#without any further explanation required whatsoever

[spectral-phases]

Ghosts and Danny Phantom With the JLA

Guys, guys, I like some DP x DC as much as the next person. It's fun. It's whimsical. There are many ✨️✨️opportunities✨️✨️ for trauma and whimsy. I'm not immune to the appeal.

But can we please, please stop with the whole "Only John Constantine knows how to deal with ghosts" or "the Justice League are government shills and wouldn't help Danny" or "The JL just straight up ignored Amity Park for bad reasons and made a kid fight all this stuff on his own."

Superman can hear a cry for help in the far reaches of the solar system and smell brownies baking from space and know exactly where they are from (ask not how smell travels from Earth's atmosphere and into a vacuum and into an air tight space station; nor how sound travels through the vacuum of space in real time for him. The rules of your so-called "physics" do not apply to him). Unless there were some serious shenanigans at play, he's hearing a call for help and answering (we don't have to recognize these feats as canon, they are quite silly, but his senses are very good).

(Superman/Batman 2008 #46) (He is under the effects of silver kryptonite here...which seems to act like weed to him. He has the munchies real bad and is craving some chocolate)

(Superman 1987 #204)

You wanna talk ghosts and Justice League, there's the ghost hero Boston Brand, aka Deadman, who Batman helped solve the murder of. He was a performer who knew Dick Grayson in the circus and died similarly to the Flying Graysons (his high-risk act was sabotaged) and the early Nightwing costume looks eerily similar to Deadman's. In some versions, Deadman helped Dick when he was learning how to do high-wire acts. Deadman just starts possessing people near an experienced Gotham Vigilante, or even Jim Gordon (Oh, yeah, Batman told me about you), and it might take a second but they're very quick on the uptake of speaking to Deadman now (Damian was not because he didn't know about Deadman yet). It's very casual for them.

(Blackest Night: Batman 2009 #1)

(Blackest Night: Batman 2009 #2)

The Speedsters can move so fast they can interact with ghosts and force them out from possessing them by using the Speed force:

(The Flash 2014 #28/#29)

Batman has dealt with so many ghosts he wouldn’t be phased by anything. He has developed ways to fight ghosts on his own with Nth metal batarangs.

(Batman Eternal 2014 #6)

Batman also treats with child ghosts kindly, multiple times. Ghosts of children being dealt with by Batman is a recurring event.

Traveling from Gotham to Austria specifically to let a spirit rest by offering her the heart of her murderer (who Batman did not kill, to be clear, he just acquired it from the corpse):

(Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight 1989 #10)

The remains of a ghost of a girl that was going to be sacrificed to trap a demon in Gotham hundreds of years ago gets buried next to Bruce's parents like his sister:

(Batman 1940 #454)

Batman comforting the spirit of a child who has been possessing people and murdering people because he's angry about his death and not being able to be with his parents anymore:

(Batman: Gotham Knights 2000 #4)

Batman knows how to summon ghosts (Deadman here, to solidify him):

(Batman/Deadman: Death and Glory 1997 #1)

Ghosts in Gotham are so regular that Robins know how to check for traces of ectoplasm when dealing with the supernatural. It is on the checklist for confirming what bullshit they're dealing with today.

(DC Pride: Tim Drake Special 2022 #1)

Speaking of ghosts and Robins, did you know that one of Young Justice's first members after the founding three was Greta Hayes, aka Secret? She had several powers, including changing her form, but she initially couldn't pass through objects like a normal ghost.

(Young Justice: The Secret 1998 #1)

(Young Justice 1998 #7)

The government agency called the DEO (Department of Extranormal Operations), had been experimenting on her and asked them to find her and bring her back, but when they found her and she told them what was really going on, they told the DEO to get fucked and helped save other metas being held at the same facility Greta had been. And then she was a part of the team until she got brought back to life and could live normally as a civilian. Young Justice is hounded by APES (All Purpose Enforcement Squad) around the globe because they helped Secret.

(Young Justice 1998 #4)

In summary, the DC heroes would not say "oh, ghosts, yeah, you’re a prank caller, bye-bye." Or help the guys in white. Or for one goddamn second believe ghosts don’t have sentience. Or not be immediately seeing red over the "Anti-Ecto Control Act." Hell, when the JL is contacted by the DEO whining about Young Justice's involvement with Secret, Batman's very clear that he does not trust the DEO. I doubt Batman, of Gotham "every government official is dirty" City, would just trust the guys in white at all.

(Young Justice: The Secret 1998 #1)

Danny would not be some marvelously weird and super special guy to them. The ghosts in Danny Phantom are a little weird compared to ghosts normally seen in DC (being more tangible, physical, and powerful), but it's not mind blowing or impossible to wrap their heads around (new species of ghost they have to learn about). He would just be another kid hero, ghost king au or not. Captain Marvel is a 14 year old boy who can look like a guy in his 30s through the 'Wisdom of Solomon.' Martian Manhunter can fly and turn invisible and shape-shift (and read minds). They have fought the concept of Death itself, Nekron, and an army of undead:

(Blackest Night 2009 #8)

Like yes, they would like to help Danny, ofc, and they would be upset if he had been captured and tortured, obviously, but nothing he could say would phase them in an earth-shattering way, alright? So many heroes and villains have died and come back to life. They've been tortured and hurt. They're just going to trauma share with Danny ("yeah, that reminds me of the time..." or "Oh, that sounds like something so and so talked about..."). They aren't going to cower before the Ghost King, or whatever title he has in the ghost king au.

You cannot have Danny be young enough to be equal to any of the Teen Titans/Young Justice and have him be this super weird thing to them. You cannot have a fully formed Justice League and have them ignore calls for help from Amity Park. It's just. It's not how they work.

Justice League Dark, the supernatural/occult branch of the JLA, is led by Wonder freaking Woman in some instances, and do you think this warrior woman who squares up with any conquering god on the regular with her god/spirit-containing Lasso of Truth is going to ignore Danny/Amity Park for "safety"? Pfffft. Nope. Pariah Dark pops up and she wants to get tagged in on the fight. Hell, she's tagging herself in for the fight.

(Wonder Woman 2016 #62) (She is trash-talking Ares, God of War, on how to use her Lasso of Truth. I love her so much.)

(Wonder Woman 1942 #607) (oh, look, her being kind to a dead spirit of a dangerous creature her allies want dead)

Justice League Dark also has the Spectre, the avenging angel of God (yes, that God. Judeo-Christian God, aka The Presence). The Spectre is a spirit, so the most powerful ghost they know.

(Detective Comics 1937 #1006) (Notice, how Batman does not give a singular flying fuck about how strong the Spectre is while arguing against the Spectre's Old Testament style vengeance?)

If you wanna go the route of Amity Park being ignored, you need to get creative with it. There was a period of time where Lex Luthor was president trying to outlaw being a superhero and Amanda Waller was in charge of the DEO, and so you can have them do some bullshit that Vlad can even get in on to isolate Amity Park, maybe that's when the Anti-Ecto Acts became a thing because Lex and Waller are meanaces. Hell, maybe even the Reality Gauntlet or DC magic using villains are the deus ex here. Or weird timeline shit after Clockwork fixes things in a Glitch in Time and the worlds are suddenly merged and believe they always were originally. Or. Maybe it's Clockwork meddling trying to mold Danny for a ghost king au. There are limitless possibilities that don't involve making the JL complete assholes/incompetent morons in ways they never would be.

There's even room for funny shenanigans. The Bat of whatever team meets Danny is told "the ghost boy in Amity is violent and dangerous" and they're suddenly there trying to help him solve his murder so he can move on and Danny’s just "???"

Maybe the guys hounding Young Justice for Secret are actually the GIW. Maybe the facility she was in had files on Danny too. Maybe Clark, Conner, Jon, or Kara get hit with silver kryptonite and track down the Fenton residence for fudge. Maybe that's how they break through whatever is shielding Amity from the world, a Kryptonian got sent to space on a silver kryptonite trip. Idfk. Bring the whimsy into it. Please. I'm so tired of the "you left us to rot because you thought we were joking" posts.

Please. Just some whimsy. Or some creativity. Or just blame it all on Clockwork. I beg of you. You can have your angst, god knows we need our angst, but just don't destroy the DC characters in the process. They're so much fun, and have such rich histories, and ghosts have been such a long standing part of their world that I would appreciate that not being ignored, even if canon is a sandbox and you can do whatever you want. I'm just tired of it, especially since some of these things predate the Justice League itself.

[demonslayedher]

Rambling about Kimetsu no Yaiba surnames.

So here I am, trying to study, starting with legit topics, digging deeper, I stumble upon this part of an article about the geomancy origins of the very influential "Kimon" (demon gate) when taken into consideration in architecture and ancient city planning, mentioning how disease and disaster was thought to enter the home via the hearth, gate, water well, and toilet and such, so these parts of the home required some deification to counter-act the evil, but it's written LIKE THIS:

And my brain shouts "竈門、竈門炭治郎"

Kamado. KAMADO TANJIRO.

And next thing you I'm back down a fandom theory rabbit hole. Nothing new, I already know the distinct rarity (but real world use) of this surname, as well as the fact that there are a couple Shinto shrines with this relatively rare writing of "hearth" in the name. But still, it makes me appreciate all over again all the very subtle use of lore throughout this manga, a huge reason I'm so obsessed with it.

So while I'm here, I learned this fun tidbit from an article that asked old people with rare surnames how they feel about them being suddenly very prominent (one old Ms. Kamado tried to start watching it but fell asleep), and I learned about the name 栗花落, notoriously difficult to read as "Tsuyuri". Basically, back in the Nara period (well before Muzan would had turned into a demon in Heian times), a dude was romancing a princess with poetry and made a reference to falling chestnut flowers at the start of the rainy season ("tsuyu") and the emperor was like "That's a cool idea, I'm going to grant that as a surname." (Actually, a lot of surnames get their start from emperors granting them.)

Now, we know Kanao chose this name for herself based on choices the girls set before her, including "Kochou" and "Kanzaki", already used by her new housemates. Poor Kanao probably couldn't read and didn't have any knowledge base to properly appreciate such a poetic name, which I'm guessing was a choice Kanae contributed (Shinobu didn't seem to have put as much thought into the choices for first names and probably didn't think much about surnames either, and Aoi was really pushing for her own last name to be chosen). Kanao might have heard explanations, or she might had just thought the kanji looked pretty.

But, what's interesting to me (and reading way too deeply into it) is that Kanao joined them on May 19. While we typically picture "tsuyu", the rainy season, as spanning June/early July-ish, the start of the season is tied to late May, so even in modern-day formal seasonal references in Japanese written correspondence (yes, formal Japanese is a fussy like this), appropriate references in May include a lot of ways of saying "we're heading into the rainy season, so please take care." Furthermore, the scenes we get of the Butterfly Mansion garden (in both the snime and the manga) include prominent hydrangea, a plant that screams "rainy season."

This isn't important whatsoever, but heeeey, it's fun coincidences.

A few other little tidbits and lots of conjecture:

--Tomioka and Agatsuma may also be names with ancient origins handed down from an emperor or two. Tomioka, written in a couple different ways and pretty uncommon (but not super rare) today, miiiiiight imply Giyuu was of relatively comfortable origins, perhaps with ties to the (defunct) warrior class based on his parents' choice of name for him (even toward the end of the samurai era only a couple generations or so before Giyuu was born, there were volunteer samurai squads named "Giyuu-tai" (righteousness/bravery corp). Further evidence of this is that even after their parents died of illness, it doesn't seem the children Tsutako and Giyuu were left particularly hurting for funds. In the "my wife" Agatsuma case, this is also pretty uncommon and I've only come across it pronounced Adzuma/Azuma. Since Zenitsu was abandoned without a name, we can't assume he picked up a rather higher-class sounding name from them. Either some caretaker he had later on chose it for him (possibly even as late a Kuwajima-shihan), or Zenitsu chose it himself (and this totally seems like a name in line with his tastes).

--Kanroji is the name of a temple; there is a pattern of higher class and noble families having surnames shared with temples (often due to ancient financial ties with said temples). There are, in fact, many existing Kanroji temples, and one of them in Wakayama even installed a temporary decorative "Love Pillar" and some subtle cat references and specisl promotions of the temple's preexisting good luck in match-making. Even the train stop nearby changed the sign to a pink and green fade. And yes, I am super disappointed that I had not heard of all this until the temporary promotion was over.

--Murata and all the Demon Slayer Corp extras (swordsmen and Kakushi, not swordsmiths who have metalworking pun-filled names) have extremely commonplace names.

[silent-scythe]

Roses & Mirrors - Chapter I

Word Count: 3K

Warnings: mild cursing, self hate, alcohol abuse

• ──────✧✦✧────── •

“Il la voit partout

Il l'attend debout”

༺༻

“Have you finished packing?” 

Nesta Archeron turned to glare at the male at her doorway, her spine rigid and her fists clenched. She wore a simple, thin nightgown, a grayish-beige one that went down to her knees.

“Pack?” she spat, as if the word was the most poisonous thing in the world, second only to his cursed name. 

“The-” he started.

“The gray, drab clothes you dislike?” she finished for him. “The alcohol your High Lady forbade me from drinking?”

Cassian lowered his head ever so slightly, looking towards the left. A few strands of wind-kissed hair fell forwards, framing his face. His eyes fluttered with barely restrained exasperation, and Nesta inwardly berated herself for taking note of his long eyelashes. 

“You know there’s more than that,” he said at last, looking up to meet her gaze. “And if you forget something, we won’t be able to come back to Velaris to get it.”

Nesta sneered derisively. As if she possessed anything of value, as if her slanted and damp apartment was actually worth anything. There was nothing here save for empty whiskey bottles, a crooked and unmade bed, an unused bathtub, and whatever other things were required to be in the most basic apartment possible. And in the air was the scent of a Fae male from last night that she was sure Cassian could smell, from the cross expression he had given when he arrived. Nesta was not sorry in the slightest.

She liked to think of herself as a shattered mirror, one whose surface casted a distorted and haunting reflection of her too-skinny bones, sunken cheeks, and bruised-looking eye bags. The pieces of this mirror lay scattered, each accompanied with a tale she was too lazy and too afraid to pick back up. What use would it be if she did indeed collect the shards? They would simply slip from her cold, trembling fingers, back onto the ground, perhaps splintering into more fragments, which was just more for her to pick up. Either way, the mirror was destroyed. Put it back together and you’d still see the cracks. 

Death and darkness did her bidding, yet she found herself to be nothing but glass; broken yet sharp, the metaphor disgustingly ironic. 

She took two steps forward, towards the Illyrian, and from his reaction- which was hidden, although she had a knack for assessing emotions that seemed ever present, even when she was only half sober- she surmised that he had not expected her to respond. 

“I won’t forget anything,” she replied, “because I have nothing to forget.”

Her lips curled back into a cruel smile as she raised her right hand, holding a small purse made of snakeskin. She gave it one shake, and the coins’ clinking noise could be heard. “Unless you count your High Lady’s charity.”

༺༻

Nesta heard the chirp of a bird and she looked up, eyes leaving the pages of her book. 

She watched as the bird flew higher and higher, until she could no longer see it, then turned her gaze to the ground. 

The sunset reflected onto the fresh snow outside Cassian’s cabin, illuminating it with blindingly white light, stark against the backdrop of jagged mountains that stood proudly, reaching towards the sky.

Illyria is beautiful, Nesta thought. At least, Illyrian nature is.

Nesta was no fool. She might’ve thought winter was pretty, but she knew precisely how harsh it was for the less-privileged Illyrians, especially unfortunate children and females. On their flight here, Cassian had explained just the basics, but Nesta felt as if she were a hellcat, bristling and snapping when he mentioned the backwards treatment of the females. 

They were supposed to land in Windhaven. The name rang a bell in her head, and she realized it was the camp led by Devlon, who she remembered as little more than a pathetic asshole. 

“Windhaven, like most other Illyrian camps, have banned wing clipping, but discrimination against females is still unfortunately existent,” he had said carefully, his tone soft, as if she were a young doe in the woods. There was true sorrow and anger on his face. She knew Cassian was proud to be Illyrian, proud of Illyrian culture, although clearly he didn’t condone this part in the slightest.  

Nesta remained silent, waiting for him to continue. 

“Wing clipping was outlawed by Rhys centuries ago, although in some rural camps, it’s still done.”

Nesta didn’t bother to ask for an explanation as to what wing clipping was; she could infer enough from the term itself. 

“The war has caused a lot of unrest. We’ve worked against the misogyny in the camps, but the discrimination is rooted deeply. It is not present in true Illyrian culture whatsoever, but the sexism has been here for so long that few accept any other ideology. Not only that, many families are angered at the way they are treated by the Night Court and the fact that so many died in the war.”

He seemed hesitant to go on, and Nesta narrowed her eyes, despite the fact that she wasn’t looking at his face. She waited expectantly for him to explain, although he seemed to refrain from giving any further explanation. 

“There is a lot of civil unrest in Illyria right now. Be careful,” was all he ended up saying.

The rest of their flight was spent in silence, Cassian focused on flying and Nesta ignoring the warmth and comfort she felt in his embrace. 

Now, as she watched the sun succumb to night’s darkness, sinking behind the mountains, she shivered. The house was insulated enough, but it was only the beginning of winter, and she was well aware that the winter nights of Illyria were not cozy in the slightest.

She hated to admit it, but she did miss Cassian’s warmth, even if she wanted nothing more than to strangle that bastard and run away from this place until she was as far from here as possible.

Nesta frowned at her conflicting emotions, closing her book shut with a snap. She had gone nearly twenty hours without alcohol, and she was not used to her feelings being so prominent, preferring the numb fuzziness of inebriation. 

Cassian being a living heater was not an option. Fire was not an option, and asking for anything was definitely not an option either. That left her with only one choice, which would be to suffer in silence. 

The cabin was different from her predictions. She had expected either a small and broken house, similar to her apartment, or something obnoxiously grand like the House of Wind. It was neither.

The cabin was made from some sort of sturdy wood, varying in shades of brown, some dark and some lighter. Nesta had begrudgingly come to the conclusion that she liked the cabin itself despite its owner and occupants. The house had many rooms, some of which Nesta had yet to explore. There was a dining room, kitchen, living room, and bathroom near the entrance. Near the back of the house was a hallway, with bedrooms, more bathrooms, a study, and some other rooms that she didn’t yet know the purpose of. The single-floored cabin was designed in such a way that all the bedrooms were in the middle of the house, surrounded by other rooms. 

Immediately after arriving in the cabin, Cassian had unpacked and went to go buy some supplies, which was abnormally vague, but Nesta didn’t question him further lest she presented herself as actually caring about that bastard. Nesta stayed in the study for nearly an hour; in it was a desk with a few papers, which she assumed were Cassian’s, and besides that, it was shelves upon shelves of books. There were way more than she expected, for she swore the cabin looked tiny from the outside. Most of the books were ancient tomes of war strategy, which Nesta regarded with a snort, but she did find a section of fiction. And after some time, she managed to find two books she was somewhat interested in.

She had headed straight to her bedroom. It was simple and undecorated, connected to a bathroom, and had a bed and two nightstands both with lamps. The closet and drawers remained empty. She left the little snakeskin pouch on the left nightstand, close to the door, and her books on the right side of the bed. She really didn’t like the novels all that much, but she had nothing to do in this cursed place. 

After absentmindedly recalling earlier events, she yawned and returned to the present for a few fleeting minutes, moving to put her book back onto the nightstand before withdrawing inside herself and staring at the wall until all the damned light in her room leached out of the window, the dying light turning the shadows into dancing ghosts.

Minutes- or maybe hours, for she did not care to keep track of time- later, she heard the creak of a door and a few thumps; most likely Cassian dropping things onto the kitchen counter or the floor.

“Nesta?” came his voice, drifting up the stairs. “Nesta, I’m home,” he called. 

She did not deign to offer him a reply. In fact, nothing about her posture remotely indicated that she heard anything. 

Footsteps sounded, and sooner than she liked, they drew closer until they stopped before her door. “Nesta, I know you’re in there,” he said softly, his voice a low rumble. “I know you don’t want to talk to me, and I know you’re frustrated with the situation.” 

Oh, frustrated, how interesting, she inwardly sneered. Frustrated, what a simple term to describe me. As if I chose to be in Illyria.

“I’m not going to make you talk to me all day, but- could you at least come out every day to eat dinner?”

Nesta continued to stare at the wall. “No.”

“Nesta-”

“I said no. Unless you would like to further intrude in my life and invalidate my decisions?”

She could hear Cassian’s sigh from behind the door. “Fine, we can compromise. Eat in the kitchen just for today so that we can talk.”

“Just for today,” Nesta responded, voice clipped. “Don’t expect any more.” 

His footsteps disappeared into silence, and when Nesta was sure he was gone, she let her guard down and once more let her mind suck her into an empty black void of self-deprecating thoughts, both too full and too vacant at the same time. 

Nesta missed the whiskey that burned as it fell down her throat. She did not turn on the lamps. Soon, the darkness of her bedroom became akin to the phantoms in her mind, and she let herself wander once more in the mist, fumbling for shards of a mirror, only to step on them and bleed. 

༺༻

Nesta didn’t eat much. It surprised her that Cassian could cook, but she didn’t let her revelation show. He had given her a plate of some Illyrian dish that she didn’t recognize, and a bowl of broth. Nesta would’ve found both delicious, had she not been prior starving herself to the point where anything more than the bare minimum was too much. Thus, she had drunk only half the broth and taken a few bites of the dish before setting down her fork. 

Cassian, to her relief, did not comment on how little she ate, although she did not miss his gaze edged with worry that flickered her way many times throughout. 

Their dinner was in silence, one that wasn’t necessarily uncomfortable but also far from comfortable. It was filled with tension, like a rope pulled taut, waiting to be cut. There was no conversation or banter between them, and Nesta was content to keep it that way.

Cassian cleared his throat. Nesta immediately stiffened and she felt her walls go back up; walls of stone around her heart and tall bushes of prickly roses around her mind. 

“May I ask a question?” he asked. 

Nesta’s previous relief was short-lived at his words, and she felt annoyance wash over her. She knew Cassian well enough to know he would only say that if his question was about a heavier subject, sensitive, or in any other way displeased Nesta. 

“Only if I can ask one in return,” she answered at last. A thought for a thought, a truth for a truth. 

Cassian raised an eyebrow, a small grin flashing across his face, likely surprised and pleased that she was actually engaging in any sort of conversation, but he made no taunt. 

“Okay. I’ll ask first,” he said, expression settling back into one of seriousness. Cassian swallowed, a short sigh escaping him. “Nesta. I want to ask you this for your own good. I know that this is private to you, but-” 

“Get on with it,” Nesta snapped. “I have no need for your monologue.” 

Cassian nodded. “Alright, then. Do you have any triggers? If so, what are they? I just want to make sure that I don’t accidentally trigger you, or make you uncomfortable…”

His voice trailed off in uncertainty, another thing the bastard rarely did. 

Nesta hated the inquiry, half wanting to rip his head off for even having the audacity to ask such a personal question. 

