#there’s no way their outfits mesh this well and there isn’t at least one sided attraction in there somewhere

[faeymouse]

Last day of Radiostatic Week 2024 was “Free Day.” Perfect excuse for an outfit swap!

Day 1

[darpow]

THE FIVE SENSES

Hear:

How would you describe the sound of your muse’s voice? Darrius has a pleasant voice; it’s deep, but smooth, and perfect for telling long stories. Which works really, really well as a history professor.

What sorts of music do they like to listen to? A lot of classic music. Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, anything that’s easy to listen to while grading papers, to be honest. He wouldn’t really say that there’s any one genre that he is drawn to so much as whatever sounds good to him right there in that moment.

If they had to pick three songs to listen to for the rest of their life, what would those three songs be? The Man by Aloe Blacc, Three Little Birds by Marley and Stand by Me by Otis Redding.

What’s their favorite sound? The loud, raucous cheering at a Chicago Bears game, when the entire stadium is on their feet and cheering for them to find the end zone (miraculously).

Their least favorite sound? Pretty much the opposite of that, to be honest. That, and the sound of screeching brakes. In his mind, that never means anything good, and he heard it far too much back home.

Touch:

What’s one of your muse’s favorite textures? Darrius has always been pretty fond of leather, whether it be on a football, his briefcase, or anything ‘professional’ in that way. He also really, really likes the feeling of his dogs’ fur.

What does their skin feel like? Smooth? Rough? Pretty smooth, to be honest. His hands are a little callused and rough from all of the time that he spends in the gym using the various equipment, though. Still, he isn’t too bad with taking care of himself.

Do they like maintaining a skincare routine? Not in particular, but he also knows that it’s necessary if he wants to look good into his old age. Which means he does wash his face regularly, take care of himself in the shower and before bed at night. He sees it as just one of those things that he has to do, and that’s okay.

Are there any textures that your muse doesn’t like? Why? There’s not any one thing that comes to mind, but he’s never been fond of the feeling of sand... in socks. Which sounds very specific, but it’s very, very uncomfortable if it happens to you, trust him.

How often do they clip their nails? Do they bite them? Whenever they need it, probably once a week or more, and he does occasionally chew on them, but not a ridiculous amount or anything.

Sight:

Is their vision good, or do they need glasses or contacts? His vision is pretty good! He has glasses that he wears when teaching to help him see better, cut back on blue light, and just make him look cool.

Do they like to use their glasses or contacts if they need them? Well... see above, for that one.

What is your muse’s visual aesthetic? (eg: outfits, colors, etc.) When dressing casually, he tends to go for jeans, sneakers and a hoodie, or if it’s a nicer occasion, then a button-up and a nice suit jacket (probably still jeans and sneakers). If it’s a real formal event, though, he appreciates a really nice, sharp suit and will go all out to be fashionable. When teaching, jeans and a sweater, or a nice jacket.

What normal looking objects appear ugly to your muse? Being a huge history buff, Darrius likes old things, and sometimes new designs of old objects just don’t mesh well with him. Bullet trains, for example, are ugly.

Are they good or bad at winking? Probably bad in the sense of just not really being charming enough to pull off that sort of flirting. He’s a little more on the awkward side.

Smell:

What does your muse smell like? Darrius smells good, period. A mixture of spices and natural scents that give him a pleasant aroma when someone leans in for a tight hug.

Favorite candle scent? He loves the candles that smell like forests and trees, it just reminds him of being outside.

What sorts of shampoo / body wash scents do they like? Nothing in particular, but he does like the ones that have that bit of a citrusy orange kind of bite to them, just to shake things up a bit.

What’s their favorite smell? Chicago deep dish pizza, freshly sliced and put out on the table at his favorite pizza shop back home.

What’s their least favorite smell? The smell of pot in the bathrooms at the school that he used to teach in.

Taste:

If your muse had a taste, how would you describe it? A sugar cookie with orange zest. Sweet, but with that little bit of tang... and maybe a sprinkling of cinnamon on top, just for good measure.

Are they more of a sweet or salty person? Both, he could never choose. He loves savory, but more than that, he loves chasing it with a nice, sweet flavor to compliment it.

What flavor lip balm do they usually use? Just regular ole cherry Chap Stick, he’s really not particular. It’s there to make his lips feel good and not be disgustingly chapped all day, so as long as that’s accomplished, he won’t get picky about flavors or scents.

Do they lick, or do they bite? Probably bite, he’s a little too impatient to just lick at something.

What’s their favorite meal to make / eat? Probably that aforementioned deep dish Chicago pizza, but he also loves a good dog from a street car when he’s out and about. As far as making food, he’s not the world’s biggest cook, mostly because he doesn’t spend a lot of time doing it, but he likes a nice chicken and waffles dinner.

[sykesbyrd99]

Replica Newest Balenciaga Collection On Sale

Balenciaga is an eponymous brand house discovered by Cristobal Balenciaga in Paris within the yr 1919. Balenciaga is probably the most favourite model followed by many style insiders and this well-known model occurs to the pioneer within the manufacturing of cocoon coats, balloon skirts and high-low hem. It continues to be the pioneer in the aspects like designing architectural shapes, customized fabrics and the manufacturing of luxe leather-based accessories. The Purse Queen was began in August of of 2010 by me, Angie , as a blog that critiques authentic & replica handbags I even have bought all through the years, and replica websites as well. I am your typical fashion obsessed woman in her 30s (think Blair Waldorf or Serena van Der Woodsen post-Gossip Girl) primarily based in New York, but frequently journey across the globe . It introduced a $895, hulking behemoth of a sneaker, the Triple S, which has since been credited with serving to kickstart a development of chunky, “ugly” athletic footwear. There are a variety of sellers who promote, Nike replicas, Adidas replicas, Air Jordan replicas, Yeezy replicas, Balenciaga replicas among others. They have the widest selection and the most affordable replicas on-line. Last, however definitely not the least is one of the best replica sneaker retailer on DHGate. But stylish sneakers of 2021 from high designers like Gucci, Balenciaga and Prada boast an esteemed and pragmatic air that’s unmatched. The luxuriousness is, in fact, covetable, as is the inherent dignity you assume from carrying a high-end label. But the fashionable nonchalance of designer sneakers completely sets them other than all of the others. wikipedia handbags In an immediate, any outfit accessorized with a designer sneaker goes from sufficient to lust-worthy. We’re talking more than looks that includes tailored attire or unbelievable classic denim, too. The sporty look is according to the futuristic sneaker trend, crafted in Italy from panels of black neoprene, mesh and leather-based. For the finishing touch, these are set atop chunky cushioned soles — making them the ultimate sudden finish to fairly dresses in place of heels. Stella McCartney is a trailblazer within the sustainable luxury area, including when it comes to designer sneakers. Silhouettes like the Track Trainer and Speed Trainer have since turn into a few of the hottest sneakers obtainable. Although the brand’s current look is way from the dresses Mr. Balenciaga designed in his heyday, one factor that remains the identical is the Balenciaga name continues to be synonymous with the pinnacle of design. After The Bogart Group acquired the right to Balenciaga in 1987, Michel Goma was tasked with designing ready-to-wear collections. Goma’s brief hems and lengthy skirts introduced the corporate average success. After all, how can they do such a brilliant replica at costs under $100? In truth, each of those beautiful bags is carefully crafted from top-quality leather-based and completed to a regular that exudes class and is unbelievable at the price. The replica Balenciaga Speed Trainer pairs have much less deep stitching on the central rear side of the footwear. Moving to the replica Balenciaga Speed Trainer pair, you'll be able to easily notice how the stitching isn’t deep sufficient and the standard is worse too. The leather-based is very delicate and feels fairly easy and carefree in your palms. Authentic Balenciaga leather also has a shine which is not overpowering but on the identical time noticeable. Its leather-based is distressed but not over the top cracked out. The tassels connected to the handbag must be equally as gentle. The leather of a Balenciaga plays a giant half in creating its class which is why it could be very important pay consideration to this when you are purchasing round for a reproduction. Let us begin off with the “triple S” Balenciaga emblem positioned on the tongue of the sneaker. As you'll find a way to see, this logo has a 3-dimensional look, barely rising above the tongue rather than being printed or embroidered flat on it. Due to this, the logo could turn out to be broken over time, as seen on the left picture from the Balenciaga Triple S fake VS real comparison that we provided. However, that is nothing to be afraid of and it does not show that the merchandise is faux. https://skel.io/balenciaga-replica.html When shopping for a knockoff designer, take a glance at each single side of the bag – the material, the inner lining, the location of the brand, the stitching, the zippers.

[burnslind66]

Replica Newest Balenciaga Collection On Sale

Balenciaga is an eponymous brand home found by Cristobal Balenciaga in Paris in the year 1919. Balenciaga is probably the most favorite brand followed by many fashion insiders and this well-known brand occurs to the pioneer in the production of cocoon coats, balloon skirts and high-low hem. It continues to be the pioneer in the features like designing architectural shapes, customized fabrics and the manufacturing of luxe leather-based accessories. The Purse Queen was started in August of of 2010 by me, Angie , as a blog that evaluations authentic & replica purses I even have purchased all through the years, and replica web sites as nicely. I am your typical fashion obsessed girl in her 30s (think Blair Waldorf or Serena van Der Woodsen post-Gossip Girl) based in New York, however regularly journey across the globe . It introduced a $895, hulking behemoth of a sneaker, the Triple S, which has since been credited with helping kickstart a trend of chunky, “ugly” athletic footwear. There are a variety of sellers who sell, Nike replicas, Adidas replicas, Air Jordan replicas, Yeezy replicas, Balenciaga replicas among others. They have the widest selection and the most inexpensive replicas online. Last, however actually not the least is the most effective replica sneaker retailer on DHGate. But trendy sneakers of 2021 from top designers like Gucci, Balenciaga and Prada boast an esteemed and pragmatic air that’s unmatched. The luxuriousness is, in fact, covetable, as is the inherent dignity you assume from carrying a high-end label. But the modern nonchalance of designer sneakers thoroughly units them apart from all the others. In an prompt, any outfit accessorized with a designer sneaker goes from enough to lust-worthy. We’re speaking more than looks that includes tailor-made attire or unimaginable vintage denim, too. The sporty look is consistent with the futuristic sneaker trend, crafted in Italy from panels of black neoprene, mesh and leather. wikipedia handbags For the finishing touch, these are set atop chunky cushioned soles — making them the last word unexpected finish to pretty dresses instead of heels. Stella McCartney is a trailblazer in the sustainable luxury area, including when it comes to designer sneakers. Silhouettes just like the Track Trainer and Speed Trainer have since turn out to be a number of the most popular sneakers available. Although the brand’s present look is way from the clothes Mr. Balenciaga designed in his heyday, one factor that continues to be the identical is the Balenciaga name is still synonymous with the pinnacle of design. After The Bogart Group acquired the best to Balenciaga in 1987, Michel Goma was tasked with designing ready-to-wear collections. Goma’s quick hems and long skirts brought the corporate moderate success. After all, how can they do such a brilliant replica at prices underneath $100? In reality, each of these stunning baggage is carefully crafted from top-quality leather and finished to a regular that exudes class and is unbelievable on the worth. The replica Balenciaga Speed Trainer pairs have less deep stitching on the central rear side of the shoes. Moving to the replica Balenciaga Speed Trainer pair, you probably can easily notice how the stitching isn’t deep sufficient and the quality is worse too. The leather-based could be very delicate and feels fairly smooth and carefree in your hands. Authentic Balenciaga leather additionally has a shine which isn't overpowering however on the similar time noticeable. Its leather is distressed but not over the top cracked out. replica balenciaga The tassels attached to the purse ought to be equally as gentle. The leather-based of a Balenciaga plays an enormous part in creating its class which is why it is necessary to take note of this when you're shopping round for a duplicate. Let us begin off with the “triple S” Balenciaga brand positioned on the tongue of the sneaker. As you probably can see, this logo has a third-dimensional look, barely rising above the tongue rather than being printed or embroidered flat on it. Due to this, the emblem might turn out to be broken over time, as seen on the left picture from the Balenciaga Triple S faux VS actual comparability that we offered. However, that is nothing to be afraid of and it does not show that the item is fake. When shopping for a knockoff designer, look at each single aspect of the bag – the material, the internal lining, the position of the logo, the stitching, the zippers.

[six-costume-refs]

2020 to 2021 Broadway Costumes Changes

We finally have enough good photos of the Six Broadway costumes that I was able to write up this post! Shoutout to @lightleckrereins for spending lots of time trying to figure out all of these with me over the last week and reading a draft to correct the things I missed.

EDIT: updated with some additional things from the GMA performance and info that @gavinckss learned from @theboycostume at Showstoppers.

