#this was either going to be called the definition of human or in hell i'll be in good company

[knight-a3]

Rosie, the Cannibal Overlord

Heavenbound AU

Hazbin Masterpost

More notes under the cut

--Background--

Life: There's not a lot of canon to go off of here, yet. So I'll keep my theorizing to a minimum. First, I think she's a sinner, not hellborn. She died in the 1910s, probably somewhere in the range of 40-60 years old. I'm keeping my options open.

There's two ways this could go: Either she was a cannibal because she was a freak, or she was in a bad situation and resorted to cannibalism but died anyway. And hell cursed her with cannibalistic cravings that she just embraced. I don't care which.

Afterlife: Rosie is not a particularly powerful overlord by herself, but she still dangerous. She's tuned into the rumor mill and hears about almost everything that's going on, looking for opportunities to make deals. She carries a friendly demeanor, but is not to be trusted. She will help people with their problems, for a price(like Ursula from the Little Mermaid). If they can't pay right now, she'll accept temporary ownership of a soul until their debts are paid. But the debt might just take an eternity to pay off while she dangles freedom just out of reach.

Her most loyal souls are the cannibals. She's the leader of Cannibal Town, and the cannibals willingly sold their souls to her and she treats them with more respect than most of her other souls. If you mess with any of the cannibals, you incur the wrath of them all.

While she is not strictly powerful, it is a bad idea to underestimate her. Between her deceptively unassuming demeanor, her knack for collecting gossip, her loyal cannibals, and her powerful alliances(Alastor in particular), she can be a very dangerous enemy.

--Design Notes--

Dress: Her canon outfit was definitely giving Edwardian vibes. So it made sense when I heard that she was inspired by "Hello Dolly". The Edwardian period spans approximately from the 1890s-1910s, right between Victorian and Roaring 20s. Based on her S-curve silhouette, Rosie's fashion seems most in line with the mid-Edwardian trends. Early in the era, volume carried over from the Victorians, but slimmed down by the end, then led into the 20s.

But I was having trouble understanding the construction of her outfit, so I just wanted to make sense of it. There's nothing egregiously wrong with her canon outfit, I basically just wanted to tweak it a little to suit my preferences a little better.

Hat: Hats got very elaborate. Apparently it was popular to have a stuffed bird as decoration. Which I think Rosie would like, but I don't want to draw that. While the skull in canon also suits her, I really wanted to incorporate roses, because of her name. But skulls and roses both would be too much. I played with the idea of using other flowers, like poppies(which represent death and remembrance, and are used as a symbol to honor the fallen of WWI and veterans. I thought it could be fitting because WWI was at the tail end of this time period). But I ended up not really liking it as much.

Black roses symbolize death, which is obvious enough. The greyish ones were mostly just to contrast the black.

Hair: Seems the Edwardians were obsessed with the pompadour. Rosie most likely does not have short hair, but long hair in an updo.

Full Demon: I wanted Rosie to have a full demon form. We don't have a canon one, so I took the liberty of doing it myself, and creatively called it "Spooky Rosie". I wanted it to be skeletal in appearance, and have long nails. I ended up taking inspiration from the Beldam/Other Mother from Coraline. As well as wendigos.

Wendigo: A wendigo is a spirit from Algonquian-speaking Native American/First Nation Tribes. It possesses and/or transforms people, giving them an insatiable craving for human flesh. The myths are particularly common in northern areas, where there can be intense winters. They are often used as a cautionary tale warning about greed, selfishness, and descent into savagery.

The original myths didn't really include an antlered creature. I think that might be a more modern pop-culture addition. They are supposed to look more like freaky emaciated people. The game Until Dawn has a pretty good depiction.

Which, coincidentally, resembles the cannibals in hazbin(more so than Alastor. So I don't think he's a wendigo). I doubt that was intentional, but I just think the coincidence is interesting. I can take inspiration from the appearance, but I won't be explicitly calling anyone a wendigo. I just figured it was worth addressing here.

Should wendigo be censored? Some of the myths state that saying its name attracts it and incurs its wrath. But this superstition is present but ignored with other mythological creatures such as fae folk or even Bloody Mary, and I find it odd to treat Native American folklore differently. I don't think people who do not believe in it should have to abide by the superstition, particularly if the consequence would only bring wrath upon the person who incurred it. If I type out the name online, then I don't see why others should be offended that I put myself in danger. I haven't seen any substantial sources to suggest it's inherently offensive. I only hear that from people on the internet who have no cultural connection to the belief and heard from other people on the internet.

I also don't see the value of a cautionary tale that can't be spoken about.

I live in an area where Skinwalkers are the historically relevant superstition, and it's really not that big a deal to anyone. Pop culture exaggerates the significance of these things.

April 25, 2025- added a bit about the cultural stigma of saying the word wendigo June 16, 2025- slight adjustment to the color palette

[syscest]

hi im assuming the us vs them post is about a specific term, which one would that be?

so the sysmed out-group term being referenced in the joke post was (as the reblogs guessed) "endogenic", and I'll lay our thoughts out straight just once to avoid being potentially taken the wrong way

I've got two angles here, existential theological linguistic bullshit, and harm-reduction. stay with me here because even if you're not on board with the first thing you'll want to see the second.

so "traumagenic vs endogenic" is a false dichotomy, and I don't just mean "there's a secret third thing", I mean both classifications are fundamentally not real.

personally? we haven't the foggiest idea why we're a system. but the thing is, I don't think anybody else does either - I think it's genuinely impossible to know why your own consciousness is behind your own eyes and controlling your own body, why you *experience* existing in first-person at all. Like shit, lots of singlets believe it's because a soul has been created or introduced to their flesh, and a bunch of others think that's a load of crap and the chemicals just *do this* on their own. Singlets get this unalienable right to believe whatever the hell they want about why they're experiencing being themselves all the damn time, and I refuse to believe that systems are uniquely special in a way that singlets are not such that anyone can fucking flawlessly divine the cause of our consciousness all of a sudden. These are existential-tier questions and to deny their impossible complexity and the right to self-belief over them is, in my eyes, to deny systems something many singlets feel is part of what makes them human.

You can believe all sorts of stuff about the nature of your own systemhood just like how you can believe all sorts of stuff about the nature of your own existence - that doesn't make you definitively right, it's just a meaningful mechanism through which you understand your own experiences that other people should respect - it's like any faith, go figure.

Frustratingly, these words - traumagenic, endogenic - they're not talking about belief, they're objective buckets actively being used for exclusion. So every time we use the term "traumagenic systems", in saying "systems that objectively exist because of trauma" we are saying, loudly, "it is possible to know why a system exists". and frankly? no the fuck it isn't.

Anyway that's airy bullshit and reflects very idealised interactions so - practical, realist opinions, and harm reduction:

Saying "I'm pro-endo" is a net good, though I think "I support all systems" is probably marginally better because it doesn't perpetuate categories pushed by sysmeds for exclusionary reasons as being essential to defining systemhood - as we joked about.

Contrastingly, self-declaring "traumagenic" or "endogenic" in a bio is a net bad. Saying "I'm a traumagenic system" also says "Hello sysmeds, I believe in your dichotomy and I'm one of the good ones" (great way to get sysmed followers), and that factor doesn't go away if you go on to say that you support all systems - you've already thrown away your opportunity to shield more vulnerable systems from harassment through making who sysmeds need to target more obscure.

In fact, regardless of whether your bio says to sysmeds "I am a target" or "I'm not a target", by saying it explicitly, you're pressuring other, more vulnerable systems to similarly self-declare. It's like cis people putting pronouns in their bio to shield trans people from harassment through obscurity and embarrassment, but in reverse - if you shut up about it, and *just* call yourself a plural system, even if you do believe in their categorisations, you stop the propogation of the self-labelling and exclusionists are forced to make themselves look like idiots because most of their harassment would have to be done at random. It's basically herd immunity - nobody talks, everybody walks.

anyway yeah there's context for future, though honestly the section in plural respect is a lot more succinct lmao

[thedexcat]

VotV Speculation Megapost

(For posterity's sake, the latest major release is 0.8) (Also, buckle in. This post is a long one.) (Edit 9/20/24: Added Addendum 1) (Edit 10/14/24: Added Addendum 2) It should be extremely obvious, but spoilers ahead.

As we all know, Voices of the Void has a "story breadcrumbs" approach to its plot. Combine that with its alpha status, and we're left with a lack of hard answers. However, some pieces did seem to click into place. This is far from anything definitive, but here are some of the conclusions I've drawn. Let's start with everybody's favorite:

Part 1: The Arirals

god i want one to hold me like that

You know em. You love em. Like 90% of the fanart is about them. But the question is... what the hell are they doing here? Judging by the fact that they construct a campsite in the facility, they clearly expect to be here for a while. A common interpretation I hear from people is that the ones out in the facility are either political refugees, or just some sort of benign "tourist group". I've personally come to a different conclusion. Let's consider what they brought with them.

Exhibit A: The weapon (left)

The weapon they drop around Day 24 is no mere Star Trek phaser. If you drop it in the main building, pretty much EVERYTHING in the building is going to be sent flying from the resulting blast. Not only that, but the "human-wieldable" version that can be unlocked for the sandbox mode has one hell of a fire rate. Something tells me that there's no way in hell this thing is a civilian-grade weapon. And, as established in a previous post of mine, they're kitted out in full-body armored stealth suits.

Exhibit B: The stealth suit (Kerf dutifully remains there for scale)

These aren't tourists or runaways. They're goddamn Black Ops. But you're probably asking, "If that's what they are, then why do they have nothing better to do than to steal shrimp and prank you?" Don't worry, I'll get to that later. Eventually. Maybe.

For now, let's move on to a third thing of theirs: The letter to Kel.

Exhibit C: Esraniki's Letter (D-, see me after english class)

This is the letter left at the Ariral camp if you have maxxed reputation with them. There's one line in particular that's always stood out to me. "GET WE HOME YOU GET DEATH AVOID" So... why can't they go home? Let's review: A: They have perfectly functional spacecraft parked right behind you. Even if they were broken, surely some random Pre-FTL primitive wouldn't be able to help with a mechanical failure in their technology. Hell, they buzz you at the radio tower with one. So there seems to be nothing physically stopping them from leaving. B: They've come kitted out with some serious weapons and armor C: Something in the facility is drawing the attention of all manner of extraterrestrials (and ghosts and demons. are 'metaterrestrials' a good word for them?) So my take? They're monitoring something, waiting for an opportunity to act upon it. (In keeping with the Patch Note naming convention, I will be calling this unknown something "The Threat") Not only that, this 'opportunity' may only open up with the assistance of a human. But what could Dr. Kel possibly do that an Ariral couldn't? Well, I can think of one thing he can do better... Interface with human technology.

Exhibit D: Ariral Communique (quality: shit) Computer technology isn't some universal constant. You can't make a program and expect it to magically run on alien technology with an unknown architecture. This ain't Independence Day. The fact that the Arirals barely managed to send a heavily-garbled message to Kel's computer, quite frankly, speaks of an extreme amount of effort on their part. And it was all just to say the word "OUTSIDE".

If The Threat has some ties to human technology, then perhaps Kel actually could be more qualified to deal with it than the Ariral Black Ops. Hmm... An unknown threat with ties to human technology. Could it possibly involve...

Part 2: The Incredibly Suspicious Bunker

"I left a 'Do not enter' note on the floor. That'll stop people from investigating!" This damn thing is quite obviously, as TVtropes would put it, The Very Definitely Final Dungeon. It is my firm belief that this is what the Arirals were sent to monitor, and where The Threat can be found. But we can't really get much further in than a few doors. So... what's in there? An easy assumption to make is that it's some sort of fallout/storm shelter. But something nearby might tell a different story...

Exhibit E: *squints* ...Liberty Prime? If you take a metal detector over to the bunker entrance, you'll quickly discover a buried drive nearby. The image you just saw is its contents. It's clear that something is being depicted here. What exactly it is, well, that's hard to say. but if you look at that teeny tiny thing at the top, you'll see something that looks like the Alpha base and its radio tower

oh god we're getting into crusty duende video territory now

What this says to me is that there is a colossal something underneath the base. Some sort of mega-facility? Unnatural cave formations? Something else entirely? Or I could be looking at it entirely wrong. But the point is, it's very likely that something extremely expansive is down there.

What if we could just take a peek a liiiittle bit further in? Well, there is ONE way...

Exhibit F: The Least Cursed Elevator in Horror Fiction

Roughly around 3:33 each night, there is a chance that a camera inside the bunker will become active. It's monitoring what appears to be a heavy-duty elevator coated in blood. An elevator like this would also indicate something buried deep underneath the base. Say, this elevator seems familiar...

Exhibit G: Monique Santificer's Extremely Ominous Foreshadowing

...Huh. I'm sure that only means good things. So we have a Hellivator and evidence that there's some place that you'd need a Hellivator to get to. Are there any other clues around? Well, there's that handy instruction book on robotics. You can make your own little friend!

POV: You're 5'11 and she's 6'0 And... Oh! looking back at that camera, it looks like someone else made their... their own... friend...

Exhibit H: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA- ...I don't think they followed the instructions to the letter. So it seems the people in the bunker were working on combining robots and, er, 'biomass'. I don't think our meaty friend here is The Threat itself, but I do believe that it is some aspect of it, or at least a result of it. And whatever The Threat is, it seems to be "leaking" out of the bunker. After all, this toothy bot here seems to have little siblings burrowing out from underground!

Exhibit I: should start running Kerfus. Kerfur. Whatever name they have, they love you! Such a shame that the flesh inhabiting their chassis does not.

they seriously recalled the ++ models over a little thing like this, smh Something deep underground, cursed flesh, and occult sigils. Hmm. Things would tie together neatly if there were, say, some sort of demon around associated with flesh and dark depths.

Part 3: Furfur (and conclusions)

"I WATCH YOU SHIT AT NIGHT" The Great Earl of Hell and raw flesh afficianato, it's Furfur! Demonology refers to him as a liar, but also a teacher of secrets. And he seems to really really like flesh. Not bones, though. He's always leaving those behind.

They say that if you burn an offering of flesh at his altar, he'll give you a marketable Furfur plushie!

The children who survived loved them! Interestingly, there's a certain location connected to Furfur: The bottom of the well. If you pass out at the bottom of the well, you will end up in a (dream of a?) mysterious structure.

Exhibit J: all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well

A few things of note in this place: -More demonic sigils -The only 'exit' is a tunnel leading upward with a broken ladder. And even if you could reach up there, Furfur's giant skull-face is blocking the way. -A unique knife, which when examined in the inventory, says that it was found "deep underground".

How very interesting that this flesh-loving demon has his own little place down in the depths of the earth. And you say the bunker reaching downwards has been spawning horrific robot-flesh amalgamations? Robots that are specifically of human design?

Well then. So here's what I think is going down:

no i'm not crazy it's invisible alien catgirls versus demon cyborgs you weren't listening were you?

-Some scientists from before did a Very Bad Thing in the bunker depths. If I had to venture a guess, it's that they bargained with Furfur for secrets of the flesh, perhaps in the pursuit of cybernetics, biocomputers, or somesuch. This resulted in the Very Bad Thing happening, thus creating The Threat. -The Threat was contained to some extent, but is starting to noticeably leak out. It is also severe enough to have drawn extraterrestrial attention. -The Arirals have sent a squad to monitor the situation and act if necessary. Seeing as there's been no urgent need to act as of yet, they are bored out of their skulls and taking it out on you. -The fact that the bunker hasn't been blown up by catgirl black ops already says to me that the situation down there is delicate, and a 'guns-blazing' approach would be inadvisable. Not only that, but The Threat seems to be tied to technology they have little knowledge of. They would most likely need outside assistance if they want a 'clean' resolution to the problem. -And wouldn't you know it? Right there in the facility is some nerdy, crusty, half-crazed twink that seems to be very proficient in handling human technology. How very convenient.

"average person eats 3 roaches a year" factoid actually just statistical error. Dr. Kel, who-

That's how I think this ties together, personally. Of course, there's always unaccounted for 'loose ends' that may or may not be tied to the Bunker Conspiracy (the rozital pit in particular has been bugging me with its vagueness). Plus there's always the chance that I misinterpreted things like a dumbass. There were a few other smaller things I wanted to cover, but my fingers hurt from typing, and my ability to hyperfixate has its limits. And sorry if the screengrabs are a bit mismatched, I've already spent hours on this post without having to get screenshots from the game myself. If anyone actually read through this monstrosity of a post, congratulations! If you're as deeply brainrotted as I am, feel free to point out the reasons I'm dumb and wrong :)

Addendum 1: Meta Aspects

no, not this. wrong place. wrong time.

Every now and then I hear talk of lore clarifications in Discord servers, Google Docs, etc. Will I be covering these?

(source) The reason? I want to give my impressions based purely on the work as published. Death of the Author and whatnot. The furthest I'll reach 'outside' the games are those ambiguous little teasers on YouTube, which you don't have to be in any 'specific server' or anything to see.

haha what if funni meme robot was irreversibly corrupted by the horrors?

Think of it as me giving a form of feedback on how the game is presented as an isolated work. Anyway, I'll be posting another Addendum later, connecting more demon stuff to the bunker. Fun! One thing I intend to investigate between then and now is a rumor of a very poorly documented... item interaction. As a little preview, consider this note.

It seems, in my pursuit of knowledge regarding a mysterious bunker in an incomplete videogame story, I find myself investigating a skeletal entity of ambiguous origin described as having a single glowing eye. God. Fucking. Dammit. Every time with this shit.

This always seems to happen whenever the protagonist is bullied by tall monstergirls

Addendum 2: Classified

Progress on my investigation has been slow due to a combination of poor RNG and real-life stuff. Fun fact: I've never encountered the fossilhound in my many months of playing, and it looks like that won't change anytime soon!

I'll get you one day, ya boney bastard. In the meantime, it seems that someone has leaked classified pokemon data communications from our employers...

And just who do we encounter within the first few weeks?

Our classified documents are their vacation photos

So it seems that at the very least, our employers seem to be aware of the Arirals. So to what end do they want to draw them out? And why would the Arirals show any particular interest in a human presence in this facility specifically?

They clearly seem to be hiding their presence from the world at large with their cloaking ships and whatnot, but they seem almost eager to grab the attention of anyone working at this particular site.

