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#Alternative titles include: The Turning of the Handle
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Music Box Mayhem
Thief had waited all night for this moment. Hours of servicing the entitled elite, trying to avoid the watchful gaze of Supervillain's henchmen was finally paying off. The bejeweled lid of the Ophidian Music Box glistened in the pale moonlight, peering through the thick curtains. It sat on a red velvet pillow--which complimented its beauty--in the display closest to the office desk. This would likely be their most successful heist; assuming, of course, they could make it off the grounds of Supervillain's manor. Between security, the guests, and Supervillain themself, it wouldn't be an easy escape. They could worry about that later. Thief reached for the box--
The door handle jiggled. Thief dove behind the desk, shrinking into a tight ball as warm light bathed the room. The door quickly shut with a soft click--only one person had entered. The newcomer shuffled through the room as Thief crawled to the other side of the desk. As long as it wasn't Supervillain or their right hand, they would be easy to take out. Thief peeked from their hiding spot and... Came face-to-face with Hero?
"What the hell are you doing here?!" Hero froze, hands hovering over the sides of the box as he looked down at Thief.
"What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"
"I'm getting the Ophidian Music Box, obviously. Why else would I be here?"
"I should've known," he said with a disapproving shake of his head. "Of course you want to get your grubby little paws on the music box. I imagine you're going to sell it off instead--"
"Oh shut it with your self-righteous garbage. I'm going to sell it because I like money. And a good reputation. And stealing is fun. Now if you excuse me, I'm just gonna grab it and be on my way." Thief stepped forward, reaching for the music box. Hero sprung between the artifact and the thief, earning a glare from the criminal. "I was here first, so I get to keep it."
"That's not how it works! It should be returned to the museum for everyone to see--not locked away in some rich guy's vault!"
"Okay? How does that effect me? Honestly, I'm impressed your girlfriend tolerates you. You're such a nag. And you're dull."
"Girlfriend?"
"Uh yeah, Villain obviously."
"I'm not a dull nag," Hero grumbled as his ears reddened. "And-and Villain isn't my girlfriend! She's my enemy."
Thief snorted, giving him a pat on the arm. "Sure, buddy."
"Why do you insist on provoking me? All I want to do is return the music box to its rightful place." Hero sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to fight with you, Thief. If we set aside our differences and take the music box back together, we can both get what we want: your reputation as a good thief and the artifact in its rightful place." Hero offered his hand. "What do you say?"
Thief blinked at Hero, looking from his hand to the music box and back again. "You really think--"
The door handle twisted.
"Hide," Thief hissed. Hero pounced behind the desk as Thief sandwiched themself flat between a couch and coffee table. It wasn't the best hiding place in the world, but it was better than being in the open. Thief heard a single pair of footsteps stride through the room, pausing near the desk. How to get the music box and escape? The thief considered their options.
They could draw attention to the desk and slip behind the newcomer, grabbing the Ophidian Music Box. Hero would be stuck dealing with them, the other person would be distracted, and Thief could flee with their prize. It was risky--especially if the newcomer had powers--but with Hero there, perhaps that wasn't too much of a concern. He had powers and was harebrained enough to protect them.
Thief snaked forward to get a better look at who they were dealing with. They chanced a look over the table... And found Villain standing before the artifact.
"Seriously?! You're here too?!" Villain twirled around, her dress flowing with the movement. Just like every other outfit at the party, it was gaudy and flamboyant, impractical for a heist. Thief jumped to their feet and glared at the villain. She offered a genuine smile. The audacity.
"My dear, Thief! I didn't expect to see you here tonight. Though now that I have, I should've expected someone with your ambitions to be lurking around."
"What are you doing here?"
"You're always a nosey one," Villain hummed. "If you must know, this fine box will look great in my bedroom. I need something new to hold all my jewelry, and what better thing than the Ophidian Music Box? Now I'm tempted to ask you the same question, but I'm more interested to know who's hiding in here with you." Hero sheepishly emerged from behind the desk, blushing more than before.
"H-hey, Villain." Villain looked Hero up and down. He blushed harder.
"Hello, darling Hero. I didn't expect you here, either. I'm not one to complain though, you certainly clean up nicely," she purred. The hero-in-denial swallowed thickly while Thief gagged.
"First you ruin my plans, and now you're subjecting me to your flirting? At least be decent enough to wait until I'm out of the room."
"Don't be so grumpy. I haven't seen my lovely Hero in a while, and I should be allowed to chat with him. However, I am curious about these plans of yours. They don't have anything to do with my box, do they?"
"My plans are called none of your business. Now if you excuse me, I would like to get what I came here for and be on my way." Thief reached for the box again only for Villain to slap their hand away.
"The box needs to go back to the museum." Hero finally regained his voice. Both criminals stared at him. "Please, let me take it back where it belongs." Villain pouted and walked up to the hero, leaving Thief to roll their eyes. Of all the heroes and villains in the city, why did they have to get stuck with these two?
"But Hero, don't you think it'd look great in my room?"
"I-I don't know, I've nev-never seen your room."
"Oh right, that's truly a shame. Perhaps we should fix that." Villain punctuated her point with a wink. That was all it took to reduce Hero into a blushing mess and leave Thief to bury their face in their hands.
"You two are so embarrassing. How can you say the things you say and still show your faces in public? Actually, I don't care. I came here for the box, not to watch the two of you do...whatever this is." They gestured vaguely to the pair as they stalked to their prize.
"Not so fast," Villain tsked. An invisible force pushed against the thief. Not hard enough to knock them over, but enough to keep them away from reaching their goal. Again. "Who said you get to have the music box? Why do you think you deserve it more than myself, or even Hero?"
Thief glared. "I can give you an alphabetical list of reasons why I--"
The door handle turned.
"Hide." Villain pulled Hero behind the curtains as Thief ducked around a neighboring display. Just as before, only a single person entered the room. Dressed in a security guard uniform, they headed straight for the Ophidian Music Box. Thief studied the newcomer. They should be easy to take out as a low-level security guard who was probably sent to... It was Vigilante. Because of course it was Vigilante!
"You have got to be kidding me. At this rate, I'm going to throw myself out the window." Vigilante jumped as the criminal emerged from the darkness, muttering a string of swears under their breath. "I can't have nice things, can I? You people are just determined to ruin my night!"
"It's good to see you too, Thief," Vigilante said flatly.
"Save your pleasantries. I'm not in the mood for idle chitchat."
"You're never in the mood for idle chitchat."
"Who asked you anyway?" They grumbled, turning to the window. "You two can come out now. Unless you're being weird, in which case spare us and stay behind the curtains." The pair came shuffling out a moment later, Villain smiling and Hero hopelessly red. Throwing themself out the window was becoming more desirable by the second. It was almost worth leaving the box behind. Almost.
"Why are you here, Vigilante?" Villain asked, sitting herself on Supervillain's desk.
"I have a feeling I'm here for the same reason as the rest of you. Does the Ophidian Music Box ring a bell?"
Thief groaned, dramatically throwing back their head. "Of course your here for the box. Why wouldn't you be here for it?"
"What do you plan on doing with it?" Hero asked.
"I'm giving it to the museum. But only if they pay me, otherwise I'll keep it."
"You're ransoming it to the museum?!"
"When you put it that way, it sounds bad."
"That's because it is bad. You can't ransom the box to the museum, it belongs to them!"
Vigilante shrugged. "It's no different than what you're doing. I'm just getting money for it."
"Now Vigilante," Villain interjected, "I can appreciate a good hustle. You're plan actually isn't bad, but I think you should sit this one out. There's already three of us who want the box, adding you into the mix makes it more complicated."
"I hate to agree with her, but she's right," Thief mumbled. "I already have to deal with these two, I do not need to deal with you too."
Vigilante gasped, slapping a hand over their chest in mock offense. "That really hurts, Thief. I thought we were friends. I mean, we're not so different you and I."
"And that is exactly why we're not friends. You go around saying things like that."
"Come on now, you know I'm not--"
"Alright, that's enough." Hero stepped between the pair, and made an effort to look at everyone. Despite his best attempt to mask his feelings, Thief noticed a hint of irritation in his eyes. Mr. Goodytwoshoes could get annoyed if they pressed hard enough. "Clearly we're getting nowhere by arguing about the Ophidian Music Box. We all want it for one reason or another, but no one is going to get it if we continue to bicker. So, let's talk this out. We'll each present a case for why we want the music box, and then we can decide who gets it."
"I can see what you're trying to do, darling, but diplomacy isn't going to get us far. We all came for the music box, and I doubt any of us are willing to leave without it," Villain pointed out.
"I have to agree with Villain," Vigilante hummed, "which is exactly why I'll just take the music box off your hands. You can thank me later." Before Thief could protest, Hero put himself between the artifact and Vigilante. They eyed each other, waiting for the other to make the first move. Villain rolled her eyes with a scoff, slipping off the desk and prowling toward the bickering crime-stoppers.
"Like he said, we're getting nowhere like this. Just let me take it and we can all go home for the night. Except for you, Hero. You can come home with me, if you'd like." That earned yet another blush from the hero and a long sigh from Thief.
"Great. He's definiently going to side with you on the matter because of your manipulation."
"She-she's not manipulating me!"
"I'm not manipulating him," Villain echoed. "Though I'm curious to know why you're trying to turn us against each other. It does conviently work in your favor if the two of us fight."
"Oh no, you don't get to accuse me of manipulating him."
The three of them were arguing. Well, it was more like Villain and Vigilante were arguing while Hero tried to keep the already shaky peace. Thief tuned them out. The others left Thief forgotten and the box open for the taking. They had one shot to claim their prize and make a run for it. They would make it good.
Thief snatched the music box and made a break for the door, failing to notice the handle fidgeting again.
Supervillain entered their office, taking a step back as they took in the sight. They looked from Villain to Hero to Vigilante before their eyes finally settled on Thief and the Ophidian Music Box. Shutting the door behind them, they leaned against it and smiled.
"Now what do we have here?"
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This thing is 2125 words long. I thought it would maybe be around 1500 words, but apparently not. I'm never writing again. I'm kidding, but wow this is the longest snippet I've written. And I've only written five. Anyway, there's probably some mistakes. I wrote and finished this all on my phone, so I might go and edit it when I have access to a computer. Hope you enjoy.
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xxsabitoxx · 2 years
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How the Pillars Suck 🍆
🐱 version • 🍆 version
Warnings: once again, you can tell by the title this will contain smut
A/N: this one is for all my 🍆 owning readers (lmfao) I hope you enjoy!! I know I keep saying it, but male reader content is coming soon!! Plz just hold on for me LMAO
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Giyu
Giyu will take you by surprise. This man has no gag reflex, like at all. He’s such a tease too, like he’ll take his time pumping you from tip to base over and over until you are begging for his mouth. Even then he’ll only kitten lick the underside of your cock. You know he can deep throat too! He does this all to tease you. It’s not until you cum by accident that he finally decides to treat you right. He just likes seeing you teary eyed with a pathetic spurt of cum on your abdomen. He is unrelenting when he starts, his tongue swirls around your aching tip countless times before he takes you in one swoop. I’m talking you are down this man’s throat, he’s swallowing around you too just to make it more suffocating on your cock. He’ll purposely moan so it sends vibrations through you. He gives you no time to adjust before his head his bobbing up and down along your length. He also prefers to swallow.
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Shinobu
She’s a dainty lady. But she’s also unbelievable cruel. Her mouth has to be earned, even then she’ll still be mean. I see her being into C&B torture — so prepare yourself for that. When you earn her praise and she thinks you deserve a reward, that’s when she’ll get on her knees for you. She certainly makes a show of it, delicate fingers wrapping around your base and tugging almost painfully at first. She’ll overstimulate you with her hands, occasionally licking your tip. Once you are whining and messy, she’ll finally give you what you really want. She’s not a deep throat gal though, she is embarrassed of her gag reflex. It’s not terrible, she can handle even the bitterest medication, but sticking something that far down her throat? She attempted it once and after the noise she made, never again. She sticks to the tip, pretty lips suctioning around it and swirling over and over while her drool drips down your length. She’ll continue to pump you while she does so. She is also a swallower.
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Kyojuro
Man is eager to please. If you want him to suck your dick? His only question is what position do you want to be in. Kyojuro loves pleasing you with his mouth, he isn’t even ashamed of his gag reflex. Especially since he knows it turns you on. He’s not one to beat around the bush either, he is taking your head in his mouth and letting his drool be the lube. He’ll take about half of you before swallowing around you. His cheeks suction to your length, tongue lavishing your hot skin. He’ll fondle your balls softly too, it’s likely his drool will be that far down. He has to work slowly to get you down his throat, he’ll be gagging softly but he’s so focused to get it right. He won’t even stop if you cum before he can get there. He’ll just keep going — he’d overstimulate you by accident. He just really wants to hear the low rumbling moan you make when he succeeded. On the occasions his throat simply doesn’t cooperate, he’ll use both hands to pump you while he swallows around you. He is into swallowing but he also likes when you spray him in your release
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Tengen
The man of many talents. Not only is he godly at eating pussy, he’s godly at sucking dick. Very fitting for a man that considered himself a god. He knows how to get you going. He’ll take all the time in the world to get you worked up. There is no skipping steps with him. He starts by palming you, then he moves on to using his hands, then finally his mouth. He is absolutely the type to wake you up with your dick already in his mouth. He’ll suck your tip and then switch to licking you from base to tip. He’ll alternate until you are gasping for air and begging for more. He’s the type to finger you while he does this, there is really nothing this man can’t do. That also includes deep throating. He even encourages face fucking, pulling his hair, forcing him to choke on your cock. He loves it all. He’ll let your orgasm fizzle out pathetically when he’s in a mood, but he’ll make up for it by taking your whole length at once. He loves swallowing around you, suctioning his cheeks to your throbbing length as he fingers your prostate. He is down for either, swallowing or coming on him. But if you come on him, he prefers his face or chest.
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Mitsuri
She loves sucking dick. This woman takes pride in the things her mouth and tongue can do. She’s the type to ask you if she can sick your dick, like you don’t even need to hint at it. She’s eager to please and knows just how to make you putty in her hands. She starts off so cutely too, looking up at you with big doe eyes as she sucks on your tip. She — like Giyu — has zero gag reflex. She could have her nose pressed to your pubic bone, throat spasming and constricting around your length and not a single noise will leave her. She’s super into making you come with just her mouth. She’ll tease you by licking fat stripes up the underside of your cock, only teasing you more by sucking your tip for a moment before returning to licking. She likes to hear you beg for her, singing her soft pretty praises while her nails scrape your thigh. Mitsuri is also an “anywhere anytime” type of gal. She’ll do it wherever you want her too, she’ll even ask you if she can. Mitsuri falls into the either or category. She’ll swallow or let you cum wherever. She has a preference for on her chest.
