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barkkletshunt · 3 years

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Those Worth Fighting For Part four

Have you ever seen a fic update so fast? Four updates in two days?

Part one

Part two

Part three

Part five

Part six

Part seven

Part eight

“While I like the idea of them having a red, green, and gold colour scheme going on, don’t you think it would have too much of a christmas theme and take away from the magic of their wedding?” Marinette sat on the same couch as Felix did, across from Kagami and Adrien who, despite their careful appearances, looked frazzled.

“But those are our favourite colours,” Adrien tried, but Felix held his hand up to stop his cousin.

“Your wedding is in late spring, if you think for a moment that christmas colours are appropriate for that time of year then you need to hand over your fathers fashion industry to me right now.” Felix sipped at his now cold cup of coffee. “If anything, we could do red and gold and have green accents if we used things like leaves and give it a more rustic feel.”

“But that wouldn’t go well with their general aesthetic. They need to look like a king and queen, not a cottagecore couple.” Marinette countered. “I think we could go with a green, gold, and cream theme. That way they both get one of their favourites while keeping with the posh style. Either way, no matter what gold has to be a part of it. That I will not budge on.”

“If we made Adrien’s tie green it would bring out his eyes more.” Felix hummed, looking over at his co-planner. “You have good tastes, Marinette.”

“Why thank you, Felix, your tastes aren’t so bad yourself.” She said back.

The two planners had successfully gotten their way with the wedding with everything they had put forth. Marinette’s ideas were either on point with Felix’s or close to it so the planning was going a lot easier than either of them had expected. Both had spent enough time with the bride and groom to know their likes and dislikes and due to their fashion background they knew what they were doing.

They were unstoppable, not that Kagami and Adrien even tried. They saw the fire that was lit behind their companions' eyes and knew better, and it wasn’t like they didn’t like anything their friends had said. In fact, the more the two spoke the more excited Kagami and Adrien felt about the upcoming event.

“Why don’t we make the groomsmen wear gold ties, just so that Adriens tie doesn’t fade in with the rest of them.” Marinette rambled, showing Felix the designs she had tucked away in her portfolio that she refused to show Kagami. “If you wear green too your eyes will stand out and Adrien is supposed to be the one people are paying attention to.”

“Should the bridesmaids wear green then? If that dress design is anything to go by we don’t want Kagami to blend in with the other girls.” Felix hummed, sliding closer to Marinette without thinking about it. “Can’t have you stealing the show from the bride, you know.”

Marinette’s face grew warm at the compliment, even if it did match her unintentional flirting moments earlier. The added proximity didn’t help, but she could pull herself together. This was Felix, after all, and despite how nice he had been that evening she still needed to see more of him before passing a proper judgement on him.

The two planners missed the looks between the future Mr. and Mrs Agreste.

“Well, after the akuma attack today I feel exhausted. I think I shall turn in tonight, since the two of you have it covered.” Kagami said as she stood from her seat.

“Did you want me to make you a coffee?” Adrien asked innocently enough, but was immediately shut down.

“No, if I have a coffee now I won’t sleep.” Kagami raised her brow at her fiance, wondering if he had caught her drift yet. “And you have business to take care of in the morning. Let’s leave the planning to these two, shall we?”

The blonde man abruptly stood up, realizing what she was getting at. “Oh, oh! Yeah! Of course! They don’t really need our input for any of this stuff anyways, and I’m definitely beat after that sentimonster. We should go to bed.”

The owners of the house bid their goodnights and quickly escaped from the room, leaving Marinette and Felix sitting there dumbfounded.

“Have, have they always been that obvious in their plans?” Felix finally asked, breaking the silence that had stretched on after their friend's departure.

Marinette shook her head, “I have only seen them like that once when they were trying to plan a surprise birthday party for me.”

“And how well did that go for them?”

“Adrien ordered the cake from my parents bakery over the phone, but didn’t realize that I was the one taking his order.” Marinette recalled the look of horror on Adrien’s face when he had come to pick the cake up the day prior, and had begged Marinette not to tell Kagami he blew it. “For someone so smart he can be really oblivious, you know.”

“I did live with him for two years, I am well aware of how he can be.” Felix snorted. He shifted positions so he was facing towards Marinette. “I think it actually turned me into a better person, to be honest.”

“What do you mean?” Marinette mirrored his position on the couch. Adrien was an open book to her, she could ask him anything about himself and he’d answer her, and when she asked about his time in England he never said much about it. She couldn’t miss hearing about it from a second party, though. Especially when her friend was the cause of someone becoming a better person.

“Well, as I’m sure you are aware I was a terrible teenager.” Felix started.

“What? You? The man who deleted my love confession and mocked our friends?” Marinette jokingly pushed his shoulder. “I don’t believe it.”

Felix grinned, “I know, I know. I’m such a saint now. I wasn’t sure if you had even recognized me at first.”

“It was a bit difficult without those devil horns you used to wear.”

“Oh those? Those were natural. Grew them myself. Kind of miss them, actually.”

The two laughed for a moment, enjoying their friendly banter that seemed to come so easily to them.

“Okay,” Marinette giggled, “tell me how our sweet sunshine child managed to change the demon known as Felix.”

“Well, when he first moved in I was sent into a whirlwind of emotion.” Felix started, “I was still angry that Adrien had abandoned me when my father had died because his father wouldn’t let him call or text us, but I also knew how terrible it was to lose a father even if it was only to a lifetime imprisonment. I had so much baggage that I took it out on him. I think I made the first few weeks of his stay with us hell.”

The blonde man shifted, no longer wanting to look her in the eye as he confessed to his crimes. It didn’t take a trained psychoanalyst to see the regret he felt coming out and causing him to fidget.

“It was when he transferred into my school and started to get bullied that I changed my tune.” Marinette was shocked. Adrien was so loveable and kind, how could anyone have bullied him? Then it donned on her. He was a terrorist's son. “People would shove notes in his locker with butterflies on it, or draw on his desk, and he’d just smile and say that they must have been doing it because of his fathers fashion symbol being a butterfly. Perhaps he wasn’t oblivious to it, but purposefully ignorant. No one would want to believe their father was the supervillian of Paris after all.”

“It was then that I decided to switch my targets from my cousin to those bullying him, and oh was I ever brutal. I had a few of them expelled for harassment, some I actually got physical with since they assumed I was Adrien. Either way, it was my school and I wasn’t going to let anyone insult my cousin. That was my job.” Felix’s brows pulled together. “It was the fights that got Adrien to step in. He reminded me that the emotions of people were complicated things, and that they were acting out more out of fear than actual hatred towards him. He told me what he actually needed wasn’t another bodyguard, but someone to lead his PR campaign.”

Marinette remembered when Adrien’s image in the media had changed the first time, when he went from brilliant model to the heir to Hawkmoth's legacy. It had taken almost another full year of Adrien working harder than he ever had before to show the world that he wasn’t a monster, and it still took a live interview from Ladybug herself to convince the rest of the public that there was no way Adrien was involved in any of his fathers crimes nor was he a holder of a miraculous. It had been a wild ride from start to finish, but all considering it only took two whole years to get Adrien back in the world's good graces when the sunshine boy didn’t think he’d ever be able to live it down.

“I spearheaded Adrien’s redemption. We donated to so many relief funds, I used our similar appearances to go onto talk shows to give a more calculated interviews. I did everything in my power to make people realize how inherently good Adrien is, and it worked.” Felix let out a long breath before turning a kind smile towards her. “But by the time all of that was done I had changed. I had become a person Adrien was proud of, and now I am here planning his wedding with his best friend. Whom, might I add, he talked about almost as much as he did his own girlfriend.”

“Now if you could have told me that, say, five years ago I would have been ecstatic.” Marinette set her portfolio down on the coffee table as she remembered how intense her crush for Adrien used to be. “But I am long over my crush on Adrien.”

“I am sorry about that, by the way.”

“Hm?” Marinette tilted her head to the side, not sure what he was talking about.

“Deleting your confession.” He explained. “It was wrong of me. I was jealous and petty and I’m sorry.”

Marinette wasn’t angry anymore, even if she wanted to be. Felix wasn’t the same as he was all those years ago and neither was she. It was silly for her to hold onto all that anger when he had changed himself so completely.

“I am, however, not sorry you didn’t end up with my cousin.” He grinned. “Now I might have a chance.”

Maybe not so completely.

“In your dreams, devil boy!”

#TWFF #Those worth fighting for #felix x marinette #marinette dupain cheng #marinette #felinette #fanon felix #felix graham de vanily #kagami tsurugi #adrien agreste #Im definitely making adrien dumb but he has a heart of gold #Part Four

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heeytwelve · 4 years

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"That’s practically my type”

I remember someone really smart in internet was debating that Draco Malfoy has 100% chance to be Harry Potter’s boyfriend, cause he is, in fact his type. And if we look at Harry’s girlfriends, we kinda see the pattern (quidditch, outspoken, bravery, and have I mention quidditch? ).

But anyway, this post not about those, this post about how Chosen One of Carry On universe has his type too and why Agatha wasn’t just mistake of adolescence and how he changes his views on Baz when he become actively infatuated with him.

“I’ve wanted her since the first time I saw her—walking across the Great Lawn, her long pale hair rippling in the wind. I remember seeing her and thinking that** I’d never seen anything so beautiful.** And that if you were that beautiful, that graceful, nothing could ever really touch you. It would be like being a lion or a unicorn. Nobody could really touch you, because you wouldn’t even be on the same plane as everyone else. Even sitting next to Agatha makes you feel sort of untouchable. Exalted. It’s like sitting in the sun. So imagine how it feels to date her—like you’re carrying that light around with you all the time.

Let’s elaborate. He doesn’t fall in love with her - because of her academic success or because her parents rich or because she’s kind and caring. The type of attraction that works for Simon is so called - aesthetic attraction, attraction to beauty.

And before you blame him for being shallow, I say, having strong preference for beauty is quite common among the artistic people, who grew up in desperate poverty, in small provinces, poor houses where beauty is rarity (for instance, famous ballet dancer Rudolph Nureyev was obsessed with beauty and collected a huge amount of beautiful things, because his poor childhood traumatised him). And, contrary to popular belief, Simon might have artistic tendencies, he sees beauty even dark creatures (goblins, *cough-cough* vampires), movements, colours and music.

Beauty for Simon is not a static thing to watch and enjoy the view, it’s not something he just want to own, it’s a force. Beauty protects him, it makes him untouchable, like nothing from of his previous (poor and mundane) life can touch him anymore, because he carrying the light, darkness will never reach him again. Agatha is not only his future, but also his shield. But - maybe it’s the same thing? Having future all sorted kinda shielding you from whatever you bump into.

He always mention her appearance whenever he talks about her - her clothes, her skin (”sparkles like she’s fairy”), her hair (multiple comparison with sun, light and halo). And when he decides to ignore the fact, that she quite possible betrayed him, it’s not only because he fear uncertain future but:

“She’s beautiful. And I want her. I want everything to be fine.”

Beauty as an attraction, beauty as a shield. Beauty is stability.

Now, before we talk about what all of this has to do with Baz, let’s bring up this quote:

“Like when I used to dream about becoming a footballer someday—or that my parents, my real parents, were going to come back for me.… My dad would be a footballer. And my mum would be some posh model type. ...

But we always missed you, Simon,” they’d say. “We’ve been looking for you.” And then they’d take me away to live in their mansion.”

I know, you probably roll your eyes now, like it’s stereotypical thing for poor kid in care to dream of, but isn’t that interesting, that Simon practically give us description of his future boyfriend and girlfriend as his dream parents? Now, don’t get me wrong, there is now perversion here, it’s just people he dreams to be with. People who potentially get him out of this awful reality and of course he will imagine them as the best people he can imagine - hence attraction to exactly those people. Now, we already know, that Agatha is beautiful as a model and she’s posh -Simon dwells how she good with regattas, polo matches, galas and he’s not posh enough for it. And right there, in next sentence, he mentions the only person who’s fit this interior - Baz. And let’s not forget about this:

“Baz walked into our room, much taller than me—and posher than everyone.”

There’s two interesting thing you notice when you will read Simon’s view for Baz. Simon never hesitates to use bold colours to describe how good Baz is. He never even doubts it, and Simon is not in submissive mode by any means. It’s just with Agatha - he sees the beauty and he admires it. But because Baz is evil, a threat (and potentially because he convinced that he’s heterosexual) AND Simon can’t just go in “I want him” mode, like he did with Agatha. There’s a big quote above about how Simon met Agatha and here’s one about how Simon met Baz:

“and Baz was walking towards me. Looking so cool. Like he was coming my way because he wanted to, not because there was a mystical magnet in his gut.”

Though, it is looks, Simon talks about, I want to emphasise, that while Simon is not in active infatuation phase with Baz, he still unleashes his other attraction type, attraction to power/strength. Here and in quote below he indicates one of Baz biggest powers - ability to look unfazed and perfect no matter what. Power of composure.

“but he looked fine to me—not a hair out of place. Typical.”

Back to father being footballer. One might wonder, why violinist and person so into academic success went to be the lead player in sports team? All popular movies tell us that you either this (nerd) or that (jock), and Baz suddenly both. Because he’s perfect. And because he has his personality and vampire personality. One might also wonder, had Baz overheard Simon’s obsession about being footballer/football in general before deciding to enrol to the team and collect all trophies... Anyway. Baz as footballer:

“He’s the same on the field as he is everywhere else. Strong. Graceful. Fucking ruthless.”

If you ask me, this is where Simon shows a bit his infatuation. Yes, attraction to strength, even ruthlessness (Simon is a fighter, he does appreciate good fighter too). But graceful - is about beauty. You see, I think, maybe because Simon carries traditional values he kinda does that thing: women’s modus operandi is beauty, men’s - strength, ruthlessness. Same with his parents - mum is model, father is fighter footballer. That’s ok. BUT when he starts to consider (even at the back of his mind) Baz as a romantic partner (it’s all starts when he sees that Baz is not a monster, that he’s a boy), he starts to notice his beauty more, than strength.

“He floats out over the moat and lands on the other side. It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Infamous jeans scene, where Simon talking about Baz’ clothes (like he did w/Agatha) and literally checking out his arse:

“they do look like really expensive jeans. Dark. And snug from his waist to his ankles without looking tight.”

He starts to watch him aesthetically:

“I put my hand on his chest. I don’t have to step any closer to reach him. ... Baz swallows and licks his grey-pink lower lip. .. “he throws one of his pillows into my face. (It smells like him.)

“I’m watching him read—I swear he sucks on his fangs when he’s thinking.

The culmination of this development comes with “vampire club scene”:

““Every one of them must be so jealous of him. He’s everything they are, plus magic. Plus he looks the part, like he was born to be some sort of dark king.”

“Those vampires were in awe of you,” I say. “They wanted to put a crown on your head.

He has the skills AND he is royally beautiful. And Simon projecting his feelings to those night club vampires. The longer they in relationships, the more Simon dwelling on Baz beauty, just to show you this development, I’ll quote WS for a moment:

“I’ll be damned if he doesn’t look half glamourous. Like a boy Marilyn Monroe.… My brain gets kind of stuck on “boy Marilyn Monroe” for a while.”

...

“Baz casts his eyes down and smiles—girlishly, I would have said, but on him it’s not girlish. It’s, I don’t know, vulnerable.”

To elaborate, Marilyn Monroe is depiction of feminine beauty in popular culture and description of Baz as a bit feminine is something that would never happen in the beginning of “Carry On” setting. Of course, Baz opened up more to Simon (and this is important), but also Simon willing to see, no, he actually quite hungrily looking for this beauty. He is attracted to this kind of beauty AND I think, might be cause of his somewhat traditional views, he automatically looking for this in Baz, when he considering him as a partner.

BUT. Again as in WS - Baz being powerful and strong AND that being attractive (and arousing) to Simon is not going anywhere. So Simon’s type qualities - strength and beauty. (Not smartness and kindness, sorry Penny) though he does appreciate it. And lastly, let’s go back to Agatha. We talked about her beauty, but she’s also an athlete. A competitive one.

“I smile again and jump up off the bed, grabbing a pair of jeans and a purple sweatshirt that says WATFORD LACROSSE. (Agatha plays.)”

This sweatshirt Simon will proudly wear even in WS (Baz haven’t confiscated them yet :D ) - and if you think about it, it’s the way to show admiration too. And don’t forget the horse sports, she’s even more into sports than Baz (Baz would spend his summer practicing languages and violin - I believe his main passion, and football is just to unwind and fuck w/Simon, while Agatha would harvest prizes or skills in competitions). OK, no, he does play tennis :D So yes - as absolutely legit Simon’s type - Agatha do has these two qualities. They both do. Though not exactly in same proportions. Agatha radiates beauty, feminine beauty, you don’t have to watch closely to see it, it punches you in a face. But Baz is more powerful, as with Agatha, you don’t have to search for his power, it’s just there. And maybe this shift in quality proportions is what Simon needs at the end. But he certainly needs both. And let me finish this lenthy dwelling off with Baz quote, where he accidentally compares himself tells us this qualities proportions in Agatha:

“Wellbelove isn’t very powerful, but she’s gorgeous.”

There is interesting awareness between these two, but I will have a mercy and talk about it later.

#agatha wellbelove #tyrannus basilton grimm pitch #simon snow #simon snow salisbury #simon snow type #simon snow affection #carry on #wayward son #my texts #Carry On Meta #simon snow meta #agatha wellbelove meta #baz pitch meta

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wickedmilo · 3 years

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I’LL INVITE YOU IN | MILO & LUIS

PLACE: A Gala TIMING: A couple of months ago SUMMARY: Milo agrees to attend an event with Luis, and the two find the setting to be oddly intimate WRITING PARTNER: @ontheluis CONTENT WARNINGS: Addiction tw, alcohol tw

Luis’ footsteps were duly muffled on the intricate Ottoman rugs, all sound seeming to be soaked up by the thick window hangings and mahogany walls of this Harris Island manor. Everything he’d done for the syndicate thus far had been in the city's grimy underbelly, the kind of places the society liked to forget existed. None of the people he worked with seemed like they knew what silver spoon to use for what, Luis included. But here they were, attending a ball with some blue bloods in a place whose ceiling fixtures were probably worth more than his kidneys.

What did the boss want here? Luis had a feeling he didn’t want to know the kind of ‘discrete favors’ a monster like Vathnek Beckford was providing to White Crest’s upper crust.

Luis looked down at the ghoul-mark on the inside of his wrist, a misshapen scar from Vathnek’s claw that’d sealed their magical pact. The nauseous sense of accusation Luis felt on seeing it caused him to fiddle with his cufflinks and adjust his suit’s sleeves to cover the mark.

Luis entered one of the many lounges with thick sofas and smoking chairs. Exchanging nods of recognition with several fellow criminals masquerading as gentlemen, Luis went into one of the men’s fitting rooms and rapped softly on the wooden sliding door.

“Hey Milo? You good?”

