#they are Puppets!!! they don't have anything!!! they're smooth all over!!!

[carnivalcarriondiscarded]

IS BARNABY NEUTERED

THE PUPPET??????

[luveline]

ive never done an ask before so sorry if i type it out wrong but could you do a eddie munson x reader where reader color's in eddie's tattoos i literally cannot stop thinking about it 😭 really just pure fluff and them goofing around

thank you for your request this is literally the sweetest idea ever! i didn't nail the goofing but he's a sweetheart and hot <3 0.9k

Eddie looks cute sitting in front of your desk in your soft backed chair. He's curious but careful as he picks over pen stands and coloured pencils. 

"Can I see some of your work?" he asks. 

You could kiss him right there for calling it 'work'. He's never once been dismissive about your art, though most everyone else in your life calls it a hobby or your 'little side job'. 

You stand up from the bed and move to his side. His arm wraps around your waist lightly, easy as you open the desk drawer for your current small sketchbook where you thumbnail paintings. 

"All my canvases are down in the garage," you say. 

"I'd love to see them." 

He opens your sketchbook with infinite care, arm quickly stolen from your skin. You hover anxiously by his side, waiting for his verdict. He's quiet as he turns each page, not patronising you in pretending that every single sketch is interesting, but an honest peruse of your talents. 

He stops on a drawing of him. Quite recent, you'd forgotten all about it. In his club shirt with the sleeves pushed up, a quick rendering of the planes and shadow of his arms, less detail but enough to make out his face through a curtain of curls. 

"Is it biased if I say this is the best one?" he asks, hands splayed over the page, face turned to you. He's grinning. 

"Very biased," you say. "I've messed up all your tattoos. You were moving too fast." 

He turns to the page and raises his eyebrows. "They look just fine to me." 

He's lying, of course. They're blurs of dark without detail. 

"You have to say that." 

"I don't have to do anything," he says. You shiver as his hand wraps around your back again, his touch featherlight. A ring scrapes your skin as he slips his fingers under the fabric of your t-shirt.

"If you'd only stay still," you whine. 

He tips his head back and pouts at you mockingly for a split-second before chuckling warmly. "You're tortured, bub." 

The pet name has your chest aflame with heat. You look at his shirt rather than his face, toying gently with one of his messy dark curls. "Whatever," you say, wanting to move on before he does something to tease you.

He pushes the chair back and encourages you into his lap. You sit tentatively on his leg, aware of every point of contiguity between you as his hand finds your soft tummy over your shirt. The other arm he lays flat on your desk.

"Take a look." 

You rub your face with your shoulder, unsure. Eddie squeezes you, reassuring. "Go on." 

Your relationship is new enough that you haven't seen every tattoo properly. You leap at the chance to study them. Despite your nervousness at this proximity you lean forward on his knees and take his arm into your hands. 

You like the first one over the smooth inner stretch of his forearm, it suits him, a demon of some sort puppeteered by a bony hand. Turning his arm over, you find his flock of bats tapering over his elbow. Familiar, you could likely draw them from memory. 

You're holding your breath as you turn in the circle of his arm, finger pushing carefully under his shirt sleeve to expose the scary bird/lizard amalgamation that you don't recognise, its frilled spines flared and its mouth open. 

"I like them," you say. 

He pulls you up his leg. "Yeah?" 

"Mm. Would you ever get something in colour?" 

"Sure, I'd love some colour. S'just expensive as shit, so…" 

He sounds embarrassed. It's not what you meant to do, and you rush to fix it with a spur of the moment thought. 

"Could I colour one?" 

"Could you?" he asks, voice low, laughing a laugh that's more breath than sound. 

You burn, shifting forward to take a marker into your hands. He keeps a good hold on your abdomen to keep you anchored. It's nice. 

You take a light red into your hands, slow and steady as you set it to his pale skin and fill in the majority of his demon. Then, with a slightly darker red, the midtones. You round it out with a dark purple in the shadows, giving the demon a more three dimensional feel. 

"Is it too cold?" you ask as you go, voice a murmur. 

Eddie rubs the tip of his nose against your shoulder. "It's fine." 

"You don't want to watch?"

"No way. Tell me when you're done, I want the full effect. Blow me away." 

You nod and flush with heat and finish up as the heat of his body soaks into yours, relaxing in his lap as time passes. 

"There," you say, capping a black fineliner. "I'm done, Eds." 

Eddie pushes his chin over your shoulder to take in what you've done. 

"Baby, that's fucking sick. Oh my god," he sounds sad, beggy, in that awful way boys do. "I want that for keeps." 

You smile because you're glad he likes it. You'd thought you'd done a pretty good job, too. 

"You have talented hands," he says into your ear, voice warped by a clear double entendre. 

You melt, a shiver coursing down your back as you lean towards him unthinkingly. 

"I'm not gonna shower. I need it forever." 

Spell quickly broken, you wrinkle your nose. "That's disgusting."

"That's punk rock, babe." 

[9haharharley1]

Making THIS a separate post because I want to continue it and make it a proper oneshot

---

What if Sephiroth saw?

What if their minds do the thing and senses where Cloud is what he's doing, and goes to the Honey Bee, and he finds Cloud dancing on stage? Watches him get a makeover? The jealousy and possession he would feel as Andrea dances with him, touches him, compliments him, calls him beautiful; Sephiroth would have to fight back a murderous rage because he can't act, he can't reveal himself, it's too soon!

But he knows Cloud senses him, he sees how he tenses on stage, looks around the room, his guard up, not just because he's suddenly in a dress and way out of his comfort zone, but he knows something is wrong, someone is there, and while Aerith goes out the front to wait for Cloud, Cloud sneaks out back, on guard but without his gear, without his sword, only to be snatched up by strong arms, shockingly gentle because of what he's wearing

The man behind him doesn't want to ruin his new outfit, doesn't even want to press the smaller man into the wall for fear of staining the dress with the grime of Wall Market, its bad enough he had another man's hands on him while in he club, but Sephiroth can remedy that now. His touch is soft, far gentler than he has ever recalled handling anything in his life, but Cloud isn'tjust anything. And the other man clearly hates it, struggles in his arms as much as the dress will allow, which isn't much, and Sephiroth laughs, low and deep, and the body thrashing against him stills.

Cloud's voice is small and fearful as he mutters, "Sephiroth?"

"What have we here?" Sephiroth murmurs, and his breath is hot on Cloud's ear, tickling his skin. Cloud shivers, and Sephiroth chuckles. His hands smooth over the bodice, a groan building in his throat, but he doesn't release it. Cloud is tense in his arms.

"You're not here." Cloud says quietly, and it sounds like ne's trying to convince himself. "You're not here. You're not seeing this."

There's a smirk on his lips as he keeps running his hands over smooth silk. "Are you embarrassed, Cloud?"

"You're not really here. You're not here... Cloud keeps muttering, over and over, a blush on his painted cheeks. Sephiroth purses his lips. His puppet has his eyes squeezed shut, hands clasped tight in front of him, like if he doesn't touch Sephiroth, then he's not really there.

But Sephiroth won't be ignored. Not by his little puppet.