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Obanai
He’s so damn shy when it comes to sucking dick. Like this man will not be able to meet your eyes, which kind of makes it cuter. He sees dick sucking as a punishment — he’s more into getting his dick sucked. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t enjoy it though. Obanai has a terrible gag reflex like Shinobu, he will not deep throat unless you are face fucking him. When you do face fuck him though? He has fat globs of tears streaking down his flushed cheeks, drool oozing down his chin and low grunts and gags leaving him. Obanai constantly looks wrecked after each round. He doesn’t even have the energy to tease you by licking your length or sucking your tip. It’s all rough deep thrusting while you have his hair fisted in your hand. He’ll be on his knees, not even able to support his own weight as his tongue lamely tries to lavish you. All he can really do is claw at your thighs, leaving scratches as he begs for you to slow down, go easy on him, anything. Obanai is into swallowing, he prefers it
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Sanemi
A fucking feral dog. Sanemi is much more into getting his dick sucked, but if you ask him soooo sweetly? How is he supposed to say no? He gets embarrassed by it but won’t let you know that, he wants you to be cryinf by the time he is done with you. He’ll tease you by running the blunt tips of his nails up and down your skin, mouth suctioned to your tip. He won’t use his hands until he is trying to spread his saliva over you. Sanemi is a mix of teasing you but also wanting to get it over kinda quick. He’d never be able to live it down if someone caught him sucking dick. Which is why it makes it all the more tempting for you. If you can overpower / dominate Sanemi? You’ll get such a subby little cry baby. He’ll take face fucking like a champ with tears streaking his cheeks. He won’t even complain, he’ll let you tug his hair out of his head if it means you’ll shove your cock down his throat. He prefers you cum in his mouth, he only likes when you cum on his body if you are fucking him or he’s fucking you.
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Gyomei
Sucking dick is a religious experience for this man. His whole hand will encompass your whole length, so jerking you off his easy. He’s worried he’ll hurt you though, hence why he prefers his mouth to get you off. It’s warm, wet and soft. There is no way he can hurt you while he has your dick shoved down his throat. I can’t see him having a gag reflex at all, if he does he’s mastered suppressing it. He doesn’t mind face fucking if it’s something you want. Gyomei is such a big pleaser, he’ll do anything you want if it makes you feel good. Like Tengen, he’s the type to finger you while you fuck his face. Hips jutting upwards over and over as he swallows around you, accommodating your size easily. Gyomei much prefers you come in his mouth, easier clean up. Of course he trusts you to clean him up, but he sees that as his job. He wants sex to be all about you, not him.
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linghxr · 8 months
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My late summer 2023 cdrama updates (+ movies)
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This is a follow-up to a previous post I published in February. I'm thinking of doing twice-yearly updates on what I'm watching! I'm also including a few movies this time.
I'm going to try to include content warnings, BUT my memory is not perfect, so please be aware that I may have forgotten details.
Shows I've watched: Some of these were mentioned as "currently watching" in my previous post.
《消失的孩子》 The Disappearing Child As the title suggests, this show is a mystery about a child who goes missing. It also incorporates other plotlines that gradually converge—that's all I'll say to avoid spoiling it. The payoff when the plotlines finally intersect was so satisfying! Overall I really enjoyed this show and highly recommend it. Be aware that it does have references to sexual assault and corpses (I don't think anything was directly shown).
《猎罪图鉴》 Under the Skin This show is about a sketch artist, a police detective, and an old murder case that connects them. I enjoyed the first half, which mostly chronicled stand-alone cases. But I found some cases hard to follow (disclaimer: my police vocab is limited, and I took several breaks while watching). Frankly I was a bit disappointed by the ending, so I don't think I'll watch the upcoming second season. Warning: contains some depictions of sexual assault and domestic violence.
《她和她的她》 Shards of Her To avoid spoiling anything, I'll just say that this show is about a woman who, after experiencing a traumatic accident, wakes up in an alternate version of her life. This show had me constantly doubting what was real and what was fake! I really couldn't get it out of my head. BUT I ultimately wouldn't recommend it due to what I found to be pretty disturbing sexual violence. I don't think there was anything too graphic, but I had to take significant breaks between episodes due to the upsetting content.
《镇魂》 Guardian I knew virtually nothing about this show (I thought it was steampunk tbh) but had heard good things. It's hard to summarize...basically it follows a police bureau that handles supernatural cases and, with some help from a mysterious, powerful envoy, saves the world. My favorite part was the first half, when they were mostly solving stand-alone cases. I got a bit fatigued during the second half. But it was perfect for when I wanted to unwind after work. Warning: the ending left me upset, and the special effects are hilariously bad.
《模仿犯》 Copycat Killer This is probably one of the most violent and death-heavy shows I've ever seen (and that's coming from someone who has seen Criminal Minds and part of Hannibal). It's about an unconventional prosecutor and a sadistic serial killer who uses the media to cause mass panic. Without spoiling it, I'll just say you need to be prepared for murder, torture, suicide, and other violent imagery. This show is not for the faint of heart—I could barely finish it, honestly. There are no happy endings for this kind of show.
Movies I've watched:
《想见你》(电影版) Someday or One Day (Movie) This long-anticipated film adaptation was a letdown for me personally. Instead of simply condensing the show, they made A LOT of changes. I'm not against changes, but the plot of the movie was way too confusing for me to follow. I'm not even going to try summarizing it here. If you haven't seen the show, I think you'll be completely lost. If you have seen the show, you'll be wishing you were rewatching the show instead.
《消失的她》 Lost in the Stars I'll admit, I only went to see this to see 朱一龙. The premise is very Hitchcock—a man is nearly driven over the edge after his wife vanishes and a woman he has never met appears, claiming to be his wife. There are lots of twists and turns, and I did not see the ending coming at all. Personally, I wish it had less action and more elements of a psychological thriller. It was a fun summer movie, but it wasn't anything groundbreaking. But that's OK!
《关于我和鬼变成家人的那件事》 Marry My Dead Body I barely knew anything about this film before I watched it. I only knew it had 许光汉, and I saw a lot of buzz online. It's about a homophobic police officer who enters into a ghost marriage with a (male) ghost. Frankly, I didn't like it that much. I did enjoy seeing the characters' growth, but the plot was very fast-paced, so I didn't have time to process anything that happened. Please note: there is rear nudity and some limited depictions of sex.
Currently watching:
《隐秘的角落》 The Bad Kids After hearing about how great this show is for years, I'm finally checking it out. I've only seen the first episode so far, but I'm really excited to see what's to come! It's about three children who accidentally film a murder. That's really all I know at this point.
《我们与恶的距离》 The World Between Us I haven't even finished the first episode of this show yet. I started it but decided to pause because I felt like I was juggling too many shows. I plan to revisit it after I finish some other shows. I know it's about the aftermath of a mass shooting, so I'm expecting it to be very grim.
《不良执念清除师》 Oh No! Here Comes Trouble I saw a lot of praise for this show online. It's a bit odd but in an endearing way. It follows a young man who discovers he inherited a mystical power after all sorts of strange beings start coming to him for help. So far the only thing I disliked was the gore.
《你的孩子不是你的孩子》 On Children This show is kind of like Black Mirror but with the theme of troubled parent-child relationships. Each episode is practically a movie, and I have only finished one so far. If you are not on good terms with your parents, it may bring up some painful memories.
Potentially abandoning:
《理智派生活》 The Rational Life I started this drama because I was curious about the premise—a professional woman's ups and downs in the workplace. There is also a slow romance (a 姐弟 romance since the male lead is much younger). However, after finishing episode 23 out of 35, the thought of watching 12 more episodes kinda fills me with dread.
《你安全吗?》 Are You Safe? This show is about "vigilante" hackers and the antics they get up to. It's supposed to raise awareness for cybersecurity. Honestly I don't think I have made any progress on this show since my last post...! I may just abandon it because there are a lot of other shows that have more successfully caught my interest.
I can't wait to share another update on what I'm watching/have watched in 6 months or so!
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redfurrycat · 8 months
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🤠🙌🤝🐓Post-Mission Fic Recs🐓🤝🙌🤠
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Check the Top Gun Masterlist post for the latest updated version. 💕
Ao3 Authors: AncientAviators, Andrealyn, Aphroditedany, BeautifulCreature, BeccaAnne814, Bubbles_1801, Callsign_striker, Collieflower, Crueltether, Cryinginthebronco, Dalearden, DraconisWing24441, GreenB3ans, Greenstuff, Happytree, Hey_its_me88, Hockeyandfootballismyish, HopeaLumi, Hypnagogicpunisher, Iridescent, MadeItUp, Magdarko, MayWilder, Milestaller, Noona96n, Ok_thanks, Ravens_Words, SamHeartfilia, Tasteofoxidation, Thatsquirrelfromiceage, Theinsouciantknitter, UnicornFlowers, Vannral, Whoreothins, Winterbitch, Xo_em.
*Post-Mission==>From the moment they land on the carrier up to many years after The Mission.
sugar (i've got a taste for you) by tasteofoxidation {E}
“You’re a dog, Bradshaw.” “Bradshaw hyphen Seresin, actually.” Or Jake and Bradley are on their honeymoon and Bradley has a better use for his mouth than their old toxic banter.
Too Hot to Handle by callsign_striker {E}
Bradley isn't convinced about his latest posting to NAS Key West, Florida. But everything happens for a reason - even, it seems, when the air conditioner breaks.
The Tiniest Problem by BeautifulCreature {G}
Bradley has an allergic reaction to his and Jake's new puppy.
wreck my plans (that's my man) by Ravens_Words {T}
Fake dating turns into a fake engagement, which then snowballs into a fake (almost) wedding.
going back to the corner where i first saw you by iridescent {M}
Bradley’s just about resolved to finally call it a day when the power goes out. They’re plunged into immediate, opaque darkness. There’s a lengthy pause. Bradley’s pulse slowly creeps upward as the seconds tick by, an anxious tension coiling in his gut. It truly is pitch-black; he can’t even see the outline of his hand a few inches from his face. “Christ.” Jake’s voice cuts sharply through the stale air, breezy and amused. “And here I was assuming the millions in funding included routine generator maintenance.”
Feels Like Home by MayWilder
a window breaks down a long dark street {M}
“I’m gonna go inside,” Jake murmurs against his lips, despite how they’re flush against one another and he isn’t pulling away. “I am.” He bites at Bradley’s lower lip, prompting the other man to tighten his grip on his hips. “Remind me again why?” “Cause we’re taking it slow and proper,” Jake reminds him. He lets his hands fall down the slope of Bradley’s shoulders and squeezes his biceps. “Dates. Holding hands. Maybe even a date where we hold hands.” Bradley chuckles and ducks his face down into Jake’s neck. “Right. Romance.” *** alternatively titled: Four Times Jake Romances Bradley + 1 Time Bradley Romances Him Back
something to be sheltered {T}
“My wife has asked that you join us for dinner tomorrow night,” Beau says carefully. “Your wife, sir?” Jake’s brow furrows. “Why would she like to meet me?” “She thinks its important that my mentee sees a healthy work-life balance.” “I’m your mentee?” Jake teases, smirking lightly. “And you talk about me enough that your wife wants to meet me?” “You can continue to be a pain in my ass,” Beau sighs, looking up at the ceiling. “Or, you can take the offer of a free dinner with a beautiful and intellectually stimulating woman.” “Oh, I definitely want to see this side of Cyclone,” Jake grins. “Domesticated.” “You’re bordering on impertinence.” “Me? Never.” “Let’s go back to when you respected me and my position.” Jake appears to settle down, but only slightly. He clears his throat and squares his shoulders. “I’d be honored to attend dinner with your family, Admiral. Just tell me a date and time.” *** or, Beau Simpson didn't mean to adopt a fully grown naval aviator, but, you know; shit happens.
all the love i didn't get to tell her {T}
Her birthday was always the worst. The anniversary of her death was manageable. It had been a day that Bradley was anticipating with dread, but it had been expected. Watching her finally close her eyes and take her last breath had come with an ugly mix of emotions. Pain, at never hearing her voice again. Relief, that she was no longer in pain. Selfish relief, that he was released from the burden of watching her deteriorate. Guilt, at the relief. And all together, it was Bradley’s grief. That terrible grief that had him clutching her lifeless hand, hours after it began to stiffen and Hospice hadn’t arrived, and - oh god, his mother was dead. Carole Bradshaw would never again make whole the lives of those around her. All of the horrible people in the world, and the beautiful shining light that was Carole Bradshaw, was out.
High Flight by GreenB3ans {T}
About post-mission life, focusing on the “found family” aspect of “Top Gun.”
hangster slice o' life by whoreothins
close shave {T}
He imagines grasping Bradley’s chin, tilting his head just so as the razor rasps down his neck, and - yep, he could kiss Mav right now. Jake looks up, waggling his eyebrows and holding up the razor. “You mentioned a shave, sweetheart?” he drawls. Bradley is a bit unkempt for Mav’s wedding. Jake helps.
Chicken soup {G}
Well, let’s see,” Bradley says dryly, ticking the items off with his fingers as he goes, “you developed viral pneumonia from God knows where - probably one of our students - and had a fever of 104 degrees, which is the critical threshold for medical attention, you vomited all over our living room, and you were delirious, so I rushed you to the ER.” turns out Rooster is a mother hen, after all.
hangster 'verse by milestaller {E}
like, what up, I got a big cock
“Wait. Why is your callsign Rooster, anyway?” Phoenix snorts beer up her nose. or, what happens when Hangman doesn't know how to quit when he's ahead.
imagine being loved by me
This is… it’s fucking nice, is what it is. It feels easy in a way that Jake never would have expected it to. It’s gotta be because they’re going back to their normal lives tomorrow, no pressure of having to see each other every day to make it awkward. A decent amount of mutual attraction helps, too.   The morning after, and beyond.
Favorite Poison by AncientAviators {M}
Reprieve (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)
“Exactly. If you wanna—” Maverick waves his hand, shaking his head— “I dunno, go start up a ranch somewhere, then do it. If you wanna go back to school, then go back to school, start a family, don’t start a family, get married or never settle down. Follow your dreams. Figure out if you even have any other dreams. Don’t…” He pauses, voice quieting, going soft and sincere, and Bradley’s chest aches a bit. “I don’t want you to ever limit yourself just because you feel like you owe it to your dad, Bradley.” A brief moment of silence. He knows he probably shouldn't ask, he might not be able to handle the answer. “Is that why you stuck around?” “Because of my dad, or because I felt like I owed it to yours?” Maverick asks, eyes coming back up, a small, sad smile on his lips. He holds Bradley’s gaze, the fire flickering on his face, the shadows dancing and disappearing before coming back in rapid succession. Or: Post-Mission healing, Jake and Bradley have history, and Bradley's trying to figure out his life.
The Hand That Feeds
He kind-of wants to be, honestly. He really wants to be. He thinks he could spend the rest of his life with Bradley, doing just this. Coming home to each other, having dinner together, falling asleep in the same bed. Maybe it’s the few sips of wine he had or he’s just losing his mind, but he can almost imagine himself giving up flying for Bradley, if it meant more time with him. They got lucky, being kept as a squadron. Jake needs to thank Iceman, Maverick, and Cyclone. He’ll have to send gift baskets.
what time is it where you are (i miss you more than anything) by cryinginthebronco {G}
Sipping on his coffee, Jake unlocks his phone and smiles to himself when he’s greeted by a stream of new messages. There are a few from his sisters and Javy, but he gets those out of the way with short replies. The thread he leaves for last is filled with short messages, photos, and a couple of videos, and Jake has to bite his lip to keep himself from smiling like an idiot. It takes him a couple of sweeps to get to the first unread message that makes warmth spread in his chest as he reads it. or jake and bradley trying to navigate a long-distance relationship
You've Got Me Hypnotized by theinsouciantknitter {E}
Jake has a problem. A six foot one, hundred and eighty pound, absolutely fucking stacked problem. It’s got auburn curls, rugged scars, honey brown eyes. It’s the kind of problem that makes him want to slam his head into a wall and then maybe mope over a Jane Austen novel. The problem haunts both his dreams and his waking hours. The problem also hates him, which is just the icing on the cake because the problem is Bradley Bradshaw, and Jake is in love with him.