And, as everyone already knows, Arirals are certified Goobers. They form like 3/5ths of the Counsel of Goobers*. The ones we encounter at the very least are very much not what our employers expect to kill us. So our employers are also aware of the existence of some other threat, possibly even THE Threat. *the remaining members are Kerfuses and Dinguses

Truly an incomprehensible menace from beyond the stars. (source)

Personally, I feel like this all feeds back into my previous thoughts. There is clearly a Threat at this location, and the Arirals probably believe that they may need human assistance to do something here. Or maybe I'm just biased towards whatever random thoughts got cooked up in my head.

Anyway, hopefully next time I'll be back with reports of yanking the lifecrystal out from the Fossilhound's head and shoving it up its ass. I am so, SO sick of trying to get that thing to show up.

[rottenstrawberrymilk]

first meeting

jojo's bizarre adventure x reader

hol horse, daniel j. darby, okuyasu nijimura, tonio trussardi, keicho nijimura, yuya fungami, guido mista, risotto nero, ghiaccio, thunder mcqueen, mountain tim

preferences

pt. 3

Hol Horse

Usually when you're slumming it at the sleaziest bars available you like to be left alone. You're a rather irritable drunk, with little patience or tolerance for people hitting on you, talking to you, breathing near you, or generally just having a pulse (once again, near you, can't they do that somewhere else?). But when he comes around...for some reason it doesn't bother you. Not one bit. 

Hol Horse had made a somewhat dicey decision in trying his luck with you. It'd been random chance, of course, just a sudden idea, and impulse he'd given into. Plus in his honest opinion you're probably one of the finest people at this total dump. Seriously, what's a chick like you doing here anyways? Only one way to find out. He cozies up next to you at the bar, not at all shy.

"You'll hafta pardon me for askin', miss," he'd started. You don't even look at him but he continues. "But what's a catch like yourself doin' at such a run down bar, huh? Don't be shy now, I just gotta know." 

You give him such a venomous glare. Enough to kill an actual viper, probably. You're definitely into him, Hol Horse smugly decides. 

"Kill yourself." You turn back to your drink, trying to look as busy as humanely possible. Can't he just leave you the hell alone? 

The man only grinned, a finger at the brim of his hat. "And miss out on talkin' with such a live wire? Not a chance in the world baby. You're a one-in-a-million type babe, I can tell you that right now." 

He really, really will not leave you alone. Usually the glare and the immature death threat is enough to send them packing. Far away from you. So you can wallow in self-loathing in peace and also in a really decent amount of garbage vodka. But this guy will just not let up. What a fucking scumbag. He doesn't give you...a dangerous type of vibe. Just a really incessantly, annoying one. 

He leans in closer to you. "Name's Hol Horse, by the way. You don't gotta tell me yours. I'm alright with callin' you baby instead, how's that sound?" 

SUCH a prick--he's already got your blood boiling. That's a very rare thing to be able to pull off. See, you're more of a stone-cold snide, bitch type of mean. Not raging bitch type mean. It's rare for anyone to make you feel anything at all, really, rather than general disdain. But rage. Oooo....he makes you feel a type of hot fury that you haven't felt in a long time. The type that swallows you whole, makes it hard to even think straight. 

"Sounds," you say, "like shit. Don't call me that. Jackass." You go back to sitting silently like before. But Hol Horse knows you'll take the bait. He smirks as you suddenly look back up at him, his cheek leaned into his hand expectantly. "What the hell kind of a name is 'Hold Horse'? Tell me that's not legal." 

Yep. Took the bait. Works every time. He'd predicted you'd go to attack him over it. 

Hol Horse smiles at you. Not a snide little half smirk, nothing of the sort, just a genuine smile. He tips his hat. "It's Hol Horse. Let me buy you another drink and maybe I'll tell you all about it, baby. And not that cheap stuff either." He casts a look at the watered down drink still nestled in your palm. 

You look him over again, sizing him up. He's built. Well built. And he's got this scruffy look to him, like he's up to no good. Shifty. That's what he is. But there's no sort of ill intent or evil in his eyes. None that you recognize, which is strange because you've come across many forms of pure evil in your life. Most men--their eyes are very dull and empty and hungry. Not his. His are very much alive. And a hue of dark blue, dark enough to be perceived as black if the shadow of his hat covered them enough. And there's no hunger to them. Just a sort of glint. Like a "hey, wanna play?" type of thing. Maybe it's just fascination. Maybe curiosity. Whatever it is, you don't have a name for it. 

He's no danger. At least not to you. 

As you're about to accept Hol Horse's offer, somewhat reluctantly, you feel a tap on your shoulder. A scowl quickly crawls onto your face as you turn to look at yet another man. You open your mouth to say something downright nasty. Hol Horse beats you to it. That and he also draws a gun--wait, where did he get that? It's like it just appeared in his hand? Is he some sort of quickdraw?

"Beat it ugly," he barks. "Can't ya' see we're in the middle of somethin' real nice?" 

Hol Horse must be a magician. Because just like that, the intruder disappears. And so does his gun. You decide you're just too tipsy to register whatever happened to it. He turns back to you with that smug look slipping back onto his face. It replaces the old expression. The one that hardened his face and all the sudden he wasn't some jackass at a bar trying to woo you. He was a stone-cold, grizzled killer. Or maybe he just hates men as much as you do. 

"C'mon girl. Can't say no to that drink now, can ya? Did'ja a real favor there." 

"I was gonna say yes anyways," you mutter stubbornly. Just for the sake of not letting him think he has power over your decisions. "I'd be stupid to say no to a free drink. That's not fucking rocket science. Just know you're not getting shit in exchange." 

Hol Horse laughs. He has a raspy laugh. 

You don't chase him off, purely because you feel like now you at least owe him bare minimum courtesy. He can talk his head off, you don't care. As long as he's paying, you're not the one taking a loss here. What an idiot. But he's an interesting idiot. He's busy telling you some crazy ass story that can't possibly true, about how he's a mercenary for hire and he's thinking about taking a job from some eccentric freak in Egypt. At least you can say you've never once heard those combination of words in your life until now. 

To his credit, the story is long enough that he's bought you enough drinks to the point where you're pretty close to shitfaced. 

Hol Horse's goal hadn't really been to coerce any sort of sexual favor out of you, no matter how drunk he got you. Well, originally it had been, but as he talks to you he realizes there's something just. Off about you. Not in a bad way. In a way where he knows he shouldn't let this devolve into one of his usual one night stands.

He's never been above doing sleazy shit like this just to get some ass but...he looks at you and knows he can't do that to you. He won't. 

"You don't look too good, baby...lemme walk you back to your place, huh?" He offers.

You respond by dumping what's left of your drink on him. He stares at you. You stare back, eyes narrowed. Then, you seem to relax.

You shrug. "Okay." 

Hol Horse isn't sure what the fuck that was about but he's certainly intrigued by you. 

It takes twenty minutes longer than usual to get back to your apartment. This is because you gave him incorrect directions six times. Two of those times were on purpose because you'd simply thought it would be funny. You likely would have confessed this to him in the coming months if you'd been sober enough to remember. 

You stare at Hol Horse for a moment from inside your apartment, hand on the door. You sure hope he doesn't think he's getting invited in. Your grip pushes up harder against the wall, you desperately need the support. 

"For the record...you have a great rack," you tell him, slurring far too lightly for how much alcohol you'd had. "Thanks for the drinks. Night."

And then the door slams in his face.

She's fuckin' hot. Probably wants me too, just gotta play things right. Next time I bet I can get her name. 

Daniel J. D'Arby

A lost traveler. As stupid and cliche as it gets. Also Daniel's favorite people to take advantage of. Something about the combination of desperation, jet lag, and general disorientation makes them especially easy to toy with. When you'd walked into the hotel bar, you'd looked beyond frazzled. You didn't even order a drink. You'd just sat down in front of him at the table he'd chosen to lounge at. Daniel looks up at you, acting as though he hadn't even noticed you walk in and already thought of the best way to claim your soul. 

"Can I help you?" He asks, knowing he can and will help you. That's right, help you find your place amongst his many other trophies. Such a pretty face. Perhaps it'd be better for it to be immortalized on a coin, rather than be cursed with age and weariness. Perhaps he'll even give you your own page...he wouldn't want to lose you among the many other ones. Or heaven forbid, insult you by daring to place you alongside so many other average and even ugly faces. 

He thinks of all the scumbags and other scam artists he's swindled out of their souls. There are plenty of 'innocent' people simply cursed with the misfortune of losing to him, sure. But there's a fair sure of despicable people there too. Who deserved to lose. That the earth deserved to be cleansed of. No...you definitely don't deserve to be alongside them. 

Quickly, Daniel draws himself out of his thoughts. Such foolishness to already plan so far when he hasn't even been able to lure you into a game yet. 

Upon seeing the deck of cards he seems to be mindlessly shuffling, a slight weary smile appears on your face. "Got any 3's?" you ask, obviously joking, voice cracking slightly with distress. 

Oh?

Daniel smirks. This could be easy. But a bit of curiosity prods at him. To learn more. About you, of course. 

"Perhaps I do." He won't make you bet your soul yet. It's an easy slide of the correct fingers to shuffle the deck to his desires, seemingly without looking. You watch the cards blur, until he turns them right side up and produces a three of hearts. He pinches it between his pointer and middle, face coming to rest in his hand as he watches for your reaction.

"You're a very lucky man," you say, looking a bit taken aback. 

"Luck, my dear, has absolutely nothing to do with it," Daniel says, coy smile pulling further at the corner of his lips. "How about a game?"

You shake your head disappointingly quick. His hand drops from his face, eyes still on yours. 

"I...I wish I could. I'm just...I'm really out of it right now. They're still trying to find my room that I booked that apparently just." You let out a frustrated sigh. "Just isn't in their records anymore. This is stupid to share with a stranger buttt...I'm gonna roll the dice and take the risk, y'know? I'm alone here, and scared. I don't have much on me either. I dunno what I'm gonna do if things don't sort themselves out." 

This honest and he hasn't even managed to sway you with a couple of drinks first? Unbelievable. 

"You just look...I dunno." You're looking even more and more desperate by the second. An exasperated hand goes to push at your head. "Like you just know what you're doing. Trustworthy, I-I guess. What do you think I should do?"

"Hm. Perhaps you can stay with me," he says, tone light. At your face, he cocks an eyebrow. "You did mention I looked...what was it? 'Trustworthy'? Why not roll the dice just once more on me?"

Your face begins to flush furiously. "I don't know if-um. I. It's nothing against you, I just-"

So nervous...it's kinda cute. Daniel leans a cheek into his palm once more, gazing over at you as you stumble over your own words for a solid eight seconds more. 

"Or." His smooth voice cuts off your stammering. "You could play me for my room key." He reaches into his pocket, retrieving it. He offers it to you, leaving it resting in his palm. When you reach for it, his large fingers close over your hand. You flush even brighter, which he finds even more amusing. "Ah. Ah. You haven't won it quite yet. The real question here..." The man's grip tightens. "Is what you can bet in return." 

"I-I thought just not getting the room key would be enou-"

The man shakes his head. "It was a rather pricy room really...I want to gain something from this too. We are both seeking out the things we desire, yes?" His eyes still don't leave yours. 

You nod shakily. "I...I don't have any money. What's it worth to you, maybe I can trade-or-or something-"

"Your name. Does that sound fair?"

At your immediate look of unsureness, Daniel elaborates.

"Win against me and you won't have to give your name to a strange 'trustworthy' man sitting in the bar of a hotel."

"I-I don't think you're strange," you say quickly, hands up defensively. "For what it's worth." 

It's the truth. He's not strange. Just...bold. The last thing you'd want to do is insult him in any way. Not with what's on the line.

"But okay, deal. Um, you can pick the game, I guess. I'm not really great at cards so try to keep it easy, okay?"

You're very hilarious without knowing it. Something about the irony of not realizing who you're playing with, he thinks. That's what makes it all so funny.

"I quite liked your approach earlier," Daniel muses. "Fish it is."

For the first time in a long time, Daniel did not call out his stand. He didn't cheat. He didn't use any of the questionable dirty tricks he usually did. He simply plays with you. He leaves it to chance, something he hasn't done in a very long time. Usually, he can't risk losing, not with either the money he's contracted to win or what's at stake. But since souls are not in play, a loss will not weigh on him and his trophies won't be affected. He didn't mind taking a breather, playing such a simple card game with you. And you look so cute when you're concentrating that hard. He saw you bite your lip a little out of anxiousness before calling out a number and his mind wanders. 

Fate smiled upon you that night, because you won.

He hadn't thrown the game, he hadn't let you win--you simply won because you did. And considering the only players were you and him, it was a rather quick game.

You breathed a sigh of relief as he slid the room key over to you across the table, that same smile still set on his elegant face.

"Um...thank you." You're quite for a moment, picking it up and turning it over in your hand. "I kinda feel bad about stealing your room from you, though." 

Daniel simply gives you a dismissive shrug, leaning back as he takes a slow slip from his glass. He has really thick eyelashes. 

"I hate to leave now but...I'm really tired. More than you know." Awkwardly, you sit back as well.

Oh he definitely knew. Your eyelids had been fluttering with exhaustion the entire game. He's surprised you hadn't just fallen asleep on top of the card pool honestly. 

He raises a polite hand. "Please," Daniel insists. "Don't let me keep you." 

Still feeling awkward, like something's unfinished or unsaid, you stand up. The blush in your face hasn't quite subsided. You can't believe this guy gave up his room key so easily. Not even best out of three games? What was he going to do? Where was he going to stay? You know it's not smart to worry about all that, it's not smart to care about strangers this much. And you still feel bad you can't pay him back, seeing as you "won" the key.

Daniel watches you start to walk away without turning his head. Then you hesitate. You turn back around. Quickly, face still flushed a light pink, you lean down and give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you," you say again. "This means a lot to me." Quickly, you stood back up straight.

Even though you've won, you mutter your name to him, looking more and more embarrassed under his unwavering gaze. Does this guy ever blink? You suppose he doesn't have to, considering how his eyes always seem to be so sultry and half-lidded. You turn around, attempting to leave once more. His hand goes to snatch your wrist, with unexpected quickness and aggression. You look back, stunned.

"D'arby," he replies. "Daniel J. D'arby." 

He releases you. Heart pounding in your chest, you finally leave the bar, key gripped tight in your hand. 

Daniel smirks, looking down once more into the auburn depths of his brandy.

"(Y/N), hm?" he muses out loud. 

He has great plans for you.

This game should surely be entertaining. 

pt. 4

Okuyasu Nijimura

He's some new dude in your class. 

He's apparently new to campus, having joined late in the semester for whatever reason. You've heard rumors about him purely because of his scholarship. It's some strange, situational one that no one's ever heard of before, and enough to give him a full ride. You're a little jealous yourself, but hey, that's just life. 

Honestly, upon meeting him, you thought he'd be a lot more pompous or snooty. But Okuyasu's kinda like...well the complete opposite of that. Guess that teaches you a lesson about judging a book by its cover--or at least the rumors surrounding said book. Judging by appearance probably would have actually given you a way better idea of his character in the first place. 

He slouches. Like a lot. Even when he's standing up. He's not ridiculously tall or anything like that, so he doesn't have much of an excuse for such bad posture. His hands always seem to be in his pockets. And he's got these strange, curved, symmetrical scars on his face. What gave him those? Sometimes they distract you when he's leaned over, asking for something like a pencil or yesterday's notes, and he has to repeat himself because you weren't listening. Okuyasu talks funny too. With some sort of dialect you've never heard before. 

As his first few weeks on campus drew out, you found yourself talking to him a little more. Y'know. Small talk, the basics. Usually you're not one to chat during lectures but the last couple of units have been kinda boring. He told you he was from Morioh, that he missed it a lot and couldn't wait to go back for winter break. Then he asked you when winter break was because he hadn't the first clue about the dates and apparently couldn't get an answer from anyone but you. 

You'd mentioned offhandedly that when you were really young, too young to remember, you used to live in Morioh for a couple of months. That's what your parents had told you at least. Okuyasu asked if you went to a high school that you'd never ever heard of (apparently thinking that you'd only recently moved from Morioh too, like him). You kinda felt bad about your dryness in the conversation and told him no, but fibbed a little and said the name was familiar at least. 

After getting rightfully shushed by the people behind the two of you, the conversation died. You didn't mind--it was a good out. Okuyasu, on the other hand, looked beyond pissed. His right hand clenches a little. He wishes he could use his stand to make the people behind him disappear so he could keep talking to you instead of trying to desperately understand what was going on. It's just an intro class...why do things have to be so difficult in college? How embarrassing...

That gives him a bit of an idea, however. 

Later after class, he'd pulled you aside, a rough hand on your shoulder.

"This is kinda embarrassing but I'm...I'm kinda startin' to already struggle and I get confused and stuff...I get confused really easy. Uhm...do you wanna do one of those things? The study group thing?" Okuyasu asked you, looking more and more desperate with every word out of his mouth. 

You shrug. "Sure, why not." It isn't like you have anything better to do. Plus it'll give you an excuse to get away from your roommate. 

"Great! Awesome! Thank ya-" he starts to turn away from you, looking beyond excited.

It's your turn to grab his shoulder. "Hold on, don't leave yet," you said. His face flushed a little. "Let's trade numbers before you go. So we can figure out when and where we wanna meet."

Your number? Already? This is going even better than he expected. 

"Yeah! Yeah, of course. Sorry, I'm not all that smart, y'know?" 

Despite getting your number, he still feels pretty stupid. How could he have forgotten something as important as that? Do you already think he's a complete idiot? Maybe it's for the best, cuz' at least you'll lower your expectations for him a whole lot. Then he remembers that he's not supposed to think like that anymore, not according to Josuke at least. Man he wishes Josuke were here...

Conflict settles in his stomach.

Or...does he really wish that? Without Josuke here it's less competition--wait, fuck, why's he thinking of his best friend like he's some sort of rival still? He's not even on the damn campus! But Okuyasu can't help but bitterly remember the way all the hot chicks in high school would fawn and flock over to Josuke, and not him. How's he not supposed to feel just a teeny tiny bit jealous over stuff like that?

Cuz he's in college now. Right. Right. Stupid. Grow the fuck up. 

His head finally clears around the same time a text from you rolls in a couple hours later. Apparently your classes for the day were finally over. 

When u wanna meet up? ? theres a study room in my building we coould go there instead of the library 

All the little typos were kinda cute. And you felt way less intimidating, since you texted so casually. His heart races as he responds. He can't believe he's getting worked up over something so small...

4 pm maybe if it works for u. what building r u in

sounds good

You give him the name of the residential building you happen to live in. He's relieved that it's within walking distance. He still hasn't really figured out the layout of this campus and how to get around it. Maybe you could help him with that too if you liked him enough? 