Overall changes and notes: - The big news: all of the 2020 costumes were apparently rendered unusable due to the (lack of) storage environment during the pandemic. All costumes were remade as a result. Explanation here.  - One of the changes as a result of this was made to the number of layers of PVC. Sofia and I had been wondering in the past if there were two layers (a regular in that color and a clear over top) for at least one or two of the costumes. @gavinckss was able to confirm this about the 2020 Howard costume via a visit to the Showstoppers exhibit, which supports our theory that all or most of them had this for the 2020 costumes (potential exceptions noted below). However, this was one of the things that caused issues with the storage (information from @theboycostumer and relayed by @gavinckss) and was cut from the 2021 costumes to just keep the solid PVC layer. - All of the principal queens (and possibly the alternate queens) now seem to have two separate pairs of boots: the pair they wore in 2020 and a new, second pair added in 2021. There are also some noticeable design exceptions, noted below. - All of the alternates will have costumes that are identical or mostly identical (possible exceptions noted below) to the principal costumes. The one major exception to this is in the boots: they will all have a different principal crystal design but all in black and white that they wear for 5 queens and then a second pair that they wear for Cleves in the same style as principal Cleves. I made a post here with photos and info on those. - Six used to have sequin and mesh pieces on all of the costumes. However, sequins tend to be really difficult and time consuming to work with. At some point in 2020 or 2021, Six changed all of the sequin material to a new spandex with holographic dots custom printed on to mimic the look of sequins. - While some of the designs previously had stretch panels on the sides, all of the costumes now have one to improve fit and movement. Specifics noted below. (post with additional info about this will also be incoming from me or @lightleckrereins​) - Most of the Six materials are not washable in a way that can be done regularly, and the materials can also be affected by things like sweat. To prevent odor and other issues, Six has always attempted to incorporate some system of layers/undergarments to protect those materials and help separate the fabrics from the skin (post about this is upcoming). Several changes were made to address this issue. - While @lightleckrereins and I were able to notice some of these changes there are also quite possibly some smaller details in construction or material that were introduced to help deal with that and to prevent future issues with the storage scenario that aren’t as visible (could be even things like changing the material used for lining or changing the number of layers inside the costume, which we wouldn’t even be able to tell). - The studding was changed from individual glued-on studs to pre-made studded trim (info from @gavinckss) - I previously made a post about the in-ear monitors.

Aragon (L-R: Jade Marvin, Bliss 2.0, sixbliss2.0; Adrianna Hicks, Broadway 2020, mallorymaedke; unknown 2020 alt on display at Showstoppers, Broadway 2020, wintersnowfl8ke; Adrianna Hicks, Broadway 2021, 17 Sep 2021, Marc J Franklin) - The top is now separated from the gold oversleeves. - The construction and general shape of the skirt and peplum has changed: the peplum is much more separated from the bottom layer of the skirt and the shape is slightly different (hard to tell in the photos we have of Adrianna, but you can very clearly see the difference in shape between the 2021 Adrianna and the earlier version in the Jade Marvin photo) - The exact pattern of the diamond cut-outs on the center front panel differs from costume to costume. A change has been made between the 2020 and 2021 Broadway design so that the diamond cutouts stay consistent over the whole panel. - There are stitches in a diamond pattern on the vacuformed panels of the 2021 skirt. @lightleckrereins pointed out that they’re most likely structure stitches. Some or all of them may also line up with the location of the crossed boning in the skirt as described here. - Black stretch panels were added to the underside of the oversleeves (very thin panels were on the 2020, but they were so thin as to be unnoticeable. These are much wider).

Boleyn (Courtney Bowman, West End, 3 Dec 2020, @/courtneybowman_; Andrea Macasaet, Broadway 2020, @/andrea.cesyl; Unknown Showstoppers costume, 2020 or 2021, @/wintersnowfl8ke; Andrea Macasaet, Broadway 2021, 16 Sep 2021, @/andrea.cesyl on Tiktok) - The green PVC has switched from the lighter pea green to a darker emerald shade. The shade change seems to have been slowly in process for Andrea Macasaet’s 2020 costume as well as Kala Gare and Lucy Aiston’s costume, all of which have a fabric between the 2018/19 and 2021 Boleyns. The updated 2021 shade is also in use for the Showstoppers costume. - The cap sleeve on the Boleyn top under the tab sleeves has been gotten rid of entirely (you can see it well on Courtney Bowman’s costume but it is on all of these except for Andrea’s 2021). - The tabs on the bottom and sleeves are lined with the green PVC - this was a change made either for both the 2020 and 2021 Broadway or for the 2020 alt costumes and all 2021. - Small black stretch panels were added to both sides of the top.

Seymour (L-R, top to bottom: Abby Mueller, 2020 Broadway, unknown; Carly Mercedes Dyer, carlymdyer; 2020 alt at Showstoppers, @/wintersnowfl8ke; Abby Mueller, 2021 Broadway, 17 Sep 2021, Marc J Franklin for Playbill; Abby Mueller, 2021 Broadway, 16 Sep 2021, Jamie McCarthy for NBC) - This one is the possible exception when talking about a white PVC and a clear PVC on the original. It’s certainly possible but with the non-holographic white base it’s much harder to confirm that theory. Either way, the white fabric on the bodice is much more shiny in the 2020 photos and more matte in the 2021, which could be because of a second clear layer of PVC or could be because they just changed the white fabric entirely. - The 2020 costume had the usual transparent black stretch panels on the sleeves. This has been replaced by a nude fabric overlayed with the same mesh that is used on the rest of the costume (also want to note that the Showstoppers dress did not have any stretch panels and was purely for that event). - The mesh and spandex part of the cups rises much higher on the 2021 costume, and the trim on the cups better matches most of the other Seymour costumes than it does the 2020 one. - The sleeves on the Showstoppers costume had studding at the end, but neither the 2020 or 2021 Broadway costumes had this. - Abby Mueller has two-three pairs of boots, as explained here.

Cleves (L-R: Brittney Mack, 2020 Broadway, Bryan Derballa for the New York Times; Unknown 2020 Broadway alt, 11 Apr 2021; Brittney Mack, 2021 Broadway, 17 Sep 2021, @/bwaysho; Brittney Mack, 2021 Broadway, 16 Sep 2021, Jamie McCarthy for NBC) - The fit of the jacket is different, and it looks great! That isn’t a design change, it’s just fit differently. - A small black spandex stretch panel was introduced to the side of the jacket - We saw some differing silhouettes for some in-progress Cleves leotards/reveal outfits in the background of photos taken at the costume studio. No idea what the deal with those is. Could be a scrapped design, a small re-design to better flatter one of the alts, or a complete re-design for all of the queens. We may not get answers on this any time soon as the Six costume team has asked that people not share photos or boots of that costume.

Howard (Samantha Pauly, 2020 Broadway, @/sampauly; Showstoppers display costume 2021, @/theboycostumer; Samantha Pauly, 2021 Broadway, 17 Sep 2021, Marc J Franklin for Playbill; Samantha Pauly, 2021 Broadway, 17 Sep 2021, @/klphotographynyc) - Black lacing was added to both sides of the corset as a form of stretch panel. This replaced the prior mesh and spandex stretch panels as seen on the 2020 and Showstoppers costumes. - The hot pink PVC changed in color to become slightly darker; the undertones are now more monochromatic than they previously were. - Studs were added to the criss-crossed elastics. - There are also now two layers of elastics: The bottom one attached to the mesh leotard with a snap in the middle, and a top one attached to the corset with studding on it that snaps into the bottom. The one with studding is attached to the corset rather than the leotard since the leotard acts as her undergarment and is washed regularly. - The closure on the Howard skirt is a tab that is hidden under the mic holster. This was the case for the 2020 and Showstoppers costumes as well, but is different from all other Howard skirts. - The fitting of the skirt is slightly different. On the 2020 costume, the panels on either side of the opening are mostly parallel and with only a slight angle to them. On the 2021, they’re at more of an angle so the bottom of the opening is now much wider than the top (this is presumably for movement).

Parr (Costume: Anna Uzele, 2020 Broadway, @/Joan Marcus; Anna Uzele, 2021 Broadway, 16 Sep 2021, Jamie McCarthy for NBC; Anna Uzele, 2021 Broadway, 17 Sep 2021, Marc J Franklin for Playbill; Anna Uzele, 2021 Broadway, 14 Sep 2021, Sara Krulwich) (Boots: 2020 pair, Anna Uzele, 11 Apr 2021; 2020 pair, Anna Uzele, Jimmy Fallon performance, 16 Sep 2021, Jamie McCarthy for NBC; 2021 pair, Anna Uzele, 14 Sep 2021, Sara Krulwich) - There may have been a change in the color of the blue PVC. - New boots design in addition to still wearing the old ones as well (per the two pairs of boots with one old and one new). The 2020 pair has two wide straps that both split into two smaller straps, leaving four smaller ones visible from the side. The 2021 pair has three straps with buckles from what we can see of the side, but we don’t know what the straps look like in front. They could be like her 2020 boots, which look like two wide straps in the front and only look like four from the side. The 2020 are also taller (similar in length to Aragon’s) while the 2021 are shorter (similar in length to the rest of the queens). - The bottom front corners of the peplum are now rounded rather than the previous 90 degree angle. - The top is much longer and with a steeper point in the center front than it was in 2020. - The sleeves seem to be separate from the top.  - There are some black panels on the side of the top. We’re trying to figure out exactly what those are for. First, they seem like the stretch panels as are standard for the rest of the 2021 costumes. However, they also seem to have a zipper in addition to the zipper closure in the back. @lightleckrereins is theorizing that since the sleeves are now separate, those side zippers are so that they can unzip the sides, put the top on over the shoulders after the sleeves have been put on, and then zip it closed on the sides to make it easier to put on. - The stretch panels on the bottom of the sleeves extend through the vinyl section of the sleeve as well.

[kaijime]

Can I get some dom Kenma please? The thought of that man choking me makes my brain go brrrr

learn your lesson

includes. kenma kozume

cw. fem reader, dom content, lingerie?, begging, panty stuffing, choking, bratty reader, masturbation

wc. 1.2k words

a/n. isn’t it funny how a piece of lingerie can inspire to write a request that’s been in your inbox for over a month?... yeah...

It’s been a long time since you and Kenma got in the mood. It always took a lot of convincing to take him to bed, but as much as he whined about it he would always take over with as dominant. Even if you were on top, he’d control your every move, telling you how to do this, when to do that, etc.

It’s frustrating to be in the mood for him while he’s busy playing with his friends, and teasing him often led to trouble, but it was the quickest way to get him to pound you into the mattress. Maybe that’s why you decided to tease him.

You looked at yourself one last time in the mirror, everything seemed to be in place. The blue mesh hugged the curve of your breast, while small flower patterns were littered on the fabric. You’d bought this a long time ago, but you’d never had a chance to wear it for him.

Well not until now.

You made your way to his gaming room, not too far away from your bedroom, but you could still feel your stomach sink on the way there, the anticipation for his reaction was killing you, but having second thoughts right now was an idiotic idea.

There was no taking it back, not when you’d already pushed the door open and walked over to stand next to him. Even if you were right by his side, he didn’t even spare you a glance.

“Kenma?” You called out to him, he just shook his hand in your direction. It was his little way of telling you ‘not right now’, it was also your last chance to go back to your room, take off your little outfit and avoid a punishment. But you weren’t going down now, you made it this far.

You swung a leg over his, positioning yourself between his lap and rubbing up against his bulge. His eyes fell on your exposed body, finally giving you the attention you needed, even if it was just a small look.

“Kenma?” You repeated, this time in a sing-song voice, teasing him even further. Even if he hadn’t said a word, you knew what was going on in his mind: he was searching for ways to make you cry, to make you suffer for what you did.

“What is this?” The questions fell off his lips in a sweet tone, like he knew exactly what this was, but he wanted to hear it straight from your mouth.

“I missed you Kenma, I’ve been so needy and-... a-and I want you” you whispered close to his ear.

“Want me to do what, kitten?” He teased.

“Want you to fill me up, to stuff me full, please...”

“What was that Kenma? You’re cutting off” you heard Kuroo’s voice over the blonde’s headphones,

“Yeah, my internet is acting strange” he shot you a look with something you couldn’t quite decipher, it was a mix of anger and lust “I’m gonna mute myself for a second, see if it works better”

“Alright” Kuroo replied. As soon as he muted his microphone he put the controller aside and put his hands on either sides of your hips, straddling you against his already hard member.

Aside from the feelings of want and need you were going through, you also had a sense of pride. You’d convinced him to fuck you, and all you had to do was put on a pretty outfit for him. Normally there would be a punishment involved, but this time he’d gotten down so easily. How foolish of you to think that.

You leaned in to kiss him, your lips barely inches from each other and if you’d just go closer... but he stopped you. He let out a warm chuckle, and at first you thought nothing of it, until one of his hands came up from your hip to your jaw, holding it with brute force. He didn’t care of he’d leave a bruise, he just wanted to teach you a lesson.

“Ah- Kenma... let go, it hurts” your hand grips his wrist, trying to tear his hand away to no avail.

“Oh, but I thought you liked it when it hurt, I though you said you were my little masochist, aren’t you?”

“Y-yes but this isn-“

“Shut up, you brought this onto yourself, stand up and take off your panties” he instructed. You stood up, still on top of him and slid off the revealing piece of clothing. When you were about to throw it to the side he grabbed it in his hand and lowered you down just enough to have a small space between his crotch and your dripping heat.

He’d made it clear he was going to punish you, but the fact you didn’t know how he was going to do it was killing you slowly.

You watched as he bunched up the panties in one of his hands and took said hand to your cunt, prodding his fabric covered fingers at your hole.

