talescfshadows

[talescfshadows]

People who knew of his...disorder had sometimes believed him INCAPABLE of recognising or even understanding the emotions of other people, which wasn't the case at all. Anthony knew what an emotion looked like, he knew how happiness, sadness, anger, grief, fear and so on and so forth were expressed, he had to know. How else could he MANIPULATE the people around him, or hide in plain, fooling people into believing his was like them unless he knew what they were feeling and how he could use it to his advantage? He might not be able to feel or have a personal understanding of what that emotion was like, but that didn't mean he was ignorant.

So Anthony could see how his words stirred something within Homelander. How easy it was to please him and stroke that fragile ego. It was no wonder that he had such a SHORT FUSE if a slight bruise to that inflamed ego of his was enough to make him feel INSECURE. Of course; Anthony was only speculating with his assumption of Homelander being insecure, but it was a logical conclusion considering what he'd been told. The higher ups at Vought had warned him how VOLATILE Homelander could be, and how it was better for everyone if Homelander more than anyone was kept happy and content. It seemed like a real hassle, but if it got Anthony what he wanted, he would play along.

❝ Well I suppose when you're off saving the world all the time or well...America and the American people overseas you don't have time to hold meet and greets. ❞ Anthony had noticed how 'The Seven' didn't really involve themselves in the affairs and needs of other countries, and if they did it was only really because AMERICANS needed their help. Vought had a handful of 'supes' in other countries who dealt with any issues over there, but it seemed Homelander and his fellow team members were EXCLUSIVE to the United States. ❝ And although this is an honour, I'm not surprised that it doesn't happen often...or if meeting normal people would feel like trying to talk to a child– ❞ He smirked for a second, allowing just a flicker of his true nature show, to show that he too could be RUTHLESS if that is what Homelander would want. ❝ —Or interacting with an ant. We must seem so SMALL to you. ❞

And oh, that flicker of desire he saw in Homelander's eyes....that...that he could work with.

Putting his briefcase down, he leant back into the table styled into the number seven, allowing himself to appear slightly more CASUAL given the direction of their conversation. ❝ Obviously they can't compete, if they could then Vought would invest more in them and they'd probably try to complete for the position as leader of The Seven. ❞ He tried to sow some doubt in there, a small suggestion that Vought might even be considering it. ❝ Unfortunately, because of some of your team members actions and their continued role within The Seven, some people have questioned your leadership, as I'm sure you're aware. ❞ Anthony had his own opinion on that, especially when it came to the Deep. There were some lines even he wouldn't cross, or defend in a court. ❝ Then there's the whole mess Neuman and Singer and well...it starts to paint a picture. ❞ Pushing himself off of the table, he moved closer to Homelander, a devious smile working itself onto his face. ❝ But LUCKILY for you, I am great at spinning a story, and I can make all those naysayers go away, I can make them LOVE YOU. ❞

In the end that's all he could have ever asked for. Someone who wouldn't expect him to settle for less. John never settled for excuses. He wanted perfection. That very definition of said examples began to show whenever his vexation was felt or visible. And to hear this? Anthony seems to understand that. Actually now that it seems to have fallen into his hands, he didn't know what this sudden foreign nature was about. What was the word he could express why that was? It felt a little too easy. Maybe that's why he had difficulty completely grasping it. He almost damn near didn't know how to sit with it. This isn't him letting go. Oh no, no. He'd stay put. But on the other hand...Simplicity was what he'd been looking for. Something in which no one would deny him. Was it not? As much as the constant 'what ifs' hung over his head, he could not help the way that his tongue would slightly poke within the inside of his cheek. But this wasn't his usual nervous, or even his irritated tick. He weighed in on his words before he pronounced them. He did. He really, actually did. John's filled with contradictions. In fact, many of them. There were just no simple amount of words that would be placed well enough to describe that.