"Y'know maybe I'm jus' not meant for this whole college thing," he'd muttered to you somewhat glumly, his cheek in his palm during the study session.

You'd simply shrugged your shoulders, keeping the pencil pointed at the term you were currently attempting to explain to him. You've dumbed it down around 50 times now, but it's just...not clicking for him. You get annoyed pretty easily, being tired and overworked and all, but with Okuyasu, that familiar flare of irritation never really sets in. It's like you suddenly gain the patience of a saint with him. It's not out of pity either. He just, for some reason, doesn't entirely piss you off. 

"Some people are, some people aren't," you replied. "No shame in it. Some of us are just meant to do different things. Like some just go right into the workforce. I like that you're going for the whole higher education thing though. It's cool. Seems like you're actually putting the work in. Just give it time. You just gotta figure out what type of learning works best for you." 

Never mind the other stuff for now--you think he's cool? He thought after the hell that was this study session you'd be getting all mad at him and giving up and storming out or something. That happened to him a few times in Morioh when Josuke suggested he try the tutors the school offered after classes. 

He perks up a lot after that and seems to suddenly tune in much better. You even managed to finally get him to understand the basics of the one theory he'd been having the most trouble with comprehending. Having him memorize them and be able to tell the difference between them would be a whole other story, but little steps, little baby steps. And that's not even beginning to mention the fact that he's a solid two weeks behind since he started classes late on campus. He must have an absolute miracle worker of an advisor. 

The study group that you expected to fall apart after around two meetings actually stayed pretty solid. You met with Okuyasu frequently, up to four or five times a week actually. A few times you suggested bringing other people in, after hearing them vent their own frustrations about the course before and after the lectures. However, Okuyasu told you he can't focus as well with more people involved. So, you shrug and agree. It can just keep being you and him against the world and this hell class.

Tonio Trussardi 

You'd just been looking for work. There'd been some ad in the paper about help wanted at some restaurant near the outside of town. Some Italian place. It looked interesting and the pay didn't look completely awful, so you thought you would give it a shot. 

Trattoria Trussardi, what a name. You hoped you wouldn't have too much difficulty remembering or pronouncing it. Your nerves started to get a bit shaky when you'd first walked through the door with the paper still in your hand, kinda feeling like an awkward, out of place idiot. The empty restaurant wasn't really helping. You found that odd. Although the restaurant is new, it had been steadily gaining popularity. Sometimes you see reviews of the food (always five stars) in the newspaper. So if it's so quiet why is help needed? Maybe a question to ask after you got the job. At least there wouldn't be any dinner rushes anytime soon. 

"Ah, welcome!" comes an accented voice from the kitchen entrance. 

Judging by his outfit, he's the chef, and probably the one who put the help wanted ad in the paper. You thought he'd be...a lot older? He can't be more than five, maybe seven years older than yourself. Suddenly he's daunting to you, and not just because he's so tall--it kinda feels like you've done nothing with your life compared to him. 

Turns out Tonio (he'd insisted that you to call him that instead of Mr. Trussardi because he wanted to be on equal terms with you, although sometimes a habitual 'sir' slips out from you here and there from former jobs) was super friendly. He had such a cheery, warm demeanor that it was hard to continue feeling intimidated, much less nervous around him. It helped that he practically hired you on the spot too.

You'd asked him to reconsider, as you have little to no experience in cooking. He'd simply laughed, a hand at your back as he ushered you into the kitchen with ease. 

"You wish to become my apprentice, sì?" He'd asked as he hands you an apron. 

"Uhmm..." even through your shyness you put on the apron out of awkwardness. "I thought this was more of a waitressing thing? The ad didn't really specify."

Tonio nods. "Ah, I understand." He suddenly looks disappointed. "If you are not up to it, then I by no means will pressure you."

You feel a strange panic shoot through you. Like you're going to miss out on one of the best opportunities in your life if you take off the apron and walk out of this kitchen. "N-no," you reply quickly. "I can be your apprentice. That's okay. I kinda need this job. I'm willing to learn." The part about needing the job was a lie. You'd already mentally lined up a few other help wanted ads to check out if this one was a dud. But you're willing to take the risk with sticking around here. 

Tonio claps his hands with a smile. God, he's kinda cute...you wonder if a guy like him has ever had a bad day in his entire life. 

"Bene! That is all you need to begin--willing to learn. Now, we begin. Basics first, of course. This is your first day." 

He should be a motivational speaker. 

Most of the day was spent teaching you more about the function of certain areas and things in the kitchen, the placement of the knives and other tools, proper dress code, things like that. You were kinda relieved Tonio was taking it this slow with you. When the idea of being someone's apprentice came to mind, you always thought of a mentor as being much older, grouchier, and scarier. But not Tonio--the guy's a complete and total sweetheart through and through. He genuinely, really really loves what he does and it's obvious. 

You already love his passion.

Even as you finish up things with him (you'd been here for six hours? It'd only seemed like two...), and head for the door you feel rather upbeat about this new job. 

Tonio called out for you to wait. He'd been so happy about receiving such a bright, eager new apprentice, something important had just slipped his mind. 

"Scuse...I never asked for your name. You'll have to forgive me, hm?" 

You feel twice as dumb as he does for not remembering to introduce yourself in the first place. "Right! Of course, it's (Y/N). I should have told you earlier." 

"(Y/N)," Tonio repeats, getting the proper pronunciation down. Then he nods. "You'll come in again tomorrow, sí?"

"Sí," you respond.

He smiles, wide, and waves as you turn to leave for real. 

For once you don't mind waking up for a job.

With the coming weeks, Tonio steadily began to teach you more and more. He has you just observe for the first couple of days. Tonio's accent can be a little thick at times, but you're getting better at understanding him. You even pick up some more Italian from him too! He'll admit to himself that it's cute to listen to you parrot back phrases or butcher pronunciation here and there, but to your credit you are getting much better as time passes. 

Tonio's very attentive and trains you to the best of his abilities. Any mistakes you'd made, he'd simply shrugged off. You'd looked so scared when you'd first messed up a dish. He'd simply laughed at the awful amalgamation of somehow burnt spaghetti and tomatoes. Messing up is part of the process, he tells you.

"Failure is a good way to get better. So don't cry, okay amichetta?" Tonio gave your shoulder a soft squeeze with his hand. Somehow, it makes you instantly feel better. "How about a little lunch break? If you must cry, you will not do it on an empty stomach."

You could never turn down an offer like that. You're not sure what his secret is, but his food is fucking legendary. 

Keicho Nijimura

Okuyasu was supposed to be here two hours ago...

You sigh and lay your head down on your arms, sinking low onto the crummy kitchen table. One of the legs is shorter than all the other ones so it tilts. It kinda smells funky too. Likely a result of all the leaking water from the ceiling dripping onto it.

You hear stairs creak and sit up suddenly. Is somebody else home? You know he has a brother, but Okuyasu says he's kinda mean so he'll make sure you don't ever have to cross paths with him. You also know his dad's locked in the attic (long story) and isn't allowed out. So it can't be him. 

"My big bro's just...difficult to understand sometimes, that's all," Okuyasu had insisted when explaining the enigma that was Keicho Nijimura to you, doubling back on what he'd said. "So what if he's a lil' moody? Y'know? He does a lot for me and my old man." 

Can't argue with that. 

Your first thought upon seeing the infamous elder Nijimura brother is to immediately apologize for being in his house and maybe being alive too. He's beyond fucking scary. Is he doing that on purpose, keeping to the shadows like that? He's so intimidating you don't even have the time to fully comprehend or acknowledge the war crime that is his hair. How had you never noticed someone like him before at school? He'd stick out like a sore thumb. Did he really keep to himself that much? 

So many questions and you're too paralyzed to ask any of them. Not that you ever would, that's rude. And the worst idea ever considering he's glaring fucking daggers into you from across the room. Not even daggers. Something bigger and more violent. A rifle or something. His hand slides off the staircase railing as he starts to approach. Quickly, you stand up, bowing as deep as humanly possible, praying he'll take pity on you.

"S-sorry. I'm. I'm not supposed to be here alone, uhm. Sir. Okuyasu was supposed to be here-" 

An exasperated groan leaves Keicho. His teeth flash white in the gloom of the house as he grits them. "That's my little idiot of a brother. Late and unreliable." 

His voice is so deep. You stand up straighter only because your head's starting to spin from how quick you'd gotten up and bowed. He's fucking huge. Okuyasu's got that same kind of heft to him, must be in the genes, but he's not nearly as tall. Would it be appropriate to just turn around and leave right now? WHY WAS OKUYASU SO HORRIBLY LATE?? 

"Uhm. Sorry," you apologize again.

Keicho fixed you with a sharp gaze. You stand up even straighter. Your spine could have made a metal ruler look floppy in that moment. "Don't apologize for him," he snaps. "Why were the two of you meeting here anyways?"

"I mean...I come over a lot to play video games with him sometimes...I thought you, uh, I thought Okuyasu would have let you know that-"

"I know you come over here. I can hear you two babbling through the ceiling. That's not the answer I wanted. What are you doing here now?"

You feel like you're going to burst into tears. Your voice shakes a little. "Uhm-"

"Stop, with the 'uhs' and the 'uhms'," he suddenly interrupts you again. He comes closer to properly stare you down. You wish you could melt into the floor and die. You hope Okuyasu dies too--how could he let you even chance, much less be alone in a room with his scary ass older brother??

 "It's appalling. Answer confidently or don't answer at all. What a waste of breath." 

You take a moment to breathe in, to steady yourself, but you can't shake the ice from your blood. "To study. We were...going to study. He said he got a-a bad grade in English." 

Keicho's upper lift lips a little. He shakes his head. "I don't like that he kept you waiting. How long have you been here?"

You really don't want to tell him. He leans closer, expecting his answer. You shrink back. 

"Twohours." You mutter quickly, voice barely above a whisper. 

Great now he looks even more pissed off. You should have lied and said two minutes. However, that answer might piss him off equally as much. He's so...disciplined? Is that the right word? Sergeant-like? You wonder if he served in the military or something--he looks so young, though...Okuyasu certainly hasn't mentioned anything like that when Keicho was rarely brought up in conversation. 

"You can leave," Keicho commands.

Don't gotta ask me twice.

"Yes, right, of course," you open your mouth for another 'uh' then quickly remember what Keicho's reaction had been last time. "Thank you." 

What the fuck are you even thanking him for? Bootcamp simulator? Whatever--you're just happy to get the hell out of there.

You leave so fast you forget your English notes, which you'd brought to study. Keicho picks them up, flipping through them a bit suspiciously. Well...at least you weren't lying. Not that he cared too much about his brother's progression in school, but oftentimes Okuyasu would lie and say you were only coming over to study with him, just so you could play video games with him instead. Keicho hated being lied to. Whenever he caught him, he didn't mind having Bad Company fire a couple of warning shots a little too close to Okuyasu's head. Some of the walls still bare the odd little bullet holes. 

Keicho was pretty sure you wouldn't dare come back for them. You'd been blanched and terrified throughout the entire conversation. Maybe on the verge of fainting too. He doesn't trust Okuyasu to get those notes back to you. As usual...Okuyasu dragging someone else down with him and being a general disappointment. What's new? 

So, he ends up seeking you out between passing periods. He manages to catch you right before your English class. You certainly didn't look happy--and that was before seeing him, so Keicho (correctly) guessed that you were stressed out over the missing notes. 

Your day gets significantly worse when you see the senior standing outside the door to the classroom, waiting expectantly with the usual scowl on his face. He sees the way you go from looking frustrated to scared. 

"In a minute, you'll be late," Keicho says coldly. Then he reaches into his book bag and pulls out your notebook. He jerks it impatiently towards you.

You get the message and quickly take it from his hands. "Uh-" you cut yourself off, not in the mood for him to go off on you in the hall right before your least favorite class. "Thank you, Nijimura." 

"Don't forget this."

Between his scary, giant man fingers is your pink glitter pen that Okuyasu got you as a gag gift from a dollar store. It actually made you more willing to take down notes in class, so it isn't completely useless. But right now it's the last thing you want to see. 

You want to kill yourself. Again. Okuyasu should also be killed simultaneously as this is partially his fault technically.

Your cheeks flush a little as you quickly take it from him like it's contraband. "Thank you. Again." You bow your head and leave for your class. He's not wrong, you actually are about to be late in a few more seconds. 

Keicho casts an icy look in the direction of the classroom door, closing behind you. 

After what you considered to be the worst two days of your life, it's like you suddenly are able to spot Keicho around the school more often. Originally, you'd gotten paranoid, thinking he was following you. But then you just realized he's always been around and you'd been too dense or distracted to notice. He never looks over at you or tries to talk to you really. 

Actually, he looks pissed off all the time so you try your best to leave him alone. 

The most he does is maybe roll his eyes when he sees you giggling or chatting with Okuyasu in the halls but you think the dude just genuinely fucking hates everything including human joy and laughter. 

You wonder what happened that made him well...the way he was. At least in comparison to Okuyasu. They're both from the same family, went through the same things. So how could two brothers be so completely different?

What a strange man...

Yuya Fungami

You think Yuya Fungami is a washed up piece of trash. He peaked in high school and your life would generally be better without him in it. You just want to know what the fuck he's on that makes him as unbearable as he is. 

Throughout high school he'd constantly pestered you for a date. After GRADUATING high school he'd continued on pestering you for a date. "Just one", he'd begged you over and over again. This was before and even during the period of time where he started amassing groupies. Once you considered filing a restraining order but you had no proof against him doing any actual stalking or harm to you and to his credit, whenever you told him no and to go die, he usually left you alone after about ten more minutes of begging. 

Ironically, although you're what draws him, you're also the only thing that can send him away. A few times, strangers had tried to intervene with his light harassment and he has a pretty bad habit of beating the absolute living shit out of them. He is a total punk after all, through and through. He'd never hit a lady like you, but some asshole trying to get in his way? Oh yeah, they're going the fuck down.

It's been a few years since you've seen him now actually. You're hoping you're well on your way to forgetting his face completely.

Then, you had the extreme misfortune of running into him at a coffee shop.

Fuck, is your immediate thought upon seeing him. He's alone, for once, which you find strange. Nowadays he usually likes hanging around with three different girls (he claims he loves all of them equally and he can love you equally also, which you rudely reject). When you recognize him, you start to turn around and leave.

He, being the jackass he is, follows you out.

"Now, wait, wait, wait, what's the rush, huh?" he asks, stepping in front of you with that stupid smirk of his, cutting off your path. You automatically step back from him, having almost run into his chest. He continues advancing, until your back is up against a wall.

"I swear to fucking God, I will pepper spray the fuck out of you, Fungami," you warn, hand already reaching into your bag. It's a bluff. You'd stopped bringing around your pepper spray after the first couple of months of not seeing him anywhere. 

"You're not gonna even ask me how I've been? Geez...thought giving you some time alone would help you cool off..." 

He sees your face pale a little at the implication that the only reason he left for so long was to come back when you were least expecting it to catch you off guard. That level of obsession would be...off putting for sure. Luckily, Yuya's quick to rectify his mistake. He doesn't mean to creep you out on that high of a level. He just likes playing with you a little to see your reactions.

"Hey, heyy, don't look like that, baby. I'm messin' with you. Had to leave for business reasons that's all."

"Business reasons?" You question. "All you do is ride around on a stupid fucking motorcycle and crash it all over town."

Yuya lifts a defensive, stiff finger. "Okay, first of all, it was one crash. Second of all you never sent me flowers or even a note when I was in the hospital after that crash, so you owe me one. And third of all I was checking out some of the shows around the country. Kinda a big subculture y'know?"

You hate it when he gets all sarcastic and smart-alecky with you. And the flowers comment? God he's got some serious fucking nerve. If you recall, somehow during that period of time (you're 90% sure he paid one of your friends), Yuya got your number and you woke up one morning with like thirty unopened texts and two missed calls. His groupies must have not been entertaining enough in the hospital for him. Maybe the hospital kicked them out at later hours, which was usually the timestamp on the all of the messages. Then when you finally blocked his number, he just ended up getting a new phone so you had no choice but to just give up, figuring he would keep getting new numbers until you stopped blocking him. 

Usually the texts weren't terrible, which you hated to admit. Stuff like "how ya doinn" "come hang out w mee ;)" "miss u boo boo girl hugs and kisses" "stop ignoring me" "you into shitty american movies? wanna catch a movie, fast n furious 2 is out". Plus to his credit once he was out of the hospital and on way less morphine you didn't get any random calls from him. You thought Yuya would be abusing your phone number a lot more, actually. 

He's...he's annoying but he's not...dangerous? You guess? Just really, really bothersome. 

You'd hate to admit that you kinda enjoy the exasperation that comes with interacting with him. It always gives you something to complain to your friends about or gossip over. So...at least he's entertaining?

"You never texted me back."

"Hm?" you raise your eyebrows.

"Once I texted you, askin' how you were doing, and you didn't even reply. I was all bent outta shape over it for days. Really toyed with my vibe, y'know?"

You scowl. "Poor baby, I'm sure all forty eight of your girlfriends were there to provide you arms to throw yourself in and weep into." Then you cross your arms. "For your information dickwad, I wised up and got myself a new phone after you left so that number isn't mine anymore. God bless whoever you've been harassing this whole time. They have so much more patience than me." 

God he loves playing this game with you. And even though he knows you're trying to bite back at him, just hearing the word "baby" on your lips directed at him provides enough motivation to keep it going.

"We should go out," Yuya suggests, like he didn't hear anything you just said. "I was thinkin' maybe coffee? I know a nice place around the corner, I'll bet you've never been." 

"Go fuck yourself, Fungami." 

You shoulder him aside and go on your way.

He watches you leave with a smirk, arms crossing over his chest. You have a really sexy little angry walk. 

pt. 5

Guido Mista

Stand users are naturally drawn to each other.

From the beginning you'd been able to see the Sex Pistols.

You work in the restaurant Guido Mista rather favors. Mostly, he likes it cuz' of the cute waitress, who he's pretty sure is flirting with him whenever he goes in. 

One day, he'd been making some small talk with you. 

"I'm actually a pretty decent chef," you'd told him offhandedly, leaning down with one hand on the table and your usual smile. "I just haven't worked my way up the hierarchy here yet. I only moved here about a month ago and got this job recently."

Your story lines up. He'd tried this place purely because Number 5 would not stop sobbing about how he was starving to death. Blah blah blah it went on and on until all the other bullets joined in. Mista knows the little guys don't work if they're hungry. What a troublesome stand...

Buncha babies...

"So you're good at cookin', huh?" Mista says to you as he sneaks Number 5 a piece of pepperoni from the appetizer under the table. 

