy explained in a hushed tone, turning back slightly as if he did not want to get caught.

“And it’s not just any song!” Satoru happily chimed in. “Yes, yes, the good old Formation,” you added, nodding in satisfaction. You remember how you showed him the album when it dropped.

“Can we all just ignore Gojo-sensei and take our pic?” Nobara inquired as she shoved everybody into their respective spots. “Alright, everybody, smiiiiile for the camera. Say cheese!”

Click, click, click, click.

Finally, Satoru had gotten his share of sweets. Complying with his sweet tooth was always an effective way to calm him for some time. Almost like feeding a baby, in a way.

Now it was time for fun rides!

...or at least that was what you thought… until Satoru dragged you along to ride a freaking pendulum ride with him. The three students had managed to talk themselves out of stepping foot on that monster of a ride but Satoru didn’t even give you a chance to refuse, he simply gripped your arm and walked towards it.

Stopping only when you were already standing in line, you nervously eyed the metallic behemoth with its iron arm. The monstrosity was seemingly ready to make you throw up from the way it would spin you through the air repeatedly, going back and forth and back and forth again. Why did you have to do this?

“Satoru,” you called his name timidly and tugged at his sleeve, the strange feeling not leaving your gut, “do I really, really have to do this?”

“Absolutely! I promise it will be very fun,” Satoru replied with a signature grin you wanted to wipe off of his face at that moment.

No, it was not fun. At all. You were dizzy and your fear of height was kicking. The blasts of air hitting your face left, right and center were not helping at all and you were sure, if anybody took a picture of you right now, you would look horribly green.

“I– can’t do this anymore!” you shouted mid-air, right before the ride swung to the other side. The force knocked the air out of you once again.

“SATORU, PLEASE GET US OUT OF HERE!” you begged and squeezed his arm with an iron grip. The height was too overwhelming. “Mid-ride?” Satoru asked and you nodded frantically. “Now that’s what I call reckless! Sounds like fun. I’m in!” he declared with a grin.

“Domain Expansion: Infinite Void.”

That was the last thing you heard the tall man say before he touched your head with his large palm.

Your eyes widened in horror as you realized this man used his domain this recklessly, for fun. Maybe it was a side effect of being able to use it multiple times a day.

The infinity gently wrapped itself around Satoru and you. Almost movie-like, you watched as the entire, vast universe beautifully unfolded in front of your eyes. Each star being created separately, then abruptly flashing by as a sea of stars – as if you were in a wormhole. You perceived the entire domain within a flash of a moment, yet tasted eternity in it. Everything but nothing at once.

Despite being touched by Satoru himself, the sensations weren’t without merit. If this was how it felt to be in the safe space of Satoru’s touch within his inner world of Limitless, you would rather not fathom how it felt to be the one hit by this powerful domain.

It took you some time to process things and recollect.

“When I said I wanted you to get the two of us out of that thing, I didn’t mean ‘send me to your domain’,” you scolded him.

“Well, it was convenient,” he defended himself and you could almost hear the grin on his face, “Bet you’ll hate me after this though.”

“Hating you was never really an option I’d ever consider but okay, we’ll run with it this time. Now undo your domain, please, while I am asking nicely.”

“Your wish is my command! This time at least.”

“Satoru.” A stern last warning fell from your lips.

“Yes, yes, boss. On it.”

“I thought you said it’ll be fun but I am absolutely not riding that thing ever again,” you took deep breaths to calm down as your feet securely touched the ground again. Your legs were still trembling a bit.

“And it was fun! At least for me! I like seeing you struggle – it’s so funny – and the way you clung to my arm? Adorable! You are so tiny compared to me, like a bug I could crush between my fingers!” The annoying sorcerer laughed merrily.

“Gojo fucking Satoru, the only thing that is about to be crushed here are your balls. With my leg. You are very lucky to have that damn Infinity of yours or else,” you threatened.

“Ouch, you really do know how to hurt an invincible man,” he snickered and flicked your forehead lightly.

Rejoining with the students was easy as they all saw the barrier Satoru’s domain created.

“You are lucky there was some kind of show going on down here. That barrier above would have freaked people out if they weren’t distracted,” Nobara said, looks shooting daggers at her weird teacher. Innocent and as nice as ever, Yuji pitched in as well: “Yeah, Fushiguro also tried to distract children with their wandering eyes! I think he did a good job.”

“Okay but what did he do though?” you asked curiously and looked at the boy in question.

“...Shadow puppets,” Megumi slowly admitted, looking anywhere but at the people in front of him.

“Oh? You love your foster-dad-turned-great-teacher this much to embarrass yourself out in public? That’s new!” Satoru teased the poor boy. “Someone has to be the voice of reason around here or you’d all be in jail. That includes preventing civilians who are able to see curses from seeing you use Jujutsu while floating mid-air,” he justified, ignoring the tall teacher’s mockery completely. 

“As much as I love slandering Gojo-sensei, I’d rather spend my day actually having fun,” Nobara pitched in, reminding everybody of why you were here in the first place.

“So, let’s go ride the ferris wheel!” she added excitedly.

More fun rides.

Before you knew it, the day passed by. You could already feel the heaviness in your legs from walking. The swirling feeling from all the rides boded in your chest – you probably would not be able to sleep well tonight. It was definitely worth it though, you thought.

You had already brought the students back to their dorm – Satoru had ran off to the school because he remembered he had to do something – and were on the way home yourself.

You were in some sort of trance, completely immersed in your phone, so you hadn’t registered when Satoru called your name until he gently tapped your shoulder, falling into step with you.

“Yeah?” you looked up to Satoru, snapping out of your train of thought.

“Just wanted to tell you; ‘Operation: Relaxation Day’ was a great success.”

“I’m glad to hear that, Satoru.” A genuine smile graced your lips and for a moment, he softened at the sight.

“You know what? It was amazing, I really should start listening to you more often,” he confessed with a smirk.

“Well, it’s thanks to your amazing power of persuasion that we got to spend it like this, so thanks for today,” you half-heartedly complimented him.

“You do know I only said we’d not be available today and then dashed, right?” he asked you, the usual playful tone lacing his voice. “Exactly what I meant by saying ‘your amazing power of persuasion’.”

“I think I’ll frame the picture we took,” you murmured softly, fondly looking at the screen of your phone. The picture from earlier was displayed on your homescreen.

Surely, you would hang it on the blank wall in your home as well. It was a personal treasure now.

Taglist (dm me if you wanna be added): @assbuttbaek​ @megumifushi​ @bleueluna​ @gojos-mochi​ @delammi

[twstinginthewind]

Floyd: "Heyyyyy, little clownfishie. You've got some real great curves. But the best one's your smiiiiile."

Pick up my OC with your finest lines!

It's after hours at the Mostro lounge. The last few tabletops have been wiped down, chairs neatly stacked upside-down upon them. All that's left to do is to kill the lights and lock up, but a soft song started playing over the P.A., and the last two members of the day's floor staff were in each other's arms, slow dancing by the side bar. Floyd gently eases Joker into an easy spin-and-dip, and as she's smiling up at him, he drops the line that just ran through his head.

Joker doesn't drop the smile, but her eyes go wide, and she feels her knees become a little wobbly. Floyd doesn't let her drop, but giggles as he steadies her.

She shakes her head gently. "That... wow. Slick, you're living up to that name. You really know how to flatter a gal, don't ya?"

His eyes crinkle in amusement. "If you say so." He raises her up from the dipped position carefully, and resumes dancing. Very, very close. "But I'm just saying what I see."

She buries her face in his chest, feeling his heart beating, slow and steady next to the fluttering of her own. And all she can do is nod.

[konietzko-sylvoran]

"Now it's my turn, to be the one to make you smiiiiile!"

I sang those words on stage before hundreds of people gathered around the Tournament of Ages and the main stage. What they didn't know was that I was signing those words with all my heart and soul to the one who shared that stage with me. Eromai knew, which is why he was dancing on my shoulder as I was embracing my true wish that had bonded us together forever.

Hazella and her Ephemeral Wagon had its last and final appearance at the Tournament of Ages. As sad as that fact may now be, it was a memory I'll never forget as it sparked so many more that week. That night we spent at her wagon just myself, Talthorn, Ra'hsen and Ranek was truly... ephemeral. By far my most memorable experience with the magical wonder she offers every patron who comes to her wagon. Here I sit reflecting on it now as I write this, even little Eromai is fluttering his wings happily as he dances on his little tree Talthorn and I placed in our room for our cherished moth companions both of which reflect a special bond with ourselves and our deepest wish. The ephemeral moths were special to everyone who came to her booth, not one was the same and not a single dry eye nor frown left thereafter. I still remember the three moths that flew down from her tree that grew over her wagon, well in truth only two had. The third remained hidden in the shadows of the tree branch dancing all on its own as if too shy to come down and be seen in the light of the other two presenting themselves to me. She offered me a choice to choose, asking me which potential new friend I felt the most connection with. They were all beautiful in their own way, but I was drawn to the one who found it in him to dance. Just like Talthorn, it was the free spirit and warmth of that music it heard in its own head that lead it to dance in this moment and drew my attention to it. Hazella smiled and kissed the other moths I hadn't chosen as they fluttered back to the branches of the tree to rest. But the moth I chose finally flew down to the table in a very elegant spiral as it sat beside the pendant I had offered. The amulet that Talthorn had given me that I always wear upon my chest or on my person at all times that holds the very Eromai Epolmono within it. She needed us to offer something of great personal value to us to make this ritual work, I could think of nothing more dear to me that I had in my possession. The moth stared up at me with its big eyes, it was pure white at that time with no color at all. Hazella clicked two runestones together which ignited a spark. A tiny dense seed of pure white light that levitated in the center of the enchanting table. The moth wiggled its antennae and did a spin that left me smiling at it fondly. "Alright friend! When you're ready! Hold your wish so deeply in your heart and mind that it encompasses you and flows with your very breath! When you're ready, touch the moth and speak your wish!" I took a deep breath, and for but a moment I closed my eyes. I reflected back on a moment shared the night before with Talthorn as he had whisked me away from the Tournament grounds to do some stargazing just he and I and shared a private dance with me. I reflected on what I felt in those moments, what I've felt in so many moments with him and the pure magic that he offered my spirit from the moment we first met.