She didn’t want to answer it in the slightest. She did not want to offer that part of herself, a vulnerability, a weakness, a doorway through her stone walls. She knew Cassian had good intentions, but this was her gods-damned privacy. Cassian was nothing in her sad excuse of a life, and he was not entitled to know anything about her. 

On the other hand, Nesta herself had a burning question for Cassian, something that she had pondered over for a while, and now was the perfect time she could ask it. If she gave him an answer, he had to give one back. 

Nesta took a deep breath. “Fire, and water, especially baths,” she said, her tone a shade wobblier than she would have liked. “I cannot stand the crackling sound of fire, or anything where I am submerged, either partially or fully.”

She had left one out, but he didn’t know that. He didn’t need to. 

Cassian took a few seconds to process this, dipping his head once. “Okay. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind, and I can get extra blankets-”

“You don’t need to,” she cut him off sharply. 

Cassian didn’t respond to that, knowing better than to push further. A heavy and unpleasant pause hovered between them for a moment before she continued.

“My turn. What is going on between you, Azriel, and Morrigan?”

Nesta was blunt and straightforward as always. She did not bother sounding pleasant. 

Cassian visibly flinched, shadows crawling over his eyes. “Nesta, I’m not sure that’s something I should say.” 

“Not sure?” Nesta countered. “Or do you just not want to? You promised a question for a question, or can you not hold yourself accountable for this promise either?”

Cassian’s jaw tightened and his hazel eyes hardened, clearly knowing exactly what Nesta had referenced. He crossed his arms, wings flaring for a second before settling, a telltale sign of his uneasiness. 

“Fine. I’m going to make this as brief as possible,” he said. “Kier wanted Mor to marry Eris Vanserra so that he could forge an alliance between the two courts. Mor didn’t want to marry Eris and asked me to take her virginity so that Eris would no longer want her. Azriel loves Mor and Mor has not openly shown any feelings towards Azriel, nor has she rejected him. I’m not going to say any more than that. This whole thing involves them both and it is not my place to spill secrets they might not want me to share.” 

Nesta’s livid eyes narrowed, and Cassian could’ve sworn a flame ignited in them, swirling as it arose from the ashes. “So what you’re saying is that the three of you, as centuries old Fae, have not been able to resolve an incident that happened five hundred years ago?”

Cassian let out a sigh. “No-”

“No? You and Morrigan are not in a romantic relationship, have no interest in each other, and yet you give her lingerie?” 

Cassian stiffened at that, nostrils flaring. “What? Nesta, how and why does this tie into Solstice?” 

Nesta didn’t bother answering, only pressing on, temper rising, the fire in her gaze burning brighter. “And you’re also okay with Morrigan using you?” 

Cassian got up from his chair, clearly agitated. “Nesta,” he snapped. “Mor did not use me. Don’t insult her like that. I-”

“Did not?” Nesta shot back, scoffing. “Do you even hear yourself? Morrigan could have fucked anybody yet she chose you because of your background and upbringing. And now she uses you as a barrier between her and Azriel. Can you not see the toxicity? This is ridiculously unbelievable.” Her eyes blazed with a raging, devastating intensity. 

“I told you this already, Nesta,” he said, his voice low and firm. Nesta reminded him of a snake, striking swift, and right where it hurt. “Don’t insult Mor like that, she is a close friend of mine, and-”

Nesta rolled her eyes at that. 

“-and look, I don’t want to argue, not over this.”

“You’re the one who started this damn argument.”

“Nesta, now that you said something in opposition again, you’re also still arguing with me.”

Both glared at each other fiercely, like fire on fire. Neither relented until Cassian finally tore his eyes away, fingers pressed against the bridge of his nose. 

Just as Cassian sank back onto his chair with a defeated huff, Nesta stood up, ever the epitome of elegance. 

“I’m done.”

Cassian opened his mouth. 

“Don’t talk to me.”

With that, Nesta turned around and left the table, steps measured, chin neither raised nor lowered. The silver flames in her eyes extinguished and replaced itself with ghosts.

• ──────✧✦✧────── •

First chapter of Roses & Mirrors is finally up! I’ll be trying to write a chapter and upload it every other weekend (so bi-weekly updates), however, depending on the time I have, it may take longer for me to update. 

I don’t particularly like editing stories, so this is very minimally edited. If you find any mistakes, typos, or inconsistencies, don’t hesitate to point them out! 

This first chapter was kind of boring, I had to set everything up so nothing that exciting has happened yet. Just so y’all know, there won’t really be much action (like battling and such) in this fanfiction, it’s more focused on Nesta and Cassian’s relationship. Because I only have 7 chapters planned, this will probably be a faster-paced book in regards to how their relationship progresses. 

I think Nesta’s emotions in this chapter are sort of all over the place, which is what I intended, although it comes off as messy. To me, Nesta isn’t a character that is always stuck in deep depression, I believe that occasionally she will be happier than other times. I also believe that alcohol helps numb her emotions and since she is forced to be sober, it also contributes to why she’s all over the place. 

As for why I have only seven chapters planned, it’s because I took seven lyrics out of the song Love Story by Indila. I think the song itself talks about a relationship different from Nessian, but I took the lyrics since I think it fits them. I then used the lyrics i took to plan out this fanfiction. The lyrics in this chapter are, “he sees her everywhere - standing, he is waiting for her.” (I am not French, please tell me if this translation is inaccurate!)

Wow this is a long author’s note. Thank you all for reading, comments are muchly appreciated! Taglist is below, if you’d like to be added or removed, feel free to @ me. 

- Scythe

• ──────✧✦✧────── •

Taglist:

@dead-on-the-inside666 @nessian-archeron @greerlunna @sjm-things @sannelovesreading @silvernesta

[derekfoxwit]

Doctor Dorpden’s Critical Tips of Prestige

Note: This post was made with satirical intentions in mind. I’m only emphasizing because I’ve had a couple of comments on previous joke posts I’ve did take it seriously. With that said, here we go.

Tip 1: For starters, remember that when looking at the work, if the Mystic Knee twitches fast enough to punch a hole in a wall, this suggests that the work should be near the lowest of the low. No further development of opinion is needed.

Tip 2: For an equal degree of sophistication, give the warm comfort of nostalgia at least 5 times more chances than the new thing that MAY seem actually poggers.

Tip 3: If you have the anecdote of encountering shitty fans, then use them as a scapegoat for the show they flaunt over being shitty. Clearly, they’re always making the show the way it is.

Tip 4: If you haven’t heard much about a newer film or show you’re yet to watch, there’s an 85% chance that film or show is actually not worth your time. The Father (2020) isn’t as widespread as Joker (2019) for a reason.

Tip 5: At this point, just go for the Asian Artist Dick. I’m actually in the mood to see merit in that because I want to look edgy against cute doodles. Stop attacking Uzaki-Chan, you cowards!

Tip 6: Avoid the electronic tunes. They’ll make you smell like a bum, for there’s no structural in a music album that’s nothing but wubs.

Tip 7: If you see a Tweet that looks dumb, use it as a means of generalizing all the fans of a work as sharing that same opinion.

Tip 8: If the cartoon I’m given doesn’t provide me with mature ideas such as slicing an Arbok in half or fake boobs, then the cartoon might as well be on the same level as Teletubbies.

Tip 9: You know the music is (c)rap when it brings up drugs, regardless of lyrical context.

Tip 10:  Raw mood is the indicator of quality cartooning. If you’re quick to assume the worst in the newest HBO Max original cartoon, then you got thyself a stinker. Same thing if you were super bummed out when watching a new thing, regardless of anecdotal context.

Tip 11:  When you’re not given continuous throwbacks, ensure you’re as reductive and over-generalizing about the works shown as possible.

Tip 12:  If your hazy and imperfect as hell recollection of a children’s film, whether it’s Wall-E or Lilo & Stitch, would describe said film as “too sugary” or “key-waving schlock”, then that HAS to be the case. No meat on that bone whatsoever.

Tip 13: Simpler, more graphic style that isn’t as realistic as old-school Disney or Anime? You got yourself a lazy style with zero passion put into it.

UPA? Who’s THAT?!

Tip 14: Don’t trust anyone saying that western children’s cartoons had any form of artistic development after 2008 (with, like, TWO exceptions). If it did, why didn’t we go from stealing organs in a 2001 cartoon to showing opened stomachs in a 2021 cartoon?

Tip 15: Big booba is always important to the strong female character’s quality.

Tip 16:  Only MY ships count, for they provide me with a feeling of intelligence.

Tip 17: ���PG-13″ and “R” rating just simply mean you’re not caring for expressing themes in a sophisticated manner. It’s just THAT simple until I dictate otherwise.

Tip 18:  In this age of smelly radicals, “Death of the Author” is more important than ever. Without it, this’ll imply that a classic like The Matrix was secretly toxic, due to what the Wachowskis have to say about it being an “allegory of trans people.”

Tip 19: Turn the fandoms you hate into your torture porn. Ask in Tweets to Retweet one sentence that’d “trigger” them. Go out of your way to paint all of them as blind consoomers. That’ll show them, and it’ll show how much more intelligent you are compared to those clowns.

Tip 20: Whatever the Mystic Knee dictates upon the first viewing of a work is what shall indicate the full structural extent of the film.

Tip 21: The mindset of a 2000s edgelord is one that actually understands the artistry of the medium of animation. Listen to that crazy but ingenious man.

Tip 22: Because sheer ambition makes me feel manly, the high pedestal you bestow upon a cartoon work should be based mostly on the mere mention or mere suggestion of serious topics. This means that pure comedy is smelly.

Tip 23: Is the new work tackling subjects that you’ve loved a childhood work of yours for covering? Just assume it’s super bare-bones in that case compared to the older case, for there’s nothing the older work can do to truly prove itself otherwise. Seriously, Letterboxd. Stop giving any 2010s cartoon anything above a 4/5

Tip 24: If the Mystic Knee is suggesting that the work is crummy, then consider any explanation off the top of your head for why the work in question is crummy.

Tip 25: Sexual and gender identity is inherently political, so don’t focus on them in the story. It’s no wonder why Full Metal Alchemist has caught on more than the She-Ra reboot.

Tip 26: Since I got bothered by a random butt monkey type character in a crummy cartoon, I’m now obligated to assume that having a butt monkey will only harm the writing integrity of the cartoon.

Seriously, Mr. Enter....what?!

Tip 27: We’re at a point where pure comedy for a kids’ cartoon is doing nothing but dumbing down the children. Like seriously...... I doubt Billy and Mandy would ever use farts as a punchline, unlike these newer kids comedies.

Tip 28: The difference between the innuendo in kids’ cartoons I grew up on and the ones Zootopia made is the sense of prestige they give me. Just take notes from the former instead.

Tip 29: Wanna make a work of artistic merit? Just take notes from the stuff I whore out to. It’s just THAT simple until I dictate otherwise.

Tip 30: Always remember this golden rule: If the newer work, or a work you’ve recently experienced the first time, was truly great, why isn’t it providing the exact emotions from your younger, more impressionable years?

Tip 31: If the Mystic Knee aims to break the bones of a character doing certain things (.i.e. having body count of thousands; lashing out to character; etc.), that means the character is bad and deserves no redemption.

Tip 32: If you want me to believe there’s any intrigue or depth in your antagonist, give them redemption, for I am in need of that sorta thing being spelled out. Looking at you, Syndrome. Should’ve taken notes from Tai Lung.

Tip 33: In a case where you’re going “X > Y” (.i.e. manga compared to western comics), ALWAYS CHERRY PICK! Use the recent controversies of the “Y” item while pretending that the “X” item has never had anything of the sort.

Tip 34: BEFORE you bring up those comments that shat on the original Teen Titans cartoon back when it was new, whether for making Starfire “more PC” or whatever.......the DIFFERENCE between them and me is that THEY were just bad faith fools that couldn’t see true majesty out of blind rage. I, however, am truly certain that calling any western TV cartoon from 2014-onward a work that transcends its generation suggests a destruction of the medium.

Tip 35: Based on fandom growth, it shows that any newer show isn’t being watched much by kids, but rather loser adults that act like children. Therefore, there’s more prestige in what I grew with.

Tip 36: The focus on children is bad at this point since the children of today have attention spans that flies would have.

Tip 37: A select few screenshots (or even one) of either a less elaborate attacking animation, less realistic game graphics, or a less on-model image in a cartoon indicates EVERYTHING about the work’s quality.

Tip 38: Consuming or writing media where characters go through constant suffering is little more than gaining pleasure out of it. YOU SICKOS!

Looking at you, Lily Orchard!

Tip 39: Whether it’s a sexual awakening story or just simply a romance, focus on a character being lesbian, trans, bi, etc., then it shouldn’t be in a kids’ work. It’s too spicy for them by default. Kids don’t want romance anyway.

Tip 40: The very idea of a western cartoon with no full-blown antagonist (i.e. Inside Out) is a destruction of animated artistry. Sorry, but it’s just THAT simple until I dictate otherwise.

Tip 41: Unless it’s my fluffy pillow, such as Disney’s Robin Hood, it should be obligated to assume the inserting of anthros is only there to pleasure the furries. Looking at YOU, Zootopia!

Tip 42: With how rough and rash The Beast was, it shows that he was more of an abusive lover. Therefore, I refuse to believe that Beauty and the Beast has any of the meticulous moral writing that most of Disney’s other 90s films has.

Tip 43: When you suggest one work should’ve “taken notes” from another work in order to do better, BE VAGUE! Those who agree will be shown to be geniuses.

Tip 44: Remember how morally grey Invader Zim was? That really goes to show how little the Western Animation scene has been trying since that show. Really should just be taking notes from that series (and of course anime).

Tip 45: Even if I have a radar that clearly indicates such, hiding the item I look for inside an enemy is always bad, for I refuse to believe it would be inside the enemy.

Goddamn it, Arin!

Tip 46: People struggle understanding your gender identity or pronouns? All there is to see in that is a giant cloud of egotism that reads “My problems” zapping another smaller cloud that reads “other people’s problems”. Seriously, kids are starving, so WHAT if you identity confused someone. Grow a spine!

Tip 47: Stop pretending that adaptations should colorize how a story or comic series should be defined. No way in FUCK can a cartoon or film incarnation become the definitive portrayal of my precious superhero idol.

Tip 48: Enough with your precious “limited animation” techniques, YOU WESTERN HACKS! All you’re doing is admitting to sheer laziness and lacking artistic integrity. Now if you excuse me, I’ll be watching more anime, since that gives me a sense of prestige.

Tip 49: If getting five times more detail than the 2D animated visuals have requires someone getting hurt, so be it. No pain, no gain after all.

Tip 50: Yes, I genuinely struggle to believe there’s this majestic level of layered material without having the most immediate yet still vague re-assurance practically yelling in my face. But that’s STILL the work’s fault, not mine.

Tip 51: Every Klasky-Csupo cartoon has more artistic integrity than any of them cartoons with gay lovers such as Kipo or the Netflix She-Ra show.

Tip 52:  If Sergio Pablos’ Klaus is anything to go by, we have no excuse to utilize those smelly as fuck digital animation “styles” found on Stinky Universe, Suck-Ra or Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turds.

Tip 53: Stop projecting your orientation onto works of actual talent. Seriously, how does Elton John’s I’m Still Standing expel ANY rainbow flag energy?

Tip 54: Hip hop and electronica have been the destruction of music, especially the kind that’s actually organic and not farting on the buttons of a beeping or drumming gadget.

Tip 55: The audience for cartoons has become significantly less clear over the years. We should just go back to Saturday mornings of being sold toys or shit kids actually want.

Tip 56: PSAs for kids shouldn’t be about ‘woke’ content. They should be actual problems such as doing drugs; not playing with knifes / outlets / matches; or acceptance.

Tip 57: The instant you realize a detail in a childhood work that’s better understood as an adult, you’re forced to paint that work as the most transcendent thing in the world. It’s just THAT simple until I dictate otherwise.

Tip 58: Before you lash out on ALL rich people, remember this: #Not All Rich People.

Tip 59: There’s nothing to gain out of the (c)rap scene other than becoming a spiteful, gun-wielding thug that sniffs weed for breakfast.

Tip 60: Since the Mystic Knee told me to get anal about prom episodes in several gay cartoons, this shows that writing about one’s younger experiences just makes you look pathetic.

Tip 61: Another smelly thing about Zootopia is how it was painting a police chief as stern and exclusive. #Not All Chiefs

Tip 62: Me catching a glimpse of Grave of the Fireflies as a kid and turning out fine shows that you may as well show kids more adult works without worry. No amount of psychological questions being asked will suggest otherwise.

Tip 63: There’s a reason why the Mystic Knee keeps leaning more toward the 90s and early 2000s than most decades. That knee KNOWS where there’s a sense of true refinement.

Tip 64: The BIG difference between rock and electronica? Steward Copeland actually DRUMS. All that the likes of Burial, Boards of Canada, Depeche Mode and several others did was push drum buttons.

Tip 65: One exception to the golden nostalgia is when the work in question doesn’t stuff your face with fantastical, bombastic stories. At which point, there can only be rose-colored blinds covering Nickelodeon’s Doug. Nothing of merit or personal resonance to be found.

Tip 66: Remember that the sense of nuance in the work comes down to there being everything including the kitchen sink, whether it involves multiple geographic landscapes; giving us hundreds of characters; etc. Only through the extremes will I be able to tell there is nuance.

Tip 67: Once you see a joke that has an involvement with sexual or violent content, just ignore the full picture and just reduce it to having nothing to it but “sex, violence, gimme claps.”

PKRussel has entered the chat

Tip 68: With all the SJWs messing up the art of comedy, lament the times where you could be called a comic genius, NOT a monster, for shouting out the word “STAB,” calling a gay weird, painting Middle Easterns as inherently violent, etc.

Tip 69: Guitar twang will always win out over (c)rap beats. There’s a reason your grandma is more likely to listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd than Kendrick Lamar.

Tip 70: Once the Mystic Knee notices a lack of squealing at the video game with linearity, that shows there’s more artistry in going full-blown open world.

Tip 71: Related to Tips 66 and 68, ensure your comedy gets as much information and mileage out of each individual skit as possible. EMPHASIZE if you need to. Continuously spout out your quirky phrase of “STAB” if needed.

Tip 72: Based on the onslaught of TV shows with many seasons and episodes, animated or otherwise, it shows that there’s more worth going for that than simply having a miniseries or a 26-episode anime.

Tip 73: Building off of the previous tip, you’re better off squeezing and exhausting every little detail and notable characterization rather than keeping anything simple and possibly leaving a stone unturned, especially if there’s supposed to be a story. 

Tip 74: Playing through the fan translation of Mother 3 made me realize how much some newer kids’ works just try too hard to get serious. Why even make the kids potentially think about the death of a family member?

Tip 75: The fear I had over Sid’s toys from the first Toy Story and similar anecdotal emotions are the be-all indicators of what kind of show or film is fitting for the children.

Tip 76:  Seeing this British rapper chick have a song titled “Point and Kill” just further exemplifies the fears I’ve had about rappers being some of the most harmful folks ever.

Tip 77: The problem with attempting to make a more “relatable” She-Ra is that kids aren’t looking for relatability. They want the escapism of buff fighters or something similar. This is why slice-of-life is so smelly.

Tip 78: Based on seeing the rating of “PG-13″ or “R,” I can tell that the dark humor is little more than “hur dur sex and guns.” Given the “TV-Y7 FV” rating of Invader Zim, the writers should’ve taken notes from that instead just so I can sense actual prestige.

Tip 79: The original He-Man has more visual intrigue in its animation than any of those smelly glorified doodles found in the “styles" of the 2010s and early 2020s.

Tip 80: It’s always the fault of the game that my first guess (that I refuse to divert from) on how I have to go through an obstacle won’t work.

Tip 81: Zootopia discussing prejudice ruins the majestic escapism I got from my precious childhood films from 1991-2004. Them kids might as well be watching the news. Now to watch some Hunchback after I finish these tips.

Tip 82: There is no such thing as an unreasonable expectation, and there’s especially no wrong way to address the lack of met expectations! For example, if you expect some early 2010s cartoon on the Disney Channel to be a Kids X-Files, yet you get moments such as some girl getting high on stick dipping candy, you got the right to paint the worst out of that show for not being “Kids’ X-Files.”

Tip 83: Related to my example for Tip 82, if you get the slightest impression of something being childish, you know you got yourself a children’s work that does little than wave keys and has basically nothing substantial for them. In this situation, those malfunctioning robots found in Wall-E are the guilty party.

Tip 84: Without the extensive dialogue that I’m used to getting, how can one say for certain there was any amount of characterization in the title character of Wall-E?

Tip 85: Ever noticed yourself gradually being less likely to expect an upcoming work or view a work you’re just consuming as “the next best thing”? That’s ALWAYS the fault of smelly “artists” (hacks really) and their refusal to give a shit.

Tip 86:  It’s obligatory for your lead to be explicitly heroic just so there is this immediate re-assurance that they’re a good one.

Tip 87: Without the comforting safety net of throwbacks, one cannot be for certain that there has been an actual evolution of a series or the art of animation and video games.

Tip 88: Don’t PSA kids on stuff they give zero fucks about. That means no gender identities or pronouns, race, etc.

Tip 89: Don’t listen to Mamoru Hosoda saying that anime women tend to be “depicted through a lens” of sexual desire. He’s just distracting from the superior prestige found in anime women.

Tip 90:  If you’re desperate to let others know that your talking points are reasonable, just repeat them over and over with little expansion on said talking points.

Tip 91: 7 or more seasons of art is better than 26 episodes of art.  EVERY TIME!

Tip 92: Always remember to continuously talk up the innuendo and mature subject matter of the childhood work as the most prestigious, transcendent thing of all time. With that in mind, there’s a high chance that your favorite childhood work will be better known than Perfect Blue (1997), and there’s likely a reason for that.

Tip 93: An art style that gives many characters relatively more realistic arm muscle details will always shine through more than any sort of art style done for “simplicity” (laziness, really).

Tip 94:  Seeing a few (like, even VERY FEW) people show more enthusiasm for Steven Universe over Invader Zim really shows the lower bar that has been expected out of the western animation scene compared to anime.

Tip 95: Electronic music makes less conventional time signatures cheap as hell. REAL music like rock makes them the exact opposite.

Tip 96: If your Mystic Knee suggests that the 90s cartoon being viewed doesn’t showcase a vague sense of refinement or artistic integrity, then every related assumption of yours is right. EVERY TIME!

Tip 97: Doing everything and the kitchen sink for one series or movie shows a better sense of refinement and prestige than any form of simplicity. THIS includes character design as well.

Tip 98: The advent of that Star Wars: Visions anime really shows just how stinky western cartoons have become.

Tip 99:  For those wondering, no, Europe isn’t being counted in my definition of “western animation”. Doing so is a complete disservice to prestige.

Tip 100: If even less than half of these tips aren’t being considered, you can kiss that prestige badge goodbye. After all, I SAID SO!

