#which is causing him to wonder if the overlap in their feelings is ENOUGH to make it work

[burrythebusy]

Seeing some people (comments, posts, general discussion) talk about Hirano’s love like it is inherently lesser, not as strong and "incompatible" with Kagiura’s tells me all I need to know about yall bc regardless of what you thought before (questionably), there's no way you read chapter 29 and came to this conclusion

[blimpintime]

jade green part two

azriel x reader

in which Azriel has a personal healer, and she needs to be saved.

word count: 1.1k

warnings: rhys is annoying ?

unedited!

Cradling two warm cups of tea in scarred hands, Azriel approaches you standing in the cold next to the jewelry booth at the market that cold winter morning. The steam from the cups rising to his chilled face, he looks at you with a sense of content knowing you are well enough to be walking around now. 

He wouldn’t let you leave the healer hut unless you put on the brand-new Illyrian winter gear he had bought for you. You huffed about him being a mother hen but put them on regardless, a warm feeling settling in your chest knowing that he cares about you. 

You turn to him walking towards you with a graceful smile, “That for me?” You ask him softly. 

He hums in return and hands you the toasty cup fingers grazing yours, “Yes and it’s extra sweet.” You flush timidly and grumble under your breath, “Yeah cause who likes to drink dirty leaf water plain.” Azriel huffs out a subtle laugh in response and raises his eyebrows at you above his tea when he takes a sip. 

“Mmmm, yummy dirty leaf water.” He taunts you, and you roll your eyes at him and scrunch your nose.

You make your way back to the jewelers’ tent, snow crunching under your boots. The new gear Azriel had given you was working like a charm keeping the biting cold off your body, but your face was going numb with the frigid wind. 

Getting into the tent was a help staying out of the freezing wind and luckily it was only you, Azriel, and one other customer there.

“You two are a lovely couple.” An older man standing next to you in the tent, says to you and Azriel. 

You both stutter and go warm in the face shaking your head, words overlapping about how you are just friends. 

The old man seems embarrassed for a moment and the bashfully grins, “Sorry, you two just remind me of my wife and I when we were younger.” He reaches towards two jade green bracelets that shine in the light of the sun reflecting off the snow and purchases them. 

“Here, an apology.” He says and hands them to the two of you. You flush. Mouth agape about to refuse, when Azriel nods his head and thanks the man. 

You turn towards Azriel as he nudges you out of the booth. You two are walking in a comfortable silence and when you approach a quiet seating area out of the cold, you ask him about the bracelets. 

“I am not sure, it felt wrong to decline the old man.” He says to you with a flush on his cheeks.

“Well, hand them over.” You say and hold your hand out. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the bracelets that were wrapped in a soft fabric and hands them to you. 

“I am not sure that is even going to fit over my hand.” He says now inching closer to you on the bench feet overlapping each other. You look at him and smile, “Doesn’t hurt to try right?” He holds eye contact with you for a moment. “No, I suppose it doesn’t.” 

You pick up one of the same-sized bracelets gently and go to put it on his wrist when the jade starts to glow a deep green and widens to fit around his hand. When it reaches his wrist it tightens again to snuggly fit but not uncomfortably. You both look at it in awe, and you let out a giggle. 

“Your turn.” He signals, he picks up the next bracelet and this one glows the same, but once it is flush with your skin it starts to change color, as did his. They both glowed a bright shade of white and pulled your guys’s wrists together in an abrupt clank. You make eye contact with him and his eyes are full of wonder and yours full of concern. 

“Az- what is this?” You ask. 

You nod towards the conjoined bracelets and try to pull your hand back but it has no give. You yank again, and this time so does Azriel. After minutes of you both trying and realizing that you are now cuffed together, you let out a sharp laugh. 

“I am not sure. We can go to the libraries and see if there is anything on this.” He suggests. 

“Well, I guess if I had to be cuffed to anyone I am glad it is you, soldier.” You say endearingly. 

He grunts, “You say that now.” He looks away for a moment and then grimaces when he hears the city’s loud bells go off in a familiar rhythm. 

“We need to leave.” He stands abruptly, pulling you with him. 

“What is happening?” you question and he doesn’t respond. “Azriel. Answer me.” You sharply pull at your attached wrists still following him but wanting answers. 

“Those bells mean a terrible blizzard is on its way. So, if we want to be safe and comfortable we need to leave now. Head towards my apartment.” He takes a breath and makes a serious face. You stare at him confused. 

“Are you okay?”  You ask. He looks down and sighs. “I was trying to winnow but it looks like the bracelets are affecting that.” 

“It’s okay buddy, performance issues are normal under pressure.” You say with a cheeky grin and avoid his hand coming down to swat at you. 

“You’re terrible.” He says with a small smirk. 

I assume you heard the bells brother.  He hears in his head and you wince like you’re hearing it as well. Yeah well, unfortunately, I can’t winnow right now so I’ll be spending this blizzard in my apartment. 

You can’t or you won’t? I know I upset you with what I said, but it’s better you understand to stay away from Elain and move on.  You don’t want to be seen as a lost puppy anymore, do you? 

“What the fuck?” You say out loud. “Who is talking to you like that?” You spit out angrily. Azriel looks shocked that you heard any of that and shuts Rhys down his heart tugging that his own brother views him that way. 

“You heard that?” He asks and then shakes his head like he is erasing the thought. “Nevermind. We will figure that out later, here,” he says to you and holds his arms out awkwardly considering you are still attached. 

“Huh?” You say, “We are going to fly.” He responds. 

“Oh.” You clear your throat. “No thank you.” He stares at you incredulously. 

“I have a fear of heights,” you mumble out. His face goes blank. “I have a fear of freezing to death, those are our options.” He tells you. 

“Right, yes.” You tumble out the words. “Please don’t drop me.” 

“I wouldn’t dream of it, dollface.” and then with a wink you both shoot up into the sky. 

a/n: sorry it took so long for the update!

let me know your thoughts!

taglist:

@janesalvaretelochanarcheron @scatteredstardustt @bunnyredgirl @scarsandallaz  @siriuslystyle1989 

[hannahbarberra162]

I was wondering if you could do an SFW Alpha!Marco x Omega!Reader ABO Drabble? I don’t know if you would do a soft power dynamic between the two, where Reader is under Marcos Division. They have a big fat crush on them but low-key refuse to acknowledge it until they’re stranded on an island together. Reader goes into heat and usually they would just power through it in their own or ask Tate for suppressants. However no one is available and Marcos the only one around that catches it before Reader gets hunkered down. He goes into Mother Hen mode cause, Y’know he’s their division commander and wants to make sure they’re okay, however reader gets flustered and it’s just angtsy sweetness

Soda licious, Nonnie. I absolutely love this idea….. I think I kept the gist of what you were looking for. Hope there’s enough angst for you <3

I’ve been thinking about a night nurse reader for a long time but didn’t know where to put her - I was originally going to pair her with Haruta… BUT

Imagine you’re an Omega in the First Division...