I knew in my heart of hearts exactly what my deepest wish was, it was a wish I hadn't dare to admit nor speak of to anyone yet. A wish that I'd held since our trip to Zandalar, and every moment spent since then it was only growing louder and louder within me. I reached out and placed my hand along the moth's head looking it right in its big eyes as I bent down and whispered to it too softly for Talthorn or anyone watching to hear, except Hazella.

"I wish, for Talthorn to be my mate of soul, and to dance with me eternal."

Hazella smiled softly at the most sacred of wishes was made and the seed burst open into a flaring pillar of pure white light, ignited by the energy and love of my wish. The pillar of pure white light split into two braids, shimmering and spinning within each other till one touched and connected to me and then the moth, while the other funneled upward towards the stars. Both connected their light with the glimmering universe of stars within the amulet. The moth transmuted into a flare of silver shine, its wings lengthening just a bit and its color deepening into a cerulean ocean body that shimmered with all the hues of the sea under starlight. Its wings deep in silver iridescence and the pattern of constellations like those that were seen within the amulet itself imprinted into the moth. Hazella nodded and the flare of released energy died down. The moth slowly spread its wings and turned about before looking to me glowing like the brightest star in the night skies. "And what would you like to name them?" I reached down to offer my hands to the moth, waiting till it stepped into my palms and continued to slowly show off and dance within them as it stared up at me. "Eromai, forever the brightest star in my sky." Hazella favored the moth with a loving smile as the little being spun and danced again and again in Kon's palms till he placed it onto his shoulder, showing off the constellation on its body and in its wings proudly. "Eromai will always be with you as a source of love, light and hope!" To this day, he still is. Just as my true Eromai is as we walk hand in hand and continue to write our names across the stars. Eromai the moth was with us as was Talthorn's Amatae or 'Beauty in Love' as we danced that first night away at the Cast Company's dace. They were both with us at the Wonderlight Ball as well, dancing along the tree limb I wore upon my back as Talthorn and I shared our dance with dear friends and members of the Tarts and Runaway Theater who came to enjoy that night with us. No matter the festival, no matter the occasion, Talthorn and I need no excuse to dance. He is already my mate of soul though I've yet to make it official but perhaps one day that story too will come to light. Till then we continue to tread a measure through time and share our light with friends who seek our warmth. And each time we share our dances there is always a little moth somewhere dancing on my shoulder or in our tree at home emanating that constellation proudly as proof of my wish of heart, spirit and soul echoing my wish back to me and reminding me of the brightness I strive for.

@daily-writing-challenge Mentions in writing and in photos: @talthorn-sylvoran @sabbactroll @sharpen-jadescythe @ranekvilmas @bread-elf @sirensdxn @succulent-tart @thecastcompany Runaway Theater Troupe, Cam, Hazella Artwork at the top done by @clayscence ♥

[what-a-messsss]

2x2 rewatch

Eeeeehehehehe, why the fuck am I laughing this hard when I realized it was the roadkill compost episode?  That is not in the least funny, it’s actually pretty gross, but I’m literally paused 3 seconds in chortling to myself so hard that I’m having to wipe away tears.  ...I think the stress is getting to me.  Anyway, back to fictional Wyoming!

It’s actually a pretty genius business model, to be honest.  Taking a sadly repeating resource and using it to enrich the soil?  Tough work, no doubt, physically and mentally, but a smart and very niche thing.  I hadn’t thought about the fact that cleaning up roadkill would have been part of Walt’s job as a deputy.  Lucian said in S6, in his fantastically circuitous way, that it had been 10 years since he and Walt had worked together (if I remember correctly).  Which... wait, is that right?  Had Walt really only been sheriff for 4 years when the show started?  Which is a single term, before Branch ran against him.  I think I’d had the impression that he’d been sheriff for longer than that.  Or is my math just super borked?  (A very real possibility.)  Who were Walt’s deputies before these three?  Branch has  probably been a deputy for a while, Vic was hired a few months before the show and it isn’t clear for Ferg but it’s implied at least a chunk longer.  So who were his deputies for the rest of those 4 years?  (Aaaaaand this is how I grow OCs.  Shit.)

She names the roadkill?  Eeeeeh...

Branch, you douchecanoe.  You are very clearly not welcome in her home anymore; the fact that she hasn’t moved the spare key isn’t a fucking invitation to break in and invade her privacy, oh my gods I hate you so much.  This is predatory behavior.  You need to either go through official channels with the department to do a wellness check or FUCK RIGHT OFF into the deepest reaches of hell.  Excellent plan, fucking off.

Henry,  I adore you beyond measure.  “Thanks-taking.”  Vic... Seriously?  “God, you people really hold a grudge.”  Somehow, I think they’re kind of entitled to, what with all of the wars, genocide, stolen land, racism, broken treaties, and the like.  Get bent.

Genuinely, Henry’s dry as anything sass is quite possibly the best thing about the whole show.  We didn’t get nearly enough of it during the later seasons.  And his little smiiiiile at having made Walt chuckle, oh my heart.

The “Hands up!”  O.o  “Hands down!” little comedy gag is totally sold by KS’s face, haaaa.  And Ferg’s bafflement, but collected response to those truckers thinking he was a rentboy was solid.

I kind of have to applaud that sex worker’s gumption to just try to take off in the truck.  Not the best thought out plan, to be sure, but gutsy.

Ok, Branch has just had a line establishing that they’re not in Absaroka, and then Vic and Ferg look annoyed/confused when Walt tells them to cut the sex workers and customers loose, but then Branch finishes with, “Absaroka County wishes you all a fine evening... at home.”  So are they in Absaroka, or not??

Kudos to Walt saying, “Which will allow you to get out of here.  If that’s what you want.”  Not falling completely into the savior complex bs is good, and acknowledging that she is an adult who can make her own decisions, even if they’re ones he would wish she wouldn’t is good.  ........If only he could extend that same courtesy to his own daughter.  

Branch, wtf.  It’s a felony to even have burglar’s tools.  Legit, it’s a felony punishable with up to 3 years in prison or up to $3k, or both.  Unlawful entry is 10 years and/or $10k, and I’m pretttttyyyyyy fucking sure you don’t have a warrant to be in Cady’s house.  FUCK OFF.  You giant douchecanoe.  (Min and I also have a headcanon that the random coloured empty frames are Branch’s fault, because they don’t really go with any of the rest of the decor, and we hate them.  So we decided that when he saw the Andy Warhol style print she had that he got those for her and she just never got around to taking them down after they broke up.)  And isn’t tampering with someone’s mail a federal offence?  You are the worst.

Aaaand then Walt calls the Collettes showing Ross Lanten’s wife video of him with prostitutes “interfering in his marriage.”  Okaaaay.  Because helping get a woman and kids out of what has several hallmarks of an abusive marriage is “interfering,” I guess.  Not the happiest about that word choice, I’m not gonna lie.

Aaaaaand then Whitish is super racist, and I hate her.  Henry handles it with grace, but fuck, I cannot imagine how wearying that must be.  And Branch makes obnoxious and offensive assumptions (playing to his strengths, natch), and Henry once again demonstrates how he is also the Actual Best.

Nobody has heard from Cady recently, but the tiny little hesitation Henry has before he confirms that he hasn’t heard from her either is so good.  LDP is so good.  Just from that, it reinforces how much that bothers him, and that he’s worried, but also that he really doesn’t want to talk to Branch about any of it.

“If you do, will you let me know?”  “I most certainly will not.”  Such a classy way to basically tell Branch to fuck off and get wrecked.  

A lady threatening Henry with a knife and I should not be focusing on how great he looks in a vest, but heeeeere we are.  (I do love that brown vest.)  And even after she is drunk and rude and racist and threatens him, Henry’s look when she says that she knew the dead man still has concern and compassion in it.  Waaaaaah.

Do I remember what Walt did to his hand?  Was that something from this episode that I’m not remembering right now, or are they actually having some intra-episode continuity and that bandage is him still recovering from the start of frostbite?  [Dang it, my Xbox controller just pooped out.  Now I have to go swap it out for the other one and stick this one in the charging dock.  But I’m so cozy in bed with my jar o’ tea and everythinggggg.  Boo.]  ...  [It has been long enough since I wrote that last bit that my Xbox has shut itself down twice in the interim.  Oops.  I’m super great at focusing.]

Fuck, that “I was some place I shouldn’ta been” hits hard.  This whole seen in rough.

Aaaahaha, why is the fact that Ferg is also standing there looking at Walt when he wakes up so much funnier than if it had just been Vic?  And his little grin.  And Ruby with a mug of his toothbrush and such for Walt!  Rubyyyyy!  (Holy shit, the fact that they have this little set up is alarmingly adorable, and I heckin’ adore Ruby.)  And then she sasses Branch, and I just want nice things for her.  

