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razorblade180 · 3 years

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Interdimensional Moms pt4

Part 3 here! <-

The tales had be interesting. The tales had even been emotionally gripping, yet all of them so far didn’t seem to register at the moment as Ruby’s teammates looked at her with the same excitement she used to give her own mother during story time. Ruby couldn’t help but give a little smile.

Ruby:I take it you’re ready for my turn? You do know it’s not exactly a sunshine and rainbows story, right?

Weiss:We figured as much, but....

Yang:You’re so different! From the moment you showed up I could just feel it in my gut. You have this...presence about you. Not to mention intsene confidence.

Blake:Yang is right. You said you beat your Salem when your seventeen. That’s...scary if I’m being honest. Such a drastic departure from any of our worlds.

Ruby:*red* Hehehe ummm I guess I’m just awesome? Really I don’t think it’s the most outstanding feat. At least by my worlds standards I suppose. I mean sure, I’m consider cream of the crop there too but there’s talented people and challenges all over that would put me through my paces still. I’m just...me.

Weiss:Sigh...honestly, I suppose that means our own skills must pale in comparison to our counterparts.

Ruby:Mmmm I wouldn’t say that for sure. My Yang would kill me if she heard this but there’s something about the one right here that has spark I dig.

Yang:Really?

Ruby:Uh huh. Can’t put my finger on it but I think you take her if you want it bad enough. As for Weiss....couldn’t tell ya. Haha, I know better than anybody to not underestimate the power of mother, and you pumped twins out.

Weiss:Not sure if those are pity points or real ones but thanks either way.

Blake:You don’t even have to tell me I’d lose. Just gave an entire story about me an my condition.

Ruby:Don’t feel too bad about it. I can’t imagine much reason for you two to fight for any reason. You’re both too reasonable to not reason with yourself.

Blake:Aw I’m touched.

Yang and Weiss:We aren’t....

Ruby:Hahaha I’m just saying! So, I guess I take things from the top like you all? From what I learned from all of you our Beacon experiences really are more or less the same, not counting certain interactions between a bookworm faunus and an adorkable blonde knight. Enrolled early, blew up the entrance, Weiss was rude, Yang ditched me, all the same beats.

Yang:There’s no super badass change like you beating Cinder the night of dance and making our entire lives easier?

Ruby:Ha! I wish I was that legit. No, I was very much the young girl tripping in heels that night. Vytal festival came around and was attacked, then Beacon fell. Pyrrha was lost and so was Penny. Difference being that was my last time seeing her, unlike Weiss’s story apparently.

Weiss:Yeah that...that’s a little bit of shock to be frank. Sorry.

Ruby:No worries. Not like you did anything and it was decades ago for me now. After that day is when I started to get a bit more serious I think. I had always taken being a huntress seriously and never slacked of in trying to live my dream. However, my perspective may have honed in on just how do or die life his when you’re the one choosing to walk into unknown danger. Team RNJR’s first and only mission, save the world!

Yang:Sub mission: Flirt with Jaune Arc.

Ruby:*blushing* We do not choose who we fall in love with it. But yes, that may have been a personal pseudo mission for me. He’s my first friend at Beacon for crying out loud and I you know.....thought he was cute then too.

WBY:Yeah that checks out.

Ruby:What does that mean!?

Weiss:Ruby, even my Ruby admits to finding Jaune attractive and having a crush on him back in the day.

Blake:Same.

Yang:I already went into enough detail on how my little sister feels about Jaune. Your just the reality where you pounced on the opportunity and never let go. Struck when the iron was hot and none of us were around; sly fox.

Ruby:Gee you make it sound underhanded. It isn’t like I intended to actively pursue him. Everyone was really sad and stressed traveling to Anima. There was a tension in the air. One that really strained us. I did my best to keep focus, but a leader is only as put together as team. Ren and Nora confided one another as usual and I tried being there for Jaune because seeing him emotionally shut down was rough; so I did my best to be there for him. Then...he ended up being there for me and I was the one who needed comfort. All the airing out and late nights just...led to....*red*

Blake: “Breaking the tension?”

Ruby:I guess that’s one way of putting it. We were lonely. I hid my feelings best I could under the veil of comfort in the moment. Not that needed to. He made it pretty clear that he wanted me in the same way I wanted him. I just the two of us were too scared to ask for promises we weren’t sure we could keep so we loved in the moments we could, so to speak.

Weiss:If it wasn’t under dire situations, all that sounds oddly romantic.

Ruby:Right!? Looking back at it makes the entire thing seem romantic but I definitely wouldn’t wish a similar experience on anybody! I guess it’s what I wished for when I fantasized huntress life huh? Things obviously got better along the way. Our relationship got a bit more serious right before we got to Haven. Then Tyrian and other crazy stuff happened that threw all of us into panic mode again before slowly getting better again by a lot.

Yang:We showed up?

Ruby:Bingo! You and Weiss, met Oscar, and then eventually Blake came back. Things were on the up and up.

Weiss:Uh, Haven attack?

Ruby:We lived, up and up. Yeah you got stabbed but you know...that’s not new I’m sure.

Weiss:Yeah I have the scar and I’m still little pissed.

Ruby:Valid. Anyways, so my Atlas experience was different as hell. There was no formation of Remnants armies like Weiss spoke of or even between two kingdoms like Blake. Yang, what happened yours again exactly?

Yang:Nonsense. Cinder showed up with lackeies but not Salem’s lackies. Those people showed up separately, then Adam came back from wherever the hell he- a lot! A lot of people showed up for different reasons but also the same reason and to be frank, we all almost got shot by the military for being in bases that quote unquote, “didn’t exist.”

Ruby:Man I wish we traded. That at least sounds crazy enough to be fun. Just a rollercoaster in the dark basically. My experience was probably as hectic, but also way more streamlined. We showed up, and then all hell broke loose. Specially a mass grimm invasion lead by Cinder and her annoying associates. We were there for about three weeks updating General Ironwood and getting our barrings together when it happened. I wanna call it a hit and run tactic but it was clearly planned in advanced. Mechs were hacked again, traitors in the military, grimm lying in wait before hand; it was chaos! All for the relic.

Blake:Who was the maiden?

Ruby:Never met her. By the time we got there, Ironwood was panicking because she had vanished, taken right from under his nose. It was some young girl apparently, really young. The attack on Beacon looked like child’s play to this. Mantle got attacked, grimm were on the chains, they tried dropping Atlas to the ground; all a diversion for a relic. We all should’ve died, and yet, we didn’t. Winter and Weiss weeded out traitors, huntsman and military held the line, Yang bested Hazel with Nora, Qrow and I cut down Tyrian! Ren, Blake and Jaune helped the kingdoms while Ironwood struck down Watts. Nobody was in the mood to die that day. There wasn’t gonna be another Beacon. By all means, we were pissed. Even Raven showed up of all people.

Yang:What!?

Ruby:You can’t attack a kingdom without the world knowing. Especially when traitors leak info. Honestly she came for you though, or she never left to begin with. Couldn’t tell ya. Thanks to Maria I had a bit more handling with my eyes. That helped a lot. Without them and Os-

She stopped herself, choking on the words. The zest and excitement of recalling the heroic feats of her friends dimmed slightly with her smile. Her joyful smile became bittersweet like the memory.

Ruby:Then there was Oscar, the real warrior on that flamed filled night. That battle had to have been three days at least. We were so driven, and so tired. I was tired, but Cinder, Neo, and the others with her at the time weren’t; always showing up at the worst time. I managed to push Cinder back in a fight but grimm and others still swarmed. We were at a point that grimm very well might’ve did us in and the villains didn’t have to push any harder. But Oscar changed that. Hehe, what’s it about country folk that makes people like him and I not hesitate to grit our teeth? That dork looked at me, gave me the biggest smile on the the steps to Atlas, and then he left. His hair went white as he twirled the cane and then he left, forever. Oz came out, and he left nothing to the imagination. “Limited magic” my butt. He obliterated grimm and made a barrier aroma Atlas while everyone else cleared Mantle long enough for the world to send reinforcements. Salem didn’t get the relic, but she got the maiden and thousands of casualties. Oscar being one of them. Also, Whitley....he was in critical condition for a very long time.

Weiss:What do you mean...critical condition?

Ruby:Everything happened so fast Weiss. Panic was high, buildings fell....a piece on him. I wasn’t there but when I eventually found you, you were nearly hysterical and banged up. By some miracle he lived even though we could not reach him and he did not get aid for awhile. We thought him dead. It was only after everything we learned somebody got him. Being rich never paid off more than with medical bills. Thanks to youth and medicine he can still walk, but he can only do so much before being tired. He also left Atlas. The cold hurts.

Weiss:So, I run the company because he can’t?

Ruby:I wouldn’t put it that way, but it was one of dozens of reasons that made that goal stronger for you. Relax though, both of you get plenty of time to be witty siblings like I told you earlier.

Weiss:I know. It’s just, I guess it’s hard imagining Whitley hurt like that. I don’t think I could handle it.

Ruby:You definitely teetered in the moment. Knowing that happened though probably gave you anger and grit to fight the entire battle. You were a beast. Scarier than Winter. Anyways, that hollow victory was a real wake up call for the world. They didn’t know about Salem and we never told society in earnest. Cinder and other conspirators were enough to make Remnant work together to boost defense. Relief went to places that needed it and I, became the face of hope. Haven, Argus, Atlas, even people from Vale got to chattering of a particular group of people who always seemed to answer the call for help. Then the towns in between chattered. Yours truly had been carving a name in the history books and was only gain popularity the moment I stepped into Vacou, alone.

Blake:Alone!?

Weiss:What!?

Yang:Where were we!!!!!?

Ruby looked at surprised faces around the table, smiling tenderly. She looked down her dress and pulled out the cross she wore around her neck. Her thumb traced its edges as her mind began wandering down an old path paved with emotions raw to the core.

Ruby:I’ve always felt different. Not just because of my eyes but that there was just...a certain spark that never stopped going off for as long as I remember. There are plenty of people who can’t bare to watch others suffer, but there are fewer people I believe that truly feel the agony of other people’s pain. Beacon, Haven, Atlas, Argus; there was no place I went that I didn’t see the faces of others lamenting, and I didn’t make me want to grieve. Atlas took so much out of all of you and I just felt so....driven to stop that ache. For everyone’s sake, but mine as well. I wanted the world to finally get to the happy ending. Enough trauma had be sowed for a hundred lifetimes, so I went on ahead of everyone. I never doubted you all would follow but I wanted to get ahead of the curve and take on as much of the suffering I could do others wouldn’t. If the world wouldn’t give me a miracle than I’d be it myself for everyone else.

Yang:That’s suicidal! Salem wanted you specifically!

Ruby:It’s not like I went marching up to her door and said “1v1 bitch, I’m here” no, I just chose to move forward quicker than what we were all doing. Believe me, all of you were upset when you caught up, after I had already saved Vacou. *smiles* I really like that place. I told the people it was the next target and all they did was double down on pushing back. I managed to pin down the Summer maiden before the villains and thanks with the city on alert, there wasn’t a shift in the sand that didn’t go unnoticed. I got the jump on Mercury and Emerald, personally paying them back. Can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. It didn’t take long before they realized how screwed they were with them being outed like this and Cinder having the nerve to retreat before hand. Both of them threw in the total, outing the plan against Vacou. A wipeout of a win. Not to mention they told me the location Salem’s little hiding hole.

Weiss:We missed all of that?

Ruby:That’s what happens when I leave in the dead of night and running on adrenaline. Like I said before, people were tired. As much as all of you wanted to hoof it, other’s were relying on you. Atlas almost dropped for gods sake. Eventually when you all caught up it was at a good time. Soloing was rewarding but difficult. Fortunately Sun, Neptune, Ilia, and a few other familiar faces were close by if I needed an extra set of hands. My little stunt earned the anger of everyone for awhile.

WBY:Yeah no shit...the leader left.

Ruby:Yang was the most upset, followed by Uncle Qrow, and you Weiss. I was ready for the blowback. Jaune and Nora saw me though and bursted into tears. Hehe, wasn’t ready for that. Felt terrible and cried back. To prevent that stunt again, my Yang convinced Raven to link me. A couple days of apologizing and rest smoothed things over. It also gave time for just a few close friends and colleagues to get together for an assault on Salem’s castle. A few were apprehensive about it at first but at the end of the day I was going. That attitude was infectious apparently. You guys, actually everybody, they started getting this hunger to end it all. Maybe it was the high of victory? Regardless, it sent me racing to the end with those that I loved most.

Yang:You’re a real “my way or the highway” kind of Ruby. I don’t get how that explains what made you so...elite.

Ruby:I’m not sure what to say. A fight needed to to fought so I fought it. A cry for help was heard so I ran to it. A grimm needed slaying so I slayed it. People needed me to win so I didn’t dare think of losing. Dying was never option, even when it stared me right into my eyes. I had things I wanted to do and people I wanted see for years to come. I guess...I am strong because of the fact I want things my way. A moment I’m not giving it 110% is a moment wasted. After all, a huntress is all I ever wanted to be.

A single dream she wanted since birth. The never ending desire to be the hero in stories told to her many nights ago. That’s all it ever was. That’s all it’s ever been. Even in meadow of beautiful red roses, one would be the rose that captured the eyes of many, that bloomed stronger than the rest. As simple as it was, that had to be the answer here. Weiss, Yang, and Blake were in front of that flower. The Ruby Rose that simply bloomed stronger than the rest. The one that clung to her dream as if letting go meant dying itself. The devotion was inspiring, yet also overwhelming. If this was Ruby they had lead them that day in the Emerald Forest, could they have kept up? Could she be the leader they followed? No, they couldn’t have. Something deep down inside them gave them that answer. No matter how she looked and how much she loved, this Ruby Rose was cut from a cloth they simply weren’t off. The same as others, but oh so different.

Weiss:You’re....kinda a monster, you know that right?

Yang:Seriously, I’m so...floored. It’s intimidating.

Blake:Not to mention humbling. I used to think I gave it all I had. Now I’m not so sure.

Ruby:Oh don’t be like that you three! You’re all living proof there was more than way to go about life, this war! Everything you gave was enough because you’re done with it! Nobody failed. Besides, I...am far from ideal. The assault was challenging. Getting around hoards of grimm and making it to Salem was hell made real. Neo tried taking another shot at me but Yang held her off with help. Everyone pushed the obstacles in front of me out of the way as I went to Salem herself. Cinder had been abandoned by her and stripped of a lot of her powers. Angry and desperate, she tried killing me again as a way to prove worth. I beat her. However, I let her walk away.

Yang:What!? Why would-

Ruby:Naive, I was...naive okay? She was all spent and though I hated her, I just couldn’t. Not when I looked into her eyes and saw that same hunger I had to claw and scream at my dream until it was in my hands die inside her. We both knew from this point on there was absolutely nothing she could do where this ends her way. All she worked for turned burned to ash. So I gave her the choice to not burn up with it. Cinder swallow her pride and then fled. A part of me couldn’t help but rationalize killing her didn’t solve or justify any of my beliefs or desires. It would’ve done it because I hated her like she hated me. That was the dumb logic of a seventeen year old who never quite learned to take things slow.

Blake:....I don’t think it’s dumb. Naive for sure, but maybe that’s good? Even my Ruby, she never wanted to act on hate. She didn’t. Salem lives.

Weiss:Mine sent her soul to be at piece instead of passing a cruel judgment.

Yang:As a person who’s seen what you looked like with nothing but vengeance inside, I can say it doesn’t fit you. Before that day you had a warmth inside you to even foes that were somewhat admirable. You chose to leave Cinder’s fate up to those who had that hate and Salem was undone by her own doing at the very end. That’s what really makes you special Ruby. That’s why you’re called an honest soul. Good will is your nature.

Ruby:....Hmm, you sure know how to butter me up. *scratches head* I guess that part of me is uni-I mean multiversal. Strangely, that makes me feel better, to a degree.

Weiss:Do we even have to ask what happened to Salem at this point? I doubt the story ends with you loosing and having to retreat.

Ruby:Who’s to say it doesn’t? I could’ve been beaten to death before the gods themselves descended down to revive me with awesome power.

Yang:....Did you?

Ruby:Wh-No! Haha, I made her an immortal statue.

Blake:I-It was that easy?

Ruby:Well I wouldn’t call rushing into hell’s castle easy, or Salem. I lit her up at least a dozen times. My head pounded from each use, I was tossed around a bunch, magic is annoying, and not to mention running out of ammo. I left nothing to the imagination in that fight. If it were easy then I wouldn’t be rooting my horn and my age doing it. I was so tired I blacked out afterwards. I woke days later with a sore body and the title of “Remnant’s Savior.” Apparently beating Salem had weakened the grimm everywhere and all of you made sure who was to be thanked for it. That’s the tale of how I saved the world with my friends. Love, trust, elbow grease, and a lot of bullets. Before the final battle, Ozpin had struck a deal with everyone involved. In return for saving the world, he’d cut ties with us.

Yang:Seriously? What brought that about!?

Ruby:Good or not, he lied and was a schemer. Sure I was gonna try to save the world regardless of his interference but there wasn’t a person alive that didn’t to finally take a step towards the future after all this. All of us finally had time chase dreams and help the world the way we wanted to before all of this. Blake begin mending hate, Weiss took back her company, if Yang wasn’t with Blake then she was seeking more answers to Raven on wild adventures.

Yang:You mean Raven still left after all that!?

Ruby:In her defense, both of you made everything fucking awkward when she was around. It’s like you both wanted to talk about something but knew any subject was a land mine so you all you ever did was...stare, like weirdos. Glad that’s in the past. She just lives with dad now and you two now to hold a conversation. I dare not ask for more. I’d be a granny by the time I did.

Yang:Sigh...I don’t know what I expected. Shit it the fan several times and children were born before mom and I found solidarity and understanding. What did you do afterwards? Your goal was already met.

Ruby:Like hell it was! I started busting my butt traveling around the world, visiting every place to help in anyways I could. Ren and Nora tagged along for awhile before going off to make an orphanage in Anima near Ren’s old village. That left Jaune and I to do our hero thing.

Yang:As well as other things....

Ruby:Hey, what can I say? We were young and going up in the world. By the time I was nineteen, I was now a married to my partner and best friend.

Weiss:Uhhhh-

Ruby:He’s my partner on RNJR and you’re my BFF, gosh did I really need to explain that hehe?