And I wrote a second half :)

~~~

“Tate, I don’t think I can stay on the ship anymore,” you lamented to your friend, tossing back another shot. It was Girl’s Night on the Moby, meaning you had a rare opportunity to spend some quality time with Tate. All the nurses were hanging out in the galley, which was closed off to the men of the crew. You enjoyed the monthly girls nights for the atmosphere and time spent with your friends and coworkers, especially your old friend Tate. As the night nurse, you didn’t see her much except for an hour a day when your shifts overlapped in the morning and evenings. Tate had hired you to run the infirmary at night so everyone else would feel secure enough to get a good night’s sleep.

You’d met Tate long ago, the two of you bonding in nursing school over a shared interest in helping those less fortunate. You’d become study buddies and had been friends ever since. Over the years as your lives had taken different turns you’d kept in touch, keeping each other up to date on the adventures you’d taken.

Not that you had been helping the unfortunate, it turns out you needed to take a regular job to earn a living. Before working for Whitebeard, you had been the ship nurse for Doflamingo. The gig had been alright but really boring as Doflamingo didn’t sail very often. Save for the few times a year he left for Warlord meetings, you spent most of your time on the ship doing nothing and waiting around. You didn’t renew your contract with the Warlord and were taking short term jobs at different hospitals when you’d gotten a letter from Tate inviting you to be the night nurse for the Whitebeard Pirates.

After interviewing with Tate and Marco, you accepted the unconventional job and you’d been with them ever since. It was interesting, fun, and there was always something going on with 1,000 wild pirates on board. In terms of clinical care, you enjoyed your work and found tending to the Emperor’s crew to be rewarding in its own way. You enjoyed interacting with Whitebeard, the old man reminding you of your own grandfather who you missed dearly. No, the problem wasn’t with the job or the crew, you thought to yourself.

“Why do you wanna leave me? I thought you liked it here,” Tate whined, grimacing as the bite from the vodka hit her throat. Tate wasn’t using a chaser, the two of you already a few drinks into the night. Not that it was a problem, you’d both given your livers quite the workout during nursing school.

“I do like it here, it’s a great job but -” you started, trying to break the news gently.

“It’s Marco, isn’t it? I knew it, I knew you liked him. You’ve got good taste, he’s a catch. You don't need to leave because of some crush," Tate said with a smirk, making you choke on the beer you were drinking between shots.  The Commander in charge of the First Division was...something else. He was smart, kind, charming, and an incredible doctor. His handsome smile disarmed you daily as you passed off the patient reports to him at shift change. He treated you like an equal, not like a lowly Beta nurse as you’d come to expect from Alpha doctors. His scent was amazing, better than anyone you’d ever been around before. And yes, you could admit to yourself that he was stunningly handsome. You weren’t sure what lucky star he’d been born under to make him such a perfect person. 

“No, it’s not that. I don't have a crush on him, I just don’t know if I can keep this up,” you said, motioning to your whole body.  Marco was one thing, but you’d worked with intelligent and sweet doctors before. No, the bigger issue was that you were an Omega. It was well known on the seas that Whitebeard didn’t allow Omegas onto his crew, not even among the nurses. He said that they caused nothing but trouble as their scents and heats would throw the crew into chaos. And so it had been…until you’d come around. Tate begged you, literally on her knees, to join the crew. She said there wasn’t anyone else she trusted to take care of the crew at night, that she couldn’t sleep at night over worry for the patients, that you were the only person who could fill the job. She said she’d keep suppressants secretly stocked on the ship and that no one would ever know. You thought it was a bad idea to disobey an Emperor’s command but the offer of working with Tate on the ship was too alluring to turn down.

Month over month you took the suppressants to dull your heat down to an unpleasant sensation similar to period cramps. It messed with your head sometimes but overall the medications were working. None of the many Alphas on board smelled your heats or tried to scent you and they treated you like any other Beta. It was kind of freeing in a way, not to be taken less seriously because of your designation. Omegas were thought to be flighty, vapid, and childish, even if it wasn’t true. You were finally getting a taste of what it would have been like to be born as something other than Omega and you'd been enjoying it.

The suppressants worked but the stress you felt every month was overwhelming. You didn’t want to have to answer to Marco in case they ever failed. You started having stress dreams about going into heat and someone finding out, the Captain making you walk the plank to your demise because you were an Omega. Knowing Whitebeard's personality you didn’t think it would happen but ultimately he was a powerful pirate who answered to no one. So even though you enjoyed the work, you didn’t think you’d renew your contract with Tate. You just couldn't take the stress of hiding your dynamic from Marco anymore.

“Oh, come on. No one knows and no one will ever know. The meds work just fine and besides I don’t think anyone would care at this point. You’ve saved me n’ Marco so much anxiety by being here that Whitebeard would make an exception for you,” Tate explained, already eyeing the bottle of vodka for another shot.

“I don’t know, I think it also does something to me. Y’know, avoiding…that for so long,” you said quietly, indicating your heat. Suppressants weren’t meant to be taken long term and you’d already been on them for six months, you needed to take a break or they’d stop working. You’d have to pay the piper and suffer through another heat. You didn’t know where you’d do it - you’d have to find some island far away from anyone on the ship that might know you. 

“Just do it on the next set of islands - there’s a huge city filled with all kinds of people on the main one but you can rent private cabins on the smaller surrounding islands. If you’re missing from the crew no one will notice with so many people and smells around. Rent a cabin room and find some rando to help you. I’ll cover for you, say you need a break from the crew if anyone asks,” Tate argued, filling your shot glasses again. You hummed, mulling over the idea in your head. It wasn’t a bad plan and you hadn’t had a break from work in months.

“Alright, that might work. Let’s think through the details tomorrow - after these SHOTS!” you finished with a whoop, causing the other nurses to woo their enthusiastic reply. You’d deal with all your Omega problems in the morning, it was time to have fun with your friends. 

A few days later you came around to Tate’s idea. The Moby docked at a densely populated island known for its nightlife and partying. Surrounding the main island were quieter islands known for their tranquility and privacy. No one was likely to find you during your leave, you’d booked a solo cabin on a small island. You were spending a ton of money on the cabin and you didn’t think the other crew would bother spending their hard earned wages on something that they couldn’t drink.

You were preparing to leave the ship, making sure your notes and reports were all finished when you felt someone looking over your shoulder. Glancing up, you saw the beautiful blue eyes of the First Division Commander and became flustered.

“Oh, h-hi. I’m just wrapping up, I have um - well, you know, you approved it -”

“Shore leave,” Marco finished your sentence with a lazy smile. He glanced down over your notes from his high vantage point and leaned over your shoulder. Your face burned with a flush as he took the pen from your hand and crossed out a word in your report and rewrote it from behind.

“You accidentally wrote carotid with two ‘r’s. I’m a stickler for spelling,” Marco said, putting the pen back in your hand. You hadn’t moved an inch, the heat and proximity of his body throwing your senses into overdrive. If Marco stayed for a moment longer you were going to combust from all the blood rushing to your face.

“Whatever perfume you’re wearing for your trip is becoming yoi,” Marco said with a tilt of his head and a smile, straightening up and walking away. You felt sweat dripping down your back from sudden stress- you weren’t wearing any perfume. You’d stopped your suppressants that day in anticipation of going into heat for the next few days but you hadn’t expected your scent to begin to come on so strongly so quickly.

“Uh, t-thank you Mar- Commander. Commander Marco,” you stammered, trying to end the conversation so you could get away from the ship full of Alphas.

“Just Marco is fine. I’ll be on shore leave too, maybe we can meet up for a drink?” His tone was calm but his eyes held a fire in them that you couldn’t identify.

“Ah, oh. Um, I’m gonna be busy, I have to - um…I’m busy,” you trailed off, not wanting to tell him the reason you’d declined. If he asked you a second time you felt like you’d fold immediately, telling him anything he could ever want to know about you. 

“Of course, maybe another time then yoi,” he said easily, unwinding his stethoscope from around his neck to continue working. 

“Y-yeah, another time,” you said, still blushing.

You practically threw your notes at Tate to get away from Marco as you left the infirmary that morning. Any other time you might have considered his offer to get a drink but today was not happening. You were already tired from working the night before and you still had a ways to go before you could rest. The urge to nest was building in you, you could hardly stand being on the dinghy to the island with the Alphas and Betas on the crew. It felt like it took an eternity to get from the ship to the little island with the cabin you’d rented. You were bursting with the need to arrange the clothes you’d brought with you as you disembarked on the tiny island. You were walking on the path to your cabin when a familiar bird landed on the dock of the island and transformed. You felt the blood drain out of your face as you ducked and tried to hide behind a tree from your Commander. It didn’t work as Marco spotted you right away and waved. Cursing in your head you couldn't think of a way to get rid of him without at least speaking to your boss.

He began walking over to you with a smile but it faltered into something more serious as he sniffed the air. Tilting his face and looking about, he quickly located what he was looking for - you. He walked briskly over to you in long strides, his brow furrowed as he continued to take deep breaths through his nose.

“Come along,” Marco said calmly like he was talking to an errant child, taking your forearm in his large hand. You bristled at the contact, hoping he was just smelling your stronger scent like in the morning, not reacting to you going into heat. Maybe he was just upset that you’d turned him down for a drink saying you were busy and found out you were alone on a vacation island instead. There was no way he should know you were going into heat this early, the suppressants should hold you over for a few hours until you had time to make your nest.

“W-wait, I need to get to my cabin, I rented -” you tried to object weakly.

“No, you’ll stay in mine, I rented the only other cabin on the island. It’s bigger and has better accommodations. I need a break from my siblings every now and again yoi. I didn’t expect you to be here - and going into heat,” Marco said with a pointed look as he pulled you towards the larger cabin. Your hopes were dashed along with your future - you hung your head as you continued to trail behind your Commander, tears falling unbidden down your cheeks. Finally reaching the little house, Marco opened the door and pushed you gently inside. When the door shut, your fingers itched to begin making your nest in the bedroom, wherever it was.

Marco was right, his cabin was way better than the one you had rented. It had two bedrooms, a full kitchen and a huge claw footed bathtub. You hadn’t had a bath since you’d joined the Whitebeard Pirates and the thought of soaking in hot water was enough to make you swoon. But you had to deal with Marco first, your Commander looking at you sternly as you set your bag on the floor.

“How long do you have until your heat comes on?” Marco asked with concern. He was standing in front of you as you studied the floor at his feet. You couldn’t make eye contact with him right now, it was too overwhelming. He was your boss, your Commander, and the only Alpha in the room and you didn’t want to make things worse.

“It’s supposed to come in about two to three hours,” you whispered. Marco tutted at you, wiping your tears off your cheek with his thumb.

“And what was your goal yoi? To have it here, alone on the island? What if another Alpha smelled your scent and tried to get to you? What if the pain became too unbearable and you suffered? Not a very good plan.” he said, chastising you gently while cupping your cheek. The heat building in you had you wanting to nuzzle into his hand but you were able to stop yourself - for now. You took a deep breath and held it to calm yourself down.

“I didn’t - wasn’t - I’ve been on suppressants,” you stated plainly, glad to be done lying to Marco. 

“I figured that out yoi. I won’t help you through it if you don’t want me to. But I’d like you to stay here where I can keep you safe. I would feel…neglectful if you were hurt during an unattended heat,” he said, stroking his fingers along your cheek.

“Because you’re my Commander?” you asked in a whisper.

“Something like that. Go on now, make your nest,” Marco replied, picking up your bag and handing it to you. You grabbed it with both arms, clutching it to your chest. What you really wanted was the shirt he was wearing and his sash - you needed it for your nest. Maybe you’d ask later but for now you were already ashamed enough at being caught lying to the Emperor and being caught going into heat by your boss. You didn't know what the punishment was going to be but your mind was already clouding with the heat. Scurrying along, you quickly found the bedroom and threw your clothes on the bed. You didn’t have much time before you were hit by the pain of heat onset, you had to hurry. 

You felt Marco watching you from the door frame as you stripped the bed of its blankets and pillows to move them around. Sniffing through the room, you tossed out the rank decorative pillows into the hallway.

“Do you need anything else? Any more linens?” Marco asked, still watching you.

“Ah, no. I think I brought enough,” you said, staring at his sash. Following your gaze, he removed his sash wordlessly and handed it to you with a soft smile. You flushed furiously but took the garment, barely able to stop yourself from putting it over your face to bask in the scent.

“And did you bring ibuprofen for when the pain starts?” Marco asked as you worked his sash into your half built nest.

“It doesn’t help much,” you said while arranging the sheets into a new formation. Marco hummed and continued to watch you. Having him observe your process was even more nerve wracking than it usually was to go into heat. Part of you wanted to tell him to leave but another part was preening for the Alpha in the room. Pushing off the wall, Marco walked towards you slowly. You watched him warily, putting down the shirt in your hands.

“What?” you asked suspiciously as he approached you.

“It’s alright, I’m not going to yell at you. I’m disappointed you hid the truth from me but now’s not the time for that discussion. We can talk it all through later. Tell me what you need, little Omega.”

You cleared your throat and looked up at the handsome doctor. He was watching you with concern, like you were something precious about to shatter. No one had helped you in so long, you'd been taking care of yourself for years. Maybe just this once you could depend on someone else, on someone you knew you could trust.

“I need you, Marco.”

[organic-bloodbath]

Lobotomy: kills & kisses

Episode II: Escape

Chishiya x Reader x Niragi

Summary: Niragi tries to get closer to you in the asylum, but with poor results.

A/N: A little bit of Niragi's POV <3 Just a note, the events during the first three chapters might not happen in a linear timeline, they might overlap and happen before a previous scene or at the same time since it's a different person's POV.

♤ List of Chapters ♤

That son of a bitch deserved it, Niragi thought as he was sitting in a padded room, arms wrapped inside a straitjacket. He had it coming, it’s his fault he’s dead. Why am I being punished? They should be thankful for me, being brave enough to get rid of a trash like him. They should consider me to be a hero who saved several other people from the torture and pain he was causing to others.

Idiots. There was nobody I can trust anymore, he thought as the room started getting smaller. He was dehydrated for sure, needing water but there wasn’t a single drop available. It had been hours, his surroundings completely silent, forcing Niragi to drown in his own thoughts that were racing loudly inside his mind. This place was supposed to help people get better, but instead they decided to torture people like this instead of just locking them up in their own room until the tantrum would be over.

Bullshit. He’d die here if he didn’t start to plan for an escape. He wasn’t going to spend years in this asylum, the state of his mind getting even worse day by day, no. He had to gather a plan to get out of here.

Niragi had been eating the same pills, the same amount too, for weeks and weeks and they weren’t making him feel any better. He felt no different than when he got here. Well, maybe a little — he felt numb, empty. Was the medicine supposed to make him feel better or worse? The pills weren’t doing a very good work. He wanted to stop taking them altogether but the nurse would check every inch of his mouth afterwards, forcing him to swallow them. Niragi would have to push his fingers to the back of his throat to vomit them out of his system when he'd be left alone.

Niragi had heard of another treatment which had been used to some of the patients who showed no signs of progression. He wasn’t aware of any specific details and wasn't entirely sure if what he had heard was real at all, but the word was stuck in his brain nevertheless.

Lobotomy.

If they were going to smack an icepick through Niragi’s eye, he would kill the doctor right then and there with the same icepick. There was no way he’d let them do a lobotomy on him. Then he’d turn into a total zombie and be unable to ever leave this place. Then he'd rot in this hellhole for the rest of his life for sure, food being fed for him from someone else's hand like a helpless baby.

He should have started to plan his escape much earlier, because now he was running out of time.

Niragi had learned the layout of this place during the past months, building a map of sorts inside his mind. He had memorized the location of every single room in this building, including the storage closets, literally everything. Every window too, though escaping through windows wasn’t an option since they were covered with not only glass, but also thick metal bars which Niragi didn’t own correct tools to break. Three floors and a basement, which Niragi had no way of accessing to.

Although, the basement was still a mystery to him. He couldn’t help but wonder what was down there but he had heard horror stories of different theories among the patients. But would there be another way out? It was unlikely but not impossible. However, the basement must have contained something extremely important since it was sealed with three locks that would be extremely hard to pick without the correct key.