Walt’s “If you want,” to Ferg came off to me more like, ‘waste your time if you want to,’ (though that could well be my own issues projected” but I’m proud of Ferg for running with it.  And I do appreciate Walt calling the sex worker a lady.

Of course, he pulls Henry into his bs, getting him to solicit a sex worker.  Why does Henry put up with him?  I’m sorryyyy, but the pointing is so awkward and I cringe so hard, but what else is he going to do, I guess?  And how does he recognize her anyway?  Did Walt take a picture of her before letting her go, or something?  It doesn’t seem like he even got her name, to pull up a picture from a rap sheet, sooo...  Why am I even worrying about it?  And at least Walt doesn’t think that it’s not rape just if it’s a sex worker.

The flashback scene sure hits hard, too.  Damn.  I’m trying to remember the last time I saw anybody other than Vic actually pull on a glove in consideration of fingerprints.  I think there might have been one time or something, but nothing comes readily to mind.

For all that I rag on Walt for just collecting his assumptions and taking them to the bank, there is heavy irony with him now laying out the reasons he’s not arresting Whitish, because there is reasonable doubt in the form of the Collettes.  

Ooooooope, and then Branch brings up Cady.  I sure this can only go really well.  Aaaaaaaaand of course Walt has one of his Longmire Epiphanies and just walks off in the middle of the conversation, such as it was.

Does a college registrar’s really have your birth certificate on file?  I’m pretty sure I didn’t have to submit a copy to mine, but I also don’t really remember?  But that seems weird.

Ah, the bandage was about the frostbite.  I appreciate the continuity.  

Hmmmmmm, Cady leaving her phone at home when she drove to CO seems unlikely.  It seems unlikely as a generality for her generation, and on practical levels (directions to the precinct and such?), and just... That’s pretty hard to buy.  If I don’t want to talk to somebody, or even a bunch of people, I’d ignore calls or even block numbers, but her not taking her phone gives the impression that there is literally nobody that she would want to talk to, and that plays into this really weird bit of characterization void that the writers fell into of Cady just not knowing any single person other than her dad, Henry, Ruby, Branch, and Ferg, and I guess Vic.  As if she just doesn’t exist outside of her relation to one of them.  She doesn’t want to talk to any of the 6 of them, so there is not a single other person on the planet who she would want to be able to talk to/have them contact her?  There’s not a single other person on the planet that she knows who if they called and said, “I have an emergency, can you talk/help?” that she wouldn’t want to be available for?  Bullshit.  The entire rest of the series when she’s onscreen is showing how much she cares.  She’s a fucking Hufflepuff, and she’s not going to leave her damn phone at home while she drives 6 hours away into another damn state.  If you so desperately need to that she’s not even seeing his call, have her leave it in her car when she goes into the Denver station.  Like, unless she has a second phone that she did take, I’m not buying it.  Even as an attempt at “she’s so caught up in her mother’s murder now, oooo, Longmire tantrum and singular focus’ characterization.  Just, boo.

[amwritingmeta]

15x08: The Family Thing

I don’t think I have a least favourite scene of the midseason finale, because it was so gorgeously structured, so instead let’s focus on all the good and the exchange between Sam and Dean is definitely top five goodness. Hot. Damn.

Not only because of what it means for the codependency, laying the bones bare, as it were, or what it says about Sam and Dean’s individual arcs, but there’s the Dean and Cas of it all to contend with as well. 

Oh, yeah. I mean, there’s really no way around Sam and Eileen being used as an effective mirror for Dean and Cas. Either Sam and Eileen are underlining what’s missing between Dean and Cas (like when Eileen was a literal ghost and she couldn’t touch Sam) (visual narrative subtext much?) (in an episode where Cas was literally ghosting Sam and it was purely because of Dean’s actions) (actions that all began in Dean stating “You’re dead to me”) (yah), or Sam and Eileen act as a highlighter for what a balanced relationship should look like, as in this episode, for very obvious reasons. You know, because right now Dean and Cas need fixing. *the mind delights*

So, my loves. Spades out. Dig-a-dig-dig.

We start with Dean -->

--> and I love how he’s clearly had this on his mind for some time and he’s like “Is this the right moment?” and he just goes for it, knowing that it’s a little awkward for him to bring it up, knowing that Sam will most likely deflect, but needing to have it said, because he wants Sam to know that it’s okay, and more importantly, that he’ll be okay. 

He’ll be okay without Sam there. Protect Sammy isn’t the begin all, end all anymore. Sam being happy, truly happy, in himself, is taking precedence and, through that, Dean being happy, truly happy, in himself comes chugging along like a glorious reward for Dean growing out of old patterns and embracing new ones. *so fucking pretty*

This has been coming since 13x20 and their final exchange in that episode, where Dean not only stated that he’s never really cared about himself or felt he matters, but where he refused to apologise for worrying about Sam or for protecting him, and all that speech did was end in Sam saying he didn’t take very kindly to be treated as a kid, demanded not to be kept in the dark (because oh does Sam know what it means to be overprotected by his loved ones), and insisted that they do what they do together and if they die, they’ll do that together too. 

And that, finally, made it all sink in, properly, and Dean realised that all his protecting Sam had made Sam as protective of him. Sam had grown up in Dean’s image, following Dean’s lead, and adopting Dean’s self-destructive tendencies without pause because of it. 

So Dean realised then that something needed to change, but how and what? Especially when Sam has had trouble letting Dean go, because Dean has noticed and we’ve all been made as aware of it.

Like with the whole Mal’Akh box situation and Sam confronting Dean, pushing him to fight, while Dean told Sam that Sam (and Cas) would have to let him go, if there was no saving him. This was the codependency at a breaking point, just as it is now, but way back around the midseason finale of S14, Dean had no way to gently push Sam into gaining the same perspective Dean’s had for a while now, because Dean gained that perspective through realising what holding onto old patterns meant for Sam. *external influence*

Dean became painfully aware of how Protect Sammy has become the toxic ingredient that could, most likely, end up in getting Sammy killed.

And Dean saw no healthy way of highlighting this to his brother without breaking his heart, yeah? Mostly because Dean felt Sam needing him, and the old pattern was difficult to let go of when Sam clearly was still relying on that pattern in order to know his place in the world.

But now. Oh, man, now. Now here comes a healthy highlighter. *Eileen you beautiful soul you!!*

Now for Sam’s reaction to Dean’s simple recognition of “Eileen did good” -->

--> which is immediate self-consciousness and looking like he’s wondering where this is going exactly, a touch of defensiveness there right away, because this whole situation worries him and he knows what he wants, but he also knows what he thinks he shouldn’t have, and here comes Dean, most likely about to confirm that he shouldn’t have it. (hence Sam’s “Oh SHIT” face when the bunker door opened last ep and Sam thought it was Dean) (because he does not expect Dean to be okay with it) 

And then we get this gold -->

Dean: She doing okay? Sam: I guess. Dean: You guess?

So simple and yet so damn complex. 

Firstly, Dean prods oh so gently. The “She doing okay?” really being a question of how close Sam and Eileen have actually gotten: how intimate is their relationship at this point, how much does Sam care for her and how much is she letting him care, is she confiding in him, is she leaning on him, is she letting him in, is Sam taking up space, does he want to?

And Sam deflects. 

Because his reply of “I guess” is him not feeling comfortable talking about it, still unsure of where this is going exactly, and Dean calls him out on it, slightly amused by it, because he’s not stupid and he has eyes and he knows that, obviously, these two share a *cough* bond. Dean knows, yeah? But he also knows that Sam doesn’t know that Dean’s okay with it, which, again, is why this exchange is taking place. So Dean calls Sam out, deepening the prodding for an actual answer, and Sam gets properly defensive -->

Sam: If she needs something from me, she’ll tell me. We have an agreement.

Dean’s reaction to this statement is amazing, because Sam’s choice of words immediately focuses him. 

He’s a laser, yeah? He knows his brother inside and out and I would say Dean reads between the lines without even having to pause, because this is getting at the heart of what he wanted this chat to get at: how Sam and Eileen are relating themselves to each other. 

An agreement means communication, and communication about someone needing something from the other and being encouraged to ask for it, and feeling comfortable enough to promise to ask for it, means that they’re seeing eye-to-eye. That there’s caring there, for sure. And mutual caring at that. Which is why his delivery of his response is so laced with undertones, because Dean wants Sam to understand that Dean sees through this half-assed covering up of how meaningful this all actually is to Sam.

Dean: An agreement?

And Sam’s reaction face is epic-->

--> because he looks like he’s thinking oh here we go and you’re one to talk Dean like you’re gonna question me and my choices when it comes to Eileen when you and Cas aren’t even talking BUT this whole train of thought gets halted in its tracks by Dean’s next statement, yeah? Aw yes.

Because Dean looks like this -->

--> and says “That’s adorable” and Sam’s defensiveness is gone in a blink and we get the most gorgeous, wonderfully self-conscious smile of agreement that I ever did see because it is bloody adorable of them to have an “agreement” and Sam soaks it up that Dean sees all of the attached implications and is saying as much, relaxing at the fact that Dean is teasing him rather than lecturing him.

Gahhh. It’s so gorgeous!! Look at that smiiiiile!

And Dean’s enjoying seeing that expression on Sam’s face like -->

So happy for him.