Milo stared at the floor length mirror opposite him, completely devoid of his reflection, wondering, not for the first time, how he had managed to get himself into this. It wasn’t unusual for him to wind up in places he shouldn’t be. He had put himself in danger more times than he could ever hope to count, but this felt different somehow. When he had been human he had known the risks, or at the very least convinced himself that was true. He understood the chances of being mugged, or taken advantage of, or injured in some way. But he didn’t know this world, he didn’t understand the endless ways the evening could go wrong, and if he hadn’t started it with a cup of blood, and a pain pill, then that would likely be making him nervous. Instead he was curious, ready to throw himself into whatever was about to unfold. Tugging at the sleeves of the suit Luis had bought for him, it felt far more expensive than any item of clothing he had worn before. The Dracula cufflinks he had chosen to amuse himself were in stark contrast with the rest of the outfit. He almost wished he could see himself in it. Maybe he could take a few selfies before the end of the night. Letting out a quiet sigh in response to Luis’ question, he reached out to open the door for him, offering him a sheepish grin. “I’m good.” He confirmed, gesturing vaguely to the mirror, knowing his lack of a reflection would be incredibly obvious. How many other vampires were there currently in the room? Would anybody notice? Would anybody even care? “It’s just- fuck, I’ve been trying to tie this for like five minutes now and apparently I cant do it without a mirror…” Slipping the strip of material from around his neck, he handed Luis the tie, feeling both ridiculous, and amused by the prospect of what he was about to ask. “Any chance you want to do it for me?”

Dad had shown Luis how to tie a tie for church, the only time besides weddings and funerals where the Martinez family went in for nice clothes. Luis crossed the threshold into the small dressing room and slid the door shut behind him. Two walls were covered completely in mirrors while a dark wood closet and cushioned sofa occupied the other. He hadn’t completely understood what Milo meant until seeing only himself reflected in the mirrors.

Luis had to resist the dumbass impulse to poke Milo while looking into the mirror, wondering if his finger would vanish if he stuck it in Milo’s ear or something.

Luis was no scientist, but so many questions started popping into his head about what the hell was happening with photons here.

However he spared Milo ameture science hour, and slung the tie over his friend’s shoulders. “Thanks for coming here with me,” Luis murmured and glanced into Milo’s eyes before returning the silken knot. “I’ll uh...figure out how to make it up to you.”

Milo could almost pinpoint the moment Luis realised what he was talking about, the exact moment his friend’s gaze landed on the mirror and found only his own reflection staring back at them both. It would be comical if it wasn’t such a constant source of frustration for him. So he allowed a tired smile, pushing his hair back away from his face with no way of knowing whether the move had done anything to tame it. Maybe he would have to admit defeat and pull out his phone camera, though he always felt so ridiculous doing so. What if people thought he was filming a Tiktok? Honestly, he would rather die all over again. His smile growing exponentially when Luis took the tie and threw it over his shoulders, he couldn’t help catching his gaze. The close proximity felt strangely intimate, especially given the fact that the door to his dressing room was now closed, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. And he appreciated that, he didn’t have that with many people.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes when Luis eventually lowered his gaze, he shook his head. This wasn’t the first time he had shown his gratitude, but as far as he was concerned he had no reason to thank him. “Look… you bought me a suit, if anything I should be thanking you.” He pointed out, intentionally keeping his tone lighthearted. He knew the room was filled with dangerous people, maybe his death was leading to him finding crazy new ways of being reckless, and self-destructive. But he was here entirely through his own choice, and in some twisted way he was excited. Not only was this a part of the world he had never been exposed to, underhand dealings, and intelligent power plays, this was a whole new part of the supernatural. And he was always desperate to learn more, always desperate to know. “It’s going to be fine… and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. I couldn’t exactly turn down a dinner date with Luis Martínez, could I?”

Luis couldn’t help but wonder about this situation if Milo and himself were both still human. Would they be preparing for some dance? Some fancy college donor reception? Would they just be nervous about some social or dating drama while getting suited up here, rather than whether Luis’ mob connections were about to get them both killed? When exactly had two perpetually stoned accidental monster kids gotten to the point where this was the new normal?

Luis knew deep down that Milo Summers was a predator, no matter how unthreatening that wholesome off-brand Draco Malfoy face seemed. Milo hadn’t asked to become a killer any more than Luis had, but the curses in their veins hadn't asked permission. Luis had been brought up to think of sin as something you chose, a temptation to stray from the honest clean life God intended human beings to lead. But Luis didn't have the chance to choose innocence, just as Milo now had to fight against the urge to rip the lifeblood out of people for an eternity. Empathy for the brokenness that came with loss of agency had turned a casual acquaintance of vice into something more.

But he actually needed Milo Summers the predator tonight. Luis knew just enough about the paranormal underworld to know he was walking into danger at this posh meeting between criminal outfits and rich clients, but not enough to really know exactly what form that danger would take. Luis needed another pair of eyes and someone to have his back that wasn’t also on Vathnek’s long list of indentured debtors. It wasn’t fair that Milo being a friendly murder-corpse made him a good candiate, but Luis would find a way to make it up to him later.

Milo’s assurance that he wanted to be here and broad smile evoked a reflection on Luis’ own face. The expression deepend in warmth at Milo’s teasing about a date. “Crime, nice clothes, and an upscale venue,” Luis replied airily as he attended to Milo’s tie. “I really do know how to show a guy a good time huh?”

The date thing tugged at the back of his mind, as Luis looped one end of the tie up by Milo’s neck and drew it down again, palpably aware of their closeness in here and how Luis could've brushed against the base skin of Milo’s neck if the mood struck him to be purposefully clumsy. The unsentimental part of his brain knew this wasn’t technically different then when they'd toked up in the dark of abandoned buildings together, but that didn’t stop it from feeling like something else entirely.

Yeah, there’d been times back when they’d known nothing about each other that Luis’ had considered offering to share more than pills with Milo for pleasant distraction without any strings attached. Ironically, coming to care for Milo on a deeper level had actually made Luis more hesitant. Luis didn’t have many connections left, let alone friendships, and he didn’t want to jeopardize what he had with Milo. Sure, it didn’t make a whole lot of sense, especially since Luis would’ve happily added benefits to friendship if Milo had asked. However, dread of seeing confused surprise in Milo’s eyes or feeling an unrepairable change in their emotional relationship after sharing that intensely physical part of himself, kept Luis content with the comfortable wingman status quo.

Besides, he should probably focus on the party with the monster mobsters.

Luis stepped back and looked Milo over before reaching out to straighten his collar and a shoulder to keep things even. “Well you’re in luck,” he continued, knowing that Milo didn’t want yet another rehash of the ‘this is very dangerous thank you’ routine. “There’s legit blood wine being served, aged with additives and everything.”

Milo couldn’t be sure what Luis was thinking about but the expression on his face seemed deep, and distracted. He was so clearly lost in his head, and he was hesitant to interrupt what he could only assume was some kind of personal reflection. He had been there, hadn’t he? He found situations like this brought out an introspective side of himself that for the most part lay abandoned and forgotten, pushed away by substances, and his own sheer force of will. There was something about the quiet of the changing room, knowing what lay beyond it, knowing what the evening held in store for them both, that felt vulnerable. For a brief moment in time they were kids again, not two people who had been forced to grow up, who had been attacked against their will, and left to deal with the trauma. Luis too had become the very monster responsible for tearing into his flesh. It was something they shared; a dark, and twisted connection. As terrible as it was, he couldn’t help feeling grateful that his friend was able to understand. Wasn’t that why they had become so close? “Hm,” he hummed quietly in amusement, offering Luis a smile as he continued to tug at the tie around his neck. “Usually it’s just crime on its own, so… a nice change of pace.” He teased, raising his eyebrows as his company stepped back to survey his work. Resisting the urge to shrink in on himself, he feigned confidence, holding out his arms, and turning on the spot. “So?” His smile grew, and he pointedly caught Luis’ eye. “Am I presentable?”

Glancing towards the closest mirror, it was a habit he still hadn’t managed to break, and he stared at the place where he should be standing, annoyed by the fact that he couldn’t see himself. He wasn’t sure why being a vampire needed to come with so many minor inconveniences. Weren’t the major ones enough when it came to making a person suffer? A frustrated huff of breath escaping him, he refused to let his demeanour fade, turning back to Luis with a shameless grin fixed firmly in place. “Blood wine?” He echoed. “I don’t know if I could drink that without sitting in a dark dusty castle somewhere- probably Transylvania. I feel like it has to be Transylvania.” He pictured himself sitting atop an old wooden coffin, lightning storming outside as his cape fell around him, and he sipped blood wine from a beautifully ornate glass. It was outright laughable, but it only made him more eager to try the drink. “Jeez, I’m not even pretentious enough to drink regular wine.” They both knew that wasn’t true, if it had an alcohol content then he was game, but the comment was intended to make Luis laugh. Whether or not it was accurate didn’t feel relevant right now. What mattered was the fact that they were together. What mattered was the fact that, no matter what happened tonight, or on any other night, they were always going to have each other.

Luis instinctively looked with Milo towards the mirror, the reflex of following another person’s gaze overtaking him before he realized the dumbassery of it. “More than presentable,” he assured. It was the truth, tacky buttons aside, Milo was one of those guys who “cleaned up well” as Grandma Martinez would say.

Luis chuckled as Milo turned the conversation towards levity. In truth, Luis had never appreciated wine before being bitten. Ever since his sense of smell had become doggishly keen, all tastes had become more intense. Most colors had faded from Luis’ vision, but flavors had become so complex and distinct that even something boringly bougie like wine now made sense to him.

But it seemed real assholely to share that anecdote with a dude who couldn’t eat and taste as much anymore, so Luis kept that to himself.

“Hey Milo I got something for you..real quick.”

Luis took a handkerchief from his pocket and began to unwrap it. On the white cloth was a switchblade, a lightweight yet viciously edged toll of backalley violence. Luis took up the small flip-knife with his free-hand. Immediately, veins of irritation and necrosis began to climb up the tips of the werewolf’s fingers from where he touched the silver knife.

“I’m not the only one here that silver hurts,” Luis explained in a low voice as he offered the switchblade to Milo, pale metal gleaming in dressing room lights. “Just in case.”

Milo caught the gaze of Luis’ reflection although he knew Luis wouldn’t be able to see him, smiling sheepishly. It wasn’t often he was deemed presentable, let alone more than presentable. He almost felt like a different person, a new person. Not the Milo who passed out in gutters, and crashed in dirty apartments with no memory of how he had gotten to them. This was the Milo who combed his hair, who made the effort to shave, who scrubbed his face with cleanser, and actually worried about creasing his clothes. Raising his eyebrows in a silent question, he turned back to Luis, curious about a potential gift. It was only as his friend carefully unfolded a handkerchief that he realised the gift wasn’t something he wanted. The blade was short, and sharp, his clear vision allowing him to see just how deadly the edge of it was. “I-” He broke off, every instinct telling him to reject the offer, to insist Luis keep it himself. He wasn’t a violent person, it didn’t come naturally to him. He was far more comfortable on the sidelines, or actively running from a fight. But he knew that wasn’t why Luis had asked him to come, he knew they both needed to be smart tonight. Smart, observant, and prepared. As much as he hated to admit it, he might need the knife. He might have to use it. Why was the prospect of danger only ever fun until it became real?

Pushing his glasses up his nose, he watched as Luis handled the weapon, staring for a second too long as his body began to react to the silver. He wanted to ask whether it burned but the werewolf wasn’t showing any sign of pain. Regardless, a new instinct took over, and he reached out to snatch it away, hoping to spare his company from any further damage. “You didn’t have to touch it!” He insisted. “Drama queen.” He added, a smile still tugging at his lips. Looking down at the knife, it felt so alien, so uncomfortable in his hands. But he knew he was in no place to set it down, not now. “Are you sure?” He asked quietly, his smile fading, replaced by a serious expression. What they were walking into, as exciting as it felt, was no joke. “About- y’know, all of this?”

“I uh,” it seemed to occur belatedly to the werewolf that he could have just picked the knife up in the kerchief and handed it over. “Didn’t think about…,” Luis shrugged while his features gave way to a broad sheepish smile, dimples winking into existence on his cheeks.

But the moment of bashful levity passed as Milo succumbed to seriousness. “Yeah,” Luis answered. “I can’t keep hurting people like this I uh.”

The werewolf ran a hand through his sandy hair, some strands coming loose as a nervous habit quickly undid his efforts to slick it all back into presentableness. “I don’t know how you’re handling your change Milo but I’m…”

Why was he confessing this now? This wasn’t the time! Shit, but the worlds felt like they needed to come out now. But how could he burden Milo with one more thing to worry about when they were about to walk into danger? It felt selfish. “Losing me, like what made me human,” Luis confessed anyway, turning to face the mirror briefly being unsettled by the sight of his own reflection talking to himself alone in an empty room. “I can’t control any of it,”

The phone in Luis’ pocket buzzed but he ignored it, briefly pacing in the small dressing room like a caged beast chained in an evening suit. It seemed to take Luis a minute to realize that the stress was letting out the thing inside of him. The werewolf paused, fighting down the burst of freneticism as his shoulders rose and fell with long steady breaths.

“Milo,” Luis began when his mind was more still. “I’m...uh..I’m one of the ones the Hunters talk about,” the rabid wolf confessed quietly.

Luis swallowed letting the implication speak for itself. “I don’t want to die,” he assured. “But I can’t keep waking up covered in blood either.” Self-revulsion and determination made a painful interplay across Luis' face but the later seemed to win out, a long exhale adding steel back into the young man’s posture. “That’s why I’m doing all this, risking getting mixed up with these people,” the budding criminal insisted.

“Vathek’s got a cure,” Luis asserted with the quiet fervor of the truly desperate, those souls who’ve been pushed so far past the breaking point that now nothing could be too impossible or extreme to risk everything for. “And if I have to deal with mobster politics and do some sick stuff now so I don’t have to ever kill anybody else ever again for the rest of my life? Yeah, I’m in.”

The phone in Luis’ pocket buzzed insistently again, signalling the approach of the deadly dinner date.

Luis tried to meet Milo’s gaze and moved away from the door in case his friend wanted to get the hell out after everything he’d shared. “I didn’t want you to go in there with the wrong idea about me, what I really am, or why I’m doing this,” the killer said. “If you're not comfortable now that you know it, and need to head out, like that's ok. I’ll understand,” Luis promised.

Milo smiled at Luis, comforted by the fact that he seemed to be clumsy and unsure of his own condition. It was something they shared, something they had in common, and it made his friend infinitely more likeable. “I do the same thing sometimes.” He admitted. “I’ve had to stop halfway through opening the curtains before, it’s this weird instinct to let in the sunlight… I guess it’s just what humans do. You don’t even think about it.” As quickly as his smile appeared, it began to fade, stolen by the change in atmosphere, by the sudden, unfamiliar look in Luis’ eye. It was the first time he had ever heard Luis explicitly confess to hurting others, and he knew he needed to be careful when it came to his reaction. The information was personal, Luis didn’t have to share it, no doubt he would be watching to see whether he looked horrified, or upset, or disgusted by the revelation. Waiting patiently as he ran a hand through his hair, creating a tousled look that almost seemed intentional, he eventually stepped forward, reaching up to brush a few strands back into place. His friend’s hair was soft, and every time he ran his fingers through it waves of his natural scent seemed to roll off of him. But it wasn’t unpleasant, quite the contrary. “It’s okay.” He said quietly, although he wasn’t sure it was fair of him. He wanted it to be okay, but what about Luis’ victims? The people who had lost their lives to his wolf?

Letting out a gentle sigh, he slipped the knife into his pocket before lowering his arms, stepping back again so that he could properly see his company. The man before him looked so broken, so lost, he wanted to wrap him in his arms and hold him until he found a way to put himself back together. He still wasn’t sure the cure was real, but it definitely seemed more possible than a cure for vampirism. He was dead, Luis’ body had only changed. Could it be treated like an illness? Could it be reversed somehow? Why didn’t more people know about a cure if there was one in existence? He had so many questions, but he held his tongue. Luis needed support, not doubt. Faltering briefly as he heard his phone buzz, he swallowed, debating how much he wanted to tell him. “Luis… when you lose control, that isn’t your fault, you know that, right? I know it’s your body, but you aren’t responsible. You don’t know how I’m handling my change because- because if I talk about it I feel like I’m going to go insane. But you aren’t alone in feeling… I don’t know… hopeless.” Glancing up at the mirror, at the place where his reflection was supposed to be, he frowned, turning away from it so that he could move to sit on the cushioned bench lining the wall. Patting the space beside him, he encouraged Luis to sit down too, even though he had a feeling they were running out of time.

“When I woke up… I didn’t know what I was, or even what had happened. I just knew I felt… really fucking terrible. I hid in an alleyway, railed my entire stash- I kept thinking this is the worst comedown of my life...” Laughing bitterly at his own ridiculous assumption, he shook his head. If only it had been a comedown. “It got late, people started showing up for the clubs, and bars, and one person- they probably thought I was tweaking or some shit- they tried to help me. The next thing I know they’re-” He broke off, choking on his words as his vision became blurred by tears. Brushing them away with the sleeve of his suit jacket, he steeled himself. It was the first time he was ever saying them out loud, fully letting somebody know the true extent of the damage he had caused. And it was far more painful than he ever could have anticipated. “I watched them die, I’ll never get the image out of my head… and all I could think about was drinking their blood. I’d just killed them, I’d just drained them of their blood, and all I could think about were the few drops that I’d missed. If another vampire hadn’t found me I don’t think I would have stopped. I probably wouldn’t even have noticed that they were…” He exhaled, his breath shaky as more tears began to run down his cheeks. “It took me so long to stop blaming myself, but the truth is… if whoever did this to me had chosen to stick around, it wouldn’t have happened. I didn’t know what I was doing, it wasn’t my fault. And now that I know how this works, I’m making an effort to ensure it never happens again. You’re doing everything you can, Luis… you aren’t a bad person. The blood isn’t on your hands, not in the that way you think it is.”

“I have the power to stop the killing,” Luis said finally after a time staring blankly at a mahogany wall while Milo spoke. “At any time I could’ve put an end to it and saved so many more lives.” He swallowed down the tenseness in his throat. “But I’ve been too much of a fuckin coward, and other innocent people have kept paying for it with their lives.”

Luis turned his head to look at the vampire beside him, features steeled with the bleak strength that comes from looking self-annihilation directly in the face, perhaps holding its gaze for far longer than was healthy. Already reckless even before having every emotion dialled up to a fever pitch by lycanthropy, it hadn’t taken Luis Martinez long to realize that so many more people would be alive right now if someone had put a silver bullet in him early on.

“It isn’t about if it’s my fault,” claimed one young killer to another. “It’s about the people who’re being hurt. Does me being innocent or guilty do anything for the grieving families? I could be completely blameless but the people I ate and keep eating will still have been torn apart by a monster,” Luis said.

He let out a long shuddering breath before saying the part that probably should have been left unsaid. “Our lives aren’t worth any more than any other person,” the lapsed Catholic asserted. “So many of the supernaturals I’ve met make excuses, they kill people all the time but then go and on about how they are real victims, that they can’t be judged for they can’t control,” said the fledgling werewolf who’d perhaps spent too much time among fellow predators in the Bloody Stake. “Human lives are just expendable extras to them now, they’ll get all upset when a supernatural gets killed, but then shrug off slaughtering a buncha humans like it's somehow not as bad.”