Slow Down by UnicornFlowers {G}
“So he summons all his charm and from the depths of his chest manages to gather the words, “Are you getting tired of me?” Those…those weren’t the words he gathered. So why did they come out?” Or: Jake deserves endless love.
Shake it off by Happytree {E}
“This is the bit that’s going to piss you off,” Jake warned, “so think of tonight as an apology and a final hurrah okay Roo.” “What the hell did Mav dare you?” Jake took a deep breath as he looked him in the eyes, “No sex for two weeks.” “That asshole!”
Your Voice Can Take Me There by greenstuff {E}
“I’m not that drunk,” Bradley protests. Jake stops pushing him and falls in step at his side instead. Bradley immediately misses the warm pressure against his back. “So you don’t want to go back to your place?” Jake asks in an undertone.
got me like nobody by magdarko {G}
The Daggers organize a reunion six months after the mission. So, of course, they play strip poker.
The Highs and Lows of Having a Naval Aviator as Your Omega by hockeyandfootballismyish {T}
Bradley wasn’t quite sure when he started to refer to Hangman- no Jake as his omega. It may have been sometime after the Mission when his omega saved his life and simultaneously gaining his second kill to cement his title as one of the best currently or maybe it was when they hooked up for the first time and Bradley couldn’t help but stare in absolute awe at the man riding his knot and taking his pleasure as he pleased.
A Life With Blondes by Aphroditedany {T}
Two years after the events of Top Gun : Maverick and an ugly accident involving Jake, Bradley and Maverick, the Dagger Squad members discover an interesting fact about Jake's personal life.
it simply is by hypnagogicpunisher {M}
It starts simply. The other Daggers joke about changing his callsign to Pheidippides, ask him when he’s running his next marathon. They’ve seen him pushing through the workouts, running the extra mile, the deepest, ugliest parts of his soul hopes they’ve noticed physical change with that too. And unsaid words sting in the back of his throat that Pheidippides died at the end of his run.
’til the storm breaks loose by vannral {E}
'”Do you want to stay?” Rooster asks, willing to meet him half-way since Jake can’t get a goddamn word out. Jake lifts his chin, his jaw clenched so hard he might crack his teeth into ground up glass.' In which Bradley’s going into heat, Jake checks up on him and they’re faced with just how much they mean to each other. (+snapshots of their life together afterwards.)
Use Your Words and Everything Will be Alright by HopeaLumi {E}
They've been dating for almost two years and Rooster still has trouble communicating and Hangman... is hanging in there.
young | numb | starved by crueltether {G}
“Where’s your head, Bradshaw?” Jake asks softly, letting the backs of his fingers trail a path up the valley of Bradley’s abs to the hollow of his chest and then back down. “Y’been quiet since we got here.”
what momma don't know by collieflower {M}
“You never told your Momma we got married.” Bradley tensed under him before shooting straight up to his elbows. Jake jostled, ending up with his hands propped up on either side of Bradley, bare inches from his face. “Shit,” Bradley hissed. “Yeah, shit.”  - When Bradley learned that Mav pulled his papers, he was angry. When he learned it was on his mother's request? He was furious. In which the Bradshaw-Mavericks are too stubborn to have an essential conversation, and Bradley's been running so long he'd accidentally left his mother behind.
Where Most of Love is Found by thatsquirrelfromiceage {M}
“It won’t be your fault, okay?” Hangman continues. “None of it. But you have to go, now. There’s no point in both of us dying.” There’s a gentleness to his tone that before today, Phoenix would have scarcely believed him capable of. Unforgivably, she feels the anger start to ebb away, despair crawling up through her veins to take its place. “The point,” she growls through tears, “is that you’re my team. You’re my team, Bagman. I am not leaving you behind.” Or: a year after the suicide mission, and six months after the Daggers have reunited to form their own squadron, Natasha and Jake are caught in a gas explosion.
he loves me, i love him not by hey_its_me88 {M}
Exactly three days before their leave ends, before he gets shipped off to Japan and Bradley to Florida, Jake opens his door to find the mustached pilot standing on his steps with a bouquet of roses. Jake shuts the door.
speak low if you speak love by andrealyn {T}
You'd think that after the Dagger mission, Hangman and Rooster would pull their heads out of their asses and realize that they're both being idiots about how they clearly want to get together. Unfortunately for everyone around them, their stubbornness reigns supreme. It leaves their friends with no choice but to Much Ado the shit out of matchmaking them together.
Fire in the Blood and Smoke in the Air by MadeItUp {M}
Dirty and Sweet (Get it on)
As things wind down after the mission, Rooster struggles with a need for something a little dangerous. That something absolutely should not – cannot – be Jake Seresin. But a little friendly competition and a lot of alcohol can go a long way to changing a man's mind. Hangman eyes Rooster’s empty beer, then his own. “How about that second shot?” “You tryna put me off my game?” “I don’t need you drunk to beat you, Rooster.” “What do you need me drunk for?”
feels good to know one thing
Jake doesn’t have the best relationship with his family, so when he’s summoned home for a special occasion, he calls up the one person he can trust to stick with him – after all, Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw has never ever lost a wingman. But he’s about to find out that getting shot down in enemy territory to save Mav was a whole lot easier than surviving a long weekend chez Seresin. “So it’s a big family thing?” Jake says carefully. “Everyone bringing their partners?” “Well of course, Charlie’s promised to bring the kids and I’ve not even met Matty’s new girlfriend—” “So that means I can bring someone?” Silence on the line. His mom is no fool. She knows when she’s been played. “Of course, Jakey,” she says. “You’re welcome to bring anyone you like.”
Will Get Fooled Again
Personal history isn’t enough to get in the way of professional opportunity, and when Lieutenant Commanders Jake Seresin and Bradley Bradshaw are selected to develop a pioneering Strategy Development Program at TopGun, working with the best young aviators the fleet has to offer, each figures they’re up to the challenge both in the air and on the ground. After all, a little rivalry can heighten the senses and bring out the best results… Or it can bring out something else altogether. “I’m not hard to impress,” Jake says, laying the cue down on the table. “I just don’t like people kissing my ass.” “Really?” Rooster says, and there’s a marginally lower register to his voice, a flicker of something crossing his expression that has excitement sparking in Jake’s gut. Walking round to take his drink from where he’s left it, Jake faces the others, resting the ass in question on the table and taking a sip of his drink, before answering. “Hero worship’s for people who don’t know their own worth.” He flashes a winning smile at his friends. “Some of us don’t need it.”
The Dagger Squad by BeccaAnne814 {M}
After the Dagger Squad proved they were the best of the best, the Navy decides to keep the team together. These hotheaded pilots love to tease and torment each other, so how much worse will it be when they’re all living under the same roof?
Sweet Tooth by xo_em
Tiramisu (Take Me Home) {T}
It’s always like this - going home. It takes so much out of him. But what is leave for, if not family?
What a Great Word, Milkshake {T}
Bradley curses Natasha under his breath. He’d let slip in recent conversation that he might be developing decidedly not-so-platonic feelings for the man currently sitting in his passenger seat. A mistake, apparently.
Birthday Cake {M}
It’s Jake’s birthday today and he hates it.
Toothache {T}
Bradley wakes with his arms full.
No Sweeter Fruit Than This (Apple Pie) {E}
There are a few peculiar things of note about Jake Seresin.
No More Wasting Time by DraconisWing24441 {E}
Having just completed a mission that required multiple miracles, Bradley thinks the most miraculous thing of all is that he’s not furious at Maverick anymore. Or Hangman. Now that his relationship with Maverick is on the mend after talking about their past, Bradley starts to realize some other things. Like the fact that Hangman isn't such a bad guy and he maybe actually really likes him, like, a lot. Jake, meanwhile, starts to realize that Bradley may not, in fact, hate him for being an ass, while also trying to hide the fact that he’s been in love with Rooster for years. Without the anger characterizing every interaction, Bradley and Jake are left with the conclusion that there's more there that they hadn’t realized until now. But, as Bradley and Jake's icy relationship unexpectedly begins to thaw into a tentative friendship, the friction that existed between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected. Letting go of the past and respective fears is harder than they thought, but when it comes down to it, the question remains: will they have the courage to leap off their perches and take the shot?
I took the stars from your eyes and then I made a map by dalearden {E}
Before Jake knows it, his jaw has dropped and the gears in his brain have stopped turning as he struggles to process what he’s seeing. He’s seen Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw all dressed up before, a few times over through the course of their respective careers that kept forcing them together as though fate was playing a twisted little game with them, but somehow, this time it hits different.
bad idea, right? by ok_thanks {M}
From: ABSOLUTELY FUCKING NOT!!! (AGAIN) No greeting for me? Don’t I get that Bradshaw hospitality?
Can You Feel My Heart? by bubbles_1801 {T}
I Can't Drown My Demons, They Know How To Swim
A few months after the mission marks the 5th anniversary of Jake’s first air-to-air kill. After a poorly timed comment from one Bradley Bradshaw, Jake spirals into a depression. Can his new found family rescue him from himself? More importantly, will he let them?
I'm Scared To Get Close, And I Hate Being Alone
After an unexpected voicemail from his father, Jake finds himself getting a migraine for the first time in years. The pain is almost too much to bare and he's still unsure of his standing within his newfound family. Cue Bradley being the best boyfriend and Ice and Mav being the worried parents that they are. Set between the main story and epilogue of I Can't Drown My Demons, They Know How To Swim.
Misconceptions by SamHeartfilia {M}
Jake "Hangman" Seresin received an incomplete mating claim from one Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw a week after graduating from the Naval Academy. No one but his best friend know, and now that the uranium mission is over, things are looking up. His claim is completed and he's feeling like himself for the first time in years. Of course, everything starts change when his secrets come out. Secrets he was only just coming to terms with himself.
newton's law of motion by noona96n {T}
law i inertia Bradley's hospitalized immediately after The Mission, and Jake has a revelation™ law ii force & acceleration Bradley recuperates at the Seresin's Ranch and has a revelation™
the shapes of love by winterbitch {T}
sink your teeth into me (keep me)
Rooster doesn't need to know what animal Hangman shifts into, but he sure wants to find out. It's just another piece of the man he's hopelessly in love with, and he wants to know everything, no matter how much his friends tease him. Through a series of events, he finally finds out, and maybe gets more than expected Or shifter au where rooster is a wolf, hangman is [redacted], there's a LOT of pining, and icemav are cute together (ice is a tiger, mav is a fennec). they get their happy end
I see forever in your eyes
Having gotten together (and engaged in the same day), Rooster and Hangman don't get any less annoying with their behaviour. Rooster would even argue that their friends are more annoyed with them now, but he's too deliriously happy to care. He has the love of his life by his side, his friends surrounding him, and he's getting married. Life is great (and it's about to get even better) Or shifter au with smitten puppy rooster, disgustingly in love hangster, some background icemav and ANOTHER proposal
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chibrary · 5 months
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title: charles leclerc talks about his "red passion" author: roberto croci photographer: joseph degbadjo source: l'officiel series: f1, 2022
Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc talks about his beginnings, his myths - including Ayrton Senna and how he prepares for his races. And what he likes to do in his free time with his lifelong friends.
L'OFFICIEL ITALIA: Who chose to call you Perceval? CHARLES LECLERC: My father, perhaps he imagined his children as the legendary Knights of the Round Table. I have two brothers, the younger Arthur - who has speed in his blood - and Lorenzo, older than me, who always accompanies him to all the races..
LOI: Maybe one day together with Ferrari? CL: It would be a dream, but for now I want him to grow independently, to discover his path, the circuit is a difficult world, so much so that he knows that if he ever needs me I will always be by his side.
LOI: When did you discover your passion for this profession? CL : I was four years old and one day I told my father Hervé that I didn't feel well and I didn't want to go to kindergarten. I don't know why, he believed it and took me with him to the go-kart track of his best friend, Philippe Bianchi. (Father of the pilot Jules Bianchi, who died in 2015 on the Suzuka track, the first pilot to die after Ayrton Senna, nda). When I saw other children running on the track, I asked my father if I could try. For my first car I chose the color red, and after three laps I fell in love with this sport, I couldn't understand the concept of braking. On those tracks I started dreaming of becoming a pilot, then growing up I realized that I could make my dream come true and turn it into a job opportunity.
LOI: Do you ever feel fear? CL: Honestly… I felt scared in 2017 when I thought I could not succeed in becoming a Formula 1 driver. (Leclerc won the GP3 series championship in 2016; FIA Formula 2 in 2017 to debut in F.1 with the Alfa Romeo Sauber the following year, in 2018). Never afraid of speed, the day I'm afraid, I'll stop running immediately, because living in fear is half living.
LOI: Do you remember the first Grand Prix you saw?
CL: I was still a child, I had a friend whose apartment had a balcony overlooking the Monte Carlo circuit. Of course, I always supported red cars, which have always been a special color for me, even though I didn't know Ferrari existed yet. I repeat, I am living my childhood dream.
LOI: Your favorite driver? CL : My idol has always been Ayrton Senna, from what I have been able to see from documentaries and talking to people who knew him, I discovered that he was a special person, not only behind the wheel, perhaps the best in history, but also as a human being. He will always be a legend, and not just for me.
LOI: Give me a list of your favorite team and circuits. CL: Senna for sure, Prost, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Michael Schumacher and... Hamilton would be fine too. Monaco and Singapore the circuits, precisely because if you make a mistake you pay for it immediately.
LOI: There's been a lot of talk about mental health in sports lately. How do you keep your focus? CL : Even if I run at 300km per hour I'm a human being, I alternate between beautiful moments and difficult moments, I'm not a superhero. To maximize my concentration, even though I've always been good at handling tense moments, I've been doing breathing exercises since I was a boy. They help me stay calm, they're part of the job of achieving a level of focus that helps me maximize my potential. Preparing for the race is 90% of the work, you have to think about everything from strategies to teamwork.
LOI: Since you spend most of your time in a pilot suit, how do you like to dress in your spare time? CL: Even if it doesn't seem like it, I really like fashion, it's a way to express myself without speaking. I have two types of styles, one very streetwear, causal, relaxed but refined, and then the more classic one, complete with jacket and elegant trousers. I'm not very fond of ties and I use them little. I often wear garments from the new Ferrari line, they are aerodynamic and the fabrics are technical but with an air of couture. Plus they have my favorite color, you should know what it is by now.
LOI: When you're not running, what do you do? CL: I'm a normal guy, I spend time with friends. They are Ricardo, Alex, Thomas, Guillaume, Nico, Hugo, and Joris. I'm the hard core of my youth. We go to the beach, to the restaurant, we play soccer, we play sports together because we are all sportsmen, even if it is difficult for me to find free time to spend with them. I do normal things, even if my life remains different because while they study, I live my passion. I love racing, I love Ferrari, I'm lucky.
LOI: Do you play Formula 1 video games? CL: I play with my brothers, it's a lot of fun because normally we never talk about racing together, but we do when we play. During the lockdown, with other riders, we organized challenges on Twitch, because we wanted to entertain our fans who couldn't come and see us racing. It was a tough time for everyone, at the same time I had the opportunity to stop for a moment and live a more normal life with my family.