“Kenma, what are you-“

“You better not start whining, you said you wanted to be stuffed” he pushed the mesh fabric in your hole with one finger and watched as your face was turned into a lewd mess.

“Y-yeah but not-“

“You didn’t say how you wanted to be stuffed, so you better take it now. You ungrateful whore, I give you what you’ve been asking for and you give me such a shitty response?” He clicked his tongue, seemingly in disappointment. He continued to shove the underwear up your heat as you held onto his shoulders.

“Hahh-! Kenma!” He shushed you before tucking the last piece of fabric between your folds and running his hands through your heat, he touched the small strings that hung out of your hole and lightly tugged them.

“K-ken-“

“When will you learn to shut up?” He seemed so much meaner than other days, maybe you pushed him over the edge today. “I’ve had enough of your bratty behavior”

“‘m sorry, just wanted you to fuck me, pl-please” you begged. At least you felt full, you told yourself.

“You’re always playing these tricks and you always end up getting punished, haven’t you learned your lesson?” At that moment you played with the thought of telling him you hadn’t, maybe he’d finally give you what you wanted and fuck you.

“So what if I- if I haven’t learned my lesson? What are you going to do about it?” Those were the last words you were able to mutter out before you felt his hand wrap around your neck and lift you a bit higher.

“What am I going to do? Hm, I’m not going to do anything. You? You’re going to lay down on the floor and play with yourself until you cum” he commanded.

“But I can’t if I have these inside” you grabbed the little strings and showed them to Kenma as proof.

“I don’t care how you do it, but you’re going to make it happen. Understood?” He looked at you with cold eyes, and didn’t even give you a second to think about it before a hard slap hit your thigh. He repeated his question “Understood?”

“Yes, daddy” and with that you lifted yourself and laid on the floor, massaging your clit in hopes it would magically made you cum. You knew it wouldn’t, you never came just from touching your clit, but any effort was good when you were trying to escape your inevitable punishment.

©️ mi1kkbread 2020 | all content belongs to mi1kkbread, do not modify or repost

[dreamties]

Slashers W/ a Soft Pastel S/O

A/n - So this one actually wasn’t requested, I just thought it would be super cute. And what I mean by “Soft Pastel”, I mean being into soft/pastel/kawaii fashion, I just didn’t know how to phrase it. Since there’s so many subcultures.

Trigger Warning: Slight Cursing (I say f*ck)

Also- these are gender neutral, but a few describe you in skirts/dresses, so if you’re not comfy with that, just skip that part or the whole thing?? :/

I might do more like this for other types of alternative fashion- like punk or something? Or a S/O who has a lot of body mods, I think it would be fun.

Characters: Billy/Stu, The Lost Boys, Helen Lyle, Daniel Robitaille/Candyman, Brahms Heelshire, and Amanda Young.

I didn’t add Michael Myers, but can do so if y’all want it. I just think he’d be very indifferent about it...didn’t think that would be very fun to read.

Billy Loomis + Stu Macher

Stu would be the most like into your outfits

Billy? Not so much. he just thinks you look cute in everything.

but if you did more guro-kawaii looks? they would both be all over that shit. 

it combines more of the grotesque in with the cute- which is just perfect for the boys. they get to see you dawned in all sorts of blood, guts/gore, bandage patterns/aesthetics.

and maybe even tying in different monster-ish elements. 

like wearing funky white or other unnatural colored contacts, really intense makeup(especially around the eyes), and fuck it, maybe you’re wearing faux demon horns.

I think they’d find it kinda hot. if we’re being perfectly honest here.

Now- would you able to get them into it as well?

Stu will ask you, with excitement reverberating throughout out his body and his voice. of course he want’s to at least try it!

so many clips in Stu’s hair. you haven’t even had that many in your hair before!

he may also wear rings sometimes. he thinks all the colors and designs are just so fun!

and on the other hand...

Billy, the guy that basically wore the same outfit for an entire movie? who’s closet only contains jeans and white t-shirts? trying out your style? i don’t think so lol

if you do- somehow- get him to try...

then you might have pressured him into it a bit? very jokingly, of course. 

“C’mon, humor me, babe. Stu’s already dressed and everything!” You try giving him puppy eyes to seal the deal.

“Fine!” Billy says, grabbing the garment and a few clips from your hands. He shuts the door too harshly behind him.

A short silence is shared, before you and Stu burst out laughing. “Do you think he’s mad at us?” You’re hardly able to get it out. Of course he was, but in his own odd way appreciated this adventure.

He comes back a moment later, his white t-shirt replaced with a pastel red one, an especially gory character printed on the front. and a red clip barely hanging on to one of the side pieces of hair in front of his face. You try to suppress a giggle at Billy’s messily put together look.

for the love of gosh- don’t actually laugh when he appears. he is very outside of his comfort zone, and he’s only doing this because he loves you and Stu, and just,, don’t add this to his list of reasons not to try new things.

whatever your reaction ends up being, you’re absolutely obligated to tell them how attractive they look in it(even Billy who looks hella dorky).

(my art)

The Lost Boys

the comparison between their dark, punk-ish style and then the sweet baby pinks and blues, and soft lavenders that adorned your form?? 

it’s just too sweet.

they are completely enamored by your style- even if certain vampires (and I’m not naming any names, but I definitely mean David) may not show his love for your look as openly

Marko- he’d get one cutesy patch for his jacket, so he has like a little piece of you everywhere he goes. also...he genuinely ended up really digging your style? but not enough to abandon his punk look completely. he is still totally dedicated to that.

the other boys will absolutely mess with him about the patch though

all in good fun!

David’s not letting you near his hair with any extra clips or accessories. 

Dwayne enjoys the quiet intimacy shared between the two of you. just sitting together, you might be styling his hair( super loose ponytail or braid- admit it, it would be so cute! and helpful so his hair isn’t always in his face!)...anyways, you’d use a colorful hair tie, and a few clips to help pin back his hair. 

he probably won’t go out with the clips in, but if it’s just the five of you at the cave? he’ll keep it in until it’s time to sleep. 

he loves seeing how happy and accomplished you look after finishing with his hair tho.

Paul is hands down the most likely to get into the whole look and go out in public with it on. 

makeup? hell yeah. it won’t be as intense as yours, and he probably only does the eyes and maybe some shine. sparkly vampire time

hair accessories? all of them

would try combining his look with yours, to have a perfect mess of it.

a light, light  blue mesh top, slightly darker blue jacket(with slight accents in pink, purple, white or black), and his usual sort of white jeans(?) would still look great with it. he’s absolutely rocking that look.

you are ecstatic to finally have someone else to share your passion with! (much harder to find similar folks when you’re a vampire,,)

Helen Lyle

she’s so used to the plain life around her, and she’d been living before you- you were such a breath of fresh air.

of course, you’re darling personality also drew her into you- but your fashion sense? it fascinated her.

she’s not trying it herself anytime soon, but she appreciates the fact that you enjoy it. 

the most she would ever try is a very natural makeup look. and a coat or two of a pastel color of her choice.

she would love watching you get ready. not so much help out though- she just likes seeing the way you approach things. how you choose to pair certain pieces with one another.

she’ll ask questions to better understand your interests! not that it’s weird or wrong that you’re into it, she’s just a very inquisitive person.

you’d wear a lot of blue though- because you know Helen likes that color.

imagine wearing coordinated looks for different events and such. so, when you go with Helen to help out with her Candyman thesis, you might wear candy-themed attire. (of course in this universe,, she wouldn’t die! so no worries of that! you get to keep you’re gf).

if you do gift her something, she keeps it on her bedside table(or dresser). so she can still admire it, and still serves a purpose. fun décor!

all around though- Helen would be very chill, but captivated, about you’re interests.

Daniel Robitaille - Candyman

 his life is so dark and gruesome, and he loves seeing you all dressed up. 

and while he’s dead- long dead- and isn’t really apart of the world in the same sense that you are- it gives him this happy sense of hope for the world.

because there’s this very small thing, that you hold close to your heart, that makes you smile.

Also!!

even if they’re apart of a super awful, traumatic, part of his past- the bees are just a part of the family now.  

so cute yellow/spring/bee themed outfits?? yes. ohh definitely, yes.

As for him dressing up? He’d feel hesitant.

he’s filled with immense joy around you, but is almost scared with someone altering part of his attire or self in any way(rooted back to, again, past stuff).

but part of loving is to take the person as a whole, bad parts, good parts- insecurities- the entire package. and trusting one another.

he has his whole faith in you not to do anything bad.

and so, it becomes a habit for the two of you to spend mornings together, chatting and getting ready. well, you’re getting ready, it’s more for the quality time together for him.

things are little different for Daniel. for many reasons. 

one, he has very short hair. so the clips don’t really work there..

two- he only has one hand, and he’s “working” a lot with the appendages he does have. rings won’t work out because they might fall off- and he’d hate to lose something of yours.

three- he’s not a big makeup fan. he’s happy enough watching you put it on.

and then for his actual attire- he needs the coat to cover his insides. it’s also, in a way, his uniform.

you’ve settled on two things.

making homemade necklaces that can easily hide under his big coat (either sweets or honey/bee themed).

and sewing little patterns on the inside of his coat. other’s wouldn’t be able to see it, but he would know it’s there.

Brahms Heelshire

imagine being super into sorta ‘sweet lolita’, pastel/soft colors, bows, the big skirts, all the sorta ruffles(?)

 and then especially if your shorter than Brahms(which is really,, not hard to do unless you’re insanely tall cause he’s,, 6 foot 3.)- and he thinks you look like such a doll? 

but like,, in a nice way. 

I think he’d get pretty excited if he got to help you set up your outfits!

especially if you praised him for picking out a good combo, or organizing correctly.

and some of Brahms movements are a bit awkward, he’s spent most of his life in the walls and the attic...but imagine turning on his music, and just dancing with him. having him twirl you in his arms a few times.

Brahms loves having your hands through his hair. and if hair accessories means he gets more of that love and attention? then yes,, yes he will wear them.

he just likes feeling taken care of, and along with your usual duties, you help him figure out the soft fashion styles, and how to make it more appealing and suitable for his own tastes.

because- as you insist- you want it to be something he enjoys just because he does, and not just for the closeness. though you can’t deny you love that aspect, too.

i can tell you one thing right here, though. you’re never getting makeup on him. he does not like taking off his mask, even if you’ve been in a relationship with him for a while, he still hides his face a lot.

you’d offered to do his makeup once, since he was staring so intently as you did yours. you’d made the mistake of reaching for his mask. you’d usually ask before doing so, but sometimes you’d slip up.

You apologize profusely, offering your arms out to him for a hug. “There, there, Brahms.” You smile, giving him a slight squeeze of affection. 

he does take your stuff sometimes. 

it’s a little annoying when you think you’ve lost your favorite accessory or dress or etc and then you just realize,, oh, it’s my favorite wall boy again. thank gosh you love him, so you’re not really upset or anything.

he just likes having little reminders of you, it gives him reassurance. upon other warm and fuzzy feelings.

if you’re able to find time in your day though, you’ll make cute little trinkets or bracelets for him. you’ll gift them or purposely leave them out for him-  so you’ll still have some of your stuff when it comes to getting ready the next day.

in short- he’d much rather look at you than partake on his own. 

Amanda Young

she’s never seen anything like this! :0

everyone she knows, herself included, tend to wear more dulled, plain clothes.

she’s immediately very intrigued by your attire...sort of want’s to try it, but is a bit self conscious and embarrassed to ask.

So!! you start out with small things, and fairly early on you both realize that she loves when you decorate her hair with accessories. 

gifting Amanda a pair of little pig clips!!

or little stud earrings- those would be fricking adorable on her!

and she’s just so happy,, wtf

you dress mostly for yourself, but the more you’re in a relationship with your gf- the more you want to dress for her as well. 

you can see this little sparkle in her eye when she sees you, and you want to keep seeing that look for as long as you can.

you slowly get her into it. your relationship and Amanda’s interest in your style just gives her so much light in an otherwise dim world.

if she did get into it, I think she’d do more creepy/cute. as a way to sort of cope with past trauma. that this sort of “bad” thing (the creepy) can still coexist with the good (the cute). she admires that quality.

just very sweet partners, who happen to love similar types of fashion 

[be-ready-when-i-say-go]

Category: Body

This may or may not have been written while listening to Body by Megan Thee Stallion on repeat. At me all you like! Female Reader Insert--more Black reader too. But I don’t completely specify. 

Enjoy my masterlist!

______________________

Things I want to consider and talk about is what happens when you put on your nasty jams. And they’re not the slow ones, ones you’d play while giving into pleasure, I’m talking the ones you put on to hype yourself up, tell yourself you sexy and deserve everything you’re getting, ones that make you feel like a bad bitch. 

And maybe you’re playing them over the stereo, without realizing that Calum would be coming home so early in the day. You normally have a couple hours to yourself after you get home and while those hours are normally spent doing in work, or scrubbing something in the house, you take the time this time to hype yourself up for the night out. 

You weren’t too sold on it, but Calum had to go out for something work related and didn’t want to go by himself. You agreed to go with him on the stipulation that at 12:30 that you got to pull the plug. Calum agreed whole heartedly, know that his social battery would most like start to drain around 11 or 12 as it stood. Having each other as an out wasn’t something that was new for the two of you. If you wanted to go out, and Calum tagged along but was running low, you could also call it a night for him. And if you were out with him, and you were running low on energy, Calum would call it a night excuse the both of you. It was a system and it worked. 