Weiss:I just had to make sure. Crazier twists could happen.

Blake:Wow you married young. Not that there’s a problem but I’m surprised. Then again you also dated earlier than my Ruby. Hehe, weapons were on her brain for a long time.

Weiss:No kidding. When I learned about you crushing on my brother I was shocked to find out you liked anybody in general. Especially a person who isn’t a weapon nut in the slightest.

Ruby:*shrugs* All you’re telling me is I’m clearly the most impatient or impulsive Ruby you all know. Don’t know how that happened. Maybe I was dropped as a baby or had one too many coffees growing up?

Weiss:I’m willing to bet it’s both.

Ruby:Ruuuuude. So yeah, that’s...the story of how I saved the world and married Jaune. We even built a home just outside Vacou, overlooking the kingdom and neighboring town in the distance where Maria grew up. Yeah, that’s me....more or less. All the triumphant parts anyways. Anything later on is......

.......

Blake:R...Ruby? You okay?

Ruby:Nope, not really. *clenches cross*

Yang:......You know, I never really got religion, especially after learning the truth. It just seemed completely hollow when you learn of the real gods, ya know? However, I changed my tune a bit after being a parent and then some more when uncle Qrow died. It was never really about the truth behind if those other gods were real-

Ruby:It’s the piece of mind in believing in a better place for loved ones and having people watch over you. It’s truly based on blind faith in every sense but that’s okay as long as it gives peace of mind, to stay strong. Yeah....that’s why I wear this.

Yang:If that’s the “why” then I guess the unavoidable question is what happened?

The reaper leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh. Ruby brushed her hair out of her face while her face went pale. Then, Ruby’s eyes, her teammates watched a pair of stunning silver eyes dim, becoming akin to a clouded mirror.

Ruby:Being a huntress was all I wanted. The plan of having a family and settling down never appealed to me much. I feel, I felt like being in the field was where I was meant to be. It’s where I was most myself in a way. So the day I learned that I was pregnant was more than a little upsetting and terrifying, until dad and time itself filled me with the most genuine joy I may have ever experienced. Dustin Arc Rose, my first born son. He opened a door to a world and life I never knew I wanted to be apart of. Then...that door was shut minutes after, when Cinder and Neo stole him right from my arms. I couldn’t do a single thing about it other than blackout. That single act of good will I showed, it did nothing but kill me inside. The same way I did to her.

WB:.....

Yang:Ru-Ruby....your eyes.

Ruby:Hmm? Are they clouded? Funny, I would’ve thought your Ruby would’ve had a similar change. Maybe that’s a world exclusive thing, or a testament to the will you Ruby has to endure. Clouded eyes on a silver eyed warrior means the person has lost the desire or rather the mindset of persevering life. Be it their own life or wanting to end another’s life out of resentment, strife. My entire world fell apart when I woke up and learned nobody was able to retrieve Dustin. I was in pieces, Jaune was broken, nobody was the same. There wasn’t a soul we didn’t know that hadn’t tried to find a lead, but we never did. He was just...gone; and I couldn’t cope at all.

Weiss:I don’t think any mother could. Ruby, I’m so sorry that happened to you.

Ruby:I’m sorry too. I lashed out in anger, and shut people out. My eyes clouded and I dove into my work for a little over a year doing nothing but searching aimlessly as I took and every job back to back. The more time went by meant the more people eventually had to go back to their own, and it drove me up a wall inside. No one could reach me. I didn’t want anybody to. Not even Jaune. I....*teary eyed* I left him alone in house. There was no part of me that could even attempt to understand his pain because I was drowning in mine. I was told he tried his best to catch them at the hospital. I never hated him for not succeeding but I...he... I just, I can’t. I don’t know what I thought. All o knew was I didn’t even want him to touch me. How cruel is that? *hugging herself* I made him drown in despair in the same way I was. I wasn’t home so often that I never realized he eventually left it abandoned to live with dad. Yang and Blake I didn’t even show up to your wedding. Jaune did that much. Hell, Raven attended. Ruby Rose as a person didn’t exist any more. I was only a wandering huntress looking for answers or the challenge that might’ve ended me.

Blake:What changed?

Ruby:Oz, he did what nobody else dared to do. He fought me. I don’t think he thought twice about it. He was prepared to accept all the anger I kept inside until I eventually broke down into tears like I’m trying not to do right now. Thinking about that time is still, extremely difficult. Oz let me lament, encouraging me afterwards to finally except the fact Dustin was gone and that I needed to process it properly. First I went to you Yang, in order to have a my big sis to lean on. Can you guess how that went?

Yang:With me holding you tighter than I ever had before.

Ruby:*smiles gently* I don’t deserve you. You and Blake then came to patch with me where everyone else waited for me and helped me face Jaune. That may have been the hardest thing I’ve done. Grieving or not, the fact that I left him in such a state. I know what that does to people firsthand and yet I left. For the first time in over a year we embraced and finally grieved together. The next two years were spent trying to heal and cope. During my time away the world had fully acknowledged me. I even got a proper nickname, but it all felt hollow. Imagine that, achieving your dream but not caring? If that’s not salt in a wound then I don’t know what is.

Weiss:What’s your title?

Ruby:I am the person people want to see when evil comes to cut their story short. I am a symbol that their tale still has more to tell. Remnant has named me The Storyteller. Curtsey of Maria, who spread the name around. Healing was slow and most nights I felt a pain in my heart, but then everything changed. One moment made me dare to try again to open that shut door in my life. *looks at Yang* I held your son in my arms. Sweet little Kovu.

Blake:*smiles* Kovu? Now I wonder who named him?

Yang:*red* Huh...how about that? Hehehe, wish I could meet him. I know he isn’t technically mine but I can’t help but feel all warm now. Also I can’t believe I named him that!

Weiss:I can. Veronica’s middle name is Nala.

Yang:Okay, maybe not marrying Blake was a win? Clearly I can’t be trusted to not name my children after other cats.

Blake:The wrong kind of cat too. I’m a panther faunus, not a lion. Even if they’re blonde that’s still false advertising of what they are.

Ruby:Well Yang was the one giving birth so you lost a majority of the option to complain.

Blake:That is fair.

Weiss:You gave birth to Vee, so I think that solves who picked her first name.

Ruby rested her head in her propped up hands that rested on the table. She felt exhausted reliving that chapter of her life mentally. Still she managed to smile, then smile bigger. Her eyes unclouded and a warm feeling filling her again. What Ruby said earlier about what made her different may have reign true, but her friends could since that there was now more to it. Ruby had spiraled into an unimaginable tragedy, yet was able to bounce back thanks to loved ones. To smile as she does, it was truly a strong sight to see. Even if she wasn’t fully aware of that.

Ruby:Carmine Arc Rose, my second born and the first child to call me mommy. Followed many years later by itty bitty Garnet. He’s my little man, five years old while is big sis is seventeen now.

Yang:Damn! That’s a gap. Oh, also congratulations. Almost forgot that part. I’m glad you got to be the super awesome mom that-

Ruby:I am easily C-teir.

Yang:Oh come on! What!?

Ruby:Listen, I know I got on you all for calling yourselves bad parents, but I will hear no debate about me understand!? I flop a lot of times.

Weiss:That doesn’t make you a C-teir. That makes you a new mom, silly.

Ruby:*grumbling* I agree to disagree but thank you. It’s just a lot okay. Too much to dive into honestly.

Blake:Summarize. Give us an abbreviated version.

Ruby:Ummm so Carmine is real special kid. The absolute love I have for her is unbreakable but gods damnit if she isn’t the most... “me” I could be! In a way similar yet different from myself, Carmine has always had this sense of urgency in her and a love for the world around her. She recognizes that it’s a fragile piece we have and just how hard I’ve worked with everyone to make it. I could tell that from her when she was five. I’d sound crazy, but the fact she used her eyes at the age proves I’m not.

Yang:She has silver eyes!? Why didn’t you bring that up?

Ruby:I thought that was obvious. All of my kids were born with then. Unlike her baby brother though, Carmine was a weird little kid. She didn’t socialize well. Still doesn’t, she’s kinda comes off rude and cold because of her bluntness. She doesn’t really express all her feelings or understand others fully. One might call her a little cold but the passion she had to protect life itself is a testament to how much she cares. Carmine is also a genius fighter. To put in perspective, people use the same nickname for her that they used for Pyrrha.

WBY:Oh....

Ruby:Yeah! It’s not hyperbolic to say ever since Carmine is far beyond any skill I was at her age since she turned thirteen. You called me a monster earlier but no, I merely gave birth to a beast. I mean she could pass the huntsman exam at fifteen if I didn’t make her wait. I can’t call her arrogant, she talks with confidence because she has that right by all means. Still, besides her face, that’s where the similarities start separating; besides terrible grades in general stuff. We’ve never been in step completely. To put simply in her own words, “What I am is a hero, while she is a huntress.” That good will and mercy I try to give everyone isn’t how she rolls. It drives a real wedge that has resulted in us not going on missions together.

Blake:Is she...killing?

Ruby:She has before, and it had valid reasons entirely, but I also know for a fact she is more than capable of bringing down people without taking that step. Not all cases are that intense thank goodness. Her overall aggressiveness is the root of the problem. You don’t have to put you back into it when handling thugs. They aren’t Hazel.

Yang:Ooo okay, yeah I’m seeing what you mean now. It’s like that one comic you always read!

Ruby:Sigh...yeah she channels a bit of Batman energy and I need her to not do that all the time. I suppose being an honest soul isn’t particularly hereditary. It always feels like we aren’t enjoying each other’s company these days. I can’t blame her though. So....you know how all of you have had one serious problem that has both destabilized yourself as well as the kids and their relationship to you? *clouded eyes*

Weiss:Wait...you loosing a child wasn’t that?

Ruby:Oh it was. It just so happened that it never ended. It grew day by day. Night by night. Jaune and I were cautious with Carmine. Going as far to give her contacts and giving birth to her off the record and not at a hospital. Just in case Cinder came back. Well, Cinder and Neo came back, with my Dustin.

Nobody said anything. What do you even say to that!? All they did was let out a stifled breath and tried to gauge Ruby’s look of guilt.

Ruby:Yet again we had gotten too comfortable. It happened when Carmine was thirteen. I don’t think Garnet was even one yet. That’s when the cruelest realization hit me. My son had been alive and hearing about how his so called mother being a person who saves everyone, yet she never came for him. She had moved on, letting his eyes become clouded with such seething hate for the world she did save; the children she had after. It’s been four years since the day he attacked Carmine and helped grimm try to invade Vacou. To this day it’s been a life of staying on gaurd, searching for them as they popped up countless places to tear Remna- to tear me down and I can’t decide what part hurts the most. The amount of anger that prevents me from killing Cinder in a blink of an eye, or looking at my daughter who has told me herself that she is going to kill her older brother because I’m too weak to do so. That I’m in no way as good as the world believes me to be. *puts hood up* Like I said, C-teir mom, at best.

Blake:That’s- you can’t- there’s no way for you to reach him? Maybe if you-

Ruby:He looks at me the same way Neo and Cinder do, Blake. They raised him to hate me. Besides, he hurt Carmine. She’s just not gonna let that slide and frankly I shouldn’t either. Carmine acts tough and for the most part is, but gets terrified like everyone else. In many ways she’s still just a young girl that I wish had never chosen to become a huntress. If I had it my way she’d just be a normal girl with normal knees; but her mother’s weakness and inexperience wrapped her up in yet another war. It’s ironic. I barely remember mom and yet I ended up putting my family in very similar situation as if she lead instruction. Happy endings, I’m not sure if I get-

Yang:You’re better than mom....

Ruby:......

Yang:Yeah I said. Look I love Summer Rose but at the end of the day she wasn’t around, not that she didn’t want to be, but it’s the truth. Several years of pleasant childhood memories and a lifetime of grief is what she left me, and all you got were tales you should’ve experienced first hand. Ruby you have spent seventeen years loving your daughter unconditionally and being there for her no matter if it’s for better or worse. Yeah you might not being doing it perfectly and I have no idea how to even fathom your predicament, but at least you are there trying. Take it from me, that’s all a daughter ever wants from their mother. It’s also what makes a pretty kick ass dad. *smiles* Chin up, hero. Your story isn’t over yet after all.

Silence filled the air and Ruby’s throat ran dry. Ruby pulled out her scroll to go to her pictures and displayed one of her favorite photos for everyone to see. It was Carmine’s fifteenth birthday. Ruby didn’t lie about the resemblance. the girl had short blonde hair that stopped halfway down her neck in the back and was longer in the front, reaching shoulders. Like her mother, the tips of her hair transitioned to red. The beautiful young woman tried to her hide her smile but her gleeful silver eyes were practically twinkling with joy as Ruby hugged her tightly from behind and a tall, more solid version of Jaune was smushing one of Carmine’s cheeks with an overly dramatic kiss to it. A tiny child no older than three at most was in his big sister’s arms. Garnet had his mother’s hair and eyes but something about the chubby face definitely showed Jaune’s features. The child had red frosting on his face and was reaching eagerly for more cake somewhere out of frame.

Yang noticed the girl took page from her father and wore some regular cargo shorts, but clearly didn’t lack flair by wearing a red crop top that showed off a fresh tattoo of the Arc crest on her toroso. Knowing her sister, that tattoo was most likely practical. The family looked happy, proud; and the mother of it currently sat across the table crying with her head face down in her hands cwhile Weiss and Blake hugged her from each side. Roses may have thorns, anyone who knew roses knew a simple truth. They’re still fragile flowers.

Yang:(Carmine Arc Rose. For you and your mother’s sake, I hope things go well)

xxxx

Though Carmine seemed cold by nature, people were quick learn the opposite. The most recent learner of this was a scared little girl that held on for dear life. It was nighttime, nothing but the sound of pouring rain and the distant glow of red and the warmth of Carmine holding the girl against her body while she sprinted through a mud ridden forest. The little payed no attention to the pain in her side, but the glow of roses, eyes, and flames through her tear filled eyes.

Beowulves chased frantically but then severed immediately by something the girl couldn’t understand, but it looked like the person carrying her. The dead beasts brought no comfort. Not when more followed close behind.

Girl:I-I’m sc...scared!

Carmine:Don’t look at them sweetie, it’ll be fine. Just keep being a brave little girl.

Girl:M...Mommy was back there.

Carmine:.....I know, she’ll be just fine. Your village, there are plenty of people there that will be just fine! Huff..... You got a name?

Mary:Mary.....

Carmine:Oh that’s a beautiful name, Mary. You know I was almost a Mary? Yeah my grandma was a really amazing person and I almost got named something similar to her. Mary is a very strong name!

Mary:You’re a liar! I’m sad, not strong. I want my mommy! Everything his dark and hurts and I want her!

The girl began painfully crying as Carmine followed her trail of roses to avoid getting lost. Things were getting worse. The storm raged and she could feel this girl burning in her arms. Not to mention the unsettling warmth the mixed with the cold rain against her body and dripped to puddles below. Any grimm near by could only be dealt with by many copies of her nearby, but that would only go so far when fear was out full force. Carmine’s boots felt like cement, but she still ran.

Carmine:Mary, you know what do when I miss my mommy? I sing! Yeah, my mom sings the best lullabies that made me feel super strong when I was little! It’s a magic song that makes everyone strong. How about I sing it you and they can sing it your mommy later okay!? But you have to close your eyes to really focus on the words!

Mary:*sniffling* Okay....

Baby deathstalkers swarmed the path made ahead as small Nevermores dove at her. Out of options, Carmine broke from the path, trying to rely on memory to go towards the safe zone while also singing lyrics to her favorite song.

Dream of anything; I'll make it all come true.

Everything you need is all I'll have for you~

Carmine never wavered. No matter how badly her lungs her or nearly slipped, she kept singing all the way to her destination where several other clones were seen racing towards with more civilians to injured or young to go themselves. An orphanage where Nora and Ren stood outside rushing people in while Jaune was keeping the grimm at bay. The sight brought a little ease.

Don't worry, I've got you; nothing will ever harm you.

I'm close by, I'll stay here; through all things, I will be near~

Carmine finally reached Nora and passed off the girl who’s grip weakened overtime. A few lyrics in and Carmine knew she was singing mainly for herself.

Carmine:Get her medical attention! I’m gonna go and find more! There’s still-

Jaune:Wait, it’s too dangerous!

Carmine:I know! That’s why I have to go! That fire is spreading and there’s stragglers pinned down! Dad.....I’m pinned down!

Jaune tensed up and looked at Carmine. No scraps on her and her clothes only soiled by others. It didn’t take long to realize. The man resisted the urge to run out to the ruined town and stood firmly.

Jaune:Carmine...end it. We’ll worry about the consequences later.

Carmine:....Okay.

Across the woods amongst the flames the real Carmine stood bleeding and bruised in front of two Beringel that charged over the vanishing corpses of their fallen with more grimm, her sword stabbed into the ground supporting her weight. Behind all living people that remained finally managed to flee. All except for a woman trapped by house debris. The woman watched this young huntsman stand proudly again. She wasn’t sure what happened next. All she heard was one sentence.

“Close your eyes...” before everything went white. Next thing she knew, Carmine was lifting debris off her as rain and wind washed away any evidence. A relief she didn’t care about in the slightest. She neither had the strength, or the time too. Much like Carmine, who began to pant and teeter. It was clear to the woman that whatever just happened didn’t come without cost as she watched the girl fall to her knees. Though she tried moving, Carmine was spent.

Carmine:Don’t worry...we’re safe....let’s-

Woman:Go...

Carmine:Huh?

Woman:I...my legs. Everything...I can’t move. Just go. I d-don’t think I’d las-

Carmine:Don’t talk like that! The hard parts over! I can-

Woman:Barely walk. *smiles* It’s okay. I don’t blame you. You fought hard.

Carmine:.....I...I’m sorry. *teary eyed*

Woman:Say, I know that face anywhere. Your Lady Rose’s kid. Funny, I thought your eyes were red? My daughter, Mary, she loves your mother. Makes me kinda jealous hehe, but hey I love her too. *crying* Do you know if Mary made it? She was wearing-

Carmine:A black dress, pink ribbons in her hair...

Woman:Yes! Is she safe? I saw you- one of you carry her off.

Carmine:...She’s just fine.

Woman:Good. That’s all....that.....