"You look lovely,' he says into Cloud's reddened ear. He has half a thought to take his gloves off, to feel if the bodice is made of satin or silk, but he is hard-pressed to even remove his hands from where they're rubbing all over. Cloud is rigid in his arms, eyes squeezed shut. He gasps when Sephiroth moves his hands further down, his own flying up in an effort to avoid touching him back, leaving them to hang awkwardly in the air. The long skirt bunches under his palm, Cloud taking in a shaky breath, and Sephiroth can't help but turn his head when Cloud turns his face away, pressing his nose to that pale neck, inhaling. Cloud is wearing some sort of perfume, sweet and rosy, and Sephiroth licks up the long line of his neck.

Cloud gasps. "You're not real'

"Oh, I don't have to be real, Cloud," Sephiroth murmurs, breath hot on Cloud's ear, the man gasping and shaking beneath his hands. "All I have to do is touch you-" he licks along the lobe of that flushed ear as his hand gropes the blond through the long skirt, Cloud barely managing to stifle a startled moan as a lacy, gloved hand grabs his wrist, "and your every cell cries out for my attention."

Cloud's hand on his wrist is firm, grip tight, and had Sephiroth been a normal human, unenhanced and inferior like the rest of the insects skittering around outside the alley, then maybe Cloud would have succeeded in pulling him away. Had he not been fearful if dirtying the dress he worked so hard to procure to save his little friend, he may have fought back, and Sephiroth could partake in the pleasure of his anger and distress.

But unfortunately for Cloud, Sephiroth is, and has always been, superior, and Cloud's shame and fear tastes just as sweet.

"Oh?" There is a hint of mania in his voice as he feels his puppet stiffen under his hand. He presses his smirk to Cloud's neck, nuzzling aside a braid to lick flushed skin. "Are you enjoying this Cloud?"

A strangled sound escapes Cloud, both his hands now trying to shove Sephiroth away. Sephiroth wraps his other arm tight around Cloud's waist, pulling him flush to his body. A harsh breath rushes out of Cloud, one hand letting go of Sephiroth's wrist. Sephiroth's fondling is gentle, or as gentle as he knows how to be - a distant memory, at best - his strokes light and almost teasing as Cloud plumps up under his fingers.

"Stop..." Cloud murmurs, not quite a plea yet, so Sephiroth bites the back of his neck and earns a gasp in response.

---

Needs to be cleaned up because it started as a random stream of thought, but if I have one kink, then it's boys in skirts against their will!

[lastweeksshirttonight]

Did you want my notes on Strike Force Five episode one? No? TOO BAD! YOU'RE GETTING THEM!

(Heavy spoilers for episode 1 if you plan on listening soon!)

- I love the show's overall vibe and the "roles" that all of the guys play. It's definitely a free-wheeling, off the rails kind of show, where everyone is rambling over each other; the personalities involved can make or break this kind of podcast, and everyone thankfully is playing to their strengths.

Kimmel serves as the overall show runner and is seemingly the only one endeavoring to keep anything on track, which is a slightly thankless job with this group, but he's got a soundboard and all his radio experience guiding him. Colbert also leans into being the other "elder statesman", as it were, but is much easier to derail (and provides his own episode eclipsing derail I'll talk about later). Fallon is surprisingly reserved and a bit awkward - I'm not the hugest fan of Fallon, but in this podcast, that energy serves him pretty well. Kimmel introduces Seth as "the cute one" and he seems the most neutral so far, just there to ask questions and crack jokes. And John is their super sarcastic "evil teammate" who occasionally interjects to just destroy everyone. Perfect dynamics, 10/10, no notes.

- Seth qualifies his eyes as ocean blue. John says they're Gatorade blue. I don't think I've ever laughed harder at a description of someone's eyes.

- There's a point where I assume there must have been a really blunt edit, because Fallon changes the topic abruptly to having a doctorate. Otherwise, I love the image of Fallon just sitting on that revelation and WAITING, BURSTING to talk about how he has a doctorate, while everyone else talks about Kimmel getting paid summers off.

- Everyone mention multiple times that they have sponsors and are doing this show to help pay their staff during the strikes, which is lovely. This does not mean they aren't taking the piss out of their sponsors. I never thought I'd hear worse ad copy reading than I do on The Jeff Gerstmann Show (I love Jeff, don't get me wrong, but his ad copy screaming is hilariously bad), but the Casamigos ad in this is something else. John spends most of his reading time shitting on a bleeped-out competitor that he calls "not fit for human consumption", Stephen says "you're gonna wanna wipe your ass with it" and likens it to the smoothness of sheets you make love on, there's a disembodied "woo" at some point, Seth stumbles all over a few Spanish words, and Fallon delivers his lines in his awful fake French Timothee Chalamet puppet voice. It's pure chaos and I love it so much.

- Kimmel referring to "the despicable Matt Damon" made me so happy.

- John has never done a deposition. Kimmel saying "I'm surprised you're not in prison" gets lost which is sad, that's a fucking hilarious joke.

- Fallon tells an amazing story about his mom being a nun for a week. She left after being reprimanded for taking Lifesavers into the nunnery and then left. My late aunt and best friend, who was also a nun, probably would have loved Jimmy's mom, as she was always going on wine tastings and picked the order she joined entirely based on who would let her continue to drink after taking her vows. Jimmy also has a picture of his mom dressed as a nun holding a doll dressed as a nun, which is absurd and adorable.

- This leads to everyone but Seth confessing that they'd all thought about becoming priests at some point. That doesn't shock me about Stephen at all, tbf, knowing how religious he is.

- I have to shamefully admit that when John mentioned that he told his father he wanted to be a vicar, my brain went to an extremely Fleabag place and I had to rewind the podcast once I snapped out of it and realized I'd missed like 3 minutes of jokes (including a fantastic one from Seth about John having a doll of himself as a child, like Fallon's mom's nun doll).

- "Don't you want a whole new crop of relatives to visit and entertain?" "Do you wanna get cancelled?! :D" The two Jimmys everyone.

- Stephen reveals who he has everyone saved as in his phone, to prevent people from figuring out who his contacts are if his phone gets stolen. John's is Joliver, which 1) was his name as written on TDS scripts to differentiate him from Jon Stewart, and 2) as everyone points out, is a VERY easy code to crack. Don't really need Sherlock for that one.

- ONE OF US ALERT: Stephen collects weird late night shit, like a hat from The Chevy Chase Show (John literally goes "WOW") and a silk jacket from The Pat Sajak Show. I am very jealous of this collection.

- Next episode everyone will talk about first episodes. I cannot wait to hear John talk about how all over the place his first episode is.

- The big story, running joke, and completely wild admission from this episode - Stephen Colbert has a pair of Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza's pants. Fallon asks how no one outbid him, and it turns out his MOTHER had them BECAUSE SHE DATED HIM. His uncle went to LaSalle Military Academy with Somoza, and Somoza stayed with them during holiday breaks. Everyone else in the room picks up on the idea that Stephen's mom probably slept with a dictator (or as Kimmel says, "made love to a murderer"), Seth claims his mom drinks coffee out of Ferdinand Marcos' skull, and every other male figure Stephen brings up for the rest of the episode is assumed to be someone his mom slept with.

If you asked me before listening to this podcast if I thought there were going to be a pile of elevated "your mom" jokes holding it together, I would have pretty strongly said "no". Surprises at every turn in this pod.