But right now, you needed to get into the right mindset to even consider going out. The week had been long and because this was a work event for Calum you’d suck it up and go. So the two hours, you thought you had before Calum would be home, you were going to strut in front of the mirror in your hottest outfits, miniskirts, mesh tops, bodycon dress. 

The speakers rattle just a little to the bass as you bounce to the beat trying on a bodycon dress. It’s baby blue and a favorite of Calum’s. You don’t think you’ll be wearing it out tonight but it’s always a good standby just in case you don’t know what else to wear. As you secure the back to your earrings you bend your knees, twerking for just a moment to the beat. The lyrics fall over your lips as you rap to yourself in the mirror.You know it looks crazy but it’s also put you in a good mood. 

Straightening you look at the dress and think, it’s not the call for tonight, but it still makes your ass look great. You sway for another beat or two and then saunter back over to the closet. You truly feel like playing tonight lowkey, so you find some pants--jeans, or the shiny vinyl ones you’re not sure about but you figure today is a pants kind of event. 

The next some comes onto the shuffle just as you hang the dress back onto the hanger. In just your undergarments you dance for a moment, laughing as you fumble through the lyrics. It doesn’t matter. You compose yourself and slip into the vinyl pants and find a shimmery top to pair with it that you can top off with a leather jacket.

Tongue sticking out for a moment you allow yourself to dance. It doesn’t matter, just feeling the beat. The pants are more comfortable than they look but they’re still not something that you can do too much in. It’s just enough for a whine and that’s all you need. So lost in the beat you don’t even hear the front door open and close, nor do you catch Duke scampering down the hallway. 

When Calum stands from petting Duke, Calum wonders what in the world is in store for him when he enters the bed room. And there you are in the middle of the room, hands on your knees as you rap along to the song, slowly winding it back up to a standing position though your hips and ass still bounce. This is a side that comes out--just not a lot. He takes pauses and watches you move along to the music, now bouncing your whole body as if rapping to an audience. 

“I can see you Calum,” you laugh, spying him in the mirror. Though he hadn’t heard him come into the house, you did see him round the corner to the bedroom and lean up against the molding of the door. 

“I’m just watching the show,” he grins, a smirk on his lips. You emphasize it by back up right against him, ass right against his crotch. “And enjoying it,” he laughs, arms slipping around your waist. 

You giggle but cup his cheek and stretching up to give him a quick kiss. Calum winks at you as you pull apart. “I needed to hype myself up and figure what the fuck I was wearing.”

Calum nods at the comment but soon his hips join yours in the rhythm you’re setting. “Well, I can’t complain at this at all.”

As a joke, you bend at the waist, leaving your butt flesh against his crotch but only shake it against him for a moment before popping back up and twirling out of his hold.  Calum laughs, part of it shock, the other part knowing just how you can get. “Oh, not fair,” he huffs.

“Put a shot or two into me and you’ll get the rest tonight.”

“That better be a promise,” he laughs and then toss his jacket to the bed. “Light dinner before we go out?”

“Sure. What do you want?” you ask, finding your t-shirt you changed into after getting home. 

“I’m cooking tonight. So you tell me what you want?” he states. His hands squeeze at your sides before slipping down to your ass over the vinyl pants. 

“Spaghetti? I don’t know. I just want pasta.”

“I can do that.” Calum presses a kiss to your cheek and then turns on a socked foot to walk back out of the bedroom. You turn off the speaker and peel yourself out the pants and leave the outfit out knowing you’ll need it again soon. 

The bar isn’t too crowded or loud when you first arrive but because of your paranoia you know it’s mostly because you’re super early. Acquiring a booth to settle at until more people arrive, you and Calum relax, laughing at the story you’re telling about your day at work. Soon though Ashton arrives and he then dominates the conversation which you’ve learned to give over at some points. Though you do take it back over to finish up your story very quickly. 

The music coming over the speakers makes you bounce and sway in the seat just a little. You sit across from Calum His fingers rest over yours on top of the table and every so often he runs the tips of his fingers over the pads of yours and your palm and it’s calming, a slow and methodical reminder that he’s close by. 

“Wanna dance?” Calum asks nodding out to the dance floor. He’s noticed you dancing a little in the seat and the last thing he wants to do is keep you from the thing that seems to be keeping you preoccupied. There’s still a couple hours left before you two know you’ll be leaving. 

“Sure.”

You and Calum slide out of the booth and instead of beelining directly for the dancefloor, Calum takes you over to the bar first. He rounds two shots and you glance at him. “You leaving your car here then?” He drove, saying he wasn’t going to drink and you’re not mad if he changed his mind. 

As the bartender drops the clear glasses to the counter and pours the dark brown liquor, Calum turns to you. “Nah, baby. You said put two in you and I’d get the rest.”

You laugh, lightly slapping at his chest. “Really Hood?” You purse your lips together and wait a moment for the bartender to leave. “You know you could get it without the two.”

He grins. “Oh I know, but I’m making you keep your word.”

“Keeping me an honest woman Hood?” you laugh grabbing the glasses. 

“You’re already honest.” He watches you down the two back to back without even a flinch. “Okay, look at you.”

It’s Calum’s turn to be dragged as you pull him away from the bar counter and to the dance floor. Two years into this and Calum’s still always a little shocked at the way you take alcohol. Though you aren’t a party animal you can handle the liquor well. Calum settles in behind you as find a spot suitable to dance. His hands are immediately on your waist. 

You recline into his chest, immediately getting hit with the scent of his cologne as he ducks his head to kiss your cheek and neck. You think you’re setting the cadence, the bounce and sway, but all you’re really paying attention to is the way Calum molds against you, he moves when you move and it’s like two magnets. Never pulling too far apart before the gravitational pull of other snaps you two back together. The tips of his fingers graze over your stomach and it makes your spine shiver. It’s crazy to think how Calum’s smallest touches light you on fire. You can feel as your heels click down on the floor and two of you step and bounce to the bass. 

It only feels like two songs, but you counted at least five or so before you finally pull away from Calum and turn to face him. He doesn’t keep you far before he’s slotting up against the front of you. Your arms slide around his neck. Your skin is warm, in part to the alcohol and in part to Calum, but you wouldn’t have it any other way. 

[archer3-13]

Early Concept Arts of Dimitri, Claude, Edelgard

Consider it an occupational interest of sorts, We dont have much in the way of early concept art for three houses unfortunately. Most of what i’ve seen released is more so late development and reference sheets on that front. For a while now however there have been some early looks into dimitri, claude, and edelgards character designs that i feel might be worth a quick glance at.

well start with dimitri since his is the least changed in comparison to the final product, though not without its interesting notes.

like i said, not too much is overall different. The cape and sword belt thing [dont remember the proper term] are identitcal, dimitris hair and face, and well the gauntlets look slightly different compared to the final release they are still there, though strangely without the leg armour which is instead normal boots in the garreg mach uniform style.

the most notable and obvious change is of course the lack of the upper body armour, followed by a change on the trimming of the outfit which is the standard gold as opposed to gunmetal grey/dark silver seen on the final outfit. in place of the upper body armour you’ll note that dimitris actually wearing a near identical uniform set up as the final version of school edelgard wears [namely the cravat and gold chain mind you] so perhaps those are suppose to be elements of a standard/baseline house leader uniform originally as opposed to edelgards unique flair? At least at some point during the development? Certainly these elements were either dimitris first before being moved onto edelgards design later, or were edelgards first and were attempted to be utilized in dimitris design as well before being scrapped from him and kept to edelgard. That certainly gives me the impression that this is a fairly late early design piece though as it were, considering how close it is to dimitris final school design. Something that can very much not be said for claude and edelgards early designs.

moving onto claudes

We see that either leicester was a lot different of a place in early development, or claude was a lot less subtle about his foreign origins. funnily enough, you can also see similar elements of a ‘standard house leader’ in this version of the uniform, the jacket being more in line with edelgards final jacket and dimitris early jacket and claudes even sporting a cravat like the other two. if his cape wasn’t covering the other side of his outfit i wouldn’t be surprised if the golden chain was there as well. speaking of that cape though its certainly very different compared to the final cape he wears. Not only is it drapped on the front on the opposite side of his final design, it has a series of black lines cutting into it. and as opposed to the longcoat design of his final uniform hes sporting a similar length shirt as other garreg mach uniforms [with the sleeves pulled up form the looks of it], a fabric belt, and even poofier pants [with golden embroidery on the sides which further give it a more foreigner vibe then his final outffit] then his final design along with shorter boots. on a smaller note youll also notice that hes missing his left ear earring, though otherwise his face and hairstyle are the same as the final version.

the keen eye of you will also notice that this early claude design actually shares quite a lot in common with another claude design. Namely, claudes post timeskip outfit. Cape draping over the front right side of the body, short coat and poofier pants, a cravat, and most importantly the belt which is near identical here to his post timeskip belt

its even worn in a very similar fashion. Why they would do this im not sure, claudes late inclusion in development perhaps pressing them to settle on reusing these elements as opposed to something more unique? Or did the design staff like these elements enough to continue them into clades post timeskip design? questions questions.

now onto edelgard, who i’ve held off for last because hers is by far the most radical departure of design, and she has a lot more content to go over

first to start off i’ll just quickly mention the elements that held over to her final design: white hair, ribbons, leggings, lavender eyes. Now that that’s out of the way... it really is quite the design shift isn’t it and kinda what i meant when asking which came first with the garreg mach ‘house leader uniform’ elements as it were. Was it dimitri, or was it edelgard? Regardless this certainly feels like to me the earliest design of the lot with edelgard sporting almost none of the garreg mach uniform elements [perhaps they were closer to this originally? perhaps edelgard wasn’t even a student initially?]. You’ll also notice that the reds on her outffit are much more subdued compared to the final outffit, a bit of purple splashed in as opposed to the pure red she sports in the final design. And as opposed to the shorts she wears in the final design, here shes sporting a dark blueish skirt along with a black... belt thing. 

additionally her house cape [lacking decoration but with some of it pulled over the front when it is there] colour is black as well indicating that yes the black eagles house colour was very much suppose to be black initially. Additionally the uniform itself well not having much in the way of parallels to the garreg mach uniform does invoke elements of 19th century military officer uniforms rather strongly, especially the two to the right which go all the way up the chest to the neckline belt thing. though maybe the original garreg mach uniforms were more to this style in general? Her own cravat is also in a much different style and black as opposed to white like dimitri and claudes early design cravats. additionally well we can’t see the rest of he legs its seems she was originally suppose to have much taller boots as well looking at the little bit of black we can see on her legs there. she does have a gold chain as well but its hooked under her right arm, and her sleeves like the gold cuff trimmings.

Youll also notice that shes got a much different hairstyle here, not only sporting some rather straightesh bangs and an alternating ribbon colour of lavender or red, consideration as to whether or not she should have a bit draping in the front, slight differences in the long side bits of her hair and even some consideration of if she should have hair buns or even short hair altogether [though her designs lean more towards long hair]. Either her hair was giving them a lot of trouble, or her early designs here are damn near the beginning which im inclined to believe. We even have a sheet dedicated to trying out different styles for her

the one they ultimantly landed on, minus the front sweeping hair, you can see in the bottom left. I kinda prefer the top left one myself though, though thats probably due to its similarities to saber from fate/stay’s hairstyle. The top left one reminds me a lot of lysithias hairstyle incidentally, which might possibly mean that lysithias character [atleast her look] sprang from unused edelgard concepts.

overall:

i prefer dimitris final design myself since it suits him and his story better, but its also so similar to his final design that i feel part of it might just be better familiarity with the final look. Either way it generally works.

Claudes early look i find fascinating in terms of how it seems to have carried over into his post timeskip look to some degree. in the end though i prefer his final look for what they eventually decided on with his character, someone sneaky whos hiding his cultural origins. The final design speaks more to a claude that much more open about those origins instead.

edelgards... im stuck on because her early design speaks to me of a much different game in terms of look and story, well her final design meshes better with even claude and dimitris early designs. However if i had to pick one i prefer from visual looks alone... i’d say edelgards early design with short hair [the one on the far right of her first picture essentially]. I like the implication of the uniforms in general looking closer to that obviously since im a sucker for that visual look [perhaps even have more individual flair to each countries school uniform including designs and colours], and a sucker for short hair in general, but i feel the militaristic aspects of the early design suit edelgard better and the shade of red more appealing in general here. Maybe blend this one and her final design to get the perfect edelgard outffit? idk.

[haru-sen]

SW/IAL Mandalorians

Thanks to the usual suspects for their interference.  Less dark than Imperial Forces, still with the usual amount of sex and violence.  Feel free to let me know which Star Wars AU is making you happier.  I’m playing with both, IAL, and finally actually working on the original piece.  Same disclaimer, set during vanilla SWTOR, Knight Strike is not the PC Jedi Knight, but is adjacent to PC storylines.  I still haven’t played SWTOR in awhile, so some details may be wrong.  Don’t come at me.  I’m too tired. 