Niragi wouldn’t be able to execute the escape plan, which didn’t fully exist yet, alone though. He’d need someone to distract the staff, at least, but he didn’t exactly have many friends here. None actually. He wasn’t easily approachable on the outside, he knew that, and most of the people here were lost causes — he knew there were only a few sane enough to keep up with a detailed escape plan which wouldn’t be simple at all.

One thing was on Niragi’s side: there weren’t many security cameras in the building. There were some, but they didn’t cover every corner of the rooms, and Niragi had studied the exact areas where the cameras couldn’t reach. Where he could do anything he wanted without being seen, unless someone would walk past him. He wasn’t sure if anyone even looked at the cameras unless something crucial happened which needed to be closely investigated.

Such as a patient escaping.

There was a possibility that they had installed hidden cameras and other devices which Niragi couldn't instantly see, of course he had thought about that as well.

Niragi was growing more and more frustrated being in this room, his limbs restrained like this, and hit the back of his head against the padded wall, then cursing under his breath.

He didn’t belong here, he hadn't done anything wrong. He was wrongfully locked up here, he had only done a favor to others. Why should he feel remorse for his actions? No, he’s right and others are wrong.

I’ll get out. I’ll get out of here. No matter what I have to do, he thought, gritting his teeth.

And they’ll all be sorry.

Niragi wandered around the corridors when all the patients — the ones who had been behaving well lately — had free time and could do whatever they wanted for a moment. Most of them were either drawing, watching TV with low volume, chatting with each other, reading a book or talking to a wall.

He scanned the patients with his gaze, trying to select a few who seemed the most sane and clever enough to be a part of his plan. He hadn’t gotten to know anyone properly but now he’d have to decide who he’d start to befriend — just a little bit. He wasn’t going to try and find a genuine friend from here, no, just a partner in crime who could follow a plan. Someone whose trust was easy to win.

Then, his gaze landed on a you, sitting by yourself and drawing something with a red crayon. Niragi had seen you many times before but never cared to approach you. He had probably never even made eye contact with you — you kept your head down most of the time and minded your own business.

It had taken Niragi a while to recognize you, but eventually the memories crawled back to him. He hadn’t seen you in the past 13 years but he would never completely forget you. Back then, you had barely even talked to him, so he doubted you’d remember him easily. Niragi didn’t personally know you well but you went to school together for years when you were kids. But one person he did know.

Your brother.

“The fuck you looking at my sister, you loser?” he spat on Niragi’s face and threw Niragi against a brick wall.

Niragi still remembered all the hits of baseball balls on his head and how your brother urinated inside Niragi’s bag — the list of different methods of bullying was endless and nobody did anything about it.

Niragi doubted you were fully aware of your brother’s bullying because one day when you witnessed him to bully Niragi, you intervened.

“The hell is wrong with you? You’re just like dad,” you spat at your brother, looking absolutely furious with wide eyes and hands clenched in fists, ready to throw a punch if he said one wrong word. “You wanna become like him, huh?”

Niragi would forever remember you pulling him up from the ground by his elbow and fixing his glasses with glue and tape you pulled from your backpack. You were only 13 years old at the time.

“Don’t let them kick you like that, you hear me?” you nagged at Niragi like a scolding mother.

Yes ma’am.

You hesitated for a moment until pulled something else out of your bag and handed it to Niragi.

A taser.

“Here. Give him a little shock if he bothers you again.” Niragi had tried to refuse and give it back to you but you wouldn’t take it. “I have another one at home, just take it. He’s a piece of shit who deserves it.”

Why the hell would a child own a taser at home? To even get one somewhere in the first place.

At school, you had always been the weird kid. Niragi couldn't help but admire you a little, how you never cared about what anyone thought and knew exactly how you could defend yourself if other girls made fun of you — making you end up in a detention but you didn't seem to care. He did stare at you once in a while but he couldn't help it.

After five weeks from the incident you handing a taser to Niragi, you had disappeared somewhere, leaving Niragi to think what happened to you. Your family didn't move out of the city, since your brother still attended the classes, but you were gone. In time, you left Niragi's mind — until you happened to come back to his fucked up life.

Now, you were locked up here with Niragi. Why were you here anyway? You were wearing a T-shirt, having no self-harm scars on your arms, so he doubted you’d be one of the suicidal types. Unless you wanted to get straight to the point and use pills. Niragi noticed you flinch once in a while, even when there was no sound around you or anyone coming to bother you. You closed her eyes tightly and counted to five under your breath once in a while, probably just mouthing the words though.

You were beautiful, gorgeous even — Niragi wasn’t blind. But did you have brains too or was it all just looks? He didn’t know your diagnosis, of course he didn’t. Maybe you were too crazy to bring along, ending up ruining any plans Niragi had made, but he didn’t know that for sure.

Niragi’s main thought of trying to include you to his escape plan wasn’t necessarily because he wanted to take you out of here with him, otherwise you’d rot in this place for the rest of your life. Sure, you clearly needed help, but this mental institution was doing anything else but helping. But the first thing Niragi had thought was that you were small enough to fit into the vents and crawl there — if that was needed. He couldn’t execute this alone, just by himself, and you seemed like a suitable option for one of the people he’d need.

Your brother had bothered Niragi to his adulthood as well, applying to the same job. God, he wasn’t able to get rid of him. It was like he was following him on purpose and acting surprised to fool Niragi.

If Niragi was to get you out of here, your brother wouldn’t be a problem anymore. He wouldn’t beat Niragi up for being around you. Why?

Because murdering your brother was the reason that led Niragi to this asylum.

Niragi moved his gaze away from you, looking for other options. He spotted a young man sitting by the window, the sun shining on his face. He had seen him too, blond hair framing his oval features, always watching others, except now having his attention outside. The man and his mannerisms always looked like he was too good to be in this place. Like he considered himself to be above every other patient here. He seemed smart, but who knew if he really was smart and calculated enough.

“Join us for a game?” a man asked next to where Niragi was standing, mixing a deck of playing cards. He was quite muscular and strong looking, having clearly more visible muscles than Niragi’s body. The expression on his face looked calm and peaceful, almost like he was bored.

There were two other patients sitting at the same round table, but just one of them was present mentally. One of the men was seated on a wheelchair, only staring ahead somewhere Niragi couldn’t see. He had dark mustache and slightly greasy hair which hovered just over his shoulders. He was much more skinny and bony than the man with the playing cards, collarbones sticking up under his skin, cheeks hollow. He had been here longer than Niragi and seemed to be quite popular among the patients, known as the ‘Hatter’, whatever his real name was. Now he was only an empty shell like many others.

“We’re missing one player and I heard you’d be a good challenger.”

“You did, huh?” Niragi smirked. He rarely joined any card games with the patients but whenever he did, he won every round. Well, had won by far. Niragi sat down next to the man. “I haven’t seen you around before.”

“Got transferred here a week ago,” he said, eyeing Niragi for a moment with narrowed eyes, until offering his hand to him. “Aguni.”

“Niragi,” he replied, grabbing Aguni’s hand in a quick handshake. Just a week and he was already making friends here — Niragi hadn’t succeeded in that in months. He’s perfect, Niragi thought.

Niragi turned to the third guy who also offered his hand.

“Mahiru,” the guy introduced himself.

“He gonna play too?” Niragi asked, nodding towards the Hatter.

Aguni didn’t seem to find anything funny about Niragi’s remark.

“I think he prefers to watch,” Aguni answered calmly, starting the deal the cards to each player. Alright, no sense of humor, Niragi thought.

“So, where were you before?” Niragi asked, organizing the cards in his hands. “Since you transferred here.”

“Osaka,” Aguni revealed. “I’d rather keep the reason to myself.”

“Fair enough,” Niragi shrugged.

As the game progressed, Aguni actually managed to surprise Niragi for being able to beat him. Not many people had beat him before, so Niragi was rather impressed.

In the end, Niragi was holding the card of Joker, feeling strange tingling in his hand. He couldn’t explain it but Niragi felt like the Joker was suddenly looking straight into his eyes, maintaining eye contact with that creepy grin on its face.

Niragi stepped inside the largest bathroom in the end of the second floor. It wasn’t usually assigned to him to clean but apparently the patient cleaning the bathrooms wasn’t able to attend the work today — probably rotting in the solitary confinement cell.

It wasn't Niragi’s first time cleaning bathrooms though, so he already knew it was going to be awful. Whenever people showered here, they didn’t care to make sure that the floors were left clean, of course not — some of them had no shame and would shit on the floor while showering. Niragi was forced to clean all the drains on the floor too which made Niragi instantly gag. The smell was disgusting and the amount of hair people were shedding from their head was much more than Niragi would have thought.

Then, as Niragi walked further into the bathroom, he found out who he was working with today, already wiping the tiles on her knees.

You.

There you were, scrubbing every inch of dirt off the floor. You looked up when you noticed Niragi approaching you.

“We meet again, huh?” Niragi smirked.

You only rolled your eyes and turned your attention back to cleaning, wanting to get the job done as fast as possible. You really didn’t say a word, huh?

He wanted to talk to you about the plan. The plan to escape, but he couldn’t be entirely sure if this room was monitored too. He didn’t see security cameras here, so the staff weren’t total perverts, but they could be hidden somewhere. Listening devices in the shower heads. Who knew? Everything was possible after so many people had tried to escape. One of the attempted escapes happened in a bathroom anyway — or so Niragi had heard, people talked all kinds of things so it might not even be true.

Niragi walked around the bathroom, trying to find anything relating to someone spying on the two of you. He couldn’t take any chances, he had to play smart and be extremely careful. The staff here were prepared for more escape attempts, and Niragi wasn’t going to fail.

Suddenly, Niragi felt something wet hit the back of his head, making him flinch and let out a quiet groan, even though it didn’t hurt a bit. He touched at the spot which had taken the hit, his neck now wet. Niragi turned around, seeing a sponge by his feet, dipped in water and soap.

You were looking at him with a threatening look in your eyes, pointing at the shower drain near him. Of course you didn’t want to do all the work and just watch Niragi slack off.

“I’m getting to it soon, princess,” Niragi assured you but obviously you didn’t buy it. “I’m doing something much more important first, alright?”

You stood up and crossed your arms against your chest. Jesus, why couldn’t you just open your mouth and yell at Niragi to get to work?

Niragi turned away and was about to grab the next shower head and open it when he felt another sponge hit him, now directly on his face. He closed his eyes but a little bit of soap still managed to go into his eyes, water and soap falling down against his cheeks.

“Okay, listen here, princess- Fuck,” Niragi mumbled as his eyes started to burn more due to the soap. He rushed to the sink to rinse it off from his eyes and face.

When he had dried his face, he walked back to you, clenching his jaw and fists, fingernails digging deep into his hands. If it was a man standing in front of him now who Niragi needed nothing from instead of you, Niragi would already have the man’s nose broken and a tooth missing.

“Throw one more sponge at me and I’ll actually lose my temper at you,” Niragi threatened, having a hard time to stay calm and collected. He lowered his voice as he continued, “I’m trying to find any devices that might hint that we’re being listened to, alright?”

You furrowed your eyebrows, confused what he was rambling about.

“I’ll get to work right after, got it? So calm down and keep your fucking sponges away from me.”

Niragi did clean the drains while searching, since they could have been hidden there as well. Surely they made waterproof devices these days. It kept you satisfied as well, making him do his part of the job. When he had checked the entire bathroom, every single corner, and had come to the conclusion that it was safe to talk and everything would stay just between the two of you, he returned to your side.

“So, thought about what I said to you earlier?” he asked, grabbing a washing cloth from the supply bucket. “Can you at least nod or shake your head if you’re not gonna talk?”

You continued ignoring him, but Niragi figured you were still listening to him since you didn’t move too far away from him to clean the next area.

“If I tell you something, you’ll keep it between us. Just us, got it?” Niragi stated, it wasn’t a question, more like an order, but he got no immediate answer from you. "Come on, give me at least a nod or something."

You rolled your eyes, but ended up with one nod. If you weren't going to participate in Niragi's plan, at least you would keep his secret. You didn't seem like a snitch, so he dared to take that risk. After all, you didn't even speak to anyone at all.

Niragi pulled a folded paper out of his pocket, handing it over to you. You stared at it for a moment, not sure if you should grab it or just walk away from him, but your curiosity ended up winning. You threw the dirty washing cloth to a trash can and took the paper from Niragi's hand. You debated for another moment what you should do, but then opened the paper to examine what it included.

It was a map of sorts. The layout of the asylum’s second floor, including the bathroom were the two of you were right now. Niragi had drawn a map of each floor but had taken only one of them with him here. You scrunched your eyebrows together, your gaze going through each room. God, how much Niragi wished he knew what was going on in that pretty head of yours.

“There’s vents in the ceilings and all around this building but I’ll need to find something to get the screws off and be able to access them,” Niragi explained, looking directly into your eyes. “And I need you to go up there and find out where they lead.”

You raised your eyebrows, an expression on your face which told that you thought Niragi was for sure joking and playing around. Niragi could see you weren't taking him seriously.

“You’re smaller than me, so you can move there better,” Niragi reasoned.

You shook your head and turned your head away from him, but Niragi grabbed your elbow, forcing you to stay there with him.

“Listen,” Niragi said, not sure what kind of approach would work at you anymore. “You wanna get stabbed in the eye and turned into a vegetable?”

You stopped but didn’t turn your head back towards Niragi.

“Because that’s what’s going to happen if we don’t get the fuck out of here."

They would do a lobotomy to every single patient here who didn’t show signs of progress in their mental health, and Niragi would rather kill himself than go through that — but Niragi didn’t want to die yet. He wanted to live and he would do anything to stay alive.

Of course he had heard of the rumor what is going to happen if he gets caught. He’ll be brainwashed and lose the sense of himself completely but he was willing to take the risk. He just had to plan everything out very carefully and he’d succeed in whatever he was going to do. He was so much smarter than the other people attempting to escape.

“I’ve seen you get dragged to the solitary confinement several times. If you keep it up and continue behaving the way you do, they’ll do the lobotomy on you sooner than you’ll realize,” Niragi explained, trying his best to convince you. You were all running out of time. “So, you in or not?”

Right then, someone walked into the bathroom. Both of you jumped a little, getting startled by the sudden presence of someone else, turning to look towards the noise. You were quick to hide the paper behind your back.

“Aye, use the other bathroom!” Niragi shouted.

“But I need to —“

“Do I look like I give a shit what you need?” Niragi yelled at the scared little man who then walked away the same way he had come in the first place.

When Niragi turned around towards you, about to continue the conversation, you weren’t standing there anymore. Instead, you had gathered the cleaning supplies back into the bucket and were on your way outside, done with the day’s job.

Niragi couldn’t help but wonder if you remembered him or if you had forgotten all about him. Sure Niragi had grown up and wasn’t that little boy anymore, with different hairstyle and no nerdy glasses anymore either. He hadn’t seen you in 13 years, but did you have at least some sort of memory of his existence?

It didn’t matter. You were strangers to each other anyway, neither of your pasts would affect anything what would happen in the present.

Should he just give up and approach someone else? Would someone other, someone your size, be more willing to get out of here with him? No, he didn't want to give up on you. Maybe he should have tried to befriend you at first and make you to trust him before start trying to recruit you. Fuck, he was stupid.

Later that day, Niragi entered the restroom on the first floor. It was small, having only three stalls. He turned the faucet on, about to wash his hands, but flinched and instantly took a step back before his hands even touched the water.

Water was supposed to be transparent, right? Not red like blood.

Niragi shook his head and rubbed his eyes for a moment, expecting for the water to turn back into normal but it didn’t. He quickly turned the water off, leaving red stains on the sink. Niragi lifted his gaze up to look at himself in the mirror.

You’re weren’t crazy before the asylum. You’re not going to become crazy now either, he thought, chanting the mantra inside his head to convince himself that he wasn’t starting to see things that didn’t exist like most of the other lunatics here. He wasn’t supposed to be here, no. He didn’t belong here, he wasn’t insane.

Niragi had been looking directly into his own eyes the entire time through the mirror but now noticed something a few metres behind him. Someone standing there in odd clothes.

Niragi had never seen him before nor seen anyone dress like that. He looked like… almost exactly like the Joker in the playing card if the cartoon figure was turned into a real person. Then, the man waved at Niragi, a creepy grin spreading on his face. A grin so wide it almost broke his face in half.

Niragi knew that when he’d turn his head, the man wouldn’t be there anymore. If Niragi was aware that something wasn’t real, he wasn’t insane — right? He was still sane. A sane person who saw things but still sane. And when he did look behind him, he was alone in the bathroom. The sink was clean as well. All he wanted to do right now was to laugh. He wasn’t going to be fooled by anyone or anything.

But something was now attached on the mirror. Something that wasn’t there before. A playing card.