The beginning of this story also captures John SO STRONGLY, and he wants to hear everything about it. Definite Bugle vibes there, this man will never not want to hear about weird dictator facts. He also manages to completely kill Seth by saying "Anastasio Somoza's pants, brought to you by Casamigos".

- Finally, I have already sent an email to the show asking about Planet of the Bass, to make up for my complete failure to ask at the Q&A. I got y'all, we'll get this answer some day.

[hawkogurl]

Yeah, I basically had a similar reading on Insomniac!Harry as you did, I think - I do like him a lot, and I definitely see why he would the most popular version of him in the fandom right now, but he's a very smoothed over and simplified version who feels written to be as broadly loveable as possible, if that makes sense? I read a very thoughtful critique of the game recently that described Harry as being Peter's 'comically perfect' best friend, and I think that gets at the game's take on him and ties neatly into what you said about how the characters in Insomniac feel like they're written mostly to serve Peter's story and character, which is not necessarily a bad thing when he's the protagonist, but can flatten characters into narrative devices who don't necessarily feel like full characters; and any time Harry could be perceived as doing or saying something flawed, he's justified, or at least it's understandable, and it doesn't help that the last part of the game where he's Venom was rushed (not the fault of the devs for being pushed by corporate to meet a deadline they couldn't meet ofc) and it's not really clear how much is the symbiote amplifying his emotions, manipulating him, or outright controlling him like a puppet for its own agenda - but any way, it's very easy and probably correct to read him as not being truly at fault for anything.

Regarding Norman, my take is that I don't necessarily mind an interpretation of him that focuses on corporate greed and lack of ethics while exploring what if Norman was villainous, but genuinely loves and cares for his son in this universe, but MSM2 weirdly wanted both that and the usual drama from Harry being jealous of an abusive Norman choosing Peter over him, so we got that awkward scene where Norman is doing no such thing and still being a great father, but Harry mistakenly believes he's choosing Peter - so it's manufactured drama to follow the universes where Norman is abusive and Harry has issues from that, but here, everyone is still a good or at least neutral person at worst and it's all an honest mistake, which goes back to what you said about taking the edge out of the characters here - doesn't mean they're bad, like you also clarified, but definitely softer.

Can’t form intelligent thoughts because I need to go to sleep but I’m going to say I agree with all of the above. He’s very palatable in a way that just becomes boring for me. I’ll probably come back and contribute later when I’m not barely conscious.

For now, I agree especially because them wanting the Norman drama but also sort of pussying out of the Norman drama sort of like… feels like a good example of what I mentioned in that when you write an established character but change a major aspect of them, you need to compensate. They wanted the benefits of those arcs but weren’t willing to either include the original arcs or do the work to come up with something that can get to point b in a different way with what they’ve kept. It’s not the best writing decision in my opinion. And I agree with that articles assessment he feels like, comically perfect. Scrubbing away all his unsavory aspects lost him a lot of the ways he’s flawed and interesting because it often feels he exists solely to progress Peter’s arc rather than having the personal drama he often has.

I don’t personally like these softer versions. I’m not gonna say it’s bad or wrong to like those versions, but they definitely feel watered down when it’s not looked at in isolation or looked at more critically. It rapidly became boring for me.

[aceinacloset]

Since people seemed to want it here it is

Circus Baby headcanons part 2. Her dynamics with other characters

I'm gonna start off with characters from SL then move into other characters I believe she would have intriguing dynamics with.

Ballora: I thought about these two and their dynamic for a while and I finally have it. Their dynamic is that of Respect and Hatred, these two have such opposing views on almost everything, but they can't help but understand and respect the other. They have mutual disdain for each other but they are also the moms and brains of the group so the only one they can confide in is the other. This whole dynamic idea comes from Night 4 where Baby just roasted Ballora in the scooping room like right in front of Ballora. You know if ballora was active she would have given Baby the hardest side eye you ever saw.

Funtime Freddy: I don't believe Ft. Freddy and Baby would ever get along, they don't like hate each other or anything just out of all the funtimes Baby would get along with Freddy the least. I like to think of Baby's whole dislike for Ft. Freddy comes from his very homicidal nature. Baby has a will to kill, just a “controlled” one, a moral code in murder if you will.

Funtime Foxy: I think their relationship is neutral “friendship” like I think they barely even see each other in all honesty. It's like she would only really know Foxy after they become Ennard. So their dynamic is “You like them, till you share a living space”.

Bidybabs: they're her kids. This isn't up for debate, they're her kids. You take them away from her and you die.

Minireenas: they like to climb on Baby, Baby's like ‘Ballora come get your kids’ whenever they decide Baby is a jungle gym. Other than that she's fine with them.

Elizabeth: I've said this once and I'll say it again Elizabeth and Baby's relationship is Mutualism. I have always adored this idea and will forever love it, it's just interesting to see the possibilities open due to this dynamic idea. Liz being what helps Baby (kinda?) blend in with people when they were Ennard, and Baby being the means for Liz to get revenge on her shity “dad” and since Baby also wants Afton dead it's a win-win for both, truly. Of course their relationship would be super rocky in the beginning, but it would smooth over with time.

Yenndo: I'd like to think this man freaks Baby the fuck out, like he stares at her in the darkness of the facility, he's just barely visible in the poor lighting and they both just have this silent staring contest.

Lolbit: Lolbit just appears in Circus Gallery every now and then and says “Hi <3” than Leaves. Baby thinks she is hallucinating or just finally lost it.

Bonnet: I don't know if either of them know the other exists…

Electro-Bab: the bonus 3rd bab that Baby has, they have the same dynamic as she does with the babs. But Electro-bab is in the shadows like ‘mama I threw up.’

Bonuses:

The Marionette: I've seen people have these two either hate each other or love each other, so I propose frenemies.

Also I will bestow this funny convo. I feel they would have.

Puppet: YOU KILLED A KID?!?!

CB: …accidentally.

Puppet: WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE?!

Roxy: the robo guardians and their little child they adopted 100% legally.

The Mimic: their dynamic is “We will never ever meet canonically, but we would have a fun time just judging the shit out of our fandom.”

Freddy Fazbear: “our circus, our monkeys, our circus, our monkeys.” two tired leaders of 3 goofs, but they are their goofs so they're happy.

Hope you liked this because I found this fun to write.

[iviarellereads]

The Great Hunt, Chapter 27 - The Shadow in the Night

(THIS PROJECT IS SPOILER FREE! No spoilers past the chapter you click on. Curious what I'm doing here? Read this post! For the link index and a primer on The Wheel of Time, read this one! Like what you see? Send me a Ko-Fi.)

(Trolloc icon) In which Chekov's puppets go off.

PERSPECTIVE: Rand is talking to Loial, as they head back to the city gate, about how the Ogier had been winning the dice game, and then Dena came and won all his winnings back from him. You don't suppose she cheated?(1)

One of the Trolloc puppets makes its way toward them. Rand is caught up in his thoughts, he shouldn't have expected Thom to drop everything to go with him, he has to take the Horn and go, Fain will get here sooner than later. Loial is just saying he doesn't think that's a puppet, and Rand's instincts get the better of him, he's in a sword position before he can think. The men carrying the "puppet" poles drop them, and the Trolloc staggers back from Rand’s attack with a bubbling snarl. The men turn and run.