“I don’t want to get that far gone,” Luis insisted to Milo, words becoming more heated and erratic as the normally amiable young man got too close to the spiritual unravelling inside of him. ‘But I can feel myself slipping...I can’t...remember their faces like I used to. The more I kill like...the more I acclimate to it.”

Although along the way Luis Martinez had come to hold onto his remorse, that capacity for recognizing the essential humanity of his victims, as the anchor to his own personhood. But matter how empathetic you are, doing anything enough times and it starts to lose impact, and Luis had done a lifetime of killing in the space of a year. As he grew numb to death, Luis became ever more unmoored from his sense of self.

Luis reached up to brush away some tears from Milo’s face if the other guy let him. “Thank you Milo,” he said softly, only able to guess at how much it took Milo to admit to all that. “I appreciate it man like...seriously,” he said with any scorn for his companion’s breakdown. “I don’t think you're a bad person either,” Luis assured. “I’m trying to find a way to keep that from happening again,” he gave a toothy smile that hinted at bitterness around the edges. “And I’m choosing the one that makes sure we can still do that roadtrip later,” Luis teased, gentle humor hiding the reassurance that he had chosen this road of vice and moral compromises over the lethal purity of a final alternative.

“That’s not fair, Luis.” Milo said, his voice barely louder than a whisper as he considered the terrifying implication behind his friend's words. Would the world be better without him? Without either of them? You could use that perspective to force so many things, to blame so many people for accidents, and mistakes that were far, far beyond their control. “You can’t think like that…” He trailed off, unsure of what else to say. Luis was more than capable of thinking in such a way, and he was absolutely powerless to stop it. He had his reasons, and he couldn’t imagine living through the horrors he had suffered. He had witnessed one person die at his own hands. Would he be okay, would he still be functioning if it wasn’t just one person. What if it was two people? Or three? Or five? Or ten? At what point did it become too much? At what point did the horror consume you? “I don’t think you’re a monster…” Holding Luis’ gaze for as long as he was able to, he finally looked away, staring down at his hands as he thought about his life, and what it was worth now that he had taken somebody else’s. Nothing was going to change the fact that he had killed somebody decent, somebody willing to help a stranger. Why did he of all people deserve to still be here? Still be somewhat alive, somewhat living...

“You aren’t that far gone…” He murmured. “We aren’t that far gone.” Chewing on his bottom lip, it hurt to hear Luis talking about becoming so desensitised. But not because he was considering the forgotten victims. Selfishly, he was upset because it told him just how much his friend had experienced. Just how desperate his brain was to stop processing the trauma of his situation. His expression softening, he tilted his head, looking back up at Luis as he brushed away his tears. His touch was surprisingly gentle, and definitely not unwelcome. It felt good to know he wasn’t being seen as a terrible person. That Luis was still willing to touch him, to be near him. It would be contradictory if he decided otherwise, but sometimes it was so easy to believe he was a waste of time. People could definitely do better than Milo Summers, and it often only felt like a matter of time before they realised that. “You don’t?” He asked, unashamedly needing the confirmation. If he could ask Luis to say it a thousand times over, then he would. “You’re the first person I’ve ever… I’ve never talked about it before. I still don’t know how to get over it… I’m not even sure I want to. Does that- does that sound stupid?” Offering a weak smile in return, he pushed his glasses further up his nose, tugging at his shirtsleeves in an attempt to compose himself. “I’ll do whatever I can to help you… you know I will.” He insisted, needing Luis to know he would always be there for him. It felt like the very least he could offer. “Hm… when you’re human again, you’re not going to want to go on a road trip with a vampire.” He was half teasing, though part of him felt guilty for encouraging what was potentially false hope. Another part of him was worried what he was saying might be true. If Luis ever became human, he would be mad not to put as much distance as he could between himself and the world of the supernatural. “Don’t let me hold you back.”

“No,” Luis shook his head at the admission. “It doesn’t sound stupid,” he assured. “Thank you for trusting me.”

There’s been a time where Luis’ had been clear, as open and bright as the sky over his father’s ranch. Honesty, hard work, love, and faith has been enough. If you kept to these things, you’d always find your way home.

Maybe back then, Luis would’ve been pretty sure what kind of person Milo was. His heart had been clean and the thought of taking another life was unthinkable.

But now? Everything seemed like a fog he was stumbling through, looking for a blue sky to show him the way but only sinking deeper into grim moral compromises.

Was Luis unable to condemn Milo because of empathy, or was Luis just so totally lost that he couldn’t tell right from wrong? Did Milo and Luis deserve to take up space in the world if it cost others lives? How could Luis justify allying with criminals simply for hope of a cure? Was there moral weight in any of this, or just desperation searching for answers that didn’t exist?

All Luis knew is that dad once said you have to keep walking in a snowstorm, because if you lay down you're as good as dead. Life right now was a blizzard, and all Luis could do was keep walking no matter what, and have faith his feet would find their way home.

“Milo when I’m human, I am going to take you south on a road trip,” Luis reiterated stubbornly, accepting the risk even in some future time where he might be powerless against Milo should his friend lose control. “We’ll go to my place in Texas…and I’ll invite you in,” Luis finished with slow emphasis on the words, a promise to wager his safety for the sake of trust.

Tonight Milo was risking everything for Luis’ humanity. Why would Luis hold anything back in return?

His phone buzzed again. Time to face the serpent’s nest.

“You won’t hold me back,” Luis said, momentarily squeezing Milo’s shoulder before rising and giving himself one last look-over in the mirror. Luis straightened his collar and painted on a carefree smile, the look of a better man who never felt lost.

“C’mon dude, can’t wait to seem them shit themselves when they see your lapels.”

#c:luis #milo and luis #drug tw #addiction tw #alcohol tw

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thefeastandthefast · 4 years

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Thoughts on Serenade of Peaceful Joy as propaganda...

I was just thinking about Serenade of Peaceful Joy as propaganda tool and political morality play and realized...

If the drama is intending for the Chinese viewer to put themselves in the shoes of “the people” and not in the shoes of Danshu or Huirou or the other female characters, then I can see how the writer might think that the characterization of the emperor is sympathetic and that Huirou should ultimately accept her fate. All of the utterly illogical writing suddenly makes way more sense if that was the goal. I’ll explain my theory:

So... the emperor is constantly going on about how “the people” want peace and economic prosperity and most importantly, they need the imperial family’s conduct to be a moral example. In the last episode, he takes Huirou to visit a lantern-making family and shows her how everyone, from the oldest to the youngest, is working hard to make a living. He tells Huirou that her actions need to be considered above reproach because she owes it to “the people”, because “the people” didn’t pay taxes to support her posh princess lifestyle for twenty-some years so that she can hit her working class mother-in-law, canoodle with Huaiji, burn her house down, and interfere with government policy- you, if you are a Chinese viewer, are supposed to think, “EXACTLY, I DIDN’T PAY MY TAXES SO THAT SOME FUERDAI CAN GO CRASH THEIR FERRARI STREET RACING, HAVE ORGIES IN SANYA, AND USE THEIR PARENTS’ POLITICAL INFLUENCE TO GET AWAY WITH IT.”

Fuerdai (富二代) is the term for the rich children of China’s current political and economic elite. They are a much-reviled group in China, because they’re often the very public, scandalous face of the type of corruption that enormous economic inequality has wrought in the past few decades and because they are often shielded from the consequences of their scandals by powerful parents.

Badly behaving fuerdai are also considered dangerous to the stability of the CCP, because their existence has been used to levy criticism at the CCP’s failure to manage party officials. This Bloomberg article is worth reading to understand the whole phenomenon and I’ll just quote a little bit here: “The fuerdai (pronounced foo-arr-dye) aren’t just an embarrassment. The Communist Party seems to consider them an economic or even political threat. President Xi Jinping himself spoke out this year, advising the second generation to “think about the source of their wealth and how to behave after becoming affluent.” An article published by the United Front Work Department, the bureau that manages relations between the party and nonparty elite, warned: “They know only how to show off their wealth but don’t know how to create wealth.” Some local governments have taken steps to reeducate their wealthy elite. In June, according to Beijing Youth Daily, 70 heirs to major Chinese companies attended lectures on filial piety and the role of traditional values in business.”

The failure of Huirou to understand Huaiji’s attempts to explain poverty makes sense if this was the show’s message. She wasn’t meant to understand that lesson from his mouth because the writer needed Huirou to be taught this lesson by her father, emperor Xi Jinping... I mean, Renzong. So Renzong putting her in her place is presented to us as an act of benevolence to “the people” even if it destroys Huirou. Actually if you follow this logic, the story’s emphasis on Renzong’s love for Huirou makes his sacrifice of her happiness even more an act of selflessness for “the people”. You’re supposed to think, “WOW, even his daughter is not as important as justice for the people!”

The character of Zhang Bihan is interesting to consider from this angle too. Her love of extravagant luxury goods like ivory, pearls, and rare porcelain are shown repeatedly to be a political liability in addition to a personal failing. Add to that Lady Jia’s black market salt and human trafficking ring. Zhao Zhen’s weakness for Bihan and everything she and her circle represented and his rejection of sober, sensible Danshu was a sign that he still needed to learn how to put his own desires second to that of “the people”. Bihan is his fatal flaw to overcome on the path to sainthood. Because propaganda is most effective when you feel like those in power are just nice people trying their best even as they are fucking you over. But of course, in the end the writer makes Zhao Zhen realize that Danshu was always the best choice and choosing her signals his apotheosis. This is why Bihan and Danshu could never evolve beyond their tired archetypes. Never mind the ahistorical characterizations and relationships! Evidence-based depictions of a more complex Zhang Bihan that remained Renzong’s true love to the end and an adversarial Empress Cao/Renzong relationship wouldn’t fit the story that this propaganda requires.

Huaiji, his brother Yuansheng, and their family clearly represent “the people” starting from the very first episode. They’re the equivalent of the coal miners that American politicians love to talk about in the abstract as representatives of the working class. If you take Huaiji and Yuansheng’s journey as citizens who were deeply wronged by their government but who were then given opportunities to thrive later by the same government, you’ll see how the writer has very purposefully created a narrative (not in the book!) where lives destroyed by bad policy are merely accidents of fate but lives improved or justice restored are credited to compassionate government policy. The brothers losing the family business and each other, Huaiji losing his bright future and becoming a eunuch- none of the Liang family’s misfortunes can be attributed to Renzong or previous emperors purposefully making decisions to hurt people. Whereas their reversals of misfortune CAN be attributed to deliberate action on the part of the emperor and the government.

And when forcing a corrupt government to see and address injustice through unorthodox means, the writer wants you to know that you should expect and accept without complaint punishment for using those unorthodox means, even if you are justified in your cause. Yuansheng, after capturing and publicly reporting his aunt and the local official who had colluded to sell off his brother, doesn’t resist army exile and sees it as an opportunity instead. He’s later rewarded for his unquestioning submission with imperial patronage of his restaurant, becomes a successful businessman, and is reunited with his brother.

The emperor, after discovering that Huaiji is Yuanheng in the last episode, gives him back his real name and reunites him with Yuansheng. Though Huaiji is brutally parted from Huirou, his loss and longing are neatly tucked away from view in the end, unlike in the novel. Drama!Huaiji’s end is presented as a relatively happy one, where you see him sitting in a schoolhouse next to a beautiful river, quietly mounting a painting. He hears that the emperor has passed and makes a respectful obeisance. The drama wants you to think that he is grateful and he will recover, despite all the trauma that he has gone through. Because he HAS to recover, as a symbol of one of “the people” who has enjoyed the emperor’s grace.

The only wrench in the gears, though, is that Huirou, Huaiji, Danshu, He’er, Maoze, and Qiuhe got their personalities and backstories from a book with different priorities. And so that persistent feeling of wrongness I kept having watching this show was the feeling of seeing the visible seams stitching this Frankenstein’s monster together.

#serenade of peaceful joy #held in the lonely castle #清平乐 #cdrama #period drama #historical drama #my commentary

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lilacmoon83 · 3 years

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Finding You Always

Also on Fanfiction.net and A03

Chapter 236: Fireflies

The fire could be seen reflecting in Jekyll's eyes, as he was just a few feet from escape, but he lurched and looked down to find Charming's blade protruding from his chest. He landed on his feet, just at the edge and turned around, looking at him in shock. He saw the blackness slowly spider webbing from his wound and started to see the ash flaking from his body.

"No...this can't be! You can't defeat me!" Jekyll cried, as he lurched again and the blade returned to David's hand.

"I just did," the Prince stated.

"You're done...and you're never going to hurt my wife again, let alone haunt her," David assured him.

"The Chalice absorbed the Olympian crystal long ago. No Underworld, no afterlife, nothing...you just stop existing and we rest easy, knowing that not even your soul can cause harm to anyone ever again," he continued. Jekyll tried to charge at the Prince again, but the white fire from the Chalice sword consumed him in a brilliant flash. He screamed briefly, as he was destroyed and his cries were swiftly squelched, as was his existence.

"And that is the end of the video that has more than fifty million views, worldwide. That tiny clip alone has double that, worldwide. It's action packed, it gets the heart racing, in more ways than one, and people seem enthralled by it to the point of obsession," Goldie said into her mic, as she conducted her latest live podcast. They had spent a pretty penny in the last year on the best equipment, including a high end VPN, to hide their location. They weren't wanted in the Land Without Magic, per say, but it was no secret that they were and they knew some idiot fans would only be too happy to make a citizen arrest if they might get the attention of the Charming family, who had gone mostly dark since the namesake of their family had killed the insane monster known as Dr. Jekyll.

On her show though, she was not playing the clip to celebrate it. But instead, she was playing it to continue to push her fear narrative. Her numbers were significant, as some out there did see the danger of a family with so much power.

"But if this one man, combined with his wife, has this much power...how can any of us truly ever feel safe? He could wipe us out even more easily than he did Dr. Jekyll. And he has sired five children that are potentially even stronger than him," she continued.

"Five children that can control the weather...and lay waste to an entire city with one conjured storm," she added.

"And I'm sure some might argue that the beloved Charmings would never do that...because they're good. But most of those same people have read the book and know that Snow and Charming have gone dark before. What is preventing that from happening again? Or preventing one of their kids from turning evil as well?" she said.

"If tragedy struck any one of them...what would stop them from lashing out with vengeance in their pain? If you've read the book...then you know that's what happened to the Evil Queen. She didn't just wake up and decide to be evil. She lost the man she loved and thousands died for it," she continued.

"What would stop Charming from doing the same if he lost his beloved Snow or Snow if she lost her Charming?" she asked, as she read the chat and smirked.

"I see many agree with me...but none of us know what exactly we can do about it. However, you'll be happy to know that there are those out there that are trying to see to our safety," she said.

"They are trying to develop a solution to this problem, but can only do so with the help of the people. And it's being done with your donations. With your donations, we can fight this fight," Goldie said.

"So donate today, share this podcast far and wide, and know that you're doing something to secure our future. Until next time," she said, ending the stream and taking off her headphones.

While it was true that they had spent most of what they had to get set up and lived the first few weeks in a crappy motel, it wasn't long before they were approached by an investor.

Amelia Blaine, owner of several billion dollar retail chains nation and worldwide, offered to fund them if they continued to push their fear narrative, with the stipulation that there was a solution. A vague, yet plausible one and help them build a citizen militia, without the citizens even realizing they were being radicalized. It was a common military tactic, so they weren't too surprised to learn that Ms. Blaine answered to a man named General Mendoza. They hadn't met him yet, but knew he was the man that Major Patricia Donovan had once worked for and then betrayed in favor of the Charmings.

Mendoza had gone almost as dark as the Charmings had in the last year and was working on ways to bring them down. This one was just one plan and Ms. Blaine even let it slip that they were working on ways to combat or even destroy magic. Goldie didn't know if that was possible, but she and Grimm were all in and used her podcast and his blog as a megaphone to put fear into people about the Charmings, the United Realms, and magic in general. In return, they were paid incredibly well and their equipment was upgraded to state of the art. They now lived in an expensive New York penthouse apartment and enjoyed all the luxuries.

"You really think General Mendoza and his team can find a way to destroy magic?" Grimm asked. She smirked.

"I don't know...but if they can, I'm going to enjoy watching the United Realms burn and the Charmings suffering," she replied. He smirked back.

"I'd bring marshmallows to that bonfire," he agreed.

"How are the numbers tonight?" she asked.

"About four thousand live on the biggest platform. Less, but significant on the smaller ones and we always get good numbers on replays," he replied.

"And the Truest podcast?" she asked, knowing that Eva Charming had streamed earlier that night.

"Let's not do that to ourselves," he replied.

"I want to know her numbers," Goldie demanded. He winced.

"On the largest platform...she had twenty-thousand live and her replay numbers are already climbing past our live count," he revealed, ready for the coming tirade, as Goldie let out a frustrated yell.

"Why!? Why is everyone so enamored with that prissy little upstart!?" she raged.

"She's not even a real journalist!" Goldie complained.

"Yeah...but she's their daughter. You shouldn't be surprised," he said.

"We have to get our numbers up…" Goldie said.

"I agree," Amelia Blaine said, as she arrived with her bodyguards.

"You can't just barge in here whenever you want," Goldie said.

"Oh, but I can since I pay the mortgage on this place," Amelia replied.

"Your live numbers tonight are dismal, at best," she added.

"What do you expect? Most people salivate over that damned family. Not many want to tune in and hear us talk crap about them," Grimm reminded her.

"I'm aware, Mr. Grimm. Even less people read your pitiful blog," she said. He glared at her, but was silent.

"What do you want us to do?" Goldie asked in frustration.

"You're hyper focused on the parents. Start going after the kids. Stoke fear about the children," she suggested.

"Snow and Charming are ignoring you. They're seasoned at this and don't care what people say or think about them. The children on the other hand will elicit a reaction and one we might be able to exploit if done right," she said. Goldie smirked.

"That I can do...and I'll enjoy it," the blonde agreed.

"Let's hope you do well...the General isn't impressed by your numbers at all. If you don't improve, this posh little lifestyle goes away and you're on the street," Amelia warned, as she left with her goons.

"So...who are you going to focus on first?" Grimm asked. Goldie smirked.

"Who else? Emma has interacted in this world more than any of their kids. She's got plenty to exploit and it will drive mommy and daddy Charming crazy," she said. He smirked.

"Indeed it will," he agreed.

"But we won't stop there. The twins will be next, then the youngest ones. By the end, Mama Snow will be at our door ready to rip my head off and I'll get it all on tape,"

"And the General will be ready to trap them both when they come," he agreed.

~*~

Rose and Fandral turned on the inter realm communication system that Sif had provided for them. Rose and Sif actually communicated on a regular basis, but it had been a while and she hadn't seen the twins yet.

"Good morning Sif," Rose greeted. She smiled.

"Good morning to both of you...I apologize for being out of communication for a while, but much has happened here recently," she said.

"Really?" Fandral asked. She nodded.

"It's a lot though and there have been many developments. Thor is leaving Earth soon...but not before the funeral," she replied.

"Funeral? Who has passed?" Rose asked.

"Well, I'm afraid Natasha is gone...but so is Mr. Stark," she replied, stunning them.

"Like I said, much has happened, though some of it is very good. Natasha and Tony are the reason that much of it is wonderful news. But I would rather explain everything in person," she said.