More specifically, a 6 of Spades.

Niragi ripped it off the mirror — it wasn’t an illusion, it was a real card he could hold. He turned it around, looking at it on each side and noticed something written on the back side with a black marker.

Niragi. His name had been written on the card.

Niragi furrowed his eyebrows. What kind of ridiculous magic trick was someone pulling on him? Niragi kicked each stall open, with a little too much violence, making a lot of noise by the doors slamming against the stall’s wall. Every stall was empty, except the last one.

“What the hell, man! I’m taking a shit, get the fuck out!” a man shouted at Niragi, face red.

Niragi rolled his eyes and slammed the door shut. There was nobody else in the bathroom besides that man and Niragi, and nobody had entered inside either while Niragi had been in the bathroom, of course he would have heard it.

Niragi took one more look at the playing card, wanting to rip it in small pieces and throw it away but he didn’t manage to make himself do that. Instead, he put the card inside his pocket and exited the bathroom without another thought.

At night, Niragi woke up to a sudden scream.

“Murder!” a woman shrieked somewhere. “Murder! There has been a murder! Help!”

Niragi pressed the pillow on his face, wanting to suffocate himself. For fuck’s sake, he was so tired of this place. He had fallen asleep faster than usual and now, probably just a few hours later, he was awakened by this lunatic who claimed to have witnessed a murder every other night.

“Someone help, oh my god!” the woman cried.

“Shut the fuck up, you crazy bitch!” a man shouted, sounding so furious he’d surely beat the woman up if he was able to get his hands on her. To be fair, Niragi would too. Everyone would sleep at least a little better if she was out of the picture.

Niragi sat up, brushing sweat from his forehead. He quickly glanced to his left, seeing something painted on the wall which hadn’t been there before. Not before he had fallen asleep.

Words were written on the wall with sloppy brush strokes, paint was slowly dripping down the wall as if the letters were slowly melting.

THE GAMES ARE ABOUT TO START — WE’RE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN

Then, manic laughter echoed around the room, giving Niragi chills.

What the fuck?

A/N: Losing my mind over how this (and the first episode) gets automatically the mature content label already when it's just in my drafts and at the time had only the headline and summary written down like no actual story yet like 🫠 ig the word lobotomy isn't for everyone but raw detailed sex is 🤷🏻‍♀️

Tags:

@audiiix

@lizxoxeth

@psychobitchsthings

[sodiumpentothol]

Ok so here are some sneak peeks for the Wrong Side of the Bed AU. I'm skipping blurbs for chapter 3 since that will be releasing tomorrow but I'll try to add something from each chapter.

Spoilers for the Wrong Side of the Bed AU under the cut

------------

He stood there dumbly for a moment, not quite processing what had happened, until...

“Holy shit, I did it.”

It was a whisper at first, overlapping and echoing.

“I did it!”

Sam pumped several free arms---the rest were busy holding his injuries---and did a little jump, which ended up causing him to stumble. He managed to catch himself, albeit clumsily, and pumped his arms again, a little more tiredly.

“I did it...!”

The hall seemed to shrink around him---when had it even gotten so spacious in the first place? Sam’s wondering was for naught, as sooner rather than later he found himself boxed in between claustrophobic walls once more.

------------

The blood from yesterday was still splattered all across the floor, though it had dried up at this point. Sam crammed into the hallway and aimed himself left, where he could see a person-shaped shadow move about in the dim light.

“Hello...?” He brought his bat to his uppermost pair of arms---the ones he’d deemed to be his main ones---and scooched closer to the figure.

“They’re spreading...” The figure responded in a hushed voice, staggering towards him. “The teeth... they’re spreading...”

That was definitely not ominous in the slightest.

------------

“Get your shit together.”

Sam averted his gaze from the mirror, looking down at his hands. Right, they’d been chewed horribly---he should probably get that fixed.

Sam grabbed some ointment from his medicine cabinet, barely using enough to cover his bleeding fingers. Dammit, the bottle was almost empty. Actually, scratch that; his cabinet as a whole was almost empty. He’d need to stock up on more medical supplies if he wanted to go out and get more food. Speaking of which, he hadn’t gotten anything when he’d gone out; he had gotten a bit sidetracked with Joel.

He should probably go talk to Joel.

------------

“Well-- uh... we-- we worked together, in the convenience store. Heh. Heheh. I’m-- I’m Lyle... the Lyle you worked with, remember?”

“I think I do remember, yeah.” Sam did not, in fact, remember Lyle, but he’d feel kind of bad if he told the cloaked man that. “I guess I just didn’t recognize you with the... whole thing you have going on.”

“Heh, yeah. Haha, uh, I u-understand.” Lyle smiled nervously. “I-- I couldn’t really-- uh, recognize you either.” Lyle’s eyes widened as he frantically added, “Not that I didn’t remember you or anything! I-- I just didn’t know you were... like that.”

Okayyyyy... Sam could see actual smoke coming off of Lyle, so he should probably skedaddle before the cloaked man accidentally set the whole place on fire.

“Uh, yeah. Okay. Uh, I need to get going now. Still need to get some more food and all, yeah. Bye.” Sam very gracefully exited the conversation by leaping into Lyle’s bathroom.

------------

He pushed the door open and crawled through. The vast labyrinth of Floor 1 spanned before him, daunting and intimidating yet oddly welcoming. Sam slipped into the halls and began to search for any unlocked doors. The more twists and turns that he made, however, the closer he could hear something get, and it eventually got to a point where he could see a massive shadow tailing him. Sam tried to hustle it, but the hallways almost seemed to constrict the farther he went, and the thing that was following him finally caught up.

------------

Those are all the things for the completed chapters I've written so far, I tried to pick tidbits of the chapters that weren't very spoiler-y but also weren't anything uninteresting. Hope y'all liked these excerpts OOF

anyway uh ima go keep drawing yeah ok YEET

[ultrakillingmyself]

Noc you motherfucker

No editing we die llike men

Experiment

This was a stupid idea

Maybe he had a few too many drinks, or the smoke from his frequent cigar breaks finally clogged up his walnut of a brain

Alright what, led up to this, was he was at one of the taverns and he saw one of the “companions” that worked there and he was just wondering! the thought slightly grazed his mind, and for some fucking reason he got back to the ship and found out everyone was gonna be a while getting back and it seemed like a good idea to ask alphonze if he’d ever done type of work like that cause he’s a service bot! He was just curious!

Turned out the answer was no, but there was a program in case it was asked of him. and alphonze offered to “show him” and he’s trying to let him make his own choices and if they’re both fine with trying it it was fine.

And he said if asked he could just delete the whole thing from his memory banks so it’ll be like it never happened. it doesn’t have to mean anything! Win/win

And now they were locked in the crews quarters, so no one, if they came back unexpectedly, could walk in on accident, both their clothing folded neatly beside them (alphonzes fault, he insisted) and he was laying on the ground, in his underwear, with the warforged sitting above where his stomach should be putting a strange pressure there and-

“So if I do something uncomfortable then your going to have to tell me”

And they were “discussing” it

“Okay”

It wasn’t a bad thing. It was good really, he doesn’t mind! He was just already nervous and “talking” about it wasn’t making that feeling in his gut go away

“And I don’t gain or feel anything from this so I don’t know what feels good or bad”

Friends can fuck eachother it happens! It doesn’t have to matter!

“Mhm”

Were they friends? Do friends heartbeats race when the other is nearby, close enough to hear him whir?

“Pain and pleasure have very similar symptoms, for lack of a better word, so it’s difficult to tell which is which in this context”

That made sense

Alphonze had a habit of over explaining. Maybe he just talks a lot ‘cause he usually doesn’t get the chance. When Gryffon was at Edison kingdom the warforged usually didn’t speak unless they were asked something. It was fun listening to him ramble about the smallest of things, how (or why?) alphonze knows so much was beyond him but he doesn’t mind the chatter.

“And I don’t Want to hurt you in this situation because, usually, Sex isn’t supposed to hurt so getting a verbal confirmation every so often would help…”

While he spoke Gryffon traced the dull outline of midsection. To be more fluid in his movements a lot of Alphonzes torso was made with smaller thin metal panels that overlap each other (imagine those Fuckass slugs but on a bigger scale) …he never quite payed attention to them until now

“Look if there’s something bothering me I’ll let you know” gryffon said after a pause. Thatd be easier than going through every fucking scenario. They’ll figure it out

“Are you sure?”

Alphonze hummed under his hand. Did he always do that? He’d never gotten this close to him to notice.

It felt nice.

“Yes”

“Alright “

[parvulous-writings]

Hey! I saw that Bill and Ted were on the list that you write for, and I was wondering if you could do a Bill x Ted x gn!reader where y/n is autistic and they have a shutdown where they go nonverbal and everything feels uncomfortable (touch/sound/etc). Which in turn causes them to feel worse because now y/n feels like they're being a burden to their partners, but Bill and Ted will not let them believe that /Can be mostly fluff with a small bit of angst //you don't have to include this, but I do hc both Bill and Ted as neurodivergent, so if you want to input that you can 🌟

///This request does kinda stem from personal experiences, and I just needed some fictional comfort 😭

////Stay hydrated and I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day/evening! 😊

Summary: Bill and Ted try to help you as much as they can whilst you have a shutdown

Warnings: Description of autistic shutdown, descriptions of overwhelming spaces. There's nothing too graphic or anything, though! Gender-neutral use of dude, that's just how they talk 0-0

Words: 2.8k

Notes: Iam so SO sorry this took so long - I was just determined to pour my heart and soul into this, as it struck me very deeply! I hope I can do this justice! Also trying out a slightly new format which is strange to me 0-0  My requests are currently open! My pinned post (found here) contains both a list of characters I write for, and a masterlist!  Original character list - please request for these too!

not my gif

Somehow, the pair of music-loving young men had managed to convince you to go with them to a local concert. How they had coaxed you into it, you weren't entirely sure - their voices had overlapped so much and so many times that you weren't quite sure who was speaking when. "Listen, it's all going to be okay! I mean, it'll be loud, but you'll be with us, we'll cover your ears if you need it!" The shorter of the two, Bill, assured you. He was already clearly ecstatic, practically bouncing as he shifted his weight back and forth on his feet. You hadn't even given a response yet, and he was already over the moon. "Yeah, you'll be with us!" Ted echoed, a huge, almost goofy smile on his face. Though the taller of the two seemed much slower in his movements, there was no doubt that he was just as excited as his best friend.

You had tried to explain that that wasn't always how it worked with your sensitivity, but no matter what you said, they always seemed to have an answer or a solution to every potential problem you presented them with. They were just so stoked at the idea you might join them to this concert - the event they had been waiting for months upon months to go to. The one thing that they had begged their parents to attend; that Bill had easily managed to cajole Missy to let him go to, and that Ted had somehow managed to convince his father that it wasn't anything nefarious, that he would be safe. They had already begun packing for you before you had a chance to properly consider - they were very sweet about it all, but your voice was very quiet compared to their overlapping chatter.

Three bags - backpacks - was what they ended up packing. "I think that should be enough..." Bill said to Ted, as the taller of the two was bringing more water into the garage from the house. "Are you sure?" Ted asked, "What if we run out of water? Don't want to ruin our throats, dude..." "I'm sure there'll be some there! Missy'll give us a bit of money, too..." Bill replied, starting to do up the backpacks, making sure everything was packed properly - maximising space whilst also ensuring that everything was at least somewhat secure, particularly the bottles of water. It simply wouldn't have done to have one of them burst in the bag, and soak one of your backs, especially when you were all going to be standing for so long. You stood there, awkwardly as the two friends rushed back and forth, making sure that everything was as they had planned. "Hey," Ted's voice broke you from a thoughtless daze. You blink a few times, and turn your gaze to him. "You okay?" He asks, his brows furrowed with boyish concern - he wasn't sure what was going through your head, but the worry was genuine, that much was clear to see.

You consider his question for a moment, before settling on your answer: "I'm... not sure...?" Ted is clearly puzzled by this response, so you fumble your way through a half explanation. "Well... I do want to go with you guys-" "You are coming with us!" Ted interjects, quite gleefully. "What I mean is, I... I'm really anxious about it- I've never done something like this before, I've never... been comfortable, with this kind of thing..." "Well..." Ted starts, trailing off for a moment. He must be trying to make some connections in his head. "Well, you'll be with us... " He repeats the mantra like statement that he and Bill had adopted since they broke the news to you that morning. "So, that'll help, right?" He asks - you had never been entirely open with the two about how some things would affect you in a drastically different way to what it affected them. Crowds overwhelmed you, excessive noise debilitated you and made you ever so irritated you, and change... Well, you had never let anyone but your family see the results and ramifications change had on you, but needless to say, it was unpleasant. Ted's quasi-reassurance came from a good place in his heart, but you weren't as sure that their presence alone would calm or aid you. You stay quiet for a moment, considering your options. Yes, you could refuse, and save yourself the potential overwhelming environment, but disappoint your friends... OR, you could risk it, make them possibly the happiest you've seen them in a long time, and it could all be okay. There was no way of telling. You sigh quietly, then offer Ted a tiny smile. "Yeah, I guess that could help...."

Before you had even entered the venue, there were hundreds of people, all swarmed together, bustling little bubbles of activity that you would rather avoid. Both Bill and Ted were in their element already, eyes widened with wonder and anticipation. This was what their whole lives had led up to so far. This moment - seeing a band in the flesh, and their excitement was starting to bubble up, with the evening barely started. You grab Bill's arm with both hands, pulling yourself close to him. He glances at you, and is about to say something - his mouth half open as the words begin to form - before he is interrupted by a cheer from one of the groups ahead of you, as the doors to the venue are finally opened.

Bill and Ted quicken their pace - they so badly want to get in there, find a good spot for you all. So eager are they, that they drag you head on into the flowing crowd. Bodies are pressed against bodies, all moving as one, never stopping. You're being pushed by people behind you, pulled by Bill, and by Ted. Your feet can hardly keep up - the minimal room to move not helping you at all. You stumbled along, with no choice in the matter. You feel your chest tighten - the night had only just set into motion, and already, it was starting to get to you. You tried to call out, to get the attention of one of your friends, but naturally your voice is lost in the sea of the rest. You try tugging at Bill's sleeve, and then Ted's - but because so many others had done the same in the last few minutes, that they didn't take any notice whatsoever. They keep pushing forward, dragging you with them despite your reluctance. It was all too much. You had no way to tell them, but it was too much.

You can feel your eyes start to almost glaze over as your voice dies in your throat. You can still see everything, but it felt... Far away, now. All of the noises that surrounded you blur and fade, becoming one distant and droning hum. You're rooted to the spot, though you're still somewhat aware of the fact that people are still knocking into your arms, shoving past you to make their way into the venue. It was a few minutes later, when Ted went to turn to you to say something about how totally amazing this was going to be, that they knew you had gone. Ted grabbed Bill's arm, shaking it violently to make sure he got his attention. Bill turned, brows furrowed, almost in annoyance as he pulled his arm away from his friend's grasp. "Dude, what-" "Listen - our trio's turned to two!" Ted exclaimed over the noise, grabbing Bill's wrist again. He dragged the curly haired teen back through the crowd, Bill struggling at almost every step. There was a flurry of questions from him: "What the hell do you mean, dude?" and "Why are we going back to the doors? We're going to miss it!" were the only ones that Ted managed to make out. He knew, that if Bill had realised you weren't with them, he'd be just as concerned as he was. Ted cranes his neck, scanning over the top of the crowd, looking for you. It's not as simple as it sounds: there are at least ten other people who he initially thought were you, but quickly came to realise they were not.

It took a few minutes, but eventually, they did find you. And, immediately, they knew something was wrong - of course, they didn't know exactly what, but, concert or no, they knew they had to help. "Let's try getting outside." Bill suggested to Ted, despite his earlier protestations that they would miss the show. When faced with the decision of your well-being and comfort, or a live show, it was a no-brainer. Carefully, trying not to startle you, they took your arms. You were almost like a ragdoll in their hands as they started to move to the back of the crowd, but suddenly you're pulling against them, resisting, trying to wrestle your arms from their hands. You'd snapped back to reality, feeling every sensation there was to feel; the overwhelming noise, the heat of so many bodies packed closely together, the tight grip of Bill and of Ted. You wanted none of it. Tears pricked at the corners of your eyes as you struggle, and soon enough, Ted let's go, motioning for Bill to do the same. You draw in on yourself, holding your hands to your ears and looking down at the floor, trying your best to minimise the amount of stimuli your brain was taking in. It worked, to some extent. You feel a quick, but firm, tap on your shoulder - someone trying to get your attention. Your eyes dart up, mostly out of habit, to see Ted waving at you, his smile nervous and unsure. He beckons to you, silently calling you forward, and you shuffle slightly in compliance. It's difficult to move, but you register that both Bill and Ted are trying to help you get out of this situation.