They have to get back to the inn, Hurin's alone, and-- Rand's cut off as another Trolloc lifts him up by the neck. Loial can't wrestle the thing off him, and Rand can't stab it without hitting Loial. He reaches for the Power, but finds nothing. Finally, Loial wrenches the thing off Rand and throws it into a wall, killing it instantly. He shudders as he says he's never killed anything before. Rand says he'd have killed it if Loial hadn't. Loial understands, but he doesn't have to like it. He points to another Trolloc masquerading as a puppet in the street.

Rand realizes that Fain knows he's here, and is trying to draw him out. They try to escape down roads and alleys but end up near the edge of a wide field. Trollocs won't hold back if they notice them out there. Fortunately, Selene appears at just this moment.

Rand stared: Selene stepped around the corner they had just rounded, her white dress bright in the dimness. “How did you get here? What are you doing here? You have to leave immediately. Run! There are Trollocs after us.” “So I saw.” Her voice was dry, yet cool and composed. “I came to find you, and I find you allowing Trollocs to herd you like sheep. Can the man who possesses the Horn of Valere let himself be treated so?” “I don’t have it with me,” he snapped, “and I don’t know how it could help if I did. The dead heroes are not supposed to come back to save me from Trollocs.(2) Selene, you have to get away. Now!” He peered around the corner.

Rand wraps her in his cloak, since her white dress stands out in the moonlight, and says they're going to have to sneak into a building in the field, the Illuminators' chapter house. The Trollocs are definitely following them, but Loial uses his night vision and leads Rand and Selene up to the outer wall of the building. Selene points to a door that neither of the men noticed a moment before, and they enter, despite Loial's protests that Illuminators kill intruders to keep their secrets.

They overhead two Illuminators, Tammus and Aludra, confirming that a display is ready to go.(3) They move on to another area, and Rand gestures to his companions. He wants to get as far from the unbarred door as possible.

At one point, Loial brushes against a rack containing ten sticks, smoldering gently. One of the sticks touches one of the fuses of a firework nearby, which bursts into flame and races toward a tube. Rand whispershouts to get behind the wall. The firework goes off, and as they hear feet approach, Selene says, unworried, that sometimes if you're quiet and still enough, no-one will see you at all.(4) Aludra and Tammuz investigate, Aludra blaming Tammuz for leaving the sticks to fall over, and they both leave again, Aludra trying to figure out how to smooth this over with Galldrian. Rand whispers that they've surely used up all their luck for the night.

“Rand?” Loial was peering around the end of the wall away from the lighted building. “I think we need some more luck, Rand.” Rand shifted to look over the Ogier’s shoulder. Beyond open space, in the alleyway that led to the barless door, three Trollocs were peering cautiously out of the shadows toward the lighted windows. One woman was standing at a window; she did not seem to see the Trollocs. “So,” Selene said quietly. “It becomes a trap. These people may kill you if they take you. The Trollocs surely will. But perhaps you can slay the Trollocs too quickly for them to make any outcry. Perhaps you can stop the people from killing you to preserve their little secrets. You may not want greatness, but it will take a great man to do these things.” “You don’t have to sound happy about it,” Rand said.

Selene says that his greatness will make her happy, but perhaps she should leave him to find his own way. If he won't take greatness, maybe he deserves to die. Rand ignores her and tells Loial to take Selene and go to an alley nearby and look for a door out of here. He'll handle the Trollocs. He accidentally sets off more fireworks instead,(5) and runs toward the alley. Loial stands alone next to the door he found, Selene having slipped out of his hands to go back inside.

Rand is clearly torn, but Loial says they can't help her by getting caught themselves, and he tried to stop her. They leave, and go back to the Dragonwall inn, where Cuale has another parchment for him, this one sealed with Selene's mark.

In his room, Hurin asks if everything was alright with the gleeman, which Rand has all but forgotten about by now. He opens the parchment.

When I think I know what you are going to do, you do something else. You are a dangerous man. Perhaps it will not be long before we are together again. Think of the Horn. Think of the glory. And think of me, for you are always mine.

Once again, no signature. Rand asks if all women are crazy,(6) and wishes Ingtar would get here.

=====

(1) What do you think? (2) Rand, I hate to break it to you, but given that you have to fight the Last Battle, against the forces of Actual Evil, that's almost exactly what the Horn is for. (3) So we've firmly established illuminators/fireworks artists in the world now which is super fun and really is one of the highlighting characteristics making this not a European medieval period analog world. (Yes, this is something that sticks in my craw hard about the series.) At least in Europe, fireworks feel firmly in a renaissance sort of period, and the technology and culture level here is certainly getting there. So exciting, seeing a world change in real time. (4) It's pretty clear that Lanfear channeled something like the weave we saw Moiraine and Siuan use earlier to protect against being overheard, possibly with a dollop of light-refraction to avoid being seen, too. That's why she's so calm. (5) Accidentally, or did she provide a distraction? (6) No, just your past-reincarnation's ex-girlfriend.

[fagh0ul]

More Ghost headcannons because I'm a monster, all of Papa's 1, 2 and 3

also I made a lot so they'll be under the cut

I:

- Gardening, duh

- basically deaf at this point, if he's not wearing his hearing aids then he's living in silence

- Still smokes (pipe, cigar, cigarette, anything)

- Isn't a big fan of kids, but he can tolerate them (aka raising Secondo and Terzo was a hassle)

- Likes his coffee like he likes his metal, black.

- Loves dogs, like the really big ones that drool everywhere. They're his favorite.

- His days of play are long gone, he's outside 99% of the time reading or taking care of his plants

- Primo has done some fucked up shit in the name of Satan. There's gallons of blood on his hands simply from summoning his ghouls

- When he was younger, he was pretty tame because he let all his stress, worry, and anger out during rituals sawing people's heads off so they could become ghouls.

- All that's behind him now.

- Arthritis is kicking his ass tho

- Along with the fluid in his lungs and his dying kidneys.

- He fucking loves his ghouls, he adores them so much. Like he's constantly inviting them out to the garden to talk or just enjoy the sun

- He loves them so much that he made a while signing system for them and is very kind to them, mostly because he feels bad for how they were created

II:

- Also a very big fan of black coffee, it's what he lives off of.

- Smokes. Fags and Cigars. A Lot.

- He doesn't like vaping or e-cigs because he craves death in the worst way: slow and painful.

- He surprisingly doesn't smell like cigs tho, but then again he never wears the same outfit twice

- Doesn't snore when he sleeps, he's very quiet; but he has to sleep with a pillow between his knees or else they ache (kinnie moment)

- Has to drink whiskey to be able to get a good night's sleep

- Suffers from horrible nightmares, mostly about losing control over his own body and becoming a puppet to someone else

- Suffers from restless leg syndrome and one of his hips and knees had to be replaced after a bad fall.

- Does not like to be taken care of, he enjoys being pampered and spoiled but not coddled

- Barely works; but when he does, do not bother him.

- Has a pet boa constrictor named Isabella; only likes her tho, all other animals can fuck off and die.

- He's a big fan of more subtle fashion, a black alb with dark green seams is his favorite thing to wear (besides suits).