“Woman, if you’d come dressed correctly, I might have been more inclined to hear your suit,” the Orgo the Hutt, stretched out on its massive throne.  The massive slug-beast crammed a handful of screeching fish into its maw. “But I have no interest in Jedi or Republic politics.”  He yawned loudly.  “Maybe ask Palaya to find you a nice dancing outfit.” He gave a gurgling laugh and gestured to the blue Twi’lek woman lounging beside him.  “Maybe then I will be more interested in meeting with you.”  

You gritted your teeth, feeling the numerous blasters aimed at your back.  There was nothing wrong with your gray and white robes.  You were here on official business. “Wise Orgo, I apologize if my attire has given offense,” you said, trying for your best serene and unbothered expression, the one you used when dealing with the Council. “But this is not politics, this is business.”  

“And it is bad business to be entertaining pretty Jedi,” he laughed.  “Pretty Jedi should be entertaining Orgo!”

He was dead.  Everyone here was dead.  They just didn’t know it yet.  Orgo the Hutt?  Grease paste.  The handsy Gammorean bodyguards? Pieces, that’s all that was going to be left.  The swaggering mercs, snickering in the shadows, thinking their numbers would keep them safe?  You could make a pyramid of heads when you were done with them.  You were tired of this nonsense.  You had tried diplomacy, now you could go straight to violence and-

Palaya stared blankly ahead, adorned in a blue and gold mesh dancer’s outfit, a gold chain around her neck.  

You inhaled slowly, remembering that there were slaves, bystanders, innocent civilians on site. You could not kill everyone, rather you damn well better not kill everyone, and the fact that your mind was going there was a very bad sign.  In fact, if Master Amari found out, she’d lock you in the temple meditation chambers for the next decade.  

“I would be amenable to a private business meeting, Great Orgo,” you said, sounding absolutely calm.

A shifty-eyed human man leaned over and whispered something to Orgo.  

“A warrior Jedi?  With such a high bounty?  Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Orgo laughed, rolls of skin shaking.  “I would be happy to accommodate such a gift! What good business!”  

You shifted instinctively, preparing to start cutting down guards.

And then the floor dropped out from under you.  

Orgo laughed as you fell into the pit below.  

Snarling, you somersaulted downward, torches lighting the sandy area, another seven meters down. It stunk of rotten meat and feces, but worse was the festering corruption that hung over the sand like a miasma.  It was nauseating, and your vision went fuzzy for a moment. You landed in the soft sand, in a holding cell. The wall behind you was solid stone, but the ceiling was open. The sides were four meters high, thick, metal grates with very narrow openings. You drew your lightsabers, preparing to cut through the walls.  

“Filte says you are worth more alive,” Orgo called down.  “So don’t try to escape, little Jedi.  Or Teteta will have to eat you, and he is very hungry.”  

The trapdoors slammed shut, leaving the room barely lit by torchlight, and you caught sight of the thing lumbering around the other part of the pit. Howling, it lunged at your cage, clawed hands too thick to reach through the bars.  

It was a spiky bipedal creature, thickly-built and easily two and a half meters tall and meter and half wide, with massive horns and spines coming out of its head and back.  It charged forward, trying to ram down the door.  That was all bad enough, but the thing oozed dark side energy.  And then you knew exactly what it was.

Orgo the Hutt had a pet terentatek. They were mutant Dark-side monsters with a taste for force-sensitive flesh and a strong resistance to your powers.  Allegedly created by Exar Kun, they hunted Jedi, and were very good at it.  Theron hadn’t said a damn thing about terentateks!  

Backing up, you pulled your comm unit out of a robe pocket.  “Hey, it’s me.  Things went bad.”  

“Query: Oh? Are all the other meatbags dead? Did something similar happen to the little meatbags? Are they even littler meatbags now?” HK’s hologram popped up.  

“...No,” you sighed.  “I have to deal with a terentatek now. And don’t you start on me, HK.  I was supposed to do this peacefully. Remember? The Jedi Council, potential impending suspension, kidnapped children.  We went over this already.”  

“Evaluation: It is as you say, Master,” HK-53 said snidely.  “But the Jedi Council isn’t trapped there in the cage facing a terentatek.”  

“...I’ll be sure to put that in my report,” you said, squinting at the droid over the connection. “If you can try to discretely clear the secondary route, I’m going to get out of here.”

“Encouragement: Don’t forget, those spines and tusk are venomous, Master,” HK-53 said a little too cheerfully.  “But I’m sure you’ll do fine.  If you don’t, I will definitely kill everyone in the building to avenge you.”  

“HK-”  You shook your head. “At least don’t kill the civilians.”

“Evasion: I can’t hear you, Master! I am too busy discretely killing everyone in the way!”  And with that, the comm link cut.  

...Sithspit.  

Give the fact you had just entertained similar thoughts, you could not really judge him.  You were supposed to know better, the bodyguard/assassin droid was just programmed that way. Maybe you had been spending too much time with your droid, but you didn’t have any other backup for these situations.  Not any more.

Looking around, you studied the room.  There was another empty cell adjacent to you, and on the next wall, there were two more cells, and there was a heavily-armored man in each of them.  The terentatek had stopped slamming into your cell, and was now pacing furiously in front of it.  

“Hey,” you shouted.  

They turned, and you recognized those T-shaped visors on their Beskar helmets.  One had bright blue armor, the other black with a white skull face painted on it. Mandalorians.  Hmm.  

You flicked your sabers on, the silver beams casting eerie shadows.  

“What do you want, witch?” Skull asked, his voice strangely smooth behind a vocoder.  

“Do you want out?” You asked.

“Might be smarter to stay in here, away from that thing,” Blue said, with an easy laugh.  

Caution?  From a Mandalorian?  What were the odds? Today was really not your day.  

“It’s more interested in me than you,” you said.  “Do you want out or not?”  

“What’s your plan, witch?” Skull asked.

“I get you out of your cells, you get that main door open, and hopefully that hall narrows to a chokepoint so it can’t follow us out.”  

The two men muttered quietly between themselves.  You gathered your energy, aiming for the wall that divided your cell from the one next door.  It was not high enough to get a normal person to the trapdoor overhead -  you could jump, but you probably could not force it open from this side. Better to take the exit across the pit. You leapt, propelled upward by the force, and you reached out, gloved hands catching the top of the wall.  You pulled yourself up. It was only a handspan thick, so you balanced carefully, watching the terentatek throw its head back and roar.  

“Have you come to a decision yet, gentlemen?” You shouted.

“Fine,” Skull said.  “We can group up, for now.”  

“Do you know where the keys are?” You asked.  

“Do we look like we know how a Hutt arranges his torture dungeon?” Skull snapped.  

“...Maybe?” You shrugged. Mandalorian mercs weren’t uncommon.  They would have fit right in with the other riffraff in Orgo’s throne room.  

“Most of our weaponry is on the other side of the gate,” Blue told you, gesturing to the exit.  

“Don’t tell her that,” Skull growled.  

Well, you had not actually expected them to be much help against the terentatek.

“Stand back,” you told them, waiting for them to move away from the front of the cages. And then you threw a saber, the bright light arcing downward through the shadows.  Cutting precisely through the grate took focus.  The saber hovered in front of Blue’s cage, cutting a meter high circle in the metal.  Already, sweating, you hissed as the terentatek -likely feeling your power draw- charged your cage, rattling the grate.  

The lightsaber dropped, the circle not quite formed.  Teeth clenched, you reached out, hand shaking a little as you lifted the saber from the ground and finished the hole.  Panting, you had to drop it again, making sure to shut it down so no one got hurt.  Blue then pulled the cut-out portion into his cage, grabbed your saber, put the grate back, and gave you a thumbs up.

You squinted at him, wondering if the Mandalorian thought he could collect your weapon that easily.  

He deployed the saber, nearly jumping as the beam shot out.  Chuckling, he began to slowly cut through the wall between his cell and Skull’s.  

“Be careful with that,” you said, watching his hands shake. “Where can I get one of these?”  Blue asked, as he cut an unsteady shape.  

“If she dies, you can keep that one,” Skull said, sounding almost happy.    

Charming.  You rolled your eyes.

Blue stepped back, and Skull kicked the metal, knocking it out.  

“Let’s move out!” Blue said, waving at you.  

“Just stay out of my way.”   Skull went first, heading to the wall, looking for a way to open the door.

The terentatek was still banging against your cage, not noticing the men emerging from their cells.  You flicked sand at it, trying to hold its attention.  It shrieked at you angrily.   You scanned the darkness, hoping to find a pile of poo to fling...

“I got this,” Blue muttered, as he started using your saber to start cutting through the door.  

At the sound of a human voice coming from a different space, the terentatek whirled, roaring.  

“Din ferrik, Ja’ak!” Skull hissed.  

“Shab!” Blue muttered as he dragged the blade through the metal, trying to go faster, but not entirely able to control the lightsaber.

Skull started kicking the portion of the door, metal clanging.  

The terentatek lumbered toward them.

They were going to die.  Yes, they were dumb, and it was their own damn faults, but in recruiting them, you had signed these idiots’ death warrants. Mandalorians or not, you should not have involved them.  

You took a deep breath, running through your options.  You were not equipped to take down a terentatek today. You could try Ataru form – but you would be drained afterward.  Niman would have been better to keep it distracted, but that idiot had your other lightsaber and the Sixth Form required two lightsabers.  Ataru, then.  The Fourth Form was meant to be used against a single opponent: the stance took a lot of energy, but you needed to move fast.  You opened your mental channels, drawing more power from the force.  Strength began to pour into your limbs.  

You threw back your head and roared – to get its attention- before diving off the cage walls at the monster.  You drove your saber into the terentatek’s spiny back, before kicking off the shoulder plate, narrowly avoiding a spiked elbow.  You flipped backward, senses ablaze.  

Blue was almost through the door. Skull was standing there staring up at you.  

The terentatek swung, with claws as thick as your forearm, and narrowly missed your head.  You landed in a crouch and rolled sideways as it stomped toward you, Mandalorians forgotten.  

This was not a duel.  This was a battle of attrition.  You had to whittle it down, and you had to be fast.  Swinging your single saber, you sliced across its left arm, chitinous spikes dropping into the sand.  Blood and ichor spurted from the wound.  Shrieking, it charged you again, that thick darkness assailing your senses.   You dodged, still managing to keep away from its claws.  But the terentatek was still between you and the door.  

“Get to cover, witch!”  

Bright bolts of blaster fire tore through the room.  Sithspit, Ataru was not a defensive form.  You could try to deflect bolts, but your focus was on the abomination. Still, you went low, hoping to avoid friendly fire.  

The terentatek screamed as it lunged for you.  Blasterfire was not enough to stop it.  Even as you rolled through the sand, those talons sliced through your robes and into your back, your blood already burning.  

“Fall in!” Blue shouted.  

You scrambled forward, teeth clenched as Blue grabbed your wrists and dragged you through the broken door and into a stone hallway, Skull on your heels, still firing through the hole in the grate at the beast.   It was too small for the creature to get through

“That door is compromised. It won’t hold it for long,” Skull said.

“Back exit,” you muttered. “Should be unguarded-”

“His usually isn’t,” Blue laughed, as he handed you your other saber.

“Shut up,” Skull said, and you could hear the scowl through the helmet.  

You just shook your head, trying to focus on the venom already pulsing through your veins.  You needed to cleanse your blood, but you weren’t much of a healer.  Still, you could push out the poison.  Panting, you leaned against the wall, unclean blood pouring out of your back.  

“She’s hit,” Skull said. “Hurry up.  We don’t have a lot of time.”  

“Time to heal up,” Blue told you, hitting you with a kolto shot.  “You are going to have some impressive scars.”

You shuddered, still feeling some of the poison in your system.  But you could move.  “Escape tunnel should be in the southwestern corner.”

The Mandalorians nodded, and the three of you started running down the hall.  

A Gammorean stepped in your way, but Skull raised his two large scatterguns, and suddenly there wasn’t anything in your way.  There was a large messy puddle to run through, and you kept your mouth closed, a bloody mist still hovering in the air.  

There was more screaming behind you, as the terentatek smashed through the pit doors.   You stumbled, but Blue grabbed your arm, pulling you along.

There were more screams in front of you, and Skull raised his scatterguns.  

“Query: Maaaaaaaster, are you dead?  If you’re dead, I get to kill everyone else!” HK-53 called out, his voice echoing through the halls.   More shots fired, screams abruptly cutting off.  

“No, I’m alive,” you shouted back.  “And don’t shoot the men with me.”

HK-53 rounded the corner, blaster rifle raised.   “Excitement: Oh Master, I am relieved to see you in one piece,” he said so stoically, it couldn’t be anything, but sarcasm.

“Why does a Jedi have a Hunter-Killer droid?” Skull asked, his voice low and suspicious.  

“Intimidation: Because before my last master expired violently, he willed me to her, and we have been very active ever since,” HK-53 said.  “Now, if I can’t shoot them, can I use-?”

“HK, leave them alone. I need to find those kids and get out of here,” you sighed.

“Explanation: Oh, bad news, Master,” HK-53 said with exaggerated sympathy. “They’re already gone.  Orgo shipped them out last night.  This whole trip was a waste of time!”  He cackled.  

Scowling, you grabbed HK-53’s arm.  “Where?”