"Things are safe here now. I was hoping you could visit and so was Thor...before he leaves," she added. Rose smiled.

"Things are quiet here...I don't see why not and the kids would love it," she said. Fandral smiled and nodded.

"We'll contact Hermes and make all the necessary arrangements to be away. Zorro can more than handle things around here for a few days," Fandral said. Sif smiled.

"That's wonderful...and I can't wait to meet these two in person," she replied, as she spotted the twin babies in their arms.

"And Astrid and Gunnar can't wait to meet their Aunty Sif and Uncle Thor either," Rose replied.

"Strong Asgardian names...I will see you all soon," Sif said, as the transmission winked out.

"Poor Natasha…" Rose said sadly.

"I know...she helped us much when Seth banished us. I am glad we are going to honor her," Fandral replied. She nodded.

"Well, we should go tell the kids and pack. We have a lot to do in just a couple hours," she replied. He nodded, as they took the babies back upstairs to prepare.

~*~

Bobby closed his locker and slung his backpack over his shoulder, before meandering toward the direction of his first class of the day. Being normal definitely had its advantages and being back in school on a regular basis was nice. He would never be normal, even in a place like Storybrooke, but he had plenty of friends and was definitely enjoying the peace.

"Morning Bobby," Zia said, as she and Olivia rounded the corner to meet him.

"Morning," he said, as he joined hands with the dark haired girl. He was aware that both had a crush on him, shortly after he resumed his freshman year last year, but any romantic feelings he had were for Zia. Olivia understood and she was still good friends with them both. He saw the banner being hung up for Winter Formal that weekend and looked at her. Olivia smiled at them and went into the classroom.

"I'll make myself scarce," the blonde said.

"Well...that was subtle," Zia mentioned. He chuckled.

"I'm not sure I could be subtle myself even...tact is not something Charmings are known for, so you wanna go to the dance?" he asked. She smiled and nodded.

"I'd love to," she agreed.

"Okay...but I have to warn you that my Mom is going to go all out and take like a gazillion photos, so just prepare for being blinded by camera flashes," he joked. She giggled.

"I love your Mom and I'm prepared for our upcoming photo shoot," she teased back, as they went into the classroom and the bell rang.

~*~

After morning training with James and his father, David did a quick patrol around Storybrooke since Emma had taken the morning off and then stopped at Granny's for takeout. He arrived at Snow's office and nodded politely to her receptionist, who still got a little awestruck and blushed every time she saw him. He winced though, as he heard his wife raise her voice through the door.

"Meeting with the heads of state?" he asked. Chloe, the receptionist, nodded.

"Midas insists on arguing with her...I don't know why, because he never wins," she replied. He smirked.

"Because he's no match," David said, as he quietly went in and closed the door, waiting off to the side. Hyde and Hiram had unveiled a host of new inventions in the last year that they had rolled out. One was the hologram system of communication, allowing the heads of state to meet from their own castles or offices on most occasions. They got together in person from time to time, but this eliminated the need for neutral locations and saved a lot of time most days. It was probably the only reason Midas was still alive too, because by the look on his wife's face, he could tell she was ready to put an arrow in his eye.

"King Midas...we are only days away from the grand opening of the Pleasure Island resort. Our teams and crews have worked tirelessly to transform a once haven of crime and filth into a luxurious vacation resort for all ages and classes to enjoy," Snow said in a measured tone.

"I agreed to let you have the Casino wing, as I agreed that adults are free to make their own decisions on what to do with their money...but I draw the line at any kind of unsavory club as you're suggesting. I want this to be a family friendly place and not become an eyesore like Iago's," Snow said.

"Queen Snow...there is nothing wrong with the addition of a gentleman's club. There will be security and an age requirement, of course," Midas replied.

"No…" Snow refuted.

"This has to be put to a vote!" Midas insisted.

"Normally yes and most of the time, I would be reluctant to do anything without diplomacy, but this is one time I am going to use my executive powers. And gentleman's club is putting this nicely," she said, as she held up a folder that had his proposal in it.

"This is nothing more than a strip club and a brothel and I won't have it. Your motion is denied by executive decision," she said.

"You can't do that, your prissy little wench!" Midas said, as his anger exploded. David clenched his fist and rooted his feet into the floor. It was taking him every ounce of control he could muster not to tell him off himself, but he knew Snow could handle him.

"King Midas...if you're going to continue this kind of behavior, then you will be removed from this project. Am I clear?" Snow snapped. He shrank back a little.

"Very well, Your Majesty," he spat.

"It's clear we all need some time to cool off, some of us more than others. We'll take a long lunch and reconvene in two hours," she said, as she pressed a button on her computer and their holograms disappeared.

"It must have taken you every ounce of control you have not to intervene and rip his head off," she mused. He smirked.

"I know you can handle it, but you're right...I'd like to make him smack himself and turn himself into a gold statue," he replied. She giggled.

"I think we would all enjoy that, a little too much," she said, as he set the food down on her desk and then took her in his arms.

"So...long lunch?" he asked. She smirked.

"Mmm…I could definitely use it," she replied.

"And here I thought I was going to have to be quick," he mused, as they swayed together. She bit her bottom lip.

"Well, at the risk of inflating your ego...you're never quick," she said. He smirked.

"Good to know," he replied, as she looked in the sack, finding all her favorites.

"Two different kinds of dessert?" she asked. He shrugged.

"I figured we'd work it off," he replied. She bit her bottom lip again, as they moved to the sofa in her office. Maybe she should have made it a three hour lunch…

~*~

Leo hopped off Pegasus and petted his mane, before leading him to the trough for a drink and something to eat. He and Pegasus, along with Firestorm, also did an aerial patrol of the reserve in the morning and checked on all the animals. He and Elsa had hired staff that they trusted and vetted to help run the reserve to help out. Everything was running smoothly and Firestorm cawed, as he sat on his perch and watched Leo.

"I didn't forget you, buddy," he promised, as he grabbed a handful of seeds and held out his hand so the Phoenix could eat too. After he finished, Leo ruffled his feathers affectionately and checked over the inventory of food and supplies that had just been delivered.

"Leo...I think that mother Unicorn is about to give birth!" one of his young workers said, as he rushed in.

"Okay...did you call the equestrian vet?" Leo asked.

"That's the thing...he's in surgery. I guess one of the horse's at the stables needed emergency surgery this morning," the kid said, as he was nearly panicked.

"Okay...relax, I've gone this before and so has my sister," he said, as he dialed Eva.

"Hey...the vet is unavailable and we have a unicorn ready to give birth. Can you pop over here?" he asked, as he listened.

"Thanks Eva," he said, as he hung up.

"She's on her way," he said, as he started gathering some supplies.

"Need some help?" Kristoff asked, as he arrived with Sven. Kristoff and Sven were frequent visitors and helpers at the reserve too.

"Yeah, the vet is busy and we have a mama unicorn ready to go. Eva's on her way," Leo said.

"Okay...baby Unicorn time. Looks like Hope might get that Unicorn for her birthday," he teased.

"Yeah…Emma keeps telling my parents not to, but you know they're going to," Leo said, as they headed out to the stables, just as Eva arrived to help with the birthing.

"Thanks for coming," he said. She smiled.

"You know that I love this and it's a pretty slow day at the hospital. Plus, my audience will love hearing about the birth of a baby unicorn," she replied.

"You know...I wasn't sure your podcast was a good idea at first, but you're really good at it," Kristoff said.

"Thanks," she replied.

"Yeah...and it helps that you make Goldie's podcast look like a joke," Leo added.

"That is a bonus...I wouldn't usually wish misfortune on anyone, but she's the exception," she agreed, as they arrived at the stables.

~*~

Summer concentrated, as she went through her dance routine for the school's upcoming recital. Upon returning to dance, her instructor expressed a suggestion that Summer would excel in rhythmic gymnastics. Summer loved both dance and gymnastics and it seemed like the perfect blend of both. So she had begun training and her instructor had been right about it being her niche. She finished her routine with an impressive backflip and caught her baton, as her music ended. Her instructor gave her a hug.

"You are going to be the star of the recital," she assured. Summer blushed slightly.

"Thanks…" she said.

"Your parents must be bursting at the seams with pride," she mentioned. She grinned.

"My Dad was just showing me the new camera he bought last night for the recital and Mom has already bought new albums. It's a little embarrassing," she joked.

"I think it's sweet," she said, as then pointed off to the side.

"And you have another admirer," she said, as Summer spotted JJ watching and waiting for her, still in his uniform from working as a paramedic. She grabbed her towel and her bag, before hurrying over to greet him.

"Hey...you busy for lunch?" he asked.

"Not at all...Granny's?" she asked.

"They do have the best crinkle cut fries," he replied, with a smile.

"Definitely...it's a date," she agreed, as they joined hands and headed out to his car.

"How was work?" she asked.

"Slow day...but I guess that's good when you're a paramedic," he replied. They had been dating a little over a year now and things were getting serious between them. She hadn't told him that she loved him yet and he hadn't said it either...but she knew what she was feeling and was wondering if he felt the same. She thought about talking to Emma about it to see if she should tell him before he said it to her. She loved her Mom, but since her parents fell in love fighting trolls and her mom lost her memory, and her dad nearly died multiple times, and her mother was cursed before they could be together, Summer felt that her mother's experience in this matter was so different than the norm that Emma might be the better advisor in this aspect.

Her parents had this true, all encompassing love that was amazing, but could be intimidating at the same time. JJ was from the Land Without Magic, so she didn't want to scare him with all these expectations that she had about love. Emma had experience in his world as well and probably would have the best advice in this respect.

After an enjoyable lunch, they exited the diner, hand in hand and he looked over at her.

"You look like you have something to say," she mentioned. He smiled.

"Yeah…I'm just not sure how to say it," he replied.

"You can tell me anything," she assured him.

"So…I want to take you somewhere special tonight, for our date. But then I realized that I have no idea where," he said.

"Why don't we just take a walk? There's a lot of trails in the woods down by the Toll bridge," she replied. He smiled.

"Okay…I'll pick you up at seven," he said, as he leaned in and kissed her tenderly. Her heart fluttered, as she watched him go and then she turned to hurry in the other direction.

"Whoa...where the fire?" Emma asked.

"Emma...thank God, I have to talk to you," Summer replied. The blonde smirked.

"Okay...you can talk while I eat through these onion rings," she said, as they found an outdoor table at Granny's.

"So…JJ said he wanted to go somewhere special tonight and he didn't know where and stupid me just suggested that we take a walk on the trails down by the Toll bridge," Summer said. Emma shrugged.

"What's wrong with that?" she asked.

"Emma...it's the Toll bridge! I mean, the Toll bridge, as in the infamous Troll bridge where the greatest love story of all time was freaking born!" she replied.

"What if JJ thinks I have some expectations from him and he bails?" she fretted. Emma smirked.

"What if he doesn't and slaps the big L on you?" the blonde asked, enjoying her baby sister's tiny little freak out. Summer sat there, thinking that over for a minute.

"This stuff is so...hard!" she complained, making her older sister chuckle.

"Oh I know...believe me," she said.

"Maybe Mom and Dad have it right. Maybe fighting trolls and dodging Black Knights was easier than this," Summer said.

"Nah…Mom and Dad are just weird. In the best way, but weird. Love usually doesn't blossom from assault with a rock and entrapment by net," Emma replied, as they shared a chuckle.

"Or fighting smelly trolls," Summer added with a giggle.

"Seriously though...if he's thinking about taking you somewhere special, then he certainly wasn't planning on bailing in the first place, cause he would have already done that," Emma said. Summer nodded.

"Yeah…I guess you're right," she agreed.

"And he's not from here so if he's not running away after everything he's seen...then I don't think he's going to," she said. Summer nodded, instantly feeling better.

"Thanks…I was right to talk to you," Summer said.

"Anytime," Emma said, as they hugged.

"I have to get back to campus...I'll see you later," she called.

"Good luck!" Emma called back, as she finished lunch and headed back to the station.

~*~

Snow kissed him passionately, as they got dressed and he was trying to button his shirt.

"Mmm…I should have called for a three hour lunch," she mewled, as he kissed her intensely.

"I know...but we can always have an encore later tonight," he promised, as he kissed her forehead and finished buttoning his shirt.

"I am going to hold you to that, handsome," she purred, as they held each other close.

"Summer will be out with JJ and Bobby is going over to hang out with Gideon at Belle and Gold's. That leaves us to our own devices," he said. She smiled.

"I can't wait for that then," she replied, as he kissed her again, before leaving her office. She turned back to her desk and pulled up the model of the upcoming resort that was opening imminently on her computer. It was going to be a beautiful vacation spot, but there was still much to do.

"You're late," Regina said, as Snow logged back onto the meeting.

"Sorry…" Snow replied.

"That's okay...we're all late. No one wants to spend another three hours with Midas, even virtually," she said.

"True, but it's better than being in the same room as him and this whole virtual thing solves the problem of finding agreeable neutral locations for our meetings," Snow said, with a sigh.

"Why are all these stuffed shirts so concerned by where we have the meeting?" she complained. Regina smirked.

"Men, especially men stuck in their old ways, tend to be territorial," Jasmine chimed in, as she logged in.

"Midas must be losing his mind since you haven't admitted him to the meeting yet," Phillip said, as he logged on.

"No one can stand the windbag and this is coming from me, who has a windbag for a father-in-law," Eric agreed.

"At least Triton refuses to attend, because he can't be bothered with matters of the "filthy human world," as he puts it," Glinda said.

"Yeah...why hasn't Abigail and Frederick taken over at least some of his duties yet. He's no spring chicken," Zorro said. Usually, it was Rose or Fandral attending, but since they had gone to visit Thor, Zorro was standing in for them.

"That's easy...control issues. My mother was only too happy to hand these duties over to me," Tiana chimed in.

"You know, we could just forget to let him into the meeting," Elsa said.

"I'm with her," Guinevere agreed.

"I'm all for that. Dad warned me plenty about Midas," Thomas said.

"I still can't believe he suggested we allow a strip club," Snow complained. Regina snorted.

"I can," she said. Snow sighed.

"I think we need to utilize the mute button a bit more or I'm going to permanently mute him this time," Aphrodite said, making them chuckle.

"Let's get this over with," she said, as she admitted him to the meeting.

"You are ten minutes late, Queen Snow. Again. If you cannot conduct these meetings on time, then perhaps someone else should organize them," he replied. Snow rolled her eyes.

"Or maybe you shouldn't attend at all," she retorted. He snorted.

"Oh, you would love that, but this is as much my project as it is anyone's and I have many more proposals to be considered. Neverland, after all, is a territory and we agreed that it and Pleasure Island should not be acquisitioned by any one Kingdom," he said.

"You only agreed to that, because we would never let you use military force to take that territory," Phillip said, but Midas ignored him.

"Fine, Your Majesty, you have the floor for a final time. But I warn you, if anything proposed involves the exploitation of young people, it gets an immediate veto," Snow said, as the meeting continued. It was going to be a long afternoon.

~*~

"Yes...that's all of it," Henry said, as he talked to his publisher in the Land Without Magic and listened to him on the other end.

"I know that you're used to a bit more calamity going on around here, but believe me, the rest of us are enjoying the peaceful times. I think my readers can appreciate that," Henry said, rolling his eyes. This guy wanted drama and battle all the time.

"I agree...the politics here are pretty much the same. Believe me, it's my grandmother's least favorite part of her job," Henry said, before listening again.

"Yes, you'll have a detailed exclusive of the resort opening next week. I'll be covering it all," he said, as he listened to his publisher again.

"Thanks," Henry said, as he hung up, just as Ella carried a box into the kitchen.

"Not enough drama in Storybrooke this week for him?" she joked. He snickered.

"Yeah...he didn't say it's been boring lately, but I'm sure he's thinking it," he replied, as he looked at the box.

"What's this?" he asked.

"It was in the closet," she replied.

"Oh yeah...this is the box of manuscripts that Grimm left behind. Great grandpa Xander gave it to me to sort through. Guess I forgot about it," he muttered, as he leafed through the notebooks and wrinkled his nose.

"Yeah...this guy writes some dark stuff," he said.

"Wasn't he writing these so he could get your grandparents blood and use it as ink?" she asked. He nodded.

"Yeah…I think that was their plan," he said, as he tossed it back in the box with disgust.

"And he was pretty intent on torturing my grandparents," he said.

"We should burn these," Ella said.

"You're right…" he agreed, as they took the box into the backyard and emptied the contents into the fire pit. She handed the lighter and he lit the notebooks on fire.

"No gruesome, horrible futures for our family. Only happiness," Henry said, as he put his arm around her. She smiled and they watched the fire together.

~*~

"This was a great place to come...I knew I could count on you to pick the perfect place," JJ said, as they walked along the trail through the woods. They were well past the Toll Bridge now and the winter foliage and dusting of snow was gorgeous.

"I think it's a Charming thing...we all seem to love the woods. Except Emma," she joked. He chuckled.

"Did you have special places you liked to go back in Boston?" she asked.

"A few. There were a couple of nice parks and bike trails. The city is so busy though...it's nothing like here," he said, as he smiled at her.

"In a good way," he added, as they stopped by the babbling stream.

"This place is unique...is that what keeps you here?" she asked. He smiled and brushed her hair away from her face.

"No...you keep me here," he replied and she bit her bottom lip, as she blushed.

"I'm really not good at any of this," Summer confessed. He chuckled.

"You're you...and that's what I love," he confessed, as their eyes met.

"Love?" she squeaked. He smiled.

"Yeah…I love you. I was kind of nervous about how to tell you. I mean, you're the daughter of two people that have this amazing love story and I'm just a normal guy," he replied.

"You're not just normal. Believe me, if you were, my family or this place would have scared you away long ago," she joked. He chuckled.

"Guess so…" he said.

"I love you too, JJ," she replied and they shared a kiss at that. They joined hands then and started back toward town.

~*~

"Well...what do you think?" Natalie asked, as she finished her latest exhibit. Xander held his grandson and smiled.

"I think it looks great...just like what Snow and David described," he said, admiring the Cibola exhibit, particularly the new addition of the tallest tower display. Anyone was allowed to tour Cibola, but it was known now that not everyone was allowed to venture to the top of the tallest tower. They weren't sure what would happen if someone did, but Zia had been clear that the texts she had read forbade the wrong people from going there.

"Thanks," she said, as she stood back to admire her work and he put his hand on her shoulder.

"This combined with the new Northuldra display should draw a few classrooms," she said.

"It will do more than that," Xander said.

"He's right, sweetie," her mother agreed, as Thalia sided up to Xander and smiled, as she took their grandson from him.

"Thanks Mom," Natalie replied.

"Are you considering doing the digital tours?" Thalia asked.

"I am...I mean, this stuff is so amazing and the world should see it all. I just don't want to do anything to endanger our family," Natalie replied.

"And Snow and David seem to think there is no harm in virtual tours. They said that there are good people out there that deserve to see all this and since we can't let them in...virtually is a safe way to do it," Xander said.

"He's right...this is always what you wanted. To present the discoveries and wonders like this to the world," Thalia agreed. She nodded.

"We agree," David said, as he and Snow arrived, hand in hand.