You tilt your head at him with a bit of a half smile.

"I didn't mean that in a weird way, like you're a woman so of course you can cook kinda thing. That's just sexist, right? And that's why i didn't mean it. Like that. Just sayin'." He goes awkwardly quiet, looking beyond mortified. God he prayed he hadn't given you the wrong impression. He knows he's kinda an asshole but you're not supposed to know that this soon. 

You shake your head with a laugh to Mista's instant relief. "You're fine, signore. Is there anything I can get you started with?" 

Mista hasn't even thought about his order. His heart is still pounding from his almost fuck up with the cute waitress. Even the bullets like you. They giggle about "waitress girl" in front of the rest of the gang constantly. It's getting increasingly obnoxious. Often times, he reminds them that if by some miracle granted by God himself, even if he was able to get with you, you wouldn't be able to see them. Little fuckers. It kinda feels good to bring them down a notch. He hates to admit it but the idea of having to share you with his stand gets him all jealous and bothered sometimes. So immature...but the smugness feels good. 

At his silence you shrug again. "If you haven't decided yet, signore, that's perfectly alright. I can come back around in five minutes, yes?"

"Guido Mista," he suddenly says with a wave of his hand, like he's banishing formalities. "You don't gotta do the "signore" stuff with me." 

You tap your name tag with a small smile in response. "(Y/N). Pleasure to meet you, Guido." 

BINGO, YES! One time he overheard some other dickmunch at the table next to him trying to flirt with you. Oooh...that got his blood fucking boiling. He thought about maybe cornering him out back once the bastard finished up and putting one of the bullets through his stupid ugly head. But you seemed to handle yourself just find. You'd adamantly had refused to call the pushy customer by his name, claiming it was disrespectful, against business policy, blah blah blah could get you fired other shit Mista doesn't remember. Excuse after excuse, basically. But the main point was you'd continued to call the other man signore and had not exchanged your name. This HAD to mean you were into him. 

And he's not wrong--you've always thought he was pretty cute. Dark eyes, and when he takes his hat off to sit back and relax--dark hair too. Such a hottie...and he's funny. You like when he comes in and flirts with you, because you have the opportunity to flirt back. Your little crush goes to the extent where when you serve him, if you notice there's something wrong or off about the food or presentation, you have your stand fix or enhance it. Such a little favor from such a conditional stand...but it's enough for him to appreciate seeing as how big he tips you. 

Mista's pretty sure you could serve him an actual dead rat with a parsley sprig on top and he'd still pay more than the bill was asking. You're just so damn cute...

You tap the table with your pen to get his attention again. You know by doing this you're taking a risk, but you can't help it...

"And lemme know if there's anything the little guys want too, okay?"

Then with that same smile, you leave.

Mista's only thought is "goddammit". 

Risotto Nero

You'd just been walking to a convenience store. You knew you shouldn't have taken that shortcut down the alleyway. You had a gut feeling that you should take the long way. But you didn't.

You'd bumped into...nothing. Maybe about three feet before the alleyway let out into the more public area. Like walking into the clearest window pane ever. How do you bump into something that you can't see? It's so mind blowing and confusing that you don't even have time to properly react.

That same nothingness seems to have hands like a human. Because that nothing goes to grab onto your throat, turning you and pinning you up against the bricks of the alley wall. Your head is spinning, you can't breathe. You can hear yelling, very faintly, over the pounding of your own heart in your ears. What the actual fuck is going on? 

In his mind, Risotto Nero is thinking of all the things he could do right now, fingers still tight at your neck. He could proceed onwards with this very obviously botched hit. There's no way his targets don't know he's there after watching this idiot girl bump into what appeared to be thin air. He could kill you...no that wouldn't do anything. It's needless too. Just a petty result of his frustration and anger. And you look absolutely terrified. You obviously hadn't walked into him on purpose--you couldn't have, you couldn't see him after all. He should have been paying enough attention to move out of your way. 

Risotto sees guns start to appear from inside of coats and out of holsters. There is an even higher chance now that if he doesn't hurt you, his targets will. Or the ever merciless yet neutral crossfire of blades and bullets. 

He curses his carelessness again. He hasn't made a mistake like this in years. 

Fuck.

Risotto's hand changes position. He goes from pinning you to the wall, to wrapping his arm around you, throwing you off balance so he could lift you off the ground and over his shoulder with ease. It's honestly a mystery as to how you haven't fainted yet. You just seem to be in a state of shock as he makes a run for it, carrying you. Turning as many corners as fast as possible would reduce the possibility of a stray bullet hitting either one of you. 

Soon enough, he's lost them completely. 

He stands, silently and motionless, with you still over his shoulder. He stays that way for a few long moments. You are also dead silent, not having recovered from the shock of...once again being interacted with by fucking nothing?? How is there any logical way to explain what's happening? Are you dreaming? 

Risotto sets you down finally. Your fingers remain grasping him, for reasons he's not sure of. Safety? Even though he's likely the one you should be afraid of. You look like you're finally on the verge of fainting, your face a complete mask of disbelief. Strange...he hadn't taken any iron from you-oh. He only realizes then that he has yet to make himself visible to you. How strange of an experience that must have been...

He could walk away now, still invisible. He could make it so you just have no fucking clue what happened. You looked a little frazzled, sure, but no harm had come to you. Chances are you could still go about your day just fine. 

But something compels Risotto not to do that. He's learned from past experience that one should always listen to gut feelings. This one is no different. So, slowly, he reveals himself to you. The invisibility slides off him like a metallic sheet, like he's stepping out of thin air itself. He wonders if you'll catch on that it's just a trick of the light, just an illusion. 

His reveal does not make you look any less terrified, which is what Risotto had been expecting. He doesn't notice your face blanche even further. He's used to that kind of reaction. Despite it, you still cling to him, fingers finding themselves snug against the leather straps hugging his chest. 

"I'm sorry," he simply said. "You should get far away from here. And then go farther than that. There's nothing here for you now. Do not stick around. And do not get involved. You will certainly die if you do. Do you understand me?" 

"I-involved? Far...far away? What? What are you talking about?" Your panic finally starts to set in, chasing out the numbness of your former shock. "Who are you?! Why did those men start chasing us?" Your voice rises more and more. You look like you're about to cry now too. 

No time for emotions like that.

Risotto simply shakes his head. "Every question is another moment of your life you have wasted here. Please. Go." 

You don't know what to do other than listen. 

Ghiaccio

Your new roommate, God bless his soul, is an actual freak.

You'd been desperate, which is the only reason you let him move in with you. He'd been just as desperate to have a place at all. You didn't catch much of his sob story, to be honest. Something about not getting paid enough it's not his fault everyone is fucking stupid blah blah blah, you have no idea why he's ranting to you about this. You're practically strangers after all. Come to think of it, you're never sure why he rants to you about anything.

Hell, you barely know the guy.

But for some reason, Ghiaccio has decided that you absolutely need to hear about every problem he's ever had with the world in his life. This can range from a pigeon he saw get hit by a car in the street (you still don't know if he's on the pigeon's side or the driver's side), to the very roots and faults of developing late stage capitalism in America (you also don't know why he cares about this, you're both in Italy?). 

As long as he's paying his half of the rent, you've decided it's whatever and you can handle it. Your job gives you a break from him anyways.

Whatever Ghiaccio's problem is, he's quite the character. A very, extremely neurotic one at that. 

Several times, you wonder if he's worth his temper, which oftentimes gets turned on you once or twice a week. You truly have not one inkling of a clue of just how lucky you are. Most people receive the brunt of his temper like fourteen times a week, so he's decided you're one of the few people he can stand. He actually likes you, for what that's worth, so he finds less things to prod at. 

You're not sure if you, yourself, can stand him though. You want so badly to just sit back and be entertained by him. Lord knows he comes up with some insanely creative strung together insults that you're sure no other human has thought of much less said ever before. But it's also a hassle staying on your toes, walking on eggshells trying your damned hardest not to piss him off. 

One time you'd mentioned you were partial to dark chocolate. You don't remember what sparked this conversation. He asked what percent and you'd apparently given him an answer he'd liked. Because first off, he didn't immediately delve off into a rant about the unnecessary inclusion of sugar and additives in modern day chocolate. And second off, once you came back from a rather annoying day of work, he'd shoved a bar of it into your hand. 

So, you start to realize maybe Ghiaccio isn't as...one sided as you thought. He's got some complexity to him. Some depth beneath his ice. You'll never quite figure him out, but at least there is something to figure out. It makes him feel like less of a hopeless nightmare in general. 

Also, whenever he's around, you have started getting into the habit of ranting about your own day. Probably not healthy all the time, but if it maintained your relationship with him then it worked for you. A lot of the same things Ghiaccio had a problem with actually pissed you off too. You both hated slow walkers, old people, the color orange (Why is it so hideous? Why would anyone make anything orange of their own volition?), traffic cones, tourists, bad hair days, annual eye exams, the list really goes on forever. 

Previously, you'd usually kept all of your own troubles or thoughts in, to yourself. Ghiaccio told you that doing that will just rot you from the inside out.

It's weird to say but he's oddly...encouraging? So usually if you have a bad day your first thoughts are "God, wait till I tell Ghiaccio about this shit..."

pt. 6

Thunder McQueen

Ever since you arrived at Green Dolphin State, you've felt eyes on you. 

It's also no coincidence that the custodian here freaked you the fuck out. You know it's him. He has these...these strange eyes. Like he's not even looking at you, like he's looking straight through you. Blank, and therefore unreadable expression too. You have no clue what his intentions are but you can't help but feel afraid for your own safety. 

You'd noticed him staring at you one time in the cafeteria and ever since it's like he never stops fucking showing up. It's like a curse.

You spent a good few of your first weeks in the prison being scared of him. Terrified even. Because even as time passed, you still never gained a clue as to what his intentions were. He didn't stare at anyone else. Just you. And no one else ever seemed to notice him. Just you. Sometimes you wonder if you've already gone crazy and he's just some weird ass hallucination. Even when people bump into the custodian, therefore proving he IS real, they have no reaction and just continue on. Like he's some sort of ghost. 

Eventually, you couldn't take it anymore. You were losing sleep your anxieties and paranoias had grown so bad. 

You'd tracked him down that day, noticing that he seemed to actually be trying to get away from you. Once you managed to corner him and he turned to face you, he actually looked just as scared of you as you were of him. That was...off putting to say the least. Still, your nerve practically had you in tears. He, for some reason, was on the brink of tears as well. 

Babbling through said tears after you stare at him for a minute too long, he'd explained that he didn't mean to creep you out and he was truly and honestly from the bottom of his heart sorry for stalking you. He was just so...pathetic and sad that you had a hard time really feeling too threatened by him now.

"Stalking me?" you repeated, looking taken aback.

To which he'd nodded aggressively. 

You hadn't even known about that part. Your blood runs a little cold at that confession. So that's why even when you couldn't find him in a room you still felt on edge...huh. Human instinct is really something else. 

But turns out besides the stalking he's actually a pretty nice guy. 

He said his name was "Thunder", which you were sure was a fake name he gave you. Still, you could tell he wanted you to trust him, so you reluctantly gave him your name in return. 

After the confrontation, you didn't see the custodian for a few days and wondered if something bad had happened to him. Or maybe he just couldn't take the embarrassment and put in for a transfer or something to the men's ward. You kinda felt bad for scaring off someone who potentially could have been your first friend in here. Sure Thunder was...weird. And a stalker. To his own very quick admission. But compared to everyone else, you felt like he couldn't have really been that bad. You're desperate for companionship, and your cellmate isn't really much conversation.

With a soft sigh, one night, you leaned up against the bars of the cell.

You'd been too worried and stressed out to eat today. So now you're really feeling the consequences of your actions. The cold metal in your side gives you something else to focus on. You hug your knees to your chin, ignoring the hunger pains. If they kept you up all night, at least you'd be the first one up to make it to breakfast in the morning. 

Then you hear footsteps. Weird. There shouldn't be a patrol out right now. 

"Thunder?" you whisper. 

"You didn't eat today," he responds, equally hushed, his wiry voice shaking even more than usual. "Are you trying to die?" 

It's not a dig at you, it's a genuine question. If you were attempting that way out of prison, he could finally make good use of his terrible stand and take you with him maybe. Was it all because he didn't talk to you for a few days? Were you that worried about him? He's kinda flattered...It was a shame not to be able to hear your voice anymore. It'd be an even bigger shame if your efforts succeeded without him and he couldn't watch you from a distance. 

To Thunder's equal disappointment and relief, you shake your head.

"I just...I dunno. I forgot, I guess." You don't want to tell him the truth, that you'd been worried sick and depressed, convinced you were about to spend your years long sentence entirely and completely alone. 

In the dim lighting, he can see that you look...sad. Did he do that too? He feels awful, yet overjoyed at the same time. Maybe you could come close to understanding his pain. 

"Here," he whispers. He passes something to you between the bars. A granola bar. You sit up a little.

"Oh, uh. I don't have anything to trade you. I'm sorry, Thunder," you whisper. You're already well aware that it's a bad, bad idea to borrow or take without immediately giving something in return. It's bad to be in debt to anyone in here. Even this super cute custodian. Thunder simply shakes his head.

"Don't worry about it. Please."

You look like you're about to argue, but you really don't want to risk waking your cellmate. They don't need a reason to go from indifference towards you to hate. 

"Thank you...Thunder. It...it means more than you know." 

How much does it mean? Thunder wonders. Maybe he'd find out if he stuck around. 

pt. 7

Mountain Tim

You work at a bar he frequents. It's not pleasant, but you don't exactly hate it either. The customers there are rough around the edges, usually crude and nasty. But the pay is pretty good and it covers you just fine considering you have no one but yourself to feed, shelter, and clothe. 

The saloon's in a town he always passes through when he's on the way to or back with a bounty. He's very, very consistent in this. Thus, he becomes somewhat of a regular. You're not really a fan of the bar regulars. The fact that they're here so much gives them this level of entitlement that you can't fucking stand. But Tim? Tim's different.

When he'd first walked in, you'd thought "Good God" because based on his outfit along, you were sure he was gonna be some extravagant unbearable asshole.

But he was actually kind of a sweetheart. 

Had you cared to look a little closer the first few times he'd walked in (when you'd gone out of your way to avoid serving him in an attempt to dodge anticipated jackassery), that sweetness was clear on his face. He'd really earned your respect one time, when one of the other bar regulars was getting a little too handsy with you. You had barely swatted the man's hand away before Tim was over in a flash, the same level-headed, cool aura ebbing off him. Without a word he takes the guy by the collar, drags his ass out of the chair, and out of the saloon. You don't know what Tim did. You don't bother asking. All you know is the guy didn't come back for the rest of the night.

"Thanks for helpin' me out there," you'd uttered to him once he'd settled back down at his quiet little corner of the saloon. 

He tilts his printed hat up with a thumb and a half smile. "Least I can do for ya', honey. Fella needed to be taught a lesson in good, ol' fashioned manners if ya' ask me." 

Even before he'd directly helped you out, he'd always treated you right. That doesn't stop after the incident either. He treats you with an amount of respect that suggests you're nothing short of a princess, despite being a waitress at this stupid, dirty, backwater bar. Tim's gaze always stays on your eyes when you're talking to him. No where else.

You don't know this yet, but he genuinely likes looking at your face. He thinks you have the prettiest eyes he's ever seen too. 

His respect for you, usually rare among hardened bounty hunters like him, makes you rather sweet on him. This makes him like you even more in return, continuing the cycle. It's a nice break from the usual straight-faced, cold demeanor you tend to put on for everyone else. After all, if you're not be a completely icy snob, half these guys think you're practically begging to be taken out back for what they think is a good time. Silence is a yes, kindness is a yes and even a verbal no is "I wanna say yes, keep going, keep teasing" to these animals. Mountain Tim seems to be the only one of them you can actually let your guard down around.

And you know he's not trying to deceive you either. There's no falseness in his actions nor in his words. No secondary motive, no nothing. It seems he just...genuinely likes talking to you. The long, grueling trips he makes to and from his bounties get a little brighter whenever you're working that day. And your days seem to get a little sunnier too whenever Tim's dropping in for a drink. 

He jokes around with you sometimes, tellin' you to point out whoever was being vulgar or nasty to you tonight so he could go and "set them straight" once they left the bar. The last time he'd dragged a patron out it'd caused somewhat of a scene, which he could tell you really didn't like. Usually, at his offer, you just shake your head and laugh. Which he doesn't exactly take as a solid no. You never know if Tim makes good on his little promises and threats (he does), but it's a sweet gesture and helps relieve some of your tension on the job. 

It's embarrassing, but you start adoring the sight of that stupid zebra striped hat.

Often times, Tim tells you seein' you is his good luck charm for baggin' whoever's head is on that fraying poster this time around. 

[devildom-moss]

This is sort of a joke so only do this if you want to but: brothers with an mc who eats moss like kris from deltarune. It's..... weirdly attractive? There's a sheep joke to be made here

Sometimes we need a silly little joke, and that's okay. I hope you like it anon. Is the moss thing related to this blog name or is it just random? Also, I don't know who that is - and I had to look up what deltarune is. Maybe it's an age thing or maybe it's just one of those topics I know nothing about. Either way~

Also, I'll be honest, I set up an excel sheet with all of my requests organized by post type before I did this request. Now I feel more organized. Yay.

The demon brothers react to MC eating moss

(SFW) (silliness)

Word Count: +1,600

Lucifer

No. No. No. No. “Spit that out right now, MC.”

They’re going to give this poor single parent of 6 an aneurysm. Moss could be dangerous for MC. Where did they even get that? Did they at least wash it before shoveling it into their mouth?

What is he going to tell Diavolo if moss gets them sick? “Yeah, sorry about needing you to call a human doctor for MC. I looked away from them for one minute, and they started eating moss.” He has a responsibility to keep MC safe.  

Lucifer is the type to order MC to get a psych eval when he sees them eating moss. He knows it’s weird and potentially dangerous. This kind of unusual behavior should be closely monitored by a professional.

He’ll nearly lose his mind believing that MC had definitely lost theirs.

“What in the Devildom has gotten into you? Have you utterly lost it? MC, I can’t handle these kids on my own anymore. I need you to be sane and relatively normal, please.”

Please don’t do this to him. Lucifer needs stability in his life, and eating moss is not the picture of stability.

He will make MC’s potential problem about him for a bit in true bad single parent fashion.

Mammon

“The hell ya doin’?!”

Mammon will not hesitate to point out how weird he thinks they are. He doesn’t want to hurt MC’s feelings, but he can’t stop himself from giving them a look of confusion and light disgust.