Eventually, you're all outside, and Bill is trying to guide you to sit on the floor so you can rest for a moment, which proves extraordinarily difficult to him when he realises he can't touch you more than a tap. You both manage it though, and Bill and Ted sit either side of you, like they do ordinarily. You all stay quiet for a while - both of them expecting you to speak first, to say that everything is okay, that you're fine. But you don't. You just sit there, tears rolling down your face. Ted leans forward, waving a little to get your attention again, "You okay?" He asks, his voice quiet, unsure. You just turn your head towards him, unable to answer. You wanted to - oh how you wished to be able to! But... At the same time, speaking felt like it would be too much now. Ted didn't really know how to take your silence. Was it good? Bad? His eyes flitted to Bill, who instantly made eye contact; clearly they were thinking along the same line. There's a moment of tension, where the two boys seem to be mentally battling to see who should speak first. Bill eventually opens his mouth. "We're sorry..." He begins, "We.. We should have listened to you, about the concert and..." He trails off with a light sigh - not at you, but at himself. At Ted. They should have listened to you - should have arranged to do something else. You hear something rustle from beside you, and as you turn you see Ted offering you one of the bottles of water he and Bill had packed. "Drink, dude..." The dark haired boy urged. He knew you needed something, and that you may be in a state, but they both still want to take care of you, even if they were the main cause of the problem in the first place. Their hearts were in the right place, and now they wished to try and make up for their mistake. Bill wished that he had thought of your perspective a bit more, and sooner. He had been so wrapped up in his desire - which had practically become a need - to see this concert, that his mind could barely focus on anything else. His chest ached with the guilt of what he had brought on to you; he knew all too well what the overwhelm could feel like, and so did Ted. But their focus on the concert had thrown all other considerations out of the window, for both of them.

You shakily take the bottle from Ted, to find it already undone. You glance in thanks to him -unable to smile- before bringing the bottle to your mouth and taking the smallest of sips. It was all you could muster for the time being. "I have an idea!" Bill announced, a tad too loud for your liking, making you flinch. Bill notices, and winces too, giving you an apologetic look. "I was thinking..." His voice is softer now, more like a whisper. "We take you back to yours..." He points at you, "So that you can rest up... Y'know, sort yourself out and everything... We can stay if you want to, but-" He pauses, realising he's getting carried away with himself and starting to ramble. "And then..." He continues, back on his original train of thought. "When you're ready... You can come over to my place, and we can jam out." He gives you that trademark goofy little smile, all teeth and just reaching his eyes. There's a question teetering in your mind, bouncing around; one you can't yet voice. Ted, somehow manages to read your mind at that very moment; "Jam? You mean, we'll be using the guitars?" He considers for a moment, "I don't know... Your dad said he doesn't want to hear any bad playing anymore... and I'm not tryin' to say anything about your playing-" Ted turns to you, totally sincere, "But I don't think it's... Eddie Van Halen level yet, dude..." "Well, it can be with or without the guitars." Bill responds, "I mean, we've got the guitars to get to Van Halen's level." He shrugs, "And who cares what my dad says? It's not like he's there most of the time."

Ted considers his friend's words for a moment, his brows furrowed as if he had been posed with a very serious philosophical question, lips pursed in thought to complete the look. After a few seconds of this, Ted nods enthusiastically, seemingly satisfied with this answer, his grin returning. "It's settled then!" Bill announces with a grin just as wide as Ted's, and with the gusto of the old shining knights of yore. "We take our good fellow here," He gestures to you broadly with his hand, "Back to their dwelling for the eve. And then!" He points dramatically to the sky with one finger. "We shall wait to the morn... To jam!" You giggle quietly, and Bill's joyous face turns back to you, all teeth and smiles still. Ted's face lights up too, and the two boys meet eyes before doing their natural greeting to one another - an epic air guitar gesture that had become customary for them after so many years of being friends. It's not long after that, that the three of you are walking down the path to your home - taking up the entire pavement as you stand with all your shoulders practically touching, though the pair were careful to make sure that they didn't accidentally brush against you on the way back - they didn't want to upset you again. Bill actually nearly ended up falling into the road a couple of times because of this mindset, so ended up switching places with Ted. Then the same thing happened to him! The pair were laughing merrily at one another as they walked you down your drive. "I'll come see you at lunchtime tomorrow..." Bill says to you as you step onto your porch. "And then we can go pick up Ted on the way to mine, if you want to jam... If not, we could all hang out at your place, if you wanted?" Bill offered, and you nod slowly, "But you can tell us tomorrow, if you want, or later - if you can call?" Bill rambles a little, grinning at you. Though he still feels a bit guilty about the fact that his actions had upset you, he knew that you would all be able to work through it eventually; your reaction, to him and Ted at least, was perfectly natural. They may have had similar ones had they been put in a situation they had deemed unsuitable for themselves - Ted had certainly lashed out in the past because of the very same thing.

"But yeah, lunchtime tomorrow-" Bill repeats, "Don't forget!" He tells you, as if you ever would. With that, Bill and Ted scurry off into the evening air- the memory of the concert left behind and forgotten in favour of the plans the pair had started to make, in preparation for the next time the three of you got to spend time together, whether that be tomorrow, or even days in the future.

[veinsfullofstars]

hey just wondering, how do you draw daroach? i wanna figure him out for myself but dont feel like i get down how he looks well enough. thanks for the help if you have any, if not then thanks for just answering

Thank you for the question! And, yeah, I totally get it - that rat can be a nightmare to draw sometimes, haha. I definitely struggled with him a lot at first (you can kinda tell if you compare my earlier works to my recent ones). I think it’s because so much of him is obscured by his outfit in official art? The way the brim of his hat dips over his face or how his cape likes to defy physics - all in service of a cooler silhouette, sure, but taking away a lot of readability and foundation to work from in the process. I’ll try to offer some tips that work for me (though I’m hardly an expert on this, and teaching's not exactly my strong suit, so please bear with me if things get muddled, haha).

The main piece of advice I can give is gather and study as much reference as you can. Official art, concept art, promotional stuff, sprite sheets - whatever you can find, just grab ‘em and put ‘em somewhere you can easily pull up when you’re drawing. I get most of mine from Wikirby, Spriter’s Resource, and official sites like the Kirby JP Twitter, as well as screenshots taken directly from the games (a great way to get in-motion poses and back views, I’ve found). Here’s what my ref sheet for Daroach looks like (I also have a separate one for color swatches):

Kind of a mess, yeah, but very worth it, I assure you. The more visuals you have to work off of, the easier it will be to detect consistencies in design. Which brings me to my next point: shapes!

Most Kirby characters are, at their core, just a buncha simple shapes. It can be hard to tell sometimes when they wear clothes (like with our rat buddy here), but they still have similar foundations of circles and other rounded features. A way I've found that helps with this is to try redlining (that is, take a piece of reference and trace over it for the purpose of study, learning where lines connect, how silhouettes look, how different parts overlap, what shapes are used, etc.). Here’s an example:

This is a great way to find those design consistencies I mentioned before. I did these a bit messy for a better sense of movement (and ‘cause I’m practiced enough to sketch a little quicker), but you can always start slower and cleaner if it helps you see the shapes and layers more clearly. You can even do them multiple times to familiarize yourself with the design and eventually try copying them without tracing, like doing gesture drawings or life studies.

In Daroach, I’ve found that his head isn’t a perfect circle shape, but more like a rounded diamond, with his ears connecting at or just above the “points” on the sides. His body is a bit smaller than his head, and his snout smaller still, each having sort of a teardrop-like shape. His eyes are bigger than I expected them to be, half circles tilted down slightly, often cut off by his snout and hat to create a shaper angle (meant to make him look more intimidating perhaps?). His ears are taller than his hat, though they can tilt back to look shorter. There are also a lot of arcs and triangles present in his design, especially in his cape when it sits across his form or flares out, and the brim of his hat pointing down from just past his ears to right over his snout. Also, unlike many Kirby characters, he does in fact have a neck - it's just hidden behind his collar and bell most of the time (don't ask me why I spent so long verifying this, no I don't have ulterior motives, don't look at me).

Of course, these observations aren’t set in stone. Kirby characters rarely stay perfectly on-model (see Dedede for proof of that), and Daroach is clearly no exception. I mean, just look at these official pieces (all collected from Wikirby):

Even the folks at HAL Labs are not immune to style inconsistency. And that’s not a bad thing! We love a little personal flair in this house. There’s nothing wrong with altering the design a bit to fit your own style - in fact, it’ll probably happen naturally the more you practice, especially once you’re comfortable enough to work without a guide. Here’s some studies I did recently, no tracing, just observation (with different colors used to help me figure out layering):

I’ve seen other folks take their own designs even further than this, adding more fur or sharper shapes or even realistic rat features to our favorite thief. Nothing like stretching those creative muscles once you’ve got the basics down! On that note, don’t be afraid to be inspired by unofficial sources as well. If an artist you like draws Daroach (or any character) in a way you find appealing, ask yourself what it is you like about it, study it as you study official works, and find ways to incorporate elements of that into your own art - “steal like an artist” as the saying goes.

Another thing I recommend for Daroach specifically is studying how real top hats and capes look, especially from various angles and poses in motion. I find it helps to see exactly how fabric sits on a figure or what sides show at different positions. It might seem weird to use human reference for a cartoon rat, and it might take some finagling to get proportions right, but it’s surprisingly effective. I do this with fighting and athletic poses all the time to help figure out weight distribution and line of action. Don’t be afraid to expand your art repertoire into other fields - you never know when it might come in handy!

And, of course, the key thing to hammer home here is practice, practice, practice! Do studies, do gestures, draw with and without references, build muscle memory, do sketches you show to no one, draw memes, draw angst, take your time, fill pages with messy doodles or just drop one in a corner and call it a day. The more you draw this smarmy rat, the better you’ll get. That’s the long and short of it with any skill, creative or otherwise. You gotta try in order to get good, you gotta make mistakes in order to improve, you gotta be kind to yourself in order to do what you love.

Anyway, I think that’s all I got for now. Forgive me if this got a bit rambly or incoherent - I have trouble putting my thought process in words sometimes, haha. I sincerely hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck with your own future rat-creating endeavors!

Sketch started and finished 06/14/24.

[jianghuchild]

【松宇】不思量，自难忘

This one's inspired by and a kind of sequel to @chenreche's absolutely incredible fic. Um, 姐姐我不知道你会不会读英文，奈何我中文水平不够，但是还是想写个后续，就当写着玩��。

私设刘思维在《渡口》结尾被射中了腿

This one's a bit weird cause it's my first experimentation with writing a bilingual fic. Anyway.

Somewhere in Shanghai was a haunted house. The traditional four-walled kind, that looked like a coin with a hollow center. It had been abandoned for some years, which showed in the cobwebs clinging to the eaves and the unswept leaves which had curled in on themselves like dead insects. Many times different people had attempted to claim it, each less successful than the last.

The house had a ghost, see. Every night the voice of an eerie opera floated through the walls, sung with a grainy quality as if recorded on a shellac disc—

“停。” Zhu Meiji help up a slender hand, disdain written on her face. “刘思维，搁这儿哄小孩呢？”

Liu Siwei grinned and poured tea into Zhu Meiji's cup.

“这不打发打发时间吗？”

“你少来。” Her eyes landed on Liu Siwei's hip, which she'd noticed him favouring in a subtle limp. In spite of herself, a draft of worry creased her brows. “两年前到底发生了什么？你怎么受的伤？”

“嗨。” Liu Siwei rubbed a hand unconsciously against his hip. It had begun to ache when the skies first greyed, and now hurt in earnest as the rain came down. “这不是没事吗。” He checked his watch. “别说这个了，我带你见个人。”

His eyes glimmered meaningfully, and Zhu Meiji tilted her head in understanding. It was time.

He has wondered many times how he might die. Has fantasized increasingly morbid fates for himself, but most of them involved getting shot on a pier—this pier.

All he can feel is relief.

A door opened, creaky with disuse. The spring rain dampened the man's shoulders, but wasn't quite strong enough to keep down the cloud of dust that kicked up at his feet. The man was dressed in a sharp suit, a matching dark hat on his head and round shades on his nose. From his right hand hung an oil-paper package wrapped in twine, spots of grease darkening the corners.

The package seemed to throw off the man's symmetry, a smudge of messy imperfection against his precise angularity.

The man crossed the courtyard into the main house. He didn't bother lighting a lamp—instead his feet followed a memorized path to one of the disused bedrooms. This bedroom was somehow dustier than the others, and the coughing fit the man doubled over into was the first sign that he himself was not a ghost.

“哟，” said Song Tianshuo. “回来啦？”

The man didn't answer. Instead he set his package on the bedframe and untied it. He unwrapped the paper slowly, careful not to tear it. Inside sat a dozen cream-filled cookies.

"哎哟喂，还记着呢？要不怎么说你适合旦角儿呢，会疼人。”

“来得太急，没顾得上买点儿香、纸钱啥的。回头我让人把房间打扫一下，再给你补个牌位。” Yuwen Qiushi spoke casually as he removed his glasses, their shared Beijing dialect lending an intimacy that seemed to cross the mortal divide.

Song Tianshuo chuckled, a little bitterly. “两年不见，就拿个牌位打发我？行，您可真行。”

“我还有点事儿，回头再说吧。”

As Yuwen Qiushi turned to leave, his eye caught on a corner of the room. His body stilled. A memory of the smell of salves mingled with blood. Song Tianshuo, curled in on himself like a brittle leaf.

有酒吗？

有，但只能喝一杯。

Yuwen Qiushi's fingers tightened against his sleeve almost imperceptibly. He resisted the temptation to close his eyes—the better to guard against visions of a man with bright eyes—and breathed against the weight in his chest. He allowed himself to linger for two counts—one, two—then turned away and left.

He isn't sure how long he lays there. He wonders if he lay in this exact spot, all those years ago. Watching the same stars blink. Bleeding out the same. Perhaps if he keeps bleeding he can sink into the ground and fold their bodies together, overlapping two years apart.

It was Yuwen Qiushi's first time meeting Zhu Meiji again after more than two years. She'd grown into herself, had a steady force about her that lay beneath her bright girlishness.

She was a competent agent—excellent, in fact. She memorized his instructions and repeated them back to him with no trouble. He had no qualms having her succeed his chain of command.

“抽烟吗？” He flicked open a tin case and offered it. Zhu Meiji shook her head, then glanced at Liu Siwei.

That was the other thing—Zhu Meiji was irredeemably, unrescuably in love, and Liu Siwei as well. Yuwen Qiushi dragged a smile across his face to tamp down the acid in his throat. His gramophone spun a Prokofiev ballet.

Song Tianshuo tutted. “你瞅瞅你那表情，看把俩孩子吓得。” But even as he said this Song Tianshuo drew closer. He wanted to see just who it was that he had died for. Perhaps he could convince himself that they were worth giving up his life with—him.

He wasn't sure what he found in Liu Siwei and Zhu Meiji. Perhaps there was something there, an operatic love made for the stage. But when Song Tianshuo looked back on Yuwen Qiushi's brittle expression, all of that scattered in the wind.

Even his initial mood about Yuwen Qiushi's two-year absence crumpled like an autumn leaf. Because he was the one who'd left him first. He was the one to blame.

With a lazy hand Yuwen Qiushi lifted the needle on his gramophone. Romeo and Juliet stopped abruptly in their dance, suspended moments before death.

“你俩的事我懒得管，但孰轻孰重，你该有点儿数。”

Liu Siwei nodded. “明白。”

It doesn't hurt anymore. He can hardly feel the blood. Even the sounds of cab drivers hollering their services has faded. In their place is the sound of a sanxian, plucking out an interlude and gradually picking up in speed.

After Liu Siwei and Zhu Meiji left, Song Tianshuo found Yuwen Qiushi in his study. Hong Kong had made him a neater man: rather than papers strewn across the floor, Yuwen Qiushi had carefully organized piles atop his desk. Song Tianshuo peered over Yuwen Qiushi's shoulder. He was writing a letter:

苗若芃亲启—

Song Tianshuo snorted. “还惯着你那小表弟呢。” He turned away deliberately, hands clasped behind his back. “你写吧，我可不稀罕看。”

After a moment Yuwen Qiushi stood and stretched out a crick in his neck. He walked over to Song Tianshuo's side, where a small table carried a haphazard pile of shellac records. Carefully, Yuwen Qiushi pulled at the pile. His spidery fingers coaxed out the very bottom record, with a plain cover and a title scrawled in his distinctive handwriting.

Song Tianshuo had always liked Yuwen Qiushi's handwriting, for it was at once lackadaisical yet deliberate, like his person.

Standing this close, if he weren't a ghost, Song Tianshuo might have enjoyed the heat radiating off of Yuwen Qiushi. He tried to remember the beat of his heart against his ribs, the way he would shallow his breathing as if afraid to disturb the air around Yuwen Qiushi.

He wondered where his copy of the record had gone. He hadn't found it in the house despite haunting it for so long, nor had he seen it on Yuwen Qiushi. And Song Tianshuo didn't believe that he would have left it in Hong Kong. Perhaps Liu Yang had taken it. He'd always had an odd understanding for their relationship, whatever it had been.

They never said what they were to each other. They both knew—or at least Song Tianshuo liked to believe they did—but it had never needed saying aloud. They were beyond words, beyond even action, fathoms of understanding passed between a turn of the eyes.

Yuwen Qiushi lifted the record out of its case, balancing it almost reverently between his hands. He laid it carefully across the gramophone, then set the needle down, softly so as not to scratch the surface.

He stood quite still, hand hovering over the crank yet not playing the record, for a very long time. In fact he seemed to play the entire song in his mind from start to finish, the corner of his mouth pulled up softly as he stared at the unmoving disc.