[kieraelieson]

Gilded Cage

BTHB: Remus who is Claustrophobic and Logan with Gilded Cage. Logan gets him out in the end but it takes a while... Too long for Remus to not be traumatised by the end. Oh and Canon-Verse! Prompt by @willowaudreykeyes

"Gilded Cage", taken literally, is 100% a gt prompt. Prompt by @enby-phoenix

(Set when Thomas is a teenager)

It was strange. Yes, the ‘unwanted thoughts’ had slowed to a mere dripping, rather than the stream there had been. But something felt off. More of Thomas’s ‘darker impulses’, especially anxiety, had increased recently, and Logan was also concerned about how quickly Remus’s contributions had been cut off.

And he was curious. It was a massive shift, if not in Thomas’s entire mind, then of the ‘dark side’. Anxiety had never had quite such a hold before, and judging by the times Logan had personally heard him, he hadn’t been prepared for it either. And then anger, apathy, and self-isolating tendencies had also increased.

But even more strangely, Logan hadn’t heard a word from Deceit in over a week. They’d been in touch, occasionally exchanging messages, and even a few short conversations. But recently it had been less and less, and there had been odd codes Logan had enjoyed attempting to decode, but had failed at understanding.

So now he stood at the door to the ‘dark side’. It was illogical to have such a division, but he was familiar with the tall, wide wall, and the small door.

Except now it seemed in odd disrepair, especially the door, which was splintered and slightly ajar. Deceit usually maintained the wall, and its state made Logan more concerned for his wellbeing.

He pushed the door open as far as it would go, and squeezed through the crack.

The other side was dark. And not ‘dark’ as had been presupposed, but literally dark. As if there were no lights, not even a semblance of sunlight through windows.

This made the glimmer of sparks that accompanied the loud exhale even more attention grabbing.

Logan spun, wishing he had some kind of weapon, and saw a very large bulk of… something. It was too dim to tell. But it was breathing. Living. Whatever it was.

His eyes gradually started adjusting, and he could see more vague shapes, but no detail. Another heavy exhale, and flutter of sparks, and it became more clear.

It was a dragon. A dragon asleep, chained around the neck, heavy chain trailing off into the distance. Even the sparks weren’t enough to let him see color, but he was almost certain the dragon would be yellow. That it was Deceit.

Logan carefully reached out, setting a hand on the dragon’s nose in a similar way to a movie Thomas had seen.

There was no reaction whatsoever.

“Deceit? It’s Logan. I hate to wake you, but I’d like to discuss some things.”

Nothing.

Logan frowned. He pressed with his hand, but still received no response.

“Deceit. Deceit!”

Nothing.

Logan even went so far as to hit him. But still no response. The breathing was slow and even, one breath every few generating sparks. There was no twitch, nor opening of an eye, nor disruption to his breathing to suggest waking.

“He-he won’t wake up…” a new voice said, startling Logan.

Luckily, he regained his composure quickly, and certainly didn’t fall onto the ground. “Anxiety.”

Anxiety saluted, looking around nervously. “You shouldn’t be here. It’s not safe right now.”

“Yes. That is what I was concerned about. What exactly has been going on over here? It seems much has changed, but without explanation or warning.”

The darkness could be confusing him, but Logan thought he could see a slight tremble to Anxiety’s shoulders. “Well… yeah. You guys said things had to change. Thomas wanted them to change.”

Logan nodded. “Yes, as a gradual process, as a part of Thomas’s growth and maturation. This seems to be different than that.”

Anxiety bit down on his lip. “Then… we-we don’t have to?”

“Don’t have to what? We’ve never required anything specific of you.”

There was a soft sound in the distance, and suddenly Anxiety was standing close to Logan, so close their shoulders pressed together.

“You-you’re a light side. You’re way more powerful than me.”

“That isn’t quite how it works, but—“

“Look, I’ll get you there, and hold them off as long as I can. But you have to do the hero part, alright?”

“I’m hardly a hero, that would be Roman’s—“ Logan’s words were cut off in a strangled yelp as he was scooped off his feet and carried quickly further into the darkness.

He barely knew what was happening until he was dumped onto the floor and there was the sound of a door shutting behind him.

He felt for a handle, but there didn’t seem to be one. Though eventually he found a light switch.

The light was dull, almost reddish. And as soon as it was turned on he heard a small gasp.

He was in a small room, and in the middle of the room, taking up much of the area, was a cage. Inside the cage was a table, a chair, and a cot. The cage seemed to be empty. Except for on the table, where there was something draped in a dark towel. And that something was rustling.

“Wr-wrath?” A faint voice asked, tremulous as if the speaker were crying. “Apathy?” The voice was too faint and high for Logan to readily identify.

“I am neither. I am Logic.”

There was a faint sob. “I-I’ve learned my lesson. I have, I swear! Please… I-it’s so small. Logic, please, I promise, I’ll hold the thoughts in, I won’t let them out, I won’t try to leave, I’ll stay right here, I swear I will, please!”

Logan still couldn’t identify the voice, or discover where it was coming from, unless it were under the towel. But the cage still stood between him and the towel. He didn’t see a door on the cage either. This whole room seemed made to defy logic.

“Please what?”

There was a broken sob, the breath hitching as if the speaker were nearly hyperventilating. “Let me out. Please! Let me out, let me out, LET ME OUT!!!” The final phrase was less spoken than it was screamed, and there was a movement from the towel, and a clinking like metal.

Whatever was under there, it screamed and thrashed, sounding far more than terrified.

“I can’t, I don’t know how—“

“LET ME OUT!!!” Any further words devolved into a long, howling screech.

Logan was frozen. Caught between his intense desire to do something, anything, and his inability to do so. He couldn’t enter the cage without a door. Nor could he exit the room. He couldn’t help whoever it was, and they were clearly both terrified and in need of help.

“Listen, you need to get yourself under control, if you continue to panic there will be a possibility of falling unconscious.”

“YOU THINK I HAVEN’T PASSED OUT AND WOKE UP STILL TRAPPED A MILLION TIMES ALREADY!!!”

There was another screech, their breath clearly starting to come short.

Logan glared, and swung a fist into the bars of the cage. Nothing happened, of course. It was infuriating, but it made sense, unlike the rest of this room.

No.

No.

The room did NOT make sense.

It was NOT logical.

It should NOT exist in this way.

The door ought to have a handle. The cage ought to have a door, and a lock, and a key hanging somewhere out of reach. The light ought to be bright enough to see adequately, and ought to be either red or not red.

Logan grabbed the keys off the wall, and unlocked the cage door. He pulled the towel off to find a much smaller gold cage, and a tiny Remus squished inside, kicking against the bars and screaming.

That wasn’t right.

It wasn’t Logical for Remus to be so small, nor to be caged. He was a necessary part of Thomas.

Remus stretched out on the bare floor, hyperventilating, with tears pouring out of his eyes.

Unfortunately, such distress was logical after such an experience.

Logan knelt beside him, holding one hand in an attempt to provide comfort without overwhelming him. Remus’s eyes fixed on his, wild and desperate. His breath caught, and he thrashed, struggling.

“Breathe out, as much as you can manage.”

“Can’t!” Remus forced out, and promptly gasped in more air.

“You can, you just did. Say something again, anything. Whatever you’d like to say.” Logan prepared himself for a sudden tirade of inappropriate language.

Remus’s mouth opened and shut, but nothing came out. His struggling weakened somewhat.

Logan thought hard, trying to think of something, anything, Remus could manage to follow while in his current state. And then he realized.

“Remus, you are essentially a figment of Thomas’s imagination. You do not require air.”

Remus’s breathing stopped entirely, his body going limp.

It was a long minute before he breathed in again. He made a very Remus grin. “I think I prefer breathing. Not as fun as all the kinky people make it out to be.”

Logan let out a long, relieved sigh.

The door suddenly banged open, and Anxiety stumbled in, bleeding from what looked to be more than one place.

“Lock it! Logic, lock it!”

Logan waved his hand, and both of the two ‘dark sides’, along with a sleeping Deceit, and Patton and Roman as well, were all in a facsimile of Thomas’s living room. They were all figments, after all. Thoughts. Able to cross the mind at incredible speeds.

Logan cleared his throat loudly, standing up on the couch to command attention from them all.

“I would like a thorough explanation.”

[inventors-fair]

“Two Mechanics” Commentary: It All Comes Together

Well, this was a surprisingly popular contest. I know there was a fair bit of hype for it, but we got enough entries that I had to worry about shutting people out. That’s unusual to say the least, but quite pleasing to know that so many people are engaging.

I’m going to take a lesson and look at these from the lens of intention rather than explicit nit-pickiness. There will be a “nitpicks” part at the end, but that’s just for minor improvements if need be. I make small mistakes like that all the time, and if you wanna ignore that and focus on the commentary, feel free to do so. However, the nitpicks are reflections of polish. The extent to which something has nitpicks does affect judgement. 

Additionally! If you’re reading this, we’d like to know: do you read your own commentary, all the commentary, or do you skip it entirely? And if you’re skipping some or all of the commentary, what would help you engage with it? I would like to point out that reading the comments on everyone’s cards can potentially help with your own experimentation in the future and help with design choices. However, if that’s not what you’re after, we would like to know how to improve that experience.

Some cards are marked as “JUDGE PICKS,” which are cards that were close to being runners-up or winners but, for lack of space, are presented here as examples instead.

Let’s get to your wonderful blends.

@abzanhero — Herald of the Saviors (JUDGE PICK)

What I like: I really never expected to see Imprint and Fateful Hour on the same card together. I like how this is a strange, fragile tutor that can really improve the late-game if you adjust it just right, but in a build like Solemnity/Unlife Combo, this can be an insane win-con.

What we can improve: There’s not much to improve upon here. My two main issues are that 1) there’s an expectation that Fateful Hour cards have a smaller effect that’s improved by the hour (Gather the Townsfolk) although that’s not a requirement, I suppose, and 2) Imprint could have just been a search/exile clause, and there’s no real need for it to have that specific keyword. That said, there’s no reason that it couldn’t have it; it’s just minor flavor questions.

Nitpicks: “Fateful Hour” should be italicized. Mechanically, you need to point out that there needs to be “tokens that are a copy of a creature card exiled with Herald of the Saviors,” as the ETB trigger can be copied.

@aethernalstars — Collective Knowledge

What I like: Blue toolbox is a pretty fun archetype, and I do like that last option the best of all. It’s a pretty crazy mill strategy that can work really well with wheel effects. Spiral/Crypt builds could use this card for sure.

What we can improve: Without reminder text, anyone looking at this card without extensive rules knowledge would be absolutely lost. I get the vibe you were going for, but this card begs for reminder text. At uncommon, there’s no excuse for this many options without it. I understand that you might have been extremely cluttered for space with reminder text. In that case, that should have been a clue to go back to the drawing board. Flavorfully, I’m also getting major clashes between the two mechanics you’re using. Escalate is a vibrant, exciting feel of increasing public power. Cipher is a covert and subtle mechanic antithetical to Escalate’s vibrancy. I don’t understand what feel this card was going for at all.

Nitpicks: See notes about reminder text.

@askkrenko — Mocking Goblins

What I like: Goblin Diplomats comes to mind here. I can imagine that on the table in a 4-5 person commander game, this could get amazing in the late-game. Putting Overload on a permanent is actually pretty interesting, and I’m fairly certain that that actually works, right? I can’t think of a reason why it wouldn’t. Because of the multiplayer aspect I imagine that if this was drafted it would be in a Conspiracy-type set... Wow, yeah, this would be a fun limited card.

What we can improve: There’s not too much to improve here mechanically. I will say that the name and flavor text aren’t grabbing me at all. It’s been done before in similar ways, and heck, that’s fine for tropes. Just could have used some more spice.

Nitpicks: Definitely needed reminder text here, once again, as most non-evergreen mechanics do.

@bluebread-mage — Vorel, Rejected Strategist

What I like: I actually didn’t know Vorel’s full story, so I appreciate you adding that in there. It gives an interesting explanation of the mechanics you chose to use, and this is a slightly different version of +1/+1 counter interaction that I’ve seen around for contests like this, so kudos for that.

What we can improve: I won’t go ahead and say that this card straight up doesn’t work, but the hoops you have to jump through to make it actually do anything are difficult to say the least. So, you have Riot, and he gets a counter, and all your creatures gain evolve. Do you play a creature after that? Probably not if this is turn three. But then next turn... How do you get a counter on Vorel now? And if you do, without the means of a specific continuous counter generation like Forced Adaptation, you’d need to cast a spell to give him a counter, which means that you’re probably spending mana, which means you have less mana for a big creature, which means that the creature you DO cast probably won’t trigger evolve, and — do you see where I’m going with this? He’s asking for too many resources to make the effect worthwhile. I love the flavor idea. I love what you tried to do. It’s just not practical in gameplay terms.

Nitpicks: Your “evolve” reminder text should have been reworded to show what it would do for every creature; as it is, it would only do Vorel, which isn’t what your rules text says.

@col-seaker-of-the-memiest-legion — Diabolic Seer

What I like: So, I was reading the text, and then I got to the last line, and I was really pleasantly surprised that you brought the exploit back around to add the flash clause. Pretty great name, too, if a little meta; if the cards you were riffing off didn’t exist already, it would be radical.

What we can improve: In short, this card is balanced, assuming that:

You’re not playing any sacrifice strategies in the two colors with the most sacrifice strategies.

You don’t have any other creatures to search up a recursive win condition.

In constructed, you’re not playing fetchlands.

You’re not searching up further answers after already searching up recursion.

...and that’s my main issue with this card. Repeatable tutoring is absolutely bonkers good in literally any format whatsoever. Four-mana repeatable tutoring is, to say the least, broken. And you’re potentionally giving it flash? That is, IMO, a break. Small personal notes: I don’t know why this card doesn’t have a subtype; and the flavor text is vague. I don’t understand the character’s goals, role, or place in the world.

Nitpicks: “...put it into your hand, then shuffle your library. Until your next turn, if a creature was exploited this turn, you may cast that card as though it had flash.” Additionally, I understand the artist is Nataša Ilinčić, but I had to go on a Google expedition for that. Anglicizing to “Natasa Ilincic” may have been a better choice.

For those interested, the artist is actually fantastic. Check ‘em out HERE.

@corporalotherbear — Underworld Escapist

What I like: “Spirit Rogue” is an interesting combo that I like. Gives some neat little feeling of why it’s an escapist, or at least it’s a complimentary type. I also enjoy the idea of the escape being an adventure flavorfully.

What we can improve: ...does this card work? SHOULD it work? So it goes on an adventure, you cast it normally, it dies, you cast it from your graveyard on an adventure, rinse and repeat. Okay, that’s probably what you were going for. In that case, my goodness, this needs to be rare. Nigh-infinite recursion that can make bodies is probably too powerful. Personally as well, I understand the Amass and the flavor text, but what does a rogue making an army have anything to do with escaping? And why would it be an escape if you can cast it from your hand first? I’m really iffy on the eventual flavor of it all.

Nitpicks: None, as I understand the comprehensive rules would need to either be rewritten or re-explored for the second side to work. Hm, but wouldn’t it be cool if it was “You may send ~ on an adventure from your graveyard.” But, again, that’s more of a hypothetical question than even a nitpick.

@dabudder — Davriel, Pact Breaker

What I like: Bringing back characters for further exploration is always fun. We got a couple cool folks from WAR, certainly, and it’s always a pleasant surprise.

What we can improve: I just straight up don’t like the gimmick at all. Planeswalkers shouldn’t even have gimmicks, IMO. The first ability is fine, I would respect that if the rest of the card was completely changed. Fateseal is an unfun mechanic that, on this card, you can activate easily. I don’t have much to say about this card because of how it’s based in unfun gimmicks. I read through the wiki to get an idea of what Davriel’s like, and while I do appreciate how you tried to capture a lot of complexity in a single card, this isn’t it. I feel you’re trying to tell a massive story in a way that it doesn’t need to be told.

Nitpicks: Make sure you change your rarity, which I will assume was a mistake.

@deafeningsandwichpeach — Tempting Angel

What I like: Well, this card is weird. And I need to clarify, this is in the “What I like” section because I do like weird. It’s not broken, which is fine. Wow, though, the... Exile then Show and Tell and all? On a 9/9 flier? This card would destroy some games, and I could see it being a cube all-star and a crazy commander blink monstrosity. Once this hits the board, it needs to be removed IMMEDIATELY. Oh, and then... Containment Priest nonsense. Man, this could be a wacky card.

What we can improve: I will say, that a 9/9 body may be way too big. A six-mana 6/6 may have been more appropriate, and more balanced. In the late-game, if your opponent doesn’t have great draws, they’d probably be out of a card to put onto the battlefield. I have the feeling this couldn’t be a draftable card for that reason alone... Eh, maybe I’m just paranoid.

Nitpicks: Flying and Convoke need to be separated by a comma, not a semicolon. I think the same can be said for “permanent” and “then” in the second line.

@dimestoretajic — Gruul Rampager

What I like: That flavor text is friggin’ phenomenal, man. It’s a Gruul feel, it’s an orc feel, it’s a berserker feel. You captured an uncommon feel as well, too. I like how it’s a little more red than green, even though the two are definitely in good alignment with each other.

What we can improve: +1/+1 counters and -1/-1 counters should not go on the same card. Full stop. I know it’s mechanically cute, and I’ll be honest, I like how they work on this card. But it’s one of those Magic rules to avoid confusion and to stop weird triggers. The game can handle it, but it’s not fun to figure out. There’s acceptable weirdness and then there’s just inherent guidelines.

Nitpicks: Why does this card have a color indicator? Also, you misspelled “Berserker” in the typeline.

@evscfa1 — Burning Trails (JUDGE PICK)

What I like: This is a very difficult card to judge. Searching up two lands is powerful, but there are more efficient ways to do it eternally, so this card itself isn’t broken. Jund Lands and Gruul Ramp love it absolutely. I’m thinking of this in commander because, well, there’s no other reason for a rare ramp spell like this. I’d hate to open this in draft...or would I? Slightly different/better/multicolored Cultivate isn’t the worst thing in the world, possibly. This card is making me think. The versatility is pretty interesting as well, and I can see where land-matters cards would like it.

What we can improve: I’m really torn on whether or not this card needs both kinds of recursion, because as interesting as it is, my gut really isn’t understanding why they both NEED to be there. Is there an interaction I’m not seeing? I don’t think so, I think it’s just different recursion, and yeah, there’s lands-in-hand-for-retrace, plus the sacrifice to filter, but that’s just efficiency, not necessarily synergy. Honestly, this could also be an uncommon for that cost, I think. It would be a powerful-as-all-getout uncommon, but it just doesn’t feel rare to me in terms of crazy power level.

Nitpicks: None.

@forteleijon — Cordeceyp Crawler

What I like: Well, besides your lovely photograph, I think that the mechanics you chose work well flavorfully. A mutating fungus that can crawl out of the grave is pretty cool!

What we can improve: Firstly, if you can, I would highly recommend downloading Magic Set Editor for complex cards like this. Secondly, did you forget the escape cost about exiling cards from your graveyard? Otherwise, you can just cast this from your graveyard every turn without restrictions like Gravecrawler. I mean, this card isn’t Hogaak, but still. That probably wasn’t your intention, but once again, we come to reminder text. Rare cards sometimes eschew reminder text in complex sets, but mechanics like Mutate demand reminder text through and through. 

Nitpicks: Since “escape” is a verb on almost every creature card that uses it, the last ability can say “You may have Cordeceyp Crawler escape mutated onto target creature you control” as opposed to a trigger. Additionally, is that a misspelling of “Cordeceyp?”

@fractured-infinity — Emmara, Voice of the Conclave

What I like: I’m sort of content with the fact that Emmara is everyone’s Selesnya favorite. In terms of this card, I think that you chose two good mechanics to represent her and her guild. PT checks out, mana cost checks out, wording all checks out.

What we can improve: ...but she doesn’t do anything by herself, and that feels a little frustrating to me as a rare card. There’s nothing inherently or objectively wrong with this design, and there are plenty of proliferate cards that just proliferate by themselves. I would much rather have had a rare card that did at least something to make those abilities better. What if she made a token upon entering or placed a counter or something? I dunno, I’m just iffy on her power on the board.

Nitpicks: The word “Populate” you put in the reminder text should be lowercase.

@gollumni — Danz, Ascenscion Assistant

What I like: “Demon Noble” is a great typeline. I can see how this would make politics very, very complicated. Do you want to build around having no cards in hand and perhaps using the graveyard as a resource? You can discourage people from attacking and make political blocks as well. This is a very political card!

What we can improve: I can’t think of any specific improvements to this card. I think that it’s one of those cards where you yourself don’t want to be the monarch, and that’s a complex idea that I don’t know will always work out well in a draft environment like this may be intender to supplement. After all, 99% of limited games are won through combat damage. Such is fate. I think for this particular contest, I’m a little saddened that Partner doesn’t really...do anything. This contest was supposed to be about two mechanics interacting, y’know? And Partner is a mechanic that doesn’t really interact with any other on-card mechanic in the same way that our winners did.

Nitpicks: “Ascension” is misspelled in the name.

@greensunzenith — Eversworn Tombguard

What I like: Hell yeah, this card is cool. A knight sent to protect a grave or graveyard? Well, it’s not mechanically tied to your graveyard, but maybe it’s a burial site! I see that Orzhov symbol in the background. Interesting, how they might be using new techniques to protect themselves on a new Ravnica. This is an amazing draft card with possible constructed potential. I’m a big fan.

What we can improve: Besides the eternalization being a Bolas mechanic, I feel that, unfortunately, this is one of those cards where the Afterlife mechanic would be better being a different one, or no mechanic at all. Of course, that’s not your fault, and this contest asked for it. If you’re saving this card for a cube or a custom set, I would replace Afterlife with just a death trigger. Maybe it would read better, if you want to keep Afterlife, as “Eversworn Tombguard has afterlife X, where X is its power.”

Nitpicks: None.

@haru-n-harkel — Wistar, Lab Rat

What I like: I was absolutely not expecting a multicolored adventure or even an off-colored adventure. This poor ratty is going off and learning about everything, and then they come back and distribute their knowledge. So strange! Adventures are interesting cards for sure. I’ll have to find the download for that, because I just scoured my MSE and I can’t seem to find it. And you know what, I was going to gripe about keyword counters technically not being a “””new mechanic””” but whatever, that’s a personal interpretation that doesn’t change the fact that this is a fine card.

What we can improve: Is this supposed to be on Eldraine? I don’t really understand why this card is black at all. What lab are they supposed to be in? I see “lab” and I think “Innistrad” but that’s bias... What does research have to do with returning a creature? Are scientists clerics? ARE they a scientist? The gist of what I’m getting at is that this card has a couple cool mechanical ideas but I have no idea what it’s really supposed to represent. I don’t get a sense of place or strong meaning from this card.

Nitpicks: It’s hard to tell the difference between abilities in the main body; another indentation might fix that, or it may just be too much text. And also... This is the pettiest, most useless nitpick I’ve ever given, but your set symbol in this specific frame is really hard to distinguish. I would futz around with it for a bit.