LOI: Your favorite moment before a race? CL: When I put my helmet on and everyone comes out of the pit lane, at that point I'm alone with my car and it feels good. It's like a nest, I don't feel any sensation, zero tension, I'm completely relaxed waiting for the ride.
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hi! ugh your writing is always so good, i love it sm 😭 if you’re okay with it, could you do another one of the lucifer and mammon sorting out their problems fic? (but maybe this time reversed and it’s mammon helping lucifer, if not that’s fine). thank you <3
let me wrap my teeth around the world
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includes: lucifer & mammon
wc: 1k | rated t | m.list | cross-posted on ao3
a/n: ugh this was so fun to write i love exploring them. this is heavy in terms of guilt and lilith so be forewarned, but i hope you like it!! my inbox is open to chat, req, or leave feedback so come say hi!! (title from hozier's eat your young)
please reblog <33
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SUMMARY:
"Knock knock,” Mammon calls from the hall, and Lucifer knows he’ll enter his room even if he doesn’t answer. It doesn’t take Mammon long to find him out on the balcony, quiet and contemplative.
“Whatcha up to?” Mammon asks, leaning against the railing and looking at Lucifer. “Everyone’s wondering where you went.”
Lucifer leans back in his chair. “Just thinking.”
Mammon tilts his head in a way that makes his hair fall into his eyes. Instead of brushing it aside like a normal person, he tries, futilely, for several moments, to blow it away. “About what?” he asks finally. “’Cause you look kinda sad.”
Lucifer’s reminded, then, of just how intuitive his normally blockheaded brother could be. “About Lilith,” he answers honestly, and Mammon sucks in a breath.
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Swirling the Demonus in his cup, Lucifer looks over the city, bustling and loud, so different from the newly formed and underdeveloped fledgling that it had been when he’d fallen. It had changed so much.
He had changed so much.
The door connecting his balcony and his room is partly open, as is the door from his room to the hallway, so he can hear his brothers squabbling playfully your melodious laugh mixing and echoing with his brothers’.
And it’s wonderful that they can have moments like that. It’s, well, honestly, not something he’d ever expected. Everyone had been so sullen and quiet and angry after they’d fallen, grief from losing Lilith still painfully fresh, and without a common enemy they’d begun to turn on themselves, dynamic not at all helped by the formation of Satan.
And since Satan had all of his anger, Lucifer had just been… tired. And overwhelmingly, achingly sad. For Lilith, of course, but also for the rest of his brothers. If only he had done things differently, handled it all better, been more powerful…
It was no use thinking of ‘what ifs’. Besides, hadn’t he just been thinking how nice everything was? How grateful he was to hear them laughing and joking and teasing? He shouldn't still get caught up in the past.
“Knock knock,” Mammon calls from the hall, and Lucifer knows he’ll enter his room even if he doesn’t answer. It doesn’t take Mammon long to find him out on the balcony, quiet and contemplative.
“Whatcha up to?” Mammon asks, leaning against the railing and looking at Lucifer. “Everyone’s wondering where you went.”
Lucifer leans back in his chair. “Just thinking.”
Mammon tilts his head in a way that makes his hair fall into his eyes. Instead of brushing it aside like a normal person, he tries, futilely, for several moments, to blow it away. “About what?” he asks finally. “’Cause you look kinda sad.”
Lucifer’s reminded, then, of just how intuitive his normally blockheaded brother could be. “About Lilith,” he answers honestly, and Mammon sucks in a breath.
“Jeez, that’s pretty heavy,” he says. “But what about her?”
Lucifer takes a deep pull from his drink, wishing it was more potent. To be honest, though, maybe it was good that it wasn’t because he might be a little drunk already. The other alternative is that he’s losing it from all of the stress he’s constantly under.
“The whole situation. What I could have done differently, how I failed you all. So yes,” he adds with a wry chuckle, “pretty heavy stuff.”
Mammon blinks like he’s having trouble comprehending Lucifer’s words. “Failed us?”
Lucifer waves his hand absently. “You know, how I should have handled the situation better, not let her die, told Micheal to shove it when I had the chance. That sort of thing.”
Mammon is silent for a long moment, then begins to speak, tone strangely earnest. “But you couldn’t have done anything different, Lucifer. That’s the thing. You did the best that you could, choosing family over everything else, and then continued to sacrifice yourself when we got down here. You did so much, do so much, and we all see and appreciate it, even if we’re not really the best at showing it. Nobody blames you for what happened.”
“It sure seems like you did,” he says bleakly, unwilling to meet Mammon’s eyes.
Mammon wrings his hands, a sure sign of his discomfort, but pushes on. “Lucifer, we were hurt! And that’s not an excuse, but it is an explanation. We were hurting, and confused because our whole world was turned upside down, and there you were, pushing on as if it never happened. Now, it’s very clear to me that you were just putting on a brave face, trying to be a good older brother at the expense of your own well-being, but at the time it just seemed like you got over it. Like you didn’t really care. And it also seemed like our words never got to you, which made it easy to ignore the implications of what we were saying and doing.” Mammon’s cheeks are flushed. “Honestly, if anyone did something wrong here, it was me. I was old enough to know better, and yet I just did the easiest thing with no regard for how I was hurting other people.”
“Like you said,” Lucifer says with a shrug, “you were hurting.”
“But that doesn’t make it okay!” Mammon bursts out. “Especially not when I can still see it has an effect on you centuries later! So let me tell you clearly: you are not at fault for anything regarding Lilith. You did your best and protected this family and worked your ass off to get us where we are today. You did everything you could.”
Lucifer hadn't realized how heavy and ever-present the guilt was until it was absolved, making him able to breathe with ease for the first time in he didn’t even know how long. Finding himself blinking back tears, he swallows hard.
“Thank you,” he says. “I really appreciate you saying that.”
Mammon claps him on the shoulder awkwardly. God, neither of them are good at this sort of thing.
“Is there anything else you want to get off your chest now that we’re in the mood?” Mammon asks, and Lucifer laughs wetly.
“No, I think that was all of it. You?”
“Nah, you know me. Always good, always issue-free.”
Lucifer lets the lie, grossly blatant as it is, pass. They’ve had enough sharing for one day.
“Do you want to come back in the house now?” Mammon asks, nodding towards the door. “They’re probably all missing us dreadfully.” That sounds like a lie, given that Lucifer can still hear them laughing and talking like Mammon had ever left, but the thought still counts.
“I’m going to stay out here for a little while longer,” Lucifer replies after a moment.
“Do you want me to stay out here with you?”
Lucifer looks up, into Mammon’s warm gaze. “If you’d like, you can. I could really use another drink and I think I have another cup on my dresser.”
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leviathans-watching's work - please do not copy, repost, or claim as your own
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duhragonball · 10 months
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Super Dragon Ball Heroes 20
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Meanwhile, in a completely different story...
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This episode is a “special” that focuses on the Time Patrol.  It sets up some plot points in the next arc, and it also provides some context for Fu, although I’d say it raises more questions than answers. 
The problem is that this episode just jumps into the climax of a completely different story, one that took place some time ago, relative to the first 19 episodes.  The first time I saw it, there was a little infodump scene before the episode title, to fill you in on the Supreme Kai of Time and her conflict with Mechikabura and Demigra.  I can’t seem to find it now, so I’ll just explain what I know. 
So about 75 million years ago, there was a contest to appoint a Supreme Kai of Time. The job mainly involves caring for the Divine Tokitoki Bird, a cosmic animal who creates time.  The two candidates were Mechikabura, one of the oldest and most powerful of the Core People, and Chronoa, who I’m pretty sure got chosen because she’s good with animals.  Anyway, Mechikabura tried to cheat, and Chronoa got the job.  One of her first acts as Supreme Kai of Time was to banish Mechikabura to a hidden realm of the universe, which eventually became known as the Demon Realm.  Later, Demigra, a wizard who worked as Chronoa’s assistant, turned out to be a dirty dealer as well, and she banished him to a different realm, the Crack of Time.  
In the Demon Realm, Mechikabura founded the Dark Empire.  I don’t know where his subjects came from.  Maybe there were others in there with him, or they got banished there later for other crimes.  Anyway, everyone there became known as Demons, and after a long reign, Mechikabura died or got sealed away or something.  Dabura eventually became King of the Demon Realm, but then he got enslaved by Babidi, and killed by Majin Buu on Earth.
So Dabura’s sister, a scientist named Towa, came up with a plan to resurrect Mechikabura.  This involved a lot of time travel shenanigans, brainwashing various characters, and using a set of corrupted Dragon Balls.  Her machinations eventually got the attention of the Supreme Kai of Time, but she accused Trunks of causing the problems, since she had become aware of his time trips to defeat the androids on Earth.   When it became clear that Trunks was not responsible, she recruited him for the Time Patrol, and they investigated the Demon Realm plot together.
Now, this basic synopsis is taken from a few sources, including the Dragon Ball Heroes games, the Dragon Ball Heroes manga, and the opening exposition from this episode of the web anime.  It’s also kind of mentioned in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 1, although Mechikabura isn’t brought up, since I’m pretty sure he wasn’t introduced yet.  But Towa is in XV1 and she’s depicted as an old enemy of the Time Patrol.  There’s a number of twists and turns, like Demigra showing up and joining forces with the Time Patrol, or the Supreme Kai of Time getting mind-controlled into being a bad guy.  But episode 20 of the SDBH anime is only concerned with the very end of the story, where the good guys have their final battle against Mechikabura at the height of his powers. 
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In this version, like the manga, Chronoa and Trunks are joined by alternate versions of Gohan, Goten, Pan, Goku and Vegeta. We’ve already met Xeno Goku and Xeno Vegeta.  They were the Time Patroller guys who showed up in the Prison Planet arc and wrecked Fu’s lab.  As for Xeno Goten, he’s here to provide Xeno Trunks with a fusion partner.  Xeno Gohan and Xeno Pan?  I have no idea. I’m pretty sure they were just brought in so there’d be enough Saiyans handy to do the Super Saiyan God ritual with Trunks.
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Mostly, the action is handled by Xeno Goku and Vegeta, who fuse together to become Xeno Vegito.  So where did these guys come from?  The only explanation I’ve been able to work out is that in the Heroes video games, these battles would feature the player avatars, characters like Beat, Note, and so on.  But in the manga, those characters weren’t available, so they had a scene where Chronoa drew allies from Trunks’ memories, or something.  I don’t understand that, because the implication is that she created these guys out of thin air, with nothing to go on but Trunks’ memory.  But he has no memory of Goten or Pan, or Super Saiyan 4, so it doesn’t make sense. 
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Anyway, the basic idea here is that Vegito keeps Mechikabura busy, while Chronoa charges up Trunk’s Time Sword, which he then uses to strik the final blow. 
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Mechikabura does the whole thing where he thinks the sword didn’t even hurt him, then he’s like “OH SHIT THIS ACTUALLY HURTS A LOT!  ESPECIALLY MY GENITALS, WHICH WERE ALSO CUT IN HALF!  OW MY GOBLIN DICK!”
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Then Chronoa’s like “Sleep forever within the light” and he explodes or gets sucked into the prison dimension or whatever.  I just like how badass Chronoa’s delivery is here.  “Get wrecked, Mechikabura.  Time Patrol, motherfuckaaa.”
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Then she tells her bird to destroy the whole palace.  “Every last brick, Tokitoki.  I want them all to know it was me.”
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Normally Tokitoki looks like a goofy barn owl with a beard, but here he transforms into a giant golden firebird or something. 
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“When you get to hell, tell ‘em Tokitoki sent ya!”
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“ARRRRGH THIS HURTS A LOT!  NOT AS MUCH AS MY DEMON PENIS GETTING SLICED DOWN THE MIDDLE, THOUGH!  BUT BOTH OF THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING TO ME SO OWWWWW!”
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Then the good guys return to Earth or wherever, and everyone gives Trunks and attaboy for being so reliable.  But he gives Goku and Vegeta the credit, since they did most of the work.  I’m pretty sure the original premise was for Trunks to carry the load in this battle, hence the Super Saiyan God form, but here we are.
Anyway, that’s how Mechikabura and his Dark Empire fell.  But wait...
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Just before Tokitoki wrecked the whole place, Towa and Mira managed to evacuate their baby.  Okay, I probably should have explained Mira.  He’s an artificial life form Towa created to serve as her enforcer. He’s got Saiyan DNA and some other traits copied from powerful warriors, but she also married him, so it’s fair to say that Mira doubles as a sex toy. 
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This scene makes it look like they tossed their baby into a dimensional portal, then died with the rest of the city, but Towa and Mira would return to cause trouble in other media, including the Xenoverse games, other DBH missions, and the MMO Dragon Ball Online, where she was first introduced.
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As for the baby, we don’t actually see what happened to him as he grew up.  Instead, we flash forward to see him as an adult...
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And he’s Fu, the mad scientist we’ve seen throughout the series so far.  He looks a lot more edgelord-y here, but he seems to have lightened up by the time this web anime got started. 
My gripe here is that none of this really tells us much about Fu as a character.  I mean, he’s descended from Towa and Mira, but anyone watching this web anime without playing any of the games would have no idea who Towa and Mira are.  Well, they’re demons, okay, but what does that mean to Fu?  Does Fu even know where he came from?
I mean, I know Towa and Mira fairly well.  I’ve written fanfiction about them, for crying out loud.  But I’ve yet to understand Fu’s whole deal, and this episode seems designed to help me understand him better, and it really doesn’t succeed. Knowing who his parents are doesn’t get me very far.  I guess he inherited his scientific genius from his mom, and his high power level came from his dad, and that’s about it. 
Now, this episode does reintroduce the Time Patrol, and it introduces Tokitoki and Xeno Trunks to the story, and we’ll be seeing more of them in the next arc, so it’s not a complete waste of time, but I’m still not clear on what this was meant to accomplish.
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“OWWWWWWWWW, EVEN IN DEATH MY BISECTED DEVIL HOG STILL SMARTS LIKE NOBODY’S BUSINESS!  CAN THERE BE NO RELIEF!  OOOOOWWWWWWWWWW!”
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daechwitatamic · 2 years
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Chapter 9: Of Course I'm Not || KTH
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(banner by @itaeewon)
Title: Complete Faith (Masterpost)
Pairing: Taehyung x female reader; {background SJ x OC, mentions of YG x OC, and HS x OC}
Rating: Soft R overall, this chapter: PG-13
Wordcount: 50k total; this chapter: 4414
Summary: It’s Taehyung himself who admits that it’s usually around the one-month mark that he starts to lose interest in his relationships. So even though you’re so drawn to him you can barely stand it… when you start dating, you feel like you’ve got an expiration date from day one. But will it be Taehyung’s issues that get in the way, or your own?
Alternate summary: coworkers to friends to lovers to idiots to lovers again
TW/CW: Full list on the Masterpost. This chapter: strong language, alcohol consumption/alcohol abuse honestly
Notes: This fic is complete and will be updated every Friday evening (EDT timezone). A HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to @kookstempo for the amazing beta job tytytytyty!
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Chapter 9: Of Course I’m Not
September
Your first conversation with Taehyung, post-breakup, comes the first week of September, about a month after you left him sitting on his balcony alone. 
The last month has been awful; everything you were afraid of back at the lake – which feels like fucking years ago – came true. Jimin barely talks to you anymore, having made it clear that he “isn’t mad at you” but feels stuck in the middle. Even Yoongi, who was hardly your friend outside of work to begin with, seems to have been claimed by Taehyung in the split. You rarely eat lunch in the breakroom anymore, and your little band of lunch-excursion-buddies is now just you and Nikki.