- In normal conversation, he's swearing every other word. (another kinnie moment)

- A smooth talker, he knows just what to ask to get the answers he wants

- He doesn't pick up on sarcasm very well, he just looks at you like 😐

- Horrible anger problems, absolutely terrifying.

- People have been killed because they looked at him wrong. Don't critique him either, you'll be used at the next Ritual.

- Hasn't shaved himself in years and always has a ghoul do it, insisting that they give him a closer shave.

- He likes to cook, and if he weren't a Papa he would have opened his own restaurant.

- Whore™

- Most likely has a Sibling of Sin or a Ghoul under his desk at all times

- He's into some weird shit man

III:

- BISEXUAL LORD

- God this man is gay.

- The 3 month age difference is really apparent when Terzo and Secondo are in a room together.

- He knows just where to poke the bear so Secondo blows up on him.

- "Do you shine your head?" "I will fucking kill you. Don't touch me."

- He's very out going, very friendly.

- He's naturally confident, but even he questions how real some of that confidence is.

- Terzo smokes but only when he gets stressed

- He and Copia used to get baked when they were teens. They would go up on a roof somewhere and just look at the stars while they smoked

- Did I mention he's gay?

- When he's not working, he's most likely getting fucked or fucking someone/some ghoul.

- Gets the most play out of all the Papas, he's charasmatic

- Started drinking sweet coffee as a joke to piss off his brothers but now can't stop drinking it

- HUGE fashionista, he loves fashion so much and adores going to runways to watch the models

- Has a bit of a temper, but his outbursts are very short and usually consist of him screaming into the corner of a room or slamming a door.

- His rituals aren't bloody at all, he hates blood. They focus on the sensual side of Satan.

[deltaengineering]

Spring Anime 2021: Embarrassment of Riches

So this current anime season absolutely stinks, which just makes the last one look even more impressive. Well, maybe not all of it...

Zombieland Saga Revenge

First off, you don't need to tell me that the following is a severe outlier opinion. We good? Ok. ZLSR is, in a word, subpar. I liked S1 back in the day, but it was already in the process of getting lazy towards the end. S2 continues this trend and is basically just another idol show. And as someone who actually does watch other idol shows I have to say that it's not a particularly good one of those either. The zombie gimmick has mostly stopped mattering and we're just doing what every idol show does, only with the odd occasional sight gag. The alleged subversive qualities mostly amount to a flashback for Yuugiri, which is admittedly the best part of the show but feels like it barely has anything to do with anything. Apart from that, it's a bunch of generic idol plots, rehashed character beats, shoddy attempts at twists (while not connecting to any setups from S1), and the obligatory "idols give us hope" ending, which is terribly hackneyed and flat out bad. Tae gets further memed into the ground, because of course she does. And there's stuff that was simply never good to begin with, like Kotarou and his comedy schtick, which gets truly insufferable now that there's no qualities to distract from it. It really makes me think that S1 wasn't even all that good to begin with and seems like an attempt to turn this surprise success into an easy money longrunner with no edge and no ambitions. "The idol show for people who don't watch idol shows" indeed, but not the way you mean it. 4/10

Bakuten

But not to dwell on the failures, with the second show we're already above the cut — barely. This one got my attention with its really impressive performance scenes early on and it totally sticks to that, which is even more impressive. But besides that? Well, this is by far the most predictable show in a season where I watched an unambitious Kiraralike and put ZLS on blast for having no ideas. The characters are a mixed bag, some are cool (Shida, Asawo), some are very annoying (Mashiro), but those are the supports. The main cast is extremely one-dimensional, which is fine until they try to heap a ton of pathos on their lead, which doesn't go well. But I guess execution matters, and Bakuten is slick enough to get by. Writing this down in stark daylight I feel like I overrated this show somewhat (I actually put it over the next one originally, which definitely doesn't hold up when thinking about it), but I was indeed mostly entertained. 6/10

Yakunara Mug Cup mo

Yeah. Of course Mug Cup definitely doesn't invent or subvert anything either, but it's a pretty good Kiraralike that's always entertaining to watch. Explaining the qualities of such a nothing genre is as difficult as ever, but it mostly comes down to me liking the characters and it having nothing to annoy me. It's shorter than normal, which is a plus for slim shows like this. And yeah, you can make an excessive amount of dick jokes with the clay fondling. That helps too. Looks are just fine, pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary. Comfy low-effort anime. 6/10

Vivy: Fluorite Eye's Song

This one is decent, but sadly still a major letdown. Because the first few episodes of Vivy were excellent and kicked ass, but then it became increasingly clear that the writing can't cash the checks the ideas wrote while the action starts running into severely diminishing returns. Vivy just keeps slowly getting worse and worse as it goes on, not by a huge amount each episode but by the end there's a pretty sizeable gulf between potential and result. Going into detail would probably be a little much for this venue because there's a lot, but from the top level view the issue is that while Vivy has good fundamental ideas and steals at the right places, it just isn't a smart show — it's schlock, and by the end, poorly thought out schlock that tries to smooth out every problem with liberal application of the big feels hammer and le epic twist at that. Yeah, couldn't tell that the Re:Zero dude was aboard here, for sure. That said, it still works pretty well as entertaining schlock that is not to be taken too seriously, and the characters are generally just very fun to watch even when they're doing stupid things. Still, I can't in good conscience rate this higher than Beatless, a show that looks like butt but properly executes on its ideas. 6/10

Super Cub

So this is 100% a Honda commercial, and I got really mad a Yuru Camp last season for being a blatant shill. Yet I'm feeling this, what gives? I think the main difference is that Super Cub is specifically a commercial for one product (and a very iconic product at that), while Yuru Camp is so all over the place that it ends up mostly a commercial for consumerism in general. And when Super Cub goes too hard on the product (which it does), it's at least pretty entertaining. That's something about Super Cub in general: It goes hard. Your regular Kiraralike this is not, because it's uncommonly slow, focused and moody - yes, it almost measures up to Yuru Camp at its best and demolishes it at its worst. Also, it's just extremely amusing to see sadblob Koguma grow a huge grizzly biker beard and become a badass outlaw dad to her goofy wife and cute daughter, all thanks to the power of afforable personal transportation. Needless to say, that can get unintentionally silly, but Super Cub has so much charm that it doesn't matter — it's great when it's good and still funny when it's not. 7/10

Shadows House

Shadows House turned up with a lot of potential, and I have to say it at least delivered on most of it. It has some problems; notably I'm not a fan of how the entire middle turned out to be a tournament arc of sorts that seems curiously inspired by Resident Evil memes, crest-shaped intentations and boulder punching included. I also think that this is a show that would be perfectly fine without explaining much, but I guess it is a shounen manga after all so we got dumped on eventually anyway. At least that came late - close relative Promised Neverland didn't show that much restraint. Shadows House is generally well written though, with great characters, interesting interactions and a great hook. But what really makes it memorable is that it's exceptionally good at the cute/creepy contrast, something that is often tried but rarely works as well as here, with great character designs and very appropriate production. I hope this gets a sequel, because it seems like it's just getting started. 7/10