The woman never finished her sentence. Carmine’s body fell limp on the ground, facing the rain. Even with the cold downpour she could feel the warmth of her own tears, containing her emotions best she could as she looked through her clones eyes to watch Nora take Mary away from the survivors and out of sight to not stir further panic.

Carmine wasn’t sure how long she layed there, but it was long enough for Jaune to find her. The man didn’t say a word. The town was in shambles. Grimm were still fading and his daughter looked tired, but not in serious condition. Unlike the those who didn’t make it. Jaune put Carmine in his arms, carrying her away to safety.

Carmine:......Does mom ever save them all?

Jaune:No, but that never stops her from trying; or mourning.

She clenched her father’s shirt and let herself be fragile, to be a Rose.

Carmine:Next time. Mom and I, we’ll both get it right next time. A happy ending for all!

Jaune:Yeah, I know you will. Together....

#rwby #rwby au #the void #jaune arc #ruby rose #weiss schnee #yang xiao long #blake belladonna #carmine arc rose #rwby rosebud #rwby lancaster

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extravalgant · 3 years

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Any ideas about Mellori? Specifically her interactions with the wizard’s friends from ravenwood?

OH I LOVE MELLORI!!!! shes one of my favorite characters ever so it kills me to see that not everyone likes her like i do 😭

this is probably gonna get . very long so ill put it under a read more

MELLORI IS VERY.... HEADSTRONG . id argue very steadfast in her beliefs as well as stubborn. whenever i think about the possible interactions with the wizard's friends and peers from ravenwood, I can think about this dialogue in particular:

ITS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO PUT TOGETHER because we barely see how mellori would interact + talk with others (in this case ravenwood students) outside the main story but lemme see if i can put something together p:

we know from empyrea part 2 that mellori knew vaguely about her true nature by this point - that is, that she is a daughter of grandmother raven, as well as her OWN beliefs that she was the one needed to kill spider (we know this is not the case later on)

the way this dialogue is said adds a bit of... spiciness into the mix . it sort of sounds like mellori harbors a bit of resentment (but that may be from the fact that shes stuck studying at ravenwood while the wizard gets to travel around)

i feel like that resentment may couple with the idea that she thought her potential was being wasted because she should be out there killing spider and saving the spiral and instead shes doing homework at ravenwood

the change from polaris to ravenwood is a big one -- judging by the magic she performed reanimating the borealis golem tells us that she has a bit of magical power, and she can use it well! however, this can also go against her because she may feel that she has to learn "stronger" magic in order to defeat spider, or that she has to train as much as she can.

i think in a way mellori can't possibly understand how much positive publicity you have -- how you are well liked, and how much people talk to you in a positive light. i have a feeling that she didnt get to talk to anyone that was her own age, much less her own species (besides baba yaga - who held an authoratative position over her, as well as inhibiting her ability to explore, even if it was for her safety) so i'd say she'd be pretty overwhelmed in that aspect.

we have to remember that she has not seen our journey from the beginning -- from defeating malistaire and morganthe, from doing side quests (think if you did side quests in wizard city, cyclops lane, helping penny dreadful, duncan, etc) the people of wizard city would come to know you as someone who is dependable and reliable -- as well as someone who was strong enough to stand up to malistaire (the person who damaged bartelby as well as sunk the death school into nightside, therefore lowering everyones overall morale about the situation) and put an end to him.

even in the dream sequences in the reverie, we can somewhat infer that mellori didnt pay attention in her studies because all she wanted to do was travel around with the wizard. in this case, i think, she idolized the wizard -- like the denizens of wizard city, she put the wizard on this pedestal that didnt allow for failure because she couldn't fathom the idea that the wizard made mistakes.

instead, during this time, she would begin to interact with others and begin to associate the wizard with a beacon of good and light. she's loyal to a fault -- until her beliefs about someone is challenged (i.e. when we fail to kill spider, because we didn't want the spiral to unravel) then she basically puts them into a category of good and didnt do good enough, with the wizard fitting into the latter

i like this part of the dialogue -- it means that mellori HAD to have some kind of contact with raven, who managed to twist her words around to make it so that raven would be right in the end -- and i think mellori wouldn't be so inclined as to believe that we would fail, because from what she heard at ravenwood, you were -- are -- a pervasive character of goodness. that you have molded yourself into a being that couldn't do any wrong, or fail in your mission.

but you failed in azteca, and you failed in mirage. and i think that's the drawback that comes with mellori putting the wizard on a pedestal, with being so stubborn about doing the "right" thing, because she ends up trying to kill spider on raven's behalf, and ends up getting herself kidnapped.

i think her feeling so strong about her ideals, what she thinks is the right thing to do, is ultimately taken advantage of by raven, and also what makes a her a good character. they really could have driven this in a different direction, and im sort of glad we ended up with this. she made a fatal mistake that ended up getting her kidnapped -- but she stayed true to what she believed in. she's not a "perfect" character by any means, which is fine! it makes her infinitely interesting.

also i just love her dialogue options HEHE i wish she had addressed us when we first saw her in empyrea in bat's cave -- from those pieces of dialogue, she managed to get on even ground with bat based on how relaxed she was with him, even in a dangerous situation like that.

tldr: i think as mellori was intergrated into ravenwood more she would also begin to put you on a pedestal and would get upset when you dont meet the expectations that everyone had for you (being a symbol of light) and as the arc finished, she would also begin to realize the wizard, as well as everyone else, are three-dimensional, multi-faceted beings with complex motives

#val.answers #wizard101 #w101 #mellori wizard101 #mellori w101 #i hope that answered your question anon omg #grandmother raven... girlboss #mellori tried to be a girlboss in her own way but then she got kidnapped </3 #i like to wonder what happened with the wizard as they took back the eye of history in complete and utter silence as they try to grapple #with the fact that 1. mellori was gone and 2. another one of their friends has betrayed their trust once more #because i do think the wizard gets betrayed a lot . and i wonder what it does their psyche and their self esteem #anyways thank u for sending this ask in <333 i dont get a lot of asks but when i do . mwah :* /platonic #one of my tags BROKE???#so i just got rid of it

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barely-alive-shrimp · 4 years

Text

About PSP Jeanne d’Arc ’s historical references

You know, Jeanne d’Arc for PSP is a funny game: while clearly not being very historically accurate (orcs and magical armlets in the Hundred Years’ War? Huh, they don’t tell you about things like that on History lessons), it still contains some interesting nods to history, some of which are quite obscure. I’ve collected some of them, mostly about historical figures and some events that I consider to be most interesting. This is going to be a long post, and there will be some spoilers, but I’ll put a warning so you could skip that part if you haven’t played the whole game yet. Oh, and sorry for any mistakes – I’m not a native speaker, so I hope there won’t be too many of them. I tried my best :P

[Note: I kept referring to her as Jeanne d’Arc here, although, as far as I understand, it is more common to call her Joan of Arc in English. I’ll leave it as it is, if you don’t mind ^^’]

Okay, I think I’ll start with the characters. There are quite a lot of characters who were based off real people: aside from the most obvious ones (Jeanne d’Arc, Gilles de Rais, Henry VI, Charles VII and some others), we have the following (I tried to find some paintings and pictures where possible):

Jean and Bertrand are based off Jean de Metz and Bertrand de Poulengy, who were Jeanne’s trusted allies during the Hundred Years’ War. They both had great respect for Jeanne and escorted her on her journey to the dauphin.

Colet’s prototype is most likely Colet de Vienne, a royal messenger who also escorted Jeanne d’Arc on her way to Chinon. Little is known about him, other than that he was accompanied by an archer named Richard – probably a prototype for Marcel. I guess they changed his name so he won’t be confused with the other Richard, who is also a playable character. By the way, it seems that the name ‘Marcel’ means “little warrior” in French, so if game developers chose that name intentionally (and I think they did), that’s a very nice little touch!

Étienne de Vignolles, more known as La Hire, was among France’s best commanders and was one of Jeanne d’Arc’s most trusted allies. Described as quite an arrogant man, he was a fearsome warrior and fought alongside Jeanne at Orleans and during the Battle of Patay. You can also find this prayer of his: “God, I pray Thee that today Thou wilt do for La Hire that which Thou wouldst have La Hire do for Thee, if he were God and Thou wert La Hire.” – perhaps, much like his in-game version, he did have a habit of talking about himself in the third person.

Richard was probably based off Brother Richard, a Franciscan monk who knew Jeanne. I couldn’t find any other information about him, though, except for this design for an opera.

The next one is a bit of a stretch, to be honest. It seems Bartolomeo does have a historical prototype, but it’s not clear who it was; he may or may not be based off Bartolomeo d'Alviano, an Italian captain who fought on the side of Spain against France. He didn’t have much to do with the Hundred Years’ War, though; moreover, he was born after Jeanne was burned at the stake.

Robert de Baudricourt was a captain of the royal garrison at Vaucouleurs. When Jeanne d’Arc came to him, saying she has a mission from God and asking for assistance, he was very skeptical at first, but since Jeanne was very persistent, he eventually provided her an escort to visit the Dauphin. The game didn’t change it much.

John Talbot was an English military commander known as “English Achilles” for his bravery. Despite being one of the most feared warriors, he was respected so much that when he was captured, Charles VII released him without asking for ransom.

Sir William Glasdale was an English captain who commanded the troops in the fort Les Tourelles. Jeanne d’Arc wrote a letter to him, pleading him to lift the siege of the fort, but he refused to do so, and Jeanne’s troops started the assault to take Les Tourelles back. During the assault, Glasdale fell into the Loire River and drowned, as his armor was too heavy.

Both Georges de La Trémoille and Arthur de Richemont were indeed Charles’s trusted servants. Georges also survived an attempt of assassination – as described, “thanks to his obesity”, and, as you can see in the game, the developers had that part in their heads, as well. :) Here’s a picture of Arthur de Richemont, I couldn’t find any paintings of real life Georges de La Trémoille, but I’ll add a picture of his in-game version a bit later.

There’s an interesting detail about Charles VII himself: have you ever looked at his in-game portrait and thought: “Man, they didn’t have to draw him such a big nose”? Well, that’s probably because real Charles VII was actually described as a man with a big nose! That’s another “well done” to the game developers.

As for Bedford – his actual name was John of Lancaster, ‘The Duke of Bedford’ was only his title. I don’t know, maybe that’s obvious, but I spent a good part of walkthrough thinking Bedford was his name. His real name not being mentioned and all the other characters calling him just “Bedford” certainly didn’t help. :P

* * *

All right, now I’m going to dive into some historical events and characters’ relationships that might spoil some events of the game for you. Please, go to the “SPOILERS END” mark if you haven’t finished the game yet and want to see everything for yourself.

SPOILERS

Okay, first of all, the game heavily implies Charles VII had a difficult relationship with his mother, Isabeau of Bavaria. Real life Isabeau of Bavaria claimed that Charles VII wasn’t the trueborn son of Charles VI, thus couldn’t be the rightful king of France, so I doubt the queen loved her son very much. The game tries to explain it with the demonic possession of Isabeau – still, her last words before she was (presumably) killed by Henry VI/Gilvaroth were confusing and quite out-of-nowhere to me.

Georges de La Trémoille disliked Jeanne d’Arc and, as some historians believe, was involved in a plot against her that ultimately led to her death – both in real life and the game. Of course, we all remember that in the game it wasn’t Jeanne who ended up at the stake…

The Battle of Patay (June, 1489) was one of Jeanne d’Arc’s greatest victories during the Hundred Years’ war. In this battle, the feared “Terror of French” John Talbot was finally captured. I’m not sure if this one was intended or not, but this stage in the game is the last time you see Talbot – well, not until he suddenly reappears late in the game, only to help you and never to be seen again.

Do you remember the part where Liane went overwhelmed with her great power and responsibility (hehe) and tried to recapture Paris by herself? Real Jeanne d’Arc also tried to break the siege of Paris, but the attempt failed and she and her troops were ordered to withdraw. After that, the nobles’ disappointment with her had reached its highest point, and Jeanne’s fate was pretty much sealed – much like Liane’s.

And, of course, the darkest nod to the history is Gilles de Rais, known as a serial killer and possibly a pedophile (there are some historians who believe he was framed, but that’s not the point for now). On the other hand, in-game Gilles is a nice and noble guy and never betrays you or does something violent. At the end of the game, he sacrifices himself so Gilvaroth would be trapped inside of his body, and, considering the real history, the demon probably got him in the end. This reference is more well-known and has been discussed at several forums, but I still cannot help but mention it.

Also, on a less disturbing note – see how Gilles is drawn with a lily? That’s because Charles VII allowed de Rais to add this flower on their family crest, which was considered a great honor, as lily symbolized the power of the Crown (that’s what I heard, at least).

SPOILERS END

These are the most interesting historical references of the game, in my opinion. Thank you for reading and feel free to correct me and/or add the details I’ve missed! My DM is closed for now, but you can correct me via reblogs, if you want. ^^

#Jeanne d'Arc PSP #JDA PSP #Jeanne d'Arc #Joan of Arc #Why am I even doing this

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scatter-kinnin-patter · 3 years

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Okay that's it I NEED to gush about my c! Wilbur timeline under the cut because it's so canon divergent but my memories are so so vivid I gotta gush somewhere

Man I haven't had a kin with mems this vivid in a while so it feels weird but here we go!

Leading up to the war with Pogtopia, I was like most other Aliveburs, and p canon compliant. Philza was my dad, Tommy was my younger brother, and Techno was my twin but only older by like, five minutes. I don't know how he got so much more of the Piglin traits than I did(I remember having pointy ears tho) but... Fratenal twins I guess lol. We were close as kids, but kinda grew apart when we got older. He went off to do his own thing, I stuck around with Tommy. I missed Techno and Phil a lot in early DSMP days. But I had Tommy! Tubbo was sorta like a little brother but moreso in the "hey this is my little bro's best friend so he's over for dinner all the time" way than the "guess I have another sibling" way.

Don't have much to say on the L'manburg revolution or the election arc or anything, those were pretty much just lined up with canon.

Pogtopia arc though... Whew. Here we go. Tommy and I got exiled, we fled to our ravine, yadda yadda it followed canon. I'll admit, I quickly fell into my paranoia and delusions. I think I was alone with my thoughts for too long, and with everything Schlatt was doing and such a delicate balance on the people of Manburg being with us or against us, especially after Eret betrayed us in the past, I just. I couldn't trust anyone. Except maybe Tommy, he was my lifeline of sorts, and especially when he called Technoblade. Having Tommy and Techno really grounded me: helped me remember that I was fighting for the people I care about, not just some presidency.

And then. Well. Techno and I were talking about Manburg's destruction, Tommy was more against it but still wanted to help take Schlatt down and get Tubbo back. But Techno and I started preparing for the worst. That's when I met with Dream about the TNT thing.

Now Dream kinnies, ily, but you might wanna skip this paragraph because I'm gonna rant about my Dream for a lil bit. Not you, you're valid and I love you lots, but this is a rant against my Dream. He wasn't just going to give his TNT to me for nothing, he needed something in return. So we went back to a temporary base he set up and did our deal there. He made me sit down in a chair, bound my wrists and ankles, and made me watch... something. It was almost like a TV screen? I don't know what it was, but it took a hold of my consciousness. Whatever this was, it was hypnotism. I don't remember much about it, Dream tried to make sure I'd forget, but I remember Dream using hypnosis to plant this idea in my head that I was the villain of the story. That no matter what I had to destory Manburg because thats what a villain would do. I. Really hate him for that. He just used me. But what's done was done, he gave me my TNT and sent me back to Pogtopia.

You know where the story goes from there- my corruption, the war on Manburg, Schlatt's death... and me blowing it sky high. I remember Philza shielding us with his wings. I missed Philza so much. But I couldn't get over the hypnosis I was under. I was still the villain, and heroes have to slay the villains, right? Philza stabbed me, and he held me... and then he was gone.

Now uh... Hehe, serious canon divergence time...

I didn't die. I don't know how I didn't, but I didn't. I remember waking up in a cold room on a single bed, no windows. Couldn't leave because it was an iron door. My chest was bandaged up, and it ached like hell. Eventually someone came in, someone new: Ranboo. He kinda freezes and goes "Oh. You're awake. Uh." And just leaves and shuts the door behind him.

Shortly thereafter, Tubbo and Quackity came in. We started talking(as much as we could, I had trouble staying awake for long) about what happened. Big Q found me while going through the rubble, and realized I was still breathing, so they brought me to a secret room under L'manburg. I was in a coma, for at least a few weeks, I don't remember the exact time. I lost a lot of blood, I was very pale... and I think it messed with my brain. I couldn't really.... remember anything in the weeks leading up to the war: my exile, my hypnosis, my unfinished symphony, none of it. They looked... unsure of what to do with me. Tbh looking back I don't blame them, I did a LOT of crime. But they decided to keep me in this room for now. They didn't tell Tommy or Philza or any of them yet. Apparently only Tubbo Quackity and eventually Ranboo knew about me.

One day though, I was sleeping when I feel someone shake my shoulder. I wake up and I realize it's Dream. I ask what he's doing here and he goes "It's time to go, Wilbur." And I don't really know what to do, but I take his hand and start following him out of the building and back to the surface. They were setting up for Techno's execution. Dream sent Punz in to distract the Butcher Army, but I call out for Techno. His eyes lock with mine and I've never seen him look like that before. Such- genuine confusion and relief? Looking back, I can see why. He must've thought he was seeing a ghost(hehe ghostbur kinnies I love you)

The anvil drops, and Techno lives thanks to his totem, but before I can call out to him again Dream grabs me and starts running off with me. I think Techno saw us because he yelled for me and ran after us. Dream took us down a random tunnel and let Techno follow, because once they got far enough from the fray, Dream just... shoved me to Techno and walked away without saying anything else. Before we could really do much else, Quackity showed up. He was confused that Techno lived, he was mad that Dream just helped him, and he was furious that Techno had me. Techno made sure he was between Quackity and I and they both fought, Big Q losing a canon life(sorry Quackity kinnies ily!!!)

Techno then just grabbed me and ran. He lead me back to his house and we had a long, long conversation about what happened. I missed him so much.

I'm still piecing together memories post-execution, but I know I spent a lot of time with Techno after that, including when Tommy was with us.