Eyes forward and brows slightly raised, his lips formed a shape of this--mixed smile and odd malfunctioning of not knowing what to expect. To better frame what he felt, it was awe. There it was. "Well gee, I--I" he'd slap his own knee a little as though he'd been certain a reasonable answer would be found there. And dammit, he couldn't help how his half laugh, half snort belts over. "I mean, many people--they see me, but they don't--" he'd vaguely gesture between the both of them as his words would hang in the air a moment. "Get to meet me. This amazing accomplishment for you. Two different things. Completely different for you versus them." If there was any hint of timidity slipping through the cracks of his usual armor or bravado, then this was John's truest, purest show of feeling flattered. He'd also be a total liar if he said he didn't find Anthony to be someone he wouldn't consider fucking. Buuut they'd just met, so he wasn't going to say anything unless Anthony hinted at it first. But it felt like an unspoken mutual standing. Clearing his throat, he straightened for a moment and he tried to not be so unguarded. But once the compliments came pouring in, somewhere along the reigns he just---it near slipped through his fingers. It's a telling and show of how his shoulders would relax that this isn't forced. "I am. And all of the seven..." His voice dropped in an almost whisper, even when he didn't mean for it to. "They're all special...In their own way. I know, I know." He threw both of his hands up a little. "But me...they can't compete. Could neeever even hope." John's face almost paled and he near frowns at the wording 'brought to justice' as though he's trying to dissect the exact meaning. He'd try to summon the same emotion in which he felt moments before Anthony's concerns had risen where it'd fallen. "They're after me and trying to make it as thought it's this---this two for one deal. I mean, it is, but--" his speech halts where he scoffs. "Tear me down? They gotta get through be before they get to Vought. It's just not gonna happen." His voice is almost a little too syrup-y for as much as it was the same time lethal. His head tilts, his gaze resumes back unto Antony. "You mean it? I mean...really? I don't mean to count you out. I just, I have to be for certain. Don't get me wrong. All of this sounds wonderful. You sound...capable."

[talescfshadows]

WITH GREAT POWER: SUPERHERO NARRATIVES AND POWERS. all quotes and sentences are taken from different media, inspired or created to be related to the topic of superheroes and powers and vigilantism. you can change names, pronouns and locations as you see fit.

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

"Is it better to be feared or respected? I say, is it too much to ask for both?"

“I am vengeance. I am the night.”

“The world needs the next Iron Man.”

“Heroes are made by the path they choose, not the powers they are graced with.”

“I'm always angry.”

“It’s not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me.”

“You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”

“You have the power of the sun in the palm of your hand.”

“I'm not a hero. I'm a high-functioning sociopath with a cape.”

“The future is worth it. All the pain. All the tears. The future is worth the fight.”

“Sometimes you have to run before you can walk.”

“No powers, no gadgets—just guts.”

“Hope is like the sun. If you only believe in it when you can see it, you’ll never survive the night.”

“Even the smallest light can shine in the darkest times.”

“I didn’t ask to be a god. I just wanted to protect my city.”

“You think darkness is your ally? I was born in it, molded by it.”

“Mutants. We're not what you think.”

“Sometimes being a superhero means losing the things that make you feel human.”

“You can cage me, chain me, lock me away—but you can’t stop me.”

“Is it still a choice if it’s the only way to save them?”

“You’re not a god. You’re just wearing his armor.”

“You think being a hero is about glory. It’s about sacrifice.”

“No matter how bad things get, something good is out there. Just gotta find it.”

“You’re the light in all this darkness. Without you, we’d be lost.”

“Your power doesn’t make you better. It makes you responsible.”

“I don’t fight for vengeance. I fight for those who can’t.”

“You’re more than your powers. You’re the choices you make.”

“Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear scars.”

“The mask hides the pain better than my face ever could.”

“You saved me. Now let me save you.”

“Sometimes the hardest part of being a hero is knowing when to walk away.”

“No matter how fast you run, your past catches up.”

“You want to know my secret identity? It’s the one I hide from myself.”

“We don’t fight because we’re strong. We fight because they need us.”

“The real villain is the fear inside you.”

“Every power has a cost. Question is—are you willing to pay it?”

“This isn’t justice. It’s revenge.”

“I built the suit to protect the world. I forgot to protect myself.”

“My greatest superpower? Believing when no one else does.”

“You’re not invincible. You’re human. That’s what makes you strong.”

“This city doesn’t need a savior. It needs someone to believe in it.”

“You can take my powers, but you’ll never take my purpose.”

"They called me a mistake… but mistakes don't move cities with their minds."

"Every time I try to be normal, the world reminds me why I can't be."

"You want to see what power looks like? Watch what I do when I finally stop holding back."

"The cape isn’t what makes me a hero. It just makes me easier to spot in the sky."

"They broke my body. But they forgot I still had my will."

"Heroes aren’t born. They’re forged in fire—and I’ve burned longer than most."

"The villain monologues. The hero acts."

"I don't save the world because it's perfect. I save it because someone has to believe it can be."