Taehyung knocks on your door directly after the meeting, and your heart leaps. You tell it to shut the fuck up.
“Good morning,” you say with a nod. “What can I help you with?”
“Accounting doesn’t usually take part in the weekly staffing meeting,” he says. “But we’re going to have an opening we need filled.”
For a horrifying minute – your blood runs literally cold, something you’ve only read about – you think Taehyung is telling you that he’s quitting.
“Marcia’s having a baby,” he continues. “She’s taking an official leave.”
“Oh,” you say, and you want deeply to tell him how relieved you are. But you two don’t speak these days, not even as friends. “Okay, I’ll post the position. Do you know when she’s planning her last day to be?”
Taehyung frowns. “She told me, but I forgot. She’s out today, or I’d just call up and ask her.”
“I’ll email her,” you say, waving a hand. “I’ll handle it. When I get the details from her and post the position, I’ll email the whole department the listing and we can choose what day we’d like to schedule phone interviews. I’ll try to time it so we get someone in before she goes out, so she can train them first.”
“That sounds perfect,” he says, the friendliest he’s been to you since you broke his heart on his balcony. “Thanks.”
He turns to go back down the narrow hallway that leads to the main lobby.
“Bye,” you whisper.
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Late October - Halloween Day
“Okay,” Nikki says to you seriously. “What are the rules tonight?”
You roll your eyes, but she doesn’t let you get away with it.
“Y/N!” she scolds. “What are the rules?!”
Long-suffering, you say, “No moping, no sulking, no arguing.”
“Thank you,” she says.
“Can I express - again - that this is a terrible idea? I should just stay home.”
She gives you a look. “This party is going to be huge,” she points out, not for the first time. “You won’t even see him. We can stay on an entirely different floor of the house.”
“That isn’t true and you know it,” you tell her, feeling grumpy. “Seokjin is going to want to hang out with the guys, and that includes Taehyung.”
She sighs, knowing you’re right. “Come on,” she begs. “Try and have a good attitude. It’s going to be fun.”
Fun does not seem to be on the docket, in your opinion. A Halloween house party, hosted by someone you’ve never even met, with your ex in attendance, does not sound fun. But for some reason, Nikki will not let you bow out. She even insisted on doing matching costumes with you, leaving Seokjin to fend for himself. 
“My goal is to survive the night,” you tell her finally. “That’s all you get.”
That night, you get ready at Nikki’s, at her request. She wants to make sure you match exactly. You’re supposed to Uber back with them at the end of the night, but you bring your keys with you just in case. You’d rather pay for your own Uber home than stay if the night turns out to be too hard. It already sucks to see Taehyung at work every day. You don’t need suffering during your downtime, too.
The music in the house is so loud that you can hear it from inside the Uber as it pulls up. Nikki gives an excited bounce and Seokjin flashes her a smile. You’re glad they’re excited, and you try to squash your own issues down. No moping, no sulking, no arguing. Those were the rules.
The house is packed, and Seokjin leads the way through the living room by gently shouldering people out of the way. You and Nikki stay close behind him, trying to stay within the path he clears. The kitchen is busy, but you at least have breathing room. Nikki pours the three of you shots - another bad idea. But maybe it will make this suck less.
After clinking the little plastic cups together and knocking the shots back, you and Nikki mix yourselves drinks while Seokjin rummages for a beer. 
“So where’s the crew?” you ask, as you taste your concoction.
Seokjin checks his phone. “Basement,” he tells you. “Follow me.”
You push your way back through the living room in search of the basement stairs. A decent number of people are in costumes, but more people are dressed in clubwear. You keep your eyes on the ground until you make it to the stairs. 
The stairway is dark and you hold the railing tightly, following Nikki’s blue fairy wings. You can feel eyes on you by the time you’re halfway down, and you glance up to scan the room. Of course, Taehyung is watching the three of you descend the stairs, his mouth pressed into a thin line.
Seokjin pauses at the bottom, looking around for his crew. You nudge him and point in the direction you’d seen Taehyung. It’s loud down here, too, but not as bad as upstairs. The middle of the room has several beer pong tables set up, and there are some couches shoved in the corner with low coffee tables between them.
Jungkook, Jimin, and Taehyung have one of the couches. Seokjin plops down on the arm of the couch, and you and Nikki find chairs to pull around the other side of the coffee table. You set your drink down, finally working up the nerve to take your eyes off the floor and glance at Taehyung on the other side. You can’t help but smile a tiny bit.
“Vampire?” you say, eyeing his costume, complete with a cape. Jungkook and Jimin both seem to be pirates.
Do you imagine his eyes soften a bit? Or is it just wishful thinking? He nods, then drains the rest of his plastic cup.
“I’m empty,” he informs the couches, shaking his cup for emphasis. “Anyone else need anything?”
“Beer, please,” Jungkook requests, and Taehyung nods before heading across the room and up the stairs.
Jimin and Nikki start chatting, and you look around the room as you sip your drink. You spy Yoongi and Ji-hyun playing beer pong against Hoseok and Demi, and you absently hope she didn’t bring her cousin today. That would just be icing on the cake, truly.
When Taehyung brings Jungkook his beer, he starts to head over to Yoongi’s group by the pong tables, but they finish up and intercept him. The whole group gathers around the couch and you all decide to play a drinking game or two. You play through two rounds of Thumper and move on to Kings. Halfway through, Taehyung rises, his cup empty again. He’s running through them pretty quick, you notice.
You glance at your own cup - it’s pretty low, but you don’t want to ask him for a refill. Instead, you wait until he and Jimin make their way upstairs again and then text Jimin to bring you back a beer. 
[12:02 am] Jimin: Tae says you don’t REALLY want beer lol 
[12:03am] Jimin: would you like to weigh in?
Your stomach clenches. Taehyung is right - you asked for beer because it was easy, they could just grab one, no mixing required. You text back, “no i want beer pls. ty.” 
When they return, Jimin pressing a cold can into your hand, the game commences, but you’re only half paying attention. You want to talk to Taehyung - about anything, it doesn’t matter. You want to sit close to him, lean against his frame, rest in the safety he always creates in your presence. You wonder, absently, what could have salvaged things between you. 
If you had tried to right the ship back in August, would it have worked?
“Hello, Earth to Y/N,” Jimin jokes. You look up, surprised.
“It’s your turn,” Yoongi tells you from his spot across the circle, where Ji-hyun perches on his lap.
“Sorry,” you say quickly, reaching for a card. “8: Pick a date. I pick Nikki.”
“So predictable,” Seokjin jokes. 
Your phone buzzes in your pocket.
[12:23 am] Nikki: u good???
You’re about to type back “just sad” but you remember Rule #1: No Moping. You send back a thumbs up and stand, deciding you don’t want the beer in your hand after all. 
“I’ll be back in a sec,” you tell them, and head across the basement towards the stairs. You take them slowly, checking the time again. You definitely have at least two more hours to get through, if not more. 
You pour the rest of that beer into the kitchen sink and get busy fixing yourself something stronger. You want to go home so badly.
You’re standing there, sipping at the drink you mixed to check if you need to add more of anything, when Taehyung comes up beside you, reaching for the bottle of vodka. You move out of his way wordlessly and he looks sideways at you.
“You want one?” he asks, his voice a little flat, too polite.
“No thanks,” you say. “I’m trying to keep my bad decisions to a minimum tonight.”
He nods, saying nothing to this, pouring himself a shot and putting the bottle back where he found it.
“Well, cheers anyway,” he says, still in that voice. He throws the shot back and grimaces, then really looks at you, not sideways this time.
“You having fun?” he asks. He doesn’t even sound like him. 
It’s breaking your fucking heart.
“No,” you tell him honestly, fiddling with your plastic cup. “You?”
“No,” he tells you. 
You’re both quiet for a minute. “Would you have more fun if I left?” you ask quietly.
He looks back at you, understanding. “I don’t think so,” he admits. 
You feel the urge to apologize - for what, you aren’t sure - but you bite it back. Taehyung seems a little off-kilter, a little not-himself, and you don’t want it to turn into a scene.
“I’m going back downstairs,” you tell him, finally. “See you down there?”
“Sure,” he says. You notice him reaching to pour another shot as you head back towards the basement door. 
I don’t like to see you like this, you want to tell him. I’m sorry if it’s my fault. 
Instead of saying anything, you make your way back down the stairs and back to Nikki’s side. 
It’s at least an hour later by your estimation when you venture upstairs to find a bathroom. You push your way through the crowded living room and head into the hallway, which is unlit. You get almost to the end, when you trip on something - or, someone.
It’s Taehyung, sitting on the floor of the hallway, leaning his head back against the wall.
“Tae?” you ask, surprised. He lolls his head to the side and peeks at you through one eye. “Are you okay? What are you doing down there?”
He doesn’t answer, just closes that one eye again. Alarmed, you kneel down and peer at his face.
“Taehyung,” you say urgently. “Are you okay?”
He lets out a single, humorless laugh. “‘Course I’m not,” he mutters, eyes still closed. His words are so slurred that you can barely make them out. 
You pull out your phone and text Jimin - “need help - tae’s fucked up. Upstairs hallway pls hurry”. You look around, wondering if you should leave him here and go find him a water bottle. You’re about to try when Taehyung’s fingers close over your wrist, hard. You turn to look back at him, concerned.
“What did I do wrong?” he asks you, eyes open to slits now.
This hits you like a punch to the stomach; you almost physically reel back from it. You doubt he’ll even remember this conversation tomorrow, and he’s still looking at you expectantly, so you whisper, “Nothing,” as Jimin comes up behind you.
“Brooo,” Jimin says in shock, looking down at the two of you. “What the hell?”
You stand up, taking a step back to let Jimin take your spot. “I came to go to the bathroom and found him here,” you explain.
“Make Y/N go away,” Taehyung says to Jimin, eyes closed again. “I don’t want her here.”
You’re sure now that he’s blacked out because even if he was thinking it, Taehyung would never say that in front of you. But that doesn’t make it feel less like a slap. Jimin shoots you an apologetic look over his shoulder, but you shrug him off.
“Should I get someone to help you?” you ask, taking another minuscule step away. 
“Yeah,” Jimin tells you. “Can you get Jungkook? We gotta get him outside.”
You nod and head downstairs, trying to focus on where your feet are going and not on everything that just happened upstairs. Everything hurts. You make your way to Jungkook and lean down to whisper in his ear about the situation. He goes quickly and you follow him upstairs, but you avoid the hallway. Instead, you make your way to the front yard, pulling out your phone to order an Uber.
You keep it together in the car, on the walk up the stairs to your front door, and through your apartment. You lose it in the shower, leaning your head against the cool tiles. You know how hard this has been for you; you hadn’t spent a lot of time wondering how hard it is for Taehyung, too. You feel selfish, and stupid, and so fucking sad.
When you get it together and head to bed, you’ve got texts from Nikki and Jimin -
[3:07am] Nikki: girl where are you????
[3:08 am] Nikki: for real everything okay?
[3:21 am] Nikki: Hello???????????
You text her back quickly - “went home, sry, talk tmrw” - and move onto the text from Jimin.
[3:34 am] Jimin: thanks for getting me
[3:35 am] Jimin: all under control here, got him home, he’ll be fine
[3:37 am] Jimin: remind me to never let you break my heart… tf
You actually turn your phone all the way off, chucking it across the room, where it lands on the floor with a clatter. 
It’s well after noon the next day when you decide to forgive your phone and retrieve it, turning it on. Your battery is barely hanging by a thread, so you plug it in and plop down on your bed.
You have a few more scolding texts from Nikki, who is furious that you left without telling her goodbye. You have nothing else from Jimin after his last stab in the heart last night. And finally -
[8:54 am] Taehyung: hey
[8:55 am] Taehyung: i have been informed that i may have hurt your feelings last night
[8:59 am] Taehyung: so… i’m sorry if i hurt your feelings. I’m also sorry for getting out of control. I guess i owe you a thank you for getting me out of there
[9:01 am] Taehyung: if it makes you feel any better… karma is kicking my ass this morning… currently on my bathroom floor and i don’t see myself moving anytime soon…
You don’t know how to answer that. You don’t know what to say. You don’t know which parts to acknowledge, which parts to brush past. You don’t know if you should bring up anything you’d said to each other the night before, if he even remembered them.
In the end, you don’t reply at all.
You don’t speak to Taehyung - or Jimin - for another three weeks.
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Late November
The third week of November, as the days begin to darken and the air turns crisp, Jimin comes to see you in your office at the end of the day.
“Oh, you’re speaking to me today?” you ask, eyebrow raised.
“Don’t be like that,” he chides. “Truthfully… I need a really big favor.”
You look at him flatly. “So, you abandon me for two months and show back up when you need something? I’ll be truthful too – that’s shitty of you.”
“That isn’t fair,” he argues, voice quiet, both of you aware of your boss two doors down the hall. “You broke my best friend’s heart. What am I supposed to do?”
“Did it ever occur to you that it broke my heart too?” you challenge. “It’s more complicated than that, Jimin, this isn’t sixth grade.”
He looks at you, and you can actually watch it happen on his face as he reassesses the situation.
“I’m sorry,” he says finally.
“Add in that you and Yoongi don’t talk to me anymore, I lost three friends. What did he lose? Just me, so nothing.” You can’t help this bit of self-pity.
“Don’t be like that,” Jimin says for the second time. “Tae’s been… I mean, he definitely doesn’t feel like he lost nothing, I can tell you that for sure. You saw him on Halloween. Don’t pretend you don’t know what that was about.”
You both stand there awkwardly for a minute. Finally you say, “Whatever, it doesn’t matter. What’s done is done. What was the favor you needed?”
Jimin blushes. “Remember that match I made back during the summer?”
You do, but barely. “You’re still talking?”
He nods shyly. “We’re supposed to meet up today, finally, after literal months of messaging. But Doug just asked me to take these account files to Taehyung to work on from home tonight, and I am desperate to not be late to our first meeting -.”
“Oh, Jimin,” you say, stomach churning. “Can’t you ask someone else? Nikki? Yoongi? Anyone?”
“They all left already,” he says, giving you gigantic pleading eyes. You look at the clock. It’s 5:15, so it’s probably true that everyone bounced already. “Pleaaaaase, Y/N, I get how awkward it will be but I am truly desperate. I’m already cutting it close if I leave right from here!”
“Fine,” you say flatly. “Give me the files.”
He thanks you effusively, handing over a stack of manilla folders. You text Taehyung.
[5:18 pm] You: Hey. This is about work.
[5:19 pm] You: Jimin just gave me some files that Doug wants you to have tonight, I guess?
[5:20 pm] You: He can’t bring them, he asked me to. Is it okay if I come by on my way home to give them to you?
[5:21 pm] Taehyung: yes that’s fine but I’m not at my place, I’m with my mom
[5:22 pm] Taehyung: can you bring them here? I’ll send you the address now
[5:23 pm] You: sure, no problem
You drive over, following your phone’s directions, blasting the AC to battle your nervous sweating. Damn Jimin and his bullshit. You pull up and park out front of a small, one-story home. Taehyung swings the front door open before you can even ring the bell.
You hold the files in front of you like a shield.
“Hi,” you say. “These are the files Jimin gave me.”
“Thanks,” he says, voice tight, as he takes them from your hands. You both stand there, not speaking, when two things happen at once behind him: a kettle on the stovetop starts whistling – loudly – and a woman calls, “Taehyungie? Can you help me?”