I'd try to remember more but I just realized how long this post got OOPS anyways if u read all this thank u, I just needed to share my Comabur timeline

#💙wil💙#dsmp kin #dream smp kin #wilbur soot kin #I can't believe I'm calling myself Comabur

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denkimystery · 4 years

Text

Denki Mystery Series - 2nd Episode: 『Character*』

ー Akashika Station Platform, Noon

Hajime: It’s so hot. You said you didn’t want to see me off. … Will the store be ok?

Takashi: Well, I’m free. So. You know.

Hajime: Oh, I see.

Takashi: Business is fluctuating tho~uugh.

Hajime: Ah… Sorry. Can you handle it? I’m not good at worrying about people.

Takashi: Well, it’s so-so. I have an aunt you know. She wants me to keep the store running.

Hajime: I see, so it’s all good then. I’m glad you have an aunt, that’s good to hear.

Takashi: The resident police officer comes by to eat some donuts. They’re just pancake mix that I fried up though, hehe!

Hajime: I didn’t know they were made with pancake mix. They tasted so good. … So, will I be able to fly?

Takashi: Hey, the officer being able to fly has nothing to do with my donuts!

Takashi: Seriously, Shisaka-san you were making a joke with such a straight face? … Fufufu.

Hajime: Just Hajime is fine.

Takashi: Alright, hehehe.

Karatsugu: Phew, … most of the vending machines here are sold out. Here, have one. It’s hot.

[[Karatsugu hands Takashi a can, it’s started to sweat.]]

Takashi: Eh, me? Th-thank you. … Eh!? Beer!?

Karatsugu: It was the only one they had left. Here, you too.

Karatsugu opens the other can of beer and hands it to Hajime.

Hajime: Ah, thanks.

Karatsugu opens his own can,

Karatsugu: Ah, bubbles!

And takes a big gulp.

Karatsugu: Phew!

Takashi follows suite and takes a gulp

Takashi: Phew~! Delicious!

Hajime: Mm, it’s cold and delicious.

Karatsugu: It’s coming.

Hajime: … Ah… the train.

The sound of the train riding the tracks fill the station as the train approaches the platform.

Takashi: Well, have a safe trip big brothers. Thanks for the beer.

Karatsugu: See you soon.

Hajime: Yeah, see ya.

The doors close after Karatsugu and Hajime step into the train.

Karatsugu: …….

Hajime: …….

Karatsugu: …… What a peaceful landscape. I can’t believe we went through a horrible experience, it’s like a dream.

Hajime: … You’re right. Ah… Look. … A paper bag waving in the fields.

…… -chimatsu-niisan!……

…… -ramatsu-niisan!……

…… -ye-bye!……

Karatsugu: Heh. Are you alright? I heard somebody shout matsu, matsu.

Hajime: …….

Karatsugu: Ah, a tunnel.

ー

[[The idyllic view of the countryside is replaced by darkness.]]

Hajime: ...Taboos can be seen as a kind of rules that occurs naturally in a group as a result of their faith.

Hajime: Bad things don't always happen. It could be that they avoid something, like a song of magic incantation.

Karatsugu: Well, that’s just superstition.

Karatsugu takes a swig from his can of beer.

Karatsugu: Fuu…. … But whether it’s legit or not…

Karatsugu: Even if a good thing comes out of it... it's not a good thing that it's forbidden because some people don't want it to happen.

Karatsugu: I don’t like it. [he says as he takes another sip of his beer.]

Hajime: …… Eldest son, you didn't come. I was expecting you to come.

Karatsugu: No, he was there.

Hajime: … Eh? Really?

Karatsugu: When you were waving, a taxi stopped on the other side of the road. I couldn't see the inside, but I’m pretty sure it was him.

Hajime: … so that’s what happened.

Karatsugu: … swallow Hm? … You’re not drinking your beer. If you don’t want to finish it, let me drink it. Here, give it to me.

Hajime: Ah, sorry. I’ll drink it.

Hajime downs the rest of his beer.

Hajime: Phew… Thanks for the drink.

Karatsugu: … Ahh, that’s right! I have to return your notebook, remember?

Karatsugu rummages through his blue messenger bag. He pulls out a notebook and hands it to Hajime.

Karatsugu: Thanks for lending it to me.

Hajime: I know you haven’t fixed your voice recorder. It’s a spare. Use it, when you need to take notes in the case of an emergency.

Karatsugu: I know. The Editor-in-Chief also scolds me a lot for not using a notebook. I get it, excuse me.

Hajime: Take it, take it. … Wait, eh? It’s not that you didn’t lose it but you really don’t have one with you? … Eh. Don’t you need a notebook to have something to write on?

Karatsugu: This voice recorder is my partner-in-crime.

Hajime: Wait, I mean. Your “partner-in-crime” broke at a crucial moment and didn’t work. Did you not worry about that at all?

Karatsugu: Up until now, this is the first time I’ve done an interview alone.

Hajime: Eh. So it’s true that you’re really a newbie? If so, then you should always carry a notebook. As a regular member of society, it’s not my place to say this either.

Karatsugu: Heh! That’s what the Chief told me too. He’s always been a memo-man just like you. But I'm sticking to my own style, with my partner-in-crime.

Hajime: I mean, it’s not like your partner, broke and didn’t work at a crucial moment. This is the second time I’m saying this.

Kurukurukuru…! Gaga...

Hajime: Hm? What was that?

Hajime looks at the source of the sound. Karatsugu’s bag. The reporter digs through his bag, looking for what made the noise.

Karatsugu: Aah! Partner! You’ve come back to life!

Hajime: It’s back to normal… Is it rewinding by itself or moving in a strange way? Strange.

Karatsugu: Yeah, it is. But it's strange. It shouldn't have moved at all, but it's like it's recording...

Karatsugu plays the tape on the voice recorder.

《...gaga. pi.. O×△O… matsuno… tsumo. bassho~mu~tsu….. pipi...》

Hajime: .... What was that. Ah. We’re almost there…. the station.

ー

ー Station Platform

Karatsugu: Phew, … I didn’t notice that time had passed!

Hajime: ... Humans, too many.

Karatsugu: ... what to do, I'm going to stop by the editorial office for a bit and then go home, but if you want to eat…

Hajime: …….

[[The lack of reply catches Karatsugu’s attention. He sees Hajime blank faced staring at something.]]

Karatsugu: Hey, what’s wrong? … You okay?

Hajime: Huh? … I thought there was an elevator over here, but...*

[[Karatsugu follows Hajime’s gaze. There’s nothing.]]

Karatsugu: You tired? The stairs are this way, come on.

[[Karatsugu pauses, looking at Hajime’s face.]]

Karatsugu: … what’s wrong? You’re sleepy.

Hajime: Huh?

[[Hajime feels wet pooling in his eyes, threatening to break and fall.]]

Hajime: Tears are…

[[Hajime quickly wipes them away.]]

Hajime: Let’s take the stairs.

Karatsugu: You must be hungry. Sorry, I need to stop by the editorial office first.

Hajime: Mm. I’m fine. … You think your editor-in-chief would get mad if I come along?

Karatsugu: Heh. Bingo. You’re sharp. But that's not all. You love books, so I thought you'd be interested.

Hajime: Mm. I’m interested. … I hope he doesn’t get mad at you.

ー

ー “Matsuzo Monthly**” Editorial Department, Night

Karatsugu: Chief! I’m back from the interview. … Heh! Wouldn’t it be a topic of conversation over here, too? … the gruesome and mysterious incident in the mountain village!

Karatsugu: What is the secret of the villagers with the same face!? A report written by one of the parties involved in the case! This is... sure to be an intensive serialization!

Hajime: Eh... you’re writing about it?... Do you need money right now?

Editor-in-Chief: What are you going on about? Where did you go to cover this? You, I’m talking to you***.

[[Karatsugu wilts from his original enthusiasm, his voice smaller than when he first entered.]]

Karatsugu: Akatsuka Village… A village in the mountains…

Editor-in-Chief: EHH!! … YOU IDIOOOT****!! WHO GOES TO DO AN INTERVIEW WITHOUT TELLING THEIR CHIEF THEIR DESTINATION!!

Karatsugu: Wow! You’re mad!?

Hajime: He suddenly got angry.

Editor-in-Chief: Mmmmmm... What’s wrong...? I told you that I lost one of my men. That's where he went missing!

Karatsugu: Eh....

Editor-in-Chief: Phew, but it's good to see you back. It's quite chilling…. Hm? And you are....

[[Hajime shies away from the attention looking down, bowing.]]

Hajime: Uhhh, my name’s Shisaka.

Editor-in-Chief: You, let me see your face properly….

[[Hajime lifts his head from staring down.]]

Editor-in-Chief: Ah… You’re.... What in the-!?

Karatsugu: I knew it, didn't I? Heh! Chief! This is Hajime, my brother.

Editor-in-Chief: Mmmmmm... I don't know where to start.... Are you being chased? You with the same face. I'll give you my business card. I'm the editor in chief here.

[[The chief hands his business card to Hajime.]]

Editor-in-Chief: I'm Matsuno Matsuzou. I am your father.

Hajime: Uwah, it’s got two “Matsu"***** characters in it.

Karatsugu: Defeating taboo with another taboo, even demons would run away from such a name. Come to think of it, chief, you have such a name.

Editor-in-Chief Matsuzo: You, you really don’t listen, do you.

ーThe Endー

Original Event

Summer Arc: 1 | 2 | 3

Mod note: The title is originally 字母(じぼ), can be translated to either letter or alphabet. The title is a reference to David Lynch's 1968 work "The Alphabet". But to make the title make sense to the story and it's climax, i opted for "Character", which could be interpreted as a character of the Japanese writing system (like Kanji, since technically kanji aren't letters. They're logograms.).

*This could be a prolonged side-effect from the mushrooms. The elevator he's seeing could be a reference to the enemy base from the Angel event. The background used for the station Hajime and Karatsugu are at is the same train station background which was introduced in that event. The elevator is in the middle of a busy crowd and has HELL written on the screen.

***** Matsu as in 松 the taboo from Akatsuka Village.

**It doesn’t use the Matsu Pine Kanji, 松, opting for the Katakana writing instead, マツソ.

***The editor in chief specifically says “Omae.” which is a very rude way to refer to someone. I added a few words so it reads as scolding from a superior.

****Chief uses the term Bakamon, which is a reference to a very old joke in Japan.

also there's a part here where they talk about Ozo, I think what happened was that Toshio rode in Ozo's Taxi following the train, as he put his head out the window to say goodbye, his paper bag must have flown in the wind, that lead to Hajime noticing it in the first place. a little bit later Karatsugu notices the taxi outside the window. I'm not sure though, those might be two different moments. I've posted the transcript if you'd like to make heads or tails with that moment.

#Denkimatsu #Denki Mystery #Romantic Mystery #Osomatsu san #Hesokuri Wars #Translation #Event Story #Takashi Momose #Hajime Shisaka #Karatsugu Aogo #Matsuzo #Todomatsu #Ichimatsu #Karamatsu #Should I tag Toshio? It is a cute Toshio moment #Toshio Ogami #Jyushimatsu #Mystery Novel AU #Mod Pheo

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thechaoscryptid · 5 years

Text

Writer’s Tag Game, Bouncy’s Edition

Many thanks to @tipsyraconteur for tagging me ❤❤ I know I said this was going to be my strictly Naruto blog but there’s definitely some of my other fandoms that are going to worm their way in heh.

Rules: brag to your heart’s content, you’re awesome, and then tag 5-10 people to do the same.

I’m tagging (if you’d like to play, no obligation): @magnustesla, @scarecrowinthewoods, @dunloth, @caped-ace, @alexianite, @benicemurphy, and @ocean-in-my-rebel-soul (you Voltron peeps, it’s Ary 😉)

1) What’s a paragraph you’ve written that you’re really proud of?

From Order and Obedience (KakaIru):

“Think Konoha’s dog is going to be an easy fuck, ranger?” Kakashi asked, eyeing every possible exit. Just in case. “That my allegiance is so easily swayed?”

“I think if you were still wearing your boots you’d be trembling in them,” Iruka said without missing a beat. “Your desire to serve the light may not make sense to me, but even I can see that the way your skin drinks in the moon would be pleasing to any god. I’m not demanding darkness, only obedience.”

2) Pick a favorite scene from your longest fic!

The scene in Wake the White Wolf (KakaIru) where Sera and Kakashi part ways. I still get chills at the lines “You are no longer my problem. I am no longer your whore.” There’s plenty of fantastic scenes from that fic, but that still remains one of my favorites. That whole arc, really, from when she finds out the news to when it’s finally 100% over.

3) Give us a snippet of your most recent WIP:

Voltron! This is a part of one of my stories for the Sheith Big Bang coming up:

A galaxy will never be enough to contain my love for you.

Mechanically, Keith’s hands go through the motions of powering up Black as Krolia’s voice comes through the comm link. It’s another diplomacy mission--another he’d rather skip in favor of liberating some far off colony from oppressors or just staying in bed, unmoving. The lion doesn’t speak to him the way she used to, and neither does anything else. The universe, for all its glory, has become simple.

Dull.

Grey, even with color sprays from passing planets and nebulas.

He chews on the side of his lip as he lets his head tip to the side, checking to make sure things are in order. His mother’s still rattling off information about the mission and he just wants to tell her to be quiet, he’ll figure it out on his own later. He wants to hear the ghost of Shiro’s voice whispering it loves him again.

Keith…

Ghosts are never enough, but Shiro’s I’ll love you until forever ends echoing in his head assuages the pre-mission blues. “Not that it’s ever anything else these days,” he says under his breath. Krolia asks what he said, and he blames it on a squeaky chair. “Gotta get in here and tune up the cockpit when I’m back. Project for Shiro and I.”

“Well, just as long as it doesn’t interfere with things now. You ready to give ‘em hell?”

Keith pastes a smile on his face, though he knows she’s not on the video link. “Would you expect anything different?”

4) If all of your published fics sparred, who would win and why?

Ohh, tough one...based off of stats, Wake the White Wolf, no question. Off of personal preference? Probably Crescendo (SakuOro) right now.

5) What’s a fic/author you’ve taken inspiration from and in which one of your works did you incorporate that inspiration?

I won’t lie, Tipsy, a lot of my recent style choices came from Scar Tissue 😅 I found I really enjoy storytelling in present tense, with longer flowing lines punctuated by short lil ones for emphasis. It’s appeared in...most of my recent stuff? I switched within the last year or so.

(putting the rest under a cut because there’s some longer answers)

6) Which fanfiction character do you enjoy writing the most? In which one of your fics do you think you wrote them best?

This is another tough one xD I think I actually have to go with a three part answer here, though really, I enjoy writing so many more.

Kakashi Hatake: Shatter Me (KakaIru), best fic

Dazai Osamu: Marionette (Dazushi), best fic

Keith Kogane: since I can’t tell which one of my bang fics yet, I’ll go with my favorite published, which is Unsteady (Sheith). Truly, it’s going to be the fic from the above snippet hehe

7) Smut or fluff? Give us a sneak peek of your favorite fluffy/smutty scene you’ve written.

Mmm, smut. I’ve really got to be in the right mood for fluff, and my not-so-guilty pleasure reading is angsty smut.

My favorite fluffy/smutty scene...I think it’s probably from Reciprocity (KakaSaku)!

He wishes he still had the Sharingan to capture these moments. Sakura’s still got her thin undershirt on, but the delicate hollows of her collarbones call to him as she reaches over to light their lantern. There will be no fire tonight save for the one burning low and heavy in his stomach, as if he’s swallowed molten rock.

“Do I need to do the rest?” she says, dragging her hands up her legs as she stands. “Should I strip for you, Kakashi?”

He stands along with her and tugs off his mask first, then his shirt. Sakura gasps as the angry red of fresh scars is revealed, fingers twitching toward him before he shakes his head. “Let me,” he murmurs.

Inch by inch, the pale curve of her stomach is revealed. Shadows flicker and dance over it along with the flames, and when Kakashi pulls Sakura’s shirt the entire way off he thinks not even the prettiest sunset could compare. There’s several scars--no shinobi makes it out without them--and no shortage of muscle packed into her small frame, but somehow she makes a battleborn body beautiful.

Sakura makes life beautiful.

Her breath hitches when he tells her this, something shifting in her at the tender touch of his lips against her forehead. “You’re sure you don’t want me to just jump you right now?” she says breathlessly.

“No jumping,” he says. “Only falling.”

8) What’s a scene in one of your fics you wish you would receive fanart for?

Uh, literally any one 😅 My top choice, though, I think would be of my favorite OT3 in Desperately:

“I’ll be a lot cuter when the day comes.” Sakura shoved the bandana up and crunched her nose as she looked back with Ibiki. “You might have to leave me at the altar to catch everyone fainting at the sight of me.”

Ibiki’s laugh rumbled through the living room as he gathered her back to his chest. “We’re never leaving you there, baby, you know we couldn’t,” he said. “Or maybe we could take turns catching them. How d’you think your clothes will hold up, Rai?”

“They’ll be fine. I volunteer for catching duty as long as it’s you two falling for me at the end,” he said, spreading his arms over the back of the couch as he watched them sway. “And of course, falling into bed with me later.” Ibiki cocked an eyebrow as Sakura giggled into his scarred chest. “What, you think I”m joking?”

“Never considered it,” Ibiki said. He pulled away from Sakura to trail his hand up her arm, urging her to spin. His uniform lifted from her creamy skin and Raidou sucked in a breath as the purple lace on the bottom of her underwear was revealed. She knew he couldn’t resist those, and Ibiki certainly didn’t mind them either.

“Come here,” he said. Ibiki let her go and gave her a gentle push toward Raidou’s outstretched arms before flopping next to them as the song began to repeat. “I saw those. You can’t hide them from me.” Her hair tickled his face as he kissed over her cheek down to her ear. “Wearing my husband’s shirt and my wife-to-be’s favorite underwear, how scandalous, Sakura,” he purred.

“I’m sure your wife-to-be will be so very displeased I stole them,” she said, pulling back with a mock pout before turning to beg a kiss from Ibiki. “I hear she picked them specifically for tonight because she wanted to get laid.”

9) Would you ever consider turning one of your fics into a podfic? If no, why not?

Not on my own? I have hearing problems, so it’s just really never occurred to me. If anyone else wanted to, though, I wouldn’t say no!

10) The best (or your favourite) 5 reviews you’ve ever gotten! Don’t forget to tell us which one of your fics received them!