*I cry you cry we all cry*

And then Dean goes serious, admitting that he was in too bad a place to talk about it, and yeah sure Chuck and Lilith and how do we fight God is all a dialogue-stated part of that, but also, obviously, there’s also Cas Cas Cas, I mean, Dean says that he didn’t want to talk to Sam about any possible romance between his brother and Eileen because he didn’t want to jinx it. 

Like he was in such a bad place it made him actually believe he’d jinx things if he acknowledged them as viable, yeah? 

Look at his... face. :/

(I remember a certain someone who once told dean that he didn’t see himself as good luck) (and this then gave dean the chance to tell him that he’d rather have him - cursed or not) (like get over this low self-worth bullshit already and realise that you are loved for who you are Dean Winchester) (because you love people for who they are so why shouldn’t they do the same for you??) (GAH!)

Anyway, now Dean’s out of that bad place of believing he’d jinx things, he’s in a better place, so now it seems finally he believes that him acknowledging a budding romance doesn’t mean him immediately bringing bad luck and wrecking that good thing. 

Actually, this better place might actually mean that Dean can see how not acknowledging it would be worse for everyone, because he’s picked up on the egg-shell-walking done by his brother around the subject. Dean’s inability to speak frankly has made Sam afraid to even think about possibly pursuing something with Eileen, yeah?

Alright, fair enough, that’s conjecture aka headcanoning, but still. And shall we say it together? 

What Beautiful Possible Exposition For Dean’s Reasons For Distancing Himself From Cas. 

Dean keeping himself away from Cas, on the deepest levels, has everything to do with fear and worry and Dean still believing that the very touch of him corrupts. Yeah? He’s moving away from that now. Hopefully 09 will be the episode where he properly crosses that threshold from constantly thinking himself unworthy, to truly feeling he deserves to have good things happen to him without the ever-present conviction he’ll lose it all.

And then Dean goes in for the very final push, the very thing I believe he’s felt needs to be said for a while now: he ties Eileen right back to trying “the family thing”, because what Dean wants is a chance to clarify that he can see how what Sam has got going with Eileen is different.

And when Sam’s first reaction to trying The Family Thing is a “Yeah, me too. That’s not for us.” it’s kinda clear that Dean needs to clarify not only that he can see the difference, but that there truly is one, because Sam is really the one who needs to hear it, and acknowledge it, and believe it. 

Sam making this statement is to let us know, and let Dean know, that yes, Sam is still holding onto the codependency. 

What’s glorious to me, from a Dean perspective, is that he agrees with Sam’s assessment of their experience of the family thing not being for them with his response: “Not really.”

It’s glorious because the family thing was so wrong for him and it’s good to have him acknowledge this properly, letting us know he’s let that thought of “When I imagine myself happy, it’s with you and the kid” go (and of course I believe he did let it go a good while ago now but to have it in dialogue!) and then we get one of several heavy-duty callbacks this episode, when Dean reminds Sam about what Sam tentatively brought up years ago, asking Dean if he never wanted to find someone, maybe not to get married and settle down, but find someone who gets the life -->

Dean: But I’m just saying, if it was to work... Eileen. You know, she gets it, she gets us, she gets the life. ...She’s hot.

It’s delightfully ironic to me that Dean is the one who swoops in with the wide-eyed observations of how Sam should open himself up to the idea of a relationship progressing with Eileen, but on the other hand it’s completely understandable to me, because Dean isn’t in denial about his feelings for Cas. 

Dean is extremely clear on his feelings for Cas, and that’s exactly why he’s staying away from him. 

It’s not that Dean doesn’t know love or can’t recognise it when it’s right in front of his face. It’s that, right now, he’s shutting it out. 

Because Good Things Don’t Last. 

And the terror at losing Cas again, and being responsible, is overshadowing everything else, or so I’d like to think. 

Losing Mary hammered this deeply rooted belief home once more: Dean can’t have good things. So all that gently building contentment Dean felt after 14x06 at having Cas around on a more permanent basis genuinely would set the alarm bells ringing, because clearly something would have to happen to shake things up, to cause more grief, to take it all away. 

Losing Mary made Dean believe, more than ever, that it’s only a matter of time before he loses Cas. Again. And he can’t go through that. Again. 

So rather inevitably, Dean’s fear of losing Cas has pushed Dean to push Cas away and it’s actually forced him to carry on without him, no matter how much it’s hurt him, Dean masking the pain with anger and defensiveness, and in a beautifully roundabout way managing to teach him the lesson of how he doesn’t actually need Cas in his life in order to be okay, but allowing him the insight of how he wants Cas in his life, because Cas brings the type of meaning to events that no one else and nothing else really does. *headcanon but still*

What’s clear to me in this exchange with Sam is that Dean has come so far in his progression that everything he’s saying to Sam he might as well be saying to himself. Truly. 

And, again, we get the Sam and Eileen as Dean and Cas mirrors because, of course, the undercurrent of this scene is tied directly to this mirroring and Dean and Cas’ inability, especially in this ep, to even look each other in the eye properly. God, there was a lot of that. *splendidness* By having Sam and Eileen stand in as the Healthy Relationship Representatives, we get an idea of exactly how far away from this Dean and Cas are currently in the narrative and, more than anything else, it plants the idea in our heads of where we should want them to end up. 

Moreover, this exchange outlines how Dean knows what makes for a healthy, balanced, equal relationship and, to me, exposes how much he wants that for himself, though he needs to cross that threshold and finally accept the truth that he deserves it, encouraging Sammy to go for that person who gets it, gets the life, the same way that Sam was trying to gently make Dean admit to wanting someone like that in S11. 

Anyway, back to the scene and Sam is still deflecting, still not quite there, no matter how self-consciously smile-y talking about Eileen might make him. Sam is afraid of letting go of the codependency, Sam still clings to old patterns, telling himself it’s because Dean needs him, that this is what’s best for “them”, when Dean, now, is gently pushing for Sam to think in terms of what’s best for himself first, and them as a team second.

Sam rubs his forehead and is about to make a protest to this idea -->

--> when Dean stops him, because there’s nothing more to discuss, is there? Dean knows. Sam knows he knows. 

Dean: All I’m saying is that you could do worse. And she could certainly do better. So much better.

Again, this feels like something Dean could just as well be saying to himself, right? And he keeps it light, but it’s still so telling. Not that he devalues Sam, because of course he’s joking about that, but if looking at that undercurrent, it’s like Dean’s lack of self-worth is unconsciously pushing him to put words to that feeling, pushing him to gain that perspective, so that he can knock it down once and for all and know that he matters, that he’s allowed to matter, that he allows himself to matter. 

And the first step -->

 Dean: I’m happy for you, Sammy.

--> is encouraging his brother to feel that way about himself. 

Because letting go of the codependent behavioural pattern between them is key, for both of them, to live long and happy lives. 

I find it lovely that Dean interrupts Sam’s second attempt at deflection, seeing through Sam’s own possible worries and concerns - brought on by fears that are so similar to Dean’s and are rooted in mistrust of himself and lack of self-worth rooted in that mistrust - to the heart of it, which is that Sam has been falling in love with Eileen pretty much since the day they met, and Dean’s not going to be the one to stand in the way of that, and he’s certainly not going to let Sam’s fears and worries, allowing for the codependency to continue, to stand in the way of it.

Dean’s final line of being happy for his brother (the use of Sammy instead of Sam is like a dagger to the heart it’s so gorgeous) turns Dean’s gentle prodding into a cattle rod, brokering no argument and rather meaning to serve as a push for Sam to make a move already. What’s he waiting for? Clearly Eileen feels the same way. Clearly.

It’s all subtle and breathtaking and so, so pretty. It makes me curious to see what we’ll get in 09, what will bring about that prayer (I honestly would love for them to end up in an argument that’s loud and full of sudden truths that they’ve kept bottled up for ten years) (without a love confession) (we could get a hundred callbacks that could lead into clarifications) (and that apology) (which the prayer is bound to be) and what the rest of this final stretch will give us. 

As always, there’s so much to find in the subtext that it creates the most amazing part of this amazing narrative. Goddamnit. I do so love this show.

[yiling]

Untamed rewatch Episode 20

Wei Wuxian is back, and would like Jiang Cheng and Lan Zhan to know that he’s completely, totally fine, and not torturing people to death to cope or something

-my mom says wen chao is really good at looking crazy lmao

-I GASPED WHEN WWX SHOWED UP WITH THE FLUTE HE’S SO HOT

-god I love this music it’s so eerie and evocative

-the way it’s shown that jiaojiao and wen chao are being tormented by the spirits of people whose deaths they were responsible for...that’s so spicy. shout out to wei wuxian and his deeply twisted, horrific, but powerful sense of justice lmao.

-the scene where lwj and jc investigate all the dead wen cultivators is nice and spooky. I love the horror aspects of this show

-my sister pointed out that when someone tells jc that a woman hanged herself inside the office, he might’ve reacted as he did because he thought it was wen qing :(

-my mom complained about Netflix not translating the seal script on the talismans but my understanding is that it’s not language, as such

-oh I forgot about jiang cheng’s conversation with wen qing here. this is gonna hurt.

-“you have saved me after all” she has more than you know, jiang cheng

-hearing her very deliberately call him sect leader jiang is such a punch in the gut, both cause it’s a reminder of the fact that this man’s whole family is dead now, and because she’s drawing attention to the political situation that means he can’t reasonably help her. I think at this time in his life, jiang cheng really might’ve done everything in his power to protect her and her family, but that’s a narrow window of time, defined by the unstable situation of sunshot, his inexperience as sect leader, and the fact that he’s lost so much. once wei wuxian comes back, I think jiang cheng steps more fully into his role as sect leader, until the idea of protecting the wens is unthinkable.