Most of his wealth is in Hong Kong anyway, where the last of his family—his cousin—is. He feels a little bad for leaving Miao Ruopeng to his own devices, but the boy's grown into his own these last two years, and so the last of his worry is gone.

The interlude gives way to voice, familiar in a way that bleeds.

The mission went wrong immediately. They were expecting them, and had set up an ambush. Liu Siwei touched his gun on the inside of his jacket. Zhu Meiji shook her head. Their covers hadn't been blown, not yet, but it wasn't far off.

The target drew closer. Liu Siwei put himself in front of Zhu Meiji.

And then from around the corner a man threw down his newspaper, drew his gun, and fired.

Liu Siwei froze, the pier descending into a frenzy around him yet not touching him. It was Zhu Meiji who woke him with a touch, pulled him away so they could flee among the cacophany of bullets and screaming.

“他不是不来吗？” Zhu Meiji was white as a sheet, resolutely refusing to panic.

Liu Siwei looked over his shoulder. He saw only a wall of bodies, scurrying and crisscrossing in a dizzying tapestry. Between flashes of space, there and gone again, he caught a pool of blood seeping into the dock. Sitting at the edges of the puddle, slowly soaking red, an oil-paper package tied in twine.

“难道他知道计划会失败？”

Liu Siwei turned back to Zhu Meiji, then shook his head slowly. “不。” He took her hand and walked away. “他的计划，该是成了。”

He didn't look back.

There is a man with bright eyes crouched over him. His expression is soft and sad.

你就这么急吗？

怕你等不及，一碗孟婆汤下去，把我忘了。

Song Tianshuo offers Yuwen Qiushi his hand. It's a mirror reversal to that day, long ago.

宇文老师，要不要给我办事？

Yuwen Qiushi takes his hand and follows Song Tianshuo into the afterlife.

[sofiamantegafan110]

NEW X-MEN, SEASON 3, EPISODE 2

EPISODE 2: RISE OF APOCALYPSE, PART 2

THE EPISODE OPENS UP IN EGYPT AS APOCALYPSE STANDS IN SOLITUDE, WEARING HIS MASK. SUDDENLY, DAKEN ENTERS AND APOCALYPSE TELLS HIM THAT HE CAN SENSE HIS CONCERN. DAKEN SIGHS AND TELLS HIM THAT HE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT SOFIA.

DAKEN: LISTEN, BOSS. YOU GATHERED US ALL TOGETHER TO GIVE US GREAT POWER. TO GIVE US A BETTER LIFE, A CHANCE AT REVENGE, OR TO FINISH UNFINISHED BUSINESS. BUT SOFIA… SHE DOESN’T WANT TO BE HERE. SHE’S JUST A KID. SHE HAS FRIENDS BACK AT XAVIER’S. SHE HAS A GIRLFRIEND. SHE… I DON’T THINK SOFIA SHOULD BE HERE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, APOCALYPSE GRABS DAKEN BY THE THROAT, SLAMMING HIM AGAINST THE WALL. HE REMINDS DAKEN ABOUT HIS LIFE BEFORE THIS. BARELY SCRAPING BY IN MADRIPOOR. NECK-DEEP IN BARS AND WHOREHOUSES. HE ASKS HIM IF HE REALLY WANTS TO GO BACK TO THAT LIFE AGAIN.

DAKEN: WH-WHY DO YOU NEED HER ANYWAY? SHE’S JUST A 16-YEAR-OLD KID!

APOCALYPSE RELEASES DAKEN AND CHUCKLES.

APOCALYPSE: SHE MAY SEEM THAT WAY, BUT I SAW HER TRUE POTENTIAL ONCE. WHEN MY FOOLISH DESCENDANT FREDRICK SLADE TRIED TO SACRIFICE HIS GRANDDAUGHTER, I SAW SOFIA FOR WHO SHE REALLY WAS AS SHE DESTROYED SLADE’S MANSION IN A VIOLENT RAGE. SHE IS A BEING OF GREAT POWER AND SOON, SHE COULD CONTROL THE VERY ELEMENTS THEMSELVES WITH MY GUIDANCE. SHE IS NECESSARY FOR MY PLANS, AND UNLIKE YOU, SHE CANNOT BE REPLACED. NOW TELL KIMURA AND WITHER TO PREPARE. PHASE ONE BEGINS NOW.

WITH THAT, DAKEN WALKS OUT, UNSURE, AS APOCALYPSE STANDS IN SOLITUDE AGAIN.

CUE INTRO AND CREDITS

WE THEN CUT TO THE LOUNGE AT XAVIER’S, WHERE CESSILY, JULIAN, LAURA, ROXY, SANTO, JAY, JOSH, MONET, LAURIE, TALIA, MORPH, VICTOR, MEGAN, AND ALANI ARE BUSY ARGUING. THEIR WORDS ARE OVERLAPPED AND INCOHERENT, AND THEY’RE CLEARLY NOT HAPPY. SUDDENLY, FOOTSTEPS EMERGE, AND EVERYONE TURNS TO SEE CLARICE WALKING INTO THE LOUNGE.

CLARICE: DID I MISS ANYTHING?

IMMEDIATELY, CLARICE IS BOMBARDED BY HUGS. SHE LAUGHS AND COMPLIMENTS JULIAN’S NEW HANDS. CESSILY IMMEDIATELY TELLS HER THAT SHE’S ALREADY MADE A JOKE ABOUT MASTURBATION, CAUSING HER TO LAUGH. SHE THEN LOOKS AROUND AND ASKS WHY EVERYONE’S THERE, AND LAURA SAYS THAT THEY’RE THERE TO HELP HER SAVE SOFIA.

MEGAN: …AS SOON AS WE FIGURE OUT OUR NEXT MOVE.

CLARICE: OKAY. WHERE’S DANI?

ALANI: SHE’S BEEN IN A MEETING WITH THE OTHER X-MEN FOR A WHILE. THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO.

CLARICE: HAVE THEY REACHED A VERDICT?

JAY: NO.

CLARICE: THAT’S ALL I NEED TO HEAR.

CLARICE THEN WALKS OUT THE LOUNGE AND THE OTHERS LOOK AT EACH OTHER, CONFUSED, BEFORE CESSILY WALKS AFTER HER, FOLLOWED BY JULIAN, LAURA, MONET, AND THEN EVERYONE ELSE.

WE THEN CUT OVER TO THE X-MEN’S WAR ROOM AS THE STAFF ARE CURRENTLY IN A CONVERSATION SIMILAR TO THE ONE IN THE LOUNGE, WITH INCOHERENT WORDS BEING SHOUTED. SUDDENLY, THE DOOR OPENS AND MONET STANDS IN THE ENTRANCE, FLEXING HER FINGERS. IMMEDIATELY, CYCLOPS ASKS WHAT’S GOING ON AND CLARICE WALKS IN, FOLLOWED BY THE OTHERS.

CLARICE: IT’S SIMPLE. WE’VE BEEN SITTING AROUND FOR TOO LONG NOW. WE’RE GOING TO FIND SOFIA AND WHUP APOCALYPSE’S ASS, WITH OR WITHOUT YOUR HELP.

THERE’S A LONG PAUSE, AS IF THE X-MEN ARE WONDERING IF SHE’S SERIOUS, THEN EMMA SPEAKS UP.

EMMA: OUT OF THE QUESTION! ABSOLUTELY NOT! YOU ARE NOT TRAINED ENOUGH! YOU’RE JUST CHILDREN! AND I EXPECTED BETTER OF YOU ESPECIALLY, MONET.

DANI: SHE MAY BE A COW, BUT EMMA’S RIGHT. I’M NOT ABOUT TO PUT YOU GUYS IN DANGER. I KNOW HOW EVERYONE FEELS ABOUT SOFIA, BUT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO US.

CLARICE: NO. WE’RE DONE LISTENING. WE’RE DONE SITTING AROUND FEELING SORRY FOR OURSELVES. WE HAVE OUR OWN PLAN.

EMMA: WHICH IS?

CLOSE UP ON CLARICE’S FACE.

CLARICE: IT’S SIMPLE; GET ON BOARD OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.

MORPH: *WHISPERED* I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE JUST SAID THAT.

TALIA: *WHISPERED* DITTO.

MEANWHILE, APOCALYPSE AND HIS HORSEMEN MATERIALIZE IN FRONT OF A BUSY STREET IN MUTANT TOWN. APOCALYPSE THEN NODS TO SOFIA AND TELLS HER TO START THINGS OFF. SOFIA LOOKS A BIT RELUCTANT, BUT THEN CREATES A GIANT WIND GUST WITH A FLOURISH OF HER HAND. CARS, TREES, AND SIGNS GO FLYING AS PEOPLE START TO REALIZE THAT THESE ARE NO ORDINARY RESIDENTS. KIMURA GRINS BEFORE PULLING OUT A GUN, USING IT TO SHOOT AT SHOP WINDOWS AS WITHER DECAYS SEVERAL TELEPHONE POLES AND DAKEN USES HIS PHEROMONES TO INCITE A PANIC. SECONDS LATER, MUTANT TOWN IS IN COMPLETE DISARRAY.

MEANWHILE, THE X-MEN AND THE TRAINEES ARE ARGUING WHEN SUDDENLY, A STUDENT WITH BLUE SKIN AND SHORT RED HAIR RUNS IN, ASKING FOR CYCLOPS. CYCLOPS ASKS THE GIRL, EDIE, WHAT’S WRONG AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT THERE’S SOMETHING THEY NEED TO SEE. SHE THEN TURNS ON THE TV, REVEALING THE HAVOC IN MUTANT TOWN.

REPORTER: TRISH TILBY HERE, REPORTING FROM MUTANT TOWN, WHERE CHAOS HAS ERUPTED. FIVE SUPER-BEINGS APPEARED SUDDENLY AND WROUGHT HAVOC ON THESE BUSY STREETS! ONE OF THEM LOOKS LIKE… APOCALYPSE! SOME LOCALS ARE TRYING TO KEEP THESE ATTACKERS AT BAY, BUT EVERYONE IS ASKING… WHERE ARE THE X-MEN?!

CYCLOPS IMMEDIATELY STANDS UP AND TELLS THE X-MEN TO PREPARE, BUT DANI SUDDENLY INTERRUPTS HIM.

DANI: SCOTT, I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT THE KIDS ARE RIGHT. THIS IS THEIR BATTLE AND THEIR FRIEND. LET THEM DEAL WITH THIS.

EMMA STANDS UP AS WELL, MUCH TO HER OWN DISMAY.

EMMA: SHE MAY BE A COW, BUT DANIELLE IS RIGHT. THE CHILDREN HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TIME AND TIME AGAIN WITH KIMURA IN KENTUCKY, THE U-MEN, THE HELLFIRE CLUB, MYSTIQUE, AND EVEN THAT STRANGE LITTLE CURSED BOARD GAME. EVER SINCE THAT FOOD FIGHT ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, THEY HAVE GROWN INTO A TEAM. THEY ARE READY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SERIES, DANI SMILES AT EMMA.

SCOTT SIGHS BEFORE SITTING BACK DOWN. DANI TURNS TO THE KIDS AND TELLS THEM TO SUIT UP. IMMEDIATELY, THEY RUN OUT, BUT DANI TELLS LAURIE TO STAY AT THE MANSION. SHE TELLS HER THAT WITH DAKEN AKIHIRO’S POWERS COUNTERING HER PHEROMONES, SHE COULD BE A LIABILITY IN THE FIELD. LAURIE STARTS TO PROTEST, BUT SIGHS, AND LOOKS BACK AT THE OTHERS.

LATER, THE NEW X-MEN APPEAR IN MUTANT TOWN, WHERE THEY WITNESS THE BATTLE IN FRONT OF THEM. A LIZARDLIKE MAN IS PROTECTING TWO OTHERS; A BLONDE GIRL WITH SCRATCH-YOUR-EYES-OUT NAILS, AND A BOY WITH HANDS FOR FEET. A WOMAN IS TOSSED INTO THE AIR BY APOCALYPSE – LUCKILY, SHE CAN FLY – AND A YOUTH THAT CAN’T BE OLDER THAN FIFTEEN IS USING SHARP KNUCKLE BONES TO CUT AWAY AT FLYING DEBRIS. AND IN THE CENTER IS THE HORSEMEN. A GIRL JUMPS AT APOCALYPSE, FISTS RAISED TO ATTACK HIM, WHEN HE SWINGS HIS FIST AT HER. LUCKILY, A PORTAL MOVES HER OVER TO THE SIDELINES AS CLARICE STANDS WITH THE OTHERS.

CLARICE: GUESS WHO’S GOT THE DROP ON WHO NOW!

APOCALYPSE: ON THE CONTRARY, I’VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU ALL.

CLARICE THEN TURNS TO THE OTHERS.

CLARICE: ICARUS, ELIXIR, MORPH, PIXIE, YOU’RE ON CROWD CONTROL! MERCURY, DUST, BLING!, TRY TO SUBDUE KEVIN! X-23, NOCTURNE, YOU HANDLE DAKEN! HELLION, MONET, YOU DEAL WITH KIMURA! ANOLE, LOA, TRY TO TALK TO SOFIA! MAYBE GET HER TO STOP THIS WINDSTORM! ROCKSLIDE, YOU’RE WITH ME! WE’RE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE BIG BOSS.

SANTO: SUH-WEET!

WITH THAT, THE NEW X-MEN CHARGE INTO ACTION.

MEANWHILE, LAURIE SITS OUTSIDE ON THE GRASS, LOOKING AT THE HORIZON. SUDDENLY, AN EYE APPEARS ON THE GROUND, CAUSING LAURIE TO FLINCH A BIT. SHE SAYS HI TO THE EYEBALL, KRAKOA, AND ASKS IF IT SOMETIMES GETS LONELY TOO. SHE SIGHS AND SAYS THAT SHE WANTS TO BE OUT THERE TO HELP HER FRIENDS, BUT BECAUSE OF THAT DAKEN GUY, SHE’S STUCK HERE, TALKING TO THE SCHOOL’S SENTIENT LAWN. SHE JUST WISHED THERE WAS SOMETHING SHE COULD DO.

SUDDENLY, KRAKOA STARTS TO MOVE AWAY AND LAURIE, CONFUSED, ASKS WHERE IT’S GOING. SHE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS IT OVER TO A SHADY TREE THAT’S CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. SHE ASKS KRAKOA IF IT’S TRYING TO SHOW HER SOMETHING BEFORE LOOKING AT THE CRACK IN THE TREE. SHE IMMEDIATELY BENDS DOWN AND STARTS TO CRAWL THROUGH THE CRACK, AND ONCE SHE’S IN, SHE NOTICES A STAIRCASE THAT SHE IMMEDIATELY WALKS DOWN.

THE STAIRCASE LEADS LAURIE TO A LARGE ANCIENT LIBRARY FULL OF VINES AND CRYSTALS. LAURIE LOOKS AROUND, AMAZED, WHEN A VINE WITH KRAKOA’S EYEBALL ON TOP OF IT SNAKES DOWN, LEADING LAURIE TO A PEDESTAL WHERE A SCROLL RESTS. UNLIKE THE BOOKS ON THE SHELVES, IT SEEMS BRAND NEW AND LAURIE PICKS IT UP.

LAURIE: “A MUTANT’S HISTORY OF ARAKKO AND THE FALLEN WORLD OF AMENTH, BY IDYLL III OF THE GREAT RING OF ARAKKO.” KRAKOA, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED TO SHOW ME?

WHEN KRAKOA DOESN’T RESPOND, LAURIE SITS DOWN AND READS. AS SHE DOES, WE ARE TREATED TO IMAGES BY LENIL FRANCES YU FROM X-MEN #12, DEPICTING THE HISTORY OF ARAKKO.

LAURIE: “THE STORY STARTS AS WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY FATHER, TOLD BY HIS FATHER, LONG AGO: OKKARA, THE ONE TRUE LAND OF MUTANTS. IT WAS ANCIENT BEFORE THAT WORD EXISTED, BUT NOT YET OLD IN THE WAY THEY WERE OLD. THEN, THE TWILIGHT SWORD OF THE ENEMY TORE THE WORLD ASUNDER, AND WHAT WAS ONE, BECAME TWO. AND FROM THAT CHASM BETWEEN THEM – FROM THAT DARK WORLD – THE ENEMY POURED INTO THIS WORLD.”

LAURIE CONTINUES TO READ ALOUD, INTRIGUED.

LAURIE: “UNTIL, AT GREAT COST, THE ARMY OF THE ENEMY – ALONG WITH ARAKKO ITSELF – WERE PUSHED BACK THROUGH, AND THE CHASM WAS SHUT. BUT LIKE ALL STORIES OLD ENOUGH TO GROW IN THE TELLING, IT SOMETIMES BECOMES DIFFICULT TO SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION… OR TRUTH FROM LIES. SOME SAY A GREAT WARRIOR STAYED BEHIND TO PREVENT THAT WORLD FROM FALLING. TO SEAL THE BREACH AND SAVE WHAT COULD BE SAVED. AFTER ALL, THAT WARRIOR WAS APOCALYPSE, THE WARRIOR-GOD IN BLUE – THE GREAT RESEEDER –THE FIRST MUTANT OF THE SECOND GENERATION OF MUTANTDOM ON EARTH. BUT THERE ARE OTHERS WHO TELL STORIES OF BETRAYAL – OF SACRIFICING HIS FAMILY TO PRESERVE HIMSELF AND WHAT LITTLE COULD BE SAVED.”

AS LAURIE CONTINUES TO READ, AND AS THE SLIDESHOW CONTINUES, WE CUT TO A STILL IMAGE IN MUTANT TOWN. HERE, JAY IS CARRYING A WILLOWY MUTANT GIRL WITH TRANSLUCENT SKIN. JOSH IS BUSY HEALING A BOY MADE OF STONE, MORPH IS STRETCHING TO PROTECT SOME KIDS FROM DEBRIS, AND MEGAN IS SCREAMING AT A CROWD OF GAWKERS TO GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE.

LAURIE: “FINALLY, THERE ARE WHISPERS OF SOMETHING WORSE… JUDGEMENT AND SLAVERY TO FATE – THAT HE WAS A PRISONER TO THE WHIMS OF OTHERS. THE ONLY SURE TRUTH THAT SURVIVES ALL TELLING IS THIS: WHAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN CLEAVED IN TWO WAS SEPARATED FOREVER… HUSBAND FROM WIFE. PARENT FROM CHILD. ARAKKO FROM KRAKOA. AND FROM ONE TRAUMA, THE MUTANTS OF ARAKKO PLUNGED THEMSELVES INTO THE HELL OF THE NEXT ONE.”

ANOTHER STILL IMAGE APPEARS WITH THE SLIDESHOW STILL IN THE BACKGROUND, TRANSPARENT BUT VISIBLE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SEE BOTH PICTURES. IN THIS NEW IMAGE, CESSILY IS TRYING TO WRAP AROUND KEVIN WHILE ROXY FIRES CRYSTAL DAGGERS AT HIM AND SOORAYA, IN SAND FORM, SURROUND ALL THREE IN A DUST STORM.

LAURIE: “WHAT WAITED FOR THEM WAS NOT AN ARMY… NO. FOR SOME, IT MEANT MADNESS. FOR THE REST, IT WAS THE WASTELAND OF A WORLD CALLED AMENTH. A BLACK WORLD. A FALLEN WORLD. WHAT THEY SAW SURPRISED THEM. A DESOLATE NOTHING LITTERED WITH THE BODIES OF DEFEATED ENEMIES. ALL KNEW THIS HANDIWORK – ALL RECOGNIZED THE BLACK ACTS OF THE WHITE SWORD AND HIS ONE HUNDRED CHAMPIONS. HE WAS NOWHERE TO BE SEEN – NO TRACE OF HIM REMAINED – BUT HIS BLOODY HAND HAD BROUGHT ARAKKO TIME. AND WITH THAT TIME, WE WORKED WONDERS. IT WAS AN AGE OF LEGENDS. A MIRACLE OF MUTANTDOM. MUCH OF THE WORK DONE BY BRACE MUTANT ALCHEMISTS AND ENGINEERS STILL STANDS TO THIS DAY.”

CUT TO ANOTHER STILL IMAGE. LAURA IS CLASHING WITH DAKEN, CLAWS OUT FOR BOTH, AS THEY ARE LOCKED IN HEATED BATTLE. MEANWHILE, TJ IS NEARBY, FIRING HEX BOLTS AT DAKEN TO LEAVE HIM OPEN FOR LAURA’S ATTACKS.

LAURIE: “NOT ALL, OF COURSE. NOW ONLY A FEW REMAIN, BUT THEN THERE WERE TEN TOWERS, AND THE LAND BETWEEN THEM WAS OURS. AND WHEN THE ARMY OF AMENTH CAME, FINALLY, WE SHOWED THEM NO MERCY. AND FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, THE TOWERS HELD AND THE HORDE DIED AT OUR BORDER. GENERATIONS OF MUTANTS LIVED AND DIED NEVER KNOWING DEFEAT. CHILDREN OF WAR – STRONG AND FIT FOR THE DAYS IN WHICH THEY LIVED.”

THE IMAGE CHANGES AGAIN. NOW, KIMURA IS FIRING BULLETS AT HER ATTACKERS WILDLY, BUT THEY EITHER BOUNCE OFF MONET OR FLOAT HARMLESSLY IN FRONT OF JULIAN. MONET IS DELIVERING A PUNCH TO KIMURA’S CHEST AS JULIAN FIRES BLASTS OF TELEKINETIC ENERGY AT HER.

LAURIE: “BUT THEY LIVED ONLY INSIDE OUR WALLS. IT MADE US ARROGANT AND IGNORANT OF WHAT AMENTH TRULY WAS. WHEN MY FATHER, THE HIGH MUTANT PROPHET IDYLL, WENT BLIND AFTER SEEING THE FALL OF OUR GREAT TOWERS, PEOPLE SAY GENESIS LAUGHED AT HIM AND THREATENED TO REMOVE HIS WEAK HEAD FROM HIS WEAK SHOULDERS. GENESIS. THE AUTHORITY OF ARAKKO. THE MOTHER OF THE HORSEMEN. THE WIFE OF APOCALYPSE. AND INSTEAD OF STRIKING HIM DOWN, SHE RAISED AN ARMY…”

THE IMAGE ONCE AGAIN CHANGES. NOW, IT SEEMS THAT ANOLE IS TRYING TO TALK TO A SCARED SOFIA WHILE HOLDING ONTO A TREE CAUGHT IN HER STORM. MEANWHILE, LOA IS PHASING THROUGH DEBRIS, LEAVING IT CRUMBLED IN HER WAKE.

LAURIE: “THEY WERE GONE FOR TWENTY YEARS. EVERY FEW MONTHS, WORD WOULD ARRIVE OF THEIR CONQUESTS – AND ALL OF ARAKKO WOULD CELEBRATE. WE FEASTED ON VICTORY – IT WAS OUR BIRTHRIGHT – AND GENESIS FED US WELL. THEN, TWO CENTURIES AGO, OUR ARMY FELL SILENT. LATER, WE WOULD LEARN THAT THEY HAD REACHED THE IVORY SPIRE; THE STRONGHOLD OF THE LONG-THOUGHT LOST WHITE SWORD, PURITY. HE WAS OUR GREATEST HEALER – IMMORTAL… EXTERNAL. EACH MORNING, THE WHITE SWORD RESURRECTED HIS ONE HUNDRED CHAMPIONS AND RODE OUT TO SLAUGHTER AMENTHI DAEMONS. WARRING UNTIL THE LAST SOLDIER IN HIS ARMY DIED. ONLY TO BEGIN AGAIN THE NEXT DAY.”

A FINAL IMAGE APPEARS. IN THIS ONE, SANTO IS GLEEFULLY EXCHANGING BLOWS WITH APOCALYPSE WHILE HE AVOIDS GETTING SKEWERED BY BLINK’S BLADES. SHE FIGHTS WITH THE SAME DETERMINATION SHOWN BY GENESIS IN THE SLIDESHOW.

LAURIE: “GENESIS SAID THAT THE CYCLE OF DEATH AND RESURRECTION HAD BECOME HIS RELIGION. SHE SAID HE HAD BECOME JUST AS ALIEN AS THE HORDE HE RAGED AGAINST, AND WE MUTANTS OF ARAKKO WERE THE SAME TO HIM. WE TASTED OUR FIRST DEFEAT AT THE HANDS OF OUR OWN. WE HEARD NOTHING FOR SIX YEARS, AND THEN – HAVING ESCAPED BY UNTOLD AND NEVER SPOKEN MEANS – GENESIS AND THE FEW WHO SURVIVED RETURNED HOME TO ARAKKO.”

THE SLIDESHOW RESUMES THE MAIN FOCUS AS LAURIE CONTINUES.

LAURIE: “THEY RETURNED… ONLY TO FIND MORE DEFEAT WAITING FOR THEM. ISCA THE TRAITOR. ISCA THE UNBEATEN. HER MUTANT POWER WAS THAT SHE COULD NOT LOSE – AND IT WAS HER POWER THAT FORCED HER TO JOIN AMENTH IN THE WAR AGAINST HER PEOPLE. UNDERSTAND? THEY HAD TO. THEY WERE GOING TO WIN… AND SHE CANNOT LOSE. ISCA HAD BEEN SENT TO INVITE GENESIS TO PARLAY WITH ANNIHILATION – THE GOD OF AMENTH – AT THE SEAT OF THE GOLDEN HELM’S POWER IN THE CAPITAL CITY OF AMENTH. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT WORDS PASSED BETWEEN THEM, JUST THAT GENESIS ACCEPTED HER SISTER’S INVITATION.”

LAURIE: “IT IS SAID THE GREAT HALL OF ANNIHILATION WAS FULL THAT DAY. THAT THE FULL MIGHT OF AMENTH WAS WITNESSED FOR THE FIRST TIME. AMENTHI DAEMONS AND WORSE WERE WAITING WHEN GENESIS ARRIVED. I WONDER, WERE THEY SILENT AS GENESIS APPROACHED ANNIHILATION’S THRONE? DID THEY SCREAM AND RAGE? OR DID THEY MOCK AND JEER?”

LAURIE: “ALL WE KNOW FOR SURE IS THIS: THEY BATTLED TO THE DEATH WITH THE FATE OF ARAKKO IN THE BALANCE. AND THEN… ANNIHILATION DISAPPEARED. AND IRONICALLY, WITH HER WAS ALL HOPE FOR ARAKKO. YOU SEE, THEIR GOD IS CALLED ANNIHILATION FOR A REASON. FOR ONE HUNDRED YEARS, THE MAD HORDE – THE TRUE MIGHT OF AMENTH – BATTERED THE WALLS OF ARAKKO EVEN WITHOUT THEIR LEADER. MUTANTS DIED. TOWERS FELL. BUT SOMEHOW… WE HELD.”

LAURIE: “BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL HOPE. HOPE THAT SOMEWHERE, THE GREAT WARRIOR HAD RAISED A NEW MUTANT SOCIETY, A GREATER ONE – AND WITH IT, A MUTANT ARMY THAT COULD SAVE US ALL. WE HELD OUT… UNTIL WE COULDN’T ANY LONGER, AND I WAS ORDERED TO WRITE THIS MESSAGE.”

WE THEN CUT BACK TO THE SECRET LIBRARY AS LAURIE FINISHES READING.

LAURIE: “ARAKKO IS UNDER SIEGE. GREAT APOCALYPSE, WE ARE OUT OF TIME. AMENTH IS ON THE MARCH… AND ONLY YOU CAN SAVE US.”

WE THEN CUT BACK OVER TO THE BATTLE IN MUTANT TOWN AS VICTOR YELLS TO SOFIA, TELLING HER TO STOP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. SOFIA LOOKS AT HIM AND SAYS SHE CAN’T. SHE HAS TO DO THIS FOR CLARICE. VICTOR TELLS HER TO LOOK AROUND. CLARICE IS ALL RIGHT, AND SHE’S FIGHTING FOR SOFIA. HE THEN ASKS HER IF THIS IS WHAT SHE REALLY WANTS.

MEANWHILE, DAKEN COMPLIMENTS LAURA’S SKILL, AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT HE IS CLEARLY A WORTHY OPPONENT, BUT IT’S HIS CLAWS THAT CONFUSE HER. DAKEN SMIRKS AND SAYS THAT IT’S HERS THAT CONFUSE HIM.

DAKEN: PLEASE, DON’T TELL ME YOU’RE ANOTHER PRODUCT OF MY FATHER’S AFFAIRS.

LAURA GASPS.

LAURA: FATHER…?

DAKEN: YEAH. YOU KNOW HIM AS… LOGAN.

LAURA IS SHOCKED, AND DAKEN KICKS HER TO THE GROUND. TALIA YELLS IN SURPRISE AND FIRES MORE HEX BOLTS AT HIM, MEANWHILE, KIMURA TRADES BLOWS WITH MONET, BEFORE TURNING OVER TO A WOUNDED MUTANT BOY WITH BUGLIKE EYES. SHE SMIRKS AS SHE POINTS HER GUN AT HIM, MUCH TO SOFIA’S DISMAY.

SOFIA: KIMURA, NO!

BEFORE KIMURA CAN FIRE, SOFIA EXTENDS HER HAND, AND A GUST OF WIND KNOCKS THE ASSASSIN AGAINST A WALL. APOCALYPSE LOOKS AROUND BEFORE SHOVING SANTO INTO CLARICE. HE THEN ORDERS HIS HORSEMEN TO RETREAT AS CLARICE LOOKS AT SOFIA.

CLARICE: SOFIA, PLEASE! COME BACK WITH US!

SOFIA: I…

BEFORE SOFIA CAN RESPOND, SHE VANISHES ALONG WITH APOCALYPSE AND THE OTHER HORSEMEN, LEAVING THE NEW X-MEN ALONE IN THE STREET. ALL IS QUIET, UNTIL A VOICE IS HEARD.

BOY: X-MEN. X-MEN. X-MEN. X-MEN!

SUDDENLY, MORE VOICES JOIN IN, CHANTING LOUDLY AS THE STUDENTS GET UP AND LOOK AROUND. JULIAN TURNS TO CESSILY AND ASKS WHAT THEY SHOULD DO NOW.

CESSILY: SMILE AND WAVE, BOYS. SMILE AND WAVE.

BACK IN EGYPT, THE HORSEMEN TELEPORT INTO THEIR HIDEOUT AND KIMURA GRABS SOFIA, ASKING HER WHAT SHE WAS THINKING. SOFIA GLARES AT HER AND SAYS THAT SHE WASN’T GOING TO LET HER MURDER AN INNOCENT CHILD. KIMURA HUFFS, TELLING HER THAT SHE’S STILL THINKING LIKE AN X-MAN, AND IF SHE CONTINUES ON, SHE HAS NO PLACE HERE.