"Yeah, we don't see how sharing the Atlantis museum with the world, at least virtually, will hurt. As much bad as we've seen…" Snow said, as she looked at her husband fondly.

"We know there is more good in the world than bad," she finished. He gently lifted her chin with his hand, as he caressed her cheek.

"There is...even if it doesn't always seem that way," he agreed.

"And the exhibit looks great. You recreated it down to the last detail," he added, as they came closer. Levi cooed and Snow couldn't help herself.

"Come see Aunty Snow," she said, as Thalia handed him to her and she cuddled him.

"Oh...you're getting so big," Snow cooed.

"Yeah...you'll be ready for those wooden swords before we know it, won't you, big guy?" David cooed to him, as he peered down.

"You're really insistent on the sword thing, huh?" Natalie asked.

"Of course...it's a Charming tradition," he replied.

"Well…I was going to ask who wants to babysit tonight so I could get a drink with Diego," she said, calling Zorro by his first name.

"But I sense that I don't need to," she replied.

"Yeah, we'll watch him. I think it's our turn anyway," David said.

"It's not...but sure," Xander replied.

"It is kind of their turn," Natalie told him.

"Okay...well, we get next time," Snow said, as she kissed his head and handed him back to Thalia.

"Okay...well, you have fun with grandma and grandpa, sweetie," Natalie said, as she kissed her son and gathered her stuff.

"Granny's?" Xander asked all of them. Snow and David smiled.

"Yeah, we'll join you," he said.

"Sounds like the perfect evening," Snow agreed.

~*~

King Runeard emerged from the desert that evening and loomed around the Agrabah marketplace. He had found the desert surrounding Agrabah to be ideal in the past year. It was vast and rarely traversed and thanks to his powers, he took shelter in the cave of wonders without incident. Thanks to his unique powers, he went undetected by the magic guarding the treasures inside. He had to be careful where he went, lest he wished to reveal himself. When he was too close to a Charming, the elements seemed to go wild, as if to warn their chosen. It infuriated him. He was being denied his Throne and magic had grown to be a very great nuisance. When he exterminated the Northuldra, this had been his reason for doing so. Magic was a disease and only when it was eliminated could the balance be restored. And he was going to find a way to do that.

He disappeared from the Agrabah marketplace and outside Iago's in the rundown east part of Storybrooke. It seemed to be the only portion of the town that was resistant to the Charmings and refused to be bettered by their interference. The only reason they were probably still allowed to exist was because the Charmings were not dictators. He found it absurd though. It was rot like this that he would be their undoing. They refused to crush their opposition, but that opposition would not hesitate to crush them in return, given the opportunity. He took advantage of this little spot though and walked into the Tavern. No one there would tell anyone if they happened to recognize him and most probably wouldn't anyway. He signaled the bartender and he gave him a skeptical look, before coming over to him.

"Your strongest ale," he requested.

"This ain't that fancy artisan place like they have on the west side. You want something hard in here, you should go with brandy or whiskey," the bartender said.

"Fine then...brandy," he replied. The bartender poured it for him and he took a drink.

"I don't want any trouble. I see one badge or one freaking Charming poke their head in this bar…" Iago said.

"And you'll do what against my power or theirs for that matter?" Runeard challenged. Iago closed his mouth and continued to glare at the man.

"Not to worry, my friend...I am not ready for any confrontation either and they barely patrol this end, am I correct?" Runeard asked.

"Here and there...but generally no. Charming sends someone to check on me once a while to see if he can find any violations or reasons to shut me down...but I'm careful," Iago replied.

"Good man...use their rules of good conduct against them," Runeard complimented.

"Yeah…I miss the days under Seth. Those days were lawless and he had Charming on a leash. He didn't bother me for two years and we were like the Pleasure Island of the Mainland," Iago replied.

"Yes...they have taken quite a bite out of the crime, so to speak, in the last year when they took down the island," Runeard agreed.

"Is that what you and all your patrons do? Lament the good 'ole days when you could thieve and pillage without check?" Runeard asked derisively.

"It's better than what you do...lurking in the shadows and pretending you have real power," Iago spat. Runeard touched the man and he was stricken. He started to turn gray, but Runeard pulled away. He gasped and fell back against the counter, as he looked at the man with wide eyes.

"I am not pretending I have power...I could kill everyone in this town with a simple touch. But as you can imagine, that power is not always feasible or easily weaponized. But when I figure out how to do it...then I will shred all the realms down to nothing and begin anew under my rule!" he said, as he stood up.

"I trust my drink is on the house," he said.

"Whatever...just get out!" Iago stammered. Runeard started to leave when a man at a table he passed called out.

"You might want to contact this man...he may be able to help you find what you need," the burly man said. Runeard looked at him and took the card.

"General Mendoza?" he asked. The man nodded.

"And how can someone from outside the United Realms help me?" Runeard asked.

"He wants to take the Charmings down as much as you and has vast resources, plus information or so he says," the man said.

"And why would he use you to tell me, Mr.?" Runeard asked.

"Rourke...and he hired me, because I'm a mercenary for hire and he pays very well. Do with that information what you will," Rourke replied, as he finished his drink.

"He sent this too, since he figured you wouldn't have one of these," Rourke continued, as he handed him a flip style cell phone.

"You'll have to figure out the rest, but it's what's called a burner phone and can't be traced," he added, before getting up and leaving the bar. Runeard left to and returned to his solace in the desert to contemplate this new development.

#Snowing #SnowxCharming #Charming family #OC Charmings #AU #original season 9 storyline #Rose Red #Fandral the Dashing #Dashing Rose #romance #adventure #family #Finding You Always #the epic continues

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imagine-fight-write · 4 years

Text

RANDOM - BANANA FISH REVIEW: VOL 1, PART 3 - MY FAVORITE SCENE in Vol. 1 ?

Welcome back to in-dept gushing about all the greatness of Banana Fish!

Whew, this took forever. Ah, but I love it so much! I hope you do too!

Today is extra lovely, because today we meet our main monstrous villain, Dino Golzine!

He is a glorious villain, just you wait. Oh, how I hate this man.

Yes I’m aware he’s a fictional character, but I can’t help but remember there are too many actual people like him in real life. No seriously. There are too many. I try not to think about this fact too much, & you shouldn’t either. Ah, but remember!

There’s hundreds, no thousands, billions more good people.

(here’s a few)

Or at least, people trying to be good. Sometimes they fail. Sometimes they don’t.

People who are fighting people like Dino Golzine.

You can join them. And they’re the ones who’re going to win in the end & have the last laugh & final joy.

Not people like Dino Golzine.

*Speaking of Dino Golzine, there are not a lot of useful gifs of him. Why?

I need them to make fascinating blog posts for you. Someone with the skills snap to it, thanks.

Before we begin, please note, if you haven’t read this scene yet, or the back summary of Volume 1, please do that 1st. Otherwise you’ll be spoiled.

Summary: So. Ash, a clever & skillful gang leader in New York City in the 1980′s, has arrived at Dino’s mansion, demanding answers for why 2 of his gang members were out murdering a dude on Dino’s orders. Marvin, of all people, delivers a deliciously chilling line I gushed about last time:

“I’ve never seen you in the sunshine before.”

And finally Ash is let inside the mansion.

It occurs to me I’m not exactly sure where Dino Golzine’s mansion is. Except it’s outside of New York - there’s trees & grass - & Ash mentions it’s a long way for him to come out for a talk. A suburb place?

Not sure why I’m musing about this. Let’s continue.

Wait! Is this also the same mansion where we have the infamous dinner & the grenade launcher line? Or does Dino have more than 1 mansion? (He probably has more than one.) But I’m going to guess they’re the same. Moving on.

So, starting pg. 36, Dino’s bodyguards have the best mustaches.

(Not as epic as Hercule Poirot. But up there in epicness.)

Also 1 of the fabulously mustached bodyguards is named Angie. Angie. No, I am not making this up (read pg. 40.) This is priceless. Also very 80’s. Stay classy, Banana Fish. (Which was written in the 80’s, remember.)

*I can’t spelled mustache, much less mustached, by the way.

Oh, & I try to keep my blog clean (if sometimes grim, bloody, & funny) but I must point out the joke Ash makes to the bodyguards in the top panel of page 36. “Groupies” is a special word for me, because it was lovingly explained to me by a friend in high school. By which I mean I was laughing so hard it hurt, & couldn’t stop for several minutes. Great memories!

Ah, & I’m intrigued by Ash’s words to the fabulously mustached bodyguards,

“Relax . . . I just came to talk. Not pick a fight.”

(Can’t you just tell Ash’s a teenager, ragging on grown-ups every chance he gets? And they all deserve it, by the way.)

But anyway, I’m so intrigued! Has Ash come in before wanting to pick a fight, or caused a fight, and over what? Also, Ash likes to tease the bodyguards about being overprotective. And it’s funny & I understand why he does it (trying to pretend he doesn’t care & isn’t bothered by them & hey, maybe he isn’t). But I will point out, being “over protective” is how bodyguards should be. It’s their job. Because you never know.

Anyway, 1 of the guards, who I’m going to call Angie because I’m not sure who’s who, discreetly knocks, in the middle panel pg. 36, to the door of Dino’s - Dining room? Breakfast room? (Dino’s rich enough to have both). Anyway, Dino is eating breakfast. This is important & I’ll explain why in a moment. 1st, I do want to critique this panel, because I think the star shape indicating the knock should’ve been bigger & higher up - it gets dominated by the speech bubble. Then again, it is a discreet knock. Dino says “come in” in classic bad guy fashion, and before he lets Ash in, Angie gives him such a look. (I can’t describe it, it’s great.)

This is roughly my response.

Finally we get to see Dino Golzine!

I hate this man, so much.

Note how the first panel of him, bottom of pg. 36 is disturbing - because we actually don’t see his face until the next page. Naturally, since he’s the main bad, we should be disturbed. Also note how he’s surrounded by signs of wealth - a butler / footman, fine dining, French windows open to green countryside, potted plants and soft rugs, and a pair of lovely double doors.

Otaku, She Wrote has a great analysis of this in the anime:

https://otakushewrote.wordpress.com/2018/07/07/banana-fish-1-a-perfect-day-for-bananafish/

I love double doors. You go through them & always feel grand. Oh yes, and Dino Golzine is dressed in a classic fancy robe / dressing gown. Typical mob boss. Now, although we don’t see his face yet, Dino does speak. Right away, it’s a power play. Dino makes it clear he knows Ash & is familiar with him, can guess his actions: “I thought you might come.” This is a statement reminding Ash Dino has power over him. Yes, he concedes Ash came earlier than expected. But he was still expecting him.

*Please note Angie’s fabulous mustache on the top of panel of pg. 37.

Ash doesn’t reply, so Dino offers breakfast (another sign of how early it is.)

There actually weren’t any pancakes (that I saw), but I included this because it looked fancy (and delicious.) There was actually an egg, & either bacon or sausage. So it was actually like this:

But fancy. That’s from Howl’s Moving Castle, by the way.

Back to Banana Fish.

I’m guessing Ash got maybe 6-7 hours of sleep. No wonder he takes a nap later. (It was almost 1 in the morning when he finds the poor dead guy, as a time stamp helpfully tells us.)

(Another Howl’s Moving Castle gif. I’m distracted.)

Back to Banana Fish.

Ash refuses the offer of breakfast (I wouldn’t accept it either.) Not that I think the food is drugged or something (though I wouldn’t be surprised OR if Dino had done such a thing before). (Shudders) But it’s the principle of the thing. Don’t accept food / eat at a table with monsters. By which I mean people who are terrible & evil & have no remorse for all the pain they inflict on others.

Food & eating together is a sign of community practically everywhere in the world. (I assume?)

And Dino Golzine is most definitely Ash’s enemy. Despite them currently having an agreement.

So of course, Ash refuses the offer of food. Just wait until their fight starts. It’s beautiful. There are conversations that are basically exchanges of epic threats & insults. I love it.

And now I’m wondering what Ash ate for breakfast. Probably not much? Food is important, especially breakfast! It’s basically the fuel you start the day with. (says the person who usually dashes off with toast & a granola bar & coffee.) What do you usually eat in the morning? I’m always curious.

OR What is your favorite breakfast?

(I’m going to fall on the Breakfast Hill, but I love the inclusion of sign language here in The Dragon Prince.)

Anyway, back to Banana Fish. Dino brags about how his food comes from a farm in Surry, wherever that is.

I want to say Surry, England for some reason (probably because it sounds posh) but that can’t be right. Can it? So, after bragging, Dino asks if Ash is sure he doesn’t want to eat. Ash responds, “I didn’t come all the way out here to eat.”

And the bodyguard I’ll name Toussaint (what a name, I like it but it’s strange) Toussaint gives Angie such a look behind Ash’s back. You can practically hear the mental sigh, followed by “kids.” Or maybe “teenagers.” (sigh)

The poor bodyguards. Also, for shame, Dino does not finish his breakfast. He wastes food! After bragging about it and everything! There was still a whole egg on it! And bacon! (I think). Wasteful. (Eggs are really good for you & easy to make!) This man . . . Even in the small things, I can’t stand him . . .

Of course, I will admit it is uncomfortable eating when no one else is and they’re standing right there waiting for you to finish. Dino would lose power in that exchange. So that’s probably why he didn’t finish. But still. Oh yes, and please note, Dino is sitting at a table (whose legs I don’t trust, they look so delicate) while Ash is standing. This changes, and that’s important. Note their positions before Ash leaves at the end of their conversation. This whole scene, in fact, is fascinating. Especially when you compare it to other conversations Ash & Dino have later. Here, as you’ll soon realize, Dino is the one with the power. Ash goes to him demanding answers. Meaning, Dino is the one with knowledge & the power to give it or refuse. Yes, Ash quips and mouths off, but it’s clear he’s the one on defense.

Of course, given Ash’s smarts, one could argue his “powerlessness” here is at least partly an act & also how Ash survives. But not, I’d argue, entirely. Dino Golzine does hold a tremendous amount of power over Ash. Like it or not, it’s simply a fact.

Also of note is the parent-teenager vibes in the conversation. Which makes partial sense, as Ash is, or was (?) Dino’s heir (remember the synopsis on the back of the volume). Except remember, it also mentions Ash was Dino’s “sex toy.” (shudders)

Their relationship is all amounts of complex, confusing, & disturbing, is what I’m saying. (I’m so confused & disturbed). Now on to the actual conversation! (the dialog is great, by the way.)

At the bottom of pg.37 we finally see Dino’s face / ugly mug, & he makes a very resigned parent comment & expression, “I’ve told you before. Keep your hands out of your pockets when you talk to me.” Ash responds with classic teenage mulish silence, complete with glaring.

Dino orders his bodyguards to take it off him, but Ash is like fine, & gives this challenging statement (particularly bold given their history) “You can’t relax until you’ve completely stripped me.” (This is such a Femme Fatale statement.)

(I have yet to watch Double Indemnity yet, but oh, I really want to.)

Back to Banana Fish. Dino just laughs Ash’s comment off however, and moves the conversation to the den (another power play.)

Laughing at a challenging statement & ignoring it also demeans it.

(Both Hiei & Kurama are laughing at something Yusuke said in YuYuHakusho, which if you haven’t watched / read, please do. It’s hillarious & has a lot of heart.)

A lot like Banana Fish.

*Note: This is why, if someone kidnaps you, fight for your life if they try to take you to a different location. Because 9 times out of 10, it will not end well for you.

Also, as shown above, it’s actually extremely hard to shove somebody into a car / trunk, so you can sleep well tonight.

There’s 2 grown dudes trying to shove a teenager (probably underfed) into a car & they are having difficulties. I’m just waiting for red haired dude to get his eyes jabbed, & dark haired dude is going to get bit or a head butt in the face. ( I haven’t gotten to a part where anyone is trying to kidnap Ash yet, so you’re as spoiled &, I hope, intrigued as I am.)

But back to Volume 1.

In the den, Dino offers Ash a drink (another sign of friendship, like food, especially since it’s a alcoholic drink).

*It makes sense. After all, being drunk, or even tipsy is to also be vulnerable. Thus, if you’re wise, only drink with friends & family, or at least people who you trust.

Or drink alone. Nothing wrong with that either.

Ash refuses the offer, (as any decent person would) and mocks it, calling it “booze” (scoring a point in the power play) but Dino hands him the drink anyway.

Dino also brags about, “my newest concoction.” Otaku, She Wrote mocks this in her review of the same scene in the anime, it’s great. (Dino deserves to be mocked. He deserves everything shameful & terrible. I really do despise him.)

(Not quite enough glare & disgust, but it’s the best gif I could find.)

Note how often even in this single scene Dino continually ignores or overrides Ash’s refusals or flat out “no’s”. It’s a clear sign of just how little respect he has for Ash (also creepy). An excellent touch done by the mangaka, Akimi Yoshida.

Note: fancy drinks will come up again in another conversation between them, in which Dino asks if Ash remembers training that Dino gave him. This man never stops with the reminders of power. Then again, he is a mob boss.

(I’m sure Dino would respond “yes” to this offer. Dino even pets a cat later too! I just wanted to point that out.) I’m sure his history is fascinating (and bloody).

Ash ignores the drink & gets down to business, demanding to know why Dino sent his / Ash’s gang members to kill the mysterious banana fish dude.

To be clear: A grown man sent teenagers to kill a man. For money.

Dino reminds Ash he calls the shots (literally, in this case): “. . . Any why I didn’t tell you? I wouldn’t think it necessary to trouble you with a matter so trivial.” This is a very condescending statement. Again, Dino speaks like a parent to a child. Or a man to a lady, “Don’t worry your pretty head about it.”

Except this “trivial” matter Dino speaks of is murdering a dude.

(Yes, he deserves a burned hand, & a lot more.) Ash calls him out on this & is upset, as any decent person would. He smacks the table (top of pg. 40). Great emphasis on the line work, except the drink sorta appears to merge with Ash’s hand. (Whoops.)

Dino’s bodyguards burst in, as good bodyguards would, concerned by the shattering glass.

In yet another power display, Dino dismisses them, claiming it’s nothing and cooly tells Ash to calm down.

(Not exactly like this, but you get the gist. Also, I need to watch Koroko no Basket.) (Adds to never-ending list of anime & manga)

Dino does make a quick apology for upsetting Ash, but one without weight, saying he doesn’t take Ash’s position as a gang leader “lightly.” This sounds respectful, but I think it’s actually a subtle reminder Ash is where he is because of Dino. Ash’s reaction (top of pg.41) highlights this. He slumps back on the couch.

(just look at Ash’s defeated pose. And Dino hasn’t done anything but talk.

He’s like the bad guy in the 1st book of the Sharing Knife series by Lois Bujold, which you should seriously check out, it’s great.)

Anyway, Ash sags at Dino’s words, because the point worked: he remembers how much power Dino has over him.

He stops arguing, though still upset. Oh yeah, he keeps talking, fiercely, but you can hear the uselessness in his voice (or imagine it, if you’re reading the manga), “We had an agreement. You promised not to use my boys to kill!” On my re-read of this I was like, “Oh sweetie, you’re talking to a mob boss. What were you expecting?”