“That can’t possibly taste good, can it? Ya can’t just go ‘round eatin’ any plant ya see.”

Once the initial surprise works through him, he’s just worried about MC eating something weird. What would he do if they got sick? What would he tell Lucifer? He’s their guardian, and he takes that role more seriously than he likes to let on.

Mammon’s the most likely to try to physically remove the moss from MC’s mouth (but Lucifer is a close second). It could be dangerous. He’ll confiscate MC’s moss if they have any left and keep a close eye on them.

His search history from that day will be telling. “is moss dangerous for humans” “is moss dangerous for humans to eat” “types of moss that are safe for humans to eat” “how to tell if my human is sick” “human ate something bad what happens” “why did my human eat moss” “is my human mentally ill” “Devildom human doctors near me” “human-friendly moss” “good dates for humans” “how to charm weird humans” “how to romance weird humans no magic” (He got distracted.)

Leviathan

Levi finds it funny (and he probably actually knows which character you’re referencing, anon). It’s weird, sure, but he figures whatever MC is doing, it’s pretty harmless.

He wonders if that applies to algae. It might make cleaning out his fish tanks a bit easier if MC can and wants to eat it. The thought pops into his head, but Levi decides against it.

It’s strangely comforting that MC has something weird and arguably off-putting about them. Usually, he’s the weird, gross one. (This is where creepy Levi kicks in and he wants to know more about MC’s weird habits. Maybe if it turns out that they’re super weird, he can keep them all to himself. However, Levi lets his creepy thoughts go as quickly as they came.) Levi unlocked new information. Friend points +50. MC’s charm points +30.

“If I kiss you right now, that’s close enough to touching grass, right?” That’s a thing he’s supposed to do, isn’t he? Shit. He didn’t mean to say that out loud, but it’s too late.

Levi’s one of the brothers who will just let MC be and do their thing. He might double check and make sure MC isn’t going to get sick, but after that, he’ll leave them be. It’s not really his business. If it makes MC happy, he won’t judge.

Satan

Oddly supportive boyfriend.

The man’s a little feral and weird. I think he would find it kind of precious and adorable; it’s kind of like how cats like to eat grass.

He’d spend a while figuring out which mosses are safe to consume, asking MC if they have any preferences for which moss types they enjoy. Do they prefer certain textures and mouth feels? Are certain colors preferable? Which moss tastes the best?

Then, he would set up a moss terrarium for MC filled with their favorite mosses. Satan may ask them to help him build it as a cute little craft date. This way, MC will have a way to safely snack on moss whenever they wish. A terrarium has the added benefit of MC being able to control where the moss comes from so that they can avoid any harmful bacteria, viruses, pesticides, etc.

Of course, Satan understands that eating moss is unusual, and he may question what it is that compels MC to eat moss, but he doesn’t see the need to stop it.

He may taste the moss himself (in the same way that someone with a pet may be tempted to try pet food). It would, in all likelihood, disappoint him, but MC’s enjoyment is all that matters.

Satan has a real “MC can have a bit of moss – as a treat” kind of mindset. He’ll probably try to see if he can hand-feed MC like they’re a stray cat. He’s weird, too, but we love him.

Asmodeus

“Honey, no. This isn’t how we transition into our feral era.”

Asmo thinks it’s kind of gross, but he asks if maybe eating moss is good for the skin or something (because he can’t think of any other reason MC would even consider eating moss).

When they tell him that’s not why, he gives them a troubled stare with his arms crossed over his stomach. “Uhm, hun. Why are you eating it then?”

Even if MC tells him that it tastes good, there’s no way he’s trying it unless it has incredible health and beauty effects. He can’t stomach the thought of it.

After the disgust washes over him, the concern floods his system instead. He asks if MC is sure that they can and should be eating moss. Regardless of what MC tells him, Asmo will go to Satan or Lucifer (probably both) to make sure that MC isn’t putting themselves in any danger. He couldn’t handle it if MC got sick. All that stress would destroy his skin (and break his heart beyond repair).

Once he ensures MC’s health, he tries to just let MC do their thing. “Just please don’t eat that stuff around me, ‘kay? And if you eat it, please brush your teeth before you kiss me.”

Beelzebub

“Aw, MC, are you hungry? I’m sure we have something more delicious than moss in the fridge. I was just on my way to get a snack. I’ll pick one up for you too, okay?”

He’s probably eaten some moss in his time. He’s no stranger to eating weird things, so his reaction is the least judgmental.

Sometimes moss looks delicious, right? It just makes sense to him that they would want to try eating it.

Beel will definitely ask them to spare some of their moss so he can try it, too. If the moss tastes relatively bad, he might be weary of their tastes in the future, but as long as eating it won’t hurt them, Beel doesn’t care.

Beel is probably the only one who would try to suggest tastier methods of eating the moss. “What about putting it on top of ice cream? Or maybe in a cheeseburger. Mmm. . . cheeseburger. A moss salad might be more appetizing, too. I could blend it into a smoothie or some soup for you. How does that sound?”

It makes him feel a bit comforted that they both have eating habits that others think are weird – like it brings them closer and is a special connection only they can share.

Belphegor

He’s seen Beel bite into a pillar at the castle when he’s hungry. He’s not too troubled by a bit of moss-eating.

Belphie trusts MC not to be stupid enough to ingest moss that would be toxic to them, and not worrying saves him a bit of energy and time. Additionally, I think Belphie would be relatively knowledgeable about plants, so he would probably be able to tell if what MC is eating is likely to kill them.

For the most part, he just doesn’t care. MC could even kiss him with fresh moss breath, and he won’t give a shit. It’s probably better than morning or fish breath, and he’s still getting a kiss, so he doesn’t see a reason to complain.

He won’t be ultra supportive like Satan, but he will be a bit more enthusiastic about it than others – mostly because it gives him an idea for a prank. He could make soup with moss in it, have MC bring a bowl to Lucifer, and eat one themselves so he isn’t suspicious. Then Lucifer would end up eating moss soup. He could probably do that with multiple types of food, too.

One (stupid) point of contention will be that Belphie thinks moss is better as a pillow than as a snack, but he acknowledges that’s a ridiculous difference of opinion. However, that could be a nice date idea: find a mossy forest where he can take a nap while MC gets to snack on moss.

He will probably get scolded by Lucifer and Mammon for enabling MC’s behavior (and not at all because he goes on weird moss dates with MC).

[harmless-variety-of-garden-snake]

I just read your saleddie silver star girl fic and i am desperate for more of them so could I please request either 17 or 48 for them? Whichever strikes your fancy!

I AM SO HAPPY TO WRITE MORE OF SALEDDIE, SO YOU GET BOTH. One of these will be a Silver Star fic, one will be non-cracky SalEddie. To understand what the hell is going on in the Silver Star one, I'll direct your attention to this fic.

17. (...to distract)

Eddie is trying desperately to make it through parent-teacher conferences without incident, but then it turns out the science teacher is a dark creature in disguise that's intent on enslaving the children at his kid's school. He hasn't gotten to the 'why' of it, because he figures that beating up said creature is a little more important than interrogating it. Athena is going to give him hell about it later, but she's in Tahoe with Bobby, so he doesn't really care at the moment.

He's alone in his fight, because Buck, Hen, Ravi, and Tommy are all on shift. Karen is on her way, but she's caught in crosstown traffic.

When a Madonna lily cuts across his field of vision, he sighs.

"Hey, Princess," Sal says from the skylight in the gym. "Need a hand?"

Eddie hates to admit it, but he does. The battle goes a lot smoother with Sal there, because they fight well together.

"Do you have me bugged or something?" Eddie asks, dodging a beam of dark energy.

"No, but someone had the good sense to call his father," Sal says pointedly, sweeping his cape across the creature's face to make it miss its next shot.

Eddie's glad Chris feels comfortable calling Sal, but he wishes he'd warn him sometimes. It's sort of starting to feel like a Parent Trap situation if the twins were one 900-year-old kid.

They defeat the creature easily, and Eddie calls Karen to let her know everything is fine.

"Good, because I'm going back to work," she says. "Thank Sal for me. However you two do that."

Eddie hangs up on her, and he's about to run back to check on Christopher when he hears the chirp of a police radio. The creature's dissolved into nothing, but he knows it'll be suspicious as hell that they're skulking around a school if anything violent was reported. Especially if he's wearing a fucking sailor outfit with a miniskirt.

"Shit!" he hisses, transforming back into his civilian clothes. "Quick, change back."

Sal does as he's told, and he's in his goddamn uniform, which is all tight in the biceps.

"You left work?"

Sal shrugs. "Chris called. Said you needed me."

It's so incredibly flattering and sweet, it makes Eddie want to shove his face in a locker or make another kid with him. Or maybe just the first one and that's how they get Chris. Chris has always been intentionally evasive about that or he risks not being born, and Eddie lets him get away with it because he'd die again before he gave up his son.

The cops are getting closer, and Sal grabs Eddie by the wrist, yanking him toward the bleachers. When they huddle under them, Eddie lets out a sigh of relief until the doors burst in.

"Great," he mutters, and then he's being pushed up against the wall and kissed.

Sal, especially Sal in any uniform, is going to do it for Eddie. He has no problem admitting that, because he's only human (sort of) and Sal is sexy as hell. He always kisses Eddie like he needs him to live, and it's enough to make his head spin. He kisses back with a soft moan, trying to encourage Sal to press closer.

"Freeze!" a voice calls, and they spring apart. "Captain Deluca?"

"Hey, Sarge," Sal says, grinning. "Sorry, just reliving a little high school fantasy with my man here."

Eddie waves weakly at the three police officers, one of whom he's definitely seen at a few calls before. "Hey, guys."

They're asked if they've seen anything unusual at the school, because there's been reports of a crazed man attacking students and a tall, muscular woman with a weapon trying to fight him in the hallways.

"Nope, didn't see anything like that," Eddie says flatly as Sal snickers behind him. "I was busy being slobbered on by this guy. We're missing a meeting, let's go."

Out in the hallway, Eddie smacks Sal's bicep a few times in rapid succession.

"Hey, it worked!" Sal protests, pulling him close and kissing his cheek. "Let's go find Chris and get him some ice cream. Kid's had a long afternoon."

"He's not the only one," Eddie mutters, slinging his arm around Sal's back.

"I'll get you some ice cream, too, sweetheart."

"Shut up."

Sal nuzzles his neck and chuckles. "I know what you really mean by that, Princess."

Eddie shivers. "Stop trying to distract me, Salvatore."

"Ain't my fault you think I'm so compelling," Sal teases, briefly pressing him against a bank of lockers for a kiss before tugging him toward the English department where Chris is waiting for them.

48. (...out of habit)

They don't run into each other on calls too often, because Sal's station is in Culver City. When they do, Eddie tries to keep it professional. It's bad enough that he's with another firefighter, it's worse that it's a captain. They have to be extra careful with professionalism.

A series of freak accidents and crazy fires have brought their engines to the same scene. Eddie works tirelessly with patients and on trying to keep himself focused. It's a mass casualty event, and it's hard to keep going like nothing's touching him.

At the end of everything, he's sitting on the back bumper of the engine and turning his helmet over in his hands, feeling like there's a literal weight keeping him there.

"Hey," Sal says, his voice uncharacteristically soft. "You guys heading back soon?"

"Yeah," Eddie replies, looking up at him. "You?"

Sal nods, crossing his arms over his chest. He'd ditched his turnout jacket, and Eddie wants to make a public decency joke, but his heart isn't in it right now. As if sensing that, Sal holds out a hand.

"C'mon," he says. "Up and at 'em, soldier."

It gets a ghost of a smile out of Eddie, and he takes the hand, letting Sal haul him to his feet. When he's upright, he lets the momentum carry him into a kiss, the same way he does when they're at home. He freezes for a moment realizing where they are, but Sal's other hand curls around the back of his head and keeps him there as his boyfriend kisses him back.

"Fuck 'em, what're they gonna do? Fire me?" Sal jokes when he breaks the kiss a moment later. "I'll sue the bastards for discrimination."

Eddie smiles and spreads his free hand over Sal's belly, feeling him breathe against his palm and letting it reassure him. "Yeah, fuck 'em."

"That's the spirit," Sal says, grinning and pecking him on the lips again. "See you at home, dolcezza."

He nuzzles their noses together briefly, because it always makes Sal smile. "See you, Papi."

"There's kids around, Diaz," Sal teases, and Eddie pinches his stomach. "Ow!"

"You're the only kid here, asshole," he mutters, kissing him before gently pushing him away. "Stop harassing your inferiors."

Sal winks and backs off. "Report me, kid."

Eddie watches him go with a smile on his face, finally feeling like he can move again.

[archivalofsins]

What's your least favourite scenes/section in each Milgram song?

My least? This has been really hard to answer. If I had to go off the top of my head. I'm going do this counting down.

Harrow

I don't think I should say it's my least favorite scene for suck a nitpicky reasons but I hate in Harrow when Kotoko rushes in the door. It was always obvious that she'd changed clothes to me which made it appear like she left and came back. Which annoyed me because it implies she saw that happened did nothing and came back later.

Which is meant to be the implication more than likely. But she could have called someone or helped immediately. Which always kind of bothered me.

Deep Cover

Is it rude to say I don't like the vulnerable parts of Deep Cover? Like the façade slip and the breaks in the voice. Near the end especially. They sound pretty human and disquieting. So, it's a bit nerve wracking especially since they happen when you can't really see much of what's going on.

So it gives off this scary feeling of knowing something has gone wrong but not what yet. It's really unsettling and the exact opposite sound wise of how Cat ends.

She always sounds so panicked and stressed it makes me feel bad. Especially on the last line.

Then I remember the clothes things from Harrow and was like girl just missed her good shoes too much. Sorry trying to lighten the mood after that.

MeMe

Now you would think I have no complaints about MeMe. Which they are very little but I still have them. I know it's meant to obscure things but the jump cuts are a bit jarring and the texts on the tarot cards isn't fitted correctly. Which is a design flaw on Mikoto's part that I hold against him every day. Like the words are fucking covered by the border of the card and it's sooo fucking annoying to me.

The text great the two stars on the border itself amazing. The tilt on the text fantastic. Where this text is fucking positioned is obnoxious.

Fuck him for this on some real shit. Like I know what they are but still. Also while I'm here I don't like that his shirt is tucked in here either.

Like you're wearing jogging pants I see the strings why are you like this. What is the shirt tucked in here it's a t-shirt. Who asked you to do this. This can't feel nice. Like I know it was probably to keep mess off or soemthing. But damn man it just looks uncomfortable for some reason I can feel it.

I feel like a lot of what I'm going to say here is going to speak volumes about me- But another thing. Using the red bull can as an ashtray- God, I hated having to throw away cans that are already sticky that have cigarettes in them and that is right on your tub.

He put some of the cigarettes out on the tile- nightmares hell. I know he's tired but I'll clean it just let me in to get rid of it- Why? Why are you like this?! I can't harp on him too much because his actual living space is immaculate outside of these few things but it was always like ah why it burns us-

IT'S STILL TUCKED IN HERE IS THIS JUST HOW YOU WEAR THIS?

Sir, sir please? You didn't have a tucked in shirt when you got her why are you making this choice please. Do you really like the feeling of fabric on fabric as you move??

Double

Oh thank god... I can be normal again... Thank fuck I've escaped the tucked in shirt hell.

Just large overcoat wearing two shirt a nice pair of slacks with those unquestionably immaculate fucking boots. I need to say neither of his outfits are bad but like the way they're on in MeMe makes me go aww shit that looks like it feels bad please now. My favorite scene in MeMe is the shower one because got damn does he have a nice bathroom. Like sometimes I just go tile from wall to wall really.

My apartment bathroom has paint on the walls and ceiling I can't take hot showers. Sometimes I look at this scene and go man has your landlord relisted your place for rent. I'll take it. He's got a deep tub too. I'd definitely take it. I'm sorry for him but finders keepers losers weepers my flat now.

Sorry went on a tangent. Least favorite scene in double is the start and the phone call with his mom. I'm a petty bitch tell me where that glass and those children voices are from first then we can talk.

Magic

I don't like Magic all that much in general. People will be surprised to be reminded I voted Amane Guilty trial one in fact she's the first character in this series I voted on. It was simply due to the mindset she espoused in her voice drama. Of teaching her religion in the prison. Not because I thought she would change her mind or anything.

So I don't even regret that decision. Her first music video didn't help with this problem I showed it to my dad and he literally said "She reminds me of you at that age innocent." me sitting there that's exactly why I voted her guilty. Not on some I hate my child self way or anything but because I was pretty certain she wouldn't change her mind so the only thing to be done was go yeah no I'm not agreeing to that thing in the voice drama.

Then Kotoko's deal was agreed to when I was still not really voting like that and I thought well fuck it. Since we're just letting people do anything here anyhow. People tend to misjudge and think I switched my verdict because of the abuse but it was pretty clear Amane was abused from her first song to me.

As someone who has experienced childhood abuse and neglect I was pretty certain it was a fucked either way situation. Still am they said she wouldn't be dangerous not that she still wouldn't be teaching her religion. I mean she literally said that was her plan in her first voice drama and never moved away from that.

As soon as she was like well I fucking did it anyway already I was like whelp um that was my only complaint. Didn't want to agree with that but since you're doing it anyway I'll just judge based on the crime. You do you little lady.

But yeah no all of Magic is rather ahn. It's just nice I'm not particularly passionate about it any which way. Definitely not enough to say what a least favorite scene would be.

I guess I'd have to say the end because it's never really followed up on in Purge March. Because it cuts and shows Amane watching a television. It's implied that she's watching a tv show probably the one with the mascots she likes. But we never get to see where the tv is or her room in Purge March. So I was kind of disappointed by that.

Purge March

I don't like what happened to the cat. Even though it's just alluded to. Also for as much as I like Amane this video features my dreaded nemesis balloons and a lot of them. So those always kind of bother me. Girl has big socks-

Half

Can I just say I don't like this whole video aesthetically. I actually like this song. Yet Kazui's movement are so overemphasized and dramatic looking back on it now. Most of the exaggeration is done for misdirection purposes but ultimately I feel like Half gives a very reduced version of events. It's the story made for the stage straight forward, clear cut, simple.

A lot of the best parts of Half don't lie in the visuals but the sound.

Cat

I don't like when his victim falls off the balcony. Look I know some of these are like very on the nose. Yet, she learned something really upsetting then she died. I think that kind of sucks. Also someone else watched her die. So someone is literally implied to have seen her fall.