SSSS.Dynazenon

Coming in with a fondness for Gridman, Dynazenon didn't have to do much to convince me. The surprise though is that it's not a rehash even if it's basically the same show, a character drama where occasionally huge and goofy fights break out. Dynazenon is Gridman done better, and the interesting part is how it accomplishes this - mainly by being far more conventional. I do appreciate that Gridman went for something weird and almost experimental, but that only really paid off towards the end while most of the show was a distraction/holding pattern. It just didn't feel like there was enough material for a full series there, more like a movie maybe, if even that. Dynazenon fixes this by just being a TV show, with an actual cast of characters that each have their own arc. And by spreading the material this way, Dynazenon ends up having a lot more nuance than its intensely focused predecessor, while having the same themes and not actually being any deeper. In a way, Gridman ends up looking like the spinoff in retrospect, while Dynazenon is the full package. 8/10

Thunderbolt Fantasy S3

So how good was this season? So good that Thunderbolt Fantasy doesn't end up at the top, that's how. And all the elements that made Tbolt such a sure thing are still there, big hammy puppets doing stunts and scheming never gets old. However, I do have to note that at this point, the writing appears to have gotten too comfortable. I don't expect it to ever top the amazing S1 ending, but at this point it's like Tbolt has stopped trying to deliver on endings at all and seems in the process of retooling itself into a longrunner instead. Barely anything gets resolved in S3 (the climax is that the climax of S2 is resolved again, for good this time... maybe), and everything else is just setting up plotpoints for the next season. Tbolt is truly lucky that it doesn't actually need to resolve anything to be a great time, but at this point I have to say that I'd appreciate it if they wrapped it up with S4. 8/10

Nomad: Megalobox 2

Speaking of sequels to shows I liked, Nomad doesn't so much improve upon its predecessor but steamrolls right over it. This is a tall order, since Megalobox was surprisingly good for a sports shounen and had a real nice, heartwarming ending that Nomad instantly negates for purposes of drama and everyone being extremely miserable. That sounds like a pretty terrible idea - and it would be, if Nomad wasn't as excellent as it is. To call it not the same show would be an understatement, because it's a true sequel, not just the same characters doing their thing some more, or new characters doing the same thing as the old ones did. Indeed my biggest problem with Megalobox was that it still closely adhered to its genre template and was very predictable; Nomad fixes this issue thoroughly. Nomad is about questioning what being a hotblooded shounen protagonist eventually leads you to, and how to fix everything you screwed up by being one. You could call it a deconstruction, but that term has been so abused for cynical, edgy "thing you like actually sucks" takes that I feel like it doesn't really fit here. Nomad isn't cynical at all, it's just a character drama about some boxers past their prime, and it being a sequel to a show that is indeed rather formulaic just enhances the experience. My biggest issue with it was that I really like what they did with Joe in this story, so the big focus on Mac's backstory felt like a distraction for a long time. But in the end that turned out to be absolutely necessary to make the ending work. The ending's just great, by the way, and I shall say not more about it. 9/10

Odd Taxi

Yeah boy, here's the show that has apparently become somewhat of a "greatest show you didn't watch" meme, which I can feel smug about because I don't need YouTubers to tell me what's good and followed this from day one. Anyway, Odd Taxi is indeed great, the greatest show in a few years even. What starts out as seemingly a relaxed hangout show in the vein of Midnight Diners quickly turns into a psychological murder mystery while never losing its quirky humor. The character writing is outstanding, with even small bit players being on a level that the average anime wishes it could have for leads. And the rollout of the mystery is exemplary, with answers given and new questions raised every episode with a satisfying and logical payoff in the end. This is also the rare anime that has rock solid production from the first to the last second; it's never really flashy but excellently done and highly consistent nonetheless. And the music just owns. I have a few complaints, mainly that there's a few logical weaknesses in the story (which wouldn't even register in a lesser show, but sticks out here since the rest is so immaculately constructed) and that the ending overextends on the emotions when the rest of the show is so reserved and dry in comparison. But those are only the reasons why I didn't give it perfect marks, and I almost did that anyway. 9/10

[silverypurple-rosedlions]

The Ring | T.P.R

Annual September Mafia Gathering

12.9.20 - 7:00 PM

The Gathering Has Begun

"Jeonghan?"

Jeonghan looked up from his hands, being greeted by a shape he didn't recognize. They towered over him, casting their shadow over him as his eyes strained. But something in him clicked, the urge to protect himself as he whipped out his butterfly knife. He flicked it open, the blade shining as the light reflected off from it as his grip tightened. But someone placed their hand on his, a touch he recognized too well as he relaxes, his vision obscured.

"Hannie, it's Mingyu and me," Jeonghan closed his eyes, recognizing the smooth and comforting voice of his partner, flicking his knife closed.

"I don't think you should be here with us tonight," Mingyu sighed.

Jeonghan shook his head in denial, feeling Joshua draping himself over him. Jeonghan leaned his head against Joshua's gently, feeling secured within his embrace. "Don't speak nonsense, Mingyu. I have to do it tonight, and my condition won't stop me from doing so,"

"Listen to me, Hannie," Jeonghan opened his eyes, shifting his gaze towards Joshua. The two locked eyes and the minute Jeonghan could register that it was Joshua, Jeonghan noticed the look of worry fogging his lover's dark brown orbs and the anxiety hidden behind that fog. "You haven't been able to pull yourself together after you talked to Seungcheol..." Jeonghan sighed, turning his head away from Joshua. "What did he say to you, Hannie?"

"Seungcheol..."

══════◄••❀••►══════

"Everyone's lives are on the table, Jeonghan," Seungcheol said, his head dropping into hands in despair. "We thought we had it under control, and that our plans were perfect, almost impeccable... But we were too desperate and naive, thinking too highly of our plan. We made numerous mistakes because we didn't calculate it and because we didn't prepare ourselves for the unimaginable, and I'm the one to blame."

Jeonghan's chest tightened as he listened, his brows furrowed as his leg bounced vigorously under the table, but never causing it to rock with him.

"We were forced to cut ties with you and your group and to leave you all behind. Not because we had our differences, because even then, we found ground between each other. But if we defied them, then too many were going to be slaughtered like lambs for being "disobedient." Even your own, Jeonghan," Seungcheol explained. "So we left. Others understood, and others misunderstood, believing that it was the time to turn away from people "who were far from grace and were guided by Satan," Seungcheol shook his head.

"Believe me, Jeonghan." Seungcheol looked into Jeonghan's eyes, conflicting the other who was unfamiliar with a man he saw as strong and stern, to now being a pitiful and regretful man before him. "I wanted to send supplies. I wanted to send members one by one to help without being detected, but the stakes were too high. We had already crossed territory we had attempted to avoid for years, and if we pushed farther, then you wouldn't see us today. Not a single one of us,"

Jeonghan leaned back, his expression void of emotion as his mind spiraled. "And so you did it anyway... What you would gain was another day to live, and another, and further on until now. But to do so, you were forced to abandon us..."

With a solemn expression, Seungcheol nodded to The Purple Rose leader, who was contemplating.