-“you can save me but you can’t save them all” fuck this hurts so bad looking forward. another way jiang cheng is shown up by his brother - wei wuxian did manage to save wen qing’s family. but it didn’t and couldn’t last, just as she predicted. 

-“he bled from all the holes of his head” is such a cool and gross thing to say lol

-okay again wen zhuliu is funnier on a rewatch. he hates this so much.

-the problem with the soundtrack here is that you sometimes can’t tell whether the flute is meant to be diegetic or not

-god the slowly ratcheting tension of wwx’s entrance... *chef’s kiss*

-when he starts playing, the background fades into the burial mounds for a few moments, and wei wuxian just smiiiiiles...fucking superb you funky little necromancer.

-love this random ghost lady we never see again

-oh boy. oh man. the first time I watched this show I spent episodes 14-19 yelling variations on HUG YOUR SIBLING GODDAMN IT, so when we got The Hug I broke. I think I may have actually cried.

-oh god, an arrangement of the lotus pier theme plays during The Hug

-just as wwx reaches up (slowly, uncertainly) to return the embrace, jiang cheng pulls away

-“how could I have been in the burial mounds? no one can survive that place” that’s as close as you’re going to get to a cry for help huh

-wei wuxian is so much...stiffer, less relaxed. his movements are more controlled, his gestures less expansive than they were pre-burial mounds. he does a little bit of the brat act when lwj talks to him but it looks artificial. he smiles earnestly when jiang cheng talks to him, but it doesn’t last long.

-“as for my temperament, I’m in control of my own mind” famous last words, my dude

-this argument is. oof.

-I’m not clear that it would’ve helped, I don’t think wwx trusted him enough, but if lwj could have just said “I care about you and I want you to be okay, I don’t think you’re in a good place” in so many words...Mm. But he would have to be a very different character. lan zhan is so defined by what he can’t say, what he doesn’t know how to say, and what he does say that gets misinterpreted because he’s expressing himself through the prism of the inflexible rules he was taught. concern on lan wangji looks too much like disapproval for poor neurotic wei wuxian to take it gracefully, and they both suffer for it!

-like, what’s happening here is that to lan zhan, wei wuxian is visibly Not Okay and is using resentful energy, which is fucked up, and jiang cheng is too thrilled over having his shixiong back to really notice. so he points out that resentful energy is really dangerous for the person who uses it, because he’s afraid for wei wuxian. and wei wuxian, on a hair trigger because he just barely survived three months of torture and sensitized to anything that even looks like disapproval by his shitty adoptive parents, interprets this as an insult - how dare you think I can’t handle this? how dare you see I can’t handle this, how dare you see that I’m suffering? and so he gets nasty and cutting, and lan zhan, who i’m absolutely sure doesn’t understand why wei wuxian is angry with him, gets angry right back. and wei wuxian says the most cruel thing he can: “this is an internal measure of yunmeng jiang, it’s none of your concern.” or, the way he’s intending it: i don’t care about your opinion and i don’t care about you. 

-and lan zhan, unable to deal with it anymore, walks out, which we know he does when he’s angry, to go turn the words over in his head. this...honestly gives me autistic lwj feels. he’s trying so, so hard to reach out to wwx when that’s a really hard thing for him to do! he has a hard time relating to people! and he gets rebuffed in a way that makes it clear he’s failed to be a friend like he was trying to be and he doesn’t even know why. (which is not just on him, wwx is Not being forthcoming) and that sure is..an experience. which i have had.

-(i’m also imagining he picked up this method of handling his anger from xichen, personally. just walk away, wangji. don’t fight, no matter how much someone hurts you, no matter how wrong it feels :’)

-lwj’s expression when he listens to them killing wen chao reminds me of the rain scene ._. 

-yanli as a medic feels kind of stereotypical but she’d be good at it

-the way yanli’s face changes when she hears wwx’s voice...i kind of haven’t liked her performance (mostly, i think, because she’s been given so little to do) but this little moment...wow

-my mom really wants to know what happened in the burial mounds! we had a conversation about dizi (wwx’s flute) vs xiao (lxc’s flute) also because. i looked it up lol. I might make a meta post since there’s some interesting details

[firedupnumbskulls]

@an-ironic-cheesecake requested Papyrus x Reader with a kiss in secrecy, and I went completely overboard!

Every year the monsters from Mount Ebott held an all night party in the centre of town to celebrate another year of freedom, the entire village would be decorated top to bottom in streamers, banners and lights, and as soon as it got dark the real party would begin.

Ever since you'd moved in you'd gone every year with Sans and Papyrus, the overly friendly skeleton brothers who always provided laughs. They'd been the first to introduce themselves and welcome you to the town, the first to offer their help whenever you might have needed it, and they gave you a very thorough guided tour, complete with all the charming bickering and puns.

Sans was funny. He was a good guy who was almost always willing to hang out and talk whenever, but was generally unreliable.

His younger brother Papyrus was unwaveringly sweet and kind, always passionate about his work, about his hobbies, and about his friends and family. He was funny, too. And tall, and charismatic and handsome.

Oh, you had it bad. Everyone knew. Sans would tease you, Alphys would give you advice, although it all seemed to be cliché tropes, Undyne more or less forced the two of you into said clichés, but you never crossed that line with him, because he never crossed it with you. You were just friends, he was one of your best friends, and everyone fell in love with a best friend at least once, right?

Yeah, that sounded a little pathetic, really.

So now here you were, at a late night party surrounded by monsters and humans singing and dancing, being twirled around by the skeleton of your affection with a mouthful of cake. Muffet made seriously good cakes.

"Is dancing really important to monsters?" You flopped down in the middle of the skeleton brothers in the grass.

"more questions about our culture?" Maybe you'd been a little too curious about everything ever since the monsters had been freed, but you weren't too ashamed of it. Monsters were seriously beautiful.

A flesh coloured, three legged monster trotted by, completely naked.

Well, most of them.

"we really don't have our own cultures or anything."

"SKELETONS ARE NAMED AFTER FONTS!"

"oh yeah. i guess that counts. i think we're just like humans though."

"Yeah, except you guys seemed to have missed the crucial step of having blood and guts and skin."

"well, it's no skin off my back." Papyrus groaned.

"SERIOUSLY?"

"aw, don't ovary-act, bro."

"SANS." Papyrus's eyeridges were glaring, but the corners of his mouth were twitching upwards.

"i'm just warming up. i've been braining all day for this."

"I heart-ly believe it took you all day to think of those less than humerus puns."

"I CAN'T STOMACH THIS!"

"you're smiiiiiling!" Sans was grinning from ear to figurative ear, and so was Papyrus.

"I AM!" And then he stormed off, still smiling, to go find a better conversation.

"shame, he usually sticks around for at least six more. go on."

"'Go on'?"

"yeah. go make your move. tell him you're head over heels for him."

"Oh no, no I couldn't do that."

"why not? you like him, he likes you."

"He does?"

"oh, did i forget to mention that before? yeah."

"Sans, how do you just forget to tell me something so important?!"

"hey, i got a lot of things going on, okay?"

"No you don't."

"yeah, i'm lying. i just totally forgot i hadn't told you. now you go smooch my brother's skull clean off his neck."

You pushed yourself up with your hands, and Sans grabbed your wrist.

"maybe don't smooch his skull off?"

"No promises."

"nice confidence."

Oh what a liar you were. There was not an INCH of confidence in you, not even by accident. Not even a smidge of radioactive confidence. Your hands shook like a frail pensioner's reaching for the last can of creamy mushroom soup. You were honestly just happy you didn't have liver spots.

Papyrus was stood by himself, watching fireworks burst. One large white dog ran past, howling up a storm, but other than that you two were completely alone in a secluded, dark place. Alone. With Papyrus. You could practically hear Sans insisting you put the moves on his little brother right this moment.

"H-hey! Hey...cool skeleton!" Your mouth ran without your brain. "Sooo... fun party, huh?"

"SURE IS!"

"Yeah. Totally." He turned back to watching the fireworks, you watched the people ahead of you. Monsters. People? Were monsters people, or monsters?

"Sans um, Sans wanted me to keep you company. Yknow. Tell you bad jokes."

"HE DOES LIKE TO ENRICH MY LIFE WITH TERRIBLE PUNS."

"Yeah! They're...humerus?"

"MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T REALLY TICKLE MY FUNNY BONE, BECAUSE HE REPEATS HIMSELF ALL THE TIME. BUT WHEN YOU DO IT IT'S FUNNY."

"Oh! Uh, thanks!" Your heart thumped when he smiled at you.

"I THINK IT'S YOUR VOICE. IT'S NICE TO LISTEN TO."

He put his hand over yours. They were like... deflated boxing gloves. Maybe very large, weird feeling mittens. You briefly looked for Sans to see that yes, he was also wearing little white mittens, and also getting twirled around by the fire monster you'd bumped into before sneaking out of the brothers' house.

"Oh! Your voice is really nice too, Papyrus!" That had been a long, awkward pause.

"It's... inspiring? I think that's the word. It makes me want to do a lot of things at once. Like... ride a bike while painting!"

He seemed very satisfied with that. His eyes were shiny and proud looking.