Which is most definitely a thing to witness. Sucks to be those two people.

This Is How To Be In Love With You

Least favorite part... It's all really good I'm sorry. Despite how critical I can be in analysis and how much I dislike some of her actions. i really like how earnest Mahiru is with her feelings and her first trial song really highlights that. It's just really fun and cute all the way up to the end.

I Love You

I think there's a running pattern of me just not liking to see people suffering. Because even though when her significant other is begging on the ground still gets a emotional response from even now just as much as it did the day it came out. It's still very oh no that's bad.

Know what's worse the useless fucking carousel scene that's just there to obscure other information or pad out the visuals. If it was other information we'll probably never see it now.

Best scene sound wise is Mahiru saying "Die" in straight English and how they worked all the lyrics to lead up to that having the hardest emphasis it could.

Throw Down

Least favorite in throw down the eating of the pomegranate. ultimately it wasn't followed up on yet and probably won't be followed up on now.

Though given it is the fruit of the underworld I would hazard a guess and say he was eating a fresh one in Throw Down that eventually dried up in reference to his family. It's also shown broken up into three pieces later when it's dried.

Wife and two children. Pomegranate is also one of the man things he eats with his family so ultimately this could just be alluding to them being dead. This is followed up on with more wilting flowers and cut up fruit in Triage.

Representing his incessant taking and wastefulness to fulfill a goal long impossible. One he knew was fruitless and admitted was such.

Which was probably why he wrote his family structure as wife and two children than crossed it out and before he died started talking like he still had a family to Kazui and Mahiru. Since the last scene of Triage is literally them alive.

So, honestly asking,

Whose lives was he saying needed safeguarding again?

"That’s right, there are lives that need safeguarding."

Many people gave him the benefit of the doubt and asserted it was the prisoners. Even though they show up visually in other songs or are directly referenced in lyrics. But that wasn't done with Shidou for any of the victims of the attacks. I mean he made a reference to Kotoko the attacker. With the,

"In that case, give me the chance to make amends. To extract that fang, now."

In fact the main lives that he was shown trying to save over and over throughout Triage was that of his family. He only pulls the gloves on again after seeing them there not vanishing. After convincing himself like maybe this time it will be possible.

So I guess that's not my least favorite now since it makes some sense when thought on a little more. Then yeah no problems here either.

Triage

The two Shidou's. Like what was up with that? We'll probably never know now.

There is no explanation for this I hate it. It could be symbolic we see this scene happen like he gets up from a sitting positioning to do this. I don't know why it would be laid out like this. Like this scene happens in sequential order. It's just played straight.

So like I don't even know.

After Pain

It's a bit whiny and self-pitying. At least that was my first thought watching it. It still sort of is and feels more performative now. I think the scene that annoys me the most in hindsight is the bathroom one where Mu is being bullied and there's water all around her but she is bone dry. Because it's just soo in the audiences faces about it but just gets overlooked.

It's Not My Fault

It's very self-congratulatory like for seemingly no reason. It's very dystopian too. Like seeing Mu and her friends prance and dance around on the shattered remains of the other members of their group is very chilling but then there's this peppy song in the back.

I don't have any least favorite scenes here this one just always gets to me. The song and it's video were very Mu and I liked it a lot. Falls under the category of This Is How To Be in Love With You she was being so honestly herself I enjoyed it a lot.

Bring It On

Hmmm I don't really like most of the complaints Futa had about school and the arcade. It was all rather uppity. He seems like someone who talks a lot but does very little. Either because he doesn't know where to start or because he's worried about being just as bad. The atmosphere for Bring It On is boisterous and self-congratulatory even though nothing has really been fixed or saved at all.

It's a lot of fun.

Backdraft

Mmmm I don't have many least favoirtie scene options for this. It was rather solid. I'd complain about the two Futa's thing but we may get an answer for that at least. Plus there was more foreshadowing for that than like with Shidou. That shit was kind of out of nowhere there. I hope more prisoners get bold enough to just put Es in their videos visually like what was done here.

I guess I wish Futa's music videos had a bit more dynamic movement. They can meander a bit and his motions are usually stiffer than other prisoners. Like he's always a bit rigid. Though it's cool how all the character move in ways unique to them.

Umbilical

I still don't like balloons. One was popped right next to my ear on a car ride while I was asleep. By someone who is honestly a bit of a jerk. Though I like the designs of the balloons here a bit more it's still a bit of an issue. The bigger one is Yuno's job looks like a lot of emotional labor. Seems tiring. Still she presents as very professional.

I have no problem with this scene I just think it's really neat attention to detail that they showed the balloon Yuno was aiming for had a red ribbon not yellow.

Tear Drop

Ha, ha she's very pretty and incredibly mean. My favorite combination. I liked Yuno in Umbilical because everything she sung was so multifaceted. But in Tear Drop she's drop the pretenses and has just decided to say things straight. It is very fun. She's completely over this. Least favorite scene is when she is getting really upset before throwing the glasses.

Repeating the chorus in a whipser,

"Don’t weigh me measure me against your morality. Just shut it will you, you know it all. Feeling magnanimous? INNOCENT? I’m so not that Just shut it will you, you know it all."

Because it reminds me that no matter how responsibile or put together any woman young adult or pretty deep into adulthood. There are still a lot of people who won't take what they say about their own lives seriously if it doesn't align with what the listener wants to hear. And the infantilization woman face that is usually dressed up as concern for them.

It's really upsetting because I can understand the frustration.

Weakness

Puppy no, girl no, other child with a distinct shadow from the girl and blood on the floor-

HUH???

This is either foreshadowing Haruka's possible death within Milgram or just literally a different kill. Don't know which. But like what the fuck? Because we see in Weakness there's no blood near the girl and she is in fact shown to killed outside through strangulation.

Yet for some reason Weakness tries to act like the inside door opening being caught scene involves here here too. Then later just shows a completely different person who looks like Haruka being killed.

But he also says,

Q.07  Tell us your family structure.

Haruka: My father and my mother and me.

So I kind of doubt he has a sibling and he said he was right to kill her in his second voice drama. There was no mention of a him.

"But it turns out I wasn't wrong after all! It wasn't wrong of me to kill her!"

So really don't know what this is about here. But he also goes from looking like his child hold self to himself now in All Knowing All Agony. So, I'm willing to say he is just like this.

All-knowing All-agony

Hey Haruka buddy if that girl died outside what the fuck is in your house? Like there is grass beneath her. This is happening in the woods...

What did your mom see when she entered?

[bronx-bomber87]

Happy Wednesday amazing fandom. So Next ep (4x22) will be on Friday this week. So I'll post Sunday for 5x01. Didn't want to post my usual next Monday on Christmas just as an FYI. Let's get started. Ahhh we only have 2 left in this season. Last two are huge. This one is more geared towards Lucy and her feelings. With Ashley thrown in the mix. Lucy’s feelings for Tim that are getting harder to conceal by the day. This is a good one heavy content after such low one for last two. So let’s get going.

4x21 Mother’s Day

We start off with problem number one. I mean Chris. Lucy telling him it’s a hard pass on meeting his parents. Not just no. 'HARD PASS' Damn Lucy straight up shutting his ass down. Her commitment issues are glaring in this scene. You can tell by her body language alone. Look at how uncomfortable she is as they’re talking about this subject. Touching the back of her neck. Her hand lingering near her tattoo. She is not feeling this conversation one bit.

To her Chris isn’t serious enough to be even remotely near that. Also she doesn't care enough either. Never close to that kind of commitment. Never was… i.e. 5x08 and all that. He is the definition of a convenience relationship. Also the man is blind when it comes to reading her properly. She says no and he pushes it. Then when he doesn’t get what he wants basically scolds her for it. Her face when he says ‘I figured you’d say that.’ Like why you asking then mofo? He gets under my skin like no other…

This next portion is jealously personified oh my lord. Mostly on Lucy’s part. Clown and Lucy walk up to Tim/Ashley discussing a trip. Lucy immediately needing to know if they’re planning a vacation. Chris being clued in for once is shocked she’s asking about it. Look at the man's eyebrows in the first gif. They say yes Hawaii. Chris goes right back to being the clueless idiot. He says he loves Hawaii but never been.... Why do you even speak man? Useless info from a useless human being.

Ashley starts spouting on about beaches and crap no one cares about tbh ha Lucy is not really listening anyways. You can tell she’s tuned out and is in analysis mode. Melissa is conveying so much with just her eyes in that second gif. She is jelly belly. Look at her watching them and trying to digest this moment. Her jealously starts here and doesn’t end till we reach Tim’s prank.

Chris tells her to call him if she changes her mind. Lucy just wards him off and says she won’t. No means no schmuck. Tim tries to ask her about that comment and Lucy deflects. She doesn’t care about Chris’s parents. Her one and only focus is about him. Needing to know whose idea it was for Hawaii? Tim being clueless to her inquiry just says mine I guess why? Lucy doesn’t get to finish her thought because they run into Harper.

Lucy mentions she thought she had the day off? Nyla says she did but Donovan is being a prick about the holiday. That he took Lila to see his mom for Mother’s Day. All the way in Santa Barbara. Leaving Nyla childless for Mother’s Day. Doing it as revenge. What a dick. Lucy says that’s really cruel even for him. Harper mentions James is taking his boys to see his ex-wife cause he’s a decent human being LOL

That at least she’s being paid time and a half to plot her revenge. Tim having slight respectful fear of her says he can wait to see what she comes up with haha Lucy joining him saying they should sell tickets. Their faces in those gifs are primo. I also love their shared looks as they leave. Damn they’re cute together. The most married looks as they’re leaving I cannot stand it. Knowing not to mess with Nyla today of all days. Best they can do is just get the hell out of there ha

We rejoin them in the shop. We watch Lucy struggle with wanting to get her thoughts out. You can tell she is nervous and scared of the answer she might get. Watching her body language alone during this scene is so telling. It's showing she is dying inside. That this is eating at her so much. Not once has Lucy ever thought Ashley was the right one for him. Now there is this potential he could be thinking about proposing to her... and it's making her sick to her stomach.

She is trying to contain her meltdown about this as best she can. Also like to note while Lucy builds up her courage in the first gif Tim is not stressed whatsoever. LOL Just thinking it's a normal day as they get out on the road. Living his best life while Lucy has her internal battle in the first gif. Lucy finally gets the guts to ask the question burning a hole in her stomach.

One that is making her nauseous. If he’s proposing to Ashley? She says it all high pitched. Clearly so very nervous of his potential answer. Tim seems blind sided by the question. The way he raises his eyebrows kills me. Saying no... They’ve only been dating a few months. Interesting you date Lucy for a few weeks and give up your career path to stay near her…Almost like she isn’t the one but we’ll get there haha

Lucy tells Tim he needs to be careful of the signals he’s sending. He asks her what she means? What kind of signals? She says the kind that makes her get a manicure. So that she can send pictures of a ring to all her friends. The way his eyes bug out in horror. Yeah there’s a man ready for the altar… The thought of marrying Ashley putting him in an absolute panic. That’s your soulmate right there Tim…better lock that down....They get interrupted by dispatch before they can continue. Lucy is enjoying his panic about it though. To her that means that’s not where they’re headed. So for now her freakout simmers down from a boil.

They return to the station to sync up with Angela. Their earlier call is linked to her situation from this morning. She was at a Mother’s Day brunch with Patrice and they got held up at gun point. These punks stole her Mother’s Day gift and terrified her MIL. Harper comes in like a bat out of hell. It’s pretty hilarious tbh. I love how Tim and Lucy just stand there as they plot Donovan’s demise. Her deserves it.

Talking about curses and such. They’re so chaotic together and it makes me so happy. I always enjoy their scenes though. Tim saying they should leave before become accessories. heh I love him being low key scared of Angela it’s the best. Also could they be any closer to each other as they leave? It’s like you guys want me to point this stuff out haha

Lucy is visiting with Patrice and she’s giving her solid mom advice. I love it so much. Saying her mom has to be the one to make the amends not her. Lucy seems so grateful for the advice. It's a super sweet mini moment. Tim walks in complaining about hotel prices. Lucy comes over and he has her look at his phone. (not a wifey thing to do at all...)Then tells him that’s not a bad deal. That if he wants cheaper he's gonna have to do Honolulu motel 6 LOL How romantic.... Patrice says Oh, Going to Hawaii? Congrats on his engagement.

Lucy is loving being right. She is beaming with smugness really. Saying ‘Ah told you!’ Tim tells her he’s not getting engaged. He’s so adamant about it. Patrice asks if his GF knows that? They have serious old married couple vibes in this scene. Especially when Patrice asks if he’s really this clueless? Her reply is absolute gold. Flirting with him right in front of Wesley’s mom LOL

I’m sure she’s thinking why aren’t these two together? The chemistry from their banter alone is enough to think that. He doesn’t even fight her just sighs. Accepting his fate with her in these situations. God they’re so married and adorable I cannot stand it. Soulmate material right here folks. Front and center. Lucy smiling as he walks away. She loves her goober so very much. Splashed all over her face.

Angela gives them an update on their crime spree couple. Saying their next target was a bridal shop. Lucy makes a pot shot at Tim. Angela perks right up and is confused as hell. Tim wards Lucy off and says to ignore her. We watch Lucy get agitated. The whole idea of Tim getting engaged is not sitting well with her in the slightest.

Now this is what I find the most interesting about this scene. After Tim says that Angela isn’t watching Tim’s reaction. She’s watching Lucy’s. Look at how she gauges Lucy. Can see she is deeply irritated. Her Chenford radar going off. She’s intuitive af I mean she’s a detective she has to be but still LOL She is reading what Lucy is projecting in this moment and is surprised Tim isn’t….

When they’re back in the shop Lucy continues to push her luck with this subject. Poking the bear just a little bit more. Saying the website she’s on says Hawaii is the #1 place to get married. Tim retorting back there’s no way she thinks he’s proposing. Lucy presses on because she can’t help herself. Say he’s of a certain age LOL His reaction to that is too damn funny. Like excuse me love?

Lucy adds in that Ashley is in her prime. That on paper this makes sense. That it’s a no brainer really. (Love the little tongue flick in that gif btw. Yum.) It’s coming off as teasing when Lucy low key needs to know. She has to have answers to all this. Also she is in quite the panic. Not hiding it well at all in order to get them. Lucy puts the final nail in the coffin of her anxiety with her next question. Asking if he can see himself married to her?

It’s the hesitation that says everything to me. He takes a few beats before replying. Lucy is anxiously awaiting his reply. Fidgeting with her phone as the silence stretches. Hoping its more of the 'No' he was giving her earlier. He finally answers like it’s a business transaction. Not someone he loves...Saying yeah he can. Lying liar who lies Timothy Bradford. SMH. This response it’s like wanting a specific meal and the restaurant is out. So they offer you something of lesser value. You’re hungry so you go with it. That’s Ashley. She is the lesser value of Lucy. Tim knows it. So he is settling with this relationship.

Why you ask? Because it’s safe and comfortable. Just like Lucy is with Chris. Also in the back of his head he knows he can never be with Lucy like that. Or so he thinks. He too felt that spark in 4x01 too. Has also been suppressing those thoughts all season. So what helps? A distraction. I.e. Ashley. I looked up settling just to have a good definition. "Settling isn't a choice people happily make for themselves. Often, people settle out of fear. It could be the fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, or even fear of rejection, and, in light of that, settling can feel like the safest choice." Definition of his relationship with Ashley especially going forward after this ep.

He sounds so unconvincing I don’t know Tim even believed what he just said. What Tim is doing here the epitome of settling at this point with Ashley. I don’t think one bit he actually wants to marry her. So much as he needs the companionship. Something he thought he could live without before Lucy. Then she brought Rachel into his life. He realized he could do this again. That he even missed it. So he may put off this lone wolf vibe but our boy just wants to be loved. So he will settle for any love he can get even if it’s not right for him. Which hurts my heart on a deep level.

We shoot back to Lucy. His reaction seems meh but hers is another story. She very much believes him and looks devastated. This episode is her epiphany episode IMO. Where all these feelings she felt launch for Tim during the 4x01 hug are bubbling up to the surface. She's been trying all season to tamp it down. To push it away thinking if she did it would just go away. Not how feelings work my friend.

I saw the funniest tag(s) for this set when I was looking for gifs. Couple people used it actually. Said it felt like Lucy was playing stupid games and winning stupid prizes LOL That is this scene. She went hunting for answers and only came up with heartbreak and sadness. Her plan was to validate her feelings about this whole thing. All it did was blow up in her face. She’s teased him the entire episode. She inadvertently made him seriously think about this.

She then got an answer she did not want… (none of us did) This is the absolute opposite of how she was with Rachel. She truly wanted Tim to be happy with her. News like this would’ve made her happy back in S2. Because Rachel was Lucy 2.0. Sad fact is Ashley is no where near right for Tim and she knows it. Also so much as transpired between them since S2. Her feelings being one of them. That makes this reaction she is having even more intense.

If Tim looked over he would’ve seen the devastation. It’s the most transparent she’s been all season long. Lucy has been a clear glass window this entire season with him. Yet this moment stands out as her most telling IMO. Lucy asked what she was scared to really get an answer for. Then got back a reply she was dreading. The last one above gets me the most. Melissa I commend you for it. So much being expressed here.

The way she is processing what’s he’s told her. The emotions coursing through her body. The twitch of her mouth trying to keep herself in check. Looks like she wants to scream or cry or possibly both. Shake Tim and say WTF are you thinking? Most of all she is just hurt. Not taking this kind of info in stride and realizing she is not. Like that dog with the house on fire sitting there with his coffee. ‘This is fine….’ I feel like sums up her emotions for this inquiry she made.

These are just great action shots of our couple in the field. They catch up to the crime spree couple. They're getting married in this really pretty church. Hijacked someone's wedding. Look how close they are as they fire back. Could take his own position but no lets share cover hehe I love the unnecessary touching she does on her way to catch the wife. It wasn’t necessary to touch him Lucy. Yet I’m here for it 100 %. That building is so beautiful BTW What a lovely place to get married. I hope whenever they get married someplace pretty like this. Or maybe won't be a church at all. Idc where as long as they're married ha

Ashley is waiting for him outside the station after his shift. She asks how his day was? He says good but Lucy was particularly annoying today. Please Timothy. Like you didn’t enjoy all of that attention from her. Do like Ashley defending Lucy and saying 'I'm sure that's not true.' Tim notices her new nail color and mentions it. Ashley says yeah she just got them done. The panic on this man’s face. LMFAO You’re a liar sir about wanting to marry her. 'Yeah I can' my ass.