PROMPTS AND SCENARIOS.

A superhero wakes up to find their powers gone—but their enemies are still active.

A villain has a change of heart and secretly starts saving people at night.

Write the journal entries of a teenager who suddenly develops superpowers at school.

What would happen if someone could steal powers permanently?

A superhero and a supervillain are secretly siblings.

A government decides to outlaw all superpowered individuals. You are one of them.

A hero is offered a serum that would make them immortal. Do they take it?

A powerless person becomes the symbol of hope in a world full of heroes.

A retired superhero is pulled back into action when a copycat begins using their name.

Your hero has the ability to see five seconds into the future—but only once per day.

A sidekick must take over when the main hero disappears.

A child grows up with two supervillain parents and tries to be a hero.

A villain starts hosting a podcast about what it means to be evil.

A world where everyone has powers except one person—who becomes the real hero.

Superpowers are granted at age 18… but your character got them at 12.

What if your character’s power only works when they’re asleep?

A hero whose power is to bring drawings to life.

Write a scene where two rival superheroes fall in love.

A hero discovers that their biggest fan is actually their greatest enemy.

Design a superhero who is afraid of their own powers.

A new hero emerges whose powers change based on the moon.

A group of powerless people start a rebellion against corrupt superheroes.

Create a city where superheroes are assigned jobs like firefighters and police.

A dying villain asks the hero for forgiveness on their deathbed.

A superhero loses their memory and wakes up believing they’re the villain.

[talescfshadows]

I know people on here don't tend to like Red Hood and the Outlaws and that's fine but let me have this, ok, pretty please. Bats my lashes.

Hmmm (me thinking about things that aren't connected).

Bruce extends a hand to Jason as Robin, while Harvey extends a fist. Now that he's been branded by Gotham, now that he's Red Hood, Bruce extends a fist, and Harvey extends his hand.

[talescfshadows]

So my computer is being an absolute pain in the ass and not connecting properly to the Internet (it is connected, it's just *slow* and the Internet itself isn't the problem). I will probably be doing replies on mobile until I get it sorted. I will do the fancy stuff on my computer (images and what not) and then write on my phone. It will just mean that things won't be as quick or as fancy as they have been.

Just figured I'd give you an update on why I've not been as active (besides being busy with work). I was so determined to write this week but its taking me 10 mins just to load tumblr (and images take 30 mins+ to load) so its all been a huge headache that triggers the dysfunction of my AuDHD. Hopefully writing on my phone will help with that.

[talescfshadows]

❝ Ta gueule. ❞ If this guy wanted to be rude by speaking Spanish with him, then Steven would just speak FRENCH back. See how he liked it. He was definitely going to try and find out what had been said...if he could remember it. He was sure Marc would know, and if not him then surely Layla would. He didn't want to rely on google translate, it wasn't always accurate and he wanted to be certain before he jumped to any conclusions.

Steven could feel a wave of SELF LOATHING washing over him, something that he knew wasn't coming from him, and as far as he could tell, Marc was still asleep so it certainly wasn't him. No. This had to be the guy currently controlling their body and trying to shove Steven back into their head space. It still royally pissed him off that this mysterious other was trying to force him asleep so he'd be unaware of what the body was doing or WHERE they were going, but that feeling....it gave him pause. Steven wasn't the most confident person in the world, but he wouldn't say he hated himself. Not like Marc did, and clearly not like this guy did as well. Why? Why was he feeling this way? Could that be why Steven had been pulled forward?

As children he'd fallen into the role of being a COMFORT for Marc, a salve to his wounds, and a friend to a boy who felt all alone in the world. He'd been what Marc needed at that time, and as much as he still wrestled with it, their mind had created him to be oblivious of what they were going through, to give them a chance to feel something GOOD instead of the constant fear and guilt they felt. He was much more than that now, he had more to offer but he still often found himself falling back on that initial role their mind had concocted in order to survive, especially when Marc was in one of his spirals. Perhaps he was here now to offer the same thing.