@hiygamer — Woven Repetition

What I like: I can see how you got clever with this one. The splice and the rebound make for some interesting combinations. The cost is probably appropriate, if a bit high. You’d want to make some really carefully calculated decisions, unless you’re just pitching lands, to give that big spell rebound.

What we can improve: Rebound absolutely needs reminder text. Someone opens this in a booster pack and it’s going to be a head-scratcher for sure. I’m glad that it works (Thanks, Cast Through Time!) because I almost thought that it didn’t, but man, a lot of players will be confused with this at common. That’s the major issue; was that a misclick or something? This is most definitely an uncommon or rare card for complexity alone. Personally, I think that it would be best to also only exile one card, and you know what, this really could be mono-blue. What’s the white in it?

Nitpicks: None.

@i-am-the-one-who-wololoes — Steam Blast

What I like: Yup, that is indeed someone getting blasted by steam. It’s a solid bounce card that feels both Izzet-y and could see play on any other world. It’s a powerful spell in the UR archetype that could see plenty of nice draft play. The consensus is that the replicate will indeed see the entwined-ness. Hm, will it see more than one mode? Complex ideas at play here!

What we can improve: I know you have a style to maintain, but modal spells are significantly improved by the bullet points, and this card is hard to parse. As a rare, while complex, it’s a lot of colors to invest in a removal spell. Fine for an archetype, but I suppose that’s the nature of replicate. I don’t know, this card just doesn’t grab me. Maybe it’s the name, maybe it’s the nature of rare removal. There’s nothing inherently ‘wrong’ with it, though.

Nitpicks: None.

@ignorantturtlegaming — Heartwarming Reunion

What I like: This is indeed a feel. You chose a good image and flavorful bond for this card. With a few tweaks, this could actually be a really powerful GW archetype card with some great draft implications and enchantment synergies.

What we can improve: There are a few things to work on with this card.

The name “Heartwarming Reunion” implies a moment that would best be represented on an instant/sorcery card. I’m thrown off by its continuous nature.

Soulbond doesn’t affect how a creature is cast. “Nontoken creatures you control have soulbond” and it would affect them like Rhythm of the Wild. 

What does bolstering have to do with being a reunion? A relationship I can see but there’s a massive flavor disconnect. Also, it should be “paired creatures” and not “creature pairs.”

I understand what the flavor text is trying to do, but it bunches up the text above it and also doesn’t say anything that the name hasn’t told us already.

In short, there a few great ideas but they’re stuck between a couple of stumbling blocks.

Nitpicks: The last ability should be shortened to “Paired creatures you control have lifelink and vigilance.”

@joecurryat — Forsaken Devotee

What I like: I remember seeing that art a little while back, the Eldrazified Vampire. I loved Innistrad’s art direction. Anywho, though. I think that indeed Monstrosity is a fine enough mechanic for the Eldrazi. 

What we can improve: See above comments about reminder text. The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that it’s a human cleric. Even excusing the vampiric origins of the art, why is it becoming monstrous? It feels like there’s a disconnect between what the card wants to be and what it is. Annihilator was certainly...a choice. If you play this on turn 5-6 and monstrosify it on turn 7, you get a 9/9 lifelink with annihilator. The desire for powerful cards is strong, but annihilator isn’t fun, was never fun, and needs a major overhaul to be fun again. This card just isn’t it. Additionally, and this is more polish, but what on earth is that flavor text trying to say? Who’s saying that? Who is them? If it’s that hard to parse, it’s even harder for it to add meaning to the card.

Nitpicks: “has,” not “gains.”

@kavinika — Undercity Thug

What I like: The Ravnican (I’m assuming) undercity is a fantastic place for all sorts of mercenaries. The name’s not going to win any awards, but it gets the job done in a cool and flavorful way. That’s a very strong exploit ability, and would almost be first-pickable in a lot of drafts. The extra potential removal makes this formidable.

What we can improve: See notes about reminder text. When looking at this contest, we were hoping that there would be instances where the two mechanics compliment each other. This is the second revolt/exploit combo of this contest, and I’m a little frustrated that they don’t have any meaningful interaction. Sure, they both involve potential permanents leaving the battlefield in different roundabout ways, but it’s not attacking on the same turn that it’s exploiting a creature. The distance just isn’t working.

I usually don’t comment on this, because I respect the fact that we’re not professional writers, but that flavor text needs serious revision. An active antagonistic oppressor is fine in a game about conflict. The language is... Well, it needs revision.

Nitpicks: None.

@koth-of-the-hammerpants — Ceaseless Soul-chief. (JUDGE PICK)

What I like: “Orc Spirit Warrior.” Hell. Yes. It’s a big smasher, a big finisher, an anthem, a warlord, and they’re so full of souls and anger that they’ll return even stronger than before. I want to draft this card, I want to build casually with this card, and I want to see a world in which this card can come back strong again and again. 

What we can improve: I can’t think of any significant improvements. I will say that it might have been better, unfortunately, if this card was not a spirit. I can make my personal justifications however I want and I may love it, but ghosts probably shouldn’t have other ghosts in them.

Nitpicks: “Chief” definitely needs to be capitalized.

@machine-elf-paladin — Legacy Forger (JUDGE PICK)

What I like: The name actually captured me. it’s a great warrior name for sure. Mentor and Renown are two +1/+1 counter mechanics that don’t necessarily have amazing synergy, but you made them work here. This is a powerful combat tool, great use of mentor in green, and makes combat complicated for your opponents. Really awesome use of just using keywords to get your point across! Simple and effective.

What we can improve: The flavor text could use some clarification. Reads a bit clunky.

Nitpicks: Are you using MSE M15 Mainframe? If not, I would recommend it so you can get the flavor bar in and space out the words more.

@misterstingyjack — Promenade Parade (JUDGE PICK)

What I like: You can be aggro in a pinch, or you can wait and go a little wider, and even pick up a better token in a pinch! This is a pretty cool card that makes fantastic use of Ascend to bring across a flavorful card. “If you have the city’s blessing, the city grows with citizens.” Like — that’s so awesome?? I loved how you made a really surprisingly happy card in the aftermath of an otherwise dark event. And heck, it’s not a bad card either.

What we can improve: The only real “issue” that’s not even an issue is the flavor text and the name/flavor combo. The flavor text itself is in “gets the job done” territory, which you know what, that’s fine, they don’t all have to be Hemmingway. But I would also assume a Parade would be, like, a bigger event, and you could get a lot of people there. Right? Am I going crazy? This is a serious reach, so don’t take this as a design critique per se. All polish and pedantry. You did good.

Nitpicks: None.

@morbidlyqueerious — Swarming Platoons

What I like: I had to read this a fair bit to really get what was going on here. This is actually really complex, and I like the implications of what’s going on! You can get a 4/4, a 2/2 and two 1/1s, or two 2/2s. Like, that’s a lot of options in two words and two numbers! I think that I actually like the mechanics of this card a lot more than I had upon originally considering it. That text would make for a really great sort of Modern Horizons-y card.

What we can improve: I’m really lost as to how you decided to place this card in the universe. Servos are artificially created inventions, sure, so...are they natural now? Is that how Kaladesh is evolving, per your flavor text? Why is it offering answers? I don’t really see the question. You’ve made it a construct, and yet calling it nature. And the name “Platoon” is a soldier-y thing, and doesn’t convey an insectile invention feel. In short, fantastic mechanics, flavor is all over the place and confusing.

Nitpicks: “Platoon” also doesn’t need to be pluralized. 

@naban-dean-of-irritation — Starforged Legion

What I like: That’s a badass name, so that’s a great start. I’m amazed that that second ability is only a single sentence that I actually can’t find any flaws with, so that’s impressive to say the least. I assume this is sort of Theros-based? “Starforged” seems to imply that, but you know what, even though I can’t place it, this card makes me want to learn more about the world. That’s a point in its favor.

What we can improve: I don’t think there’s much to improve aside from the fact that it’s narrow. Incredibly narrow. Unfathomably narrow. Seriously, getting this card to work at all is an absolute mess of mana. Many players would love it, and I mean, fifteen mana for thirty power across six creatures would be pretty cool! But god, the effort that would have to go into making this really work and live the dream... Maybe it’s okay, you know? It’ll never see any play outside of someone’s five-color kitchen sink mess-around-and-find-out deck, but... Shoot, y’know, maybe that’s how it’s supposed to be. Can’t call it a winner, but it’s a winner in my heart.

Nitpicks: None.

@nine-effing-hells — Arcanist of Ulamog.

What I like: I will definitely admit that I did not expect devoid to show up again. I also did not expect a processor wizard. You know, this card has some interesting multiplayer aspects. Your opponents also have flashback, but that flashback can be used for your own cards to copy, and... Heh. This is a cute idea with some technical interaction that I like a lot.

What we can improve: This card is also basically unplayable without dampers. Giving all cards flashback? Unless you have Leyline of the Void, Drannith Magistrate, etc, but in limited, that’s going to backfire like nobody’s business. And if your OPPONENT has either one of those cards, good lord... Yeah, this feels like a crazy bas time for you the controller. Sure you get a 4/4 for four out of it, but I don’t think that’s enough to combat the amount of crazy flashback you’ll be getting to oppose your plans. Could be fun in multiplayer though.

Nitpicks: That wording on the second ability seems correct. Someone smarter than me might find something wrong with it. Worth checking a rules guru.

@partlycloudy-partlyfuckoff — Pharika’s Forgotten

What I like: Using dredge was a bold, bold choice. Despite it being a broken mechanic, the fact is that in a vacuum this card could work really well. I think in limited there could be some fun graveyard shenanigans for eventually getting this card back or for using other resources from your graveyard. Honestly, this card is not top-tier, and it has to be that way, because otherwise whoo boy that would be a mess. No, it’s middle-of-the-road, pretty natural, pretty great, pretty synergistic, and not the worst it could have been for using a still-broken mechanic.

What we can improve: I don’t think there’s much that needs to be improved, even though this didn’t really grab me by the throat and make me build around it. I’ve never been one for reckless self-mill but I love mill as a strategy. Who am I kidding, this card’s probably fine. Would make for an INSANE cube uncommon.

Nitpicks: 1). “...mill three CARDS.” 2) Missing two closed parentheses. 3) Needs an emdash after Escape and no space between the dash and the mana cost. 4) “Exile” should be capitalized. And the fifth you already knew about, so don’t worry too much.

@rasputin-gold — Resonant Call

What I like: This card caused a lot of potential discussion in the chat. The ruling is something completely unusual and would have to have a lot of crazy stuff following it in the comprehensive rules. In general, the consensus was that it worked, and it would have a lot of statistics around it that people would talk about. Interesting cost, interesting wording, and the name is actually kind of weirdly nice.

What we can improve: And this card is unfathomably broken. If you have four copies of a card you haven’t drawn, and you’re going first, and you put a single counter on Resonant Call to name something, assuming 51 cards left in your library, what is the probability that you hit the named card? ... I don’t know my math that well, but in limited, if you have a single card you haven’t drawn that you’d like to cast for free, you have a little over a 60% chance of hitting that card. For a common, this is insane and build-around-able for cheating out literally anything you want faster than most any other card. And that’s pretty busted. I don’t think this concept is salvageable. It’s just too risky. Also, see notes on reminder text. 

Nitpicks: Not a critique, but is that a flea in the art?

@real-aspen-hours — Seedsower Oke

What I like: This card is pretty delightful. They’re a druid, a tree, and they make little tree babies. What’s not to love? Convoke is a fantastic mechanic, EVOKE is a fantastic mechanic, and this card could be used for a variety of getting things on and off the battlefield. It’s a card I’d love to see in limited and I think for a very casual commander audience it could work well too. I don’t think that conceptually there’s much to improve upon with this card. It’s got a great feel and I like who they are.

What we can improve: I feel that you could really have made this a 4/4 or even a 4/5. It deserves better stats for a big tree boy! That’s all, just one degree more of pushing to really make him good.

Nitpicks: Evoke should always be the last ability on a card.

@reaperfromtheabyss — Zataz, Renegade Researcher

What I like: I’m going to assume that there are some three-color counter cards in this archetype that you’re envisioning? Or at least, three-color draft support. It’s pretty reminiscent of Master Biomancer, actually. That’s not a bad thing, because that card was great, and as a three-color legend that makes artifact dudes this card is pretty great too. I would have to see a lot of support to make him work in a draft, but 100% he would be an awesome counter-based commander.

What we can improve: There aren’t any major gripes with this card. He does feel...busy. Maybe it’s the frame, maybe it’s the nameline. But I’m seriously questioning “Vedalken Elf” Those are two majorly separate species that aren’t connected in any significant way, and maybe you’re going for a Simic kind of blend but honestly, it’s far more confusing than innovative.  

Nitpicks: Perhaps you could have just said “Zataz’s power” instead of the full name. Wouldn’t have made a huge difference, but.

@shakeszx — Recurring All

What I like: Two-mana 3/3s are a big risk. Aggressive greenery is pretty standard for the archetype and often shows up in competitive aggro builds, so I appreciate you channeling this. Cute name, too! 

What we can improve: I’ve already talked about +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters, and again, it’s cute how you’re making them work here, with the evolve and all, but they just don’t belong. Maybe it’s just me but I also don’t understand the flavor text at all. Do the Golgari have an ooze issue? I thought they liked oozes. Slime Molding says otherwise. Boros would have made sense, perhaps Azorius. Not Golgari.

Nitpicks: Use shift+enter to separate quotes and attribution in your flavor text on MSE.

@snugz — Roar of Revival

What I like: Confession: I never played Battlebond and don’t like team Magic at all. So, forget all that, let’s talk about it from the perspective of someone who DOES like that sort of stuff! This card is invaluable. A big win, pulling life out of your butt and going crazy. Big life gain isn’t my favorite thing either, but you managed to make it new and improved and flavorful and interesting and gave it camaraderie. 

What we can improve: I don’t really have any major improvements for this one. It’s everything that a lifegain spell can be. I think my only caution is that, well, this only really works in 2HG. You gotta target two players, and in commander, that other big multiplayer format, this card is useless. Actually, in basically any other format this card is useless. Unless you want to play Tainted Remedy combo. ... Hmmm...

Nitpicks: This card might read better as “Each of up to two target players gain X life.” Or, if you wanna keep 2HG stuff, “Two target players each gain X life.” Also, have you considered reinstalling to the newest MSE? You don’t have to, you just seem like someone who could really push that stuff to its full potential.

@somethingtothatextent — Expansive Growth.

What I like: It’s an interesting use of cost mechanics. Overload necessarily costs more, but Convoke helps it cost less. I like that balance! The method of making rare cards feel rare and making their effects seem awesome isn’t always easy to do. I think that you dipped into some nice territory here.

What we can improve: Firstly, the name doesn’t feel as expressively creative as it could be. Without even a little context, the complex/unique mechanics lose a bit of touch. Mechanics are more important though, and I think that the way you were forced to make this mechanic happen resulted in the wording being really clunky.

Now, I do have a potential solution: Imagine a card with: “Put a +1/+1 counter on target creature you control, then you may double the number of +1/+1 counters on target creature you control.” So the spell now can give a counter and potentially double another creature, OR you can go ham with it like your costs want to. Does that make sense? I want to play with this card for sure. It’s good! It’s straight up a good card! Just needs world placement and some wording adjustment.

Nitpicks: None.

@sorustyitshines — Phagus, Eater of Worlds

What I like: Mythic dragons are always a smash and a hit. The devouring of historical permanents combines with the flavor text in such a way that actually makes the flavor text kind of moot. Like, it’s eating history! That’s pretty great! Hardcasting this card will always make for some groans, but the reduction gives it an appropriately mythic status. I think that it’s really powerful as hell, but it’s not unbalanced, I don’t think.

What we can improve: Really, the only major improvement is the name and the mechanical link. “Eater of Worlds” has been done in a lot of IPs. It’s cute, but. Mechanically, I feel disconnected between the cost reduction and the devour. Both of them have an interesting flavor link, I’ll give you that. They just don’t have anything to do with each other, and you’re building effectively two different decks. The things you might sacrifice to Phagus aren’t going to help you cast it again, right?

Nitpicks: “Haste” should be lowercase. The ellipses in your flavor text should be a comma and the period after “all” could possibly be a colon. Or, tbh, this card would be fine without it. That’s a lot of text. Also, I’m curious as to why you need “historic permanents” (which should be “historic permanent CARDS”) instead of just regular historic cards. The card’s already hinted at the fact that it can eat concepts.

@starch255 — Frantic Recruiter

What I like: Replicate now can indeed work with casting permanent spells, so kudos for that. I just had to look up casting and copying and the comprehensive rules for how replicate and rebound work, and as far as I can tell, yeah, this works exactly how it should! I feel the kinda Boros vibe throughout this, and casting from exile with a bunch of tokens, well, yeah, that can be pretty gnarly. A bunch of 1/1s are interesting. What you’ve done is effectively made a RW Reclaim the Wastes that can be doubled. And... You know, I wanna build with it, so that’s cool. Rally the Peasants forreal.

What we can improve: See notes about reminder text. This card is super confusing without it. If you had printed the reminder text I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have needed to look up all that other stuff, harrumph. (I probably would have anyway.) In all seriousness, all my notes about reminder text are here to express that complex ideas need space and you can’t ignore that it’s a necessity especially for ideas like this.

Nitpicks: *GAIN haste UNTIL END OF turn, not “have haste this turn.”

@thedirtside — Lunch Break

What I like: This was one of the most popular and loved cards in the mod channel, so take some kudos there. We loved it. “I’m gonna exert myself and get some food. Y’all can wait for me.” It’s pretty obviously silly, and that’s honestly great. I’ll be honest, silly cards like that outside silver-border rarely win contests, but they’re good for a laugh as long as they’re good.

What we can improve: The first iterations that you submitted, however, were a lot better in my opinion. There’s no reason for this card to be an instant, right? If you’re doing this during a declare attackers phase, that’s not going to change much from if you were to do it during your precombat main phase. Also, the wording really got messed up. I feel that you could have spent more time on flavor text as well. The card’s feeling is great up until then.

Nitpicks: So, a revised card would be a sorcert that reads. “Whenever a creature you control attacks this turn, you may exert it. If you do, it gets +1/+1 until end of turn and you create a Food token. (An exerted creature won’t untap during its controller’s next untap step.)”

@walker-of-the-yellow-path — Spellchaser Hound

What I like: Doggies! Yeah, I don’t even need to see the good boy to know I love him. Mutate feels fresh and funky, the counters are reminiscent of Ikoria without necessarily being set there, and there’s some potential for flavor in the dog fetching more prowess counters as things get crazy.

What we can improve: I really do appreciate the prowess counter reminder text. It might not say what prowess counters do, but that’s another issue. And the fact that you need that shows what we already kind of knew about prowess triggers: they’re complex as hell. Ability counters are...frankly, they’re awful for memory issues as is if you don’t have some kind of ability to remember them and they get equally weird with older cards that check and give permanent abilities... The point is, ability counters are weird as is, and prowess counters are pretty egregious. I don’t think this card is a mistake, but I think it’s really, REALLY complex in the world of Magic, and I would watch out. For what, exactly? ... Don’t worry about it. 

Nitpicks: If you don’t have a certain frame, you can ask the chat or ask for a mod who can do their best to make a render of cards like miracle/mutate/etc. The MSE Discord also has a tech support section.

@wolkemesser — Orca, Doom of Argenti

What I like: You managed to make me look up ancient Dominaria lore and yes indeed, Orca and Argenti are Magic people and words that make sense of it all. Gotta love that deep stuff! 

What we can improve: See above notes on reminder text. See above notes on +1/+1 and -1/-1 counters. But on this card, it’s especially egregious; she enters with haste, perhaps, she dies, then she returns with persist and a +1/+1 counter and starts all over again, and is basically unkillable because the counters will cancel each other out. Additionally, from what I could find, I don’t understand why she’s an Elemental when the story and her Oracle text mark her as a Demon. With flavor, I also don’t really understand the flavor text at all. She’s based on the real Orca, right? Any in-world flavor text would probably have been more appropriate.

Nitpicks: None beside the aforementioned ones.

I’m going to go hug my dog. Please keep questions and comments about commentary in mind, and if you’re reading this, be loved and be safe. Tomorrow enters a new dawn, a new time... Hm, time.....

—@abelzumi

[spnsmile]

In the Bunker

Monday: Undercover  written for #spnSTAYatHOme challenge ♡

@helianthus21​ @pray4jensen​ @bend-me-shape-me​ thanks!

When it becomes apparent the Winchesters cannot win against the all-powerful, and that the they require more help from all Supernatural beings in order to defeat god, Castiel takes initiative to reach all forces, especially Heaven.

Taking the opportunity after giving Jack respite out of the Bunker to stay with Kaia and Claire, Castiel fully focuses on getting the side of the angels. He didn’t expect it to be easy.

The angels do not want to have anything to do with the Winchesters, not by their ‘chinny-chin-chin’ as Dean once quoted for not opening Heaven’s door when their need was dire. But it’s not the chins the angels are most concerned about. There are some who think the written prophecy will still take place and as angels, they still adhere to ‘not interfering’ much to Castiel’s chagrin.

Not wanting to contradict them further, Castiel doesn’t stop trying to convince them that there is no reason to be wary of the Winchesters (as long as the intention is not to harm or Castiel will be in their way) for they will play a key role in fixing everything. And by fixing, he explains patiently it is not the destruction of god, but of something only the Winchesters are capable of doing— a  miracle.

Eyes and eyebrows turn and arches, but Castiel knows he’s able to sway some of them at his display of faith. If there’s anyone right at the top in faith, it would be them. His name is Sabrael, an angel of miracles.

“I do not wholly believe that the Winchesters are redeemable—” begins the golden-haired seraphim once he and Castiel jump out of the portal in the sandbox and head for Castiel’s car, “But I do believe their knack of pulling out miracles one after another is something to behold and I wish to understand why your faith is still with them after all these times given that they are the infamous brothers who brought forth the destruction of all realms. For that purpose, I will be amenable to let you show me why this is so and act as heaven’s representative to gather information from your charge.”

Castiel shrugs, unable to find any words to counter.

“So, you’re going undercover?”

Sabrael glances at him and squints, “Am I required to go under the Winchesters’ cover?”

Castiel blinks.

“Um… I am not sure what you mean by that but if it means protection, then yes.”

“I do not need their protection,” Sabrael says in all seriousness as they get in Castiel’s car. “I am capable of that; I have my angel blade.”

“It won’t be enough protection but, Sam and Dean are nice people and will readily be there for you whether you ask it or not…” Castiel smiles more to himself, thinking of the Winchesters’ selfless acts they never boast about.

“That’s how they… um… roll. They don’t ask, they just do. And most of the things they do are genuine to help others. They will help you out, they thrive in helping. They are very kind… well, mostly, Sam. Dean can be a little complicated with angels…”

“And he is your charge?” the tone is testing the waters.