“Master, if you insist on clinging to me, I can’t fight properly,” HK-53 said.  “They’re off Taris and on their way to Nar Shaddaa.  I sliced the records for you – we can look at them later, when we’re not killing our way through a Hutt’s basement.”

You followed HK-53 through a cleared path, seeing over a dozen smoking bodies along the way.  The Mandalorians kept you between them and your murder-happy droid.  

The sunlight was a relief as you stumbled out the door.  It didn’t smell like death and rot out here, and you were far enough away from the corrupt influence of the beast that you could breathe comfortably again.  Of course, you would have to come back here and finish it off.  You could not let a terentatek live. But that was a problem for later. “Come on, this way,” Blue said, tugging your arm.  

“Master, we can get to the spaceport-”

“She’s been poisoned,” Skull said.  “We can try to fix her up at camp, or you can cart a dead Jedi off to Nar Shaddaa.”

HK-53 looked you over.  “Smuggery: I told you they were venomous.  If you die, can I kill these meatbags?”

“No HK, and I do not have the patience for this,” you growled, staggering forward. “We need to get to Nar Shaddaa-” You said, before falling over, your legs no longer responding to your orders.  “Sithspit,” you muttered, twitching in the dirt.  

“Stupid witch,” Skull said, bending over you.  

And then everything faded away.

** “How can they just sit back and do nothing?” You snarled, pacing in front of the fountain.  “No, this is worse than nothing.  Not only are they doing nothing, they’re arguing over whether or not they should punish me for doing something!” You threw your arms up in frustration.  “They’re the ones who sent me to Alderaan!”

“Yes, to Alderaan, not to Balmorra, nor Nar Shaddaa, and certainly not Corellia,” Master Amari said, sitting back on the bench, expression dangerously placid. With her striking blue robes, gold jewelry, and tattoos, she looked more like an elegant noblewoman than a Jedi Master.  “You were just supposed to find out what happened to Master Nomen Karr, not follow in his footsteps.”  

You squinted at her.  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He always had a hard time staying away from the war,” Master Amari said.  “I am not saying we cannot be involved in conflict. I agree with you, we have an obligation to use our powers responsibly.  But Nomen Karr loved to fight, and he held a deep hatred for the Empire.  He could not let that go, and it ruined him.”  

That she didn’t just come and say the obvious thing both reassured you and infuriated you.  No one wanted to talk about what happened, not even you, but seeing your Master shy around the topic made you angrier than you expected.  

You had to remember to breathe.  “I don’t hate the Empire,” you said.  “It’s too broad a construct.”

“Semantics, Strike.  You know you’re not supposed to be in contact with certain people. But still you obsessively track Lord Talon.  You repeatedly undertake unsanctioned missions for SIS in exchange for data on him. You keep that abominable droid in your living quarters,” Master Amari’s voice was gentle.  “That may not be hatred, but given all that has happened, it certainly is enough to make me worry about you.”  

“HK can’t help the way he was programmed,” you muttered, because she wasn’t wrong. HK-53 was an absolute bastard to everyone.  “And I got official approval to embed with Delta Squad.”  

“...After you ignored three summons to return to Coruscant,” Master Amari said, shaking her head.  

“Must have gotten lost in transmission,” you muttered.  “Still not enough to warrant an entire meeting about my conduct.”  

“You know that isn’t the only thing on the table,” Master Amari said sternly.  

“I was cleared of any wrongdoing months ago,” you said sharply.  

“Yes,” Master Amari nodded. “And I agree, what happened was not your fault in the least.  I just wish you could see that and step away for a moment.”  

You flinched.  “I’m the one with the best chance-”

“Of getting dragged under with him,” Master Amari said.  “You’re already struggling, we both know it.”  

You inhaled deeply.  You wanted to go back to the front.  You couldn’t sit here in the temple, meditating on peace, while Lord Talon and his apprentice were out there slaughtering more people.  But now that you were back on Coruscant, the Council seemed damn keen on keeping you there.

“You did a lot of good and made some important allies during your military tour, Strike.  If you want to go back out in the field, it is not out of the question,” Master Amari said, adjusting the hood of her robes.  “And I don’t disagree with your reasoning.  I also think you are the one with the best chance to stop him.  But you’re not in the right spot mentally to do it yet and I am very worried about you, as my friend.”  

You groaned, because she was right. And when she was this honest, you couldn’t be mad at her. This wasn’t her mess.  She was the one who taught you that it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission, but Master Amari had a finesse that you lacked.  She certainly didn’t get a whole Council convened because of her “questionable conduct.”  

“They’re trying to make an example out of me,” you said, with a scowl.

“Which will backfire, as long as you behave yourself,” she said sternly.  “You are a decorated war hero.  There’s an entire subset of delinquent padawans who want to be the next Knight Strike, and it is infuriating several of my peers. On top of that, they have to sit there calmly, pretending like they aren’t outraged.  Plus the Republic military is impressed with your work and is pushing for even more joint operations,” she laughed softly.  “And because of that, this has become political. I am just reminding you to be more diplomatic with the High Council.  You have allies there: don’t alienate them.”  

She was right.  Master Lacroix had requested a meeting beforehand.  He was not on the High Council, but he likely would be some day soon. And he was the one who warned you about the potential pending disciplinary charges.  He was also the one who might have suggested rotating comm frequencies and upping your encryption standards during your travels, so the official High Council summons to return to Coruscant never reached you.  

“You’re not alone in how you feel, and you’re absolutely right, they are indecisive, cloistered, and afraid: I don’t blame them.  They’re responsible for the future of the entire Order, and all the lives in their jurisdiction. We are weak right now. We can’t afford to just throw good Knights into a meat grinder. We’ve lost enough already. We can’t afford to lose you too.” She leaned forward.  “And this war has taken its toll on you, Strike.  The violence, the death, the guilt, our losses: you’re balanced on a knife’s edge, and we both know it.”  She looked at you, solemn as you had ever seen her.  “If you fall, I will be the one they send after you.”  

You blinked.  Because of course Master Amari noticed.  You wondered about Master Lacroix.  The consular was a subtle man, shrewd and political as any SIS operative. He had to see the signs too.

“...Master Amari,” you said, giving a formal bow.  “If I fall, it will not be because of anything you or the Council did.  It will not be something you can prevent, unless you plan on locking me up for the rest of my life. If I fall, it will be because there is something out there worth saving, that is more valuable than myself and the Jedi Council’s ideals.”

Master Amari nodded. “I know you see it that way, but if you fall, will you still be able to protect that thing that matters so much to you?  You saw how it went.  I doubt that was the expectation at the time.”  

You thought back to that terrible day on Corellia.  “I don’t know.  I wasn’t able to last time.” You stared up at the sky.  “I suppose that’s why I keep HK-53 so close now.”  

**

You stood in the Council Chambers, shoulders square, in your gray and white robes, your twin sabers on your belt.  You bowed your head respectfully to the Council, gaze flicking to Master Lacroix who stood by the door. He sat there, hood up, face inscrutable, as always.  

“Knight Strike, it is good to have you back on Coruscant,” the Barsen’thor told you, with a smile and a wink.  She had been one of your fellow padawans on Tython, and had fought on Corellia. She had spoken in your defense at the first inquiry.  She had dealt with similar issues in the past, though of a more exotic and conspiratorial nature than your own.  

You allowed yourself a smile in return.  You knew whose side she was on.

“It is always nice to see you,” you told her.

“This is a High Council meeting, not a class reunion,” Master Nobil said coolly.

“It is good to see you too, Master Nobil,” you said, politely.  

You didn’t actually hear the Barsen’thor laugh, but you could feel it.

“I’m afraid we might have to skip the opening formalities today, Knight Strike.  But rest assured, we are all pleased to see you standing here in Coruscant, in person,” Grandmaster Satele Shan said.  She stood there in her plain brown robes, dark hair pulled back in her customary braids, those pale blue eyes piercing your mask of civility.  Shan knew exactly what you were about, and she would only tolerate it to a point.    

You bowed.  

“Today, we have convened to discuss the appropriate outcome for your nontraditional approach to acquiring intelligence on Master Nomen Karr.  While we appreciate you finding out the actual details, you certainly took a...circuitous route.”

“Are we not going to talk about-” Nobil began.

“No,” Grandmaster Shan said firmly.  “That issue was settled months ago.  Knight Strike bears no fault there, and there is no need to rehash that.”  

Nobil did not quite sulk, but he crossed his arms and stared very hard at you, like you were a padawan who was lifting extra desserts.  

“Now, what do you have to say about your...unorthodox method of intelligence gathering, Knight Strike?”  Grandmaster Shan asked.  

“The Force works in mysterious ways,” you said, with a bow.  

Grandmaster Shan sighed.  “Don’t be coy.”

“My apologies, Grandmaster,” you said. “I do not wish to deflect from my own responsibility in the matter, but I do wish to state that I did not simply go rogue. I-”

“-Had tacit support from a number of Masters, some of them in this room?  I am aware,” Grandmaster Shan said archly, giving numerous people hard looks.  “And that issue has been discussed as well. And I agree, it would not be fair to punish you for taking poor counsel from your superiors.”  She looked around the room, expression severe.  

“What would you have me say then, Grandmaster?” You asked, because of course she already knew almost everything.  Most of it had already come out in the first inquest. “Why am I here?”  

“Originally, we had considered issuing consequences for your unsanctioned foray.  However, in light of your honorable service and your resilience in the face of darkness, I don’t believe any further disciplinary measures will be necessary.  So no, that is not why I have asked you here today.” She leaned forward.  “How familiar are you with the Tarisian branch of the Exchange?”

You blinked, not expecting that question.   “Orgo the Hutt is in charge of that sector.  He has alarmingly friendly relations with the Empire,” you said, raising your head.  “He especially likes exporting Sithspawn, rakghouls, and other abominations for the private menageries of Sith Lords.  His personal habits are...not fit to mention in polite company.”  

“What about the Balmorran branch of the Exchange?  Where do their loyalties lie?”

“That’s more complicated. Breaking the blockade is a lucrative business, and they’re happy to play both sides,” you said with a shrug.  “They import much-needed food, medicine, and other basic commodities in exchange for a cut of the weaponry produced on the planet.  Then they sell it to the highest bidder.  Balmorra is a competitive market: no one who wants to stay on top can pick a side.  Profits are the driving force and their black market goods are integral to the population’s survival.”  

Grandmaster Shan nodded.  

“What about the slave markets of Nar Shaddaa?”  

“...I have been,” you said tightly.

“Could you go again?”

“If it is necessary, I could go in quietly. I could also go in...less quietly.”  You smiled slightly at the thought of letting HK-53 loose on the slavers.  

Grandmaster Shan gave you a disapproving look, like she had picked up your exact thoughts. Which, given her powers, she probably had. “...And what would you say of the criminal known as Rogun Matt’rik?”  She asked you.  

“For a man called “the Butcher,” his sandwiches aren’t very good.”  You shrugged.  

There was a low murmur.  

“You have...shared meals with Rogun the Butcher?”  Grandmaster Shan’s expression was too calm. You knew, from experience, that meant you were getting to her.  Which was an accomplishment, though of dubious value.  You did not need to get slapped back down to Tython. You needed to stop taunting the Grandmaster.  

“Nothing fancy, obviously. We have worked together on occasion. He is a crime lord and not really someone you should eat with, unless you’re stuck in the trenches and can’t really get out because there are Imperial forces strafing you, and you’re the one reinforcing the shield that’s keeping everyone alive,” you said, after a moment.  “But he’s one of the few who is loyal to the Republic, and puts that loyalty a little bit ahead of his profits.  If the SIS-” you paused, wondering if Satele knew how often you worked with her son.  “-doesn’t know something, Rogun can often find it out.”  

“You admit to associating with criminals of that notoriety?” Master Nobil asked, outraged.  

“He says, I’m a good influence on him,” you said.  “For the record, I have talked him out of killing several people.”  That was true.  If they were useful, he turned them over to the SIS.  It was a moral grey zone, you understood.  But Rogun knew better than to do certain things in front of you. And if he had a Sith problem, well, you could help him out with that.  It was mutually beneficial for you, him, and the Republic.

“Well then, this has been very enlightening, Knight Strike.”  Grandmaster Shan touched her forehead, like maybe she was getting a headache. “I have to agree with Master Nobil, you are walking a dangerous line.” There was concern in her tone.  “But I am afraid we have no choice, you are the best candidate for this mission, and it is an urgent matter.”  

You straightened up.  “What?”

“That isn’t to say that we can condone your unorthodox behaviors, Knight Strike.  I think you know that we have been very close to taking disciplinary action,” Grandmaster Shan said sternly.  “But as you said, the Force works in mysterious ways.”  She leaned forward.  “As you are undoubtedly aware, the Sith Academy on Korriban is always taking in more force-sensitive individuals, as they kill them at an alarming rate.”

You nodded.  

“There have been a string of child abductions in Republic space– Exchange thugs killing entire families to abduct the younglings before we can get to them.  We’re not exactly sure how they’re finding them first, but we’ve lost over a dozen juvenile candidates before they are ever properly assessed or invited to Tython.  Some of them have been spotted in the markets on Nar Shaddaa, in the company of Orgo the Hutt’s men.  We need this to stop.”  