Tim tells her he needs to clear the air about something. That there was a reason Lucy was so annoying today. She was convinced taking her to Hawaii meant a proposal. He panics some more and says 'You don’t think that right? Cause I’m not... 'Crashing and burning you handsome fool. She puts a finger to his lips and tells him to shush. That this isn’t what she was expecting at all.

That if he had she would’ve just said no… because she has no interest in being married ever. That she doesn’t want kids either. She's not wired that way. Now to me this should’ve been the end of the relationship for Tim. These are all things Tim wants out of a relationship. She is basically telling him exactly what she wants out of this. What she doesn’t want as well. She’s being honest and upfront. It’s up to Tim to tell her he wants those things out of a relationship. That this isn't going to work based on that.

He wants marriage and kids. I’m not an Ashley fan don’t get me wrong. I know the fandom didn’t like her. I sure wasn’t pleased with her being around. But she tells him right here and now she doesn’t want marriage. Not only that she doesn’t want kids. I don’t think that makes her selfish. It just makes her incompatible with Tim. It's actually self inflicted wound for Tim to continue dating her. Knowing he wants those things. She is a woman who knows what she doesn’t want and is telling him as such. That's what you do when you're dating someone. So you see if your values and life goals align. Their's very much don't.

I do think this moment is on Tim 100 %. We’ve seen him have communication problems in past relationships. Not telling his former SO's exactly how he is feeling. This relationship is extended due to lack of communication in this moment. Look at this man. He is deflated she doesn’t want these things. His response and body language is screaming disappointment. Unfortunately Ashley fails to read this. He should’ve told her he wants all those things.

Sadly he doesn't... the reality is he’s settling as I stated before. He is faking it with her. Saying that this is ok with him. It’s one thing not to be ready to marry someone. It’s another to realize this relationship has no future for him. He doesn’t want to be alone. This is a safe enough relationship to commit to so he does. Even if it’s stealing all his dreams away from him. Which makes me so sad for him. Because he thinks this is it for him. Which is why S5 is huge for him. But I'll gush about that when we get there. You know I love my Tim but staying in his relationship and having it last longer is on him. Instead of walking away because they aren't right for each other.

Tim sees Lucy is watching and is a little shit. He asks Ashley if she’ll do him a favor? First off kudos to Melissa once again for conveying so very much with just a look. Tim is making sure he’s looking over at her as he ‘proposes.’ If you look at his face you can see his eyes flit over to her. Pranking is their love language. But if Tim had looked over after he 'proposed' he would see a heart breaking. I think it’s here Lucy is realizing her feelings for Tim.

Because she is reacting like someone who is in love. Lucy is now heartbroken thinking Tim is getting married. Her person is getting married. To the wrong person. She is beyond crushed really. If you looked up devastated in the dictionary that gif should be there. Lucy is so gone for him at this point and its hitting her like a ton of bricks. I mean her behavior this entire episode reflects that. This is a painful epiphany for her.

It was something that was on a low simmer in the back of her brain all season. Now its been pulled to the forefront and is boiling over. I think she is having a million thoughts racing through her mind right now. That he is far more than just her friend and co-worker. He is her best friend and she's in love with him. That is the face of someone who is crushed her person is going to marry someone else. Be bound to Ashley. When she is the right person for him not her.

Chris comes up babbling about his mom and Lucy has checked out. She is there in body but her mind is outside with Tim. In the first gif we can see her trying to reset. To care that her current BF is in front of her. That she isn't having a emotional spiral about her best friend getting married. She’s scrambling to assemble her thoughts and emotions. Lucy is so flustered and trying to give a crap about Chris's existence. She’s so visibly upset and Chris once again doesn’t read her well.

It’s then she gets Tim’s text we see relief flood over her. Then instant anger as Tim waves at her as they leave. If I was Ashley I would be questioning why my boyfriend wanted to trick his ‘platonic aide’ into thinking they’re engaged…but ok. She ignores Chris further and goes to hunt down Angela to curse Tim LOL Once again how Chris and Ashley didn’t see how in love these two idiots were I’ll never know. Especially Chris my god. Lucy was so very transparent this entire season with Tim.