“He is, but he is a very unequivocal man and very… very Dean. You have to have a profound relationship with him to understand him…”

“I understand you bonded with him in hell? That’s where it all began—”

Castiel stops only to turn a very solemn expression to his brother.

“One thing in this mission, Sabrael. Do not intentionally say anything untoward about brothers. You can say anything you want about me, about I am one of the Fallen, about my failures, but… don’t ever insult Sam and Dean in my presence…”

His eyes are intent on Sabrael.

“They already have the world on their shoulders to receive unjust ridicule from our kind— it will be distasteful if we are ungrateful.”

“I am not grateful.” At Castiel’s livid face, Sabrael adds cautiously, “But as I have told you, I will be amenable. No matter how complicated you deem him to be… I will try my best to study him, keeping in mind he is still a special vessel meant for our brother.”

Castiel glares before revving the car.

It’s easy to make Sabrael understand for angels are obedient by nature. He explains about the Bunker where few angels are able to find, the hunting system and how some of the room works as the library, the kitchen, and the bedrooms, and to other places, a visitor will not be allowed entrance.

“I understand. It seems there are plenty of restrictions in this Bunker.” Sabrael says thoughtfully, “Is Dean Winchester’s cave so holy to put so many sigils of protection? Why are angels not allowed there if it is such a sanctuary?”

“Because it’s just is,” Castiel says distractedly, “… and it’s not holy.” He doesn’t explain further even when Sabrael keeps throwing him confused glances. “Anyways, just let me tell Dean why we’re doing this… he’ll understand… and please, don’t tell him directly you are an undercover agent from heaven. I’ll come up with a good explanation, trust me, they’ll never think of you as a threat...we’ll just tell him you’ll… observe the field.”

“You think he will not realize I’m there to spy?”

“You’re not a spy.”

Because it’s really not like that.

“So, he’s a spy?” Dean says lazily from the library table with cheek propped up on his knuckle. Castiel sighs in resignation. Beside him, Sabrael elbows him and says very clearly—

“You really don’t get this huh?”

After a round-about story of how he invites the angel to see for himself how the is getting along with Sam and Dean—where Dean butts in about spying, Castiel informs the Winchester that Sabrael will be staying with them for as long as necessary and that if they could extend their hospitality to his brother as the Winchesters once did for him.

Sam smiles genuinely, “Of course, Cas… your family is our family.”

Dean ogles at Sam weirdly before he snorts, shaking his head.

“Fine, make yourself at home.”

Saying so, Sabrael walks to the table, to the chair adjacent to the hunter and takes his seat, leaning on the table too for good measure and he stares at Dean from pore to pore, making the hunter throw an incredulous look at his angel.

“What are you doing?” Dean asks, leaning a little away before he gets cross-eyed.

“I’m studying you.”

 Dean glares at Castiel with one of his screaming expression of— ‘ great-Cas-just-great’  look while Sam chuckles—earning him another exasperated glare as well. “Fine, whatever.”

“You trust me easily,” Sabrael tells Dean quietly.

“I trust Cas,” Dean says simply, still glaring and flipping his book at the same time, “just make sure you don’t start shedding salty feathers around, we’ll be fine.”

“My feathers are not salty,” Sabrael says, indignantly.

“How d’you know? Wait, you actually lick it for grooming, eh? Do you spit  feather-hairballs ?” Dean grins at the scowl he receives.

Ten minutes later, Sabrael declared Dean Winchester to be rude and without consideration whatsoever. Castiel grimaces.

“Honestly, Castiel how can you endure an arrogant man who knows no bounds in insulting heavenly beings?”

“I just…stopped caring about the things he says,” Castiel shrugs.

“That is not very healthy. I find Sam Winchester more agreeable—and he is supposedly the vessel of the real devil while Dean Winchester is Michael’s—”

“I know, I have been in the exact train of thought.” Castiel says sympathetically, “But I wouldn’t… stress on it… Dean can be very… disagreeable at the beginning but once you warm up to him, you’ll see… he is a very caring guy.”

*** ♡***

“Still here?” Dean says flatly when he comes to the kitchen the next morning and automatically road blocked by the new angel in the Bunker. Castiel couldn’t be more embarrassed remembering how he used to startle Dean in the same manner.

“I did say I will study you,” Sabrael says stubbornly.

“You can study my ass,” Dean tells Sabrael who blinks and lets his eyes travel down to Dean’s thighs and his behind, making Dean give Castiel a painful grimace.

Sam laughs. Castiel hung his head guiltily.

Days get busy in the Bunker and Sabrael is allowed to tag along. His angel brother doesn’t make it easy with side comments of how still ‘wasteful and bloody’ the Winchesters deal with some hunts that can be done without much bloodshed or getting thrown around to how Dean’s car is rickety and noisy, there’s no doubt in Castiel’s mind that Sabrael just made it to Dean’s top ‘Angel Douche’ of the year.

“Sammy, get me some angel proof spell!” The request was immediately denied when another day panned out with Castiel’s brother is found inside Dean’s room.

“Why don’t you angel proof it yourself?” Sam asks.

“What—you want Cas to face slapping the wall? Not that we’re not doing that already.”

“Ew! Dean! Don’t be gross over my salad!”

But Dean smiles sunnily and looks across at the angel by the entrance of the kitchen who comes back after a long talk with Sabrael. He tells him he cannot sneak inside Dean’s room no matter how much he wants to understand why Castiel is so enamored by the hunter—or why only Castiel is allowed entry.

It’s impossible to understand.

“Found out why he’s sticking in my ass?” Dean asks once the two of them are side by side and washing the dishes—Dean washing, Castiel wiping them dry.

“He wants to study our bond.”

“Why? He wants to bond with someone?”

“I’m not sure, but Sabrael is known for his persistence in his garrison.”

“Are you kid- someone else is more persistent than you are?” Castiel glares back as Dean smiles cheekily again but there’s a comfortable atmosphere that falls between them where Castiel is sure Sabrael is able to study.

Sabrael doesn’t care for space like the other angels before him.

To Dean’s credit, he barely flinched at the space taken but the occasional curses and grinding of teeth do get Castiel’s attention from time to time. It’s not much about Dean’s irritation and Castiel’s worry that he might explode—Dean will if he wants to and nothing can stop him—but every time he thinks Dean is about to erupt from what Sabrael said, (“This Dean-Cave is no Holy den nor is it any sacred as any cave, but just another dingy ditch”) Dean calms down.

Just one look at Castiel and Dean calms down. Two weeks passed and the routine gets old. Sabrael still cannot find it in him to see any delightful features on Dean Winchester who doesn’t bother trying to win Mr. Congeniality.

To be fair, Sabrael does not have a winning personality either.

“You know what for a spy—you’re not very spy-ish.” He tells the angel who walks pass him quietly.

“I don’t do ish, what is ish?” Sabrael wants to know.

Dean glares at Castiel so hard the angel of the Lord ends up rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“I’m sorry about this,” he tells Dean one night when he stands at the foot of his friend’s bed with Dean busy folding his flannel and shirt.

“Can you smite him?” Dean asks without looking up.

“Dean,” Castiel admonishes lightly.

“Too bad, I was just thinking he’s growing fond of me,” Dean is very meticulous when it comes to the folding—much more than Sam. Castiel can attest how much Dean has been trained for it—he remembers Dean telling him how he has to take care of their laundry as children and about how he never wants Sam’s clothes wrinkled no matter how many fucking schools they transfer. He always wants Sam to look well-taken care because it’s what his genius brother deserves.

Castiel loves him for that.

“Here, let me—” he steps toward the bed but Dean presses two fingers on his forehead, much like how Castiel does when he could teleport them with his powers before. Castiel’s face falls. Dean smiles.

“I don’t want your brother hearing how I make you scream you know? Don’t want to add it to his long list of ‘Why I hate Dean Winchester’.”

“He doesn’t hate you.”

“Yeah? Do you know how he lectured me for eating beef while you took your sweet time taking care of the case with Sam in Maine? Or how he says pies tastes like ‘dung’. Son of a—does he only exist to insult my life?

“I’m sorry, Dean,”

“It’s not you, Cas, but how does he know? Your angel brothers make it a habit to taste shit cow pies? Ever had that in your life, Cas?”

“I’m just going to fold your shirt, what does it have to do with him?” Castiel frowns but he doesn’t push it.

But Dean’s eyes gleam darkly.

“Sure, my angel near my bed, inside my room, folding my shirts,” Dean gives him a playful smirk, “Kinda hot in my vocabulary but nah… I want your brother to play the gossip… about how we expanded the staring contest to something…sexy… But with a dude like that? I don’t think he’s the type to run back with tail between his legs once he finds out. He’ll be a buzzing fucking bee in my ear.”

Castiel leaves the room more disappointed than he expected. But all the same, he has to talk to Sabrael.

“Cas, what the hell?”

Sabrael’s face crumples in so much contempt, Castiel has to put a hand on his brother’s soldier to appease him and explain for full thirty minutes how it is not as offensive as it sounds.

It’s at this that he receives an equally critical look from his brother.

“You are letting them treat you this way? You—the angel of the Lord, warrior, and Commander—”

“Yes.” Castiel says without qualms, “Because we are family.”

“I have watched families over and over in this world and yes… this may be what they call a little dysfunctional. But for you to allow it…”

“I won’t ask you to submit to it but, if it makes you feel better—I call Dean stupid all the time.”

Sabrael takes the cue from that so the next day when he is about inches from Dean’s face again, he says, “So, you are stupid.”

Castiel drops the book he is reading from the library as he hears the conversation. He can tell Dean and Sabrael are in the kitchen—clashing early that morning so he hurries towards them.

“Don’t,” Dean growls with eyes of steel intent on his target, “that’s a pet name we have so don’t go throwing it around careless.”

Sabrael flairs in anger.

“You think Castiel is your pet!?”

“N-no, that’s not what—I like Cas okay? He belongs with me,”

“You are establishing ownership like he is no more than your pet.”

“ Dammit, stop twisting my words! I don’t care how you interpret that, he’s mine! Cas belongs to me!”

“You’re right, I do not belong here,” there’s bitterness lacing Sabrael’s words. Castiel stops at the threshold, listening in, hoping his brother and Dean don’t end up any more quarrelsome than they already are.

There’s a beat. He hears Dean grumble under his breath.

“Of course, you do,” Dean says, “you’re an angel-like Cas, angels belong in my world. I don’t want to exist where you don’t so you belong right here in this space, okay? Angels belong to me so by extension—you belong in my world too, you little childish spy.”

Castiel smiles as he leaves the wall and walks quietly to the corridor. He realizes it will start from here on, of how Sabrael will see how special Dean Winchester really is. He doesn’t see the way Sabrael’s eyes light at Dean’s words, doesn’t see the abrupt change of his expression, and the slight blushing of his usually pale cheeks.

All he knows is that his brother has glimpsed the burning soul of the man he vows to protect and love.

Oh, his word.

“C-CASSSS!” Dean shouts at the top of his lungs—and it’s not the ‘serious-facing-instant-death’ kind, in fact, it sounds like one of Dean’s cries whenever he sees a cat or anything ridiculous for the angel’s eyes—and yet that Dean is screaming from the comfort of his room is wrong. Castiel nearly destroys the door of Dean’s room when he crashes it open—

That’s where he finds Dean Winchester with back plastered on the headboard of the bed and Sabrael under Dean’s covers with only his head seen from beneath.

Sam comes in to check and when he sees everything, he leaves the corridor and forsaken his brother to the two angels while Castiel marches in with a dark expression and, from Dean’s description later, ‘ goes in and kick an angel’s butt’.

Castiel doesn’t need any long discussion with Sabrael. The angel has learned of the magic of Dean Winchester and that’s enough. Sabrael doesn’t need to say it, Castiel can see it the way his brother’s eyes light up when he sees Dean. Castiel actually likes the change, of the angels loving his charge… as long as they do not step on the line.

But it is time to say goodbye.

“You are not bad, Dean Winchester. And I wish to be under the same covers as you again for you are warm… warmer than this vessel.”

Dean blushes whereas Castiel throws him a glowering look. To Sabrael, he raises one heavenly dominant eyebrow that strikes friends or foe.

“I think your undercover game has is over,”

Sabrael stares back, somewhat crestfallen.

“But I want—”

Castiel grimaces and shakes his head.  “No.”

Not going to happen.

To Castiel’s annoyance, Sabrael exchanges a pleading look with Dean. The hunter blinks several times and Castiel can just see Dean’s defenses at being attacked in his own bed because Dean is kind like that, always forgiving, always with the generous heart even when he is wronged.

“No,” he repeats when Dean opens his mouth and they gaze at each other. With brief excuses and apologies, Sabrael wraps his business with the Winchesters and Castiel escorts him back to the sandbox in silence.

But when they reach heaven’s door, Sabrael turns to Castiel with a small smile.

“I now understand, brother. Why you choose to be with him,”

Digging his hands deep inside his trench coat pockets, Castiel nods without needing to clarify and Sabrael returns back to heaven with a final longing expression in his face.

Castiel never wants to have the same expression of regret. Returning to the Bunker late that night, he knocks at Dean’s door, opens it to see Dean reading a book quietly on his bed under the night lamp, covers drape his middle and ambiance so familiar and comely that makes Castiel want to wrap himself in Dean’s warm space because Sabrael is right in all aspects of Dean.

“You’re never the jealous type, Cas,” Dean says as Castiel sheds his coat and crawls on the bed towards him, Dean pulling his necktie to get him close enough for a soft kiss.

“Not really. I have my own type.”

“The type that pulls other angels from my lap?”

“Yes, this lap is mine,” saying so he pulls the covers from Dean and straddles his lap. They smile and kiss, Castiel wrapping his arms around the hunter’s neck while Dean runs his palms on Castiel’s side. When they pull from the long, lips-chasing-catching-kiss., Dean narrows his eyes at him.

“What’s this about being under my covers? You talk to the angels about our business?”

“The family business?”

“No, our dirty bedroom business.”

“Your bedroom is never dirty,” Castiel lets Dean unbutton his shirt, letting the loose tie hang around his collar still, “You have the neatest room I have visited in my long existence,”

Dean frowns, “Exactly how many bedrooms have you visited… and do you—you know—do the same—"

“Do not be stupid, you’re the only man I engaged with.”

Dean kisses his neck as the dress falls down his shoulders. They remove all the extra layers until they are both warm skin to skin. Dean loves suckling his earlobes, making Castiel’s breath hitch a little.

“And women?” Dean whispers. Castiel clutches on his shoulder for support. Dean’s mouth on his skin sends fiery flames all over his vessel.

“My body… has been rebuilt many times— it doesn’t count.”

“Oh, so every time you return… ah…” Dean’s eyes dance in mischief, “that’s why you’re always so tight.”

Castiel pecks on Dean’s pink cheek, engrossed by the way Dean is smiling so happily. He can’t help himself. He kisses Dean. The hunter pushes him down the bed and stays on top of him, smiling from ear to ear and Castiel believes he does belong with Dean. That there is no universe he can be without a Dean.

“Loosen me.” He says.

Dean laughs as he throws the covers over their heated, tangled bodies.

“As you wish.”

♡ ♡ ♡

@verobatto-angelxhunter​ i liveeeeeeeee  xD late again -.-’’’’’

♡ LINK AO3

[gunnerpalace]

(These asks were reordered from bottom-to-top to top-to-bottom for clarity.)

Alright, so the first thing I want to say in response to this is actually best summarized in the form of a song:

You are somebody that I don't know But you're takin' shots at me like it's Patrón And I'm just like, damn, it's 7 AM Say it in the street, that's a knock-out But you say it in a Tweet, that's a cop-out And I'm just like, "Hey, are you okay?"

And I ain't tryna mess with your self-expression But I've learned a lesson that stressin' and obsessin' 'bout somebody else is no fun And snakes and stones never broke my bones

So oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh You need to calm down, you're being too loud And I'm just like oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh (oh) You need to just stop Like can you just not step on my gown? You need to calm down

I would like you to seriously reread what you’ve written here (and copy-and-pasted to others) and tell me that it doesn’t come across as more than a little obsessive and psychotic. "This may seem like hate, but it's not," you said anonymously, before going on a rant to strangers on the internet whom you had nominated as the representatives of "you guys." Sure, okay, Heather.

Well, regardless, let’s go through this. First, you don't understand 685/686. I've been over this before several times, but I will go over this one final time, as simply as I can. That said, I can't guarantee that you will understand it when I do. I was unable to successfully tutor 1st graders how to do addition because my perspective was, "Either you understand it or you don't," and I don't have the background in math to make such a simple concept exciting. The same might be true of this, because there is no way to critically analyze these chapters more succinctly than this, and so you still might not get it.

The point of 685/686, thematically, is that absolutely no one got what they wanted.

Renji wanted to surpass Byakuya. He remains Byakuya's Lieutenant and has to settle for being under his sister (figuratively and probably literally too) who now also outranks him as a Captain.

Rukia wanted to reform Soul Society into a more humane institution that protects all souls. It is the same as it ever was, and if anything has doubled down on its practices by rebuilding the Soukyoku (on which it tried to kill her) a hundred times larger, and she is one of its main wardens.

Uryuu wanted anything but to be a doctor, ever since he watched his mom being autopsied by his dad. He is now a doctor, and all alone at that.

Chad promised his grandfather to never hurt people with his fists. He is now a boxer, doing exactly that for money.

Orihime wanted to go out and have several different exciting careers. She is instead a stay-at-home mom.

Ichigo wanted to save a "mountain full" of people, be Superman, leave Karakura, and be a Shinigami. He instead appears to run Isshin's clinic now.

So, yes, you are correct: Kubo chose that Ichigo wind up with Orihime. It is exceedingly clear, from the context, that this is absolutely not a good thing.

That point is further reemphasized by Yhwach’s threat to come kill Ichigo and everyone else when they are at their happiest. And when does he reappear?

When Ichigo saw Rukia again.

Not when Ichigo asked Orihime out. Not when they started dating, officially or unofficially. Not when they were married. Not when she gave birth to his son. Not when his son said his first words.

Not when anything happened with Orihime or Kazui, but when he saw Rukia again.

That is your “Kubo-sensei” telling you directly that the happiest moment in Ichigo’s life was just simply seeing Rukia again, and not anything involving Orihime in any capacity whatsoever.

All of that should tell you that Ichigo and Orihime’s relationship is not exactly the stuff legends are made out of, because them winding up together is explicitly portrayed as a downer ending. A bad ending. 

If you cared at all about the characters—if you cared at all about their desires, or their happiness—or if you cared at all that IchiHime was presented as even merely good, let alone destined or fated or whatever else, then you would be offended by this ending too. 

Because the ending is “Kubo-sensei” straight-up unequivocally telling you that IchiHime is bad and tragic. It is something that one must demonstrate “courage” in the face of. It requires stoicism. It is a bad ending, but that’s life. That’s what the ending means.

He did you dirty too. You just don’t want to see it, because you are so obsessed with the concept of “winning.” Well, this was mutually-assured destruction: everyone lost. Especially you.

Moving on: no, Kubo doesn’t really get attention or money from us. I’m not really sure where this idea comes from.

I’m not an expert on Japanese intellectual property rights and licensing, but I know enough about them in general to know that very little if any money goes to Kubo personally from ongoing Bleach merchandise sales. For example, KLab more than likely has a contract with Shueisha (representing Kubo, hence why they’re put together on BBS’s title card), TV Tokyo, Dentsu, and Pierrot, wherein they pay those entities a fixed amount to license Bleach per year or per contractual term. It’s not like Kubo is making money off of every orb purchase or every figurine sold or something. These things don’t work like that.

As for attention, he’s still hiding from social media (for reasons of his own, unrelated to the fandom), and the people who give him attention are... you. People like you. “True Bleach fans” who can’t stop treating all his shit like it’s solid gold. We have made it fairly clear we don’t need him or care what he thinks.

Regarding BBS, maybe you haven’t noticed, but the majority of the imagery they use is IchiRuki-focused. The last title screen was IchiRuki. The Guild button is IchiRuki. The Events button is IchiRuki. The Chronicle Quest button is IchiRuki. Here, I’ve helpfully highlighted this for you:

While they do occasionally toss IH a bone, the last January event also ended on an IR note despite the ridiculous crowing about it being IH. While I’m at it, even the current supposedly “IH” title screen is anything but.

It doesn’t take Michelangelo or Da Vinci to figure out the composition here is not terribly suggestive. While Rukia is indeed off to one side, the fact Uryuu, Zangetsu, and the title card are between Ichigo and Orihime (and they’re looking in different directions) makes it pretty evident that they’re not being visually associated together. It is at best a “general” title screen. Uryuu is showing more visual interest in Ichigo than Orihime is.

I’ll come back to “the anime” in a minute. Let’s talk about their “tag-team move.” Do you mean the one that ended like this?

This one that didn’t work whatsoever?

This one where Ichigo wasn’t concerned at all that Orihime might be dead or dying as she lay there on the ground?

This one where he absolutely gave into despair?

How romantic. Truly, what an excellent battle-couple they make. Their combat effectiveness and synergy is just astounding. I for one would love to see it animated.

(Let’s not forget that later, Orihime can’t repair Zangetsu without some nonsense shenanigans from Tsukishima either. Just like how her healing abilities are useless against any sufficiently strong residual reiatsu. Ah, but that would require reading the manga closely...)

Finally, on to the idea of the anime returning. Here’s the thing: news about a trailer also doesn’t really mean anything. Sure, it could be TYBW. Or it could be The Honey Dish Rhapsody. Or it could be a thousand other things. I neither know, nor particularly care, what it actually is, on top of my explanations as to why animating TYBW would be a dumb business decision.

Here’s why: even if it is a TYBW anime, it will have to be an adaptation of TYBW. They will still have to follow the plot of TYBW. And TYBW was a pile of shit. It wasn’t just a pile of shit for IR, it was a pile of shit in general, and a pile of shit for IH in particular.

Perhaps you don’t recall that Orihime spends most of the arc off-panel, having been ditched in Hueco Mundo for most of it (chapters 500–586)?

Oh, but just think, you wouldn’t just get to see the Ichigo-Orihime “tag team” attack totally and utterly failing! You’d also get delights like:

Orihime and Chad utterly failing to believe in Ichigo! (Just like in the Xcution arc where it was demonstrated that Byakuya was a truer friend to Ichigo than either of them!)

Orihime being reduced to a pair of tits, each bigger than her own head!

Ichigo totally ignoring Orihime!

And who can forget the delight of Orihime selling out her dignity to dress slutty at Kisuke’s suggestion to try and get Ichigo’s attention, only for it to not work at all?

Yes, truly, TYBW would be a fantastic arc for IH that would surely win over the populace and convince everyone of the chemistry between these two characters!

Except it wouldn’t. Because they have no chemistry. And they didn’t. See, what’s really funny is that not only did TYBW not give you anything, but it was just following up on the Xcution arc not giving you anything.

Because ORIHIME VISION was played for laughs, just like say, Shuhei constantly is.