You stood there for a moment.  Orgo was middleman.  If Orgo wasn’t doing the trade, someone else would step up.  Whoever was picking the younglings was force-sensitive or had access to the candidate lists that the Council kept.  Given the fact, the children were being taken before any official assessment was done, it was likely that you were dealing with a Sith with an eye for talent.  The mission parameters were clear: Find the Sith, destroy the relevant Exchange infrastructure in the process, and retrieve the children.  

“I understand,” you said with a bow.

**

Once you had the details, you sat down in Master Lacroix’s office, making several calls.  You would be heading for Taris tomorrow.  

“I realize you’re frustrated,” Lacroix said, sitting down at his desk, lowering his hood.  He was a slender middle-aged human, with a ridiculous fondness for his mustache.  “But it was unwise to antagonize her like that.”

“I know,” you said, tilting your chair back.  “But I’ve been rotting here for over a year-”

“You haven’t been locked in the temple.  You’ve been going down to the lower levels and picking fights,” he said with a frown.  

“Gotta keep my skills sharp,” you said with a shrug.  “There are too many gangs.  Law enforcement can’t keep up and sometimes they’re just as bad.”  

Lacroix sighed heavily.  “That isn’t the point, Strike.  You and I both know that.”

“If I’m such a danger, why did you nominate me to take this mission?”

Lacroix chuckled, because he knew that you would figure it out.  “Because you have the skills and the contacts, and a deeper interest in the perpetrators,” he said, pouring himself a drink.  “But also, I have been thinking on your personal problems, and I may have a solution.”

“Which one?  How I have a slew of moralistic busybodies probing and questioning my every action?”  

Lacroix rolled his eyes.  “Don’t be silly. They aren’t aware of half the things you get up to.  Do you honestly think you would be getting away with this slap on the wrist if they did know?”

He had you there.  You waved your hand, for him to continue.

“I think you know, Lord Talon is likely involved,” he said.  “Though perhaps you should wait till you’re off-world to give any evidence of that connection.  They won’t send you if they suspect his presence.”  

You nodded.  “I wasn’t enough to stop him last time.”  You stared at the floor for a moment, feeling sick.  “But I’ve been training harder.  I’m better than I was a year ago.  I don’t know if it’s enough, but it will have to be.”  

“I know you’ve improved, but I don’t think killing Talon should be your priority,” Lacroix said.  “I think we both know that.”  

“...Obviously. But I don’t know if there’s any way for me to get through to-”

“There might not be, and you need to go in there knowing that you can try, and there may be a miracle, but it’s been a year.  If things were going to change, they would have already.  He hasn’t contacted you. You don’t bear any more responsibility in this, other than to stop Talon.”

“It’s not that easy and you know it,” you growled.  

“It’s not, but that’s the truth.”  Master Lacroix stared off to the side for a moment.  “You and I have both seen people fall.  The change is often so drastic and immediate, it is understandably terrifying.  People who were compassionate, funny, and logical suddenly become vicious, cruel, and homicidal.  It is hard to see a fall as anything but a catalyst for madness.”

You closed your eyes.  “I know it’s not something we can magically reverse.”

“But it is something we might be able to guard against. I have a hypothesis,” he said, eyeing you shrewdly.  

“And I’m your test subject?”

“You are the one who might benefit most from this knowledge,” he said.  “The cause of this massive reversal is likely because certain Jedi have spent so long being a conduit for the force, for the lighter half, that they are overwhelmed by the sudden imbalance.  It is like...wine rushing into an empty glass.”  He set one in front of you to demonstrate. “It splashes and forcefully displaces the air. Whereas, if you already have some liquid within, the result is not so volatile.  I wonder if dealings with the darker aspects could play out similarly.  And since you have some experience managing these situations, perhaps you would not fall as hard.”

“This is heresy,” you said, as he handed your cup.  “Tell me more.”  

“Yes, it is, isn’t it? You have heard of Gray Jedi?”

“Aren’t they just Jedi who don’t like how restrictive the High Council is?”  You asked. “They get married, they go to war, they wear gray…”  

“Maybe “Dark Jedi” is a more accurate term,” Lacroix said, clasping his hands together.  “But yes, depending on practices, they are viewed as a heretical offshoot, even a danger to the order of the Order.  I have met a few in my travels, on both the Sith and Jedi sides.”  

You studied his thoughtful expression as you sipped the wine.  “I have also met Light-leaning Sith.”  

“Then you understand how...the balance of the Force is not always so clearly delineated,” Lacroix told you.  “We are taught to be vessels of light, not how to manage our own darkness.  It is a mistake, in my opinion.  But Gray Jedi walk that line, and more interestingly, they can tap into both light side and dark side abilities.”  

“So are you trying to get me to prove your thesis?”

“I think you are a very capable knight going into some very trying and uncertain circumstances.  I think you are off-balance, and that this is a dangerous time for you, for many reasons.  But I also don’t think we can accomplish anything by keeping knights like you locked up in temples.”  He regarded you gravely.  “I wanted to remind you that your choices are not binary.  That you can always forge a different path, no matter what the Order has told you.  If you fall from grace, you don’t have to land in darkness.”  

“And yet, you still want me to go out there, knowing the Council would disapprove if they had more details and knowing that I’m in rough shape,” you laughed. “You’re a real bastard, Master Lacroix.”  

“You’ve always known this.” He raised his cup, smiling sardonically at you.  “And yet it’s my counsel you sought out.”

“I’m known for my questionable decision-making and unorthodox behavior.  What’s your excuse?”

[nelliebrookstone]

( BRIANNE HOWEY, 29, CIS WOMAN, SHE/HER ) * hey, i’m looking for the office of ELEANOR ‘NELL’ BROOKSTONE. they’re the EMPLOYEE who’s known around the office as THE BURN BOOK, if that helps ? not to be a gossip, but i’ve heard that they’re SUPPORTIVE but PETTY, is that true ? i also heard that they’re the one who CRIED IN THE BATHROOM BECAUSE SOMEONE TOOK HER YOGURT. anyways, here’s the coffee they ordered.

Greetings Earthlings, my name is Asha I am simply a fellow human from planet earth looking to hang out with my cool friends at the Build-A-Bear. I’m excited to be here! I have more information on Eleanor (nellie if you know here, nell if you don’t) below the cut! If you give this a lil like I’ll slide into your exclusive tumblr DMs to plot! 

So, who is Nell? Well let me tell you. As far as most people know, Nell is a former Masters Model turned Head of Talent Management for models. She’s a mix of sweet Alabama charm and scary dead smile energy, and she always has a compact for you to borrow in her purse. Most people know she always has a perfect french manicure and knows most people by first name. You might also know she recently divorced Parker and is no longer using his last name, please do not call her Mrs. Carson she’ll cry in the bathroom and then leave you a bad yelp review. You’re not even on yelp, you say? She’ll make one for you and then leave a bad review. 

But like a curated Insta, this ain’t it folks. So buckle up. (I say this dramatically but tbh she has had a pretty stable life)

Nellie grew up in a smallish town in Alabama. If you ask her, it wasn’t small at all. But it certainly was compared to large city centers, and definitely compared to New York. It was the kind of town where everyone knew your business, and Nellie had a lot of business. 

She was a teen queen! Head cheerleader, student president, shining volunteer of the county and Lady Alabama of 2010 (not to be confused with Miss Alabama, but if you ask her it’s basically the same thing). She was very involved in her community and her parents were well known in the area for their construction company. Everyone loved her that she was like the golden child of the town.

It was a great, privileged life! Her parents got married young, had a bunch of kids, and had the means to care for them! Her parents also have a very genuine love story, still passionate about each other years later. She and her sisters (all five of them) have always wanted a life like their parents’. 

The one difference between her and her parents remained her desire to roam and see the world. She wanted to travel, or at least live in a place where she could meet new people from new places. Moving to New York seemed like a great place to get some experience, though if you ask her mother she probably got the idea from some dumb TV show. She did. It was a lot of shows. And a lot of movies. There were a ton of romantic comedies that TRULY shaped this desire. 

she started sending in applications to various schools in New York. She was an honor list student with a lot of extra-circulars and passion to be at these places that shown through on all her apps. She got many a rejection, the one from Columbia was the hardest. It was the worst thing that ever happened to her at the time, so you can imagine how her life must have been. 

She DID get accepted to NYU for Public Relations! CHEERS ALL AROUND! She was so excited. She was gonna see the world and be a big city bitch 10/10. In college, she was quickly involved in everything from various clubs, to sorority, to trying to get involved with the community. It didn’t work out as well. New York was just such a different town...in that it was...big. And she wasn’t used to that. 

But she did meet a funky guy named Parker Carson! And they fell in love! And here is a short synopsis of their relationship: 

they met at a department store. Parker looked a little lost in the dress shirt area so she helped him pick out an outfit and the rest was, as they say, history. 

they had a great relationship at first, full of love and passion and fun times. he had a pokemon tattoo, she used to play pokemon snap. what a team! 

but really, they had a great time together...which led them to get married real early. In fact, for Nell, this was even a little late. She thought she’d be married with kids by 23. 

a lot of little things led to their downfall, but it can be boiled down to not fully understanding what it takes to live with another person who doesn’t mesh with your lifestyle. A big issue for Nell was kids. She wanted them, right then and there. He didn’t! No one’s fault, but it seemed to be a block they couldn’t get over. 

they’re divorced now. it’s fresh. she’s got a lot of conflicts about it. She cannot believe she is divorced before 30. she cannot believe she doesn’t have kids by now. She is under the impression she’s run out of time for everything, which is not true at all but it’s how she feels. She’s none too fond of the man at the moment. 

But listen! Nellie is a fun girl! She’s got a lot of ~zest~ for life and likes to do new things and try new places. She’s also just as comfortable spending the day at home on the couch with everything she needs within arms reach. She seems like someone who would be into partying but that’s really not her scene. She’s a brunch girl, a drive-thru movie theater girl, and an all-day 90 day fiance girl. She has an addiction to cherry cokes and always misses her stop on the subway because she gets distracted listening to her music and zoning out. She cries a lot during sad AND happy movies and can’t eat pork because she once knew a pig named Babe (no relation to the famous babe). Her favorite animal is the octopus and she volunteers with the homeless shelter every weekend. 

All of this doesn’t really come across in her work persona. She always seems like she’s extremely put together and very good at what she does. She’s quick, snappy, and not afraid to speak her mind. She’s a master at the backhanded compliment and is the master of the delayed burn (you won’t know you’ve been roasted until she’s down the hallway). She has a very charming way of speaking with a thick southern accent and tons of sayings that no one knows the meaning of, but sometimes that Nice Southern Girl smile comes out and you know she would be stabbing you if such an act were socially acceptable. Despite this, Nellie doesn’t think she’s a mean person. 

But I’m sure there are MANY people who think she is. Because...sometimes she is! No one is perfect, and she definitely has a reputation of being a major pain in the ass if you’re on her bad side. Nell remembers EVERY slight against her. Oh, she remembers when you commented on the amount of emails she sends. She remembers when you mentioned that you thought her font type was a little too bold. She remembers it all...and stores it in her mental burn book. 

This also happens often because she is...pretty sensitive. And because she’s going through a divorce, which is NOT what she had planned for in life, she’s like a stubbed toe away from a full cry every day. She’s started to invest in waterproof mascara but it’s not working out. She really DID cry in the bathroom over her yogurt. She also came back the next day and wrote a VERY angry letter on the fridge titled ‘to the person who likes to take things that don’t belong to them, I hope your mother knows she raised a THIEF.’

As petty as she can be, she’s also a great person to have in your corner. If you’re a friend, she will fight for you to the end. She’s very loyal and will often drop whatever she’s doing if you need her. She can be very generous, no expenses spared to lift up someone she loves. If you’re a friend of hers, she’s a great friend. The kind you can call at 2 am when she’s dead asleep and she’ll still come help you move out of your shitty ex’s apartment. 

Basically, Nell is a whole lot of things. Not all of them are great. But she likes to think of herself as a good person that cares about other people. She generally is! She’s also fairly good at having heart to heart conversations, and isn’t afraid to own her mistakes if she’s not still upset about the issue. But she’ll also try to ruin your career if you steal her yogurt. Fun! 

I’ll add more as I think of it, but for now I’m here for all the plots. Best friends, enemies, the person who caught her crying in the bathroom, the person who caught her angrily scribbling her name on all her yogurt, you name it! 

[bisluthq]

Kaylor Rises?

We’ll never know the mechanics or reasons for Joshlie going on a break (or even if they just decided to be more casual for a bit). Maybe it was Taylor related, maybe it was all the stuff with his family, maybe it was the spectre of differing religions, maybe it was the age gap, maybe he started to agree that a ‘lingerie model’ was unsuitable in the long run… But one fact we do know, from investigative journalism done on the Kushners and also from looking at contemporaneous gossip blogs is: Joshlie have taken breaks. We don’t know exactly exactly how many, or why. But we know that they did. Again, this is one of the biggest pieces of ‘evidence’ that they’re real because why bother faking problems and breaks? Why not present yourselves as head-over-heels? It doesn’t make sense, but it’s what happened. And it also opens the door to some romantic!Kaylor. And in March 2014, Josh disappears from the picture and Taylor is suddenly a massive presence - way beyond the fun, highkey promotion we saw up till now. 