He looks frazzled for a second, pulled in both directions.
“I’ll get the kettle for you,” you say quietly. “Go help her.”
There’s a second of hesitation, like he’s really considering telling you to fuck off, but then he nods, turning and heading into a room to the right. You head straight back to the kitchen, clearly visible from the front door. You spin the knob to turn off the burner and move the kettle to a different spot, so the whistling stops.
Taehyung reenters the kitchen, but still doesn’t speak to you as he busily readies two mugs, pouring in the boiled water. He walks one of the mugs back out, and you hear his mother scold him, “Taehyung, you’re being very rude.”
You walk to the doorway kitchen, trying to hide a smile. Taehyung looks at you flatly, clearly not in the mood for his mother’s teasing.
“Mom, this is Y/N. Y/N, my mother.”
“It’s really lovely to meet you,” you say.
She chides him, “Offer her something to drink, Taehyung! Honestly, who raised you?”
“Wolves,” he tells her, all sass, and she swats at him.
“I don’t want to impose,” you demure. “I really have to get home and start dinner anyway. Mrs. Kim, it was so nice to meet you.”
You head towards the door, and Taehyung follows you. You pause on the porch. “Are you going to Nikki’s birthday thing this weekend?” you ask.
He nods, crossing his arms in front of his chest. You try to pull your eyes away from his forearms. “I’m coming up a little later than everyone, but yeah, I am.”
You give him a secretive look. “Do you know what’s happening on Saturday?”
He looks puzzled. “Aren’t we taking brunch foods out by the river?  Like a picnic?”
You smile, nodding. “Seokjin’s going to propose by the river, with all of us there.”
Jin had contacted you weeks ago over this plan, and you’d helped orchestrate the whole thing. After assuring him repeatedly that Nikki was definitely saying yes and he would not be embarrassing himself, of course. Your whole crew was going to stay all night at a hotel near the river, go out clubbing Friday night, and then picnic Saturday morning – where Seokjin would pop the question by the riverside, with all their loved ones there to cheer them on. All of this under the guise of celebrating Nikki’s 25th, of course.
It was going to be really sweet.
Unless you were bitter and hated love.
You are trying not to be that person. So, it seems, is Taehyung, because he grimaces and visibly tries to shake it off. “Wow,” he says finally. “Good for them, that’s exciting. I’m happy for them.”
You give him an understanding smile. You’re both feeling the same way, probably.
“Well,” you say finally. “Good luck with the files. See you at work tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” he says, starting to close the door. “See you tomorrow.”
It’s the most you’ve talked since July.
You spend the whole drive home blinking back tears. How fucking stupid. You hate emotions.
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After work on Friday, you swing by your mother’s to say goodbye to Sierra and make sure they’d be okay while you were gone. It was a shorter trip this time – you’d be home Saturday night – but you still worried.
After you kiss Sierra goodbye, you go over the plan with your mom one last time. She looks at you carefully as you speak. When you’re done, she says slowly, “Y/N… is everything okay with you?”
You’re not sure why you tell her the truth. You’ve never really opened up to your mother about anything before. Maybe you’re really just having that bad of a time.
“Just dreading this trip,” you say, sinking into one of the kitchen chairs. “Taehyung is going to be there.”
She looks at you sympathetically. “That sounds hard,” she says. For some reason, this cracks the dam.
“It’s so hard to be around him, even at work it’s hard,” you admit. Once you start talking, you can’t stop. “I just feel everything I felt for him all summer so strongly, and I know he absolutely hates me now.”
“You said that you broke up with him?” she clarifies, remembering the conversation back in August you’d had.
“Yeah,” you say glumly, chin in your hand. “But only because he basically gave me an ultimatum – complete faith, or get out.”
She sits across from you, fiddling with a pen that was laying on the table. “That seems like an awfully big thing to ask of someone. Complete faith?”
“Exactly,” you say. “Plus when we first started talking, we had this whole conversation about how he always messes up his relationships by deciding he wants out after about a month. He kept claiming it was different for us, but how could it be?”
She doesn’t answer this, looking away.
“Mom?” you prompt.
She purses her lips. “Y/N… I know it’s really hard for you to believe this, but I love you. I always have, even through my darkest, hardest years. I’ve always been sorry for how my addiction hurt you. But I can’t change those years, I can’t change what we went through. I can only keep trying to make better choices each day as I move forward.”
“…Okay,” you say slowly, appreciating the sentiment, but not sure how it connects.
She shakes her head. “I’m sorry if it hurts your feelings to hear this, I am. But I think you need to hear it. You’ve never… you’ve never let go of my past and given me the opportunity to be better. When you cling to someone’s past mistakes, you deny them the chance to change and evolve. That was hurtful to me for a long time, but I felt like you were entitled to your anger, so I never said anything. I’m not comparing his situation to mine, but I am comparing how you respond to it. It sounds like… maybe you aren’t letting him evolve from his past, either.”
You literally feel like your brain has turned off. Not only is this the most intense, serious thing your mother has ever said to you in your life, what she’s saying has you floored.
You’re both blinking back tears, and when she comes around the table to wrap her arms around you, you let her. Sierra finds you like that a few minutes later and asks, “Um, did you guys fight?”
“No, Tiny,” you tell her, voice choked. “We didn’t fight. We’re okay.”
You think about what your mom said for the entire drive to the hotel, the entire hour and a half. 
Next
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Thank you so much for being here! I appreciate every single like and reblog! I also yell every time I get an actual comment :)
Taglist || @rinkud
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holyhappyhour · 10 months
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Glossary of Characters & Terms
(some of these terms may be different than what was established in the early days of this blog/TL. I'm pretty much making this up as I go and sometimes I change my mind about thing I've come up with on the fly. list will update as I think of/establish more)
Important Characters:
Conrad Walsh: Le's hunting/work partner, and romantic partner as well. Connie's a sweetheart with a lot of energy and a sweet tooth. What he lacks in fighting ability, he more than makes up for in loyalty. more
Alice Walsh: Conrad's older sister, Alice is much more fearsome than her kind smile and effeminate appearance suggest. She's a powerful witch, specializing in both holy and necromantic spells that make her a nightmare for vampires and have earned her the nickname of Archangel. But it's been years since she's seen fieldwork after being promoted to an executive administrative position, issuing assignments, overseeing investigations, and acting as the face of the Missionaries' public relations.
Nico Martin: Le's best friend and mentor, Nico is a terrifying, sadistic force of nature hiding behind a polite smile and pastel sweater. They've chased the vampire who turned them across two continents, dedicating their life to revenge. However, after finding himself growing more cold and unforgiving towards his own kind, Nico agreed to step aside from fieldwork for a while. more
Marcel La Rouge: Perhaps one of the most wanted vampire lords of the modern era, Marcel is personally responsible for a population boom of freshly turned vampires in the 1960's, the effects of which the world continues to see as those vampires have gone on to turn their own exponentially. Though he no longer leads a religious cult, his following is as strong as ever as he continues preaching and and pushing for supernatural superiority over humankind.
Matthew [redacted]: Le's beloved older brother, Matt was a big dreamer with great humor, passion for movies and exploring. Unfortunately, after being lured and bitten by Marcel, Matty tried to hide his transformation from his family, driving him to Frenzy. more
Important Terms:
Missionaries: the official title given to those who work for the branch of the Catholic Church that handles all matters dealing with the Supernatural. all missionaries are designated by the simple, blocky cross necklace they're to wear both on and off duty, engraved with coded identification and acting as a badge.
Reapers: an unofficial title given to active, high-ranking Hunters within the Missionaries, designated by the black sash they're meant to wear at all times. Reapers hold a license to kill and may be given special assignment including bounty hunting and high profile investigations.
Full Moon Patrol: the three night period around each month's full moon, when all active field Missionaries, including Reapers, are required to patrol the city watching for and responding to werewolf and other supernatural activity that may endanger humans.
LifeBlood (LB): the only FDA-approved supplement for vampire nutrition and a surprisingly effective alternative to the real thing, available for free, only through approved distributors.
(Unholy) Communion: the Catholic Church's own little name for LifeBlood, its werewolf equivalent, and the ritual consumption of such.
Frenzy: an uncontrollable state of hunger, usually triggered by the smell or taste of blood during a state of starvation. Frenzied vampires may attack indiscriminately, feeding and feasting until completely and utterly satiated. during this state, latent magic abilities may be unlocked, allowing vampires to use special powers despite prior magic ability or training, even after returning to normal. entering and surviving one's first Frenzy is sometimes seen as a rite of passage for some. vampires who survive Frenzy often come out with permanent physical changes as well, the most common of which is one's eye color turning red, gold, or black.
Monstrosity: an advanced stage of Frenzy, usually caused by a Frenzied vampire continuing to feed well past satiation. after entering an unstoppable, animalistic rage, vampires in Monstrosity undergo rapid physical mutation, beyond anything recognizable as human, and develop powerful magic abilities, often beyond their own control. unlike the common Frenzy, Monstrosity is irreversible.
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dadigitalfunda · 8 months
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Leveraging SEO to Boost Revenue and Preserve Your Spot on Amazon
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E-commerce has turned into an indispensable component of corporate success in today's rapid digital marketplace. In particular, when it regards online marketplaces, Amazon is the Behemoth of their lot. But in this expansive digital market, how can you make sure the right audience discovers your products? The discipline of search engine optimization (SEO) holds the answer to the solution. You might earn a top spot in search results, boost visibility, and eventually improve revenue through comprehending Amazon SEO. Let's uncover the global scope of Amazon SEO and how it can help your company grow.
Introduction
Amazon is unquestionably the market leader in the wide world of shopping on the internet, with millions of products and a global consumer base. But if you wish to stand out in this gigantic marketplace, you need to take a strategic approach to Amazon SEO alongside simply promoting your products.
Understanding Amazon's A9 Algorithm
The A9 algorithm, an exclusive ranking algorithm developed by Amazon, powers its search capability. A9 chooses which products show up at the top of search results similarly to Google's algorithm. It's essential to comprehend its nuances if you want to grasp Amazon SEO.
Keyword Research: The Cornerstone of Amazon SEO
The cornerstones of an efficient SEO strategy are keywords. A thorough keyword analysis reveals the phrases consumers use to look for products. The use of tools like MerchantWords and Jungle Scout is crucial for finding these undiscovered treasures.
Optimizing Product Titles for Maximum Impact
Your first impression comes from the product title. Create a title that is clear and informative, contains pertinent keywords, yet is still readable. To entice potential customers, strike a balance between optimization and compelling language.
Bullet Points and Product Descriptions: Informative and Compelling
You can go into greater length about the benefits and specifications of your product in the product descriptions and bullet points. Handle the desires of the customer, underline your unique selling proposition, and keep a friendly tone that resonates with the potential purchasers.
Harnessing the Power of Backend Keywords
Backend keywords are vital for increasing discoverability because they are hidden from customers but visible to search engines. Here, include long-tail keywords, alternative spellings, and synonyms.
Images that Speak: Visual Appeal and SEO
Besides high-quality photographs being aesthetically pleasing, they also affect SEO. Incorporate infographics, lifestyle pictures, and high-resolution images that demonstrate the beneficial effects of your product.
Enhanced Brand Content: Aesthetics Meets Conversion
Create engaging product pages by using Amazon's Enhanced Brand Content efficiency. Offer visually appealing graphics and accurate product details to enhance the purchasing procedure for customers.
Customer Reviews and Seller Ratings: Building Trust
Digital word-of-mouth includes merchant ratings and customer feedback. To establish confidence and trust, provide exceptional customer service and continuously achieve your contractual obligations.
Price Optimization and Buy Box Strategy
Sales have been significantly influenced by pricing conflicts. Examine the pricing of rivals and proactively adapt your own. Furthermore, a mix of pricing, contentment, and customer satisfaction must be implemented to accomplish the Buy Box, a highly sought-after coveted spot on product sites.
Fulfillment: A Hidden SEO Factor
Order fulfilment that concludes quickly benefits your Amazon SEO. Use the Satisfied by Amazon (FBA) service on Amazon for prompt and trustworthy delivery, that raises your rating.
Monitoring and Adapting Your SEO Strategy
Amazon's atmosphere is always changing. Follow up with algorithm updates, check-up with your product's sales, and be ready for modifications to your SEO plan whenever needed to stay ahead.
Staying Ahead of the Curve with Voice Search
Voice-activated technology is influencing how users search. Employ conversational keywords and natural phrasing to maintain relevance while optimizing for voice search.
Expanding Beyond Amazon: Multi-Platform SEO Strategy
Even though Amazon is a giant, take into account using other e-commerce platforms as well. Each platform has unique SEO considerations; alter your tactics as required.
Measuring Success: Metrics that Matter
Keep an eye on significant indicators such as click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and sales velocity. You may prioritize your optimization efforts as well as evaluate the outcome of your SEO strategy employing these indicators.
Conclusion
Your hidden advantage in the highly competitive world of Amazon is SEO. You may keep your place in the spotlight and witness sales explode by understanding the particulars of Amazon's A9 algorithm, honing your keyword research, optimizing product components, and grasping new trends.
FAQs
Q1: Is Amazon SEO similar to traditional website SEO?
A: Amazon SEO has distinct specifics because of Amazon's algorithm and customer behaviour, despite certain similarities.
Q2: How frequently should I update my product listings?
A: When replying to client feedback or adapting to trends, regular updates can be very beneficial.
Q3: Can external marketing efforts complement Amazon SEO?
A: Absolutely! External initiatives like influencer partnerships and social media marketing may subsequently boost SEO and raise traffic.
Q4: Does the number of product reviews impact SEO?
A: Yes, customer reviews assist in verifying the trustworthy nature of your product and may determine where it performs in search results.
Q5: Is Amazon's Buy Box solely dependent on price?
A: No, even though pricing is a factor, other elements such as seller ratings, contentment, and customer service additionally determine whether an item is chosen for the Buy Box.
Hence, Amazon SEO is a powerful tactic that might be useful to your products to the top positions of the most notable online retailer on the planet. By using an ordered strategy, consistently overhauling your site, and looking out for emerging trends, you might investigate Amazon's digital surroundings, guarantee your place in search results, and amplify income.
Author Bio
Hey Everyone! Deyasee Laha is a highly skilled SEO executive, trained from Vision Upliftment Academy, offering the best Online SEO course in Kolkata. Her expertise lies in keyword research, on-page and off-page SEO optimization, competitor analysis, and analytics. Deyasee's passion for SEO and her dedication to delivering results make her an ideal striver for bloggers, marketers, entrepreneurs, and anyone seeking to enhance their online presence in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
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astralartefact · 9 months
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i can hear a voice... of cards Divine 063y Analysis Post
This post is a part 2, you can find part 1 here Voice of Cards: Forsaken Maiden spoilers under the cut (including the final boss)
Alternate Title: Mommy, but make it Daddy
But first, the unhinged conspiracy board continues!
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(I will keep expanding the original one with each new costume because I think that makes it more fun)
This time our divine costume seems to be based on the Ivory Spirit (who I speculate to be the OG grotesquerie queen)
I have absolutely no concept of how many people have actually played forsaken maiden, so I will include the card of the final boss, which is made up of all the spirits/gods in the game so you have some concept of what's probably coming next
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Divine Akeha was likely based on Lac, who became the big monster at the top, Divine 063y is likely the Ivory Spirit (the hanging lady to the upper left). what remains are the red one on the lower left, the black one (with green) on the lower right and the blue kraken
(btw, if you are in any way interested in voice of cards but you don't want to buy all three (bc honestly they're a little pricey for what they are), i recommend forsaken maiden. it's a little bit harder than the other two but it's imo the best one and as far as i know the only 'lore relevant' one (for now))
Anyways. Back to 063y.