There’s so many 😭😭 My commenters are all fucking awesome, but I’ll trawl my saved comments for some highlights!

P5eud0Nym on Wake the White Wolf (KakaIru omegaverse): So, I just wanted to say you’ve been doing a fantastic job. I appreciate that this isn’t, and hasn’t at any point been, a dumb tropey kink fic. That you’ve taken the time to put so much heart into all of this. The fact that you’re exploring the politics, the social issues, and writing all of the characters as being more than just their A/B/O designations, so good. The multifaceted way you write is just really and truly refreshing. It’s obvious how much work and thought you put into this. You’re tackling a lot of really important stuff, from consent to civil rights, and it’s some grade A USDA certified Good Shit. Thanks for the fic and keep up the good work <3

Lilmeliz on Monster (ShigaDabi): AAAAAAA GUARANTEED I CAN BLOW YOUR MIND mwa. Please excuse the lame dua lipa reference I’m so sorry I’m so sorry I couldn’t-- Delicious. Finally some fucking good food. I want to congratulate you. This is such a beautiful, touching, heartwarming masterpiece. I even cried a little. I usually read shiggy with his dark past and his (soul) scars and all that jazz, and venturing into the thought of him having a mere fiber of good will in himself, in his actual self, is risky and prone to be ooc. But here it sounds right. It feels personal, private and even possible, my boi :( Dabi is an angel, I’m dying. I like the reminder “they lie, they kill...” Yes he’s an angel but he’s still evil. I don’t know what else to add but really, this is stunning! IM GONNA TATTOO THISSS amazing work

Prism0467 on Forbidden (KakaIru): You have written their mutual dependency with such nurturing attention to detail I feel as if I know them. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt...embraced by a work of fanfiction before now...this may well be a first. Your enthusiasm for this pairing comes through loud and clear, I’ll tell you that :)

PearlBear on Crescendo (SakuOro): Wow. Just wow. This is brilliant, heart-wrenching, creative and extremely, extremely well-written. You have such a way with words, I was actually crying. And you adapt their lives as shinobi so seamlessly to situations that happen in real life (how many partners give up on possibilities for their significant one and get nothing in return?). This story managed to move me deeply and all the while, they all were in-character (it hurt when Tsunade looked at Orochimaru in the same way they all do, also loved how Tobirama and Madara are his parents). The omegaverse wasn’t heavy at all, instead it’s well integrated enough that I, who don’t particularly like it, barely noticed and completely accepted it. It’s just the way things are. You manage to convey so, so much in a few words. I’m amazed. So, thank you for sharing this! I am very, very excited for what’s next, whether Orochimaru experiments to save himself, whether Sakumo commits suicide (or worse, dies on this mission), whether... So many possibilities. Your story is outstanding. Thank you for writing this gem!

(insert special shoutout to Tipsy’s review of Testing the Waters...)

and no comment appreciation section would be complete without at least one from @magnustesla!

This one from Of Scale and Steel (Sheith naga AU): Ary, sometimes I am left speechless and I don’t quite know how to articulate my thoughts after reading one of your fics. Like, everything is just so...so brilliant that it’s like my brain fucks off when I try to get my thoughts down onto a page. Turning well known and beloved characters into something else entirely isn’t easy and often they miss the mark leaving the reader not really connecting with it. But you, you are brilliant and clever in all that you write because damn, I love Naga Keith. It feels like it IS part of canon. And your oc? Super adorable and she just belongs. I really loved her interactions with Shiro and the chewing on his finger had me rollling because it reminded me of when J would test everything by chomping it. Not relevant but it sparked a good laugh from me, especially because it is totally something kids do. I’m so fucking proud of you and I’m excited to see you get your mojo back with this fandom. Love you ❤

#tag game #get to know me

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elisexjapan · 4 years

Photo

12 april 2013 Okay, just came home from my concert with D. I started listening to them 2008 and I used to listen to them every day the last months in Japan back then, when going back and forth between school. Now I've finally seen them live. And what a live it was!! It was a bit tricky to find my way, and when I was looking at a map when I was where I had thought it was (but it wasn't), a kind japanese woman in visual kei-ish clothes came up to me and asked "May I help you?" whereupon I answered that I can speak japanese, haha. I then said where I wanted to go, and, ofc, she was also going to D's live! So we went together. Thank you, kind woman, you were a great help!! There were Visual Kei, goth and lolita people EVERYWHERE. Holyyyyyyyy shit. Everyone were so beautiful!! Woah!!! It was my first time going to a visual kei concert in Japan (i've been to several in europe tho), and let me tell you that it was very different... Either way, the lady asked me if I had the flags with me, and I was like what flags? And well, I found out when they started, that they were all having flags... all people in the audience. Two little flags in black and red. And they were waving them in a very special pattern along with the music, and they knew EXACTLY when to do what move! It was... wow. Like when the hell did they practice that? In came all the band members one by one, recieved applauses, and went to their instrument... And last, came Asagi. My dear Asagi. The theme right now is Pirates, so he was dressed fully in a captain's goth pirate outfit, and was carrying a huge D flag. He was absolutely absolutely lovely. <3 <3 <3 During some other songs he also had a pistol that he pointed at us, hehe, and also a telescope that he pointed at us while saying "I can see you veery clearly..." omg. And at one point he also was carring a camera with the microphone, and at the back there was a projector where we could see, live, what he was filming! He used it especially when he had told us to do The Wave. He sweeped the camera over the crowd and the crowd would jump when the camera filmed them. I was on the second floor in the middle kinda, so I doubt I will be on the live DVD later, oh well. Either way, when they were playing normal songs that didn't use flags or stuff, all the people were still DANCING. In UNISON. They had little moves with their hands that they would do at certain points in the songs. ALL. OF. THEM. HOW DID THEY KNOW!? How did they know it all!? The lady who showed me the way said that someone of the band members had said on their twitter to people not to forget their flags, but seriously, what? Do I have to check their twitter to know that I should bring flags? Where am I even supposed to learn the silly little moves in each song? By going to all lives? Watching earlier live DVDs? XD It was absolutely hilarious, embarassing, boring and funny all at the same time. The moves were basically like crossing you hands in front of your chest, putting them up in the air, one hand in the air, and stuff like that. At first I thought they were way too silly, but after a while I joined in - it was better than doing nothing. Oh and they even had timed HEADBANGING at some points in some songs. Yeah. Lolitas headbanging. I never thought I'd get to see that. Needless to say I joined in a few times. But seriously, there were a lot of times when I felt like headbanging but it wasn't that point in the song and they were doing some other little silly dance in the audience, meh. I stood between two very petite little japanese girls in half-lolita clothes. They looked absolutely out of place, but they knew each silly dance by heart, wow. O_O; And one of them headbanged like I've never seen anyone headbang before, daaayumn gurl! Seriously, seeing so many people dance little silly upper-body-dances together to a Visual Kei band.... seriously. When the drummer were using both his feet on the big drum, the audience were like treading their hands in the air slightly... I felt so much like jumping and putting up my hands or something, but nooo, I had to tread my hands in front of me a little bit at the most hardcore parts of their songs. Meh! We also recieved a Rose Pen each at the entrance when we handed in our tickets, it was actually to fill in a poll thingie but I never did it (didn't have time afterwards as I rushed out to buy goodies)... and one song we used the Rose pens instead of the flags :D Finally I could join in, haha. I got a nice red Rose Pen. Oh, and, actually, since this was also a live where they released a new single, they of course played the new songs (the b-side too).... And then we had to use the flags (I used my hands), and Asagi actually showed us the dance. We practiced with him. It was so cute ;_; Perhaps that's how they learn the silly dances? Either way, the performance itself.... They played a lot of nice songs, and MY FAVOURITE SONGS!!!! OMG!!! Since they're in the Pirate theme now I never thought they'd repeat old songs, but YES they did! They played "Vampire Missa", "Yami yoru kurai doukoku no a capella etc", and "Der König die Dunkelheit" too!!!!! The last two there are two of my favourite songs, oh my god, I was so happy!!! I've seen them sing them live, oh my goooooooood!!! They were also having some videos playing on their backdrop, like a rose blooming and some other small stuff like that. One of the slower songs, they had the sky in the background and had a lot of smoke coming out. They were also talking quite a lot, mostly Asagi of course. Oh god his voice is so nice, I could listen to it forever and not get tired.... He was mostly talking about how grateful he is to all his fans and so on, since it was their 10th anniversary special premium live that I went to (thus why there were decided seats). Also at the end he passed around the mic to all the band members so they could say something each. They were mostly thanking us fans and saying how awesome it is to be able to see 10 years as a band. Asagi also said some beautiful words, like, "This moment only comes once. So make sure you appreciate this moment the most. Noone knows what comes in the future. Appreciate what you have now." or similar. I couldn't help but shed some tears, as that fits perfectly to what I feel right now... I also recorded a minute or two during the live. It wasn't allowed of course, and I will NEVER post it online ever, but I wanted desperately to savour the (most likely) only moment I'll see this awesome band live ever. There were no guards on the second floor and it was also kind of half-empty so I took my chance, mwehehhe. They also did like two or three encores, and before the first one, they had the Big Announcement that they had promised..... And the Big Annoucments, rolling on the screen, was a summer all-country tour, a SMARTPHONE GAME based on their Vampire Saga arc that will be out INTERNATIONALLY OH MYYY GOOOD, and also that they will sign with another label and go Major Label, omg!! So happy for them!! They were also PERHAPS hinting at a world live?? It's very possible at least. It was so fun to hear Asagi chuckle when he commented on the game later, haha. His laugh is so refined and beautiful, with a low and nice voice. <3 After another encore (they played the Vampire Saga themed songs then, like I said; Der König Der Dunkelheit and also In the name of Justice, since they had just announced the Vampire Saga mobile game), they came out with CHAMPAGNE!! (that you could buy afterwards too) and we all cheered for them as they celebrated with us. <3 As they went off stage (twice or thrice just to come back for another encore) they waved to us all, and Asagi pointed his microphone at us and we screamed, I screamed his name so many times so high, wow. Asagi. <3 Asagi!! Asagi!!! There was also a nice moment when all of us sang... like, the band sang a song, then got quiet, and we all continued singing in unison while Asagi directed the microphone towards us. It was very beautiful.... And glitter. Glitter everywhere at the end, they had so much glitter raining down on them, ahaha, and some shot out into the audience too. I couldn't grab any though. And, at the very end, before going out the last time, Asagi came out with a chest full of red roses, real roses. They all them threw them out into the audience - Asagi kissed his roses before throwing them out. I was on the 2nd floor like I said, so I could only stand and watch :\ Oh, and Kamijo and Moi Dix Mois had sent them flowers to congratulate their 10 year anniversary (japanese do that to each other, one company to another or similar stuff). The huge bouquets were by the entrance. Let me just say that I've been playing this video and song on repeat for some days now: http://youtu.be/zf0w16UZf6o . That song is pure love. And when they started playing the intro... omg I just died right then and there and screamed so much... I didn't think they'd play it at all, oh my god yes. So all in all, it was an absolutely awesome night, I cired, I smiled, I laughed, I screamed. D, and especially Asagi - thank you for being so amazing. Thank you. I love you, forever.

This is the live I went to:

2013年4月12日渋谷公会堂

D 10th Anniversary Special Premium Live「Bon Voyage!」 2013.4.12[Fri] 　渋谷公会堂 OPEN／17:30　START／18:30 前売／￥5,200　当日／￥5,700 全席指定一般発売日 2013.2.24[Sun]

#D #music #pirate #vampire saga #vampire #shibuya #live #渋谷公会堂 #2013年4月12日 #D 10th Anniversary Special Premium Live「Bon Voyage!」

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twdmusicboxmystery · 6 years

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9x06: Details - A Lot of Them!

Okay, you know how yesterday, I said I didn't have much to say about this episode? Yeah, I lied. I re-watched yesterday, when I wasn't super tired and hadn’t had such a long day, I found TONS to talk about.

And yes, this will be kind of long.

***As always, spoilers abound for 9x06, so don’t read until you’ve watched! You’ve been warned!***

Daryl:

Daryl’s tent at the beginning reminded me a lot of the tents we saw in 4x01 and the parking lot at Grady. Just saying.

Of course he was fishing, which I naturally want to relate to Oceanside. But more importantly, we saw him standing in water, and Beth = water.

Then there’s his new poncho. I honestly hadn’t thought too much about it until I saw an edit someone made on IG. They changed his poncho to red and gave it a “Little Red Riding Hood” caption. Now, some of you may remember me doing Little Red Riding Hood posts a long time ago. (X, X) Like, before S6 aired. Mine were based around Red Poncho Guy in 5b. But when I saw that edit, I realized something. We saw a red poncho in Beth’s cell and then Red Poncho Guy in 5b, who Daryl saw briefly and then lost track of. Kinda like Beth. So, what if the red poncho represents Beth’s missing/kidnapped arc? Then maybe Daryl’s green poncho (opposite color) represents that she’s about to return.

I think I've talked about Songbird enough for you to know what I think it means: songbird = Beth and Beth is about to appear.

One thing I didn't talk about it in as much detail as is the walker attached to the tree that Daryl sees. This is a major parallel to the blonde woman he and Aaron saw in 5x15 that was tied to a tree. You’ll notice a pattern as we go along of symbols we saw in S5 and haven’t seen since that are cropping up now in S9. Seems to me like things that happened in S5 are about to come back around.

Michonne:

Michonne finds the van in the woods. The box she digs through is a cigar box, which is a callback to Abraham. But the box itself really reminded us of the music box. The color and size are roughly similar. The things she takes out of it are all highly symbolic.

We see Rick's ring on Michonne’s necklace. (Wedding Ring Theory)

1). The sheriff. I think this could feasibly represent two different things. A) That the new sheriff is about to appear. In other words, it represents Beth. B) Obviously Rick. It definitely represents Rick for Michonne. I think it also foreshadows Rick's return. In a way, she's holding onto this in the same way Daryl holds onto Beth’s knife.

2) The four-leaf clover. (X) Not only is it green, but represents Luck (X), and then there’s all the Irish symbolism, such as Paddy Reilly, etc. Like maybe the person all that symbolism ties to is about to appear.

3) The yo-yo. I totally didn’t catch this when I first watched the episode, but they talked about it on TTD. It must be important if they’re drawing attention to it. The only other time we saw a yo-yo on the show was in S5. They made a big deal about it in the show, but then we never saw it again. The only thing I could think of back then was that, because yo-yos go down and then come back up again, it represented that the person about to go down (Beth) would bounce back up again at some point. Once more, we haven't seen any yo-yos since then. Now, were suddenly seeing one. That's a big deal.

(I tried and couldn’t get a non-blurry pic of the yo-yo, but it’s red and green.)

Michonne finds toilet paper. See the Toilet Paper theory, plus I talked about this in THIS ASK. I'm not sure what it means but I have a halfhearted forecast for it. I’ve noticed that toilet paper is often seen at the beginning of a long journey. Could that mean a long journey for Michonne? In the comics, Michonne is with Ezekiel rather than Rick. When Ezekiel dies, Michonne leaves TF for a long time. I wonder if they'll keep that arc, but in this case, it's Rick that “died” for Michonne, rather than Ezekiel. If Michonne leaves, that might be what the TP is about. It would also leave leadership of Alexandria wide open.

This is yet another reason why I don't think Ezekiel will die. It could be that Rick's "death" replaced Ezekiel's death, especially where Michonne is concerned. I also noticed that just before this episode, the official TWD account did posts saying, “Who Will Lead?” They had one for each Daryl, Carol, Ezekiel, and Michonne. Asking who will lead is very interesting because it's basically asking who will step into Rick's (or the sheriff's) shoes.

I found Michonne’s post to be particularly interesting. The caption says, “She’s got what it takes, but what will she choose?” As though she may choose specifically not to lead. I think that will have something to do with her arc this season and I'm interested to see where it goes.

We see that the bridge was never fixed. Again, I need to re-vamp my Bridge Theory, but it’s become clear to me that the bridge represents the community or TF as a whole. Basically, as I said before, it broke when Rick blew up the bridge. It has never been fixed. Which is a symbolic way of saying that the four communities have fractured and have no cohesion anymore. Ezekiel says, "If we could bring the communities back together as full partners…" So, the communities definitely aren’t working together anymore.

Michonne is being very negative in this episode and refuses to give Magna’s group the time of day. I did like the she was sharp as ever and knew Magnet was hiding things, but she's definitely being close minded. Rosita later tells Gabriel that Michonne knows prison doesn't really mean anything and she riled up the crowd on purpose.

We don't really understand the reason for Michonne’s actions until Judith hears her talking to herself.

I breezed over this yesterday, but I think it's important to know what’s she saying when Judith listens in. It's obvious that Michonne is talking to Rick, who she believes is dead. The “him” she mentions is obviously Carl. This is what she says. "Thought I was done with this. Done with talking to you and never hearing you answer. But I watched what you did to protect him…nothing else mattered except him… And I need to be that now for them. And I know it's not what we planned, not what we wanted, but you weren't here. Neither was he. You didn't have to go through the…". At that point, the floorboards creak under Judith and Michonne cuts off.

Okay, a couple of takeaways from this:

1) Michonne is acting as she is because she believes she needs to protect her children at all costs. She’s basically become ruthless Rick in order to protect Judith and RJ. It’s what she believes she needs to do right now, even though it's not the future she and Rick envisioned together.

2) Then there's that last line. Something definitely went down in the six years since Rick left, and from this, it was something that happened after he left because she said he wasn't there for it. I'm willing to bet whatever it is, how she got that X-scar, and also is the reason for what Carol says about people going out and never come back. We just don't know exactly what happened yet.

I wonder if this entire season is going to be full of flashbacks telling us what happened during those six years. I kinda hope so, because essentially what we’ll have to see with Beth. They skipped over whatever happened during those missing 17 days, and they’ll have to go back and show us what it was. So, if the entire season is structured around figuring out something that was skipped, maybe we’ll see other things that have been skipped over as well.

Incidentally, Michonne has done this before: talked to the dead. Remember, she told Rick early on in 3x12, Clear, that she has. “I talk to my dead boyfriend sometimes. It happens.” So I thought it was an interesting continuity of her character to show her doing this with Rick, now. Also a very obvious way to show that she 100% believes he’s dead.