(the tea, or in this case, coffee, is always poisoned, by the way. Or drugged. And probably tastes bad too, because bad people have no taste. Or skill. Unless they’re the lead villain. In which case, at least you can enjoy your cup of poisoned tea or coffee before you die or are otherwise horribly inconvenienced.)

But, Ash does not accept the wine glass in this case, which has already been spilled & smashed, so lets continue.

“You promised not to use my boys to kill!” Ash to Dino This almost sounds remarkably naive compared to the smart, street-wise Ash later on. Except it also reflects comments later on in this volume, how the teenage gangs have an honor system (and consider themselves morally superior to the grown-ups. Ah, I love it.)

(this is so me. Also, Kuwabara’s cat is the cutest anime cat I can think of in a quick 5 seconds.)

*YuYu Hakusho is also a show where the heroes have to fight unfair, powerful, & dishonerable grown-ups. It’s also rip roaring funny. Yusuke & Ash would probably get along, while Eiji & Kurama would definitely be friends. Ash would be friends with Kurama too. I’m not sure how he’d respond to Hiei or Kuwabara though . . . I love both shows so much.

*Random Note: For some reason I’m reminded of deal Lando makes with Darth Vader in the Empire Strikes Back. There, it’s also clear that Vader has all the power. “Pray I do not alter it any further.”

Dino usurps Ash’s power again, negating the agreement by insisting “the circumstances were extraordinary” & the man “wasn’t a member of the syndicate” which I assume is part of their agreement, a.k.a., no asking members of Ash’s gang to take out people in the mob. I am now highly curious as to when they came to this agreement, & when & how, but alas, no details yet. Again, Dino trivializes the assignment, calling murdering a person:

“a very tiny mouse that wanted stepping.” Brrr.

*This is from Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of Nimh, which is also based on a great book. I always think fondly of mice because of this. Also due to Redwall.

Here, Dino is clearly trying to play it off as nothing (which to him it partly is, he has no qualms about murdering people) but also because he wants Ash to leave the matter alone. So he also expresses surprise Ash even bothered to learn about it. Note at this point Ash is sitting on a couch & Dino is pacing or standing near him. Like this:

*I know I used this gif before, but like I said, the gifs are few.

The power dynamic is obvious. Again, props to the mangaka. It would’ve been easy to have them both sitting or standing, but here the power Dino has is obvious in their mere positions. After Ash mentions he noticed the 2 gang members were acting suspicious, Dino praises him for being smart. Again, like a parent praising a child. Dino continues, saying Ash is too smart to be a mere gang leader and makes this statement, while placing his hand on Ash’s shoulder, “I do wish you’d put that right hand of yours to work for me.”

The reader already knows Ash is dangerous with a gun (recall the scene with his 2 gang members earlier) & this echos that.

Still, the double meaning of the statement is obvious, especially when you remember the synopsis on the back of the volume.

And if you don’t know what it means, I say it’s not important & disgusting. More power to you for not knowing.

I am curious as to how Ash escaped that & got free to have the more respectful role of gang leader. Note, it’s also clear from their talk Dino & Ash have had some falling out, or at least distancing (since Ash became a gang leader, maybe? I really want to know!)

Also, based on the rest of the conversation, you can tell Ash isn’t just one of the no doubt numerous gang leaders Dino knows, uses, & supports.

The synopsis on the back cover says Ash was brought up as “Dino’s heir” but it’s clear he rejected that path.I really want to know why & what caused him to change. And what happened. How did Dino notice him the first place? Was it pure chance, or did Ash do it on purpose, to survive?

Anyway, Dino asks if Ash “would put that right hand to work for him”.

Ash responds to Dino’s disgusting offer with a great quip, “Is that a joke, or have you actually gone senile?”

Reminding Dino of his age (who’s like 50? even Google isn’t sure) complete with a mocking grin too.

Score for Ash!

Except not when you remember Dino’s creepy vibes / words all through this conversation, especially at the end.

And I must remind you, dear reader, Ash is 17/18. Meaning, there’s at least a

30 year gap between their ages.

And there’s nothing wrong with age gaps in relationships, romantic or not.

I like the Sharing Knife series, for example. Sailor Moon & Tuxedo Mask,

Tohru’s parents in Fruits Basket, etc. Those have age gaps, but they’re good.

What’s wrong here is Ash & Dino’s relationship is abuse, no matter how you slice it. Their’s is in no way, shape, or form one of mutual respect, care, or even basic agreement or attraction by both.

Ash & Dino’s relationship never was & never will be healthy or good for either one of them (unless something stunning happens that I haven’t gotten to yet. I mean, people do change, even monstrous ones.)

Still, even in this 1st scene, it’s clear their relationship is bad. Dino holds all the power & is determined to keep it. There‘s no mutual respect or care between them, no matter how Dino tries to convince himself otherwise. Only dominance, fighting quips, & words wielded like weapons. Dino doesn’t care about what Ash wants - Dino just wants to use him.

Ash, in turn, has only used what Dino has given & taught him in order to survive. He never wants or cares about Dino’s attention, & makes this very clear even in his littlest actions.

Remember. He didn’t come to Dino’s mansion because he wanted to. It was for information only, and quick as he can, he leaves.

Now, back to the conversation. Dino responds to the age zinger by reminding Ash he watched Ash grow up & helped train him, taught him all he knows, (I’m smarter & older than you).

He also reminds Ash of previous weakness, “You used to cry over every assignment I gave you.”

(I told you Dino’s play for power never stops.)

The reader can assume those assignments were also murdering people, just as Dino casually ordered Ash’s 2 gang members to do. Brrr. It also reminds Ash of the power Dino has over him, training him.

*Which means, since Ash is a badass fighter, Dino is too. I mean, he is a mob boss after all. And he’s not so old he can’t still be in good shape.

I bet you Dino’s good with a gun. Ash quips it off, “I’ve got a bad memory” but it’s a feeble jab & Dino doesn’t relent, “There’s something you must never forget . . . It was I who took you in.” Dino has the power here & he’s determined to make Ash remember it again. I took you in. Raised you. Trained you. Made you everything you are today. I own you. I know you. Brrr. It’s so creepy & controlling.

And it’s all done with words. Dino actually hasn’t done anything yet (apart from hinted history. Just you wait.) Poor Ash. Even without knowing the specifics of Ash’s & Dino’s relationship, it’s clear Dino has some twisted hold over Ash. Whew. I’m exhausted just reviewing this scene. And we’re not done yet. Dino is just so - overwhelming. As a good villain should be. Banana Fish. I love it.

So. After that chilling reminder of how much power he has over Ash, Dino lightens the mood a bit - note how often he directs the conversation.

He asks, jokingly, if Ash has a girlfriend - while also pointing out he keeps tabs on Ash’s spending & has noticed he’s been spending more lately. Yet another sign of his power (over Ash.) This man never stops, not even with jokes (no wonder he’s a mob boss.) Fight him, Ash!

And Ash does. He snaps, “None of your business!” I must note, I cannot lie, Ash looks cute & angry in this panel (middle of pg. 43.) Also Dino’s knowing look in the panel next to it is all sorts of creepy. Have I mentioned art in Banana Fish is good? Because it is. Dino puts his hand around Ash’s throat in a very intimate manner (your throat is very vulnerable, as I’m sure you’re all aware). I will note the art here makes the gesture look very odd. It looks less a tender gesture & more like also a choke, or the threat of one. But maybe that’s the point? Dino’s also standing while Ash is still sitting on the couch, by the way. Dino says, I imagine quite softly, “Don’t forget me. You know I love you, sweetheart.”

Now, taken out of context, this sounds like a line said to a lover. Or even a parent to a child. But it’s clearly not. First, Ash’s expression in the bottom panel has none of the delight or relaxation such a line should make. He looks - resigned? Uneasy? Distant?

This is why I (truly) love manga. Because expressions can be read in so many ways. Regardless, it’s clear Ash is not happy or pleased by this (supposedly) endearing statement. He looks like he’s remembering things he’d rather forget, and resigned to Dino touching him. Resigned, as in, I have no choice, I can’t brush him off. All the red flags & sirens should be wailing & waving in your mind.

They’re wailing in mine. Even if Dino meant that as a parent / mentor (mentor hah! I mean, teacher), it’s still messed up.

Because, as I hope I’ve made it clear while analyzing their conversation so far, it’s clear even if Dino himself believes these words (which he very well could) and yes, even if Ash believes Dino cares about him - It’s clearly not true. Dino’s actions make it obvious - he doesn’t respect Ash (much). He clearly, without doubt, doesn’t view Ash as an equal. Only someone to use, & discard at his leisure. And it’s hard, if not impossible to my mind, to care about or love someone who you don’t respect. Note: I don’t think Ash believes Dino’s words. And finally, the conversation is over. Whew, I need a cup of hot tea & some sunshine, that was awful & tiring. No wonder Ash takes a nap after this. The conversation is done, Ash is out, vest & all. He’s his mouthy teenage self again, quipping at the poor bodyguards, pg. 44, top panel. “Thank you so much for your concern.” Ah, I love it. Most people would leave it there & move on, but I’m a suspicious individual with a dark imagination. Did the convo really end with Dino’s creepy “I love you, sweetheart” & Ash got up & left. OR was there more? After all, when Ash steps out, he’s wearing his vest again. Hands in his pockets, of course. A small defiance, but one nonetheless. Of course, he just grabbed it on his way out from the den to the - what do you call it? The breakfast room, let’s just call it that. The room where Dino wasted perfectly good food.

I am not going to forget. Anyway, ignore my dark suspicions (I’m just concerned by Ash’s silence & his unease in that last panel.) Because Shorter is here!!! (pg.44)

*Shorter usually has purple hair, but I like this gif a lot. It’s shows how Shorter is great at talking over information with Ash.

His coat looks so comfy in the manga. Also I love the tiny heart next to his eye. Shorter is important - not the least because he shares one of the funniest scenes in Banana Fish with Ash later. I am so excited!

Also because next time will be some great stuff about teenage gangs (and how they’re better than the grown-ups) & we meet Skip!!! & Eiji!!! & Ibe!!!! Unless I gush too much 1st. Then it might the post after. There will be mystery, snark, & danger.

Until next time!

#random #banana fish #banana fish review #Volume 1 #part 3 #manga #ash lynx #funny #breakfast #dino golzine #howl's moving castle #yu yu hakusho #the godfather #mrs. frisby and the rats of nimh #film #anime

2 notes · View notes

statementends · 5 years

Note

Oooh for bthb, jonmartin and stalking?

@peachblossom-odyssey asked for Jonmartin, Stalking

@badthingshappenbingo

Summary: Jon and Martin meet in a coffee shop. Does it really count as stalking if both parties have their eyes on each other?

Special thanks to: @backofthebookshelf, @sunlaire and @podcastenthusiast cause I used elements of Coffee Shop AU? in this.

AO3: Link

It was stupid.

No it wasn’t stupid–

This was–alright… the thing was…

This is pathetic.

Martin sighed. He sat at the same table he had been sitting at for a week hoping he might come in again. He tried to tell himself that it was because he was like him, or something… adjacent to him. Tried to justify it to himself as fact finding and research.

He didn’t want to see him again because he was that lonely.

It wasn’t because of the way his eyes caught on Martin. How he scanned the room and stopped on him and made a beeline.

Rumpled clothes, dark circles under his eyes, strange scars on the few places he showed skin.

Handsome definitely wasn’t the word… maybe underneath it all. If he hadn’t been so stunned he might have caught him. Tangled a bit of thread in his hair and made him to go home and sleep. He hadn’t even thought of it though after he told his entire tale to the complete stranger without fear or embarrassment.

Well… not without fear. He felt the same terror. Spiders across his skin. Feeling changed. Knowing he had changed.

For the last week there were times he’d dream of the man. It was strange though. Like an eye in the crack of the door. Like there should be more intensity to it, but something protected him. Maybe his powers.

He sipped his tea trying not to let the disappointment soak in. He still hadn’t come. Maybe he really had just come for Martin. To hear his story.

Seeing him.

Martin wanted to be seen again.

Maybe it was new instinct.

It wasn’t. Martin, despite being a nice man was good at manipulation. Knew how to tug and where to tug. He knew how to get people where he wanted them, usually by offering tea and biscuits.

Tea wasn’t the man’s favourite drink though.

Jon stopped short.

In there.

He stepped inside the cafe without a thought. Scanned around. Startled when he recognised one of the faces–but–

Oh.

That one.

He needed to hear… from them.

He tried to play it casual. Tried not to be frightening. He’d like to think he wasn’t very good at being a monster, but he was. He was very good at terrifying people without trying. The woman finished and before he could thank her she stood up and left. He frowned. Usually they… stuck around.

He felt better though. A lot better. He was about to stand when–

Oh. He had forgotten, the man he recognised.

“Hello,” The man said. He had a round kind face. Big and tall, but not very intimidating and yet Jon was on edge.

Well, he had heard his story. Even knowing everything he knew now spiders still creeped him out.

“Ah… hi.”

“We didn’t introduce ourselves properly last time,” The man continued pleasantly enough. It didn’t seem like he was about to be hit… which was a good sign.

“Oh uh… well I… yes. Jon.”

“Jon. I’m Martin. You left quickly last time.”

“I ah… I’m not entirely comfortable with spiders…” Jon said slowly.

“Really? I’m not entirely comfortable with telling a complete stranger my trauma without him buying me a drink first, but here we are.”

Jon’s face went hot with embarrassment. “Oh, ah… yes I can understand that…”

Martin had a weird look on his face that Jon read as disdain, but in reality was Martin realizing he was finding himself faced with trying to decide if this was low standards on his part or if Jon really was as adorable as he was thinking eyebags and all.

“I uh… won’t do it again?” Jon tried to promise, tried to get up from his seat, but he felt stuck there.

“Oh no, it’s fine!” Martin said quickly, his own blush appearing on his face. “Or… no, it isn’t fine, but I don’t… I mean… I do… but I…”

“I should go.” He felt panic when he still couldn’t move from his seat, but finally something snapped and he was able to stand. He fled the cafe.

Martin banged his head on the table.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Jon’s fingers trembled as his tapped his oyster card.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Next time Martin found himself a corner. Watched as Jon came in. No hesitation. Like the pull was too great. He watched, fascinated, Jon’s eyes–pretty eyes, definitely pretty eyes– devoured the man in front of him as he told him his story. What a strange… power? Martin still wasn’t quite sure what he was. The term monster had crossed his mind, but he had decided that was a bit too dramatic.

Human adjacent? Previously Human? Metahuman? It was a bit like a comic book. There had been no one to explain it to him. Not in detail. All of it was guesses and experimentation. If he had anyone to confide in he might have made a spiderman joke…

Hero wasn’t the word though. Definitely not. He was hurting people. Even if they were… nasty people… the gym teacher that had humiliated him and made him cry in front of his entire grade. His former supervisor who had been stealing money from the register and had blamed him. Got him fired. It had been almost impossible to get a job after that. They deserved this… they deserved his webs and they deserved Jon prying it out of them…

He knuckles went a little white. He should probably be more afraid for himself… but it was nice to win for once.

He pulled his thread and Mr. O’Conner left leaving Jon and two cups of tea. Martin smiled fondly. Jon had bought Mr. O’Conner tea for his statement.

He jerked up a little noticing Jon was staring at him. A pleasant shiver ran down his spine. He wanted to approach again, but wasn’t sure what to say. Something like: Hey, I’m like you, there’s no need to be worried about it. Or: I know you don’t like spiders, but they’re actually quite neat if you get to know them. Or something like: Please don’t stop looking at me.

Yikes Martin, alright.

Tentatively Jon stood, as if testing that he would be able to. With a bit of disappointment Martin let him. He knew he could… do as he liked with people… that if he wanted he could string Jon over and talk to him more, nothing really was stopping him. It wasn’t like he hasn’t … experimented a little, nothing too terrible, just cutting queues and stopping the bus from leaving before he got to the stop.

And… maybe having the posh looking man at the bank withdraw a hundred pounds and give it to him…

He had checked his statement first though! Made sure he could afford it… he just… he was a bit behind on money for mum.

Everything felt so… within reach now.

He watched longingly as Jon left the cafe. Could still feel his eyes on him.

Who was really watching who?

He found Martin was watching him. It was strange. Being able to actually spot the person watching him for once. The Eye was always there of course, and Elias he was sure kept close watch. He never saw them though. But Martin was watching him.

He rubbed the back of his neck. Felt himself watching right back even though he’d rather not at the moment. Curiosity tingled, who was he? What was he? Why was he always here and why were there always statements?

Web statements.

He tentatively stood, but found he could move just fine. Memories of Mr. Spider clawed at the periphery. He left, still pondering the cafe and Martin, and what any of it might mean.

He was … enjoying it. He couldn’t bring himself to feel ashamed though. Watching Jon… eat? It was… a sight to behold. And it was like his powers in some ways. Jon asked questions and no one would deny him answers.

Martin tried to grab tables that would have the best angles of Jon’s face. He would always be absorbed in the stories told to him, his face mirrored the terrifying scenes. Like he was afraid. Feeling their fear, but it was fueling him. He always looked so much healthier after hearing the stories. Like how Martin felt better tugging at people’s lives and pulling them in different directions. He was getting better at that. He had even found a person with a story that wasn’t about him. Jon had seemed surprised. Had glanced at him afterwards.

Martin forgot how wonderful his direct gaze was, being on the edges for the past fortnight.

He watched as Jon slowly approached him. Tentative and shy. He felt his own wave of nerves. It was easy to forget that he could control any situation at the snap of his fingers. He wondered what would happen if Jon asked him questions. How would it affect him.

“You’re… doing this, right? The… statements.”

“Statements?”

“I… yes. That’s… that’s what they are,” Jon explained. It seemed like he expected Martin to know already.

“Are you a police officer?”

“You… don’t know who I am?” Jon looked more relieved than anything, although there was a new worry surfacing in his pretty brown eyes.

“No clue. Should I?”

Jon shook his head. He nervously tapped the table with his long fingers. Working up the nerve to do something.

“I just…–why are you doing this?” And suddenly his fidgeting was gone, his tone was deep. Martin could feel a pleasant sort of static run across his forearms.

And he told him.

“I have a crush on you. I like the way you look at me.”

“W-what!?” Jon’s voice went higher, all the power in his tone gone.

“Oh that was…” Martin’s face went fire hot in embarrassment. He hadn’t meant to say that. Really he should have saw it coming, but he had thought it only worked with fear. “Sorry! Don’t–don’t run off!”

But Jon was looking to do just that.

Martin caught him with threads.

“Stop it.”

“You did it to me first. Just… just stay put for just a moment. I’m–I’m not going to hurt you or anything.”

“You’re from the web.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

Jon frowned. “You aren’t lying…”

“I just thought… we have a lot in common. I’d like to get to know you, Jon.”

“This could be a trap.”

“You have a magic power that can pull the truth from people. Are you really worried about being lied to?”

“You’d be surprised…” Jon said softly. “So you…you’ve been doing this… bringing people here? Those stories are about…”

“Uh… me… yeah. Well… mostly.”

“Because you have a…”

“Crush uh… yeah.” Martin laughed awkwardly. He realized he was holding his threads tightly. If he let go now he might not see Jon again.

Jon looked embarrassed and unsure.

“What?” Martin asked quietly.