"I THINK YOU'RE A VERY GOOD PERSON. YOU MAKE ME WANT TO DO MY BEST EVERY DAY BECAUSE YOU'D BE HAPPY, NOT JUST BECAUSE YOU YELL. BUT I LIKE YELLING TOO! UNDYNE IS MY PERSONAL YELLER."

"I really like you, Papyrus." You edged closer.

"I REALLY LIKE YOU TOO!" He edged closer too.

And then you kissed.

Except you didn't. Because Papyrus was a skeleton and didn't have any lips to kiss back with. You were just kissing his teeth while he pulled you into his ribcage. You thought of a very funny joke to tell him after you finished slobbering all over his face.

"WOW." He looked all shiny eyed and excited.

"Yeah..." He didn't let you go, in fact he held you closer.

"YOU...YOU REALLY FEEL THAT WAY?"

"Yeah..."

"LOVE, YES? FRIENDS DON'T LICK MY MOUTH LIKE THAT. WELL, THE DOGS DO, BUT-"

"Yes, Papyrus. I love you!" You were practically bursting with energy and felt like you needed to exert some, so you tackled him over while he yelled out a "Nyeh?!"

"Papyrus..."

"Y-YES?"

"I...ulna want to be with you."

"UGH!"

[ugliecc]

WOLVERINA

Category is… Facekini Realness

“Smiiiiile, bitch.”

*

I know it’s not a facekini (let’s pretend it is), I used those boots about milion times already and it’s another look where Wolverina is showing her gorgeous legs to the world… Wait, who would complain about the last one? Definitely not me! So even if this look doesn’t fit exactly to the category and it’s really simple, it’s probably one of my favourites from all of Wolverina’s looks I have ever made.

And I don’t know if you know, but this mask (it’s from manga/anime “Tokyo Ghoul”) has zipper between “teeths”, so just imagine Wolverina is opening it and showing everyone some bloody pointy teeths. That’s her edgy style, I can’t help that xD

[blackrose-ffxiv]

Growth Spurt 11/09

Marvik Hawkewind had been at Bentbrench for a few suns now, first to help the farmers and breeders out with a particularly angered treant and apparently some child that needed aid. The padjal had welcomed the change from feeling locked up at the guild still. Now that most of his duties for today were done, all Marvik did was leaning on the railing letting his cast wander through the burroughs.

Lebeaux Desrosiers strode through the tiny village. No, it couldn’t even really be called that. Perhaps ‘outpost’ would be truer. There had been rumors of the pink haired boy being last seen in that area and Halone help him, he was going to aether tag that brat so he would stop running away. Some day. He was still waiting on Rinha’li to draw up the geometry for it. Running wasn’t going to work. The Ishgardian was worse than the most dogged of debt collectors. Heeled boots clicked firmly on wooden board walk as he approached behind Marvik. “This is the second time I have had to chase you down to remind you of your obligations.” He said firmly, his eyes darting up briefly at the strange attire on the other’s head.

Marvik, or well A-Apto as some would have called Marvik now depending who Lebeaux asked. At the Ishgardians voice did Marvik nearly jump over the railing from fright, before turning around. Looking mildly surprised, then mildly annoyed as he picked the tablet out. ( I'm sure Kuplo Kop had managed to cross all the way to Kugane and bring you your money. ) Seriously, the next time he would have Lebeaux signature something so he could not just pretend the money did not reach him at all.

Lebeaux smiiiiled as he drew closer. “With a name like ‘Kuplo’ Kop is it any surprise really that he ran off with the delivery?” He mused as he savored the hyur’s reaction. It was always fun to give Marvik a start. “You have been quiet lately, haven’t you. Hiding in your little hut… what is this.” He grabbed for one of the protrusions curling up from the Hearer’s head.

Marvik hiiiighly doubted it that the moogle had run off with the money, or even bothered doing anything but deliver it, the furry one had been actually rather enthusiastic to go all the way across the ocean to visit Kugane. ( Or maybe one of those, what are they called again, yakuza cutthroats tried to steal the money of you instead. ) Marvik meanwhile did not enjoy getting always a start from the elezen, he liked it even less when he grabbed one of the horns and in return gave his head a yank.

“Ohoo, it’s attached.” Lebeaux noted, seeming to be incredibly amused by that. “I thought perhaps you were one of those sorts who celebrates All Saints’ Wake far beyond the appropriate time frame yet it seems you’ve had something of a growth since we last met. A shame it wasn’t a growth spurt.” He teased as he gave the horns another yank before he pushed the Hearer away by them.

Marvik gave nothing short of an angry snarl by then, maybe pushing a padjal out in the shroud was not a wise decision considering that the leaves of the burroughs above started to rustle something fierce. ( Your money is probably on your desk by now, what else do you want. ) Because Lebeaux probably hardly only came by to collect money only or just to annoy him. Actually, Marvik scratched that thought. The insufferable elezen would actually do that. Hand going through pink locks to check that the yank and push had not opened up a recent injury around the skin where the horns protruded. ( If you're here just to annoy me then I'm sure the local Wailers will gladly give you something else to amuse you with. )

“Hmm, perhaps. I was passing through Gridania and suspected that I should drop in on you.” Rather literally, as it turned out. Arms folded across his chest and a finger tapped thoughtfully just at the side of his full mouth. “What caused it then. A physical manifestation of what an irksome little demon you are, I presume.”

Really, well that was awfully kind of Lebeaux if not extremely unwelcome of him to do so. Marvik’s gaze wandering briefly from the elezen to the wailer near them. ( What does it matter to you what it caused. As you can see it doesn't has any negative effect on me so your money source is secure. ) The least thing the ishgardian needed to know is that the hearer had a rank upgrade, so to speak.

Lebeaux smiiiiiled at that. “You still owe me a considerable sum of money.” He reminded the Hearer. “The sort of sum that isn’t easily gathered up, especially not if you’re working as a dog for a guild and then drinking all of that pay away at expensive hosts clubs.” He teased with a quirk of a dark brow. “I am always on the lookout for you to repay me in other ways. Since you’re not much of a lay, that option is out. But your irritating aether use can be valuable, at times. Therefore, I will need to know to make the best use of you.”

There was a short glower at the 'lay' part, though the padjal managed to reign his face back to neutral rather fast. ( What I do in my free time, while still giving you the sum, is up to me. Or what my pay and position is. ) at the mention of aether did he however look Lebeaux over, now with an even more almost ridiculous heightened sense could he tell that there was something far more irritating coming off from the elezen. ( My aether is fine. )

Lebeaux tilted his head thoughtfully. “Then you’re cured of your aether sensitivities somehow? If I were to cast a restorative spell on you, it wouldn’t make you drop to the ground in pain and sickness. My my, what /have/ you been up to in my absence.”

( Well yes, though I'd still prefer it if you would not do that. ) Because even still did the mans body prefer to either heal itself or only get an almost superficial fix then anything then an actual restorative spell. ( Recovering, as you can  clearly see. )

Lebeaux lifted his shoulder in a small shrug. “Very well, then.” He noted calmly. “Then you are all recovered, in better control of your aether and able to be put to work again. I shall see what needs doing.” He tilted his head in a mock bow and turned on his heel to depart.

Marvik couldn't help the sneer at the mock bow. Lebeaux sure had a way to truly and always grate his nerves. ( I will await the next catastrophe then. ) And don't let the treants hit you on your way out. Because Marvik certainly was sure that something had not appreciated Lebeauxs yanking on one of their chosen horns.

Lebeaux ifted a hand in a small way as he departed. “Good day, Marvik.” He called out cheerfully, not bothering to look back over his shoulder to check the response.

@theforestsquiet

[sagcfire-blog]

Gently hangs a globe from one of Ignis' ears before raising his camera for a pic. Prompto himself is wearing a pair of reindeer antlers. "Smiiiiile~"

   as much as he would like to smile, the expression ignis follows with is a raised eyebrow, as if to ask the blond ‘really?’. a moment passes and he moves a hand up to check the globe that had been hanged from his ear, unable to help the small chuckle that follows suit.

      “last i have checked, i do not resemble a christmas tree.”

[everyonesomething]

Session Five

Sydney Gaydos CATCHES that glass in one piece.

Malkas wilts in relief, "Oh my god."

Malkas: "Good work, Syd."

Grim is warming to this enormous competent lizard

Edith Runekill: "Haha I thought we'd just destroyed a priceless work of art, hahaha, and it all would have been our fault, hahaha, oh god"

In this session, we're off to see a crypt about a dragon

The set-up: The gang has been charged with scoping out the nearby Lizard Town crypt for any signs of lich or dragon or dragon lich.

The Game: We roll up on the crypt and check it out. The outside of the building is covered in claw marks, but Edith assures us they're too small to be from a horrible giant dragon. There's also the distinct smell of the undead, which our faithful paladin Sydney confirms—two or three undead, hardly the unstoppable army we were afraid of.

The gang enters the tomb, the first room is a type of mausoleum complete with small trinkets as offerings to the deceased. Edith and Mal give us some insight on what being an archaeologist in modern Faerun is all about.

Edith Runekill: "These offerings must all be from before the dragon moved in," says Edith, "and then they stopped. That's really sad."

Malkas: "Might be good to come back and do some rubbings, hm?"

Edith Runekill: "Later, though. Don't want to end up like poor ol' Lariel Quickbow."

Malkas picks up a tiny jeweled lizard statue off the top of a tomb. "Fools gold and glass... Smart."

Malkas replaces the little statue. "What happened to Lariel?"