I thought Judith and Michonne’s conversation on the stairs was heartbreaking. It made me sad when Judith said she was starting to forget Rick’s and Carl’s voices. “I’m not trying to, but they keep fading away.” But Judith is a lot like Carl. She’s growing up in this world, so it’s second nature to her. That makes her strong, but also less sentimental and utterly unapologetic about who she is. I’m loving Judith so much!

When we saw the X scar on Michonne, I also noticed a butterfly picture of some kind of butterfly picture on the wall behind her. (Transformation?)

And the curtains in her room look a LOT like the wallpaper at the funeral home in Alone. They’re black and white, rather than green and yellow, but covered with a very similar bird and vine/tree pattern.

Let's talk about callbacks season four. There's a Council ruling at Alexandria, much as there was in S4 at the prison. Also much like at the prison, there's no clear leader. Remember in S4, the council led because Rick stepped down from leadership. He didn't really become the sheriff again until after disaster struck in the MSF. So, perhaps we won't see the sheriff emerge until then.

It's also interesting to note that Michonne is in pretty much the same place she was in at the start of S4. She's obviously more angry right now, but her horse is almost exactly the same color as the one she rode in 4x01. We even see her ride into Alexandria at the beginning of this episode in a similar fashion.

So, Michonne isn't really leading. She's going outside the walls a lot and still struggling with things, much as she did in S4. She’s KIND OF leading in name (FG calls her the “head of security”) but hasn’t truly stepped into Rick’s leadership shoes either.

Carol:

Carol sees a flower. My first (and somewhat rebellious) thought was that it's definitely NOT Cherokee Rose (Hehe). But it’s growing up through cracks, which goes with the theme of light coming through the cracks.

Henry calls Ezekiel and Carol Mom and Dad. We also see an entwined-fingers hand hold for Carzekiel. All is right with the world. ;D

They’re holding some kind of fair at the kingdom. Not sure what that's about, but they keep talking about it. Henry leaves with Carol to go to Hilltop and apprentice to Earl (that's the guy that tried to kill Maggie but she ended up letting him out of prison). Henry says he'll be back before the fair starts. Sounds kind of ominous to me.

They also talk about dreamers. Henry is a dreamer. Carol says he gets it from Ezekiel, but it's not a bad thing. And the world could use more dreamers. Beth was most definitely a dreamer. Once again, we’re seeing that Daryl and Carol are very alike, which is why they wouldn't make good romantic partners. They’re too alike. They both need someone more optimistic to complement their tendency toward darkness. I’ll illustrate in a second how much Henry is like Beth.

Ezekiel also makes a point here of saying that Hilltop is distant. Remember in 9x05, Daryl mentioned, just before Rick blew the bridge, that the walker horde had run right through Hilltop? So, I’m thinking Hilltop probably had to be completely rebuilt. I think we can assume it was, because Michonne is taking Magna’s group there. Still, I’m curious to what’s happening at Hilltop these days.

After Jed’s group gets a hold of Carol and Henry, we get a quick look at the vegetables Carol was transporting. They include tomatoes and carrots. I think the tomatoes represent the communities prospering and moving forward. But the carrots? They’ve always been a Beth symbol. Remember, The King of Carrot Flowers from Alone?

Here, we got more information about stuff that's been going on during the six years we don't know about yet. Jed, chewing on a match, says the Sanctuary went bust. Before Rick blew the bridge, they talked about how nothing would grow there, so it’s not surprising it would be defunct now, but still, it’s something else we didn't see.

Jed also said they got hungry and ate horses. Carol says they could have joined the other communities (and several of them did; Laura and some other recognizable saviors are at Alexandria) but obviously Jed and his followers opted for a Negan mentality and don't want to be a part of a community. They’d rather just take people's stuff.

Then Jed said, "You spared me back in the day, so I'll do the same for you." He’s probably referring to when Rick and Carol got the better of them in 9x04, but we still don’t know what happened between Carol and this group in 9x06. The last we saw, shots were fired that brought the walkers toward the bridge and led to Rick blowing it up. I’m wondering if what Carol does to them has to do with her blaming them for Rick’s death. Not sure, though.

Obviously Carol burning the Savior is a callback to S4 with Karen and David as well as to Carol burning Saviors in 6x13.

I’m very curious about what Carol is doing. Even before they were tricked by the saviors, she’d already told Henry they were going somewhere other than Hilltop first. She'd always planned to go visit Daryl, and I wonder why. She must have a reason.

Then we get to Henry and Carol making camp for the night. This is where I became convinced that Henry is something of a Beth proxy. He said, “I don’t get it.” The opposite of Beth’s, “I get it now,” but still. The parallel is there. He also tells Carol, “That’s bullshit.” He’s calling her on her crap, and he’s 100% right because she says she let Jed and the Saviors go, but then goes and kills them while Henry sleeps. Also, Henry and Carol hang cans for an alarm. We saw that prominently with Beth and Daryl in Alone.

I’m kind of thinking we might lose Henry. I hope not, but I just felt an ominousness in his story line this week. There was a lot of emphasis on Carzekiel and him as a family, on keeping him safe. They didn’t like the idea of him going to Hilltop to train with Earl. I really hope I’m wrong, but I’m wondering if we’ll lose Henry, which would put Carol and Ezekiel in a super-dark place again. Let’s hope not.

Rosita, Father Gabriel, & Eugene:

Just for an instant, we see feet running at the beginning of this episode.

Even though it's just feet that we see (not arms or torsos) it reminded me of the opening credits Beth-flash. In this case, it was Rosita, Aaron, Eugene and Laura looking for Judith.

Eugene carries a deer. This could be an example of the Deer Theory. I'm not sure who it would apply to here, but Luke calls it a buck, so I think it works. Maybe foreshadow of Beth about to appear? Or it may extend into further episodes. Not sure yet.

Magna’s group calls walkers “sickos.” That struck me as hilarious because my 4-year-old nephew is going through a phase where he calls everybody sickos. ;D

They show the passage of time by the length of people's hair. Michonne’s dreads are longer, Daryl's hair has gotten really long in the back, though you can always tell that from the front.

Obviously, Judith. Eugene is sporting a long braid, Native American-style.

Father Gabriel wants to use a radio to find more people. I noticed a lot of symbolism that we saw in FTWD this past season, and this reminded me of that. This could also be part of the Communications Theme.

Rosita and FG are a couple. I know not everybody is a fan, but I thought they were kinda cute together.

Father Gabriel says, "I think Michonne is wrong. I think they're good people." So, more of Beth's “there still good people” theme. But that's just the beginning. Rosita and FG’s conversation was super interesting.

Talking about the transmitter, Rosita says, "But trying to find people and reach out to them with that thing? It's like stumbling around in the dark." It reminded me of Beth stumbling around in the dark with Noah when they were trying to escape Grady.

FG then answers, "But think what we might find. Who we might find. What else might be out there." So, we have several different references to Beth in the scene. There's the “good people” remark, the “stumbling around in the dark” remark (which may or may not be around about Beth; I may be reaching).

Plus, we had the broken picture in the background.

Remember this window was broken when FG and Sasha fought over the gun in 5x16. So, yet another S5 reference (we seriously haven’t seen that picture since) plus we’re pretty sure the picture represents Beth. It has white cypress trees and it was shot with a bullet. My point is that we have a lot of Beth references in this scene, and FG says with emphasis, “Just think WHO we might find.” I think that’s super-significant.

So I’m feeling like this relay Eugene and Rosita set up may be how the group comes back into contact with Beth again.

Eugene is trying to get up his courage to tell Rosita how he feels about her. I thought it was interesting that she seemed to want him to tell her as well.

I felt like there was a lot of symbolism in what they said about the walker tracks. They notice hundreds of walker tracks heading East. Eugene is comforted by the fact that he and Rosita need to head west to get to the water towers, where they set up the relay. Then the walker herd ends up coming toward them anyway. Eugene says it must have done a U-turn. I'm assuming that's probably be because the Whisperers are doing something to push the walkers back that way. Still, we have the east-west symbolism.

The more I watch it, the more I think this sequence with Rosita and Eugene is super-significant and a major foreshadowing, which is not necessarily a good thing. First, they’re near graveyard. I had to look two or three times very carefully, but the water towers are directly next to a graveyard.

So, we have the Communication theme (because of the relay) a water symbol (the towers) and a graveyard that looks a lot like the graveyard in Alone.

We also saw a ladder fall and Eugene hurting his knee.

We saw a ladder fall around Maggie in S6, and I don’t think we ever nailed down exactly what the ladder symbolizes in TWD. But at the least, it means they're in danger. Maggie almost died when the ladder fell in S6 and Eugene almost died here because the ladder fell.

Okay guys, I’m gonna put an unpopular opinion forth here. I think we saw a lot of foreshadows in this episode that Eugene is going to die. I love Eugene these days, especially his long hair and seeing him as a bad ass, so I don't want him to die, but I'm worried he might. I mean, there's the graveyard, there's him falling and hurting his leg, the ladder, him offering to sacrifice himself for Rosita and trying to admit his undying love for her first. It all felt really ominous to me.

Then there's the fact that they used Rosita and Eugene to introduce the Whisperers. I feel like whoever they used, it was always going to be significant. The could’ve Daryl and Carol to introduce them, Magna’s group, or any character on the show, but they used Rosita and Eugene. So I’m wondering if, rather than Rosita and Ezekiel losing their heads to the Whisperers, it might be Rosita and Eugene. Again, I hope I’m wrong and, you know, nobody else dies EVER on the show, but I feel like that's what they might be telling us. Guess we’ll find out soon whether I’m right or not.

One more thing about this scene with Rosita and Eugene that made my jaw drop, though I’m actually not 100% on it. I noticed at one point, they focused on a shot of Rosita and Eugene’s feet as they ran. And I thought I saw something on the ground. So, I looked more closely. I’m not sure what this is, but there seems to be something metallic on the ground where they’re walking. I even think there might be two things, one on each side, and Rosita and Eugene walk between them. Is it possible that…this is a bear trap? If so, that’s HUGE! It’s a major symbol of Beth that TD has known about for a long time. But again, I’m not positive that’s what it is. Any insights?

Magna’s Group:

We always love music references, and Luke is a music teacher. What really jumped out at me, though, was when they asked him, “Who are you now?” he answers, “I’m still a music teacher.” You know, like “I still sing.”

And we can link the title to Beth as well. Remember when she talked o Daryl in Still, she said, “You gotta stay who you are, not who you were.” So the question, “Who are you, now?” goes along with that theme.

I thought Magna’s prison tattoo was interesting. Michonne said the four dots represented the four walls and in the middle one represented the prisoner inside. It made me think of Four Walls and a Roof (5x03). There's been plenty of conjecture about what the title meant. Maybe the whole time, the idea was that it represented a prison. (Also another callback to S5).

Which brings me to my next point. While arguing against letting Magna’s group stay, Michonne says, "I remember." 1) It has to do with what happened during the six-year time jump that they haven't told us yet. Michonne seems to be referencing a point when they let someone in and it went wrong. Probably the same thing she’s talking to Rick about later. 2) It hearkens back to the title in 5B. 5x12 was called Remember, so yet another reference to S5. 3) Beth said the exact same thing to Daryl in Still. "I remember."

Siddiq says the injured woman in Magna’s group (Miko) has a concussion and is dehydrated, but should be back on her feet soon. That made me think of Beth at Grady because she was also told she had a concussion, which she probably didn't. Can you see the parallels? Miko is part of a group, has a head injury, and wakes up in a new community.

Not sure what my opinion of Magna is yet. So far, she seems like a little bit of a loose cannon. She was about to break into Michonne’s house with the knife necklace. What did she plan to do? It was only when she saw Michonne’s son that she stopped, changed her mind, and went to knock at the front door. Hmm.

I also caught another theme at this part. When her and Michonne are talking, she says she’s done terrible things. Michonne answers that they all have. It’s the only reason they’re still here. Then Michonne says, “They aren’t always easy to live with.” To which Magna replies, “But it’s better than losing everything.”

I think that will be a theme this season. They have to learn to live with the things they’ve done. It may not be easy, but if they don’t, they could lose everything.

Reasons I think still Rick will be back:

1) In the opening montage, Michonne says, "I'm still here too." The “I'm still here” is a theme we've heard a lot in the show. When someone says it, it means they've survived and are still fighting. Michonne says, "I know you're still here. I'm still here too." She doesn't necessarily mean she thinks is alive, but I feel like it's symbolism that Rick will be back.

2) There's also the 7x12 symbolism. Remember Michonne thought Rick was dead and was utterly devastated, but he came back out through the yellow door (yellow equals escape) and they had a reunion. It's really only a matter time before he shows up again.

Judith and Negan

She reads him her math problem, and we get some more A/B symbolism. She says, “Airplane A and Airplane B are 1000 miles apart. If airplane A is flying east at 500 mph, and Airplane B is flying west at 650 mph…” She doesn't finish the question because Negan cuts her off. If the writers wanted us to hear the question, we would have. The only reason to hear the rest of the problem was to get that A/B and east-west symbolism in. Negan says she should book a seat on Airplane C because it sounds like one hell of a collision.

So, the idea is that these two planes are on a collision course. We have A, which we think represents leadership, and B, which is more like a follower. But we've also thought B might represent Beth and C represents TF and/or where they’re living. So, together with Daryl saying a storm is coming, it seems like a lot of things are about to collide here. Just not sure what form that will take yet.

Negan tells Judith his twisted little story about how he used to bring home stray dogs. Okay, so first of all, DOGS! (Sirius/Dog Star Symbolism). He uses his story to illustrate that even if the people seem to be good, it only takes one to kill everybody. That could most definitely foreshadow something.

Finally, the timeline was really jacked up. We saw three days in the Michonne/Alexandria story line. The first day where Magna’s group is brought to Alexandria, the second day where the trial is held, and then the third day where Michonne offers to take them to Hilltop and they set off.

Carol/Henry only went through two days. We saw them in the morning of the first day when they left the Kingdom and ran into the Saviors, at night, and then the next day where they meet Daryl.

For Rosita and Eugene, we saw only one day, and it wasn’t over yet at the end of the episode. No idea if that will be important moving forward, but I’ll keep an eye on it.

Okay, I’ll shut up now. Lots of setups in this episode for the coming arc. But definitely lots more interesting symbols than I thought there would be. Thoughts?

#beth greene #beth greene lives #beth is alive #beth is coming #td theory #td theories #team delusional #team defiance #beth is almost here #bethyl

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taaroko · 6 years

Text

Post-IW MCU Rewatch: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Time for the Long Weekend of Ultron. If you’re looking for a negative review, this will not be that. Maybe I am easily satisfied, but I dislike zero of the MCU movies. As long as characters I love are onscreen and being awesome and especially when they’re interacting with other characters I love, I’m going to end up with overall positive experience. That being said, this movie is my least favorite in which Thor appears, and it’s probably close to the bottom of my ranking.

I saw a post yesterday pointing out that this is the only movie in which Thor uses lethal force against humans. In the opening sequence when they’re taking down the latest in a long series of Hydra bases, he’s wasting a bunch of dudes without hesitating. Like the person who made that post, I’m pretty sure Thor is not cool with your fascist BS, especially if he knows that they love using Norse symbolism.

Is this the only time Steve uses his motorcycle as a projectile? Because I kind of think it’s not, but I can’t remember for sure.

“Can we hold them?” “They’re the Avengers!”

I love Thor and Cap’s combo moves so much.

“Good talk!” “No it wasn’t.”

“Please be a secret door please be a secret door please be a secret door—yay!”

The lullaby is always going to be hilarious now.

Well that was an extremely effective way of activating Tony’s guilt complex.

What’s Wanda’s deal? She saw what Tony saw, right? She knows Tony’s greatest fear is failing to stop an alien invasion and Earth’s destruction—of surviving all of that while his friends don’t (ooooouch). Is she already doubting the plan, or what?

“Tales of sprained deltoids and...gout.” Thor is so very wonderfully bad at backtracking from a foot-in-mouth moment.

Oh wow, Tony asked Thor for permission to keep the Scepter long enough to check it out before he’d take it back to Asgard.

“Will...Thor be there?” SAME, GIRL.

“We don’t have time for a City Hall debate.” This is the last time Tony will be so averse to oversight.

Okay so I’m confused. Did Tony recycle part of an interface Hydra was building? Because that would kind of explain how it ended up thinking humanity was too defective to be allowed to live?

Ultron killing JARVIS hurts so much worse than I ever would’ve expected it to hurt to watch an electronic butler get killed.

Thor is telling a bunch of old veterans war stories! That’s so great!

“This was aged for a thousand years in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunnhilde’s fleet. It is not meant for mortal men.” Wait a second. Brunnhilde? As in, Valkyrie from Ragnarok? Seriously? She gets a name in this movie but not the one she’s actually in? But it’s pretty cool they made kegs out of her ships. I’m assuming this wreck happened before the disastrous attack on Hela, which means Brunnhilde could probably decide how to repurpose all the wood. Barrels of mead definitely sounds like something she’d sign off on.

Also does this mead get Steve drunk? I feel like it should at least be able to do that. And it’s great that Thor hands some to him in the same breath that he says it’s not for mortals. He thinks very highly of Steve.

I wonder how often Steve hangs around with old veterans.

I’m completely fine with Bruce/Natasha. ...But my ship is Bucky/Nat.

Hehe, it’s Steve’s turn to be Natasha’s wingman.

The hammer scene is fantastic.

I saw a review thing where someone talked about how there’s a stupid gag where Bruce’s face lands on Nat’s boobs, and I couldn’t for the life of me remember what that was. Well I just found it, and...that is not how you play something like that for cheap laughs. They don’t linger on it, they don’t make risqué comments. Nat is so not bothered by it that she doesn’t even acknowledge his apology, and Bruce doesn’t even seem that embarrassed. Nat is entirely focused on making sure what’s happening around them isn’t enough to make him hulk out.

Okay yeah, Ultron went straight back to the Hydra facility after they killed all his Iron Legion bodies, which definitely makes me think they used some of Hydra’s interface to make him. And I think Tony was so willing to do it because of how Wanda messed with his brain, cranking up the paranoia about alien threats.

Thor is not happy that Tony spent the time he graciously allowed him before taking the scepter back to Asgard messing around with it like this.

Is it weird for Andy Serkis to play human characters after doing so many mo-cap roles?

“Keep your friends rich and your enemies rich and wait to find out which is which.”