Because despite Chad and Orihime being about as important to Ichigo, he couldn’t even bother to say bye. 

Because he just didn’t have time to deal with her bullshit.

I could go on, but this post is already long enough.

You see, you’re real keen to dismiss "all the scene or poem shit or parallel or the hell else thing," but the truth is, that’s all there is to a manga. It is panels of art and text on a page. The rest is just in your head. And it is from those panels of art and text that animated scenes and spoken dialogue would be created. And the funny thing is... there are no IH moments in these arcs. They simply don’t exist.

So really, what you’re hoping and praying for is not just for TYBW to be adapted. Given your evident thirst, I doubt that the perhaps 5–10 minute epilogue of 685/686 at the end of 4–5 seasons would be enough for you. You’d need the animation team to decide to sprinkle in a whole lot of IH filler along the way too.

That didn’t work out so hot for the Xcution arc. How did that one end again? Oh, that’s right: they made up their own (better) ending for it. Are you really willing to bet your money on a TYBW anime going out of its way for IH, if you even get it? Or would you really be satisfied with those 5–10 minutes? Are you really so sure you’d even still get them?

Ultimately, I don’t care. You’re blocked. But, I will say this: in a way I almost kind of pity you. It seems really sad being a militant anonymous IH, desperately and eternally craving outside validation. You have so very little to cling to. It must be hard.

Good luck with that, Heather.

[cognacdelights]

I am honestly shocked by your response to the msgorilla account. Talking to a minor that way is... problematic. You told her to block you but you could have easily blocked that account to begin with. I’m still lost on how you are even faulting them in the wrong because they didn’t say a word about you that was negative. YOU are the adult here. Be the adult and don’t attack minors.

first of all, i have had the shittiest day possible so please excuse me if this is a little harsh but i’m not going to filter myself for your sake when you came into my ask box in the first place. i’m also not going to respond to any further asks about this because i truly don’t have the energy for this abhorrent excuse of a hellsite. if you have nothing nice to say, then kindly move along.

i’m problematic for defending myself? problematic for not wanting to be spoken about on a blog by someone who has never once interacted with me, or spoken to me or even acknowledged me in any kind of way except for replying to somebody who was clearly wanting the drama? it’s not problematic to defend yourself. it’s problematic to you because you don’t like that i defended myself. why should i let a bunch of children speak shit about me? nevertheless over childish and petty things such as tags on a fic. it’s people such as her and her anons that have gate kept a fandom to the point that nobody wants to write and/or be involved with it.

second of all, i’m not going to apologise for that. me being an adult doesn’t mean she, and her anons, get a free pass to be rude, mean, derogatory, gate keep and then send me death threats. being a minor doesn’t give them the right to do any of those things, and as an adult i don’t and shouldn’t have to filter my feelings for the sake of them. however, even though you aren’t owed any kind of explanation, i did block her and the several people who were being rude about me on her blog (the ones who were doing it off anon).

i am also not in the wrong for not wanting to be spoken about by blogs who do not know me and don’t get to cast a judgement on me. and that goes for that particular account, the other blogs and the anons that continued to be rude about me on her blog afterwards and any other future accounts that feel the need to throw in an opinion without knowing me.

if she didn’t want a response, she shouldn’t have posted the ask in the first place that clearly @‘d me. she said she didn’t want drama but that’s exactly what that post was going to cause and just because she’s a minor doesn’t mean she’s oblivious to that fact. it was done with a purpose and intent, and yes, i gave her that. again, just because i’m an adult doesn’t mean i can’t or shouldn’t defend myself from what people are saying about me.

and finally, if you don’t like me or my response, then get off my blog. unfollow me. block me. i don’t care what you do. just don’t continue to come into my ask box and constantly drag up drama because you’re bored. it’s been over a week and you all of a sudden want to talk about this now? why? because you saw that i posted a fic and wanted to ruin my positive experience on this hellsite for the sake of it? i did what they asked me to do, even though there’s no requirement for me to cater to their needs whatsoever. i don’t get myself involved in stuff that doesn’t require it and i stay in my lane, but when i’m personally targeted that does concern me. i’m not going to allow a group of minors to do that, whether i’m an adult or not and i aren’t required to “be nice” to anybody in that situation.

any rude, threatening or hateful anons will be blocked and deleted. i’m not answering anything else on this because i actually want to try and enjoy my experience of tumblr. that’s not too much to ask for.

i also see that you keep sending anonymous messages. if you want to talk about it so badly then come into my personal messages and off anon, or not at all. and if you don’t, i’ll just keep deleting your anons.

[firebirdsdaughter]

HoroFuwa, 40 and RaidenFuwa, 44

These (both) got pretty long, so I’m gonna try and make a cut here… Is that still broken for Asks? Let’s find out!

40 = A gentle kiss that quickly descends into passion, with little regard for what’s going on around them.

My boys. I miss them already. TT^TT

Since I ended up not getting to this until post finale… Let’s do something post ending.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Vulcan.”

Fuwa looked up to find Horobi standing over him, a bundle of cloth folded over one arm, staring down at him. “… What?” He demanded cautiously, eyeing the items that looked suspiciously like clothing, then, “… And I have a name.”

How long since Horobi and Jin had invaded his apartment and never left? They’d essentially moved in weeks, maybe even months ago, and still neither of them had seen fit to start using his name. Again, he thought about how he should have kicked them out ages ago, but… Even though Jin had staked out the sofa as his own and Horobi insisted on cleaning everything constantly, they had proven to be reliable backup in the field, and it was mainly because of them that his miniature, personal mission of keeping the peace had become anything more than an uncoordinated vigilante act. Even though Horobi had commandeered all cooking duties after he caught Fuwa eating instant ramen for breakfast more than once, the HumaGear was actually a frightfully good cook, and it was… Nice to not have to worry about it. And maybe it was because they were HumaGear and didn’t require as much as a human might’ve, but even though the apartment had been small even when it was just him, had never been meant for multiple people, the company was… Despite himself, he enjoyed it. Things had been weird at first, but… The atmosphere had changed. Jin had actually apologised for hacking his chip and trying to kill him. And Horobi…

Horobi was still staring expectantly at him, one eyebrow raised. Horobi was the complicated one. The HumaGear he’d thought had caused all his suffering, who had turned out to be just another victim in a long chain of dominos. The one he caught himself staring at with alarming regularity, like when the sunlight made his hair glow gold, or the way his hands moved while he cleaned or cooked. The one that all of AIMS had apparently decided he was already sleeping with. He felt his face heating up again at just remembering some of the circulating rumours he’d convinced Naki to tell him, embarrassing even in their dry, indifferent tones—and yet… He’d kept asking.

“Jin is concerned about presentation.”

“… What?” He had no idea what that was supposed to mean.

Horobi just sighed. “He feels that your general appearance is too dissonant with ours. He thinks the new MetsubouJinrai should have a more… Unified air.”

Fuwa’s jaw dropped. “… What?” So they’d been sort of working together—but he didn’t remember ever agreeing to join…

But Horobi seemed unperturbed by his bewilderment, holding out the things in his arms. “I made these. Put them on.”

Fuwa blinked. “I… What?”

The HumaGear didn’t bother waiting for him to react, reaching down and grabbing his arm, pulling him to his feet and pushing the clothes toward him. “The point is that you wear them.” When Fuwa continued to be confused, Horobi sighed, shaking his head, then put the bundle down on the chair where Fuwa had been sitting. Before he could process what Horobi was doing, the HumaGear was undoing his tie with one hand, the other pulling his blazer off his shoulder.

With a yelp, Fuwa jerked away, struggling to fix his clothes. “Wha… What are you…?!”

Horobi blinked at him, hands still outstretched slightly, looking so innocently bewildered that Fuwa wanted to… He bit the inside of his cheek to focus. “You cannot wear two sets of clothes at once.” He said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Fuwa’s face turned even redder at the nonchalance the HumaGear was approaching the situation with. “That’s not—that isn’t the problem!” He got his suit jacket back over his shoulder from where Horobi had pulled it down to. “I’m not changing clothes in front of you!”

Horobi just looked even more confused. “… Why?”

He took a step forward, and Fuwa moved back quickly, trying to maintain the distance between them. “Because we’re—it’s—that’s not—” He swallowed, trying to recover his senses. Changing in front of Horobi would be weird, he told himself. Uncomfortable. There was absolutely no reason why he would be any sort of okay with it. None whatsoever.

The HumaGear’s frown deepened for a moment—then he surged forward again, catching Fuwa’s blazer by the lapels.  “It’s fine.” He insisted, pushing the jacket off the human’s shoulders again, “I am well aware of human anatomy.”

Frantically, Fuwa’s hands flew up and grabbed Horobi’s wrists, trying to keep things from going any further. “No, that’s not the—” The HumaGear shook his hands off, forcing him to grab again, “This is why there are so many rumours about us, damnit!”

Horobi froze.

He didn’t let go of Fuwa’s blazer, though—if anything, he was holding tighter, just… Staring. So long that Fuwa started to wonder if he’d broken him somehow. “… Horobi?”

“… Rumours?” The HumaGear’s voice was softer, slow, computing what he had said.

Fuwa swallowed, his face heating up even more. “I… I mean…” He bit his cheek even harder, trying to scramble up some way to backtrack, “Nothing… Weird… It’s… It’s just… People talking… It’s… It’s stupid… It’s nothing…” He couldn’t seem to come up with a plausible explanation for rumours that would involve Horobi taking his clothes off—especially not while trying to simultaneously push away the voice whispering that he found that idea was actually… Very appealing, and the fact that many of the stories Naki had retold for him had been quite… Intense.

Something was flickering in Horobi’s eyes, as well as his new earpiece. Like he was looking something up. As inept as he was with interpersonal interaction, there was no way he wouldn’t eventually come up with the correct conclusion (or what if he could even hack into the AIMS system? No one had been gossiping about them on the channels, right?). There wouldn’t be many types of human behaviour associated with these actions, after all. Fuwa felt a lump forming in his throat as he watched the HumaGear’s generally stoic expression shift just slightly. It felt like he’d become very adept at reading Horobi after all this time, and he found himself able to track as the HumaGear steadily went through the information he was finding, wondering what the final reaction would be. He half expected to be tossed aside in disgust, or at least for some sort of horror or shock—if only partially in the hopes of validating what he’d repeatedly told the part of him that had… Liked the idea, that it was impossible and ludicrous.

But instead… The elegant, mostly impassive features softened faintly, and the HumaGear shifted even closer, enough that Fuwa would have been able to feel his breath if he had been human, hold on Vulcan’s blazer shifting to accommodate. “… I see.” Fuwa waited, to be pushed away, belittled, glared at, something, something to make sense of, settle the chaos happening inside him, self-appointed reason and incomprehensible desire clashing violently. He found himself staring unconsciously at Horobi’s lips, fighting the urge to pull the HumaGear closer. Horobi would jerk away in revulsion at any moment. There was no point in deluding himself.

Resolution formed in the HumaGear’s expression, and Fuwa quickly closed his eyes, hoping to make the break easier… Only… Once Horobi pulled his wrists free of Vulcan’s weakening grasp, he merely pulled Fuwa’s suit jacket the rest of the way off. Then those long fingers were settling on Vulcan’s tie again, tugging on the knot without a single hesitation. Fuwa let out another small, startled sound, his eyes flying back open, hands floundering to catch Horobi’s arm again. “H—Horobi!” After getting the HumaGear to pause once more, he clutched tight as he could to the arm he held, hoping to… To… His heart was racing, and his face was burning. “Did you even…?” He swallowed, forcing himself to meet Horobi’s calm, earnest gaze. “You… You understand, don’t you?” He bit his lip, trying to also push down that nonsensically… Hopeful sliver of himself that was whispering that maybe… “What… What people are… Are saying…?” Though small, the HumaGear gave him a steady, visible nod. “If…” He swallowed again, trying to push his voice out, even as it waned, his mouth and throat drying up from the intensity of that stare… “If we keep going like this… It… It’ll be… It’ll practically be true…”

Horobi stared at him for another moment—then those hands were moving upward, delicately cupping his face, thumb trailing across Vulcan’s cheekbone. Horobi leaned even further in, until Fuwa could count his eyelashes, practically feel them brushing his face as the HumaGear’s lids lowered, his lips hovering just a hair’s breadth from Vulcan’s. “… Then let it be true, Fuwa Isamu.”

The breath was sucked out of Fuwa’s lungs even before Horobi closed the small distance, those perfect lips brushing gently over Vulcan’s, and Fuwa’s heartbeat shot up like it was trying to break its way out of his ribcage. The HumaGear held there for a moment, not moving, just a light, soft kiss, before pulling back just enough to look into Fuwa’s eyes questioningly.

There was only one answer.

Fuwa’s hands jumped to Horobi’s shoulders, pulling him back in. This kiss was more intense, desperate, starting some sort of spark that quickly infected both of them, hands moving, scrambling furiously for purchase, trying to get closer, mould together. Fuwa was only passingly aware of being lifted off his feet and pressed against the wall, wedging him between it and the HumaGear’s body, putting them at a level that he didn’t need to crick his neck to keep kissing, wrapping his legs around Horobi’s waist. The HumaGear’s hands paused only long enough to let him push the robe off, then one was weaving into his hair while the other yanked his shirt untucked, slipping underneath it, making him whimper weakly into the kiss. Their mouths moved against each other, Fuwa sucking in frantic breaths when he could, Horobi biting at his bottom lip.

It was… Amazing. For the first time in a long while, Fuwa felt completely comfortable letting go entirely, and the way Horobi was pressing ever closer against him, deepening the kiss even more, indicated he did, too. Vulcan rolled his hips experimentally forward, and felt the HumaGear shiver—grinning into the kiss, he moved again, more eagerly, and kept going. Horobi’s lower hand dropped to trail up his thigh to his hip, yanking him closer, drawing a proper moan from his throat—

A loud yelp shattered the moment completely.

Horobi didn’t actually drop him, miraculously, more set him down and jolted back, spinning around with inhuman speed—but Fuwa got some of the breath knocked out of him from it regardless. In the silence that followed, he had to wheeze for air several time before he managed to drag his head back up—and froze.

Jin was standing by the front door, eyes wide as dinner plates. Horobi was stunned himself, standing rigid while looking past Jin rather than at him, staring over his shoulder. The lump in Fuwa’s throat resurfaced immediately, his blood running cold. Jin wasn’t particularly fond of him to begin with, and even though they had gotten slightly more friendly and found a sort of balance recently… The kid was downright ferociously protective of his father and how uncertain Horobi was in regards to normal life. The last thing he needed was Jin thinking he was taking advantage of Horobi’s naivety—that was likely to get him a gun to the face. After a moment, he also noticed Jin was actually holding the doorknob, which the other HumaGear had apparently ripped right out of the door.

The silence continued for a long time. “… I knocked.” Jin said slowly, ice creeping into his tone, his expression shifting from shock to suspicion. He held up the knob. “… No one answered.”

Fuwa swallowed as best he could, acutely aware of how flushed and dishevelled he was. “I… We… Were… Uh…” Straightening up awkwardly, he tried to look to Horobi for help, but the HumaGear was still completely frozen.

Jin’s gaze was solidly on Vulcan, mouth twisting with disapproval. “I saw.”

Fuwa bit his lip. There definitely wasn’t a good explanation for what the other HumaGear had walked in on—at least, not one that would satisfy Jin. He was pretty sure the kid didn’t want to hear about inappropriate rumours being circulated about his father—plus, his glare was already starting to veer into slightly murderous.

“… I started it.” Horobi’s voice surprised them both, making them both look towards him. He still looked dazed, but had turned to face his son and seemed more collected.

Jin’s expression softened immediately, and he hurried forward, tossing the knob aside so that he could put his hands on his father’s shoulders. “It’s okay, Horobi,” Even his tone was completely different, warm and gentle, “You don’t have to say that.” It was still a little odd to hear them talk to each other—originally it had been the genuine softness they treated each other with, but now… It was the unusual dynamic they had. There was no question Horobi was the father, with the way Jin doted on and followed him around, always cheerfully trying to show him things and drag him places. But there was also something… Different about it. Every now and then, the contrast in their development showed. Like now, Jin was cradling his father’s face in his palm, gazing at him with worried affection, calling him by his name rather than using ‘Otou-san.’ Maybe he thought it would get through to his father better, or maybe it was an attempt to make sure he was taken seriously, not dismissed as some bratty kid. Either way, he only did it when he was being protective—and that made Fuwa feel quite… Nervous.

But instead of going quiet like he usually did, Horobi reached up and put his hand over Jin’s on his face. “I’m not.” He said, sounding abnormally sure of himself, considering the situation. “It was me.”

Jin stared into his father’s face for a moment, frowning slightly. Finally, he nodded slightly. “… Okay.” Letting go of Horobi’s shoulders, he stepped back. Horobi kept watching him for another second—then turned slowly and took a few steps back over to collect his fallen robe. When he straightened back up, his eyes caught Fuwa’s again, briefly restarting the spell. Vulcan’s heart jumped back into his throat, and it felt like he was floating, the urge to reach out a restart the kiss momentarily overtaking him… But Jin’s presence, pointedly glaring, arms already folded, made that impossible. At last, Horobi broke eye contact, turning away and disappearing into the other room, where he’d set up charging stations for both himself and Jin (without asking, as usual), and the silence turned… Tense.

Fuwa swallowed again, glancing sideways at Jin’s annoyed stare, trying to decide if he should say something. But the other HumaGear’s bearing made it very clear he had little interest in whatever explanations Vulcan had in mind. So, instead, Fuwa nodded awkwardly, hurriedly recovering his blazer from the floor at starting toward his room.

“If you hurt him…” Jin’s voice, quiet and controlled, absolutely dripping with venom, brought him to an abrupt stop, peering back over his shoulder, “I will hurt you.”

He could feel the other HumaGear’s glare burning into his back. Swallowing anxiously, he gave a quick nod of understanding, not trusting his voice, or that Jin would care what he said. When the other HumaGear said nothing more, he hurriedly turned and continued on his way towards his bedroom, trying to use his suit jacket to hide his blush.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

… Wow… Uh… So… Essay anyone? ^^; I got a little carried away. But I will persist!

Anyway! Onward!

#############################################

44 = tentative kisses given in the dark

Uh… Okay, so disclaimer, this will be my first time actually trying to write Fuwa and Raiden, so… I’m sorry.

For what, I don’t actually know yet.

I… Might veer into an AU for this.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fuwa crashed roughly into a shelf, cursing quietly as he tried to right himself. Of course the power in the building had to go out now, under the worst possible circumstances. Horobi was stuck at headquarters for who knew what because of Amatsu, there was a massive thunderstorm going on, and his stupid, ancient, cheap apartment building had to go and lose power. He couldn’t even pretend to not worry about his partner in peace (but really, ZAIA was showing way to much interest in what was allegedly a defunct android they had foisted on him for being a liability). Another crack of lightning outside briefly illuminated the room, letting him dodge the furniture in his way, making it a few more steps… To crash right into someone’s chest. He very nearly toppled over, but a pair of arms closed around him, holding him up by plastering him against the person he’s crashed into.

“Whoa there…” Murmured a voice by his ear, “You humans a pretty fragile, don’t want to injure yourself crashing around.”

Oh. Right. He was here, too.

He must have made some sound, because he heard a laugh beside his head. “Hey now, I’m not that bad.” Raiden teased, tightening his hold for a moment, one arm dropping down slightly to Fuwa’s waist, “In fact, seemed to me you were getting pretty fond of me…”

Fuwa felt his face heat up, and he quickly began squirming, trying to escape the other HumaGear’s hold. Raiden and his… ‘Distractions’ were the last thing he wanted to think about right now, in the middle of a blackout, with his partner gone and… “Let go of me!”

But Raiden refused to let go—instead, fingers curled under his chin, catching him off guard enough that he went still. The hand holding his face tipped his head up slightly, just as another bolt of lightning lit up the room, briefly shining on the other HumaGear’s face, revealing just how close he was. Raiden wasn’t much taller than him, but Fuwa still felt abruptly small and flimsy in his arms.

He’d thought he was doing quite well at hiding how… Interested he was, kept the stares to a minimum—but Raiden had been designed to infiltrate and gather information, a particularly snide part of him that sounded an awful lot like Horobi’s judgemental tone reminded him. He shouldn’t be surprised that a HumaGear made to go undercover as a spy would notice things. He just wished it didn’t have to come to a head now, and put him in such a compromising position.

But no. Here he was in the dark, in a storm, held tightly against Raiden’s chest, the other HumaGear holding his chin firmly in place, his heart beginning to hammer against his ribs. He only had a vague image in his mind from when the lightning had struck, couldn’t actually see much, but he could feel Raiden’s gaze boring into his, like the other HumaGear was looking right into his mind. And Raiden could see him, couldn’t he, with just a few adjustments to his visual system—and on top of that, his body was reacting very eagerly to being pressed up against the other HumaGear. It just wasn’t fair.

In the darkness, Raiden chuckled again. “Called it.” Fuwa could hear the grin in his voice. “Knew you wanted me.” The hand on his chin shifted a little to brush a thumb over his cheek, “The look on your face right now…” The other HumaGear’s voice came closer, his hair brushing Fuwa’s forehead as he leaned in, and Fuwa found himself fighting the urge to push forward, to seek out those smartass lips in the darkness, “You look so good…” The way he said it sounded almost like a human contemplating a piece of food, but… Not in a bad way. Somehow. Fuwa bit the inside of his cheek hard, trying to focus. He needed to get out of here. He was already in enough trouble with his bosses, he did need to be adding to the list.

Then, without warning, the arm around his waist slid downward, and the other HumaGear’s hand was on his ass, squeezing tightly, pulling him closer. A surprised gasp broke from his mouth, but it faded into a soft groan when Raiden didn’t let go, instead giving get another firm squeeze. “All of you is good…” The playful amusement in the voice just made his heart pound even faster. The hand on his chin moved again, positioning his face in a way that he just knew was right in front of the other HumaGear’s. “Mmmm… Think I like that expression even more…” Another squeeze, and he swore Raiden’s fingers were digging between the cheeks, even through his trousers. Even worse, the other HumaGear’s hips shifted slightly, rubbing against him, and his lips parted with a small moan before he could stop himself, his lids drooping—not that he could’ve seen anything with them open. “… Yup.” There was a small bit of satisfaction that Raiden’s voice was slightly uneven, too, “Definitely like this one better.”

His hips moved again, in time with another rough squeeze, and Fuwa let out a small whimper. Instead of trying to push away, his hands latched onto the other HumaGear’s jacket, clutching tightly. “P… Please…” Another squeeze of his ass, followed by a light, playful smack, and all sense abandoned him, “… Kiss me…”

Laughter rumbled somewhere in front of him, “You want it, him?” The hand disappeared from his chin, and Raiden shifted against him, repositioning to begin kneading his ass with both hands and hold Fuwa flush against him at the same time, “Hmmm…” The sound came closer, the other HumaGear was leaning in again, “… You do it.”