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The two things I immediately noticed were the hidden eyes (the Ivory Spirit's eyes are hidden behind her hair) and the collar thing which looks very similar to the pin Lac has on his belly but interpreted as some sort of shackle. A lot of the details on the costume seem to be designed like shackles, but I guess that's a given since 063y's title is Prisoner.
Another thing is that the outfit is primarily white but it has some black accents mainly on the inside lining (it seems like if you turn the outfit inside out, all of the white fabric would 'turn' black) - which also mirrors the Ivory Spirits design with its black straps contrasting the uniformly white design. Since the Ivory Spirit is likely designed as an extension of Furiae's design from DoD 1 where the black straps kind of resembled some sort of mild bondage-thing to on one hand contrast her mostly pure white facade and on the other to represent her being 'caged' into her role as goddess, I think it's very fitting to take that to 063y's role as "Prisoner" too for example with the straps on his torso.
While he doesn't wear a crown on his head like Akeha (one of the common features all the gods have in VoC) there is one on the handle of his sword. I don't necessarily think it's intentional and/or means anything, but I did realize when spotting the one on the sword that flowers and crowns kind of have similar shapes...
And speaking of his weapon, it also seems to glow (if you look at the lighting of his hand) similar to how Lanca's weapon 'glows' (Lanca is the Ivory Spirit's Maiden and her weapon is bestowed with the spirit's power)
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It's a little bit hard to see, but notice the yellow 'halo' lines, which can also be found on some of the other maiden's weapons (especially their ultimate weapons)
Finally - and this is really a stretch, which is why it is a blue string on the board - 063y wears shackles on his wrists (which imo also mimic the straps on the Ivory Spirit's gloves) and it looks to me like the right shackle has a different color from the one on the left. This could very well just be from the weapon's glow effect and it's actually supposed to be the same color, the artist just decided to represent the light in this way.
However. It does line up with the fact that that's the arm the Ivory Spirit uses to move Lac and because of that it's also the arm she loses when she merges into the final boss form.
And if it actually is on purpose, then it's probably also on purpose that that's the arm Zero has a prosthesis with the Ivory Spirit's symbol on which also inhabits something that looks very much like Lac.
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(For more info see my post on the Ivory Spirit here)
As for the stories:
Character Story
O, God And our dear son, who now rests at God's side Watch over us in this endless war ────────────────────────────────── WE THROW OURSELVES INTO THIS FIGHT PLACING ALL WE LOVE IN PERIL BUT IS WHAT COMES AFTER WORTH IT? IF ONLY WE COULD BECOME FLOWERS EMPTY OUR MINDS BLOOM TOGETHER FOREVER
Weapon Story
I love you I love you I love you The many years I spent with you keep me ruthless and cruel I love you I love you I love you The whole of your life nourishes my newly blossoming heart I love you I love you I love you Your warmth soothes the grief I carry for the child I lost I love you I love you I love you The trembling of my body instantly stops when you fight by my side
(nierrein.guide you are a gift sent from the heavens i still need to donate to your kofi)
Flowers. *standing ovation*
(i think 063y and FF6x's hidden stories reference the flower religion too, but i haven't looked into it enough to make any meaningful connection between them and the drakengard flower/the ivory spirit. i guess this could potentially be some hint that the god of the flower religion is the ivory spirit too)
I kind of talked about it in my reincarnation theme analysis post (i think it was a mistake to put a tier list as the picture now people ignore it more q.q please read it i was relatively proud of it and don't worry the tierlist barely comes up) but i think it's really interesting just how much 063y is reduced to his son and his wife. it's just to such an extent that i'm kind of wondering if the writers actually realize what they're doing and don't just fuel it on accident...
I guess - as a gay guy who isn't particularly invested in becoming father - it's just fascinating to see this (almost glorified) relationship ideal be depicted this dystopic? like this is "what a father should be", the one true thing society has decided is the most good for a man to be and it results in one of reincarnation's ultimate losses of agency (and this means a lot since as i explored in my other post reincarnation is almost only loss of agency)
is it really agency to choose and fight if you're stuck in an eternal war against flowers is that subtext on masculinity i sense there? that is literally built on abusing your faithful duty to your wife and child to keep fighting forever. there is simply no other option - he has to protect the ones he loves. why? because he's a good father. and if he doesn't do it for his kid he does it for his wife and if his wife wasn't there - then what?
he is literally the perfect husband, the perfect father and yet all of this comes to the conclusion that without his family 063y has no other purpose - and that's why he can be abused into fighting an eternal war with no hope in sight. and that's just sad. and i hope that the writers are aware of that - mostly because if they're not careful it can easily skew into an incel-like "F66y is just an evil wife that exploits 063x's good nature - just like all women" sort of thing
I will end it here since I have way too many thoughts on this and it's already kind of out of place in this post... I might read up on his stories and write a post, but don't count on it.
Edit: I did the bad thing and pulled much more often than I should but hey, I got him. Twice. (don't worry, i don't spend money on gacha games, i just have a lot of free currency saved up)
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First of all, as always, the pull screen is far too cool so I'll include it. Totally unrelated I would love to point your attention to "robes of speech."
Because to speak you need a voice. A Voice. of. CAR---
(Same thing with Forsaken)
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I was right about the weapon glow, it's much more noticeable in-game. Sadly I was also right about being wrong about the wrist rings, they are the same color so that whole point is moot i guess
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The markings on the sword vaguely reminds me of the ivory spirit sigil? But it's not enough that i would say it's on purpose.
He also has this glowy piece of fabric on his back (which I will just delusionally state to look similar to the ivory spirit's long hair)
His character skill is called THREE RINGS (All Caps), but I'm pretty sure that's not particularly voc related.
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All in all seeing the design in 3D I will say that I might actually for once have read a little bit too much into it (but hey, it's much more fun this way)
I wouldn't completely rule it out, they might just have interpreted the ivory spirit design more loosely than they did with Akeha, but I'm certainly a bit more shakey about it than I was with her (who I stand by, that one can't be a coincidence). We'll see what happens with upcoming Divine designs and who knows, maybe only some of them are based on the Forsaken Maiden spirits while some of them are not.
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do you describe a character’s appearance all right away or in pieces?
thanks for all the asks! I'll combine them into one long answer for ya :3
1. do you know how you want the story to end when you start, or are you just stumbling through the figurative wilderness hoping to find a road? I like to have a vague idea of where it ends at least! I planned The Treewalkers out chapter by chapter and I'm doing the same with its sequel, but otherwise I like to keep the middle flexible so I can rearrange or add or delete things as needed. There's been some one shots where I don't know the ending before writing, tho
3. on a scale of 1-10 how much do you enjoy incorporating romance into the average story? Depends on if I set out to include romance in it. Unless I start from the beginning with the express purpose of putting romance in a story I typically won't. When I do add romance, tho, I tend to enjoy some established romances bc it's fun writing characters being tender with each other. So maybe a 7 or 8?
of course, if you ask fans of The Royal Ranger, that number would be -5 bc there's been almost zero romance in it so far slghlgh
5. have you ever made a playlist about something you were writing as an elaborate means to procrastinate when you could have been actually writing and if yes drop a link, son I have not actually! I tend not to associate music with characters or projects because my brain doesn't interpret music in any specific way, it's just kinda there. I'll often turn on instrumental music if I need to write (or at least music that's not in English) so I don't get distracted by words, tho
9. in an ideal world where you’re already super successful and published, would you want to see a tv or movie adaptation of your work? why or why not? A TV adaptation might be interesting, because it could develop things better with a longer runtime than a movie would. But with the state of the movie/TV industry at the moment I'm not sure how well it would turn out, it seems like everything is all-or-nothing in terms of whether or not it's considered a success and everything gets extended past when it should in the interest of making more sequels so I don't think I'd want that any time soon lol
16. where is your favourite place to write? I love writing outside, but ultimately as long as I have some natural light I'm good :D
38. how many stories do you work on at one time? Thaaaaaat depends! If it's one shots I'll work on one at a time. Now that I've got two massive canon rewrites on the go, tho, I work on alternating chapters of them. But if I get a one shot idea I'll typically write that before working more on my multi-chaps because I can get it done quicker
39. are you an avid reader? Yup!! I've been making a conscious effort to get back into it lately and it's been super relaxing
41. what is the weirdest story idea you’ve ever had. Either the Ranger's Apprentice log driver AU or librarian AU 🤔
51. share the synopsis of a story you work on that you haven’t published yet Halt goes back to Clonmel with Will and Horace to see Sean, and meets Sean's wife and daughter. But this won't be a simple family reunion, because there's trouble in Clonmel that threatens the throne...
58. what is the last thing that a fic made you google when you were writing it? I googled where pike lived for one of my fics! Other than that I'm very regularly googling Irish names or words for things, but I can't remember which of those I did more recently slhgg
64. what is your favourite title for a fic you’ve written? I'm quite partial to The Royal Ranger, but that's cheating slightly - in the Ranger's Apprentice fandom, the book The Royal Ranger (book 12) is quite divisive with a lot of people really hating it or disliking how it handled certain things, so when I decided to write a fic that the title technically worked for I just went with it lmao. As for original titles, I like The Ward Ghost - it was hard to come up with and I thought up and discarded several titles before settling on it
73. how do you visualise scenes? do you see it like a movie in your head, or do the words just flow? Thaaaaat also depends! Sometimes I'll get a very clear image of something in my head, but often the faces of characters in the scene are blurry (I suspect I'm mildly faceblind). Often it'll be like witnessing something while a narrator explains what's going on. For most of my life that was how I interacted with the world - going about daily tasks, but narrating in my head as though it was a book - so my writing is just kinda an extension of that
80. do you try to put themes, motifs, messages, morals, etc in your writing? if so, how do you go about it? Hmmm sorta? I've mostly been doing it with The Royal Ranger, through Halt being autistic. The recurring message regarding him - or, well, regarding characters who interact with him - is that the good characters accommodate and make efforts to understand him, while the bad ones brush off his difficulties and make him mask heavily. I show this with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer (i.e. Halt is shown to be unhappy when forced to mask and happy/relaxed when he can be himself). I don't pay much attention to any morals or themes or anything but if anyone has noticed any, I'd like to hear about what you took away from my works :3
95. do you describe a character’s appearance all right away or in pieces? Mostly right away! Sometimes I'll give a basic description early on and then flesh it out a ta time when it flows better in the story, tho
Link to the ask game if you want to play!
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does freelancing website discover you are using a vpn
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A virtual private network (VPN) can be a powerful tool for freelance professionals who work on online platforms. By using a VPN while working on freelance websites, freelancers can enhance their online security and privacy.
One of the main benefits of using a VPN on freelance websites is the increased level of encryption it provides. This allows freelancers to securely transmit sensitive data, such as login credentials and client information, without the risk of interception by malicious actors. With the rise in cyber threats and hacking attempts, protecting sensitive data is crucial for freelance professionals.
Moreover, using a VPN can help freelancers bypass regional restrictions imposed by certain freelance websites. Some platforms may restrict access to freelancers based on their geographical location. By using a VPN, freelancers can mask their IP address and appear as if they are accessing the website from a different location, thus gaining access to a wider range of job opportunities.
Additionally, freelancers often work remotely from different locations, such as cafes or co-working spaces, where public Wi-Fi networks are commonly used. These networks are susceptible to security threats, putting freelancers' data at risk. By using a VPN on public Wi-Fi networks, freelancers can create a secure connection and prevent unauthorized access to their online activities.
In conclusion, utilizing a VPN on freelance websites offers freelance professionals an extra layer of security and privacy, allowing them to work safely and access job opportunities without geographical limitations. It is essential for freelancers to prioritize their online security to safeguard their digital assets and confidential information.
Freelance platform VPN tracking
Freelancers around the world rely on freelance platforms to connect with clients and find job opportunities. As the gig economy continues to thrive, many freelancers are becoming increasingly concerned about their online privacy and security. One such concern is VPN tracking on freelance platforms.
VPN tracking on freelance platforms refers to the practice of monitoring and potentially restricting the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by freelancers. VPNs are commonly used by individuals to protect their online privacy, encrypt their internet connection, and access websites or services that may be blocked in their country. However, some freelance platforms have begun tracking the use of VPNs by freelancers for various reasons.
One reason freelance platforms may track VPN usage is to ensure the security and legitimacy of the platform. By monitoring VPN usage, platforms can detect and prevent unauthorized access, fraudulent activities, or other security threats. Additionally, tracking VPN usage may help platforms comply with regulations and prevent misuse of the platform for illegal activities.
While VPN tracking on freelance platforms may raise privacy concerns among freelancers, it is essential for platforms to balance security measures with respecting freelancers' privacy rights. Freelancers should be aware of the platform's policies regarding VPN usage and understand the reasons behind VPN tracking. Furthermore, freelancers can take steps to enhance their online security and privacy, such as using reputable VPN services and following best practices for online safety.
In conclusion, VPN tracking on freelance platforms is a complex issue that highlights the importance of balancing security needs with respecting user privacy. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, freelancers can navigate this challenge while continuing to benefit from the opportunities offered by freelance platforms.
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can vpn track me if i am not connected
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can vpn track me if i am not connected
VPN tracking without connection
VPN tracking without connection is a concerning issue for many internet users seeking privacy and security online. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are commonly used to encrypt internet traffic and mask users' IP addresses, providing anonymity and safeguarding data from prying eyes. However, recent developments have raised concerns about the potential for VPN tracking even when not connected to a VPN server.
One of the primary areas of vulnerability lies in the way VPN applications handle users' data when they are not actively connected to a VPN server. Some apps may continue to collect and store user data, including browsing history, IP addresses, and device information, even when the VPN is turned off. This data can be exploited by third parties for tracking purposes, compromising the very privacy that VPN users seek to protect.
Another issue arises from the use of tracking cookies and scripts by websites and online services. Even if a user is not actively using a VPN, these tracking technologies can identify and monitor their online activities, bypassing the protection typically offered by VPN services. This can lead to targeted advertising, data profiling, and potential privacy breaches.
To mitigate the risks of VPN tracking without connection, users should carefully review the privacy policies and data handling practices of VPN providers before installing their applications. It is also advisable to regularly clear cookies and browser history, use privacy-focused browser extensions, and consider alternative privacy tools such as Tor for enhanced anonymity online. By staying informed and proactive, users can better protect their digital privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.
VPN monitoring in offline mode
Title: Exploring VPN Monitoring in Offline Mode: A Comprehensive Guide
In today's interconnected world, virtual private networks (VPNs) play a crucial role in safeguarding online privacy and security. However, what happens when internet connectivity is limited or unavailable? Enter VPN monitoring in offline mode, a feature gaining traction for its ability to maintain security even when offline.
Offline VPN monitoring refers to the capability of VPN software to continue monitoring and managing network traffic even when the device is not connected to the internet. This functionality is particularly valuable for users in environments with intermittent connectivity, such as remote areas or during travel.