SOFIA: I DON’T EVEN WANT TO BE HERE! THIS WAS A MISTAKE! I NEVER SHOULD HAVE AGREED TO THIS!

KIMURA: WELL, NOW. THAT CHANGES THINGS.

KIMURA LOOKS AT SOFIA WITH A SMIRK AND TELLS HER THAT IF SHE WANTS TO LEAVE, THE DOOR IS OPEN. BUT IF SHE DOES, KIMURA WILL SEE TO IT THAT HER GIRLFRIEND WILL GET A BULLET IN HER PRETTY LITTLE SKULL. SOFIA GLARES AT HER BEFORE STORMING OUT THE ROOM.

MEANWHILE, THE TRAINEES ARRIVE BACK AT XAVIER’S TO FIND THEIR FELLOW STUDENTS CELEBRATING THEIR RETURN. THEY SMILE AS THEY’RE BOMBARDED WITH QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS WHILE DANI ADMITS THAT SHE’S PROUD OF THEM. SHE THEN LOOKS AT LAURA AND ASKS HER IF SHE’S ALL RIGHT, AND LAURA TELLS HER THAT SHE NEEDS TO CALL LOGAN.

MEANWHILE, CESSILY TURNS TO CLARICE, WHO’S ABOUT TO LEAVE, AND ASKS HER WHAT’S UP. CLARICE TELLS HER THAT SHE’S TIRED, AND CESSILY NODS, TURNING TO LAURIE AS SHE WALKS IN, SCROLL IN HAND, SAYING THAT THERE’S SOMETHING SHE NEEDS TO SHOW THEM.

IN CLARICE AND LAURIE’S ROOM, CLARICE THROWS HERSELF ONTO HER BED IN TEARS. SHE LOOKS UP AND SEES SOFIA’S BRACELET THAT SHE PLACES IN HER HAND. MUSIC STARTS TO PLAY AS CLARICE STARTS TO SING “GHOST” BY JUSTIN BIEBER, LAMENTING ABOUT HER LONGING FOR SOFIA. AS THE CHORUS STARTS, CLARICE GETS UP AND STARTS TO DANCE TO THE MUSIC, SHOWING HER GRIEF.

MEANWHILE, SOFIA SINGS ALONG AS WELL, SITTING ALONE IN A DARK ROOM. SHE ALSO DANCES ALONG, HER DRESS BLOWING IN THE WIND AS BOTH GIRLS’ VOICES ARE HEARD.

CLARICE: AND IF I CAN’T BE CLOSE TO YOU, I’LL SETTLE FOR THE GHOST OF YOU. I MISS YOU MORE THAN LIFE.

SOFIA: AND IF YOU CAN’T BE NEXT TO ME, YOUR MEMORY IS ECSTASY. I MISS YOU MORE THAN LIFE. I MISS YOU MORE THAN LIFE.

AS THE SONG STARTS TO END, WE SEE CLARICE HOLD SOFIA’S BRACELET IN HER HAND AS SHE CRUMPLES TO THE FLOOR. MEANWHILE, SOFIA FINISHES THE SONG AS SHE WALKS OUT THE ROOM, A SAD BUT DETERMINED LOOK ON HER FACE.

LATER, SOFIA WALKS INTO ANOTHER ROOM WHERE APOCALYPSE STANDS. HE TELLS HER THAT HE’S BEEN EXPECTING HER AND ASKS HER WHAT’S ON HER MIND.

SOFIA: I’M DONE. I MEANT WHAT I SAID BACK THERE, I NEVER SHOULD HAVE AGREED TO YOUR DEAL. I WANT TO GO BACK TO CLARICE. TO MY FRIENDS. IT’S OVER.

APOCALYPSE STARTS TO LAUGH AS SOFIA STANDS DEFIANTLY.

APOCALYPSE: CHILD, YOU KNOW I CAN’T ALLOW THAT.

SOFIA: WHICH IS WHY I’M HERE. TO DO THIS.

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, SOFIA GRABS A SWORD MOUNTED ON THE WALL AND CHARGES APOCALYPSE. HOWEVER, HE PARRIES WITH A BLADE OF HIS OWN. APOCALYPSE THEN TELLS HER THAT THIS INTRIGUES HIM, AND HE OFFERS A FIGHT FOR SOFIA’S FREEDOM.

AS THEY BATTLE, APOCALYPSE WARNS SOFIA THAT HE IS A GOD. HE HAS CRUSHED VARIOUS ENEMIES THAT ARE WAY MORE POWERFUL THAN HER. SOFIA DOESN’T CARE, AND CONTINUES TO THRUST HER SWORD FORWARD. APOCALYPSE TELLS HER THAT SHE COULD HAVE BEEN AN ALL-POWERFUL DEMIGOD. SHE COULD RULE THE WORLD.

SOFIA: I WANT NONE OF THAT. I WANT WHAT I HAD, AND I WILL. NOT. FAIL!

SOFIA THEN DELIVERS A KICK TO APOCALYPSE’S FACE, KNOCKING OFF HIS MASK. BEFORE HE CAN RESPOND, SHE THEN THRUSTS HER BLADE FORWARD, STABBING HIM IN THE ABDOMEN. HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES AS SOFIA HOLDS HER BLADE TRIUMPHANTLY.

SOFIA: I WIN.

SUDDENLY, LAUGHTER RINGS THROUGH THE ROOM, AND APOCALYPSE LOOKS AROUND AS IF HE IS SEEING THE ROOM FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEN, HE LOOKS AT THE MASK ON THE GROUND.

APOCALYPSE: NO. NO! CHILD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE! YOU MUST LEAVE THIS PLACE! NOW!

VOICE: TOO LATE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE GOLDEN MASK SKIDS TO SOFIA’S FEET. CURIOUS, SHE BENDS DOWN AND PICKS IT UP, AND THE MASK LATCHES ON TO HER FACE. SOFIA STRUGGLES FOR A WHILE, BUT EVENTUALLY, SHE STOPS, AND STANDS IN FRONT OF APOCALYPSE, CLAD IN THE GOLDEN MASK.

“SOFIA”: YOU WERE A WORTHY HOST, EN SABAH NUR, BUT THIS CHILD HAS PROVEN HERSELF FIT TO SURVIVE.

APOCALYPSE: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?

“SOFIA”: I WILL GIVE HER CREDIT. SHE TRIED TO FIGHT ME. BUT IN THE END, IT WAS FUTILE. I BANISHED HER SOUL FROM HER BODY. SHE IS GONE.

APOCALYPSE: NO!

IMMEDIATELY, APOCALYPSE STAGGERS UP, CLUTCHING HIS CHEST. “SOFIA” RAISES HER SWORD, READY TO STRIKE, WHEN APOCALYPSE PRESSES SOMETHING ON HIS BELT AND VANISHES. “SOFIA” TURNS TO SEE DAKEN, KIMURA, AND WITHER STANDING IN THE DOORWAY.

DAKEN: SOFIA? WHAT HAPPENED?

“SOFIA”: THERE IS NO SOFIA ANYMORE. JUST LIKE THERE WAS NO APOCALYPSE. IT WAS ME ALL ALONG.

WITHER: AND WHO ARE YOU?

“SOFIA” STRIDES OUT OF THE ROOM, INTO THE CENTER OF THE HALLWAY. SHE THROWS HER ARMS OUT WIDE AND SPEAKS AGAIN.

“SOFIA”: I AM ANNIHILATION, GODDESS OF DEATH. ONCE, I RULED AMENTH, BUT I WAS BROUGHT HERE BY THAT FOOL, FREDRICK SLADE. I KILLED HIM, OF COURSE, AND NOW, I AM HERE TO CONQUER THIS PLANET, JUST AS I DID A MILLENNIA AGO. AND YOU, MY HORSEMEN, WILL HELP ME DO IT.

THERE’S A BRIEF PAUSE BEFORE KIMURA SPEAKS UP.

KIMURA: SOUNDS FINE TO ME.

WITHER: ME TOO.

ANNIHILATION LOOKS AT DAKEN, HER BODY CONTORTING LIKE A DEMON.

ANNIHILATION: WELL?

DAKEN: I… I’M IN.

ANNIHILATION: EXCELLENT. NOW, IT’S TIME TO GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

ANNIHILATION THROWS HER HEAD BACK AND LAUGHS AS KIMURA AND WITHER FLANK HER. MEANWHILE, THE CAMERA ZOOMS IN ON DAKEN AS HE LOOKS ALMOST REGRETFUL. WITH THAT, THE CAMERA FADES TO BLACK AND THE EPISODE ENDS.

[marshmallowprotection]

hello!! i hope you're well.

i have a little request. i very recently cracked my skull and i was wondering if i could get some comfort from Saeyoung because this constant headache thing is Getting To Me.

thank you!!

~Embroidery Anon

Saeyoung hates to see you writhing in agony. He never wants to see you suffering if there's something he can do about it, and in this case, there isn't much he can do to prevent the pain. He can't chip away at your skull to remove the electricity that runs left and right against the fragile part of your skull. But, the situation isn't entirely hopeless. He knows there are a few things he can do to help you feel better in the short term.

Just call him Nurse Saeyoung, because he's got the outfit ready and everything. Sure, could he be the flirty doctor? Of course, but you're the one who always giggles and pats his thigh whenever he wears the short skirt. He might as well charm you with his good looks while you try to get comfortable, you know? When you feel bad, sometimes the best medicine is a little laughter if you can manage it.

What makes it better if not your Saeyoung all dolled up?

Sure, making you laugh is only half of his plan, but he knows a smile on your face means that no matter how much pain you're in, you can still find a moment to smile because you want to, not because people told you to smile and get over it. When you're in so much pain that it's hard to keep your eyes open, that's when he does everything to make it better.

If a hospital trip won't help, then he and Meowy will find all the fixes they can. You need an ice pack? Wow, did you know Meowy has the coolest fan? They're going to lay on the bed next to you and help you through the fever. Do you need caffeine? Saeyoung tells you that a lot of studies have shown that caffeine reduces the sudden influx of your blood to your brain during a headache, which is what causes all of the pounding you feel!

Surprisingly, he knows just the best ways for you to kick back and relax while you're going through the worst of your headache. He's been there a few times himself, and even if his pain is different from yours, he knows there has to be just enough overlap in there for him to find something just right for you.

The best medicine, thought, might just be when he lays down with you for the afternoon so you have a safe place to cry and rest while the pain is in full swing.

"Don't worry. I may not be 707 anymore, but I'm still the defender of your heart's justice. Try to get some rest if you can, because I'm not moving from this spot as long as you need me. We'll ride this storm together, I promise."

[emmy-dekarios-bg3]

Heart of the Weave - chapter 2

After a couple of hours and some eating, I begin to feel myself again. I may have eaten more than usual, which isn’t a big deal, but I felt like I hadn’t eaten in days, maybe weeks, but I most certainly have. I’m used to feeling sickly; I did have an unusual mind flayer tadpole in my brain for months, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary for me. Oh, Gods, please don’t let it somehow be another tadpole. Not sure how that would be possible unless the little parasite laid eggs somehow. Do they even lay eggs?

Gale finally comes home from the Academy after some time, looking exhausted but antsy to see me after a long day. He appears to feel yet again satisfied with all of his accomplishments today, and I’m always glad to see it. This is the dream he has always wanted to live and watching him thrive and reach his goals is satisfying on every level. I love him for the man he is, rather than the god he wanted to be. He doesn’t have to please me like he had to try and please his pompous goddess. He places his heavy magic books on the shelf, then walks up to me with his admirable smile that I can’t get enough of. He moves my brown hair out of my face with his fingers, gazing into my eyes. I can’t believe I married this wonderful man.

“There’s my baby,” he says, pulling me into a gentle embrace. I smile, and take in his floral and earthly aroma, tingling my senses. I only see him every day, yet it never gets old. “How was your day?”

Another discomfort rises within me, only this time it’s a strong wave of nausea, which I believe is coming from the intense flashbacks I had earlier. Anxiety has been rough these past few months, and even though it’s been easier lately, it still comes around every now and then, taunting me like a sick bully. Trauma. Mindflayers. Piles of corpses in the Bhaal temple. I try to hold back the urge to vomit. It’s never hit me this hard before. Along with nausea comes pain radiating throughout my entire body similar to severe growing pains or muscle pains, but I don’t want Gale to worry about me, so I stay silent about it. It’s been a year since I’ve had to witness any of these traumatic events, yet I’m reliving them like a night terror. I take a deep breath and close my eyes for a moment, trying to stay calm and collected. Is it normal for post traumatic stress to cause pain and nauseating feelings within the body?

“It’s been a day, but I’ve…” The lightheadedness is back again with a vengeance, and I think my feeling of illness is visibly showing on my face. “I did get some gardening done. A lot, actually. How was work?”

Gale studies my face for a moment, suspecting something is wrong with me. I’m not myself and he knows it. While I’m a cleric myself, I don’t have it in me to put my full potential in for any sort of healing spell. Maybe we should call for Shadowheart somehow.

“Oh, you are much more pale than usual, and that’s coming from someone who once witnessed you as a half-illithid. I’m worried about you. Are you feeling alright?” Tara observes me as well and I suspect that she knows what could be wrong with me. If she does, she won’t say it in front of Gale.

“I just feel a little ill, nothing to be concerned about.” He raises an eyebrow, concerned nonetheless, but that’s understandable. It’s not often I’m actually sick, but when I am, it usually hits with a vengeance.

“After all the predicaments with mindflayer colonies, I’m a little paranoid. Then again, you’ve overcome so much that the average person wouldn’t. I’m here for you always. Please tell me if you begin to feel worse.” I wrap my arms around him once more, and he holds me ever so closely into his warm chest. It’s strange; I felt completely fine up until a couple hours ago.

“I love you,” I murmured into his ear. The love between us overlaps the vile feeling within me, whatever it may be. Gale smiles at me, his eyes glistening from the reflection of the sun that beams through the glass windows. I can see myself within them, but also the powerful love he holds for me.

“I love you too, beautiful.” I look back outside at the ocean, admiring how beautifully it sways right outside our home. The songs of the sea put me right to sleep when I lie in bed with Gale, helping ease my anxious thoughts.

“I meant to ask this earlier, but how is your mom?” I ask as I head downstairs to grab some water. He chuckles as he follows me to the kitchen. It always delights him when we talk about his family, because he went so long without seeing them and he is most certainly a family man.

“Oddly enough, she clicked so well with your mother at our wedding that she’s going to grab tea today. She stopped by to see me at the Academy and told me. She also asked how you were doing and hopes to see you soon. I let her know she can come by anytime.”

Something about what he just said was so fulfilling; it’s so nice to have a husband that has a family that gets along so well with mine. I always worried about being the “daughter in law” that everyone hates. No, not Gale’s family; they’re the best.

“I honestly love them, I think they may become best friends.”

“I think they’re way ahead of you,” Gale says assuringly. I smile, chugging down my large glass of water, but it wasn’t enough so I refill my cup with more. “Were you just thirsty?”

“It’s possible I was dehydrated and that’s why I wasn’t feeling too well. Then again, you know me. One of my worst habits isn’t drinking enough water and I need to do better about that.”

The next couple hours involve us lying on the couch and talking about our companions that went off to partake in their own lives, wondering what they could all be up to. I think about Astarion and wonder if he’s still doing okay, considering the sun could burn him to a crisp if he’s out too long. Ah, our sweet, sassy vampire friend. He was one of those who accompanied us on our adventures, though he always wanted to cause trouble. Eventually, that crazy elf grew out of that…or so I want to believe. I hope we run into him again soon. I begin to worry if he’s even still alive or in Baldur’s Gate, or if he started a new life in another region.

“You know, maybe we should visit our old friends. We haven’t seen them in… six months?” Gale suggests. “I can’t keep up with time anymore. It seems ages ago.”

“Great idea. Last time we saw everyone was at the reunion. We got so close to everybody, and they always cross my mind,” I murmur, stroking Gale’s arm with my finger. “Karlach and Wyll in Avernus. Astarion in Baldur’s Gate. Who even knows where Shadowheart is, she’s all over the place. No matter. We will need to get in touch with them soon somehow.”

As my head is on his chest, I can hear the soothing sound of his heartbeat. However, the clock in the living area had other plans; it interrupted my peace by releasing the loud sound of a bell, letting us know it’s four o’ clock. It also startled the hell out of me.

“Well, my love, I will be back soon. I need to go to the library upstairs to study a book for a few moments. The students have a stressful exam tomorrow and I want to make sure I have it prepared correctly for them,” Gale says. “I’ll only be there for about an hour.”

“That’s totally fine, take your time. I’ll get started on dinner.” Gale places the softest of kisses on my forehead before heading back upstairs to the library, giving me yet another lovely sensation; one would call them ‘butterflies.’ Mine still don’t go away after all this time.

[scribblestatic]

It's the evening of the day something or someone caused part of U.A.'s gate to decay.

Of course, the teachers are already working on repairs by the end of the day, and the sun is setting. All Might, already out of juice, walks along the halls inside, tiredly wondering what could've done such a thing. After all, U.A.'s walls are incredibly strong, but they were crumbled with ease.

As he wonders this, he looks up toward one of the windows facing the gate.

There's someone standing there, watching the repairs.

They're cloaked in pale, wispy white, staring outside. The sun's retreating rays almost seem to run right through the figure.

When All Might's gaze trails down toward the figure's feet, he realizes it's quite possible the sun really is going through them. Everything from the ankles down is gone, faded into nonexistence.

"Hello, young one," All Might greets, getting closer. "School's already let out, so you can't be on campus right now."

The person doesn't respond, not turning to look at him. Their poncho sways loosely around their calves, the hood pulled up and over their head. All Might frowns, starting to slow down. After all, it doesn't appear like the person is wearing the school uniform.

What if they aren't a student?

"...Perhaps you're lost? I know it's not easy for kids during the first few days. Which class are you a student of?"

They don't answer.

All Might checks his body for even the slightest hint of power in his veins. He finds an empty keg, dried and dusty. There's nothing in the tank for him to use.

Just like that day.

...He hadn't actually talked to anyone about that day. The day he failed to find the sludge villain fast enough. The day he couldn't muster his power. The day that young boy, still able to live for a little while, even with his jaw torn open, lost and abandoned in a nearby alleyway until he died a pointless death.

Instead, he learned the boy's name, learned he was quirkless, and decided to nestle his name alongside the many others he hadn't been able to save in his long heroics career.

He tried to be careful since then. To have something in the tank for a moment's notice. But there were so many incidents that popped up--so many people who needed saving at any given moment. He couldn't just abandon them.

So he let his power dry out, day after day. Today was one such day as well.

Quietly, he tries to think of what to do or say next. If he sent a message to any of the other heroes, would they arrive in time to help? Should he even call them, when he doesn't actually know what quirk this person has? Despite his currently decrepit state, he's still a hero in his own right.

"...Did you hear me?"

"Oh. I heard you."

The stranger's voice sounds eerie. A whisper that, despite said so quietly, echoes in his ears, like two to three soft voices overlapping each other.

However, though eerie...there was an unnatural sense of ease that came over him.

Whoever this was meant no harm.

Although the air felt colder now that the other was speaking, it wasn't with danger. More like the feeling of a steady spring breeze. His nose twitched, and he just very slightly noticed the scent of cherry blossoms.

It was a nostalgic smell, one that had faded with the start of the new school semester. But it still clings to this strange person standing here.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

The stranger turns toward him, their body simply shifting without the movement of their feet, as though standing on a rotating tile on the floor. All Might blinks when he sees their face.

Mostly because it's entirely concealed in an unnatural blackness under the hood. He can't even see the person's eyes or mouth, nothing of their face at all.

"I was just listening."

"Listening? To what?"

"To the voices. I'm following a very thin trail."

Well, that made no sense. However, the person's disarming, whispering nature still didn't set off any alarms. He probably should've found that alarming, and yet, he only slightly did. Though, the feeling was more out of curiosity than fear. Even so, he has enough wits about him to not mindlessly approach the strange person.

"A thin trail, you say? Is there a way I or anyone else can help you?"

"Hmm... It's possible, perhaps. But I'm not sure it is right now. It's an almost imperceptible trail, surrounding this school and the students in it."

All Might's gaze narrows. "...I can't say I know what to make of that. Or rather, what to make of why you've said that."

But the figure just shrugs, their shoulders shifting under the poncho.

"I mean no ill will. I suppose it's just a warning to look out for them."

The person moves again, though, again, without moving their legs. They simply float forward unnaturally, and in an instant, they're passing by All Might's side.

A chill shudders its way down his spine.