All the blood rushed to Fuwa’s head, his heart positively leaping in his ribs. Him? Start the… Raiden was clearly comfortable feeling him up like this, why couldn’t he…? But then the other HumaGear squeezed even tighter, grinding against him again, and all thoughts fell out the window.

He didn’t know exactly where Raiden was in the darkness, so he tilted forward slowly, carefully as he could while the other HumaGear thoroughly felt up his ass, trying to find him. They bumped noses first, then foreheads as Fuwa tried to reposition. Raiden had the decency to at least not move his head, and after a bit of fumbling…

The moment their lips connected, Fuwa felt awkward. It was stupid to be nervous when Raiden already had his hands on his backside, squeezing hard, but… His mouth moved uncertainly against the other HumaGear’s, who was surprisingly steady, considering the aggressiveness of his other actions, letting Fuwa hesitantly brush lips over his.

Fuwa wasn’t sure how long they went on like that. He was aware of the rain and the bursts of lightning for a bit, but they soon faded to the back, until the whole world was almost just the two of them. He only vaguely noticed when Raiden eased off on gripping at his ass, instead letting his eyes fully close and embracing the darkness.

Until the lights came back on.

It was Raiden who pulled away, untangling himself with ease and taking a few steps back. Fuwa barely caught himself on the nearby shelf that he had tripped over earlier when he toppled forward—he’d settled into leaning his full weight on the other HumaGear without even realising it. Floundering a little, he dragged his head back up to look at Raiden in bewilderment, his other hand reaching towards the other HumaGear, wanting to pull him close again. Why was he…?

“Ah ah…” Raiden’s hand caught his arm by the wrist, gently pushing it back down, and the other HumaGear stepped closer again, just slightly, those strong fingers brushing Fuwa’s cheek to tuck under his chin once more, holding his face so that their eyes met, “Later.” Raiden told him firmly, “You have work to do with the power back on, don’t you?” With that, he gave Fuwa a teasing smirk and a small chuck under the chin, then stepped away, turning and disappearing through a door before the human could say a word.

Leaving Fuwa alone to process what had just happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yay! I got it done! At last! Why are these so long? I dunno. I also dunno if that counts as ‘tentative,’ but Raiden always seems to scare the tentative right out of my writing. ^^;

Anyway, I am still up for doing these if y’all don’t mind it taking me a very long time…

send me a number and I will (very, very slowly) write something

[megamikethomson]

Antminer S19 Pro

What is Bitcoin?

Bitcoin is a peer-to-peer payment system and is the first decentralized, digital currency. Bitcoins are units of cryptocurrency—meaning that they use cryptography in the creation and transfer of money— that you can spend across the Internet on a variety of products and services. Several Bitcoin currency exchanges exist where bitcoins may be traded for the US Dollar, Euro, and many other physical currencies. These exchanges also contribute to a determination of Bitcoin’s monetary value. Just like any financial market, the value of a bitcoin is in a near-constant state of change. This has made Bitcoin a new target of investors who seek to capitalize on short-term fluctuations of the market. In fact, speculators currently comprise the bulk of the Bitcoin market, but this is changing as more online businesses begin to accept bitcoins as a form of payment. Some physical retailers are also beginning to accept the currency. bitcoin mining with Antminer S19 Pro

Bitcoin history

In 2009, a software developer using the pseudonymous name of Satoshi Nakamoto created an open-source software program called Bitcoin. Satoshi Nakamoto translates roughly in English to “thinking clearly inside the foundation.” Clearly, the development of the Bitcoin client was most likely the work of a team of developers whose goal was to create a form of digital currency.

The early versions of the platform were riddled with technical issues, one of which permitted the unlimited creation of bitcoins. These were ironed out through trial and error until a workable version of the client allowed the first recorded purchase of goods on May 22, 2010. What was the first item purchased with bitcoins? It might surprise you that it was two pizzas. At the time of that first purchase, bitcoins were valued at just US $0.003 per coin. It cost 10,000 bitcoins to make this first purchase. To put this in perspective, in today’s Bitcoin market those same two pizzas would have cost approximately US $8,369,100. As of this writing, the value of one bitcoin is in the range of US $830.

Media attention has been more responsible than any other factor for Bitcoin’s increased market value and the wild fluctuations of the market. With the recent announcements that online retailers such as Overstock.com would begin accepting bitcoins as a form of payment, the currency could continue to rise. Overstock.com announced that in the early stages of accepting the digital currency it was processing 780 bitcoins per day for an estimated revenue of US $124,000.

You may have noticed that the capitalized “Bitcoin” refers to the software client itself, whereas the lowercase “bitcoin” refers to actual units of the currency.

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The advantages of Bitcoin

Bitcoin offers many advantages over traditional currency, including:

Freedom      of payment. It is possible to send any amount of bitcoins to anywhere      in the world at any time of the day or night. There are no banking      holidays or closures of the Bitcoin market. Users truly have complete      control over their money. Low      fee structure. Bitcoins are processed most often with no fee whatsoever,      and when fees are charged they are very small. The fees charged by many      retailers or processors for using bitcoins are minimal. Some entities may      include a small fee is users want priority processing. Lower      risk for users and merchants. Because Bitcoin is a crytpocurrency, all      Bitcoin transactions are secured through encryption and do not contain      users’ sensitive information. The user is responsible for securing their      Bitcoin wallet, which is basically a digital address which facilitates the      transfer of currency. Retailers are less at risk from fraudulent purchases      than can result in chargebacks. Transparency.      All information regarding Bitcoin, both the client and the money supply,      is maintained on something known as the block chain. Any Bitcoin      user can verify or use this information in real time. The Bitcoin protocol      is cryptographically secured, which prevents any individual or business      entity from manipulating the currency or its client.

How are Bitcoins used today?

Originally conceived as a means of digital trade, bitcoins are still most used to purchase digital goods and services. Just recently, some offline merchants have begun to accept Bitcoin as a form of payment. Here is a sample of things that can currently be purchased with bitcoins:

Web      hosting services. The domain registrar Namecheap was one of the first      in this field to begin accepting bitcoins. Cloud-based      file storage. Lumfile and other data storage services accept bitcoins      for premium services. Online      games. Gaming giant Zynga boosted the value of a single bitcoin to US      $1000 when they announced they would begin accepting the digital currency. VPN      service, books, clothing, and much more… The biggest development in the acceptance of bitcoins came most recently when Overstock.com, a leading online retailer with a vast selection of products that rivals larger retailers like Amazon, began accepting the currency. Many people view this as the experiment which will encourage the largest online retailers to add Bitcoin to their list of payment options.

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What is Bitcoin Mining?

bitcoin miningAs you begin to explore the possibilities of Bitcoin and consider plunging into the world of digital currency, one term that you will encounter is Bitcoin mining. The mining of bitcoins is central to the process of creating the digital currency and making it available for exchange. While you do not need to understand Bitcoin mining in order to buy or spend the currency, mining is the method by which bitcoins can be obtained, or created, without exchanging cash. On the surface it’s a technical process, and one that can be a little intimidating, but the basic principles behind bitcoin mining can be comprehended by the new user. The best place to start is by asking, what is bitcoin mining?     for mining use Antminer S19 Pro 110TH

Bitcoin mining basics

The first thing to wrap your mind around is Bitcoin’s essential nature. As a form of digital currency it exists only in lines of computer code. This significant difference is what drives the way bitcoins are created. Unlike a physical form of currency which is printed onto a tangible piece of paper, bitcoins exist only in a digital sense. Nevertheless, in order to maintain a system of exchange, there still has to be a method of creating (printing) the currency and tracking how many bitcoins are in circulation. This process is accomplished by Bitcoin mining.

The ledger of past Bitcoin transactions is known as the block chain, meaning it is a simple chain of blocks. The central purpose of the block chain is to confirm transactions that are taking place in the Bitcoin market.

Think about it this way. Before the days of computerized transactions, banks needed to maintain ledgers of their customer’s transactions and balances. This was the manner in which records were kept prior to the digital era. A ledger allowed the bank to know how much money you had in your account and it facilitated the transfer of that money to another entity. The block chain is very much like that type of ledger with a notable difference. It only exists in a digital sense. To further simplify this explanation, the block chain is the digital record of Bitcoin transactions. Bitcoin nodes use the block chain to separate legitimate transactions from fraudulent ones attempting to spend bitcoins that have already been spent.     Best Hardware for mining Antminer S19 Pro

Bitcoin mining exists to provide a means for Bitcoin nodes to reach a secure, tamper-resistant consensus. Mining also provides the means for the creation of new bitcoins. Miners are paid transaction fees, and they also receive a percentage of newly created bitcoins. This process, though it seems difficult to comprehend, is what maintains the decentralized nature of the currency. It also assists in motivating miners to provide security for the overall system.

The process requires exertion—the expenditure of energy—and the bitcoins created from mining are created at a rate that resembles the rate at which commodities like gold are mined from the physical ground.

The difficulty-reward ratio

By its very nature, Bitcoin mining must present a certain level of difficulty. Mining is purposely designed to be resource-intensive and difficult to accomplish so that the number of blocks discovered by miners each day is kept steady. Just as the US Mint cannot simply thrust millions of new pieces of currency into the market each day, thereby devaluing the dollar, bitcoins cannot be created without some type of regulation that governs the speed at which they are made available.

The technical explanation is this: mining a block is very difficult because the SHA-256 hash of a block’s header must be lower than or equal to a target in order for the block to be accepted by the Bitcoin network. Confused? Here’s a somewhat simpler explanation. The hash of each block—remember, bitcoins are essentially lines of computer code and not physical currency—must start with a certain number of zeros. The probability of calculating a hash that begins with multiple zeros is very low. This means that many attempts must be made to mine the block.      Antminer S19 Pro 110TH/s

Advanced Bitcoin mining

This article is only designed to give you a basic overview of how bitcoins are created and processed across the Bitcoin network.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Great Commission

by J.C. Ryle

"Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, saying, Tell them, 'His disciples came at night and stole him away while we slept.' And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will appease him and make you secure. So they took the money and did as they were instructed, and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:11-20

These verses form the conclusion of the Gospel of St. Matthew. They begin by showing us what absurdities blind prejudice will believe rather than believe the truth. They go on to show us what weakness there is in the hearts of some disciples and how slow they are to believe. They finish by telling us some of the last words spoken by our Lord upon earth--words so remarkable that they demand and deserve all our attention.

Let us observe, in the first place, the honor which God has put on our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord says, "All power is given unto me, in heaven and earth." This is a truth which is declared by St. Paul to the Philippians, "God has highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name." It is a truth which in no wise takes away from the true notion of Christ's divinity, as some have ignorantly supposed. It is simply a declaration, that, in the counsels of the eternal Trinity, Jesus, as Son of man, is appointed heir of all things. He is the Mediator between God and man, the great fountain of mercy, grace, life, and peace. It was for this joy set before him that he endured the cross.

Let us embrace this truth reverently and cling to it firmly. Christ is he who has the keys of death and hell. Christ is the anointed priest who alone can absolve sinners. Christ is the fountain of living waters in whom alone we can be cleansed. Christ is the Prince and Savior who alone can give repentance and remission of sins. In him all fullness dwells. He is the way, the door, the light, the life, the Shepherd, the altar of refuge. He that has the Son has life, and he that has not the Son has not life. May we all strive to understand this. No doubt men may easily think too little of God the Father, and God the Spirit, but no man ever thought too much of Christ.

Let us observe, in the second place, the duty which Jesus lays on his disciples. He bids them "go and teach all nations." They were not to confine their knowledge to themselves but communicate it to others. They were not to suppose that salvation was revealed only to the Jews, but to make it known to all the world. They were to strive to make disciples of all nations and to tell the whole earth that Christ had died for sinners.

Let us never forget that this solemn injunction is still in full force. It is still the bound duty of every disciple of Christ to do all he can in person, and by prayer, to make others acquainted with Jesus. Where is our faith if we neglect this duty? Where is our charity? It may well be questioned whether a man knows the value of the Gospel himself if he does not desire to make it known to all the world.

Let us observe, in the third place, the public profession which Jesus requires of those who believe his gospel. He tells his apostles to "baptize" those whom they received as disciples. It is very difficult to conceive when we read this last command of our Lord's, how men can avoid the conclusion that baptism is necessary, when it may be had. It seems impossible to explain the word that we have here of any but an outward ordinance, to be administered to all who join his church. That outward baptism is not absolutely necessary to salvation, the case of the penitent thief plainly shows. He went to paradise unbaptized. That outward baptism alone often confers no benefit, the case of Simon Magus plainly shows. Although baptized, he remained "in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity." But that baptism is a matter of entire indifference and need not be used at all, is an assertion which seems at variance with our Lord's words in this place.

The plain practical lesson of the words is the necessity of a public confession of faith in Christ. It is not enough to be a secret disciple. We must not be ashamed to let men see whose we are and whom we serve. We must not behave as if we did not like to be thought Christians, but take up our cross and confess our Master before the world. His words are very solemn, "Whosoever shall be ashamed of me, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Let us observe, in the fourth place, the obedience which Jesus requires of all who profess themselves his disciples. He bids the apostles "teach them to observe all things, whatsoever he has commanded them." This is a searching expression. It shows the uselessness of a mere name and form of Christianity. It shows that they only are to be counted true Christians who live in a practical obedience to his word and strive to do the things that he has commanded. The water of baptism and the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper alone will save no man's soul. It profits nothing that we go to a place of worship and hear Christ's ministers and approve of the Gospel if our religion goes no further than this. What are our lives? What is our daily conduct at home and abroad? Is the Sermon on the Mount our rule and standard? Do we strive to copy Christ's example? Do we seek to do the things that he commanded? These are questions that must be answered in the affirmative if we would prove ourselves born again and children of God. Obedience is the only proof of reality. Faith without works is dead, being alone. "You are my friends," says Jesus, "if you do whatsoever I command you."

Let us observe, in the fifth place, the solemn mention of the blessed Trinity which our Lord makes in these verses. He bids the apostles to baptize "in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." This is one of those great plain texts which directly teach the mighty doctrine of the Trinity. It speaks of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as three distinct persons, and speaks of all three as co-equal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. And yet these three are one.

This truth is a great mystery. Let it be enough to receive and believe it, and let us ever abstain from all attempts at explanation. It is childish folly to refuse assent to things that we do not understand. We are poor crawling worms of a day and know little at our best about God and eternity. Suffice it for us to receive the doctrine of the Trinity in Unity with humility and reverence, and to ask no vain questions. Let us believe that no sinful soul could be saved without the work of all three Persons in the blessed Trinity, and let us rejoice that Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who cooperated to make man, do always cooperate to save him. Here let us pause. We may receive practically what we cannot explain theoretically.

Finally, let us observe in these verses, the gracious promise with which Jesus closes his words. He says to his disciples, "I am with you always even to the end of the world." It is impossible to conceive words more comforting, strengthening, cheering, and sanctifying than these. Though left alone, like orphan children in a cold, unkind world, the disciples were not to think they were deserted. Their Master would be ever with them. Though commissioned to do a work as hard as that of Moses when sent to Pharaoh, they were not to be discouraged. Their Master would certainly be with them. No words could be more suited to the position of those to whom they were first spoken. No words could be imagined more consolatory to believers in every age of the world.

Let all true Christians lay hold on these words and keep them in mind. Christ is with us always. Christ is with us wherever we go. He came to be "Emmanuel, God with us," when he first came into the world. He declares that he is ever Emmanuel, "with us," when he comes to the end of his earthly ministry and is about to leave the world. He is with us daily to pardon and forgive, to sanctify and strengthen, to defend and keep, to lead and guide. He is with us in sorrow and in joy, in sickness and in health, in life and in death, in time and in eternity.

What stronger consolation could believers desire than this? Whatever happens, they at least are never completely friendless and alone. Christ is ever with them. They may look into the grave and say with David, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." They may look forward beyond the grave and say with Paul, "we shall ever be with the Lord." Jesus has said it, and he will stand to it, "I am with you always, even to the end of the world." "I will never leave you and never forsake you." We could ask nothing more. Let us go on believing and not be afraid. It is everything to be a real Christian. None have such a King, such a Priest, such a constant Companion, and such an unfailing Friend, as the true servants of Christ.

[iomhair]

I promised @johnlockismyreligion a teeny tiny ficlet about Boris getting a flu and Valery taking care of them. I don’t think that this is what you had in mind, so I apologize in advance >__< I posted it, then deleted it, then I decided to post it again, but anyway, it’s soppy and pathetic and hopeful. 

If you have more prompts, feel free to send them my way <3 But then I will probably ruin them as well, so do it at your own risk :D

* * * 

Moscow greets Valery Legasov with the ever-growing noises of the loud cars and scent of autumn rains. It's different, so different here now. It's actually strange, really: a couple of months ago, right before April Valery could not imagine his life without all of this fuss, all of the sounds of the city that never really sleeps. Now it all comes back as if Pripyat has never existed: distant and somewhat cozy roaring of autumn rain, traffic lights right under his windows, ticking clock, long forgotten smell of books and cigarette smoke.  

Valery slowly walks forward, avoiding stepping on the creaking board out of habit. He enters his study, gazing at the student papers that were left here many months ago. Right... He was about to grade them, kids were supposed to have an exam. Suddenly Valery wonders about this exam, being curious about the grades. Were they good? Did his students pass? Did he manage to actually teach them something? Not that their grades matter now, not that most of the things matter now, but simple thoughts and simple distractions always helped him to keep sanity. Why giving up this habit now, when it's mostly needed.

Despite the noises outside the apartment everything seems so deadly quiet, and when the loud sound of ringing phone breaks the silence Valery rushes to it without even thinking.

- Hello?

The same silence greets him at first. Just for a split second or two, but it's enough for Valery to get excited and hopeful at the same time. He does not even need to hear this voice. And yet... all he wants is to listen to it again and again.  

- Valery, this is Boris. Did you get home in time? It's stormy in Moscow, I just heard in the news.

Legasov smiles. Hundreds of storms would not matter now, all that mattered was the familiar loud voice that he got used to hear every day in Chernobyl. Voice that Valery missed more than he would ever dare to admit even to himself. It seemed odd, scary even: they have parted just a couple of hours ago, why does it feel like an eternity away?..

- Valery, is everything all right?

- Yes, sorry, everything is all right. Of course it's all right, really, I'm fine. I just... I guess it takes time to get used to it. Did not realize I am home.

- Well, we have a couple of days. Get some rest. We are going back soon.

- I understand. Thank you.

- Good. I will you see you then.

So many words Legasov wants to say. Maybe he even would if he was braver. But Valery knows that he is not brave whatsoever, and he allows himself to enjoy that little that he had - a simple call. They are going back in just a couple of days, and for some horrible, absolutely stupid reason Valery's heart beats faster now only of the plain knowledge that soon he will see Boris once again. Pathetic, Legasov thinks to himself. What an old fool he is. Both of them need some reprieve and he better enjoy it.

In fact, he is not.

Valery walks to the window, watching the rain and taking out the cigarette from the pack, lighting it up. He tries to come up with some excuse that would allow him to call Boris back and to listen to his voice just a little bit longer. Maybe he hanged up too fast and it was quite rude. Maybe they need to discuss further plans. Maybe Boris had something to add to Valery's report to Kremlin's officials. And maybe, just maybe he would not mind hearing from his friend once again.

Solitude never really bothered Legasov, he did find it quite enjoyable, and it was always easier to work when his mind was not occupied with anything distracting. But somehow now it seems like a burden and Valery was secretly asking himself if there was even a slight chance that Boris feels the same. The second cigarette brings a false sense of the determination and Valery almost picks up the phone once again.

- Don’t do it, - he whispers quietly, making the warning vocal and therefore more real, - Don’t even think about it.

The early evening falls on Moscow very quickly, wrapping it in another layer of rain and fog.

Not today. But maybe tomorrow.

 *  *  *

 Waking up when you are utterly in love and have to keep quiet about it is not easy, that Legasov realized on his first week in Chernobyl. Not impossible, but very much heartbreaking. Every day seems like a burden and a blessing, and today, Valery already knew it, would be especially strange. Yet he will have to go through it, preferably using this chance of being in Moscow to their benefit, maybe meet certain people, ask some very uncomfortable questions, or even see his friends.

The weather is horrible even for the early autumn. Legasov thinks that he would actually love to stay at home today, but he has only few days in Moscow and he has to use them.  

It all comes back to him very quickly: crowded metro, traffic outside, loud students chasing the bus to Kurchatov institute, kiosks with newspapers, pieces of conversations, and people, actual people outside, and none of them looking like the ones Valery used to see in Chernobyl. It feels… reassuring.

The fuss of his usual life quickly envelops Valery in its embrace, taking the familiar form of friends, colleagues, students, even his own office. It seemed like life has not changed for anyone except of him, although Legasov knew that it was not true. He found it quite amusing that some of the colleagues tried to avoid him on purpose. Everyone knew where Valery came from. Everyone knew what happened there. And Legasov knew that no one would dare to ask him any questions and put themselves under the unnecessary risk. He expected it, anticipated the silence. But the unnerving feeling of being crossed out from the life that he used to have was getting stronger and stronger.

It’s stupid, really. Dangerous even. But it’s the end of the day and Valery needs to know that he still exists. That Chernobyl happened. Still happening. After all, he has a perfect excuse: a fresh report with the actual data that Boris will need to see.  

Legasov sighed, watching his own hand lingering over the red phone on his desk. Just seven numbers, he can certainly do it. He was near the open reactor, he spent last months in the most dangerous place on earth, surely one call can’t be that scary.

The circle with dialed numbers slowly spins there and back. One by one Valery touches the digits, actually hoping that maybe Boris would not pick up, maybe he is already sleeping, maybe is drinking somewhere with friends, maybe he is somewhere else, maybe he is at…

- This is Boris Shcherbina. Who am I speaking to?

…or he can actually pick up the phone.

- Boris, this is Valery, I needed to…

Needed to what? Hear you? See you? Make sure you exist?

The loud sound of sneezing interrupts Valery and getting him worried. He keeps silent for a couple of seconds, giving Boris some time to recover.

- Perhaps this is bad timing, sorry, Boris, I can call tomorrow.

- It’s all right, I am fine.

- Yes, you clearly are.

Legasov could not see, but could almost hear the usual growl, that Boris used to make when he was unhappy with the way things were.

- It’s nothing urgent, really. I just wanted you to see some new changes and make sure that you are aware of them. But it can wait.

- Do you need me to look at it?

- Yes, but if you are not feeling well…

- Nonsense, I am perfectly fine.

Valery does not really know what to say to this. It was always tough to overrule Shcherbina’s decisions, but it never stopped Legasov before.

- Boris, listen…

- I’ll give you my address. Come by and we’ll talk.  

He should not agree. Under any circumstances he should not accept it, Valery already knows it. This is a very bad idea, in fact, he should decline it right away…

- I’ll be in an hour.

…but those words slip off his lips before Legasov could stop himself.

Valery’s palms are shivering when he hangs up the phone. His heart is beating almost three times faster when he collects everything that he wanted to show to Boris. None of those papers are very important and Legasov knows it, all of this could actually wait. But the need to see him, maybe just to make sure that everything is all right is way stronger than his own pride.