Ultron has so far talked about evolution, quoted scripture, and quoted famous poetry. He’s gotten remarkably cultured already, and he’s let it make him super pretentious.

I’m pretty sure they realized going in that they were never going to top Days of Future Past’s version of Quicksilver, so they didn’t really try and then also killed him off so they wouldn’t have to. But where that Quicksilver is ridiculously fun, this one has more emotional weight. And an arc.

Okay. So I think Wanda tapped into Tony’s fears (born from his glimpse through the portal) and Thor’s slight aptitude for foresight (as indicated in his dreams of Asgard burning in Ragnarok). Steve has neither of those things, and she made him see a messed up version of the past he wishes he could go back to. She made Nat see the past she regrets, and she just made Bruce hulk out. I don’t think Wanda herself has any ability to see the future.

Oh hey, Wolfram & Hart are in Thor’s dream.

Also foreshadowing to his level up in lightning powers. Hmmm. I wonder if Heimdall’s warning is that Ragnarok will pave the way for Thanos.

The entire Veronica sequence is awesome. But the best part is Tony’s jackhammer punches/Chinese finger trap. Also Tony’s face after Hulk spits out a tooth.

The wind down of the fight is the origin of “Earth hate Hulk.” Aww.

I do not understand the hate Clint’s family gets. I could not have been happier to discover that the reason he doesn’t have a girlfriend is that he has a wife and kids. Statistically, it’s nice that at least one Avenger has a family. It’s okay for there to be a stay-at-home mom somewhere in the MCU. And it’s wonderful that Natasha has kind of been adopted by the Barton family.

Thor and Steve’s faces during the whole bit where Thor steps on a toy house are hilarious. Awwwwwwwww Thor left because he’s worried he’s a danger to them, because of his vision! That’s so sad!

Ooh, was that the first time Clint’s been called Hawkeye in the movies?

I don’t understand the vitriol against Natasha’s attitude about being sterilized as a young teenager. That moment was the rite of passage that sealed her role as a KGB assassin. To her, it is symbolic of everything she did for them and gave up for them. And it’s their philosophy that motherhood could compromise an agent, not the movie’s. This doesn’t mean she wishes she could be Laura Barton. She plays all these different roles and weaves all these different lies because it makes it easier to hide from her past, and Wanda just brought that all back to the surface. She’s allowed to be upset that she let a hostile government agency mutilate her and limit her options for the future. It’s tragic, not problematic, that she, as the sum of her entire past, considers herself monstrous. This is just more “I’ve got red in my ledger.” And she’s a little bit playing this up because she wants Bruce to stop fighting what they could have together. She doesn’t want him thinking something like that she deserves more than someone like him.

You don’t have a dark side, Steve. Don’t be silly. But here are sown the seeds of Civil War. Winter Soldier has made Steve very opposed to using force as a preventative measure, and it has also made him very mistrustful of putting someone else in charge, but now Tony’s giving him reasons not to trust him either. For Steve, there will never be a time to retire. This is why I’m convinced he’ll die in Avengers 4, and why I desperately hope Tony will be allowed to retire.

“I need your help. It’s dangerous.” In the deleted scenes, yeah.

“Guy’s multiplying faster than a Catholic rabbit.” *snort*

Clint’s darts game is great.

“Hoo, I’m decrypting nuclear codes and you don’t want me to.”

What is this power Ultron has to make big chunks of stuff move? Is it magnetic? Because that wouldn’t explain him moving chunks of road.

Bruce and Tony interacting is so great.

AHAHA! There’s a reason Ultron didn’t do something obvious like launch all the nukes! JARVIS was stopping him! JARVIS’s surviving protocols were making sure he didn’t do everything you’d expect an AI with internet access to be able to do. Okay. Biggest plot hole isn’t actually a plot hole. Boom. However I do think that Ultron’s plan to destroy the Earth meteor style was part of his melodramatic god complex personality.

Ultron 3.0 looks awful. Should’ve streamlined a bit. He looks like he’s on steroids.

I very much do not like that Vision can fly without visible means of propulsion. It looks doofy. And Vision is a doofy name. However, points for taking Thor as inspiration when it comes to style.

Not a fan of Clint’s weird tunic/coat thing. Would’ve worked better if there was a belt.

Wow I never realized how often “monster” gets tossed around in this movie. Nat, Bruce, Vision, the Avengers collectively. Even Cap makes a joke, “What kind of monster would let a German scientist experiment on him?” This movie is pretty much asking if they have any right to do what they do. If they’re a menace or a benefit. In the end, the answer is pretty unclear. They did kinda make Ultron. They save the world from him and come out with Vision and Wanda on the team, so it’s probably a net gain, but the Sokovia Accords are an extremely understandable consequence. Wanda has that dilemma herself. She thought she had to destroy the Avengers to save the world, and she nearly destroyed the world by helping Ultron, but then she helped save it by defeating him. At great personal cost.

Yay another Thor+Cap combo move!

Pietro is so petty and obnoxious to Hawkeye, and it’s great.

Aww it’s the nerdy guy from Winter Soldier! And thankfully he survives this movie.

“I am Thor, son of Odin, and as long as there is life in my breast...I am running out of things to say. Are you ready?” His grin is my favorite.

The Maximoffs are the most functional, affectionate siblings in the MCU. :/

The number of Ultron robots somewhat strains credulity. Also, why didn’t he just send one to go chill across the world as a failsafe? Ultron is kind of stupid.

Rhodey’s reaction to Vision is priceless.

Aaand there Hulk goes. Apparently through a portal to trash planet, eventually.

If the meta-narrative of the first Avengers was “Can this exist?”, then the meta-narrative of Ultron was “...But should it?” The answer to the first question is “Absolutely it can.” The answer to the second is “Only if it doesn’t get arrogant or reckless.” I think Infinity War’s question is “Can it keep getting bigger like this and still survive?” and Avengers 4 will determine the answer. My guess is that it’ll be “Not without sacrifice.”

Anyway, that “are we monsters” thing is pretty much the individual arc of most of the main characters—except Steve. He makes a reference to it, but he is constantly the voice of caution and reason and he’s the one who pushes for zero civilian casualties in the city. This is the beginning of “We don’t trade lives.” It’s okay to sacrifice yourself, but not to play a numbers game with other people’s lives. Steve is and always has been rock solid. He’s a good man. He trusts his instincts, and they are pretty much always right. But that means he can never stop. He never gets to rest.

Clint is the other character who doesn’t have an “am I a monster” arc. His arc is just the kinda adoptive dad thing he has with the Maximoffs, and us finding out so much more about his life. He’s trying to retire, like Tony, but he’s willing to die for this if he has to. (I hope he doesn’t. But if most or all of his family got Snaptured, then it’d kinda be okay, though devastating, for him to sacrifice himself so they could come back.)

Natasha, Bruce, Tony, and Thor all have the monster arc, and I think Vision is supposed to be the answer at least for Tony and Thor. They created something good. Natasha didn’t get the guy, though, because she betrayed him to get Hulk back for the battle. And Bruce lost big time.

Maybe the reason Ultron is so low on my ranking of MCU movies is that it’s kinda muddled. There are great character moments and the main theme is an important one for the MCU, but in the end we have a snarky, grandiose villain with an army of disposable soldiers (again, only the villain is waaaay less interesting than Loki), coupled with the same plot as “I Robot, You Jane,” one of the worst Buffy episodes of the entire series. (Demon ends up in the internet because of the negligent actions of the good guys, tries to get impressionable young people to work for it, has a robot body built for itself, then gets locked inside that body and out of the internet, then destroyed.) I think it got spread a bit thin trying to set things up for Phase 3, too. Setting up Wakanda, Ragnarok, Civil War, and even Infinity War. Maybe if it didn’t need to do all that, it could’ve been more focused.

#avengers: age of ultron #avengers #mcu rewatch #marvel #infinity war spoilers #iron man #thor #captain america

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fortune-failing · 6 years

Text

Faedon Breakup

Day 53 (Night of Session 84) - Ainsley Inn Day 54 (Morning of Session 84) - Ainsley Inn (just prior to London arc)

Summary: Faedon breakup. Gay Level: Medium (3/5)

London

London's hand slid across a wood dresser as he stepped into the inn room. He was unusually observant that night looking around at minor things like the clock and bedframe. Eventually he settled on the windowsill and spent the next few minutes staring outside. He seemed unusually restless in that he simply sat there - not saying a word since arriving.

Faelian

Faelian heads into the room soon after London did and greets him with a simple hello. He soon notices London's sitting staring out the window unusually somber. He heads over to him and glances out the window before looking back at London. "You okay?"

London

Before anyone gets the wrong idea, London did greet Faelian back. He wasn't that out of it. :seduce: He blinked and smiled back at the taller man. "I'm alright."

Faelian

"You sure?" He looks at London for a few moments before looking out the window as well. "What are you watching?"

London

"Not really." His head slumps back. He returns to peering out the glass of the window, resting his temple against the frame. "It's nice here, isn't it? I was just looking around."

Faelian

He sits beside London to also stare out the window. He isn't sure he believes London isn't upset over something but he decides he won't ask just yet. Maybe London would bring it up on his own. "Yeah. It's really pretty. I wish we could walk around and enjoy it but there's probably no chance anytime soon."

London

"Hehe, yeah. With the Red Crown soldiers around, that'd be too dangerous." He moves to make room for Faelian to sit too. "A lot has changed..." Faelian hears him exhale a sigh.

Faelian

"Yeah. We can't afford risks like that.." He tilts his head a little and looks over at the other. "What's changed?" Their travels? The place? Something else?

London

Not turning his head, London's eyes glance back at the blonde. "Us.... The people around us.... You, me... Everything... It's a little scary to think about..."He resumes looking towards the darkness outdoors.

Faelian

Faelian keeps his eyes on London for a few minutes without speaking. Eventually he gives him a small nod. "Yeah. Things have changed. But this isn't the first time I've seen you change. You were different when we first met too. Change is scary, huh? But sometimes change is good. Refreshing even."

London

In those minutes nothing was spoken, London retained a serious face, but after Faelian finally replied a deep sigh was let out. "Gods the atmosphere here is tense!" He brought his knees to his chest to further invite Faelian to sit next to him and smiled while looking directly at him. "You're right. I think it can be good."

Faelian

"Yeah.. I'm really nervous too." He takes London's invite and sits next to him closely. He puts one of his arms around the red bard's back to half hug him. "Yeah, you stopped drinking and bathe more. Those were good. It makes me happy to see you taking better care of yourself."

London

London's smile seems to grow and he nuzzles his head a bit into that awkward half hug. He holds that pose until he finally speaks up once again, backing his head with a serious expression. "Um. After everything that has happened... I think we should break up."

Faelian

Faelian feels sick instantly. It felt like his heart was suddenly stabbed. He lowered his head, hiding his face behind his bangs and felt tears threatening to fall. He's silent for what seems to be a very long time before speaking again. "..But why..? I thought things were getting better..." His hand clings onto the side of London's shirt and he continues hiding his face.

London

His lips shook hearing that pained response. London could have sworn he was breathless but words still managed to fall from his mouth. "Have they? I'm not sure..." He lowered his head taking note of the elf's grip on his shirt. Shit, this was hard. "It's just.. you were right about a lot of things. I overreact too easily and make promises I'm too scared to keep. I don't understand what I want out of life, but here I am making all of these life changing choices, ha ha... I really am just one hell of an idiot..." His voice quieted into a whisper.

"When it comes to love, lust, and friendship, I really can't see the line... Maybe I have actually been looking at it all wrong, and it really is love I don't understand..." ... "I thought I did..." ... "But I don't." ... "Letting things get this far over something I didn't understand was my fault, and I really should have noticed it sooner... There's a lot I have to get passed before I can even consider it, I think...." His mumbles finally come to a stop.

Faelian

He doesn't speak until London is finished and it takes him a while to actually find any words. "...I thought they were.. but maybe I was just hoping they were." Tears fall down his cheeks now, not that London can see them because he's still hiding his face. In fact he pulls his legs up against his chest, wrapping his arms around them and placing his face into his knees.

"..So I guess that's that..." He wasn't going to talk him into staying with him. Not this time. Not after hearing London admit those things. Not while knowing London was right. Not while knowing things would only get worse if he continued to cling onto him like he had. It really hurt though. "...Maybe we can try again someday, when you learn some stuff. ...Maybe.." He sniffles.

London

Now he really was breathless. London held his mouth open searching for the right words to say. If he tried too hard to comfort him, that would just make things worse, wouldn't it? Biting his lip, London looked out the window again. The colorful lights of the city nightscape made him feel dizzy.

"All things considered... I learned a lot by being with you..." A lack of confidence made his voice lower. "You helped me a lot, and I'll always treasure the time that we've spent together..." And lower. "Um..." Ah, now he really was making things worse. He was sure of it.

Faelian

London couldn't even say maybe. Not even when he has all the time in the world now. He couldn't even give him that. Faelian sniffles again and lets out a small sad laugh. "I guess you can't even give me that hope either..? Forget I asked... Okay?"

He really really wanted to leave the room right now. What an awful time for this to hit him. It was too risky to leave. He hugged his legs tighter and continued to silently cry into them.

London

Fuck fuck fuck "W-wait! I didn't mean not to answer! Of course we can probably try again later!! I just got sort of distracted.. or lost in my own thoughts...." Now he didn't know what he was saying. "I'm sure I really do love you! I'm just confused... and um..." London was aware he was fumbling hard. He was sure there was more he had wanted to say, but piecing that together with his current train wreck of a thought process was going to be difficult. "Do you want to have sex right now?!" His voice echoed through the inn room.

Faelian

Faelian finally moves his face from his knees to peek at the other with furrowed brows, most of his face is still hidden. "Do you mean that or are you just saying it because i'm upset? And no way. I absolutely do not want to have sex right now. Don't use sex as an apology or when you don't know what else to do."

London

"I-I mean... I did owe you... and I thought it might make you feel better..." Why was he still talking? London was aware that Faelian's issue was with love and not sex, but shit if this wasn't part of his original plan. "I.." Well, what else was he wanting to say? "Also I'm... happy to be alive right now! To meet you and go on these adventures... and I'll try harder to live from now on... okay..?"

Faelian

"..You dodged the question again. Just tell me honestly, London, or else I won't know what to think." He sits up a little more while looking at the other. It looked like he was done crying for now. "We already talked about that. I don't want apology sex ever again. Just calm down okay? Me crying isn't the end of the world..."

He sniffles again and starts wiping his face with his sleeves. "You are..? You will? ....How come? It was only a few days ago you said the exact opposite."

London

"Wh...what are you wanting to know?..." He could feel the pressure of the window frame behind him. But that was actually caused by the fact he was backing into it, not because the world was closing in on him, he had to remind himself. With heavy breaths London looked back, assessing Faelian's now less watery blue eyes and ready to attempt answering the final set of heavy questions. "I............think....?" Godfuckingdammitlondon. Even he was starting to feel a little impatient with himself.

Faelian

Faelian watched London silently until he answered him. He sighed heavily and looked down at his knees. "...So you really can't answer.. well don't worry because I won't ask it again.."

"Anyway.. i'm not sure I believe you but.. if you really will try harder to live then i'm glad.. " He gives the other bard a small sad smile.

London

In return, it was clear London was very distraught and confused. "Um... hold on.. I'm not sure what you were asking..." Everything was blurring. He blinked and wiped some of his own tears off his face.

Faelian

Faelian frowns and he feels tears of his own threaten to fall once again at seeing London wiping his own face like that. "H-Hey! Don't cry.. it's okay.. I'll ask again.. so please calm down.." He moves to sit beside London and takes his hand and gives it a squeeze between both of his own. "Take a few deep breaths okay?"

London

Shit "I.. I'm not! Don't look at me! It's embarrassing!" London waved him off and turned further towards the frame. Embarrassing... He sighed heavily.

After a few minutes passed, he spoke up again, more calm than he was a bit ago. "....I shouldn't answer you right now. I'm still confused. I really don't understand anything, and I don't want to give false hopes or expectations based on that. I'm sorry, Faelian.."

"The truth is I want to believe in love, and I want to believe I love living and life, but maybe I'm just fooling myself... I don't think I'll truly understand anything 'till later... If I ever do..." His purple eyes finally glanced back.

Faelian

He wanted to say something to London about having cried his own eyes out just now and to not call it embarrassing but he decided against it. Now wasn't the time. Faelian just silently held onto London's hand for now. It was like he thought. London couldn't make him this promise.. not even after all those things he'd said to him in the past. London really couldn't keep any promises and now he couldn't even make them.

"..Alright, London. That's fair.. I wouldn't want you to lie to me anyway.. I still hope we can try again in the future but.. um.." He trails off. "Don't worry about it alright?" He glances at London and pats his hand. "I'm sure you'll understand someday.. Or at least.. I hope you can, for yourself."

London

"Yeah...." Weren't there other things he wanted to say? His mind was totally blank now. All he could think to do was hold Faelian's hand back silently.

Faelian

Faelian lets the silence hang in the air for a while before speaking. "Are you feeling alright now?"

"I'm sorry I got so worked up.. I.. didn't realize that it was that hard for you too..." He look down, feeling ashamed.

London

"You don't need to apologize... I'm the one who should be sorry. If I didn't rush into everything, then you wouldn't have needed to deal with all the stress I put you through.... Well.... If I didn't take everything out of proportion...then that could have helped, too..." He sighs and releases Faelian's hand after what felt like an hour. (It wasn't actually an hour.) "Sorry."

Faelian

"I made mistakes too.. and didn't see things were as bad as they were so.. don't worry about it. We've been stressing each other out without meaning to for a while now so it'll be nice to not have to worry about stuff anymore..." The last sentence is spoken much more quietly than the rest and he sighs softly afterwards. He wanted to ask something else but.. maybe later.. if it came up again anyway.

Now that his hand was free he moved and opened the window. His face was tired and hot from crying and the night air felt really nice on his skin. He leaned his head on the window pane and just looked at the night sky.

London

"Mm..." It was difficult to know what to say to that. London chose to focus on his hands after Faelian let in the seasonal breeze. It did feel nice at least...

Faelian

Faelian stayed quiet for a little while longer. It was hard to know what to say after everything had happened. He eventually moved away from the window and covered up in the bed. "Um.. I guess i'm just going to go to sleep now."

London

"Huh? Already?!" It was like London snapped out of a trance. "If you want..."