1 March 2014 - We see Kaylor both attend a Pre-Oscar Party. I think a Joshlie break was what led Karlie to go to LA and stay with Taylor. At this stage, they’d known each other publicly for about five months but, if we factor in possible negotiations, they might have known each other for much longer. I really do think they were good friends by this stage, because Taylor is a terrible actress and they clearly really enjoyed each other’s company. It was as good a place as any for Karlie to go and lick wounds. 

2 March 2014 - Kaylor attend the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and the Vogue profile talks about this being where they connected and decided to do the road trip: “A few months later they saw each other again at an Oscars after-party, and Kloss suggested they do something spontaneous. “I’d been to Big Sur once before, and I was like, ‘We should just do it,’ ” says Swift.” I suspect this story is a bit of a lie - but I do think it is true that they hooked up around this time, and decided to take a road trip to Big Sur. Taylor had been there once before, with Jake Gyllenhaal. Karlie had never been. It’s interesting that for Taylor it was already a “romantic” place, at the very least publicly, and it’s where she decided to go with Karlie at this point. 

Also, in terms of the “lie” factor - they’re saying this is where they reconnected but they were partying together the literal night before. So they’re obviously blurring reality a bit in the interview. Which is okay, maybe they misremembered or misspoke. But when factored into a pattern, it seems an odd thing to get confused about. 

The road trip itself is ICONIC. Taylor allegedly plays Karlie the whole of 1989. They take a million gorgeous photos. The daisy thing happens. 

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts the ‘Karlie loves Taylor’ sand pic. Taylor likes.

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts the ‘best road trip ever’ daisy pic.

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts the ‘adventure of a lifetime with my girl’ cheek kiss selfie.

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts a pic of her and Taylor with the caption, ‘woah, what a view huh?’

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts the pic of her hugging Taylor from behind.

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts a picture of herself apparently taken by Taylor.

5 March 2014 - Karlie posts a picture of her and Taylor jumping with the caption ‘❤️’

5 March 2014 - Taylor posts a picture of them and captions it ‘On the Way Home’ - possibly a reference to YAIL. 

When they return, things still seem very, very good in Kaylor Land.

12 March 2014 - Karlie attends the Art Production Fund’s White Glove Gala without Josh.

24 March 2014 - Taylor diaries that she’s moved into her Tribeca apartment in the “last few weeks” which means they are in the same city and that, when Karlie was in LA, Tay was still permanently based there. 

1 April 2014 - Karlie attends The New Museum annual Spring Gala without Josh.

1 April 2014 - Josh attends a New York Observer event without Karlie. His family is out in full force - again, this is their family business. It’s actually really odd that he is there on his own. Oh, and by the way - Mikey Hess isn’t there either lmao. 

3 April 2014 - Kaylor go to the gym and then out for lunch at the Butcher’s Daughter (which, for the record, is very close to Josh’s apartment but since he and Karlie have not interacted publicly in well over a month that seems irrelevant). They are papped continuously on both halves of the date. 

14 April 2014 - Kaylor are papped in NYC.

21 April 2014 - Taylor is papped with Cara and the articles that follow are all about “gal pals”. I do not think Cara and Taylor were together at this point but it’s vital to see the rollout of the “Girl Squad” PR strategy. It was not just about Karlie. Karlie was meant to be the ‘main’ Squad girl, but there were others.

26 April 2014 - Kaylor are papped in NYC

2 May 2014 - Karlie brings Derek as her +1 to the memorial service for L’Wren Scott.

4 May 2014 - Karlie posts a photo of herself with Taylor and Kate Bosworth at The Jane Hotel for Harry Josh’s party.

5 May 2014 - Kaylor get ready together and then attend the Met together. Josh is also there with his brother and Ivanka. Kaylor interact with the Kushners because this photo gets taken. We also get this pic (peep Tay’s dress in the background). Karlie sits at a table with Josh, and Taylor sits very, very far away. (Here is a pic of them seated). Now, it’s possible the tickets were booked and the seating arrangements made well before Joshlie went on a break. Or it’s possible going there was just a stunt and Karlie and Josh were very much together.

If Josh was a beard contract, this would’ve been reversed. Karlie would have showed up and walked the red carpet with Josh and sat with Taylor once inside. Instead, Karlie was papped with Taylor on the outside, and sat in the cheap seats with Josh, on the other side of the room from Taylor, once inside. If Josh and Karlie both needed a beard, why would they allow Karlie to show up and walk the red carpet with her girlfriend when they both attended the event?

And here’s what’s interesting: Taylor references this evening extensively at the end of the Wildest Dreams MV. She closely replicates the outfits - Karlie’s, Josh’s and her own - and casts herself as the “other woman”. It’s a telling video because that twist in the end is not necessary for the song to make sense (at all), Tay’s character is hurt and surprised by the MV love interest having a partner, and in the end the love interest’s feelings seem genuine as he runs after her - but she’s already gone. It’s a pretty loud scene in all and I’m not sure how else to interpret it, really. It’s also interesting that Tay’s character in the video falls in love with her ‘onscreen’ partner - kind of how Kaylor probably started as somewhat scripted ‘Famous Friends’ but possibly grew feelings.

Taylor also references this evening in LWYMMD when a 2014 Met Taylor appears several times. A zombie Taylor wearing the dress she wore in the OOTW MV buries a Taylor wearing this 2014 Met Gala dress and later she appears again. Considering all the other “Taylors” are extremely iconic (for example Kanye interrupting dress), I’m not sure why 2014 Met Gala Tay is here. It’s not the best example of one of her princess dresses… It’s not indicative of an ‘era’...

Unless the evening was important to Taylor herself, and the most logical reason for that would be Joshlie. It seems that this was the night that Tay, like her character in the MV, found herself cast in the unfortunate role of “other woman” - a part she would have struggled with ever since. So, with that in mind, here are some photos of Kaylor from that night where Taylor looks miserable: x x x

12 May 2014 - Karlie attends the American Ballet Theatre Opening Night Spring Gala alone.

15 May 2014 - An article with People comes out where Taylor makes getting ready with Karlie sound like a fun pre-prom time, proving the earlier point that them showing up together was part of their PR relationship.

Early May 2014 - Kaylor go for dinner at Toni Garrn’s, further debunking Korlie rumors.

22 May 2014 - Karlie attends amfAR’s 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala alone.

CONCLUSION: From late February/early March it seemed as though Kaylor were together and possibly exclusive or at least getting somewhat serious. However, in early May Josh and Karlie reconnected around the time of the Met Gala - that’s what the Wildest Dreams MV seems to suggest at least. The fact that they interacted and sat together despite not apparently going ‘together’ is very loud. 

However, Joshlie were not fully back together at this Met Gala stage. I believe they reunited proper only at the end of May, at which point the Kaylor dynamic shifted gears.

However… the contract for the publicity deal was still in place and they had to carry on carrying on. It’s telling that their respective close friends didn’t exactly warm up to one another - their personal friend groups never really meshed. This contradicts the het narrative of them being just extremely great friends. If they really were, why wouldn’t they be hanging out with each other’s main people (in very simple terms, people like Derek and Abigail)? And before you @me, a few likes are not great evidence of hangouts - Josh also liked a bunch of Tay’s posts, and it’s pretty clear they were never friends.

More likely, Karlie and Taylor hooked up… And, of course, Karlie was an important part of this era’s publicity rollout. And that’s where things got messy.

[toffee-hammer]

Varley’s gone endwalkin’ Part 1

I usually liveblog my FFXIV stuff but I kinda fired myself through the Endwalker story like a missile in an attempt to avoid spoilers so this time I’ll be making a handful of larger, slightly more abridged posts talking about what I thought and felt about it retrospectively. Big ol’ spoilers obviously so maybe don’t read if you haven’t finished the MSQ yet.

First of all, this is the first expansion release since I started playing. Was accepting that first MSQ quest in several months supposed to feel like a shot of serotonin straight to the brain stem? Because it did.

Seriously, walking into the Rising Stones and clicking on Alphinaud was just straight-up euphoric and I haven’t even been waiting as long as most. I bust into that room with my bags already packed, my swords bundled up like golf clubs and ready to go to f u c k i n g  c o l l e g e Sharlayan.

Speaking of which, I’ve been spending most of my post-MSQ time in Radz-at-Han because all the gear vendors are there but Sharlayan is great. It’s not super big but you get hammered with really good world building basically every second you’re there without even doing any side-quests. A lot of it is stuff we’ve heard before from Krile or the twins or whoever but there’s some nice new bits and pieces to learn while you’re there too.

Anyway, after a pretty great intro sequence that started to put some of my fears that Estinien might not mesh too well with the rest of the Scions besides me and Alphinaud to rest, you’re given the choice to either go to Thavnair with the boys (Thancred, Estinien and Urianger) or stay in Sharlayan with the Study Squad (Y’shtola, G’raha and the twins). I was interested in Thavnair but my absolute highest priority at the time was to see the twins get their new outfits and Alphinaud become a sage so I popped out my library card and stayed behind.

It’s really just a matter of which order you do the two zones in though. Nothing changes whichever one of them you decide to do first. The zone in Sharlayan is Labyrinthos, a kind of subterranean, artificial environment that I wasn’t sure about when I saw it in the previews because it looked like a goddamn nightmare to navigate and it absolutely is but it’s such a cool area that I didn’t really care (not until I went aether current hunting later at least). You don’t get to see the whole area until later because you get sent to the principal’s office for espionage but I still found it to be a great start to Varley’s new adventure. It’s also where Hydaelyn gives you the flower in the launch trailer which I was sure was going to be basically a cell phone with a direct line to her but instead it’s some kind of mood ring situation that changes colour depending on what people are feeling in the vicinity.

Speaking of Alisaie and Alphinaud’s new looks (which are both great by the way) + Alphinaud’s new job though. I don’t know why I keep expecting characters to have big, important reasons for changing their main jobs. The most we’ve ever gotten out of any of them was Thancred making an offhand comment about playing a tank being best suited for protecting Ryne. Even so, I was kind of expecting Alphinaud becoming a sage to be a bigger deal than his mother suggesting he try on his dad’s old magical, flying laser cannons she got out of storage. Zenos changing from samurai to reaper is even more inexplicable. Dude is swinging around some freaky new ghost powers but nobody seems to know or care how he got them and Zenos sure isn’t telling. I guess he just got the reaper questline done before everybody else? It isn’t really a problem. I know all they’re doing is trying to make it look as easy for NPC’s to change their jobs as it is for us but sometimes I just feel like it would be an interesting thing to focus on.

You kind of run into a brick wall after the twins’ dad puts you in detention for trying to figure out what weird super secret scheme he and his colleagues are up to and you narrowly avoid getting kicked off the island altogether so the rest of the group decides you should probably go help the boys in Thavnair while they’re figuring out how to proceed. Turns out they haven’t left yet because they can’t figure out how to get to Thavnair when Estinen is the only one in the group able to teleport there. A problem that is quickly solved due to being in a city built by crackpot scientists. One of which is named Kytte who agrees to help in exchange for you signing a bunch of consent forms and then basically loads you, Thancred and Urianger into her aether cannon and fires you across the planet to Thavnair. It works but as soon as you land you all instantly collapse from nausea and Estinien has to go get blue powerades to try and settle everyone’s stomachs.

It wouldn’t be a new expansion without Tataru having a panic attack because she knows somebody in the world is blowing too much money on something and Endwalker takes that even further. You barely manage to stumble over and stop Estinien from getting conned into spending thousands of gil on drinks only for him to wander off by himself again and drop a cool ten grand on a leather cord to hold his hair back in the heat. I know I was kind of complaining about it a couple of paragraphs ago but there’s something kind of funny about Estinien’s ponytail being afforded more narrative significance than Alphinaud and Zenos’ job changes. I guess you can’t fault the writers for not knowing what their players want.

Thavnair was a good time (and one of the most beautiful of the new areas) but I’m glad I saved it until after Labyrinthos. Mostly because the expansion’s first dungeon, the Tower of Zot, is there which you enter once you’ve finished both intro questlines. Considering one of your new friends gets imprisoned in the tower by one of the big bads at the conclusion of the Thavnair questline it kinda felt more natural to storm the place immediately rather than heading back to Sharlayan for a coffee break with the twins first. Especially since that new friend and her colleagues just gave you the means to take your Scion buds into primal fights without having to worry about them getting instantly mind-controlled.

The Tower of Zot itself is kind of crazy for a first leveling dungeon. Lots of AOE going off, lots of different mechanics happening. It feels sort of like somebody on the encounter design team really wanted to get Endwalker started off with a bang and it shows. You put Thavnair’s corrupted gods to rest, Estinien destroys the machine at the top of the tower draining the land of aether and the whole dang thing disappears out from under you so G’raha fires off a mass levitation spell he stole from Sharlayan and saves everyone from falling to their deaths proving himself as goodest boy once again.

Once everyone has regrouped and G’raha has had a nap you put the talismans into mass production and get ready to head over to Garlemald to kick Zenos and Fandaniel’s door down. It’s kind of a nice “end of an era” moment. The ability to fight primals without instantly being mind controlled has been something almost exclusive to you for almost a decade of storytelling because of the Blessing of Light but now pretty much anyone with one of these talismans can do it. It’s an early reminder that, however this whole thing ends, your role in the world is never going to be the same again.