The ANGER that rolled off of this man, suddenly directed at him rather than at themselves surprised Steven. This guy had gone from laughing about Marc getting punched to suddenly jumping down Steven's throat in....was that in defense of Marc? Just who was this guy? ❝ Wait. If you know more than me— ❞ He frowned in concentration, connecting the pieces of the PUZZLE he'd been collecting since they'd returned from Cairo. ❝ How long have you been around for? ❞ Steven was still researching their condition, so he wasn't sure if a new alter could be formed with memories of their childhood, but he was willing to bet that this mystery man had been around for a lot longer than a few months. ❝ If you've been around since the start, then why are you HIDING? ❞

His new suspicions about the mystery alter being around since the beginning became even stronger when he heard HIS VOICE come out of the other man's mouth. Logically he knew they all had the same voice, but he and Marc had different accents and ways of speaking, so it was unnerving to hear it coming from somebody else. It was like seeing himself on a video but knowing there was something off about it. It reminded him of when he'd seen himself...seen Marc on the museum's CCTV and had known instantly that the person he was looking at wasn't him. ❝ That's—how do you do that. I've tried to sound like Marc an' I just can't get it right. ❞ He was impressed—freaked out—but IMPRESSED.

But did that mean that this mysterious other had pretended to be him? Would that explain the date with Dylan he'd known nothing about? Or other instances when he'd had lost time but had still somehow been to work that Marc had claimed wasn't him? Steven wasn't sure if he liked that. It felt...INTRUSIVE.

The next shove he felt left him with a feeling of dizziness, and despite not being in the body, he felt a sense of DISSOCIATION and disconnect. He wasn't sure he could stay present any more. ❝ Shove me about all you want, but like it or not we share a body. ❞ He quipped as he felt his awareness slipping. ❝ You can't hide forever. ❞

We just are.

It was a nice sentiment. Really, it was. Too bad for Steven that it just wasn’t true. Not for Jake, at least. “Maybe for you.” But Jake had a part to play: Marc’s darkness. All the nasty things he hated about himself, all the anger and the hatred and the violence he tried so hard to keep under lock and key. The one that was willing to cross any and every line, to do whatever it took, to keep the other two safe. Jake was the monster that lurked in the shadows, that was supposed to go unnoticed, that did all the awful shit Marc and Steven couldn’t stomach, without their knowledge, and he was fine with that.

Really, he was.

He smirked, snorted. “Lo que tú digas, hermanito.” Honestly, that would probably come back to bite him in the ass—no doubt Steven would look this all up as soon as he possibly could—but it was funny riling the guy up, in the meantime. Especially since Jake wasn’t actually insulting him; there was genuine affection hidden beneath the use of little brother. He just found needling Steven a little entertaining. Especially now that he actually could.

The humor quickly drained from his expression, however, his face darkening. Jake didn’t want to get angry with Steven, but being told he didn’t know Marc’s struggles, his pain—from Steven, especially—rankled. Sure, he didn’t know any better, but that didn’t ease the frustration. “I know a hell of a lot more than you do, Steven. You know what they say about assumin’ shit.”

Not all of us got to grow up playing house with a “loving” mother.

He bit the words back, mouth twisting as he resisted the urge to say what he knew would hurt. What he knew would make Steven feel guilty. Steven didn’t need to know that much, and besides, he didn’t deserve Jake’s irritation. Still. “I’ll talk about el jefe however the hell I want. And I say he deserves a punch in the mouth every once in a while, when he’s bein’ a right pillock.” He was sure to use his best (and absolutely flawless) Steven impression there at the end. Just to freak him out a little.

Denial bubble.

With a scoff, he shook his head. It wasn’t denial, it was self-preservation. But whatever. He didn’t give a shit what Steven thought.

He really, really did.

“You don’t want nothin’ to do with me, Steven,” he warned. “Trust me. S’better for everyone if you just forget you ever met me and stop lookin’.” And besides, he didn’t have time for a conversation. Travellers of the night needed protecting, Khonshu needed justice doled out, and Steven could not know about any of it. The old bird could pop up at any moment, and then Jake would really be fucked.

He rolled his eyes. “You do that.” It wasn’t like Jake was desperate for answers. Steven would either eventually spill the beans, Jake would figure it out on his own later, or the answer would remain a mystery. Not that big of a deal—if anything, he’d just need to up his game and be more careful, moving forward.

“Like I said, I got shit to do.” Just to be a dick, he gave Steven another mental nudge—more of a shove, really. Less to make him go away, more to be annoying. Adjusting his flat cap on his head, he strode away from the mirror and out the door. If Steven wanted to stick around, he was going to have to figure out a way to either ride shotgun or find reflections to follow in.

And Jake didn’t plan on making it easy for him.