"Be watchful. I sense malice toward Class 1-A."

And then they pass.

When All Might quickly turns around, intending to ask more, there's...

Nothing.

No one.

The chill is gone, as is the whispered scent of cherry blossoms.

[courtofmatchups]

Can I have a romantic male matchup please

Gender: cis female

Pronouns: she/her

Sexuality: heterosexual ally

Zodiac: Capricorn

Appearance: 5’2 African American hourglass body (although I’m more top heavy if you know what i mean) black curly wavy hair blackish brown eyes chubby cheeks wears glasses sometimes (im far sighted so it’s usually when driving in class or at the theater)

Mbti: infj

Enneagram: 2w1

Personality: kind smart funny motherly responsible empathetic anxious emotional moody perfectionist helpful people pleaser caring compassionate nerdy curious protective polite respectful indecisive fearful nervous introvert shy awkward clumsy low self esteem low confidence (more pertaining to my talents or personality then my looks) sassy sarcastic (I’m mainly these things with people i feel comfortable with like friends or family) soft spoken cute (my friends think im cute because i can be pretty innocent plus I’m small physically)

Likes: animals books reading writing fantasy magic sci fi anime music video games friends alone time learning personality quizzes sweets and bread helping being a part of something bigger than myself

Dislikes: spiders loud sounds people who harm others people who don’t take others into consideration (like make insensitive jokes or don’t consider the comfort of others or are mean just cause they can) people i care about not caring for themselves (im a hypocrite on this i take care of everyone else but not me) not being listened to weird holes and patterns math and tests (I’m being tested for a math disability and i have test anxiety)

Love language:

Giving: acts of service gift giving and physical affection (if they’re ok with it)

Receiving: words of affirmation and physical affection (although i can be shy about it)

Extra: i pace a lot i sing when im alone i talk to myself im a picky eater (mainly with textures) i have a cat i have minor ehlers danalos (a hyper mobility disorder) but it doesn’t hurt me like it does my sisters i get abdominal migraines which is basically like a migraine but instead of headaches it’s nausea

It seems to me that you've captured the heart of...

The Lone Flame

Lance Ira!

Hear me out! Lance has a soft spot for cuteness, and you are no exception. You might need to make the first move though, and it is highly unlikely the two of you have met in class for the first time

You may have encountered him sometime out in the forest grounds as you were helping a small animal in need. Lance wondered where this little guy was, and it seemed it was in good hands, so he gave you a small thanks and then left. You couldn't get a word in before he left though

One day the headmaster asked you to get the rest of the C-ranks to join in on special lectures.

Well. Dang. You were not looking forward to this, as this was a collaborative project. Oh well, you summoned your courage and went to round up the C ranks. Lance was not exactly willing at first, but he gave in eventually

You and he were paired up to work on this project, so you kind of HAD to get to know each other to better get your project done. After much reluctance on Lance's part, he finally caved in after your insistence (read anxiety with this project)

Outside of the project, you've come to be quite fascinated by him. As intimidating as he came across, he's actually quite the softie. He cannot help but find comfort in being in your presence also. So much so that once he feels that he is absolutely sure you're trustworthy, he'll open up to you more and more

Eventually he cannot help but fall for you. As if the overlap between your interests and his wasn't enough. Neither of you could stand injustice, so you've climbed pretty high up in his ranks. Your snarky side does catch him off-guard at first, but he does quite like that about you

He does notice that you often neglect your own needs in favour of taking care of others around you, so don't be surprised if he drags you to someplace quiet so you can catch your breath and properly rest

He does also enjoy hearing you rambling about your interests, even if he might not always understand what you're talking about (*cough* video games and movies *cough*). When he learns of your low confidence, he cannot help but feel sad for you, and he will prove you wrong.

All in all, a very comforting relationship between the two of you

[columbiafawn3]

Psychology rlly has a knack for making me feel like I’m not good enough 😍

And this is coming from someone with quite a healthy academic ego. Like I know I’m smart and capable and I have a lot going for me. But here I am still wondering if I could even make it to masters, because it’s apparently rlly competitive to get into masters. And it’s like ugh why do you have to demand so much of me when I have so little left to give.

Like I’m going through a turbulent time in my life already and now you want me to be getting a 90 WAM? And the worst part is that they won’t even give me the benefit of the doubt for being a kid. I’m expected to be an adult when I’m literally still listening to Britney Spears?

Maybe adult life is just learning how to squeeze yourself into a mould.

Wow deep thoughts tonight.

You know it’s bad when I’m thinking maybe I should just get my degree and then pivot my life towards being an author. Or a pop star. I could totally be a pop star. Just because at least that’s something I feel I can get better at. Psychology they change the topic every 6 months and then assess me on it. There doesn’t feel like much continuity between the courses and I just feel like I’m floating around doing random assessments. Oh idk. And I tell myself this is how everyone feels, so I’m not worried about that part of it. I’m more worried about the fact that I’m not at the top of my game. I’m just sort of floating along. But uni means you can’t afford to coast.

But it takes so much out of me not to coast. Like to give things my full attention all the time just drains me and I worry that I won’t have energy for anything else, esp not my social life.

But then the question becomes: is my social life too demanding?

Honestly I have one friend in mind: school Sophie. That friendship just feels too intense, too much like I can’t take space without it spelling the end. I think it’s built on the intensity, and if we lessen it, what’s left? Idk just something to think about. Because that’s the friendship that’s causing me stress at the moment.

That and Xavier. But Xavier’s more of an issue of « should I rlly be going back to this man? » and the knowledge that my feelings about him are not 100% platonic, and that I’m waiting essentially for him to be ‘better’. Except that day is never coming. But I also don’t honestly think I have romantic feelings for him. Like the way I’m testing that is imagining if he was getting married to a girl, would I care? Not rlly. But then I’m like to a guy? Hmm maybe. Because then that’s like my slot filled. Interesting.

This is all being brought up by the fact that this photo of Sean Flynn looks like Xavier and it’s freaking me out

Because he’s so cute. And honestly part of me feels bad because I know im not that pretty. Like even on the different pretty scales in my head.

Omg yay I can explain the pretty scales.

So Sean Flynn and Xavier, for example, are more of that all American look. Not necessarily « all American » in themselves, but they’re more muscular, have broader shoulders and more definitively masculine presences. Who else would go in here? I guess the typical Universal Store boy that I like 🤫, except that also overlap with the boy next door.

The boy next door I think is what bridges all American with the other extreme, the European or the pretty boy I guess.

Full pretty boy isn’t rlly a term I’d use that often, but it does get at something. That’s more like your John Moulder-Brown, whom I think is very attractive but not necessarily my type — although it’s not a definitive no.

So, boy next door would be someone like my universal store boys. They’re youthful and attractive but they’re still softly masculine. Whereas a pretty boy leans pretty readily into the feminine, which I’m not opposed to — but I don’t think I could do well with someone as neurotic as me, and as much as I hate to say it, feminine reads as neurotic… I admit it even for myself.

This is such a vacuous conversation 🙈

So, the European look is for more « interesting » faces. Skinnier is allowed, not so much focus on having deep-set hunter eyes. It’s more about having a ‘striking’ rather than conventionally attractive look if that makes sense. I would say that I have a striking look, but not a conventionally attractive one. Like I think it takes the right eye to appreciate my face. The everyday person is like « meh ».

But the all American boy is more easily digestible attractive. I remember having this conversation with chat gpt a while ago, about how I envy the way that the all American boy is sort of just read as attractive, whereas I feel like I have to frame myself in a way that makes people read me the way I want to be read — sort of the mental angle at which they look. I want them to see me as a brooding, elusive beauty. But to most people I just seem distant and unremarkable.

And chat gpt also said smth interesting about the all American boy: he’s easy to read and understand. You’ve met him 1000 times before in other people, so it’s not like he’s harbouring deep secrets and neuroses. I, on the other hand, wear my neuroses on my sleeve.

I would say someone I admire for balancing the all American with boy next door with European is Montgomery Clift. I think he really nailed the intersection between brooding and approachable. Whereas I come across too brooding.

Anyway, so yeah I’d say Xavier is more all American in a way that I envy. But not envy in the sense that I wish I was him. Like I appreciate that we’re both on different scales, so it doesn’t bother me that much. It’s just when I see that picture of Sean Flynn, it reminds me that there’s not necessarily an equivalent of me that I’d admire that much. But I suppose we all want what we can’t have.

Anyway, back to my degree.

I do think I want to be a psychologist, but I’m not sure if clinical work is what I could do for my whole life. Like sitting in an office talking to people all day sounds so stale and repetitive. And I need to be free. At least at this point in my life. Priorities change etc.

It’s just the academic pressure I feel reminds me of yr12, and I think after that experience I swore to myself I’d never go back there. Because it’s only now rlly dawning on me how bad I got in yr12, and how much I still find traces of it in my life now. Like I was cutting myself and planning a suicide attempt so that I could take a break from studying. That’s not healthy. And I can’t do that to myself again.

And I think my fear is that if I start firing on all cylinders academically again, that’s who I’ll become. Especially in a place like Macquarie where I don’t feel seen and I don’t feel my intellect is being cultivated, I’d just wither away. And one thing I learnt from yr12 was that withering away for marks wasn’t worth anything in the end. And even to this day, I’m unhappy with my atar of 98.95. Because all I see is 98 and I’m like well you failed. So close to 99 and I just couldn’t get there because I fell apart at the end. I read that as a personal failure, that all my resilience was finite and that I wasn’t good enough in the end.

Which is sort of a toxic way of thinking now I see it. Definitely something to unpack.

But yeah, I’m hesitant to throw myself into uni because I know how small my world can get and how mentally ill I can become. And I’m still not sure just how I got to that place in yr12, so I guess the easiest explanation is that I pushed myself too hard academically. But I’m starting to wonder if there were other factors that were making me ill, not my academics.

I mean, feeling very isolated and misunderstood at school wasn’t helping. And there was the whole 12 years of life trauma before that, which had all sort of built up and was only just coming to the surface. It was sort of the final boss of my high school depression as well. That’s how I think about it sort of.

But I’m just so scared of going back there, because I think about how much it set me back socially. Like I have quite a small circle of friends from school, and I didn’t rlly have a group per se from yr11 onwards, because my mental health was so poor. Sometimes I wonder what my life would look like if I hadn’t been so depressed and anxious at school. But it rlly doesn’t change anything to think about it so I try not to. It’s just sad to look at these other ppl I went to school with seemingly living relatively well adjusted lives and I’m just here like « arghhh »

But I suppose if I put my life into an Instagram post, I could make it look quite convincingly cool. If I was inclined to know how to sell it as such. I just don’t think in terms of Instagram posts. I think more in terms of tumblr posts — what random story can I régale the internet void with today.

Do I have anything more to say? I don’t think so. I’m sort of just glad stats is over, not looking forward to getting my results notification for this semester, and going to go away and do some thinking about the factors that made yr12 such a car crash and how we can avoid that for future

[alicenaivory]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐔𝐑𝐘

Where lies the core of this fury? The seed was planted in my human years. Perhaps it was everytime my mother struck me that it germinated and took root. It watered the seed of rage and allowed it to grow and fester. Is the root of it perhaps buried in the memories of my father's outbursts, when he would lash out at me with vitriolic hatred?

I remember standing in front of my vanity mirror, counting every bruise my mother left behind. I would carve them on the dresser in tally marks, keeping track of so many that the tallies overlapped. The wall inside my closet had carvings of every word my father called me. So many words that they couldn’t be made out anymore.

𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙠! 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘! 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨!

He said it so much, I almost believed him. I questioned my own existence, wondering why I was the daughter who wasn't enough, the Ivory that didn't belong. Where did I fit? Where was my place? I would only fit alongside my brother Avery and once he was gone their decency towards me left with him.

The bruises may be gone, but I still remember their locations centuries later. This is why I devote myself to be physically flawless, I feel like somewhere beneath my skin the bruises my mother inflicted is still there. Where lies the core of their rage? I was only in the center of their rage because of my existence, which reminded my mother of her error. I was the product of her past mistake. Her outside child and my father knew it. Each time he looked at me, I wore the face of the man my mother betrayed him with. He isn't my real father and I'm not his child; this fueled his anger! That was his rage! None of it was my fault and I shouldn’t have suffered for it.

Centuries ago, I took both of their lives, but my fathers voice and words continue to echo in my mind. Now, I live with the gut-wrenching desire to prove him wrong. That I am not weak, worthless or pathetic.

𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺.

After death, I found myself facing my maker, and slowly, the determination I had told myself began to crumble. He would break me down and cover me with bruises in the same places that my mother did. He sought every chance to call me weak and pathetic, just like my father did. He knew which buttons to push and never hesitated to press them. 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮! He reveled in my fear and suffering. I'd cower and plead for mercy when 𝘐 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮! That is my biggest regret!

𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩. 𝘋𝘈𝘔𝘕 𝘛𝘏𝘌𝘚𝘌 𝘚𝘊𝘈𝘙𝘚!

I suppress these memories, but they keep resurfacing and causing turmoil in my life. Many are unaware of my past. To them, my actions may seem savage but in Lestat's eyes, I was destined to be a force of fury on earth, but there was so much more hidden beneath the surface.

In the end, I have come to acknowledge that my own self-image is the only one that holds value. Not the persona others desired me to embody. Some will only extend love based on the categorization they've assigned to you, and as long as you don't stray from those limitations, they will grant acceptance. It was a lesson I learned the hard way— That striving for recognition from people who didn't want to see me thrive would have consistently ended in defeat.

I was on the cusp of emotional numbness, questioning the sincerity of others, as people often proclaim love but secretly harbor resentment and ill intentions. I wasn't perfect, but I never deserved the cruelty of being on the edge of someone's blade. As long as I give this kind of access to my heart, it leaves room for these unnecessary wounds. Like the reminder

of the ring that once hung on my finger. It was meant to signify love but it was actually a hollow representation. I didn't possess that kind of love; I gave everything, my heart and soul, only to be gifted pain. To taste betrayal once more.

To be replaced in a fleeting instant. Was it all worth it? I wonder. . . was I really that insignificant?

𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘮𝘺𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯! 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘥𝘺.

“Excuse me? Miss! 𝙈𝙞𝙨𝙨!”

The dim lights flash from above, reminding me of my solitude at the train station. While physically present, my mind wandered until the tall brunette woman approached. There is a visible concern in her eyes when she looks at me and fidgets with her bag.

“Miss, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛!”

I’m confused at first but she’s pointing at my arm. I look down to take a look at it. My nails deeply embedded in my skin. I had clawed and clawed until my arm was bloody and raw. “Funny. I feel nothing.” I responded to her, throwing my head back in laughter. “I think you need some help!” Her hands trembled as she searched her bag for her phone. My laughter stopped and I stood up, my presence imposing. I snatched the phone from her hand and broke it into tiny pieces and let the shards rain down in front of her. “Help? Too little too late.” I said while she stumbled backward and lost her balance on her heels, falling to the ground. I stand over her, she's crawling back to escape me but I've already grabbed hold of her.

“I’m really not in the mood for this.”

I confessed while I dragged her to her feet like she was some rag doll, ignoring all her failed attempts to fight me off. I can smell her fear. Could even taste it on the tip of my tongue as I slammed her down into one of the seats and forced my hand over her mouth to muffle her screams. She thinks I will hurt her, and I have the power to do so, but why respond to her kindness with harm? On any other day I probably would have because that’s who I was but tonight was different. I felt different. I gazed into her eyes, my own lifeless, as if a dark, vacant hollow consumed me from within. I used the power of compulsion to control her mind, carefully speaking these next words so she can follow them.

“Forget everything that just happened here. You dropped your phone and it got ran over by a train. You met me. We talked and that was it.”

I dropped my hand from her mouth, seeing no other reason to linger around. As I walk away, a fresh confidence is evident in my stride. The shards of my past that once lingered have been eradicated, allowing me to shed the parts of myself that held me back from who I was always meant to be—

𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐈𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐲, good or bad, I’d be her unapologetically.