“I… I’m not exactly… the type people get affectionate over… especially from afar,” Jon answered. “And you’re so…” He blushed, looked to the side. “Well, you could obviously do better so I–”

“Do better?” Martin squeaked.

“Ah–” Jon’s voice was panicked. “I mean… you are… you’re very…” He coughed. “You’re cute.”

“You think I’m cute!?” Martin didn’t know whether this was encouraging or not. Considering he was becoming some sort of spider monster maybe it was a good sign.

“Could you–could you maybe let go? I–I promise I won’t leave it just… it makes me–I’ve had bad experiences with… spiders…”

“Oh…” Martin hesitated, but slowly let his webs fall slack. Jon took a calming breath. He didn’t run. That was encouraging.

Martin asked if they could meet again and Jon agreed.

His instincts told him to run and run and run. And maybe it was Martin pulling him back against his will without his even knowing it… but… no. He would know.

Honestly this was a terrible idea, but it was…

Nice.

A normal sort of nice, even if he wasn’t normal anymore, even if Martin wasn’t a normal person. Martin admitting with a blush on his face that he had a crush was… a nice feeling and he wanted to explore it.

And Martin wasn’t human… but that meant he couldn’t hurt him.

He had hurt a lot of people by now. Starving was too hard. Fighting against himself was too hard. He was alone–no, worse. He had Elias who whispered in his ear and was so pleased when he let go another little part of himself for knowledge and the Eye.

And he’d be lying if part of all this wasn’t curiosity. Wanting to know Martin, this … web avatar that doesn’t quite know what he is. Wanting to know the type of person that finds Jon… alluring?

Jon held his head in his hands at the thought. No. Alluring was not the word for any of this. This was silly. He had so many terrible things to worry about. Why was he doing this to himself?

“Jon?”

“Oh! Martin–right.” Jon put down his hands and sat up straight. Martin smiled at him affectionately.

“Did I catch you by surprise?”

“Usually you’re here first.”

They decided to meet again at the coffee shop. Jon had shown up an hour early because if he hadn’t he would have paced in his office.

“Usually I have to set everything up, it’s nice to have the free time… it’s nice to see you came.” Martin added shly.

Jon nodded, played with his fingers. “I… yes, well… I was curious… and… you seem…”

“Nice?” Martin supplied with just a tinge of bitterness. Jon felt the knowledge click into place in his head. Martin had never been a popular boy, but he had never been particularly bullied. Just a neutral person in the background that the people around him found pleasant. “Nice.”

Nice was a word you used when you didn’t know a person at all, at least that’s what Martin thought. Jon had always thought of nice as a nice thing, but with a wave he knew how Martin felt about it. Unseen. Alone.

“No, I–” Jon said quickly. “Interesting…you seem interesting.”

Martin perked up just a little at that.

“I mean,” Martin laughed. “I guess nice isn’t really the word for something like us now, is it?”

“No, not really, although I don’t think anyone would call me nice even before.”

“Ah have you always been interesting then, Jon?” Martin teased.

“Er, well, more of the odd one out. I don’t… do people very well.”

“But you talk to them a lot now.”

“To feed off their greatest fears. It doesn’t exactly win friends.”

“It got my attention,” Martin smiled.

They talked for… longer than Jon had thought. It was getting dark outside and their drinks had grown cold. Martin was an interesting person. Jon even told him a bit of what he knew of the Web, the other powers… more than he had meant to maybe, but something in him trusted Martin–maybe trust wasn’t right. Liked. He liked Martin.

Oh. He liked Martin.

Elias wouldn’t be pleased.

Jon smiled. That could only be a good thing really.

#jonmartin #tma #the magnus archives #martin blackwood #jonathan sims #web!Martin #fanfiction #peachblossom-odyssey

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zootycutieart · 5 years

Photo

I'd been wanting to redo my Oggy OCs, along with introducing some new ones, so I simply decided to redo them all in a row, and then post them all at once, along with sharpening up their bios. ^_^

---

The Weevils are a family consisting of three sisters and their cousins, who are sisters to each other. The three moved from the big city to a tree in Oggy's backyard due to the tree in the city's park that they used to live in being torn down. Meanwhile, their cousins, much more urban than them, continue to live in the ventilation system of a ritzy hotel downtown. While much kinder than the cockroaches, these girls still have a way with being a thorn in the sides of anyone, even if they don't mean it.

Ginger is the middle child of the three siblings. What else can be said about her but...eh? She doesn't really have anything special going for her, something she is entirely aware of and HATES. She tries to do everything in her power to be noticeable, to find that one thing that'll "click" for her. Sure, she's good at a lot of things, but she wants to find that one thing that she's GREAT at. Unrelated to this, she's got the major hots for Marky, who she somehow sees as way more handsome and kind than he really is. Of course, no one else sees it, and Marky just thinks she's "nice", and that's about it. Baby is, well, the baby of the sisters. Still young enough to be able to pull of "cute" unironically, she loves everything pastel, sparkly, and pretty. Unicorns, stuffed animals, and rainbows, and all that good stuff. She's also drilled it in her mind, and the minds of everyone else, that she's going to be a ballerina when she grows up, so she's stuck in that phase, too. Thankfully, she's also a pure sweetie, and she's a little angel towards every single person who babysits her...except for Joey, she turns into a little hellion when it comes to him. Of course, he can't convince anyone else that she's like this. Scary is the eldest of the three sisters. Interested in all things creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky, Scary certainly looks the freaky part with her dark colors and brooding personality. Loner by nature, she prefers to be alone with her studies. However, when October hits, she becomes an entirely different weevil. Like, freakishly different. She becomes happy, energetic, and all around gleeful for her favorite month. And, ironically, THIS makes her even scarier to most people! Sporty is the younger of the two sisters of the Weevil Cousins. Aficionado of anything energetic, she spends most of her time at the gym in the city's hotel. If she's not there, she's buzzing around the city for a jog or downing a custom blend drink at the smoothie shop. She wears every scuff and bruise with pride, not realizing that she really should be calming down and taking care of herself better. She's a bit bugged by how lazy Oggy and the Cockroaches are whenever she visits, but she's on the same sync as Monica, so naturally, the two are great friends. Posh is the older of the two Weevil Cousins. The complete opposite of her younger sister, she's all about the high life that the position in her location lets her live. From shopping to makeovers to fine dining, she has cash to throw around. She thinks a bit lowly of the Cockroaches (despite them trying to charm her because she's rich and pretty), though she finds an odd charm with their older cousin. Unsurprisingly, she's also really good friends with Lady K, who may or may not be manipulating her a bit.

---

The Beetle Brothers are four ladybugs that live in the ventilation system of Jack's apartment complex. While they're happy living there, they often hitch a ride on Jack's monster truck whenever he visits Oggy. Despite the fact everyone else sees them as cute bugs, something they play up, their true personalities show whenever they're around the Cockroaches. They might be even more cunning and ruthless than they are! The symbols above them are their spots' pattern. John is the second-eldest of the brothers, yet also the unofficial leader of them. As the smartest of the group, he'll often come up with crafty schemes. However, he often really doesn't take this "leadership" seriously. He has the tendency to create fake schemes to screw around with others, especially if it leads to a laugh at the others' expense. He's the biggest rival with Joey when it comes to their rivalry with the Cockroaches. Paul is the second youngest of the quartet. Despite his small stature, he's the ladykiller of the group. He's the second-in-command of the group, and has a good sense of humor that leaves him in high spirits, giving him an extra layer of charm. Thanks to this, he's Marky's chief rival in the rivalry. George is the youngest of the four, despite being the tallest by a slight amount. He's quiet and philosophical, and often just follows the others. Despite his slimmer build, he has a surprising appetite on him, making him Dee Dee's chief rival, though he doesn't really like to consider himself a "rival" at all. Ringo is the eldest of the brothers, despite being the shortest of them. Since he doesn't have a Cockroach to consider him a rival, he often does his own thing, despite following the others to wherever they go. In reality, he's just happy to be there. As such, he give off the kindest aura of the four, and he's often left alone to his own doings.

---

Madeline is Jack's older sister and Oggy and Monica's oldest cousin, along with being the mother of Jack's nephew. She recently went through a messy divorce with her ex-husband. While she got custody of their son, her self esteem has recently plummeted. She tries to be a good mother, but, combined with her own issues and her son's recent antisocial phase, it has been a struggle, and she seems to be drinking in a way that's less "on occasion" lately. Despite this, she is still a lovely person, and loves her brother and cousins dearly. She even tolerates the Cockroaches. Key word tolerates, she won't hesitate to swat them when they pester her too much. Also, with the addition of Ramona in her life, maybe it'll turn around? Ramona is a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. An incident where she decided to "find herself" led her accidentally getting caught up in the pet trade, where she was rescued by Madeline. Living cushy in a terrarium in Madeline's house, she's far from a pest. Even liked by Oggy, she's not your average cockroach! Since she's slightly taller than the Cockroaches, they've decided that she should join them. Joey sees her as a means to cause chaos, Marky sees her as his next romantic endeavor, and Dee Dee sees her as someone that likes some of the same food as him. She likes Dee Dee the best, obviously. She has no interest in chaos, and would rather just play video games or write her stories. Arnold is a bodybuilder Hercules Beetle. He's tall, he's buff, he's strong, he's handsome...he has crippling anxiety that he hides behind all of this. In reality, he's nervous about most things, but tries to keep a cool persona around everyone. He lives in Bob's vents, who he conveniently uses to hide a lot of his worries. I mean, if people aren't going to tussle with Bob, he'll obviously be safe there. The only person to know of his true self is Sporty, who he's currently dating.

#zootycutie's art #oggy and the cockroaches #Own Characters #Fan Characters #long post #the weevils #ginger weevil #baby weevil #scary weevil #sporty weevil #posh weevil #the beetle brothers #john beetle #paul beetle #george beetle #ringo beetle #madeline cat #ramona cockroach #arnold beetle

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mountphoenixrp · 6 years

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We have a new citizen in Mount Phoenix:

Cai Xukun, who is known by no other name; a 22 year old son of Bastet. He is a CNA at Asclepius General and an escort at Babylon.

FC NAME/GROUP: Cai Xukun/Nine Percent AGE/DATE OF BIRTH: 22, July 25th PLACE OF BIRTH: OCCUPATION: CNA at Asclepius, Escort, occasional singer at Dr. Feel Goods HEIGHT: 181 cm WEIGHT: 65kg DEFINING FEATURES: a few scars here and there, emerald green eyes, pointed ears, retractable fangs and tail. various tattoos, and piercings

PERSONALITY: there’s a slyness to Cai, something sensual yet tasteful brought on by fine wine and diamonds. He’s a beast, small in stature but aggressive in nature. always striving for what he wanted. he’s a vixen in nature but a child at heart, a kitten and much less of a big cat when it’s all stripped away. there’s a domesticity behind the spacious condo walls, there’s a broken child who was never able to grow up. stripped from a child hood though handed everything he could ever want. he’s beyond intelligent, manipulative, caniving, all with a silver spoon in his mouth. a tantalizing elixir of lust love and drugs, some of his favorite things underneath money.

HISTORY: (triggers warning: drug/sex addiction, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, parental abandonment, suicide, mental instability, trauma)

People say that there’s a little good in everyone, that even the most terribly, evil and pitiful human being had a sliver of good in them, a small heart that could grow with just the right push. But those same people, who have met Cai Xukun, the heir to the Moldanov business empire, would say that he, is an exception to that rule. The man knows good yes, but his association with it is slim to none.

Cai Xukun has never known poverty. Raised by an ex-idol and a fashion and make up designer who’s career was already on the come up in Russia, life had always nestled in the realm of fine wine and diamonds. He lived in lavish homes, and visited the most beautiful countries the earth could provide. He attended private schools over seas and was taught by the best educational instructors money could buy. Cai walked on red carpets and roses everywhere he went, and as a boy, that didn’t keep him from being curious, loving, and artistic. His calling was art and academics, he painted extravagant pieces and drew extraordinary portraits all while leading his classes in academics. But even with that going for him, every year, every family picture was taken, and you can watch as the curious child like wonder is sucked from his soul.

Markisha Moon and Moon Taeyeon weren’t the nurturing type. Cai was raised by butlers and nannies against his mothers wishes, and then himself once he was old enough. The only child of money hungry entrepreneurs took a hearty toll on the growing adolescent. His parents were stone cold in their emotions, emotionally abusive, and made him feel as if he was bellow his worth. They were hardly home, always traveling, building their empire by stepping on the little people as well as their son, and when thy were Cai to them was, subpar. And so, he buried himself, his parents moved him to a private school in London though his family moved to Korea and while their, he indulged. Sex, drugs and alcohol consumed him, and he spiraled. Weed, opiates, pills, cocaine, the latter being his drug of choice took hold of his life and he hadn’t had care in the world. You see, in middle school, Cai noticed that there was something…different about him. His eyes were a pure emerald green,enchanting and alluring in contrast to his deeply tanned skin. His ears seemed to point and he grew into fangs that he was eventually able to retract. At first ‘a fluke’ he thought, his slew of mental illness’ were starting to take a toll on him, pushing forth hallucinations but he was reminded who exactly his mother was and well Cai took that in stride.

By the time he made it to high school, he had spiraled out of control using his abilities to co-horse and control, and under the influence of an influx of drugs, Cai was a monster. Junior year began the terror of what he was…what he is capable of. His first boyfriend, the love of his life. He indulged in Cai’s sexual fantasies and drug issues. They had partners together, male and female alike. Indulged in drugged up parties and raves, he was Cai’s night in shinning armor. But their medieval love story came with a twist, one that included deviated septums, black eyes and bruises. Cheating and name calling and the works. And Cai, subject to the emotional disturbance at home, was to fragile to endure, the night in the strange city being his down fall. Gun shots fired, and sirens wailed, blood covered his entire body and his lover lay limp on the floor. But Cai’s finger prints weren’t on the gun, no gloves were discarded, he hadn’t even pulled the trigger…his lover had, on himself at Cai’s hand he lay slumped against a hotel window over looking the Dubai night life, cause of death? Suicide.

And from then he became an unstoppable force in the industry, his looks got him his modeling gigs, even into the music life, but so did his ability to persuade, to allure, to in-capture and completely take over someones mind just by a few glossed kisses, and fluttering lashes. Just with the flick of the wrist of the click of his Louboutin heels. And he became dangerous, a male femme fatal if you will. A feline minx who had the industry in his palm. He bathed in diamonds, and pink glitter gloss, while commanding men at his feet and boy did he love it. He basked in the attention it granted him, in the lovers it brought him, men willing to give their last dime even though he had every penny he could ever wanted. Women pushing to be apart of whatever he was offering. He is and was the pinnacle of society, known for his posh, Russian manners and London poise paired with his sensual demeanor. But underneath the kittenish licks, and pearls he was still a curious child, battered and broken. He had seen things, been to the depths of Hell and back quite literally. He still loved art, and even collects it now, still graduated the top of his class, and entered Phoenix University’s medical program a year early the only thing he can feel he’s accomplished with out his power. He moved out to Mount Phoenix for school and helps with his families empire outside of it. Everyone knows him here, a different him, still the sexy, sly, cat from high school, still surrounded by white powder and wine, in the penthouse in the hills. But there’s a different side of him in Mount Phoenix…something much less Hellcat and a little more domestic the face of an ex lover with a bullet going through his temple a constant in his dreams.

PANTHEON: Egyptian CHILD OF: Bastet POWERS: Agility, speed, and dexterity of a feline. Enhanced senses of smell, hearing and sight. Often have some feline features (ears, tail, eyes, fangs, claws etc). Essentially, he is granted with Feline Physiology which includes.

Camouflage

Claw Retraction

Climbing

Enhanced Agility

Enhanced Balance

Enhanced Bite

Enhanced Flexibility

Enhanced Leap

Enhanced Senses

Enhanced Speed

Enhanced Strength

Predator Instinct

Stealth Tactics

Night Vision

STRENGTHS: art, persuading, intelligence, music WEAKNESSES: his ex, manipulation, men, money, drugs

#cpop rp #crp #nine percent #cai xukun #nine percent cai xukun #mp; welcome

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kheichou-blog · 7 years

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If the chocobros were to buy wands from the Harry Potter verse, what would they end up with??? And what about everyone's favourite, Ashe??????

So admittedly, it has been a long, long time since I read the HP books and don’t remember much about the wands and woods and stuff (plus I haven’t managed to get fantastic beasts and stuff… I KNOW I’M A TERRIBLE HP FAN), so sorry if I make some inaccuracies in my observations and stuff, I’m using a wiki page for this one xD I don’t know why I’m nervous, this is all in good fun

Noctis: I feel like Noctis is very suited to an elder wood wand. It’s reputed to be unlucky according to the wiki, though that’s likely a bunch of pish posh, but I feel like between that and the need of a pretty remarkable wielder, Noct fits the bill for this.

Alternatively, I could see him with Cypress since it often found its way into the hands of nobility.

I like the idea of the core being horned serpent horn of some kind. Exceptionally powerful and A SINGING WAND!

Noct has his work cut out for him with this one, but I think he can do it, and I just see it fitting him well when I think of his destiny and what not through the main game.

Gladiolus: Does he even have a wand… he would probably either have Holly or Rowan. I lean towards Holly because Gladio always struck me as a little hot tempered (sometimes understandably, sometimes in a more aggravating projecting sense), and is associated with protection. Because of this, I feel like he would make a quick and powerful bond with a holly wand.

He would probably need a spiracorn unicorn hair core. I never saw Gladi as a person with a lot of patience and magical understanding, so he would probably need the stability it provides.

Prompto: I really feel like Prompto needs a hazel wand. Hazel wands are sensitive to the owner’s feelings, and I just feel like Prompto needs a wand that understands him -sniffle-

Though he could also very well have Willow since it tends to bond with those who harbor insecurity and though he’s a gun slinger, I think he would easily end up taking to the healing properties of Willow

I wanna say he would get dragon heartstring core cause this boy always pulls at my heartstings because I feel like a strong bonding core just makes sense with him. I think he would take misfires and stuff from the instability in stride, and make light of it, making it a great match, if a bit troublesome at times.

Ignis: Ignis is tricky because there’s quite a few woods that seem like could bond with him. Clearly Walnut would be a good choice since it goes especially well with those of great intelligence. English Oak I could maybe see too (English Oak could probably honestly go to any of them). In the end though, I really think I wanna see him with an Acacia wood wand. It’s tricky, but I think that would just pull him into it more, it’s a challenge, I think he likes putting his skills to the test. He’s also clearly gifted in some respects, and I could see him able to unlock the potentials of an Acacia wand.

Ignis gets a Phoenix Feather core because he dies all the fucking time because he has the patience to deal with it unlocking its true magical range, and the magical range is something I think he’d really be interested in for sure. I feel like phoenix feather fits because it often matches independent wizards. Ignis is certainly independent. I wouldn’t say he’s detached from the world necessarily, but I think to an extent he is quite detached from others since he feels he has a reputation and appearance to uphold, and won’t let himself bro as hard as the other bros and what not.