"So we continued as usual, but there were times that things were changed, and not by us... No. We had to fulfill what "they" requested unless another disappeared, and another. It was excruciating." Seungcheol sighed heavily, crossing his arms over his chest. "Every day, I had to wait for something, anything, to ensure that it wouldn't contain anything that would hint of a member dying. And sometimes, they did arrive. One disappeared, and then we found them already buried. Another was kidnapped and left for dead after being brutally attacked, and then another,"

"Has anyone else experienced this?" Jeonghan questioned, studying the older's expressions and movement. "Anyone else tugged like puppets by this group?"

"I haven't the slightest clue. We couldn't speak to anyone about this till now," Seungcheol said. "This is the only opportunity we have to converse with each other about this ordeal because of the proposal,"

"So, they still abide by some rules, huh? No one can touch two Bosses and their group if they are to be engaged. What a joke." Jeonghan scoffed, leaning his head back. But when he looked towards the ceiling, a figure greeted him. Their face loomed over his, faint and black. But their smile, her smile, was the most distinguishable. It was mocking, big and white, stretching from ear to ear while her hair was in a messy bun.

"Someone's watching, Jeonghan," She mouthed, her hands moving to his shoulders. "They're listening, Jeonghan. Don't you see it? They're here,"

Jeonghan closed his eyes, lifting his head and looking back to Seungcheol. She was still there too, nothing but a foggy figure that was unable to stay together, their legs like smoke engulfing the floor. While she petted Seungcheol's head, shaking her head, Seungcheol was talking, but his voice was too far, too static. Static. Static.

"You may not trust him, Jeonghan. But you know better. Oh, yes, you do," The woman giggled, draping herself over the other Boss, who took a sip of his drink, brows furrowed. "But who cares if they'll die. They deserve it, don't they? Don't they deserve to feel the pain and abandonment you and your group bear?" She said with a sly voice, but Jeonghan tsked in response. He took his cup and downed the entire glass. The woman scoffed in response, and the static noise became bearable, slowly subsiding as Jeonghan consumed every drop of the drink. So when he looked back at Seungcheol, it was only him. Just him. Just him.

"I don't have any interest in you, Jeonghan," Seungcheol said, finally breaking the remaining whispers of noise, of unbearable static noise. "This proposal has no other meaning but to ensure the safety of my group, and to ensure your groups' safety if they attempt to conduct this again. Just like anyone here, they won't be able to do a single thing to us if we're combined, no matter if they affected one group and not the other."

"That's a brilliant idea, you know?" Jeonghan mocked, his lip curling. "Do you hear yourself, Seungcheol? Relying on this to think it will silence this group? Have you lost your mind within two years?"

"Probably," Seungcheol responded with slight amusement, causing Jeonghan to laugh. "And yet it took you three months to lose yours," Jeonghan could be offended, reaching over the table and grabbing the Boss by the sweater, but he didn't. Instead, he smiled to himself. He smiled a wicked smile.

"Indeed. Three months and I was creating massacres after another," Jeonghan said, relishing the memories of his cruel nature.

"But tell me, Jeonghan," Seungcheol began, becoming stern. "Do you think I'm lying now?"

Jeonghan tilted his head, leaning back in his chair with a faint smile. His eyes narrowed on Seungcheol, taking one last look before his eyes darted to the left, his smile fading.

"Perhaps..." Jeonghan responded calmly, but then a smirk blossomed on his face. "Perhaps not,"

"At least find it in yourself to spare my group. Spare them, and not me. You may do as you like to me, make me go through unbearable pain, make me a fool in front of everyone, or remove me, permanently. Whatever you want from me, you may do, but in exchange, have mercy on my group," Seungcheol said, causing Jeonghan to sigh softly. "That's all I ask. Protection for the thousands of members I lead,"

"Seungcheol-"

══════◄••❀••►══════

"He explained to me everything," Jeonghan finished. Listening as people clanked their glass cups together, laughing and gossiping.

"And it able to justify his actions?" Joshua asked, pulling a chair over and sitting in front of Jeonghan.

"Well... It certainly made me think deeply about it," Jeonghan sighed, running his free hand through his hair before gently tugging his hair with irritation, feeling as if something was crawling inside him, making his insides itch.

"Don't do that, Jeonghan," Joshua said, taking Jeonghan's other hand gently from his hair and holding both in his. "But... Does it change anything? Anything we all agreed on?"

"...In some ways, yes," Jeonghan answered reluctantly, someone letting out a laugh of dismay.

"Is that so?" Jihoon interrupted, causing the three to look towards the Consigliere, his arms crossed over his chest. "Then explain to us what in the world he said-"

But Jihoon didn't finish as the gathering commenced, mafias shuffling to their tables and sitting down. Jihoon glared towards the host, snapping his head back towards Jeonghan, mouthing to him, "You need to explain," before moving towards his assigned seat and sat down. Jeonghan looked towards Mingyu, who shook his head, patting Jeonghan's shoulder and wheeling to his assigned seat. As for Joshua, he sighed, turning his chair and holding Jeonghan's hand under the table. 

"You won't explain it to us until afterward, won't you?" Joshua whispered. But before Jeonghan could respond, Joshua shook his head, squeezing his hand. "That's fine."

As usual, the gathering began with a welcome from the numerous staff members of the Worldwide International Mafia Organization, the very people who documented everything and everyone within the mafia community. It was a boring introduction, many of them introducing themselves for new members and groups, going into depth of rules, and so on. The essentials that the groups needed to understand, to be specific. From there, they transitioned into the recognition of new groups and members, welcoming them. Afterward, having them take oaths to their superiors within their groups and accept the rules that all mafias needed to follow. And of course, Jeonghan and various Bosses of each group stood together in their rankings, congratulating the new groups.

Jeonghan was among the first ranks, the first that the groups would see. And it was no surprise that all were hesitant to approach him, some trembling as they took his hand and shook it, giving forced smiles, some shocked when they held his icy, cold hand, immediately jerking away. Others looked towards him as a role model, but when they walked away from him, their legs were weak and appeared like mush as they attempted to continue down the line of Bosses. It was always an amusing sight for Jeonghan, but his thoughts and voices plagued him, making his presence seem as if anyone approaching such a stoic and deranged man like him would die from a deathly plague that he emitted.

Luckily, there weren't that many new groups but various members to greet. But it wasn't long before Jeonghan was seated beside Joshua, wanting nothing more but to be intoxicated with Joshua, embracing him as he slipped into slumber. But that wouldn't happen any time soon as the Organizations' leader lifted the microphone to his lips, addressing the three heads of each group to move to the meeting rooms. 

From there, Jeonghan, Joshua, and Jihoon listened to all present and exchanged their updates, their achievements, and so forth. Jeonghan sat through it, listening towards Bosses accusing one another, others cursing and spitting malice, some mocking the other, and those who spoke calmly despite the turmoil within the room. It was long, longer than the previous meeting they had in August before they closed it, moving back into the prior space the rest were residing, waiting.

But before Jeonghan could sit down, massaging his temples as he grumbled in agitation about the nonsense with the groups, the moment they had been waiting for came.

"And before we proceed with the rest of the gathering, we must recognize and congratulate two mafias this year," A plump man said, looking towards Jeonghan and nodding towards him with a bright, toothy grin. Jeonghan breathed in, standing straight as the man continued. "After many years, it appears that these two mafias have finally agreed to become one in unity! Please congratulate The Purple Rose Boss, Yoon Jeonghan, and The Purple Rose Underboss, Hong Joshua Jisoo!" The room filled with cheers and the thunderous sounds of claps, bouncing off the walls and causing Jeonghan's head to pound. But he didn't comment about it, seeing the plump man gesture for Joshua and him to walk onto the platform he stood with the staff.