Faelian

"..I'm just not sure what to say now.. I don't mind talking more though..."

London

"I.. don't know what to say, either... Maybe it's for the best." He returned to looking out the window. "I'll probably be awake for a while longer."

Faelian

"Alright. Goodnight London. Sleep well.. and um.. I love you. So don't ever doubt that, okay?" He moves a little under the covers before getting comfortable.

London

It was already out of sight from Faelian, but London opened his mouth to reply but stopped himself. A quiet 'goodnight' was heard then only silence. Then after a little more time a quieter 'I love you, too'.

Faelian

Faelian didn't say anything but he appreciated hearing it. He laid still trying to doze off.

London

In the passing silence an even quieter voice spoke out. "Are you really sure you don't want to have sex?...."

Faelian

He lays there with his eyes closed for a few moments without reacting to those words. "Positive." He opens his eyes and looks back at the other. "...Maybe next time."

London was so confusing.

...

He propped himself up a little and furrowed his brows at the other. "Does that mean you still want to be friends that are closer than normal friends? Because if you're offering me apology sex again I might smack you.”

London

London looked back at him with his arms wrapped loosely around his legs, smiling. "I don't know... It's not an apology at least. I'll stop nagging you and let you sleep."

Faelian

Faelian gives him a small smile back. "Alright. Goodnight again, London." He gets comfortable under the blankets again.

It really annoyed him that the other was so confused about what he wanted. At least now he might calm down some.. He hoped so anyway.

The next morning

London

It seems London did not move from his spot by the window and now continued sleeping there even with the morning light covering him and the noise of the city outside.

Faelian

When Faelian returned from a conversation with Pawo he noticed right away that London was asleep by the window sill. He just watched him for a while before laying on the bed. He wondered why things had to be so difficult with the other bard. He still felt that disappointed feeling tug at his heart and stomach. He didn't even know what to expect between them anymore.

He sighed heavily and slowly sat up.

London

A loud noise of a crash nearby startled that bard, and he began looking around for answers. His eyes settled on Faelian and instead of assessing the noise, he assessed his memories of the last night.

"Good morning...." He spoke but still sounded a little tired.

Faelian

"...Good morning.." What was so good about it...? "You should have slept in the bed. You'll get a crick in your neck sleeping like that."

London

"Yeah... but it was so comfy!" He fakes a laugh after delivering his weak excuse. "Um, are you going to be okay today?"

Faelian

"Somehow I doubt that's comfortable." Faelian looks at his hands for a few moments and then back up at London. He gives him a small nod. "Yeah..."

London

That seemed less likely than feeling comfortable sleeping on a windowsill, but London didn't want to call him out on that. He stared down at his feet for a few minutes. "Do you think breaking up is a mistake?"

Faelian

He shakes his head. "No. With the way you've been stressed out and overwhelmed by everything it's probably for the best... I just.. I don't know what to expect between us now, I guess.."

London

"I really don't know if it will be better or worse for me...." He continues looking at his feet. "But I do know I should have handled things better instead of... leaping before I look I guess.... It's a bad habit of mine, huh?"

Faelian

"It will probably be better.. You won't have to worry as much about everything." He reaches over and pats London's hand. "Yeah, you kinda do. You gotta get out of that habit.."

London

"I don't really feel better.... but things are about to get tense, so I wanted to settle this beforehand, I guess.. I don't want to risk taking things out on you. We should probably distance eachother some." His head lowers. "But now I feel really alone. I shouldn't rely completely on you, but I also shouldn't push everyone away. This is a mess. I really don't know what I'm doing."

Faelian

"I don't really understand what this has to do with that but.. I appreciate that you don't want to take things out on me." He furrows his brows and frowns. "I don't want to distance myself from you.. why do you even think we should do that? If you need some space that's fine but I don't want you to push me away, it's not fair. I'm your friend before anything else London and it's not right to try to push me away completely. I'll be here for you whether you like it or not."

London

London nods before looking up at him. "You mean it?"

Faelian

Faelian nods strongly. "You better not try to push me away like before. I'll be really mad at you. I told you that I always wanted to be your friend. And I'll always be here for you."

London

"Of course I don't want you completely away!!" He corrects himself with more intensity than probably is necessary. "I mean.... last night, I was kind of insensitive. I shouldn't cling to you for love just because I'm feeling lonely, but I feel like it's something I'm bound to do. I need to get stronger. Strong enough to not depend on anyone else. Ah..."

He sighs backs away enough to peer at the ceiling. "I scolded you for this exact same thing before. I'm sorry..."

Faelian

Faelian gives a short nod with an intense look. "Good." At least that had been reassured. "Yeah. It was insensitive... and sex and love aren't the same thing anyway. Asking to hold me would have been much better if you wanted to feel comforted."

"I think you do need to get stronger.. things upset you too easily.. but getting stronger doesn't have to mean not depending on anyone. It's good to be able to depend on yourself more but everyone has to depend on someone else sometimes. Don't try to handle everything on your own."

London

"N-no way!" London spoke up. "If I asked you to hug me, then I might as well say 'Forget what I said and let's never break up, Faelian.' It was already hard enough to say things as it was..."

He sighs. "I am overreacting, though. It's just scary to think about... We'll see how it goes. As for the future... well... let's just stay focused on being friends for the time being. We just broke up, so it'd be stupid to say things like 'let's get back together later' or 'wait for me to grow up some, and we'll see'. I just told you last night I was going to stop making promises I wasn't sure about. I don't want to get your hopes up over something that I can't guarantee. I do love you... just as friends, I guess.. There's a lot I need to learn about love before I try something like that again..."

Faelian

"Would it have really been like that? Friends hug too you know.."

He sighs softly. "At least you tried... I had some fun and I'll miss being so close with you but It really is for the best..." He messes with his own hands while looking down at them. "Alright.."

"I love you too London, in both kind of ways. But yeah.. it seems like you have a lot to learn before trying something like that again." He stresses the words a lot. "And it really is better if you don't make any promises you can't keep anymore at all."

London

London opened his mouth to debate but then thought maybe it'd be better not to. "I've always had fun with you, and hopefully that won't ever change." He instead smiled then turned to look outside. "And, well... I think we both needed to learn a thing or two from this... Wasn't it too soon to be making promises like that in the first place... We've only been dating a month now..."

Faelian

"I've always had a lot of fun with you too, London. I hope that won't change either."

"It's true that I need to learn some things too but.. not as much as you." He scratches into his hair and lets out a soft sigh. "Yeah but.. i'm a sucker for romantic stuff and they really made me happy... So it's better if you think before making promises in the future."

London

"I know what I did wrong... but what I'm saying is, you shouldn't have agreed to a lifelong promise to live your life with someone the day you started dating them, too." He stares out the window, continuing to avoid looking in the elf's direction. "And even then, it's silly to take it all so seriously... I really got way too worked up over everything this entire time, thinking I owed it and stuff, but that's not what love is... We were both children thinking we could plan our future together after only just starting a relationship."

Faelian

Faelian flops back on the bed and sighs heavily. "I know..I know." Her rubs at his face and sighs again. "It's not like all this hasn't taught me anything. I know that you're right. I can't help but feel disappointed though but i'll get over it."

London

"Yeah, it is disappointing, isn't it?..." He sounded glum but then beamed up. "Next time, you should make sure it's someone who agrees with your idea of a future wholeheartedly, so there's no room for mistakes! Oh, also make sure they're not just lonely. I guess that's a big thing too..." London smiled and looked back towards the other man on the bed.

"Also even if we're not in a relationship, I don't think I'll be against sex sometimes. And you're right, comforting each other is a friend-thing to do, too! We really don't have to change things too much, I think."

Faelian

He lets out another heavy sigh. "Yeah... It's not too bad at least." He mumbles out the last bit. "I don't think there will be a next time for a while and when there is a next time I think i'm going to be less serious in new relationships."

He moves to lay on his side and look at London. "You don't mind?" London really was confusing but he wasn't against that idea. "Alright then, it's good that too much won't change. I really like sleeping beside you and stuff."

London

London smiles looking back at him, but inwardly he's sweating. "W-well, I mean! We should change things some.... Otherwise, nothing is different... If you're feeling sad, I want to talk to you. And if you want to have sex, then I might be up for that... but I didn't mean sleeping next to each other overnight per se..." He grows quiet.

Faelian

There's that drop again, and it probably shows. "Well, of course some things have to change but.. I thought that part might stay.. it's alright though. Don't worry about it." He really couldn't understand London and he was starting to feel like he never had or ever will.

London

With that said, London finally stands. "We can still cuddle sometimes! Don't feel too down. We just shouldn't make a habit of it." Then stretches. "Anyway, we should probably eat and stuff soon. There's lots of Upper Keep break in planning to be done!" He keeps a close eye on Faelian wondering how he's taking all of this.

Faelian

He just hums in response. It's obvious he's not happy with the situation but at least he's not crying. "Yeah, we should get ready. I think i'll go take a bath and get dressed for the day."

London

"Ah, um, Faelian!" London's voice raises, and he now gives him all of the attention he can muster.

Faelian

He looks back at the other. "Yeah?"

London

"There were two other things I wanted to say!" Now London walks across the room closer to the bed the man was lying on. "First... There is something I haven't said, but there's a reason I haven't told you about it yet... I don't want you to think I'm lying or hiding things, but if I talked about it, then I'll definitely break down... It will be obvious in a little while."

He clears his throat. "And second.... I want to hear your side of things! I've talked so much, but there must be something you want to say! Even if we're friends, we can still talk about eachother's problems, right?"

Faelian

What was London talking about? What would be obvious soon? "Um.. okay.. is it something bad? Is everything going to be okay?" He slowly sits up and frowns at the other.

He looks down again, at his hands, just so that he doesn't have to look up at the other. "What can I even say? Things are settled and that's that. Things are going to be even more different than before.. and I'm disappointed and a little scared."

London

London waves a hand and continues to smile. "It'll be fine, don't worry! All I have to ask is a... possibly really selfish request." The smile fades to a grimace and he looks away awkwardly. That didn't come out right. He resumes smiling! Until he hears the rest of what Faelian had to say. Then he frowns. "Hm.... Well it's just a breakup after a month's dating, it's not the end of the world, yeah! It seems natural to be disappointed and a little scared, but I'm sure things will pick up again..." Saying that, he offered the blond a pat on the shoulder, hoping that would help reassure him.

Faelian

Faelian frowns more. London's words just made him worry. What was going to happen? "Alright just.. don't get into any trouble, okay? And come to me if you need help or to talk, okay?"

"It's just going to be weird and lonely sleeping alone after so long.. don't worry about it." He gives London's hand a few small pats. "I guess i'm also scared that you'll just continue to try to push me away again, like before."

London

"You don't have to be alone. There are plenty of people around! I'll probably use the time to try to get to know the others more, too... I've kind of been distancing myself from everyone recently, I think..." London continued holding on to Faelian's shoulder. "I promise I won't try to hook you up with others again, too, but after things are over I might try traveling on my own again just so I can get strong enough to not depend on other people.. You understand why I need this, don't you?" He looked back at him, staring intensely into Faelian's crystal blue eyes.

Faelian

"I meant without sleeping beside you like we have for a long time. I'm certainly not sleeping beside any of the other members of our group. Anyway, like I said, it's fine." He didn't like it but there was nothing to be done about it anyway.

Faelian looks down for a few moments and then back at London with a very worried look. "Yeah.. it's fine if you wanna travel alone for a while but.. you'll still contact me and meet up sometimes, right? You won't just push me away and vanish from my life, right?"

London

"Aw, don't be like that! It's as you said, everyone's friendly! They probably won't mind. And it's not like you're shy about sleeping next to friends." London clung onto the elf grinning. "Remember how quick you asked to sleep next to me when we first met? All it took was a bath and some time together. You don't need to deny yourself this simple pleasure."

And then he sat back up again. "It will still be easy to contact you. Hopefully, I'll be able to contact everyone. We'll see how it goes when the time comes...." Then after a moment's thought- "Are you sure you understand? Why I want to travel on my own, that is? Just a bit ago you said I should depend on others.. But the thing is, as long as we're stuck together like this, I'll never feel like I can live without you. And I don't consider that a good thing. That's just scary.. I'd just feel obligated to stay by you or else feel like I'll be lonely otherwise. I don't consider that love. It's just sad... We both have a lot to learn..."

Faelian

Faelian grumbles. "Forget it. I'm not going to. The only one I would even consider is Beaford and he's probably not up for that. And i'm not up for that anytime soon either."

"You better contact me when you can. I won't be able to call you a friend if you drift away and vanish. I'll be really mad at you too. I might never forgive you even!" He furrows his brows and nods. "I do understand. I really do. I don't consider that love either and I don't want that even if you would give it to me. All I meant earlier was that everyone has to depend on someone every now and then. Don't forget that. And don't misunderstand it as me telling you it's good to be dependent on someone else all the time."

"When all of this is over i'm going home for a while."

London

What a strong response... Under his breath, London mumbled. "But you just said it was going to be weird and lonely without it..." He sighed. "I know the stuff with Noronir left a bad taste in your mouth... If we stop talking, I'm sure there'd be some reason for it to happen, so we'll see... Do you contact all of your friends often like that?"

Faelian

"I was just complaining because i'll miss sleeping beside you. I'm allowed to complain without being comforted." He huffs a little and then looks awkward. "I uh.. I don't really have any other close friends. Why is it weird to want to contact you every now and then? Wouldn't it weirder to not contact you after spending the last few years by your side?"

London

"Right, right." There was a teasing tone in London's answer.

He looks to Faelian's side again. "I just thought it was funny you'd be so unforgiving after you went easy on Noronir. Cut me some slack." He smiled. "Also, you told me you were good at making friends, but that doesn't sound like a very good track record. We'll see how it goes." He makes a final attempt to reassure him.

"If I don't contact you, there will probably a reason. I can just be kind of forgetful sometimes. But it's like you said: Now that I drank the eternal youth potion, we have plenty of time to part ways and meet up again. I'm sure it will be fine."

Faelian

"That's because you would be repeating what he did while knowing how much it already hurt me. And I hope i'm not that forgettable." He huffs more and then sighs. "I can make them easily. I just never bothered to keep in contact with the ones I made back then. I traveled a lot and didn't get close to them."

"Yeah, that is true. But I still want you to contact me every now and then. It shouldn't be that hard for you to do that much for me."

London

"Well there's your problem. You should try to make more friends you will keep in contact with for the long run. That's what I should do, too, I guess.." His words draw out . "But don't take it too personally. I've never had people to contact before, so I'm new to this. If I make a mistake, it's not on purpose."

"But saying that... Shouldn't you get strong enough to handle saying bye to your friends sometimes? I know it was rude of Noronir to not leave a letter, but it's not completely 'no forgiveness' worthy, is it? I mean he was only gone one year out of your one thousand year life.... You aren't losing that much time." London lies back on the bed before glancing back up to the back of the elf's head. "How often are you expecting to be contacted anyway?"

Faelian

"Believe me, I plan on it. I want more friends too and more people to contact." He runs his hand through his hair while thinking. "Alright.... I'll keep that in mind... Just try not to forget to do it every now and then..."

"I don't really need a lecture, London. I plan on getting stronger and I already know that i'll have to say goodbye to a lot of friends throughout my life. I have the right to feel sad when saying goodbye to someone. I already forgave Noronir.. and he was only gone from the stronghold for that long but he was out of my life for ten years."

He looks back at the bard laying down. "I was hoping for every few weeks or at least once a month.." He really hoped for more but with the way it sounded London probably didn't want that.

London

"Heh. You know you can only blame Noronir for one of those years. The rest were your own doing." London sounded too smug for his own good. "It's still hard to believe he came back just after you left... Fate works in strange ways sometimes, huh?..."

"But we'll see how it goes!" He sits up quickly with more energy than before. "By that point, I'll need to get in the habit of contacting my parents and everyone else, too. I'm sure I'll get lots of practice!"

Faelian

"Maybe.." He fiddles with his hands while watching them again. They really were interesting lately. "...Maybe i'll really chew him out when I visit." He huffs a little and looks back at the other again. "You made me realize he never really answered anything I asked him at all. He's sneaky in conversations, just like you."

"Good, you better..."

London

London blinked. "H-huh?! You don't need to chew him out.... I helped give you a chance to talk to him, but you said you didn't want to press him for answers, remember?..." His eyes narrow at the memory. "Then you said, you got the idea, and let it go."

We'll see... He adds in telepathy.

Faelian

"Hmph.." He crosses his arms. "Don't worry.. I won't really. I'm not even talking about the conversation that you heard. I meant when I talked to him privately out on the balcony. He didn't answer anything but I was just.. so happy to see him and talk to him. I kept jumping from subject to subject with him while he half answered all my questions.. When I think back on it now I feel like a fool."

"I guess we will see..." He says outloud and not in telepathy. He gets up from the bed and starts gathering his clothes for the day. while gathering up his clothes he speaks again. "...What should we have for breakfast?"

London

"He probably has his reasons... It was probably a tough time. You can try mailing him anytime for more answers, can't you?" London was just starting to get more comfortable on the bed when Faelian got up. "How about some fruit?"

Faelian

"I'm sure he does but.. I'm tired of being treated like a child and not being told the truth about things. I want people to treat me like an equal and there are things that I deserve to know. There's a better chance of him giving in if i'm there looking at him."

"Fruit sounds good. I guess i'll get some pastries then and some juice. But for now I'm going to go bathe. I'll be back shortly." He gives London a small wave with his hand while heading towards the bathroom.

London

London smiles. "I think that would be good. For both of you."

And then he sits up. "Before you go! I'm actually going to head on downstairs... We're about to infiltrate Upper Keep, so I'm feeling kind of anxious. I'll probably go ahead and work on some planning. Meet me there. Um, also..."

Faelian

Faelian nods. It would be good for them. He pauses when London speaks to him again and turns around to look at him. "Alright. I'll meet you down there then. ...Yeah?"

London

"Are you sure you'll be okay today?... You won't be too unlike your usual self? I don't want this to make things difficult..." He lowers his head.

Faelian

He glances away for a few moments before answering. "Yeah.. I'll be okay. You worry too much."

London

London sighs. "I know how lonely you get. I think I have a good reason to worry.. I'll see you later then."

Faelian

"It's fine. I'll see you later." He starts to head towards the bathroom again.

#c: faelian

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