Alternatively… White River Monster spine because DEM STYLE POINTS THO

Ashewynn: Ashewynn would do well with Maple, as the basis of her trials as a Bahamut Knight involve travel… lots of travel… travel all the damn time. Blackthorn would also be a really good match for her, with the reputation of being in the hands of warriors. Like Gladio, she would also do well with Holly. She is protective of her friends, especially Iggy though (she gets it from her dad), and before Ignis has a chance to help her curb it, she has a fairly short temper. However, because of how she calms with age, I think I would go with Blackthorn for her.

I would give her rougarou hair as a core because she’s a dark dragoon and I feel like she needs a certain something to splash her in some form of dark magic. Rougarou hair is said to have an affinity for dark magic, so it fits the bill.

So there we have it! Again, it’s been a long time, so I hope people don’t need to hang me and burn me at the stake x’D I’ve been meaning to reread the series but I’m an extremely slow reader and college happened for 6+ years ;v;

Also this is the wiki page I used chiefly for this post: http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Wand

#ffxv #crossover #harry potter x final fintasy #wands #chocobros #oc #ignis #gladio #noctis #prompto #ashewynn #final fantasy #I'm so sorry if I effed up x'D

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ofthedivinekrp-blog · 6 years

Photo

Did you hear? MOON TAEIL, the twenty-three year old STUDENT/MODEL, was spotted in downtown Yeoshin. We heard they’re a descendant of BASTET is known for having the ability(s) of HELLCAT/FELINE PHYSIOLOGY and ENHANCED ALLURE. If you look closely, they have an uncanny resemblance to BTS’ Kim Taehyung.

* . ✧ ˙ ˖ — and deep down in the soul, something rises, knowing well that what made us is what could be our demise.

Bast was originally a fierce lioness warrior goddess of the sun throughout most of ancient Egyptian history, but later she was changed into the cat goddess that is familiar today, becoming Bastet. Even later, Greeks occupying ancient Egypt toward the end of its civilization changed her into a goddess of the moon.

As protector of Lower Egypt, Bast, she was seen as defender of the pharaoh, and consequently of the later chief male deity, Ra. Along with the other lioness goddesses, she would occasionally be depicted as the embodiment of the Eye of Ra. She has been depicted as fighting the evil snake named Apep, an enemy of Ra.[4]

Images of Bastet were often created from alabaster. The goddess was sometimes depicted holding a ceremonial sistrum in one hand and an aegis in the other—the aegis usually resembling a collar or gorget embellished with a lioness head.

Her name became associated with the lavish jars in which Egyptians stored their ointment used as perfume. Bastet thus gradually became regarded as the goddess of perfumes, earning the title of perfumed protector. In connection with this, when Anubis became the god of embalming, Bastet came to be regarded as his wife for a short period of time. Bastet was also depicted as the goddess of protection against contagious diseases and evil spirits.

* . ✧ ˙ ˖ — we are capable, pressured into valiant things, able to do what others can’t in this foreign land.

Hellcat/Feline Physiology: Taeil has the ability to transform and mimic the abilities of a cat, but that comes with a twist. Along with the physical attributes of a domestic or big cat, green eyes, who’s pupils are either normal or oval, long lashes, pointed canines and ears and a sly tongue. He has the physiology of a hellcat, meaning that his cat form is of the demonic type. His aura is feline, a firey blue that grants him the abilities to manipulate, configure and create, hell-fire. His ability varies, able to summon the depths of firey hell, but also normal fire, though that ability is limited. His power can cause excruciating pain or even instant death, and instead of a normal orange-y glow, his is a crisp, sinister blue.

Enhanced Allure: He also has he ability to enchant themselves to obtain powers of persuasion as well as seduction. Depending on the user, they may have a “trigger” that makes people around them obey their commands. Once under their spell, targets are at their command and willing to do whatever it is they want, even suicide. But Taeil personally uses the sexual aspect of his power. It allows him manipulation over lust and love, pleasure, and gives him the ability of sexual inducement, seduction intuition, subliminal seduction and his favorite, supernatural beauty.

* . ✧ ˙ ˖ — as stories told, legends passed, languages spread, we start to forget who were before.

triggers in the following passage: drug/sex addiction, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, parental abandonment, suicide, mental instability, trauma

People say that there’s a little good in everyone, that even the most terribly, evil and pitiful human being had a sliver of good in them, a small heart that could grow with just the right push. But those same people, who have met Moon Taeil, the heir to the Moon business empire, would say that he, is an exception to that rule. The man knows good yes, but his association with it is slim to none.

Moon Taeil has never known poverty. Born to an ex-idol and a fashion and make up designer who’s career was already on the come up in London, life had always nestled in the realm of fine wine and diamonds. He lived in lavish homes, and visited the most beautiful countries the earth could provide. He attended private schools over seas and was taught by the best educational instructors money could buy. Taeil walked on red carpets and roses everywhere he went, and as a boy, that didn’t keep him from being curious, loving, and artistic. His calling was art and academics, he painted extravagant pieces and drew extraordinary portraits all while leading his classes in academics. But even with that going for him, every year, every family picture was taken, and you can watch as the curious child like wonder is sucked from his soul.

Moon Jongguk and Moon Taeyeon weren’t the nurturing type. Taeil was raised by butlers and nannies, and then himself once he was old enough. The only child of money hungry entrepreneurs took a hearty toll on the growing adolescent. His parents were stone cold in their emotions, emotionally abusive, and made him feel as if he was bellow his worth. They were hardly home, always traveling, building their empire by stepping on the little people as well as their son, and when thy were Taeil to them was, subpar. And so, he buried himself, he still attended his private school in London though his family moved back to Korea and while their, he indulged. Sex, drugs and alcohol consumed him, and he spiraled. Weed, opiates, pills, cocaine, the latter being his drug of choice took hold of his life and he hadn’t had care in the world. You see, in middle school, Taeil noticed that there was something…different about him. His eyes were a pure emerald green,enchanting and alluring in contrast to his deeply tanned skin. His ears seemed to point and he grew into fangs that he was eventually able to retract. At first ‘a fluke’ he thought, his slew of mental illness’ were starting to take a toll on him, pushing forth hallucinations. But digging and questions lead to the discovery of his lineage, and well Taeil took that in stride.

By the time he made it to high school, he had spiraled out of control using his abilities to co-horse and control, and under the influence of an influx of drugs, Taeil was a monster. Junior year began the terror of what he was…what he is capable of. His first boyfriend, the love of his life. He indulged in Taeil’s sexual fantasies and drug issues. They had partners together, male and female alike. Indulged in drugged up parties and raves, he was Taeil’s night in shinning armor. But their medieval love story came with a twist, one that included deviated septums, black eyes and bruises. Cheating and name calling and the works. And Taeil, subject to the emotional disturbance at home, was to fragile to endure, the night in the strange city being his down fall. Gun shots fired, and sirens wailed, blood covered his entire body and his lover lay limp on the floor. But Taeil’s finger prints weren’t on the gun, no gloves were discarded, he hadn’t even pulled the trigger…his lover had, on himself at Taeil’s hand he lay slumped against a hotel window over looking the Dubai night life, cause of death? Suicide.

From then Taeil knew the full brunt of his powers, even his ability to bring forth fires of hell. And from then he became an unstoppable force in the industry, his looks got him his modeling gigs, but so did his ability to persuade, to allure, to in-capture and completely take over someones mind just by a few glossed kisses, and fluttering lashes. Just with the flick of the wrist of the click of his Louboutin heels. And he became dangerous, a male femme fatal if you will. A feline minx who had the industry in his palm. He bathed in diamonds, and pink glitter gloss, while commanding men at his feet and boy did he love it. He basked in the attention it granted him, in the lovers it brought him, men willing to give their last dime even though he had every penny he could ever wanted. Women pushing to be apart of whatever he was offering. He is and was the pinnacle of society, known for his posh, London poise paired with his sensual demeanor. But underneath the kittenish licks, and pearls he was still a curious child, battered and broken. He had seen things, been to the depths of Hell and back quite literally. He still loved art, and even collects it now, still graduated the top of his class, and entered West Celestial’s medical program a year early the only thing he can feel he’s accomplished with out his power. He moved out to Yeoshin for school though he continues his model career and helps with his families empire outside of it. Everyone knows him here, a different him, still the sexy, sly, cat from high school, still surrounded by white powder and wine, in the penthouse in the hills. But there’s a different side of him in Yeoshin…something much less Hellcat and a little more domestic the face of an ex lover with a bullet going through his temple a constant in his dreams.

#accepted #moon taeil #otdtae-il #krpg #new krpg

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rosellasans · 5 years

Text

To See the World Before your Eyes [Part 2]

Summary: They were going to migrate to the capital city. Razz was going to further his education, and Rose planned to see the sights. However, it wouldn’t be so easy.

Steampunk AU

Pairing: Pepper Roses - Razz/Rose

The hustle and bustle of the city was once something he had looked forward to seeing. But now … since that time … Razz looked out the window of his office. Steam-powered cars left smoke in its wake, and the people walked on, going about their day. Machine replaced some limbs, enhancing human potential. Even animals had cogs and gears in parts of their body.

… If only Rose could see this.

Razz never managed to find out if Rose managed to get on the lifeboats as they were too many in the crowd. He was also sent to the hospital too quickly to heal the wound on his eye that was now a scar on his face. A reminder of both his helplessness … and the sacrifices his parents made for his survival.

He was taken in by his aunt and uncle, and as initially planned, he took schooling in the most prestigious school there was. They suggested his rest after facing such a traumatizing event, but time was ticking. One week was enough. He didn’t want to waste any more doing nothing. Because even if Rose was … He still planned to fulfill his part of the promise. Pursuing academics, Razz received many awards, scholarships, and even became valedictorian when he graduated. He didn’t stop there. With his ambition, he began inventing various novel machines. Chevalines were robotic horses. Tetrac was a computing system. And his lifelong project of creating a solar-powered airship.

It took him many years to complete it, absorbed in his research. At 25, he was considered one of the most wanted eligible bachelors. Highly sought after by political parties. Letters of proposing engagements to their daughters, or sisters, or cousins and nieces.

Razz rejected them all. He had no plans of getting married. Being tied down. What he wanted was …

Even though he completed his promise to Rose, just … without him, the dream to explore the world won’t be as exciting and thrilling. Razz would always feel that something will always be missing.

So much to his dismay, he was essentially stuck in the capital city, Odgan Hughes. A lonely bachelor, and most likely, he’d forever be this way.

Razz sighed heavily and decided to get some fresh air. Taking his cane with him, he got his coat and top hat off the rack and headed out. Though he said fresh air, due to the flourish of machines, steam clouded the city. It was hard to even see the sky above. Only hearing the passing airships, chatter of the bustling crowd, and the rush of exhaust from cars on the road. After years of living at such a place, even as a child, there was no longer the innocent wonder he once had. Now everything looked the same, becoming mundane.

Walking down the street, Razz saw a pastry store along the way and stopped by the window. Various assortments of sweets was showcased. Beautifully crafted to entice onlookers. He headed inside and came out shortly after, purchasing a bag of cream puffs. Razz doesn’t have a sweet tooth. He still seldom eat sweets if not avoiding them completely. But cream puffs were an exception. He’d buy a bag every week without fail.

Heh. It was almost laughable how, the first time he did it, the first bite onto the sweet confection, tears suddenly slid down his cheeks. It wasn’t sweet at all. Rather salty actually. Razz smiled forlornly at the memory. Rose might’ve hated it for ruining how heavenly the sweetness was. He could imagine the pout he’d get and …

Razz took a deep breath. He must be getting old if he was becoming so sentimental. He didn’t think he’d be the one to not let go of the past but it seems that he was still clinging. What was he hoping for anyway? He was being unreasonable. A normal person his age would’ve been married with kids by now. And yet, here he was.

Suddenly, he was hit by a person rushing, causing Razz to stumble on his footing and crashing to the ground with the person he just bumped into. Other than the ache of a bruised tailbone, he looked at the person to lightly reprimand them. “Be careful and watch where you’re going.” The bag of cream puffs was thankfully secured in his other arm, and only his cane suffered the fall.

“S-Sorry!”

When the monster looked up, Razz’s eyes widened in utter shock. This … This couldn’t be. It was too much to be a coincidence.

He gulped loudly, soul thumping loud in his ears. He recognized that beauty mark on their skull right under the side of their left eye. Their sharp teeth had become more pronounced as well as their figure and height. This—“R-Razzy. Is that r-really you?”

Razz gulped again. “Rose?”

Tears cropped in Rose’s eyes as he lunged himself to embrace his dearest friend. “Oh god, it is you. You’re,” he sniffled, unable to help himself from crying. “You’re alive.”

Lightning struck Razz’s core, wrapping his arms around Rose, embracing him tight. It was unsightly to do this in such a crowded place. Looked down upon even. But Razz didn’t give a damn about it. “You are too.”

Rose was alive. He survived.

Hot tears welled up and streamed down his face. Razz hated crying, but for Rose, he always made an exception, just like the cream puffs. “I missed you.” His voice croaked, coming out as a soft whisper.

Rose chuckled brokenly, happily. “Me too. So much.”

After so many years have passed, after surviving that tragic event, just from that single fated encounter, they’ve never forgotten each other.

Although they received looks, they both stayed wrapped in a hug for minutes until parting slowly. Only then, did Rose chuckle, “Razzy, you’re so short.”

Razz’s eye twitched. “Don’t attack my height. I’m perfectly healthy and that’s all that matters.”

“That’s true.” Rose couldn’t help but show a sad smile, his hand cupping Razz’s face. “Does your eye…?”

“No. It doesn’t.” Razz placed his hand over Rose’s, taking it into his own to pull it away. “It’s fine. I can still see with it. Sometimes I wear a monocle though.”

“Pffft. You’ve become even more posh than before!”

“It’s a matter of necessity.”

Rose noticed the bag of desserts that was abandoned in favour of their reunion. “Cream puffs?” He remembered vaguely that Razz didn’t seem to enjoy it. Only eating them at that time because Rose forced him to.

“Yes.” Razz stood up, helping Rose as well, and dusted off the dirt and dust that got onto their clothes. He could see the questionable quality of Rose’s dress, and it reminded him of those ladies that tended to say obscenities when he passes by the alleys; propositioning him of a good time. Is Rose also …

Razz grabbed the bag along with his cane, and handed it to Rose. “It’s for you … It’s always been for you.” He smiled softly when Rose took it with shaky hands and eyes welled up in tears. Even without words, Razz could already tell what Rose wanted to say.

“Hehe,” Rose couldn’t help laughing slightly and rummaged his dress pocket to hand an item to Razz. “Sorry for, uh, pickpocketing you.”

……. Nevermind. Razz didn’t expect that. He took his wallet back, a bit dumbfounded.

“This was before I knew it was you!”

“I’m more surprised that you’d do something heinous.”

“Eeeeh. It’s a way to make a living. ‘Sides, it’s better than sleeping on the streets when you got the dough.”

Razz couldn’t argue with that reasoning. “Plus, with my body, I do relatively better than other prostitutes out there.”

Razz coughed, choking, caught off-guard. “Pardon?”

Rose held out a peace sign with an easygoing grin. “I’m a prostitute and a thief. Quite the jack of all trades, no?” He wiggled his brows, making Razz get the urge to flick Rose’s forehead. Height difference be damned … Actually.

Razz went up to Rose, beckoning him to lean over.

“Hmm? What’s u—” Thack “—Oww!” Rose straightened, nursing his forehead. “Hey, aren’t you about being a proper gentleman! You flicked a lady’s forehead!”

“You’re not a proper lady since you didn’t go through proper education.”

“I would have if—!”

“I know.” Razz said softly, quieting Rose. “... So your parents also.” It was a tough loss for the both of them.

“Razzy…”

“I’m glad though. That you survived.” Razz smiled, holding out his hand for Rose. “Otherwise, we wouldn’t have met, and … our promise wouldn’t be complete.”

Rose placed his hand on Razz’s, a trembling smile on his face as his soul warmed. He let out a croaky laugh. “Sorry to keep ya waiting.”

“You sure took your time.”

“Hehe~ A gentleman should understand that ladies take their time with preparations.”

Razz chuckled. “You’ve learned a few, I see.”

“Naturally~ Or I won’t be able to keep up!”

They walked together, side-by-side, making idle chatter. Conversations that should have been long said, only surfaced now. Several years worth cannot be spoken all at once, but it was all right. They had all the time in the world now to catch up.

----

Razz massaged his temples as he finished up the last of his documents. He knew that it wouldn’t be easy to leave the city after all of his achievements so it took time. Four years in fact.

He leaned back in his chair, taking out his pocket watch to check the time. 1 o’ clock. Past lunch time. Good. He’d be able to finish up with errands before he meets Rose.

To think he was 29 this year. An unmarried bachelor without any arranged engagements. His reputation has sunk in social gatherings not only because of his prudence and pickiness, but due to rumours circulating that the lover he picked was a commoner and a prostitute at that. All Razz could say was thank goodness. His incinerator needed a break from all the letter invitations. And additional criticisms towards his partner of choice. As Rose would say, they could mind their own damn business. His prime time may have already left; however, there was no loss.

On the other hand, his scholarly endeavors and inventions still continued to be used to this day. He gets his income from the royalties as well as being the president of several companies. With financial stability, Razz had no worries and that’s how he was able to provide for Rose’s education, living arrangements, and daily necessities. Though Rose no longer sell his body, the black ink was already spilled. Such origins cannot be easily removed and forgotten.

Adorning his hat and coat, he grabbed his cane and left the house. Razz headed to the florist to get his order, and then went to wait for Rose at the schoolgates. Being on time had the perks of not waiting too long as the chimes of bells rang, and students were able to leave the institution.

Rose perked up in seeing Razz almost immediately. How could he not? The skeleton attracted a lot of attention with the bouquet he held. “Razzy!” He ran before slowing down when he got a look from Razz, challengingly. Is this what 4 years of schooling amounted to? Is what it said!

Hmph! Rose’ll show him!

The tall skeleton walked in an even and unhurried pace. Back straight, with hands in front, over the other. He looked straight ahead, a small delicate smile on his face. Reserved and modest. It was so unlike Rose’s spunky and overexcited nature. But when Razz looked on longer, Rose’s eyes spoke volumes. Arrogant and smug. Hah! You see! I can do it too if I tried. Is what it said.

Ah, there was the Rose he knew.

“Congratulations on graduating, Rose.” Razz presented the large bouquet of roses, up to 100, bright and stunning. But Razz felt that even so, it was overshadowed by Rose’s cheery smile. The tall skeleton only became more beautiful with time.

“Thanks, Razzy! These are lovely, but ya didn’t have to. Just a box of cream puffs would’ve been fine.”

“You’ll have to replace your corsets again.”

Rose’s cheeks flushed as he pouted. “Razzy! You meanie!” Where did the beautiful lady go, Razz wondered. He’ll miss him. “Oh! Speakin of, does this means that we can leave now?”

“Yes.” Razz escorted Rose to get them both back home. “We leave tomorrow.”

Everything felt as if it led up to this moment in their lives. They’ve endured a lot, losing and gaining. Having lost their way time and time again. And despite the paths they’ve chosen, far apart from each other, the roads converged. Hand-in-hand, they forged a new path of their own.

Finally, they were going to explore the world, together as promised.

#pepper roses #rosella sans #sf!sans

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