One of the primary advantages of offline VPN monitoring is its ability to maintain a secure connection to corporate networks and sensitive data repositories even in offline settings. By leveraging locally stored data and predefined security protocols, offline VPN monitoring ensures that sensitive information remains protected from potential threats, including malware and unauthorized access.
Moreover, offline VPN monitoring enhances network resilience by enabling continuous monitoring and threat detection, even in the absence of internet connectivity. This proactive approach to security allows organizations to identify and mitigate potential risks before they escalate, thereby reducing the likelihood of data breaches and network compromises.
Implementing offline VPN monitoring involves configuring VPN software to store encryption keys, authentication credentials, and other essential data locally on the device. Additionally, organizations may deploy specialized monitoring tools capable of detecting and responding to security incidents autonomously, without requiring real-time internet connectivity.
In conclusion, VPN monitoring in offline mode represents a proactive approach to network security, ensuring continuous protection even in offline environments. By leveraging locally stored data and predefined security protocols, offline VPN monitoring enhances resilience and mitigates the risk of data breaches, empowering organizations to maintain a secure online presence regardless of internet availability.
Offline VPN tracking capabilities
Title: Understanding Offline VPN Tracking Capabilities
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, understanding the capabilities and limitations of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is crucial. While VPNs are renowned for their ability to encrypt internet traffic and enhance online privacy, there's a lesser-known aspect that warrants attention: offline VPN tracking capabilities.
Offline VPN tracking refers to the ability of certain entities, such as governments, ISPs, or malicious actors, to monitor and track users' online activities even when they're not connected to the internet. This might seem paradoxical since VPNs are primarily designed to secure online communication. However, several factors contribute to offline tracking:
DNS Leaks: Despite VPNs' encryption, DNS (Domain Name System) leaks can occur, revealing the websites users visit even when disconnected from the VPN. These leaks can be exploited to create a profile of users' browsing habits.
Cookies and Metadata: Cookies and metadata stored locally on devices can provide insights into users' behavior and preferences. Even without an active internet connection, these data points can be harvested and analyzed.
Device Fingerprinting: Unique identifiers associated with devices, such as MAC addresses and hardware configurations, can be used to track users across different networks, including when they're offline.
Third-Party Tracking: Some applications and services utilize third-party tracking mechanisms that persist even in offline mode. These trackers collect data in the background and transmit it when the device reconnects to the internet.
To mitigate offline VPN tracking risks, users should:
Regularly update VPN software to patch vulnerabilities.
Enable DNS leak protection features offered by VPN providers.
Clear cookies and metadata stored on devices.
Use privacy-focused browsers and applications that prioritize user anonymity.
Consider using additional privacy tools such as ad blockers and anti-tracking extensions.
While VPNs remain a vital tool for safeguarding online privacy, understanding their limitations regarding offline tracking is essential for adopting comprehensive cybersecurity practices. By staying informed and proactive, users can better protect their digital identities in an increasingly interconnected world.
Can VPN trace activity when disconnected?
VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool used by many individuals and organizations to enhance online privacy and security. One common question that arises regarding VPN usage is whether it can trace user activity when disconnected.
When a VPN is disconnected, it essentially means that the secure connection to the VPN server is no longer active. In this state, the VPN provider does not have access to the user's internet traffic or browsing activity. Therefore, the VPN itself cannot trace or monitor user activity when disconnected.
However, it is crucial to understand that while the VPN may not be actively monitoring your online actions when disconnected, your internet service provider (ISP) or other entities could still potentially track your activity. This means that your browsing history, downloads, and other online behavior could still be visible to these external parties.
To ensure complete privacy and security while browsing the internet, it is recommended to use a reliable VPN service and practice good online security habits. This includes avoiding sharing sensitive information on unsecured websites, regularly updating passwords, and being cautious of phishing attempts.
In conclusion, a VPN cannot trace user activity when disconnected from the VPN server. However, it is essential to remain vigilant about online security to protect your privacy and data effectively.
VPN surveillance when not connected
Title: Understanding VPN Surveillance When Not Connected: Risks and Solutions
In today's digital landscape, concerns about online privacy and security have led many individuals to turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for protection. While VPNs are highly effective tools for encrypting internet traffic and safeguarding sensitive data, it's essential to be aware of potential surveillance risks when not connected to a VPN.
When a user is not connected to a VPN, their internet activity becomes susceptible to various forms of surveillance. Internet service providers (ISPs), government agencies, hackers, and even malicious actors can monitor online behavior, track browsing habits, and collect personal information such as IP addresses, location data, and website visits.
One of the primary risks of VPN surveillance when not connected is the potential for data interception. Without the encryption provided by a VPN, sensitive information transmitted over the internet, such as login credentials, financial details, and private communications, can be intercepted by third parties.
Moreover, ISPs often engage in data logging practices, collecting metadata about users' online activities. This data can be sold to advertisers or used for targeted marketing purposes, compromising user privacy and autonomy.
To mitigate the risks of VPN surveillance when not connected, individuals can take several proactive measures. Firstly, it's crucial to choose a reputable VPN provider with a strict no-logs policy and robust encryption protocols. Additionally, users should enable features such as a kill switch, which automatically disconnects internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.
Furthermore, practicing good cybersecurity hygiene, such as regularly updating software, using strong and unique passwords, and avoiding suspicious websites and downloads, can help enhance overall online security.
In conclusion, while VPNs offer significant privacy benefits when connected, it's essential to remain vigilant about potential surveillance risks when not using a VPN. By understanding these risks and implementing proactive security measures, individuals can better protect their online privacy and security in an increasingly interconnected digital world.
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wildshadowtamer · 3 months
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A List Of My Major W.I.P's
(feel free to ask about them)
Just as the title says, a list of my major long-form WIP's with a plot synopsis and a link if there is one. some of the PnF ones do have links that you can find on my AO3, but their old and not my best quality. I just wanted to make one of these so ya'll know the stuff i'm working on, slowly but surely.
Warrior Cats:
Warriors Wild Rewrite
A 6 arc rewrite of the Warrior Cat series, including rewriting plot points, character relationships, development, family trees, and more. Includes original characters. 19 chapters of Arc 1 planned, all 6 Arcs conceptualized.
Side Blog - @wc-wild-rewrite
The Kit Tribe (Rename Pending)
An original story set in the canon timeline of Warriors around Arc 3, following a group of rogue kittens who are adopted into Thunderclan, and how their existence changes the story. Concepts planned.
Undertale:
Growing Up (Take Me Home)
A multiversal AU set in the 90s following Error, Fresh, and Geno as they are adopted by Toriel and Asgore, and grow up surrounded by a cast of colorful AU counterparts. Take Me Home is the sequel series following Error's return to his home town 30 years later, and how his children handle learning their father's past.
Roommates (name pending)
When a code virus destroys most of the multiverse, the Star Sanses have to evacuate the survivors into Undertale, and try to adjust to so many variants living in the same world. When they reach the surface, the humans aren't so happy about this. An additional stress is the caused by the mysterious appearance of a group of monsters who can bleed, and claim they have caused the end of the world.
In A Dark, Dark House
After a series of mishaps lands a group of Papyruses and a Gaster in the classic universe, they move in together and learn how to live amongst humans. When Frisk and Flowey have to move in with them, hijinks, chaos, in-jokes, and the looming threat of anti-monster groups ensue.
Home And Thunder
A bitty fic with an entirely original cast. When regular human Katie finds a group of abandoned bitties during a storm, she suddenly becomes a bitty owner, but when she meets a mysterious bitty expert in the hills, her life takes an unexpected turn.
On AO3 (unfinished) - Home & Thunder
Shadowspin
An original Undertale AU, and my very first. A young human falls into a starving underground, and must traverse through the horrid conditions while deciding the fates of the monsters they meet, all while being haunted by a set of unruly ghosts. Can she save this dying kingdom, and what happened to the brilliant Doctor Gaster?
Undermal
A series of audio transcript style writings recorded by an unknown scientist, detailing his experiments with animal-monster fusion. When one of them escapes containment, trouble brews for the monsters of the underground.
Phineas and Ferb:
Cruise Of A Lifetime
(Human Perry) Perrin B. Fletcher wins a week long cruise with whatever guest he wishes, so he picks his nemesis, Doctor Heinz Doofenshmirtz. However, when they arrive at the cruise, they find several other agents and their villains have won the same thing. Can Agent P find out who's behind this? Can he save the cruise when it goes awry? and can he get into the heart of his nemesis before the week is over?
When Dimensions Align
(Platypus Perry) When a mission goes wrong and Heinz and Perry are dragged through a portal into another dimension, they must team up with unlikely friends, alternates of themselves, and familiar faces. Meanwhile, Phineas collapses after finding Perry's lair, and the Summer Gang must team up without him to discover the truths about their pet platypus. But when another dimension threatens the very existence of Danville, can the rest of the dimensions team up to save them?
A Different Path (What If?)
(Platypus Perry)
What if Heinz adopted the flynn-fletcher children? This two arc series explores a world where he does just that, and causes a string of friendships, revalations, attempted murders, and a brand new nemesis-ship to tackle.
on AO3 (unfinished) - A Different Path (What If?)
A New Neighbour
(Platypus Perry)
a canon-divergent au featuring original characters as the MCs. What would happen if a new perosn joined the Summer Gang? Well, Jane Seymour, her brother Jason, and their pet beagle Bailey find out as they move to Danville and meet the cast.
Kidnapped
Returning from a late night mission, an injured Perry discovers his niece and nephews have been kidnapped. Teaming up with Agent Pinky, he enters a mission far more dangerous than first expected, with a backstabber behind it all.
The Magnus Archives:
Foggyspiraleyes / Fractal Minds
Michael escapes the Distortion's grasp at the beginning of Season 1, and rejoins the Archive. Will his presence save the Archives from certain death, or will it only bring ruin?
on AO3 (updates every sunday) - Fractal Minds
Siblings
The Watcher gets bored, and decides to play god by creating a new world with its siblings to have a chance at being human, with the cast as their siblings and parents. but Isaac Bouchard does not remember this as he moves into a little town called Magville. Will he and the other entity children discover the truths behind their very existence, or will hidden forces at play turn this quaint town into a living nightmare?
Original:
Paranormal Daycare
Brie, our protagonist, gets a job at a highly suspicious daycare. Once they get past the boarded windows and creaky floors, they discover it cares only for the paranormal and otherwordly. But, when they discover a goverment operation trying to erase the supernatural, she teams up with her co-workers to keep the children safe, no matter what.
That Time I Raised Cthulu
A rather oblivious man finds a baby octopus on the beach and takes it home with him, which is already a terrible idea, but when his brother tells him he just kidnapped an infant eldritch god, he accepts his fate of quite literally raising Cthulu. Shenanigans ensue.
Of One Sky
A series of stories set in the same world from the perspective of various supernatual races, each with their own genre. It explores a retelling of popular supernatural creatures while exploring the lore of how their multicultural city was created and currently functions.
Hellspawn
A highschool student signs up for a babysitting gig during the summer, only to discover he was to babysit The Devil's grandchildren. When he meets a flightless angel, he discovers realms he didn't know existed, while trying to keep these demon children alive.
Life Of Egg
Not actually a story idea, but a video game. One of those 2D side scrollers like Night In The Woods mixed with Stardew Valley-esque quests and towns folk. Set in a forest, you play as Egg(bert/bertina), a robin who was tasked with babysitting your corvid cousin's eggs while they flew south for the winter. Meet the cozy cast of the forest, ranging from lesbian bees to a mafia gang of cats. Create things with the items you find, like a button-wheel bike and a leaf umbrella. Decorate your egg house and knit things for your friends infront of your tiny fireplace. Celebrate holidays of your choosing, complete with plenty and plenty of puns. And, of course, you can romance most of the cast.
Hexagons and Hearts
My biggest personal project, with original worldbuilding, characters, magic systems, and races. Follows the stories of the Nebula Siblings, particularly Wild, an unkillable half-human who gets into wildly dangerous hijinks with his inhuman friends, and stops a few cults along the way.
Other:
Reality Collides
My ultimate hyperfixation crossover au. Featuring Gravity Falls, Creepypasta (Mansion Proxy edition), Phineas and Ferb, Milo Murphy's Law, Stardew Valley, Warrior Cats, The Magnus Archives, The Owl House, Undertale, Avatar The Last Airbender, and probably more eventually.
Dipper Pines takes a term off of college to explore some paranormal rumors across the world, resulting in the world's weirdest team up as their villains also team up to destroy the world for various evil reasons. Can this odd group stop worldwide destruction, or will the team's infighting break them apart before they get the chance?
Featuring a mostly cohesive fusion of all their magic systems occuring at the same time. Yes, even Warrior Cats.
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genderhawk · 4 months
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I'm unsure what your taste is so I'm including a small summary by everything. the storygraph generally has all triggers listed in their system if you need any content heads up) Unsure if you want non fiction also but I threw a couple of my favorites on there . All of these I got on Libby or hoopla
Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix (Salem's Lot but Southern and with some very profound and insightful things about White Womanhood and public perception. Every female character is fleshed out and realistic)
I Lived On Butterfly Hill by Marjorie Agosin (A YA fictionalized memoir about a Chilean girl during Pinochet's regime) Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina (Thriller/Horror novel about an indigenous girl whose sister goes missing. One of the best things I have read this year) The Free People's Village by Sim Kern (Alternate history, what if Al Gore won the election? A fascinating look at how many of the problems we live with today are rooted deeper than simply someone else becoming president.) The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker (Set in NYC at the turn of the century, it traces how two beings from two very different religious traditions got there and how they can find a place for themselves. On personhood, the question of fate/free will as it pertains to one's inner nature, and a legitimately emotional story) Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (Rumplestiltskin retelling with intricate worldbuilding and wonderful characters) Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle (Legitimately creepy but insightful look into heteronormativity as enforced by Evangelical upbringing. I love the way the author handles religion in general here) Lark Ascending by Silas House
(A tragedy with a happy ending. This book was one of the first things I read this year and it has stayed with me since. Cannot recommend it enough) Germinal by Emlie Zola
(One of Suzanne Collins' favorite books, it's the story of the 1890s miners strike in France.)
Soul Full of Coal Dust by Chris Hamby (A journalist's investigation into Black Lung and how it affects Appalachian communities as well as the legal fights to hold mining companies accountable for bucking safety practices and refusing to cover medical care. A harrowing read, but an important one.)
The Most They Ever Had, by Rick Bragg (Sister title to the above, this one covers the history of mill workers in the foothills of Appalachia) Black Reconstruction in America by W E B DuBois
(Long as fuck, and honestly probably best read in print, but if you have even the slightest interest in American history, this is a must read) Finally, the Unofficial Recipes of the Hunger Games, by RockRidge University Press. (Fandom Cookbooks often don't do it for me, but this cookbook is not only textually accurate but it tries the foods mentioned in the book to real-life equivalents or what ingredients may have been available as best they can and it's a legitimately engaging read with many great recipes)
You started out with one of my FAVORITE discovered authors this year, I read that + final girls support club AND how to sell a haunted house this year multiple times 10/10
If you liked that one you've gotta try Devolution by Max Brooks bc like.... Imagine if there was a Tesla village? With some big shoes to fill..... Told as if it were nonfiction post disaster
You might also like Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix which is a YA novel, historic fiction, about three teenage girls who work in and around a very specific shirtwaist factory in 1911
Everything else is stuff that's either new to me or has been only in the edges of my radar, but all sounds really cool.... I should try to snag camp Damascus tbh firstly and add the cook book to my wish list
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