Jeonghan then turned to Joshua, seeing him look down to his lap. Taking Joshua's hand, Jeonghan gently helped his partner from his seat, giving a reassuring smile towards Joshua, who looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, relaxing. Together, accompanied by Jihoon and Wonwoo, walked towards the platform.

But instead, Jeonghan handed Joshua to Wonwoo, stopping at the steps as whispers of confusion filled the room, the sounds of cheers and congratulations subsided. Wonwoo took Joshua to the side of the platform, patting his back gently while Jeonghan turned his head towards Seungcheol, Jihoon waiting at his side with his eyes narrowed with dissatisfaction.

Jeonghan watched as Seungcheol stood up, followed by his Consigliere, Vernon, fixing his coat as he maneuvered around the tables and walked towards Jeonghan. Suddenly, gasps filled the room, people exclaiming and whispering as Seungcheol stood beside Jeonghan, stepping onto the platform together. Following them was Jihoon and Vernon, refusing to look at each other as the staff exchanged baffled looks with one another. But Jeonghan could hear the mafias whispering, and even those who shouted.

"Since when did the two agree upon this?"

"Disgusting!"

"Did Joshua and Jeonghan break up?"

"When did this happen?!"

"Talk about being greedy for power,"

"Absolutely not!"

"Typical,"

"Is it possible Jeonghan cheated?"

But nothing was done about it despite the angered voices that clashed against those who proposed absurd suggestions, and Jeonghan noticed Joshua beginning to turn red with rage, and if Wonwoo hadn't been there at his side, he'd lose it.

"You mean to say-... Oh my," The man had said, looking flustered and confused.

"FORTUNATELY OR NOT," Jeonghan bellowed, his voice loud and silencing the chaos within the room, startling various groups that shrank, others grumbling, "I haven't given my answer to the proposal,"

Jeonghan turned from the people, facing Seungcheol, who's shoulders were straight and brought back, portraying that familiar sophisticated and dominating appearance that many recognized. But he was nervous, and Jeonghan didn't need to see it in his eyes or have the need to study his body movements.

"Although it isn't an ideal proposal, we have gone through the following agreements if I accept, isn't that right?" Jeonghan said, making sure all heard him as the air became thick with anticipation.

"That's right," Seungcheol responded calmly.

"If I were to accept, our groups will conjoin and share the burden we both carry individually. Both will receive an equal share, protection for all members, and to work together as one. No feelings will be involved, as this is for business reasons. And from then on, no longer will The Purple Rose exist, and no longer will The Silver Lions exist, but one invincible group," Jeonghan said, addressing the agreed terms as the staff rushed to write down these terms. "Not only will both gain this, but Choi Seungcheol will submit himself to my group, unable to refuse what will become of him as his group will continue from then on,"

"So it's revenge that he may be accepting this?"

"He's risking himself? How foolish,"

"Shush!"

"With this accounted, have you both considered this? Are you both willing to accept these terms, and what will become of your group?" The plump man questioned, stepping forward towards the two.

TW: This will contain mentioning of blood and self-harm, but it is nothing severe. But I still warn you in advance in case this may be triggering to anyone reading this.

"I have," Seungcheol answered, keeping his eyes on Jeonghan, who didn't waver. "But I am not the one who has the choice to deny this proposal, or to accept it, establishing this,"

Jeonghan didn't respond, his eyes shifting towards his group that was on the edge of their seats, some nervously biting their nails, others twitching and whispering among each other. When he changed his gaze towards The Silver Lions, he could easily spot the familiar face of a boy he once called his own, looking towards him with desperation. And finally, he looked towards Joshua, who looked back at him with trust.

"I..." Jeonghan began, looking into Seungcheol's eyes.

"Deny," Jeonghan said with a devilish smile on his ghostly face, the room going into an uproar.

Seungcheol's eyes widened, his mouth slightly open, but no words came out. The Silver Lions exclaimed in dismay, some standing up while others held their heads down in their hands. The Purple Rose remained silent, but they were smiling wickedly, relishing the despair The Silver Lions' were under as Jeonghan took the ring off his finger, taking Seungcheol's hand and placing the jewelry on his palm, closing it and patting his hand.

"Whether feelings are involved or not, beneficial gain from one another or not, it will be HELL marrying you. To accept and take your name as mine, following terms and accepting vows, you weren't able to stay true the first time we established it? How silly," Jeonghan growled, standing tall as Seungcheol stumbled backward, clenching the ring in his hand while Vernon took hold of him.

"You-... You're risking my members' lives! Do you understand that?!" Seungcheol exclaimed, looking at Jeonghan in disbelief and distress while the mafia Boss pulled out his butterfly knife, raising his other hand to silence Seungcheol.

"Ah, ah, ah. I didn't finish," Jeonghan flicked his wrist, the weapon opening to reveal the sharp and long blade. Some gasped, others readying themselves for a possible massacre, but instead, Jeonghan calmly brought his knife to his hand, pushing it into his palm and cutting a large cut, blood oozing from the wound, trickling down his wrist. Many looked at him in repulse as he only smiled his devilish smile softly, and he then pointed his weapon towards Seungcheol, his blood dripping from the blade, slowly. "Rather than making the mistake of marrying, let's create a NEW alliance. The same terms applied from before, and the terms now aside from becoming one group,"

And that was enough to cause outbursts of disagreements from his group, even Jihoon and Joshua took a step forward in disbelief.

The mafias within the room were astonished, all conversing with each other about the predicament before them. Not even the staff of the organization could piece together the situation, who were unsure. But Jeonghan was indifferent, turning his knife so that he held the blade, offering it to Seungcheol, who was looking at him with an indescribable expression. Perhaps astonishment and a mixture of rage? Or was he lost?

But Seungcheol took the knife, stuffing the ring into his pocket, and doing the same as Jeonghan after wiping off Jeonghan's blood from the blade. Both of their palms cut, blood dripping as the staff rushed a table over with the following materials for ensuring the alliance and an agreement paper between them.  

"This will be the only time you will ever have the chance to redeem your sorry ass, Seungcheol. If you dare, ordered or not, to do the same thing again, then you will be removed permanently. Understood?" Jeonghan said, dropping his blood onto the paper and wrapping his hand with bandages, and Seungcheol followed. 

"Of course, Jeonghan," 

With their hand bandaged, their Consiglieres moved forward, conflicted as they took a red cloth from the table, allowing the Bosses to hold each other's bandaged hand, wrapping the silky fabric around their hands before taking a step back, waiting. 

And in unison, the two proceeded with the alliance ceremony, the staff creating a half-circle around them, performing the ceremony as everyone went silent, some boiling with anger, others too shocked to process, and those who were unable to differ what they felt. But one thing was for sure. . . 

"You better step up your level if you want your strings cut from the group, Seungcheol. I can't be doing all the work here,"

Things were going to become complicated, but interesting.

Admin Moon: I'm not attempting to do the "keep reading" shenanigan again. That was a pain in the ass, so deal with this- 🤧😂

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