Edith Runekill: "Oh, you didn't hear about Lariel? Went into a tomb, saw some incredible runic inscriptions, and was so busy making rubbings that she didn't notice the pit trap at the end of the wall."

Edith Runekill: "Her funeral was a bit before I came to the city, but I hear it was a beautiful service."

Malkas: "Hm..."

Edith Runekill: "Closed casket."

Malkas: "No foolin'."

Edith Runekill sniffs. "Guess my ancestors woulda been the ones who built that crypt and set that trap centuries ago. It was far enough north. Huh."

Going by the location, artifacts, and other assorted clues, Edith figures the gang is in the ruins of Vishkas—fabled last resting place of a highly sought-after relic called the Mourning Egg.

Then a couple of ghasts fall down from the ceiling, one landing on top of Sydney. The gang makes short work of some of the ghasts, they get a couple good whacks in on the group. And Grim manages to shoot Sydney in the arm. Sydney's not having the best of luck this time around.

Sydney Gaydos is SHOT

Grim: "Sunnuvabitch. Sorry scales."

Sydney Gaydos: "Gaydos is a big target it's okay!"

She takes it in stride and then pastes the final ghast. Victory! In celebration, Mal and Edith go back to talking about work.

Malkas nods, relieved. "So... The Mourning Egg, huh? You really think so?"

Grim oh my god they're still talking

Edith Runekill: "Coins are pretty common, just typical gold pieces from the 15th century," she says, looking at the mess on the ground.

Edith Runekill: "I mean. I can't read Draconic, so the inscriptions are a bit of a mystery. But this place has Vishkas written all over it."

"Figuratively written all over it."

Grim it's about to have your guts written all over it lady

The door to the next chamber is too heavy for us to open, but we scope around and Grim and Edith find a ledge above it. It has a stained glass panel separating it from the chamber on the other side. Loath to damage any historical artifacts, Mal climbs up to the ledge, ties off a rope, and lets Edith up to take a few photographs for posterity. They decide the best course of action is to pry the window out, rather than smash it.

Edith Runekill: "Wonder if we can jimmy this thing off like Grim said without breaking it."

Malkas examines the seal around it. "Are any of you ... gentle?"

Malkas looks down at Sydney, Grim and Pepper and looks skeptical.

Grim: "Seems like you got light enough fingers, boy."

Malkas: "That's a weird sentence."

Edith Runekill: "You can be gentle. When you want to."

Edith Runekill winks

Pepper: "Did one of those ghouls come back? I'm feeling sorta sick to my stomach right now."

Malkas nervously giggles at Edith and gives her a shrug.

Mal pops out the pane and it tumbles like a falling angel into Sydney's waiting arms. The gang heads through the new entrance into the chamber beyond. It's a large room, some standing water and a large hole in the far wall. Mal goes down for a closer look and finds the Ancient Black Dragon is... completely and nonthreateningly dead. Well, it had been there at least 800 years so it was probably getting on a bit.

Just as we're deciding what to do with the dragon's corpse, a shrill voice echoes through the chamber: "ITS MINE ITS MINE ITS MINE".

It's a cute little baby black dragon! Aw!

And it spits acid at us!

The fight goes about the same as previous ones do: a little stabbing, a little magic, Grim shoots Edith this time. The usual. Mal finishes off the dragon, then Millicent fixes Edith up good as new.

Malkas: "That was for trying to melt my face off you little SHIT."

Edith Runekill: "And that was for how embarrassed I was when my spell missed!"

"And THAT was for when Grim shot me!"

"oh wait"

"ive been shot"

Malkas rushes over to Edith and just grabs the little autocleric out of the air.

Malkas: "Do the thing do the thing do the thing."

Canned Cleric looks a little surprised but then lights up green and a wave of cool energy fills you all.

Edith Runekill: "ha ha wow thats my blood all over my hands"

Edith Runekill: "Egg!"

That's our Edith.

With the dragon slain, the archaeologists check out their prize and identify the Mourning Egg—it's every bit as impressive as they'd hoped. They're also quick to point out to Grim it's a draconic artifact and needs to be removed from the lizardfolk's temple. They all survey the treasure hoard left by the dragon and wyrmling.

Grim Looks Hard At The People Picking Gold Out Of This Tomb

Sydney Gaydos: "This hoard will be good for the Lizardfolk's temple repairs."

Grim nods to Sydney

Malkas slides his hand along the side of the egg and finds the clasp, "Moment of truth, Edi."

Pepper: "Hey, I think I lost this gold piece on the subway last week."

Grim L o o k s at Pepper

Pepper flicks a piece of gold in Grim's direction and smiiiiiles.

Grim stands there as it bounces off her. She is still holding her drawn sword.

Edith Runekill: "That's us!"

"We're... were in the Mourning Egg."

Pepper: "Well that's not ominous or anything."

Malkas: "Man... The Museum is gonna be maaaaad."

Edith Runekill: "Well, that's what the egg does!"

Malkas: "Yeah, yeah but they're always mad!"

Edith Runekill: "It records its history, and obviously the final step of that would be its acquisition."

Malkas: "Yeah..."

Malkas closes the egg and holds it like his firstborn child.

We head back to the cleric to tell him the good news: The monsters in the tomb are dead and there's no sign of the lich. He can make arrangements for cleaning up the crypt and the people of Lizard Town can have their sacred site restored. He offers us his gratitude.

Helia (GM): The cleric continues, [Draconic] "Please, allow us to host you a few days more, the church and the city would like to reward you for your service."

"We can have rooms prepared at the Manor Inn for you."

Sydney Gaydos waves a hand. [Draconic] "Reward for a public service? We have no need for that!" Pause. "However a place to stay anywhere would be good. Gaydos's Gumshoe Crew needs to further investigate this Lich Case, or as Gaydos now calls it: The Licase!”

Helia (GM): [Draconic] "I feel like nobody agreed to that name but very well, thank you again. Let my assistants show you to the inn."

Man, we're never gonna get any loot.

[unjest-blog]

meet the muse .

tagged by   :   honestly ? stolen!! tagging   :   literally anyone :3c

► ARE YOU SINGLE?   ❛     oohhh  ?  aren’t  you  straight  to  the  point  !  would  it  be  any  fun  if  i  told  you  ?  i’m  taken  by  my  love  for  a  mortal  god  ,  of  course  !      ❜ ► ARE YOU HAPPY?   ❛     happy  ,  you  ask  ?  ah  ,  how  can  i  be  happy  when  i’m  prisoner  to  this  hellish  body  ?  happiness  only  comes  with  freedom  ,  so  i  can  never  really  be  happy  !  oh  ,  but  right  now  ?  i  don’t  feel  awful  !      ❜ ► ARE YOU ANGRY?   ❛     why  ,  should  i  be  ?  i  can  get  angry  !      ❜ ► ARE YOUR PARENTS STILL MARRIED?   ❛     how  should  i  know  ?  why  would  i  want  to  keep  track  of  the  demons  that  brought  me  into  this  hellish  world  ?      ❜

NINE FACTS.

► BIRTH PLACE   ❛     i  was  born  into  the  circus  !  i’ll  never  know  where  exactly  ------  ooh  ,  or  maybe  i  do  ,  and  i’m  not  telling  you  !  i could  have  you  guess  !      ❜ ► HAIR COLOR   ❛     look  ,  it’s  blonde  !  but  i  can  change  it  if  i  need  to  !      ❜ ► EYE COLOR   ❛     hard  to  say  !  dos  tells  me  it’s  red  .      ❜ ► BIRTHDAY   ❛     would  you  like  to  guess  ?    ❜   ( march 31 ) ► MOOD   ❛     hmm  ..  stabby  !   ❜ ► GENDER   ❛     oh  ,  do  i  need  to  have  one  ?      ❜ ► SUMMER OR WINTER   ❛     well  ,  they’re  both  perfect  times  !  did  you  know  dos  prefers  winter  ?  but  i  personally  should  say  summer  ,  because  there  are  more  birds  !  that  is  always  good  .      ❜ ► MORNING OR AFTERNOON   ❛     time  is  nothing  more  than  an  illusion  ;  are  they  not  the  same  ?  they  are  only  separated  by  numbers  .  oh  ,  but  morning  !      ❜

EIGHT QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE.

►ARE YOU IN LOVE?   ❛     am  i  ?  do  i  feel  anything  at  all !  haaa  ,  feelings  don’t  matter  !      ❜ ► DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?   ❛     i don’t  believe  in  love  !      ❜ ► WHO ENDED YOUR LAST RELATIONSHIP?   ❛      oh  ,  oh  ,  i  know  this  one  !  he  did  ,  because  he  died  in  a  tragic  accident  !  it  was  so  unfortunate  ,  let  me  tell  you ------  oh  ?  you  don’t  want  to  hear  about  it  ?      ❜ ► HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN SOMEONE’S HEART?   ❛     do  you  mean  physically  ?  yes  .      ❜ ► ARE YOU AFRAID OF COMMITMENTS?   ❛     i’m  not  afraid  of  aaaaaanything  !      ❜ ► HAVE YOU HUGGED SOMEONE WITHIN THE LAST WEEK?   ❛     i  have  not  !  can  i  hug  you  ?  i  promise  to  be  good  !   ❜ ► HAVE YOU EVER HAD A SECRET ADMIRER?   ❛     nooooooope  !      ❜ ► HAVE YOU EVER BROKEN YOUR OWN HEART?   ❛     how  could  i  ?      ❜

SIX CHOICES.