Also she just straight ignored you son. So focused on wringing Tim’s neck after upsetting her. But sure man bring up your parents she didn’t want to meet LOL Not once did she acknowledge his conversation. Her only goal getting back at Tim. Leaving Chris just standing there like clueless dope he is.... Such good episode though. Especially for Lucy. This is her 'Uh oh epiphany moment.' about her feelings for Tim. All came to a head when she thought he was getting married. So good.

~~~~

Side notes non-chenford

I love Donovan’s mom bringing Lilah to Nyla. Acknowledging want a douche her son was being. Couldn’t allow them to be apart on Mother’s Day.

Also Patrice spending the day dispensing advice to everyone LOL Loved it. Wish could've included her advice to Lucy but ran out of room.

Thank you for everyone who’s been on. This journey with me. I can’t believe next ep Is the S4 finale. Insane. all of your like, comments and reblogs make my entire day. I love every single one of them. See you all in 4x22 :)

[urproblematicfav-arsonk]

ok you made good points for the most part but something in your helluva post confuses me: how in the world has stolas been "sexually abusing octavia the entire series"?

going off of the definition of sexual abuse (rape, assault, trafficking, molestation, coercion, etc.) i cannot think of anything that even remotely points to evidence of that.

surely, SURELY you aren't claiming that just because he said something sexual on the phone in front of her? not even TO her or ABOUT her? that's a misstep for sure, but going so far as to call that sexual abuse is... just not correct.

maybe if he did it on purpose or specifically because she was around, but to me it reads like he forgot she was there and got caught up in the phone conversation. there's no evidence that it happened more than once either, so "the whole series" is a biiig stretch.

i REALLY hope that specific moment isn't what you mean, because that's the kind of claim that really softens the meaning of the term... but i really can't think of anything else that even suggests it.

I feel like theres definitely a way to say "Hey! We seem to disagree on this interpretation of this show! I have no fucking idea where you are coming from, can you explain?" Without turning it into a...definition....of rape.......to the rape victim........and also accusing said rape victim of "softening" language?? Would the term sexual harassment be better?? I personally think it's arbitrary to say "thats not technically sexual abuse, its just weird, stop calling it that" when it's something sexual.....that hurts someone?? Idk its semantics.

So anyway ignoring the vibes you brought to the table, I was talking to my irl friend about Helluva, back when the stolitz shit was happening. And I was complaining because of how CLEAR the abuse in that dynamic is to me. And he was like "I think cuz of your trauma that you're reading into it too much and taking it too seriously." And I was like "IF VIV WANTS POINTS FOR DOING SA REP, THEN IM GONNA TAKE EVERYTHING SUPER SERIOUSLY"

The difference between us is that I was sexually abused, and trafficked(not sex trafficked but still) so when I watch this show, I IMMEDIATELY pick up on things happening there. While he doesn't because he's """normal"""" and not traumatized, so he just sees fun dick joke show about dick and balls. I think a lot of this fandom is a mix of both. People like me picking up on signs, and other people who just are here for jokes and don't necessarily notice all the really bad shit because thats not exactly their lived experience. Completely understandable, I don't hold it against anyone for not noticing it the way I do. But I do see it, and wanna bitch about it.

We're in hell. This show is set in the actual human bible hell damnation hell for hell people. I think there's a way to read some characters as "uwu babies", but I'm not gonna. It's hell. In hell. I'm going to be giving no one the benefit of the doubt, and assume the worst in people until proven otherwise. Especially when the characters in question are dickbags who never actually change.

What Stolas is doing is...sexual harassment? Is that better??? Stolas is openly engaging in pretty intense kinkplay around his daughter and that is in fact, Bad.

(its also entirety possible Octavia knows that this dynamic is sexually violent and is forced to listen to her dad want to rape a guy, and no dont come telling me thats wrong too, fuck off.)

And as someone who's been through the exact same kind of trauma as Octavia, I can say it definitely fucked me up✨ The only thing I'll give Stolas is that it doesn't seem like he's been doing this around her since she was a small child like I was, but its still bad. That's still inappropriate behavior, that's still something he should know to stop immediately when he sees she's around. Octavia is a depressed, struggling teenager who needs love and support while dealing with this sudden divorce. Stolas spends EVERY episode that is supposed to be about them, either tryna fuck Blitz in front of her, or ignoring her to interact with Blitz and or yell at Stella.

Stolas' problem as a character(not a bad thing, this should be a story/character arc) is that he's deeply entitled, and doesn't see how is actions effect others. Stolas is upset that he was forced into marriage? Wow, isn't Stella such a bitch for doing that too him? No empathy for the woman also being raped and abused through this forced marriage. Stolas is gay and wants to fuck? Let's not think about the class difference, and that he's literally holding Blitz' survival in his hands in exchange for cock. Stolas wants the sexual experiences he was robbed of because of his trauma? Who cares if it destroys his family and makes his daughter feel worthless, he wants to sext. His arc should be about facing the fact that he's abusive, and hurtful. He is hurting Blitz, and Octavia with his sexual behavior. But if he was supposed to be a "good" character with "good intentions", then he should have no problem apologizing and ACTUALLY changing. Stolas doesn't seem upset that they're upset, he's upset he got "caught". He's upset Blitz demands respect and doesn't suck his dick the second he shows any remorse. He's upset that he can't fight Stella and fuck all he wants and instead has to deal with his moody teenager ACTUALLY needing attention and support. My comment about "the entire series" is because the only things we see are the bad parts of their relationship with no development, even if its only a few episodes.

Also since we're playing the virtue game, saying "but he didn't do it on purpose" is actual victim blaming and rapist apologist behavior so like, good job?? Saying rape or sexual abuse isn't as big of a deal just because it was an accident, or unintentional is definitely a take to have. Now, I'd say this is a stupid furry series that doesn't matter in the long run, but you're the one whining about language??

Anyway. Hazbin/Helluva are poorly made shows that annoy me. Pls stop fucking with people about shit like "softening" language and all that "real victims" and all that purity culture savior complex bullshit. Its super weird. Rambling times over, its like 5am im going back to sleep. Also I'm proship, this is media analysis not a moral thing except for the part where I was fucked with over language.

[princess-ibri]

Can I just say, as a Disney Villain Recruiters fan: I’m absolutely OBSESSED with your take on Veil! It’s so creative and cool, and I’d kill to see more of her and your take on the other Recruiters as well! Your version of Veil actually kind of reminds me of Double from Skullgirls a bit, and I could definitely see her true form being similarly eldritch and horrific. I could also definitely see her saying “What IS a man? A miserable little pile of secrets!” to boot as well.

Thanks!!! I don't have any art of them at the moment but I did have a list of ideas of how I'd incorporate them into my DisneyVerse project!

Disney Villain Recruiters/Apprentices

Mr V-- Valentin Duvalier ( either Faciler apprentice or possibly his Shadow given human form, haven't quite decided yet)

These three would all be Loa (Friends on the Other Side) given human forms to walk around in on the mortal plane

Ms Scatter

Ms Villa

Mr Polite

Apple Poison --Griswold Vergiften, Son of Grimauld, so Queen Grimhilde's nephew

Jack Heart--Jester of the Court of Hearts

Mr Dalmetia-- Is apparently a puppy called Prince who was changed by dark magic to enact Cruella's will/act as her personal agent. And actually, I'll just keep this xD . The second book had flying dogs. Magic has canon precedence. Plus Cruella in my DisneyVerse is descended from Princess Ivy so, magic precedence there too. Let her ascend to true devil mode xD

Malfi-- Look its the exact thing as Diaval, so that's who he is, Diablo the Raven given human form by Maleficent

Eight Foot Joe--Octopus who made deal with Ursula to become a cecaelia, simple and to the point, I'll keep him as is.

Lady Pirate Hock-- Harriet Hook from my Canon Descendants rewrite

Veil-- Female demon linked to an Enchanted bell sent into the world as a reliquary/agent of Frollo, trying to get out of Hell by doing something to the Bells of Notre Dame, to stop their protective ringing over the city -(gets involved in redone HOND 2, with Claudine and Madeline and whatnot)

Pretty Scar--Nzuri, a hyena (could also just be Shenzi?)

Farja-- Official apprentice of Jafar. Rename to Faja? Could also be his neice Jade by his sister Nasira if I want to go in a Canon Descendants rewrite way. She uses plant based magic, hebce her color changing flower

Ms Hades-- Orphne, a nymph of Hades, his personal secretary

[genshingorlsrevengeance]

Well you asked for this.

Can I ask for hcs about how the task force DEFY girls would act around their crush? Plus how they ask them out if they do decide to act on their feelings

Your writing for them is the reason I downloaded the game very recently, especially the ones for RPK-16. She’s so hot I l’m dying until she shows up in the actual story.

(GFL) AK-12, AN-94, AK-15, and RPK-16 around someone they like

Thank you kindly for the request, always happy to write for more DEFY! And in regards to RPK-16 being your favorite:

A reminder that my writing is the more lighthearted non-canon events. And that is all I'll say on the matter...Now onto the imagine before my PTSD kicks in.

12 doesn't necessarily get crushes, but its more so that people intrigue her.

She doesn't act too different (smug as hell) whenever she's around said person of interest, but she'll be testing them for different reactions.

If they intrigue 12 further, she'll pull pranks or say some completely out of pocket things solely to see their reaction and satisfy her curiosity.

Assuming they catch her attention whole-heartedly, she'll egg them on more and more.

It'd be easier for her to 'confess' first for sure, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun, now would it?

94 has no idea what she's feeling for whoever she's interested in. It's not like AK-12 where she'll sacrifice her life for, but...it's close.

She wants to stay within vicinity of them as well as AK-12.

Upon telling AK-12 this, she simply says to get to know them better, which 94 complies with.

Her aloofness may seem like she's quite cold towards the person, but in reality she wants to be with them.

Upon finally being told that what she's experiencing are what humans call "crushes", she first thought is to stay away to avoid hurting them.

Once the actual definition is told, she examines and watches her crush to see if they reciprocate her feelings.

Before being given the hardest order of her life by AK-12.

Socialize with her crush instead of trying to plan it out step by step.

She is quite nervous in doing so, a combat scenario she can handle no problem. But this? This was beyond her capabilities...But, an order is an order.

And her crush was worth the effort.

15 is extremely curt, and to the point. She makes it very clear when she doesn't like someone.

Which makes it all the more special for whoever earns her respect, moreso if it's without a caveat of she isn't personally fond of them.

She believes in the wisdom of her superiors, her strength, her squad's effectiveness, and little else.

And yet, she feels at ease with the person she likes, knowing that they didn't waste any time with frivolous things, and at the very least, respected her wishes as well.

15 feels more at ease if they're in close proximity, knowing if anything were to happen she could leap in and protect them.

Upon realizing her feelings, she would simply just ask them if they could continue working with her as is, not even realizing she had a "crush" until told.

She's terribly confused by the concept of a 'crush' and the normal human etiquette of finding the "perfect" way of asking them out.

Is it not far more effective to just ask them straight up?

16 always was intrigued by humans, and it wasn't particularly hard for her to grow fond of one that caught her interest.

Much like AK-12, she doesn't act terribly different from how she normally is, but her tendency to bring up random philosophical subjects and strange poems increases around them.

She finds it very amusing if the person she observes gets shy by her looking at them. Maybe if she were human she'd understand that mindset more, but for now it entertains her.

Deciding that she wants to be closer to them, she'll make an attempt to compare herself to a moth drawn to the flame.

And it's up to the person to realize what she means. If things go perfect however, then it'll be them that are drawn to her flames.

16 is quite interested to see if either of them ends up burning, or if they'll end up as something more.

[xthescarletbitch]

to feed your dbh obsession, maybe kara and north headcanons and brainrot? they can be them as individuals or them as a couple. whichever you prefer! enjoy!

ooh! i'll do some random headcanons for them, and then them as a couple. i hope you enjoy it!

kara

✦ kara is the best friend: kara is the friend who will be there for you no matter what. she will absolutely answer those 3 am calls when you’re feeling down while also being willing to come over with a movie and ice cream. even during periods of no communication, kara will check in on you and ensure everything is alright.    

✦ kara is more than meets the eye: there is a lot that goes on in that pretty head of hers (duh, she’s an android), but hear me out… she is an android capable of critical thinking and empathy, two processes that can either help or destroy an android. she uses them in balance in all she does, executing her capabilities to their fullest extent while remaining wary, just in case. 

✦ kara will do what she does for a good reason: to elaborate on the previous point, there’s a reason for everything that kara does. some of her actions may be questionable (well, depending on how you play her), but she rarely acts on complete impulse. kara is a critical thinker and has thought about all the consequences that would unfold from her actions. she knows there are risks, but she does what she does anyway because she genuinely feels it is the best route. for example, when she asks markus for help to leave town, she heeds his warning and chooses to stay despite what could happen. at least in my game, it worked out (i’m considering her, alice, and luther’s escape to canada to be canon). 

✦ domesticity suits kara well: outside of the fact that she is a housekeeper android, i think that the domestic life is one that kara favours—as long as housekeeping is not her sole duty, of course. she thrives on a partnership where responsibilities are divided, and she can fly as high as she wants. she’d like a job outside the house, too, and the thought of someone waiting for her at home pushes her to work even harder. alice is definitely a huge source of motivation for her. kara loves being a maternal figure to alice and would do anything to keep her safe and far away from harm. i also think that kara wouldn’t be opposed to bringing more children into the house. 

north

✦ you want north on your side: not only is north loyal, but she is a fierce adversary. she has been through so much, which has only made her stronger. there is no halfway with her; it has to go all the way. and if somebody messes with someone she cares about, there will be hell to pay. don’t fuck with north. at the same time, though, she thrives when she receives the same energy. reciprocation is essential to her, after all. 

✦ there is a method to north’s madness: north is very calculated in all she does, and her actions have meaning. she comes from a background where she was just a toy designed for the pleasure of others. it’s crucial for her to make an impact on the world, and she will do whatever it takes to do that. she is more than what she was made for. 

✦ north’s lust for violence is understandable: it may seem that north has some insane bloodlust, but think about it. as said before, she comes from a place where she had absolutely no power. all this girl wants is to be in control of her life for once, and i think she deserves that. sure, violence may be her first suggestion, but from her history, she only knows “kill or be killed.” also, her complaining is minimal when pacifist routes are taken. she closed her mouth and proceeded anyway, despite it not being her choice. is it really a lust for violence or a lust for power and control? 

✦ north deserves better: there is a trend in these thoughts, which is that north is misunderstood and deserves more than what she’s given. the game framed her as some feral being who hates humans, but i don’t think that’s the case. i think she may be awfully skeptical of them, but hate? again, she only knows “kill or be killed.” it’s them or her, and for once, she’s prioritising her own life. i do think that there is room for north to come around to humankind, though. she may not seem to care so much about human life, but i think she does it as a coping technique—an eye for an eye; humans don’t seem to care about her, so she doesn’t care about them. therefore, if things changed, i do think her mindset would change, too.  

kara x north

✦ north always wants the lead, and kara allows it: i don’t think north would do well in a partnership contingent on equal power; i think she thrives in a dominant role. she’ll relinquish some power should her partner desire it, but overall, she wants to be the one in charge. luckily, kara is okay with that and able to adapt to what north wants.

✦ kara is easier to tie down compared to north: kara is more inclined to lead a committed lifestyle than north. north needs freedom, so it is difficult for kara to tie north down, but once it happens, north completely changes. this includes being possessive.

✦ north can get possessive, whereas kara is more chill: north wants what she wants, and when she has it, ra9 forbid anybody who dares take it from her. in a relationship, she can get possessive over her partner–in this case, kara. if anybody tries to flirt with kara, north will rush by her side and work her way into the conversation, making sure that it’s known that kara is with her. meanwhile, kara is more relaxed. she doesn’t get as feral as north might, but there is still a possessive factor there.

✦ overall, kara and north make a powerful duo: where north lacks, kara provides, and vice versa. i am a north defender to the end, but this girl is so bad at being empathetic, especially regarding humans. i’ve already established that kara makes good use of her own empathy, which i feel helps north. at the same time, kara seems almost hesitant when it comes to acts that require ferocity. kara isn’t capable of doing things the hard way, which is something that north excels at. and besides markus, i also think that kara might be able to lead north down a path of learning to live with the humans, at the very least. for kara, i think north can teach her how to be confident in her more challenging choices. there is plenty to teach each other.

[noteoftheturnabout]

apocalypsedykelord

fuck it we ball

WHY THE FANDOM DARLING BASIL BONERATH IS NOT TRANSMASC

1. y'all are projecting onto him because you like him.

wouldn't be that bad on its own, do whatever you want forever (I'm going to grit my teeth and grip my phone so hard my screen almost shatters regardless, but it it was just that I'd leave everyone alone about it). we all know that phenomenon, where queer teenagers will see a character they enjoy and will slap a queer label or two onto them regardless of whether it "makes sense" or not. multiple characters in textually homophobic/transphobic franchises have been headcanoned as gay, bi, trans, you name it. male characters with canon female love interests have been made gay, characters whose childhood we've seen in their canon gender have been made trans, - all because the person making the headcanons either finds making the headcanons themselves extremely fun, or because they love the character they're making the headcanons for so much, they want to see themselves represented in this character. and it's fine! really! good even! trans boys/transmascs who saw basil and fell in love with him at first sight, because you think he's quirky, or amusing, or just extremely funny, or interesting, or well written, (or smart.. or misunderstood... or justified...) and now he's a trans man because you said so - I really have nothing against you. however.

2. transmascs and male privilege.

I'll keep this side tangent that has the possibility of being thousands of words long really brief, because I'm definitely in no way shape or form an expert on this topic. do transmasculine people, trans men in particular, have access to male privilege? I'm leaning no. at least definitely not over cis women. this will be useful going forward.

3. basil bonerath and male privilege!

aka, literally in the next sentence. bonerath's entire character is rooted in male privilege and the entitlement that comes with it. he's canonically misogynistic, and the limited line of archetypes women fall into for him is definitely reflective of that. (him dismissing maya more than phoenix because of her age And gender is also definitely reflective or that). he's canonically an entitled, egotistical, entirely self-centered asshole, who feels like the main character of the universe and that the entire world around him exists as a background prop for his story. I mean. hell. his storyline is about him singling out a woman to be his intellectual equal, only on the condition that he fits his idea of that - a stone-cold, perfectly composed, feelingless and dangerous femme fatale, and then murdering her for falling out of this role and expressing weakness, humanity, vulnerability and dare I say, femininity? his and hanma's storyline is specifically about heteronormative relationships under the patriarchy, or, more broadly speaking, gendered dynamics. can we all agree that this behavior is almost exclusively reserved for men?

which trans men are, but this sense of entitlement is either something you're raised with as an award for conforming to patriarchal masculinity, or in the narrative where basil is transmasculine it would be something he specifically chose. he chose to position himself above women, he chose to act like that after he transitioned, getting the most out of the social capital he has gained, knowing that he can get away with it now. escaping womanhood to reap the privileges of manhood - doesn't it seem like a very weird narrative to you? as a person who can maybe kind of call themselves transmasculine, it deeply irks me on a level I can not explain. of course, it's utterly stupid to complain about somebody's literal headcanon being bad trans representation, but there's just one other reason why the story this provides for basil is bizarre.

4. it justifies him (it doesn't).

what do we have, then, if basil is a trans man - why does he act the way he does? out of desperation to prove himself as a man. he is misogynistic out of dysphoria, placing the reason he's not a woman and doesn't feel like one onto the fact that he's smarter and more ambitious than an average woman. he behaves in outrageous ways that are allowed and encouraged in men in a desperate attempt to fit in with them as a social group, to be seen as one of them, to essentially just prove his gender. him being transgender adds a layer of panic, hopelessness, desperate struggle and tragedy to his story, allowing people if not to justify it, then at least feel bad for him. while the Point is that you shouldn't.

he acts the way he does out of desperation to prove himself, period! prove himself to the world as the person he thinks he is, which is - better than everyone else! he struggles not to gain equality, but to gain superiority! he's already on equal footing with all the other men and he wants more. he's already privileged and he wants more. he wants fame and recognition, praise and adoration, his issue is not that he doesn't get his basic objective dignity and achievements acknowledged. even if he thinks what he's asking for and what he wants is entirely reasonable, even if he thinks he Is oppressed - in being a genuis and not having that acknowledged, not for being transgender. he'd be FINE if he didn't do what he did, even if he doesn't think so and thought he had no choice (waow hanma parallel). if you're looking for tragedy in basil there is none - sorry I have to be the one to break it to you. you are obviously allowed to like him, adore him, be insane about him, etc - I'd just prefer it if you did so while seeing him for what he actually is.

[clarabosswald]

watching the whole al-ahli hospital explosion story unravel really put highlights on stuff that isn't new by any means, but does go unrecognized most of the time, especially before the war broke.

the overwhelming majority of people who are watching this from outside israel and palestine evidently while munching on popcorn do not give a shit about people. they care about narratives. they like pretending that they're all about moral high grounds but they are absolutely lying. sometimes lying to themselves.

how did the hospital story especially show that? well, the explosion happened, for starters. it was nighttime and the only visuals we got from the ground are some videos. it'll take a while until those videos get properly analyzed (i'll get back to that later). meanwhile the known facts were that 1. the explosion happened 2. it was at a hospital. almost immediately, hamas claims that it was bombed by idf. almost immediately, hamas claims that anywhere between 500-900 people were killed. they don't provide any evidence to either claims. those claims get reported as facts by many major international news outlets (bbc, cnn, al jazeera, et cetra). it even gets reported by israeli media. why? because it's nighttime and no actual evidence comes out of the scene of the explosion and nobody's got any idea what the hell is going on. i imagine all of you have seen what followed that. harsh condemnations of israel from many world leaders and organizations. calls for action, protests, violence. jordan and palestine have cancelled their planned meeting with biden just hours before it was supposed to happen. so many people/organizations have announced that they will rally against the death of innocent people at the hospital, by israel's hands.

then some time passes. people watch the little videos of the event. they start asking questions. idf releases their own version of the event and claim that they aren't behind the explosion but i won't go deep into that because i'm sure most of you don't care. but then biden says that it seems idf wasn't behind it. the pentagon reached the conclusion judging info collected by american intelligence, not israel's. slowly, more intelligence services and professionals - both official and open source/private - also start echoing the same conclusion - that the explosion seems to have been due to a failed rocket launch by the palestinian islamic jihad organization, that fell apart shortly after said launch, and exploded when falling down to the ground below (that is, the hospital).

then came daylight. and with daylight, came videos and photos. and the hospital was still there. no massive crater in the ground instead of a building (which is what the result of idf bombings looks like). there was a crater... about 1 meter in diameter, in the hospital's parking lot. surrounded by several cars that were burnt to a crisp. how did 500-900 people (or 471, per hamas' later claim) die from a few burnt cars and a 1-meter wide crater in a parking lot?

the thing is - people DID die. i've seen one estimate of 10-50 people dead, and another "on the low end of 100-300 people".

but you know what? suddenly there were no protests. after several countries and media outlets have admitted that it seems likely that the explosion was pij's fault, suddenly the deaths of dozens of innocent palestinians in a single blast wasn't a tragedy anymore. definitely not one worth protesting about, worth talking about, worth demanding justice for.

and that's exactly it - that's the perfect, classic, most crystal clear example of it - people do not care about the suffering and death of actual human beings in this war. in the entire israeli-palestinian conflict. they care about the narrative that they want to maintain. and when they encounter evidence that goes against that narrative - be it israeli settler & idf violence and bibi's longtime support of hamas; be it the october 7th massacres and the thousands of rockets fired at israeli cities from the gaza strip over the last 15+ years - people will ignore those atrocities, that real people have suffered from and died from, in favor of pushing forward the version of absolute righteousness that THEY favor. the clear story of right and wrong, black and white fairytale morality that they WANT to believe is true."[israel/palestine] is evil! the real victim all along is [israel/palestine]!" circle as fits because the same arguments echo everywhere, in different flavors. the horseshow theory proving itself in real time. the individual stories of people will be cherry picked from time to time, sure - but only to further a narrative; only if they match the said narrative. anything else is fake or irrelevant.

it's also why the last 2 weeks have seen an absolute tsunami of whataboutism and strawman arguments. gotta protect The Narrative.

another absolutely absurd thing to behold was how quickly, willingly, eagerly people fall for blatant propaganda. this war is about propaganda and world opinion literally more than it's about physical fighting in real life. and it's funny because... how many times did you see people discuss the way media and news outlets report events and stories? the psychology behind it? the way they tell things and use words in a very specific way so you'll end up thinking a certain way/reaching a certain conclusion? how many goddamn times have people talked about how untrustworthy social media content is? how influencers tailor their content, edit their videos in very specific ways? how much bots and algorithms are involved? literally how social media platforms openly and blatantly tailor their algorithms to push the popularity of certain content, and hide other content? all the times it's been discussed and condemned, you'd think people would be constantly aware of it, right? the concept of fake news is hardly new.

then came this war and an utter tsunami of Very Specific Messaging hits social media, constantly. and... it works. people swallow it line, hook and sinker. they echo it. they spread it around. they watch 10 tiktoks and read a handful of tweets and suddenly they've got a deep understanding of a decades long ethnic conflict. it's fucking embarrassing how this needs to be unironically said but you are not immune to propaganda.

one last thing is that i'm seeing stuff like "this is israel's 9/11" and "this is colonization" thrown around a lot and just fucking stop. these terms, these messages are sent out SPECIFICALLY for western audiences because too many idiots struggle to have empathy for a tragedy without being able to compare it to something they've already formed an opinion or emotional experience around. in reality neither of those things are truly applicable to the israeli-palestinian conflict or to the current war, and claiming that they are is embarrassingly americentric/eurocentric. y'all have got to get your heads out of your western asses and realize that not everything in the world is a directly related to or is a result of your countries' histories.

the israeli-palestinian conflict is incredibly long and insanely complicated and the least you could do is sit your ass and get properly educated on it instead of consuming some tailor-made propaganda on social media and feeling like you understand shit.

or at least you'd have done that if you actually cared about the REAL FUCKING PEOPLE - not photos or numbers or videos or viral content, PEOPLE - who are living through this conflict and war and suffering from it their whole lives. but we've already established that you don't really care about the people. you really only care about the precious Narrative. maybe it's time you owned it.

[neospokenworld]

MANGA READING: TOKYO GHOUL VOLUME 1

Just like I'm doing with my seasonal anime first impressions/final thoughts, I'm going to start doing these for any manga that I end up starting, except that for these I'll be posting my impressions of each volume I end up reading (which would be around 9-10 chapters. The one starting these series of post would be: Tokyo Ghoul!

(SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST 9 CHAPTERS OF TOKYO GHOUL, I KNOW IT'S FNISHED BUT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T READ IT LIKE MYSELF)

Now I'm gonna say this before starting, I don't know anything about Tokyo Ghoul in general. My history with it was seeing people ages ago hating on the anime first because it was popular and afterwards because of S2 which I remember seeing people saying that it was bad, can't really remember why though (maybe it deviated from the manga?) but all I know is that people hated the anime in my eyes lol.

Fast Forward to very recently (a year ago at max) and I see people saying that it's manga is one of the absolute best out there in pretty much every aspect and also that people want a remake of the anime so badly, so that had me intrigued to say the least (also I got to know about it's opening Unravel, mainly because of the Ado cover).

So now that I finally read volume one and I'm really intrigued by the series at minimum lol.

So just for starters the artstyle is absolutely immaculate, like I really wasn't expecting it to be so good! the backgrounds and character design are just so well drawn I was greatly surprised by it. Another thing I like is the difference in when the black borders of the pages appear, let me put an example since I feel I described it wrong lol

This was near the end of chapter 4; when Kaneki sees Yoshida eating someone (had to look at the Volume bonus to remember the name lol.) We can see how the borders of the page go from white to black. When it first happened on chapter 1 or 2 I believe, I was very confused since that's mostly used in manga to help us distinguish present time from flashback but here it seems that nearly everything minus very few scenes were set in present time, so I started thinking about it and watching any pattern to see what it meant, and I think the transitioning from white to black there is to help us distinguish between intensity? either the tone of the scene itself or Kaneki just feeling a very intense emotion when that happens (in this case, fear. Both because of this and because of the fight both Nishio and Touka have a few pages after)

Now going in to the characters since I mentioned them already. So far I'm liking them, Kaneki seems neat and has a lot of room to develop with now being a Ghoul so I'm curious to see how that goes (also he has a completely understandable reaction towards the entire situation seeing how his life has been turned upside down, outside of his discrimination towards the Ghouls and Touka). Touka seems like the cool side character that at first will hate the MC then it'll warm up slowly but surely, or quickly but surely, either way it'll surely warm up to Kaneki lol, and Hide seems nice. Wonder for how long he'll be kept around since it'll work very well to maintain Kaneki connected to his human side while also having Touka and the café helping him come to terms with his Ghoul side.

Now delving into the story, it feels very Metamorphosis coded so far, and I'm saying it 'cause it was mentioned in chapter 2 at least twice lol, but having read that story a while ago; sparing me of some stuff in between that I forgot; can definitely see the similarities of Kaneki becoming a ''monster'' as he called it a few times and having to adapt to his new life, hell even reading that scene of him looking desperately for food only for everything to taste disgusting can clearly be a parallel to how the protagonist of that story couldn't eat anything other than rotten foods (I'm pretty sure this was clearly mentioned in chapter 2 aswell so I'm not saying something new in the slightest, but still lol)

The pacing seems really nice too and the concept of Ghouls at first kinda reminded me to Vampires, but I think outside of their small appetites and living their lives between humans I don't think there are other things that relate those two in the end. Needless to say I'm interested to see how this story will go seeing how a lot of people put it close to a masterpiece in terms of manga so I'll be reading this and the sequel (I'll be posting my thoughts on each volume as I read them too), for now though, this story seems pretty promising!

[sancta-seraphina]

1. Do you have any other projects planned, or that you want to write, after The Divine Tragedy?

2. What is the inspiration for Lucifer and his representation as a peacock? (If you can lift the tip of the veil without spoiling us too much of course)

3. Do you have a favorite color? :)

Separating these out instead of as a numbered list because my answers got long....

Other projects:

...I don't know how to answer this because The Divine Tragedy is actually such a big project. It's not just the series of three novels:

There's an entire group of novellas in the universe of TDT called The Infernal Apocrypha... I think there's six of them planned at least, and one is in the editing stages (spoiler: with a hopeful publication date).

There's the massive [Sepher Metatron the Blessed] series, which is a combination of an illustrated storybook and a worldbuilding guide (the writing for it is done, the illustrations are being planned/worked on).

There's The Divine Tragedy Tarot, which would obviously have a guidebook to go along with the cards (a full 78-card deck).

There's an additional untitled novel with a rough plot that is an actual end-of-the-world novel, but who knows if I will even make it that far. Like, I'm pretty certain I will die before I finish everything for TDT.

Slightly unrelated to TDT, there is also... Cat Inferno, another illustrated storybook about Hell. And cats. That's my only other 'project' that is mostly unrelated to TDT.

2. Lucifer & peacocks:

Well, that comes partially from Melek Taus, the peacock angel. But I did not want my Lucifer to be an exact character of Melek Taus/his lore and religion, and there is more lore than just from Yazidism that relates peacocks to the devil and to vanity, and to good and evil, and death and resurrection:

Early Christians would decorate tombs with peacock motifs, taken from Roman associations of peacock feathers with immortality and resurrection due to their non-fading colors (and color symbolism is a big aspect of my Lucifer, with how he loses his beautiful colors). Peacocks were also often painted in nativity scenes for their association with death and resurrection, and sometimes in annunciation scenes for the same reason.

There is folklore that the peacock was the reason the devil was let into the Garden of Eden, and that, along with the serpent, the peacock was expelled from Eden for helping him.

The peacock has always been associated with pride and vanity due to its brilliant colors and how it struts. It is also sometimes called "the most beautiful of God's creations" which definitely makes one think of Ezekiel's Lament for the King of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:12, sometimes thought to actually be about the angel who sinned).

In many artworks of angels, peacock tail feathers are painted as the feathers on their wings, as a reference to the Bible verses in Ezekiel and Revelation that describe angels as having "eyes all around."

For my own Lucifer, I definitely wanted the peacock for its beauty and for its stunning tail. But I also wanted the tail to be the representation of his endless sight: in his lore, he has specifically 365 tail feathers and [each one has an eye] (I did not draw that many in this picture), and with each eye he could look upon something different (yes, all at once, because humans don't need to understand how angelic comprehension works). When he fell, his eye feathers were blinded and he was drained of his beautiful color, because in my universe, white is a symbol of death (which he was responsible for bringing to humans, and his fall also brought him closer to physical death). But occasionally, he still gets a colorful eye feather or two... I'll let people ponder the implications of that.

I could go on, but I won't.

Lastly, my favorite color?

3. Well that's either black, pale blue, or lavender. Don't make me decide which one.