[talescfshadows]

He'd been expecting her to DENY IT, to make some sort of claim that he wasn't being treated as someone who needed to be monitored. So imagine his surprise when she actually admitted to it instead of spewing some bullshit he was supposed to believe. Far too often Marc had been GASLIT, told he was imagining things or simply just crazy. And even if he was being told the truth, it was rare someone was actually straight with him and didn't handle him with kid gloves, worried that if they said something in the wrong way, he'd shatter like a fragile vase. ❝ Well...at least you ain't denying it. ❞

Marc wasn't sure how much he believed the second part, but he supposed with people like the Hulk on the team, the whole curse being a calling was pretty common. Still, he couldn't see it in the same way. Khonshu had saved his life, Marc would be DEAD without him, he had been dead and whilst he didn't always agree with Khonshu, he owed the god his life. Serving him as his fist was the least he could do, and though for a time Marc had wanted nothing more than to get away from the god, he had done some good as his fist. He'd been angry at first when he learned he was still tied to the god, but he'd come to EMBRACE IT. As Marc, he was nothing more than a killer with no purpose, but as Moon Knight? He had a purpose, he had worth. So he could put up with the nagging, the thinly veiled insults and put downs if it meant he got to do some good in the world.

Marc listened to her little pep talk, holding his tongue from any retort. Whilst he didn't doubt Natasha's skills in obtaining information, there was no way she could possibly know the things he'd been through. Not all of it. Learning about his time in the MARINES, being dishonorably discharged , being in a mental institution, his mercenary days, some of his work as Moon Knight had probably come easy to Natasha. But she couldn't know about the things his mother did to him...did to them. Marc had never told anyone, not even Layla. He'd HINTED at some things, but otherwise he'd kept it to himself. The only reason Steven even knew about it was because of that whole weird Duat experience they'd been through, and he didn't even know all of it.

But he had SURVIVED. He got knocked down and got back up again, he died and was resurrected. That's just how it worked with Khonshu. ❝ I appreciate the concern, but I can't really die. I've had a spear thrust through my heart...several in fact and I was still able to keep on FIGHTING. Khonshu isn't about to let me get killed and have to find someone else to serve him. ❞ Despite all of Khonshu's threats to find a 'better' replacement, Marc had come to understand (mostly thanks to Jake) that Khonshu didn't actually want anyone else. ❝ Y'know, for a while I was tired of being a weapon. But it's WHO I AM, it's what I've been trained to be. ❞ There wasn't really any other work he could do, and he had tried. It's why he'd accepted the mercenary gig, because he couldn't do anything else. ❝ As for being alone? Well I have LAYLA and DuChamp... ❞ Sure, he could do with more people in his corner, but making friends had never really been his strong suit. ❝ I don't trust easily, so if I push people away, it's only because I have to protect myself— ❞ And Steven— ❝ From getting hurt. ❞

He didn't worry as much when it came to Jake, the man had proven he could handle himself—'so can I mate'—Marc let out a huff at Steven's commentary. It was true. Steven was the more GENTLE one out of all of them, but he had shown that he was good in a fight and could be just as brutal as the rest of them if necessary. He just preferred to try and talk things out first, find a more PEACEFUL resolution where as Marc and Jake had been trained to deal with the threat quickly and efficiently. He'd never had entire governments label him as a threat like Natasha had, but plenty of people in New York were starting to realize that he wasn't someone to be trifled with. Hell, not even TASKMASTER wanted to go toe to toe with him.

Marc didn't know if he could ever fully trust the Avengers, but he was willing to give Natasha, and the rest of them the benefit of the doubt if they could offer him the same COURTSEY ❝ If I accept that you give a damn will you stop with the lecture? ❞ Stretching his limbs out he went over to one of the bodies and knelt beside them. ❝ Khonshu is saying to just leave them, a WARNING to those who wish harm on those that travel under the moon's gaze. ❞ Given that Natasha couldn't see Khonshu, not unless the bird decided he wanted to be perceived, Marc was stuck having to relay what the god was saying. ❝ Normally I would leave them, but I'm trying to be less... ❞ Brutal? Monstrous? Heartless? Marc wasn't sure what word to slot in there. ❝ I don't want any of this leading back to me, but at the same time, none of these guys really deserve any MERCY. ❞ He stood up and dusted off his trousers. ❝ You can decide. ❞ He gathered that Natasha wanted him to make that choice, but he was throwing the ball back into her court. He just wanted to get home and sleep.