► LOVE OR LUST   ❛     lust  !     ❜ ► LEMONADE OR ICED TEA   ❛     i’m  not  a  fan  !  where  is  the  third  option  ?  this  quiz  is  awful  .   ❜ ► CATS OR DOGS   ❛     birds  !      ❜ ► A FEW BEST FRIENDS OR MANY REGULAR FRIENDS   ❛      i  have  one  beeeeeest  friend  in  dos  !      ❜ ► WILD NIGHT OUT OR ROMANTIC NIGHT IN   ❛     who  wants  to  stay  in  when  there  is  so  much  madness  can  be  found  outside  ?      ❜ ► DAY OR NIGHT   ❛     it  doesn’t  matter  to  me  !       ❜

FOUR HAVE YOU EVERS.

► BEEN CAUGHT SNEAKING OUT   ❛     i’ve  never  been  caught  !      ❜ ► FALLEN DOWN/UP THE STAIRS   ❛      absolutely  !  i  was  trying  to  fly  .      ❜ ► WANTED SOMETHING/SOMEONE SO BADLY IT HURT?   ❛      i  want  to  be  freed  that  much  .  i  wish  for  my  escape  from  this  cage  so  badly  that  it  hurts  all  over  ------  sometimes  i  make  myself  hurt  on  purpose  because  of  my  desires  !      ❜ ► WANTED TO DISAPPEAR   ❛      hmm  ?  if  i  am  to  go  out  then  it  will  be  much  grander  .      ❜

FOUR PREFERENCES.

► SMILE OR EYES   ❛     smiiiiile  !      ❜ ► SHORTER OR TALLER   ❛     oh  !  i  like  it  when  people  are  shorter  than  i  am  !      ❜ ► INTELLIGENCE OR ATTRACTION   ❛     i  want  people  to  look  nice  ;  intelligence  does  not  matter  because  nobody  is  smarter  than  dooooos  !      ❜ ► HOOK-UP OR RELATIONSHIP   ❛     oh  ,   can  i  not  choose  both  ?      ❜

FAMILY.

► DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY GET ALONG   ❛     what  family  ?   i  don’t  like  this  quiz  .      ❜ ► WOULD YOU SAY YOU HAVE A “MESSED UP LIFE”   ❛     of  course  !      ❜ ► HAVE YOU EVER RAN AWAY FROM HOME   ❛      oh  ,  didn’t  i  tell  you  ?  i  ran  off  to  join  the  circus  !       ❜ ► HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN KICKED OUT   ❛     i  leave  before  anyone  tells  me  to  !      ❜

FRIENDS.

► DO YOU SECRETLY HATE ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS   ❛     hmmmm  ?  i  don’t  know  ,  do  i  ?      ❜ ► DO YOU CONSIDER ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS GOOD FRIENDS   ❛     dos  is  my  only  good  friend  !      ❜ ► WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND   ❛     weren’t  you  listening  ?  it’s  dos  !      ❜ ► WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU   ❛     ooooh  ,  it’s  not  me ------  dos  does  !     ❜

[blackrose-ffxiv]

A Few Changes 09/04

Lebeaux Desrosiers tilted his head and swept a hand aside to gesture towards the hallway nearby. “Shall we? I’ve made a few changes since your last visit. And I see you have as well.” He noted, glancing at the miqo’te’s slicked back hair.

Kyt'ir Gahre glanced upwards, glancing at an errant bang that simply refused to follow the rest. "Finally, someone noticed." He mumbled, sounding rather disappointed at everyone else's lack of attention. "After you. Something tells me we both have tales to regale one another with... hopefully yours are more exciting, though." Modest as ever, the Keeper strolled over.

Lebeaux =smiiiiiled. “It makes that gouge across your face more noticeable.” He explained, turning on his heel to make his way back towards his offices. “Hm, tales of woe and haircuts, it sounds just the thing to be shared over tea.” He mused as he went in first, leaving the door open behind him for the miqo’te.

Kyt'ir's expression froze, quite unsure how to process that scathing remark. "...I knew I should've brought some Antidote, with a venomous tongue like that." He quipped in response. Once he was inside, he set his pack down by the door, an audible clink of glasses rattling against one another despite his best efforts to be delicate.

Lebeaux exhaled a flat little chuckle as he led the way into the rooms and immediately settled himself into a large chair. A hand waved towards tea service nearby, complete with savory and sweet snacks. “Help yourself, if you’ve been wandering around like a pack mule you’ve likely worked up a hunger.” His icy eyes darted towards the pack. “I assure you my venom isn’t deadly in small doses. Yet, if not antidotes, have you perchance brought me a gift rattling around there in your bag. A little office-warming present?”

Kyt'ir glanced down at the pack. "Been ferrying some of my wares about. Part of the tales to regale you with. Not sure if you have any fondness for rolanberry liqueur, but if so... I can leave a bottle behind." He mused as he settled himself down onto the couch, taking up a seat near the Elezen. "Or what warding potions I have left. Something tells me you would find some sort of use for them." That saintly, knowing little smile again, interrupted only for him to take a little sip of tea.

“Oh? Sounds quaint. I’ll accept the gift, though in the future do bear in mind I prefer brandy.” Lebeaux suggested, smiling serenely back at the other. “Mmm, well. Where to begin.” He reached over to the smoking box beside himself to prepare a pipe instead of a cup of tea, packing somnus lightly into it with his gloved pinkie. “I seem to have gotten myself into a spot of trouble with a disgruntled conjurer and he took it upon himself to rearrange my offices. With conjury. Shattered the floor with stones, water everywhere, furniture torn to shreds by wind.” He exhaled a long suffering sigh and placed a hand on his own cheek in a gesture of theatrical dismay. “It was a tragedy.”

Kyt'ir =quietly sipped his tea. "That would explain the extensive remodeling. It does seem to have turned out well... I hope he isn't bothering you anymore?" He murmured, making a mental note to bring brandy next time. He would not admit it out loud, but he felt a tad silly for forgetting such an important detail.

A shoulder rolled in a small shrug. “He’s been dealt with and will repay me for the damages.” Along with the one who dared to tell him where to find the Ishgardian. “Turns out he’s rather useful so he has been ‘tour guiding’ my research jaunts to the Shroud.” Lebeaux slipped the pipe between his lips and lit it, puffing gently at it before exhaling fragrant smoke. “How have you come to be a well-groomed potion peddler? Seems rather a step down. Have you been taking any custom orders as of yet? A problem presented to you solved in a bottle in a few days?” He took another slow drag on the pipe before he held it out, offering it to the other to enjoy a little somnus as well.

Kyt'ir's expression flickered, lighting up ever so slightly. It was either the pipe, or the proposition, the Keeper pausing to respond. "Of course. For a moderate fee, of course. Can't work for free. ...did you have something in mind?" He let that question hang while he brought the pipe to his lips, drawing in a slow, leisurely breath while his violet eyes honed in on Lebby. His business sense was already tingling.

Lebeaux leaned an elbow on the edge of his chair and settled his chin in his palm, smiling all the while as the miqo’te reached for the pipe and took a small drag. The alchemist already seemed intrigued. “Well, it’s troublesome finding a reliable alchemist. Even more so if you want one that’s discreet. Without having to resort to blackmail and confidentiality contracts.”

Kyt'ir canted his head as he took in a breath, finally letting it out in a low puff. "You know, sitting beside the stained glass windows in this light, you cut an almost sinister appearance. Was that intentional?" He quipped, flashing that saintly smile - when on earth did he get  so good at it? - before going back to idly puffing on the pipe. "Do continue, though."

Lebeaux placed a hand upon his own chest, lowering his gaze to glance aside as he smiled ever so sweetly. A perfect recreation of some Ishgardian saint or another from a classical painting. Yes, it was intentional. “Most Keepers who visit despise it. Too much light, they complain. I rather enjoy the constant reminder of divinity. After all, it’s Her spear and shield that guide me.” With that little act completed he held out his hand to take the pipe back so he could have a few more puffs on it. Perhaps he would have to look into getting another if this was to become a regular thing. “It’s a straightforward deal. Should I have a problem I require fixed, I will send for you. If you can fix it, you will be compensated accordingly. If not, we’ll never speak of it again.”

Kyt'ir's ears twitched, the Keeper giving a mock little pout as he gave the pipe up, passing it back over to the Elezen. "Mh. Seems straight forward enough, and gives me reason to research and push the boundaries so to speak." He murmured, going back to nursing at his tea as he mulled over the idea. "It sounds good to me. Just so long as you don't ask for a potion to turn lead into gold."

Lebeaux scoffed at the idea. He accepted the pipe and rose to his feet, moving over to join the Keeper on the couch. “Then I’ll give you a little challenge to get you started.” He explained, taking a slow drag on the pipe before he handed it over to the other again. It was easier to share from here. “Something to keep a mage from casting. A silencing potion, the effects need only last a bell or so. Yet I want it to be untraceable. Say if…” he glanced over at the table. “I were to mix it in their tea.”

Kyt'ir raised an eyebrow, glancing down into the tea - before simply nonchalantly taking another sip, finishing off his cup. If it were laced, he was doomed half a bell ago. "That would be straight forward enough. A little venom from a dart frog, ochu vine... could disguise it as a herbal tea, though it'd need to be sweetened to cover the bitterness. Not to mention the metallic taste from the quicksilver..." He mused aloud, before taking the pipe in hand. Brow furrowed, he took a more determined puff from his pipe. "The trick would be making it like your usual tea, assuming your target would notice you deviating from your routine."

@kytir