 * * *

 Shcherbina opens the door and it’s pretty obvious to Valery that something’s not right. Boris does not look like his usual self, in fact, he looks far from it. And Legasov does not need to be a doctor to realize that his friend probably did not sleep that night very well.

- Boris, how are you feeling?

Simple question, that would usually require a simple answer, but not with Boris Shcherbina, never with this man. He would never admit that something is wrong with him, as if accepting help from another human being would make him less of a man.

- I am fine. Just did not sleep well.

- Right…

In any other time Legasov would have accepted this explanation even if it was far from truth. Despite Boris’ opinion, he could play those social games to a certain extent, could spare someone’s ego, could avert the eyes in case it was needed. Valery never managed to master it, but at least he learned the very basics.

But now… Now it was different.

Legasov walked into the apartment, still holding the folder with the papers. Even in his wildest dreams, whenever he imagined being at this place, he never expected it to be this… intimate. Everything around him kept the feel of Boris, making this apartment so incredibly personal, that it was impossible to ignore. Somehow Valery knew that Shcherbina was feeling the same, but for some odd reason he did not make any attempts to stop Valery or to let him know that he is not welcome here. He just sighed, for some reason giving a quick glance to the mirror, quickly touching the collar of his shirt, and walked through the dark corridor. Valery heard the sound of cups and teaspoons, turning away from the massive bookshelf, filled with different books and beautiful atlases in fancy covers. Legasov suspected that most of them were here just for decoration, but some part of him desperately wanted to give this cabinet a closer look.

- Valery, I am making tea, will you have some?

Before Valery could even say something, he heard a loud sound of sneezing that Shcherbina was obviously trying to cover. He walked to the kitchen, freezing at the doorframe and watching Boris wearily sitting onto the chair, looking somewhat offended. With the quiet sigh Legasov stepped forward, gently touching Boris’ forehead with the palm, measuring the temperature.

- I have not been sick for so many years. Always healthy. Even when my daughter was sick and I had to spend nights at her bed – never caught anything. And now… the one evening of rain and look at me, what the hell is this.

Valery could not help, but to allow himself to smile – Boris always tend to be dramatic despite his everlasting composure. How he managed to balance it, letting his emotions be mixed in the right way, remained a mystery.

- Did you even sleep tonight?

- Not really. I’ve been up all night. I took some pills, but it did not help much.

Valery sighed, stepping away and looking at Boris, desperately trying not to show anything that could be considered more than a simple concern for a sick friend.

- Where do you keep medicine?

Boris nodded to the far drawer, still looking somewhat pale and tired.

- You don’t have to do this.

- Do what exactly?

- Staying here for a start. Wasting your day. I am sure, you have plenty of other plans. Valery, really, it’s fine, I can take care of myself. You don’t get to my age without fighting a flu or two.

Legasov smirked, turning away from the drawer, already holding a big box filled with different pills, glass bottles, even the tin cans with medical lotions.

- I thought you said that you’ve never been sick. Was this an imaginary fight?

- I still can take care of myself.

With these words Boris bent forward, trying to fight the cough once again and then simply giving up to it. Valery felt his own fingers clenching the box even tighter.

- I know you can, Boris. Just… just let me make you tea, deal?.. And what the hell is that, it’s been expired, of course it would not work!

- I told you, I never needed any of those! Legasov, I am barely even home. I have work to do. I have no time to be sick!

Valery sighed, putting the box away and turning to Boris. Suddenly he realized that he has absolutely no rights to order around, that he is actually in another man’s apartment, which was the absolute last place in the world that Valery should have been visiting. Simple words “go to bed” got stuck in Legasov’s throat, and he felt his cheeks were getting covered with the very distinctive blush. It was impossible not to notice this, but Valery knew that Boris had good enough manners so to ignore it. At least for now.

- Right…

The whole situation Valery found himself in was far from ordinary. It would have been uneasy, even scary, but the past months were full of quick events and quick decisions and Legasov wanted to think that this experience was sufficient enough to use it in the current circumstances.

- You do need some rest, Boris, you might have a fever. I will make you tea and get you something that did not expire last century, but you need to… you know, what sick people usually do and try to stay in warmth.

Boris got up. It seemed like Valery’s words were finally making an effect or maybe he just did not feel like arguing, Legasov could not tell.

Rain outside was still pretty heavy, seems like autumn came early this year. But it does not matter, like grades of his students, like most of the things now. Valery knows that even if it was storm and tornado outside, he’d still go to this damn store, just to make sure that Boris will feel better. It actually takes him some time to find the pharmacy in the new area, get everything that he used to get for himself whenever he was getting sick and to come back to Boris’ apartment. His thin jacket is all wet, scarf is actually dripping with water, but the sudden feeling of this welcoming warmth of someone else’s apartment makes it all it worth it.

Twilight shadows were now covering the rooms, somehow making everything look more cozy. Legasov turned on the dimmed lights, trying to be move as quiet as possible, deciding to check on Shcherbina and doing his best to not actually think of the fact that he was now entering his bedroom.

- Boris? It’s me. I got you some pills, and this syrup, look, it’s not much, but they did not have lots of choice and I’ll check another store tomorrow, and…

- Thank you…

Valery shivers. How he longed to hear this voice once again. And yet now he would prefer not to hear it at all, rather letting his friend get some sleep. He was never the one to be too affectionate, was never able to declare anything he feels, preferring to keep everything a secret. It was safer. It was a right thing to do. Always was. And now it was not the time to make an exception.

Valery bit the lips, gently touching Boris’ forehead, letting his fingers slide over a couple of visible wrinkles. For the split second he met the gaze of the grey eyes, that haunted his dreams for many months. Is it… No, it can’t be. Boris’ just not feeling well. He is tired. He needs sleep. He needs a friend and not the loud declarations that will ruin everything and put them both into an extremely shitty position.

- Give me a couple of minutes, I’ll come back.

Boris nods. And his lips are stretching in a slight smile.

It takes Valery a couple of minutes to brew the hot tea with the generous portion of honey, make the cold wrap and sort the medicine, leaving most of them on the table. It is somewhat strange to take care of someone just like this, but at the same time Valery is terrified of the fact that it feels so natural. Even the simplest of things, such as mixing honey with tea seemed so painfully domestic that some part of Valery dared to enjoy it.

He came back to Boris’ room only to see him settling under the blanket with nothing but an undershirt on. And although this was something Legasov expected to see, he did not really know how to react to that properly. Best would be just to turn away, or maybe pretend like nothing is happening, or maybe just drop this cup here, put everything on the bedside table, leave this place and never ever come back. Yes, that would be preferable. But then Boris shifted, opening the eyes and trying to pull the blanket higher with the visible effort.

- Hold on, Boris, let me help.

- I am perfectly fine, look, I can even get up myself, Valery.

- Of course you can, I know, yes, but just… here, drink this.

Valery moved forward, trying not to think of the fact that this was the closest he has ever been to Shcherbina and that he was just about to touch his arm, leaning back the last second. He passed the cup to Boris, watching him drinking the hot tea and obediently swallowing all of the pills, not even asking any questions about them.

- There you go. See, does not feel that bad.

- It does not feel good either.

- Yes, but you need to wait. That’s usually how the medicine works.

- What if I don’t want to wait? This is boring.

Valery sighed. He could not believe it. Boris now looked at him with the expression that reminded Legasov of his own students, unhappy with the final result of their exam. He did his best to hide the smile, while slowly moving away from the bed, trying to be as subtle as it was possible.

- I am sorry, I wish I could… make the effect immediate?

- Can you?

- No, but I can make it a bit easier.

Valery slowly put the cold wrap on Boris’ forehead, watching his lips opening in a quiet sigh.

- That should help… - he whispered, slowly backing away, at this point unable to avoid looking at Boris, - I… I probably should go, you need some sleep, I can’t help with that. Listen, there are… pills on the table, I found some honey, I will come back in the morning to check on you. I turned off the stove, but I can make you another cup of tea, let me just…

- Stay.

- Excuse me?..

- Stay, Valera.

This very second it seems to Legasov that his world has shuttered into millions little pieces. And as if those words were not enough, he suddenly felt Boris’ hand in his own, instinctively clenching the palm around his fingers. It was impossible, absolutely unbelievable, and yet it was happening.

Boris’ eyes are closed and it makes Valery think that this all is not real. That Boris’ fever probably reached the point when people do crazy things, say the words they don’t mean, act stupid – he heard about that. It is totally possible.

But Boris’ hand is still in his own, although the grip was now getting less strong. He is falling asleep fast, probably because of the warmth, or maybe it’s the rain outside, or the pills. Hundreds of reasons for that, really. All of them way more possible than any stupid fantasy.

- I’m here.  

Valery hopes that Boris did not hear that. That he has already fell asleep, that his treacherous voice was too quiet. And as if this was not enough, Legasov sat on a bed once again, trying to take as little space as it was possible. His heart seemed to jump out of the chest, but the hands were steady. Not even thinking what he was doing, not even caring of the consequences, not even knowing if it was the right thing to do, he leaned forward, for a split second pressing the lips to Boris’ knuckles, already knowing that he will stay by him all night, if needed.

- I am here.

He should let go of Boris’ hand. In fact, he should leave immediately, it would have been a right thing to do. But the rain outside is getting only stronger and Boris is finally falling asleep, and he is still holding Valery’s hand, and his fever will be gone tomorrow – somehow Valery already knows that. And this is all that matters now.

[synapse-xt50]

Synapse XT- Ingredients, Really Work & Price in (AU&CA)

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What is Synapse XT?

Synapse XT is a primary new upgrade that way to assist customers with hear-capable complexities, for instance, hearing adversity or tinnitus. Stuffed in a little pill, the improvement gives purchasers all the basic enhancements to get it done. As per the official site, its exceptional formula is what makes it such an other and well-worth decision. As demonstrated by the creators, not simply Synapse Xt helps customers in getting the fundamental dietary necessities their cerebrum totally needs. Also, it helps in countering the rot of one's hearing that can happen extra time. While most medication associations assurance to devise an answer, they routinely disregard to fulfill that ensure. This is the explanation various individuals have traded over to the utilization of normal upgrades like this one.

How Does Synapse XT Work?

The essential worry that is the purpose of intermingling of this thing is tinnitus. Tinnitus is an issue that is portrayed as an ordinariness of a ringing uproar in one's ear. Synapse XT can make customers experience the evil impacts of headaches and a general nonappearance of tranquility and agreement. The upgrade is arranged from the earliest starting point as an extraordinary and effective decision. Utilization of the thing will allow customers to beat issues starting from the neurotransmission of fluid in their cerebrum. The usage of the thing is essential, and one can without a doubt add it to their eating regimens missing a great difficult situation. Despite these factors, the upgrade is communicated to assist one's with blooding stream. Fittingly getting enhancements to the psyche requires a cardiovascular structure that can administer speedy transmission. Consequently, this is a necessary extension that can't be ignored. The upgrade in addition:

Lifts the meeting capacity of the body by presenting a harmony between the ionic groupings of the neurotransmission liquid.

For this reason, it adds numerous particles to the body which enter the Synapses of the synapses.

These at that point balance them out electrically, so the messages are traded as electrical driving forces .

Moreover, the enhancement gives a more prominent measure of oxygen to the cerebrum, taking into account better working generally.

Finally, it helps clients in delivering pressure and uneasiness from their framework which is an expanding basic purpose for tinnitus.

Synapse XT Ingredients

The game plan of trimmings used for any improvement are critical. Customers are proposed exploring precisely what these trimmings are for each individual thing. This is because they are the essential worry that chooses a wide display of viewpoints about the thing. This consolidates the effects it gives, similarly as the overall advantages. In light of everything, this particular Supplement has 8 fascinating trimmings that have been combined in the ideal sythesis. The overview is according to the accompanying:

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Nutrient B. This improvement uses Vitamin B, as this is known for boosting the body's neural connections. Also, it helps cerebrum prosperity and decreases hearing incident basically.

Green tea. Green tea is amazing for hearing security and improving the cerebrum fill in also. It works outstandingly with the as of late referred to trimmings, giving a strong by and large effect.

Juniper Berry. This is a pivotal malignant growth counteraction specialist that helps with exchanging the body's cell hurt. Customers have noted seeing that it supports mind prosperity and hearing.

Supplement C. Supplement C is an unfathomable wellspring of inside quality and opposition. It maintains cerebrum working and is an extraordinary cell fortification to add to one's eating schedule.

This plant is an outright need for people who all around experience the evil impacts of issues like hypertension and apprehension. It has an alleviating sway that can calm down one's tactile framework and prevent disturbance subsequently.

The condition is referred to have gotten attempted suitably before its new development. Likewise, on their site, they have accolades from past customers which show the upgrade to be strong.

What Makes Synapse XT Different?

As communicated above, hearing hardship is a multi-faceted issue that requires an also multi-faceted answer. Thusly, Synapse XT is arranged as an excellent response for various hearing-based issues. Utilizing this upgrade, customers can finally re-take their hearing and get the help they've commonly required. A segment of the middle things to envision while using this Supplement to an outer site. are:

The extended straightforwardness and cost-ampleness it offers diverged from the market strategy for essentially getting versatile intensifiers.

Prevents further rot of one's hearing and deals with a thorough number of hearing issues. Customers have point by point seeing improvement in weakened hearing just as tinnitus.

Ensures that customers get a store of dietary enlargements which would some way or another be missing.

Lifts one's mental viewpoint and gives benefits despite the as of late referred to beforehand.

Synapse XT Price and Money Back Guarantee:

The upgrade is available in 3 novel packs. Each purchase will be upheld by a 60-day full unequivocal guarantee. One can simply use this opportunity if they are unsatisfied in any capacity whatsoever. The cycle for ensuring a rebate is exceptionally basic. Accordingly, customers can get colossal hold assets if they choose to buy this improvement in mass. This is what makes it an all around worthwhile idea for the people who might lean toward not to spend unnecessarily.

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Synapse XT  Review – Conclusion:

In light of everything, this upgrade is one of the beneficial considerations for a large number individuals. Not simply have the designers picked to consolidate shielded and regular trimmings, yet they have furthermore kept the expense at a reasonable rate. Likewise the 60-day markdown procedure makes it a stunt confirmation deal. Anyone that wants to get it needs to go to their site to do thusly. This is in light of the fact that this won't be open on any retail stores or distinctive business areas. More nuances on the most ideal approach to buy this and any headways and cutoff points are open on their site.

Read More>>> https://infosupplement.com/synapse-xt

https://www.facebook.com/Synapse-XT-107574334513324

[synapse-xt49]

Synapse XT- Ingredients, Really Work & Price in (AU&CA)

>>>>>Buy Synapse XT Now And Get Discount<<<<<

What is Synapse XT?

Synapse XT is a primary new upgrade that way to assist customers with hear-capable complexities, for instance, hearing adversity or tinnitus. Stuffed in a little pill, the improvement gives purchasers all the basic enhancements to get it done. As per the official site, its exceptional formula is what makes it such an other and well-worth decision. As demonstrated by the creators, not simply Synapse Xt helps customers in getting the fundamental dietary necessities their cerebrum totally needs. Also, it helps in countering the rot of one's hearing that can happen extra time. While most medication associations assurance to devise an answer, they routinely disregard to fulfill that ensure. This is the explanation various individuals have traded over to the utilization of normal upgrades like this one.

How Does Synapse XT Work?

The essential worry that is the purpose of intermingling of this thing is tinnitus. Tinnitus is an issue that is portrayed as an ordinariness of a ringing uproar in one's ear. This can make customers experience the evil impacts of headaches and a general nonappearance of tranquility and agreement. The upgrade is arranged from the earliest starting point as an extraordinary and effective decision. Utilization of the thing will allow customers to beat issues starting from the neurotransmission of fluid in their cerebrum. The usage of the thing is essential, and one can without a doubt add it to their eating regimens missing a great difficult situation. Despite these factors, the upgrade is communicated to assist one's with blooding stream. Fittingly getting enhancements to the psyche requires a cardiovascular structure that can administer speedy transmission. Consequently, this is a necessary extension that can't be ignored. The upgrade in addition:

Lifts the meeting capacity of the body by presenting a harmony between the ionic groupings of the neurotransmission liquid.

For this reason, it adds numerous particles to the body which enter the Synapses of the synapses.

These at that point balance them out electrically, so the messages are traded as electrical driving forces .

Moreover, the enhancement gives a more prominent measure of oxygen to the cerebrum, taking into account better working generally.

Finally, it helps clients in delivering pressure and uneasiness from their framework which is an expanding basic purpose for tinnitus.

>>>>Buy Synapse XT in Canada Now Get Discount<<<<<

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Synapse XT Ingredients

The game plan of trimmings used for any improvement are critical. Customers are proposed exploring precisely what these trimmings are for each individual thing. This is because they are the essential worry that chooses a wide display of viewpoints about the thing. This consolidates the effects it gives, similarly as the overall advantages. In light of everything, this particular Supplement has 8 fascinating trimmings that have been combined in the ideal sythesis. The overview is according to the accompanying:

Nutrient B. This improvement uses Vitamin B, as this is known for boosting the body's neural connections. Also, it helps cerebrum prosperity and decreases hearing incident basically.

Green tea. Green tea is amazing for hearing security and improving the cerebrum fill in also. It works outstandingly with the as of late referred to trimmings, giving a strong by and large effect.

Juniper Berry. This is a pivotal malignant growth counteraction specialist that helps with exchanging the body's cell hurt. Customers have noted seeing that it supports mind prosperity and hearing.

Supplement C. Supplement C is an unfathomable wellspring of inside quality and opposition. It maintains cerebrum working and is an extraordinary cell fortification to add to one's eating schedule.

This plant is an outright need for people who all around experience the evil impacts of issues like hypertension and apprehension. Synapse XT has an alleviating sway that can calm down one's tactile framework and prevent disturbance subsequently.

The condition is referred to have gotten attempted suitably before its new development. Likewise, on their site, they have accolades from past customers which show the upgrade to be strong.

What Makes Synapse XT Different?

As communicated above, hearing hardship is a multi-faceted issue that requires an also multi-faceted answer. Thusly, Synapse XT is arranged as an excellent response for various hearing-based issues. Utilizing this upgrade, customers can finally re-take their hearing and get the help they've commonly required. A segment of the middle things to envision while using this Supplement to an outer site. are:

The extended straightforwardness and cost-ampleness it offers diverged from the market strategy for essentially getting versatile intensifiers.

Prevents further rot of one's hearing and deals with a thorough number of hearing issues. Customers have point by point seeing improvement in weakened hearing just as tinnitus.

Ensures that customers get a store of dietary enlargements which would some way or another be missing.

Lifts one's mental viewpoint and gives benefits despite the as of late referred to beforehand.

Synapse XT Price and Money Back Guarantee:

The upgrade is available in 3 novel packs. Each purchase will be upheld by a 60-day full unequivocal guarantee. One can simply use this opportunity if they are unsatisfied in any capacity whatsoever. The cycle for ensuring a rebate is exceptionally basic. Accordingly, customers can get colossal hold assets if they choose to buy this improvement in mass. This is what makes it an all around worthwhile idea for the people who might lean toward not to spend unnecessarily.

>>>>>Buy Synapse XT Now And Get Discount<<<<<

Synapse XT  Review – Conclusion:

In light of everything, this upgrade is one of the beneficial considerations for a large number individuals. Not simply have the designers picked to consolidate shielded and regular trimmings, yet they have furthermore kept the expense at a reasonable rate. Likewise the 60-day markdown procedure makes it a stunt confirmation deal. Anyone that wants to get it needs to go to their site to do thusly. This is in light of the fact that this won't be open on any retail stores or distinctive business areas. More nuances on the most ideal approach to buy this and any headways and cutoff points are open on their site.

[ihouseofhealth-blog]

Top 10 Benefits and Disadvantages of Online Shopping

Advantages of Online Shopping The Internet has changed the way where we shop. As a result of the various preferences and advantages, an ever-increasing number of individuals these days lean toward purchasing things online over the traditional technique for going into stores. What are a few reasons that numerous individuals love web-based shopping and for what reason is it so famous? The following are my main ten explanations behind shopping on the web. 10 Benefits of Shopping Online 1. Convenience. Convenience is the greatest advantage. What another place can you serenely shop at midnight while in your night robe? There are no lines to hold up in or clerks to find to assist you with your buys, and you can do your shopping in minutes. Online shops offer us the chance to shop day in and day out and reward us with a 'no contamination' shopping experience. 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No crowds. If you resemble me, you scorn swarms when you're shopping. Particularly during occasions, celebrations, or on ends of the week, they can be such an enormous migraine. Likewise, being squashed in the hordes of customers now and then causes us to feel surged or rushed. You don't need to fight for a stopping place. These issues can be kept up a key good ways from when you shop on the web. 8. No pressure. As a rule, when we're out shopping, we wind up purchasing things that we don't generally require, all since retailers pressure us or utilize their offering aptitudes to constrain us to make these buys. 9. You can buy used or damaged items at lower prices. The commercial center on the Internet gives us admittance to postings of old or harmed things at absolute bottom costs. Additionally, on the off chance that we need to purchase collectibles, there's no better spot to discover extraordinary ones. 10. Discreet purchases are easier. A few things are better done in the security of your home. Online shops are best for tactful buys for things like grown-up toys, provocative unmentionables, etc. This empowers me to buy underpants and undergarments without humiliation or any neurosis that people are watching or making a decision about me. 10 Disadvantages of Online Shopping 1. Negative environmental impact of packaging and gas. Having your buy stuffed in a few layers of plastic and cardboard bundling and conveyed right to your front entryway is beneficial for you, yet not very good for nature. Regardless of whether you attempt to reuse the cardboard, you're making superfluous waste by shopping on the web. 2. Shipping problems and delays. Indeed, even the greatest and best transportation organizations and online retailers have their awful days, so it is extremely unlikely to guarantee that you'll get your hands on your buy-in time except if you get it from a store. 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Naming, bundling, delivery, following, and rounding out all the best possible structures is an issue you can evade on the off chance that you purchase face to face (and if you hand-select your product, you won't have to restore things so regularly). 8. Unfriendly, scammy, or complicated websites. A few locales necessitate that you join their mailing rundown and make it difficult to withdraw. Some sell your email address to other people, so your email is loaded with promotions. Here and there, locales don't offer great or exact depictions of the merchandise, or you can't make sense of how to buy or return a thing or address client care. 9. No sales assistance. In a store, there's generally somebody to help you however on the web, you're all alone. In case you're befuddled or have questions, it's simply not good enough for you. You may need to commit dazzle buys and errors you'll lament later because there was nobody to converse with. 10. No support for local retailers. If everybody began doing all their shopping on the web, all the nearby stores would leave the business. At the point when all the stores around are gone, we'll need to drive further and further away to shop at a genuine store. Numerous individuals and spots have just encountered the negative and once in a while pulverizing effects of internet business which remove occupations and obliterate nearby economies.