Natasha didn’t flinch when Marc raised his voice—didn’t move, didn’t blink. She stood there like stone, like shadow, her arms loosely crossed, eyes steady on him as he went off on a storm of frustration and bitterness and... guilt, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

She let him get it out.

Because she recognized the weight in his tone. The edge of exhaustion behind all that fire. Hell, she lived in that edge for a long time. Still did. And she knew what it was like to be haunted—by gods, by ghosts, by the choices you didn’t make, and the ones you did. Finally, when his scowl flicked from Khonshu back to her, she answered.

❝You're right.❞ That was the first thing out of her mouth. Simple. Calm. ❝You're right, I was already here. We’ve been keeping tabs on you, Marc. Not because we think you’re dangerous—well, not just because of that—but because we know what it’s like when someone gets handed a curse and told it’s a calling.❞

Her gaze softened slightly—barely noticeable, but it was there. ❝We didn’t always have a manual either.❞ Natasha stepped a little closer, her tone even and grounded. She wasn’t here to argue. She wasn’t here to make him feel small. But she was going to speak the truth.

❝You’ve survived more than most would even believe possible. You’re still standing. That matters. But being able to get back up doesn't mean you're invincible. That suit? That god? They don't make you untouchable. They just make you harder to kill. There's a difference.❞

A beat. Her eyes flicked to where Khonshu would be, and then back to Marc. ❝And I don’t care what Khonshu wants. I care about what you want. If you're tired of being a weapon, stop being one. If you're tired of being alone, stop pushing everyone away. But don’t pretend like you don’t give a damn what people think, when it’s written all over your face.❞

She tilted her head, taking in the tension still clinging to his shoulders. ❝You think you’re the only one who’s been called insane? Hell, I’ve had entire governments label me a threat. You know what changed that? I did.❞

Another pause. Then she spoke again. ❝If I didn’t think you were worth the trouble, I wouldn’t be here, Marc. So don’t waste my time pretending this doesn’t matter.❞

She turned slightly, glancing down at the bodies still sprawled across the ground. ❝Now, are we calling that ambulance, or do we let the snow take care of them?❞ It wasn’t sarcastic. It wasn’t judgmental. It was just a choice. One he needed to make for himself.

[talescfshadows]

Tony couldn't work out what Loki's plan here was. The god was a mischievous little scamp at the best of times, and an agent of CHAOS at the worst. ❝ So I guess we're going with option B. Wasting my time. ❞ He didn't have time to be jumping through several hoops just to find out which Loki he was dealing with.

As Loki transformed himself into Pepper, Tony barely gave him a reaction other than the bored look that had already been on his face. ❝ Cute. ❞ He quipped back dryly. ❝ But you forget I've seen that trick before and whilst it was impressive the first few times, it no longer packs the same oomph. You're becoming PREDICTABLE Loki. ❞

for once, he's not doing anything worth the title of villain. he's just being annoying for the sake of being annoying. what can he say? he has nothing better to do than to bother tony stark. maybe he'll steal something, too. the thought makes him laugh.

"hun? oh are we flirting now, stark?" latching onto the word with a strange bit of glee. loki shifts forms with a grin going from himself to pepper pots, who he's seen in passing.

"perhaps i should fit the part if you're going to be sweet on me," says loki as pepper.

[talescfshadows]

A few people—busybodies really—had taken it upon themselves to watch his interaction with Lady Donovan. Why they felt the need he couldn't say, but he chose to ignore it. In their society, one had to get used to stares, especially when people thought it might give them something to GOSSIP about. Anthony had known once word got out that he was ready to start looking for a wife that the ton's eyes would be on him and whoever he courted. It was inevitable. But perhaps he'd not fully factored in what that would be like for the other person. That wasn't to say he was inconsiderate—far from it—but he could admit that he may not have considered the PRESSURE it might put onto someone not looking to marry.

He didn't know Lady Donovan as well as he would have liked. He'd met her briefly during her debutante season and they'd had some small interactions before she became engaged to her husband. After their marriage hardly anyone had seen her and he held some regret that he'd not invited them both to dine with him. Part of it came down to his dislike of her husband, whilst the other part came down to the optics of it all. He couldn't have asked to see her without running the risk of ruining her REPUTATION. Even if all of it was innocent and above board, someone would see an opportunity to spread gossip and it would have been Lady Donovan who'd come out of it looking worse. It had been easier to just let whatever friendliness that had been between them be put to rest.

But now that she was out of her mourning period, he had a SECOND CHANCE to build a friendship with her. He couldn't put his finger on how or why, but there was something about her that he recognized in himself .

❝ Word certainly has traveled fast hasn't it. ❞ Anthony huffed a laugh under his breath. ❝ I can't help but wonder if my father's lawyer sent word out to all the ton to inform them that I'm now ready to MARRY. ❞ He began to lead her in a slow dance, keeping them close enough that she could hear him above the music without others being able to listen in, but far enough that he wasn't crowding her space. He didn't want to make her uncomfortable...well...more uncomfortable than she already was. ❝ Can I tell you a SECRET Lady Donovan? Given I needn't worry about you pursuing me I feel as if I can trust you to keep it to yourself. ❞

it was considered rude to say no, to refuse the offer that most women (most girls) in room were dying for. yet there was little brunette wanted less than this: hell, even with the suffocating label of widow... she wasn't blind to the eyes on her, the men working out how soon was too soon to approach a widow. she'd been young - and only married for two years before it had come to an end. (maybe she'd been lucky, maeve wasn't certain how long of marriage to bobby anyone could truly survive.) coming tonight had just been politeness, to dispel the rumours painting as her entirely lost to widowhood.

another hour, then it would be acceptable to leave, it would cause no offence to hosts or fellow guests alike. there was no doubt he knew who she was, that he wasn't mistaking her for one of the other baby faced girls desperately eyeing his every move, imagining what life a surname like his could provide. maeve had no judgement towards them, just as she had no desire to play this game again. as... pleasant as his words may be in theory, they rang a little too similar to bobby's pleasantries for them to sit well within her chest. coming had been a mistake.

yet people were looking, and there was nothing considered worse than making a scene. refusing, being rude or seemingly ungrateful, it would bring more messes to her door. so smile stayed a little forced, not reaching doe eyes, body tense beyond belief even as despite her age there was no blushing or swooning. one dance, then she'd excuse herself, would find a reason to slip out as his attention would surely move to some more appropriate choice. 

it was easy enough to let him guide her once contact was made, only sparing a glance for the room. she didn't want to see those watching them: didn't want to feel how accurate her estimations were. "whilst I appreciate the compliment," it was, wasn't it? these days it was hard to tell manipulation && truly well intended remarks. but she'd spent a lifetime trying to see the best in people, and she couldn't give up on that. at least dancing, as little as maeve wished to, is something brunette had always been talented at without needing to pay too much attention. but at the very least she kept her voice low - polite, reserved, only for his ears. "I'm simply a guest of the host. I'm not seeking a husband, you have plenty of mamas and shiny diamonds if that's your aim for this season."

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has trim posts from new xkit stopped working?

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So all that build up to Rani and Omega and how 'this will change time lords forever' (or whatever it was RTD said) and....that was it? What's the point in hyping up a villain (a major one at that) for it to be wrapped up in 5 minutes and then have the rest of the episode just be trying to fill the remaining 30 minutes with something to try and keep people watching? Whatever happened to the 'monster or villain' having more of an impact? Whatever happened to the dr who monsters being genuinely terrifying? Or cliffhangers that made you feel like the stakes were high?

Also I'm sorry, but the Doctor gaslighting Ruby was so OOC. He would never treat someone he cares about like that. He wouldn't make someone question their own memories or dismiss them so easily. Ruby shouldn't have had to beg the Doctor to believe her.

And dont get me started on the regeneration reveal. I'm all for seeing Billie Piper again, but we've done the whole 'face I know' plot with Capaldei. On that note, since when did the Doctor immediately know how they looked? With every regeneration the Doctor has had to check their own appearance to know what they look like but you're expecting me to believe that this time the Doctor just knows? (And before you say it, David returning doesn't count because the Doctor figured it out because he remembered the teeth).

I also love the irony of RTD saying Ncuti's Doctor would be a 'reboot' back to s1 and we wouldn't be seeing the same old monsters we always do and yet we've had 'baddie' time lords, old companions, old adversaries and now lo' and behold an old companion is now the Doctor's new face....I don't see how any of this is a reboot.

One more thing...what do you mean 'I can't have kids/I don't have kids' (can't remember the actual line I was so done by this point). It is canon that the Doctor has had children, and there is nothing to say they can't have children again.

I'm not even going to comment on the whole making Belinda have a child thing because admittedly I missed an episode and only saw half of last week's one so I don't feel equipped to comment till I do watch it but if what I'm seeing from other people is anything to go by then eww. That just is wrong

I honestly don't know what they are doing with Dr Who any more. I was so excited for Rani and Omega to come back, ive been wanting them to show up for years and I feel like I've been messed with.

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Off next week so in between seeing the bf i will be doing replies (finally)

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Apologies for lack of replies. I've been working the past couple of weekends and been doing 4 x 12hr days so I've been exhausted on my days off. I planned to write this weekend but then my mum got rushed to A&E (emergency department) so ive been dealing with that

I'll try and get something done next weekend or the week after as I'll be on annual leave

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Headcanon meme! Send me a symbol and I'll tell you...

☺:  three things that make my muse happy

☻:  three things that make my muse sad

✝:  any religious beliefs my muse has

☎ :  my muse’s ringtone

♫:  three of my muse’s favorite songs

♪:  three songs that remind me of my muse

★:  a wish my muse has

☑:  something my muse has accomplished that they’re proud of

☢:  something my muse is afraid of

☂:  what my muse does on a rainy day

→:  is my muse any good with directions?

☮:  is my muse a happy person?

웃:  three people that are important to my muse

☃:  does my muse like the holidays?

☯:  is my muse more idealistic or cynical?

▲:  my muse’s happiest memory

✄:  is my muse creative?

⌘:  was my muse good in school?

✿:  is my muse an outdoors person?

♈:  the most daring thing your muse has ever done

♉:  is my muse prone to jealousy?

♊:  is my muse smart?

♋:  is my muse emotional?

♌:  three things my muse is enthusiastic about

♍:  is my muse shy?

♎:  is my muse vain or cocky?

♏:  something my muse obsesses over

♐:  is my muse blunt or do they beat around the bush?

♑:  is my muse an optimist or a pessimist?

♒:  is my muse emotional or more detached?

♓:  my muse’s biggest secret

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Wow the hate I'm seeing in the hastags is super uncomfy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but there's no need to descend into hate speech and antisemitism

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It wasn't exactly unknown that there had been a string of deaths, the news had reported a few of them but not all of them had been connected to each other. Whether that was just because the police (and in turn the media) hadn't made the connection, or because they were purposely keeping it UNDER WRAPS to not spark hysteria. Anthony wasn't sure, and he didn't really care so long as he got to keep walking free. The F.B.I becoming involved did pose a slight problem, but he was certain he could stay under their radar. He'd avoided suspicion for this long, it couldn't be that much harder to continue doing that.

❝ A crime, here? ❞ He made an effort to look around, showing just enough curiosity that was only natural for someone; especially a New Yorker. ❝ When did it happen? I've not heard anything about it in the news. ❞ The media could be like VULTURES for these kinds of things, it catered to that inner macabre nature inside everyone. It had only gotten more prevalent with the rise of true crime podcasts. ❝ I'm not sure how much help I could be, I don't always walk to work and if I do I'm afraid I'm often in a rush, so I sort of plow ahead. ❞ But wasn't that typical of New Yorkers? They were selfish and SELF-CENTERED, someone could be bleeding out in front of them or getting attacked and the majority of people would either walk away or pull out their phone to record it. ❝ What actually happened? ❞

the nypd had been at their wits end with this case. and when the bau arrived and began looking into what little they had and the current body, they were able to understand the frustration.

they were clearly dealing with a highly sophisticated killer who they thought to have a high iq. their was so little evidence left behind and so few things to tie any of the victims together. it truly made the case a difficult one.

with reid back at the precinct, trying to create a geographical profile, derek was out here trying to canvas the area and look for clues left behind.

he had only spoken to a few passersby so far and all had said something similar of never noticing anything. derek almost wanted to swear. bystander apathy was a very real thing and even if some of these folks had witnessed something it was highly probable they didn't notice it was something worth caring about or had forgotten details.

witnesses were known to be unreliable. but they needed all the help they could get.

he holds up a badge. "i'm derek morgan with the fbi - this area was the place of a crime, sir." he won't give out too many details. "and i'm wondering if you've witnessed anything out of the ordinary around here lately? anything strange at all - even the smallest detail could help."

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YOUR BEAM LIGHTS THE SKY AND I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW. WAITING. SILENTLY CALLING OUT TO YOU. [ . . . ] I NEED YOU, AND YOUR LIGHT IS THERE FOR ME.

a multimuse of canon and original characters set in the batman universe.

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At work but at what cost

I'm so tired