Gossiping with skz

⚝fic type: head cannon (comedy/crack)

⚝word count: 1.4k

⚝A/N: I had so much fun writing this lmao, enjoy my unhinged assumptions ʕ⁠ノ⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠ʔ⁠ノ Thanks to @yonglixx for helping me find the gif.

｡Bang Chan*ﾟ

Knows all the tea before you even bring it up.

Homeboy knows everything about everyone somehow. I guess it’s because Chan has this really welcoming aura that just makes people deem him trustworthy. He won’t even pretend to be surprised by what you’re telling him, so you might feel a little put out… but he’ll more than make up for it by telling you what he knows! Your eyes are literally bulging out of your skull, your jaw hanging open by the time he’s done. It feels like you brought a snack and he pulled up with a whole five course meal. He’ll smirk at the expression on your face and tease you for thinking you could top his tea.

To put it simply, you cannot outdo the doer. Bro literally knows it all haha. Also, he’s very low-key about what he knows– so consider yourself lucky that he’s chosen you as his gossip buddy.

｡Lee Know*ﾟ

He'll pretend he’s uninterested and act like he’s ignoring you, only dropping the act to scold you that it’s bad manners to gossip. That is, until you mention something or someone that piques his interest. Now he has to know.

You’ll probably be teasing him like, ‘oh, I thought you didn’t want to know’, sticking your tongue out and walking away. If he needs to pin you down to the seat/couch HE WILL. As Han once said, “I can’t tease Lee Know-hyung, he’ll use force”. Will grant you one of his death stares if you try make him apologize before you finally spill for ignoring you. Literally will not let you leave till you finish the story.

Lee Know probably gets so smug when he’s the one bringing in the tea. Like his eyes glimmer and everything. I feel like he’d do that pose where he’s got his legs crossed and his hands on his lap; flashing you a cat-like grin and sitting so stoically upright while you’re borderline dangling out of your seat, just to hear what he’s saying because he won’t speak up.

  ｡Seo Changbin*ﾟ  

Gossiping with Changbin would have to exclusively be done in private because he’ll be reacting so loudly! Gaping and pointing when you mention someone in his line of sight. And heaven forbid the tea in question walks past you guys… man will STARE.

Brace yourself because he’s the type to smack your shoulder exceptionally astonished.

I feel like both he and Lee Know would ask loads of questions. They love gossip but also would like to verify that it isn’t all just hot air, you know? Also, whenever the two of you were in the same room as the people you were gossiping about he’d keep looking over at you and grinning or pulling faces that make you struggle to hold in a laugh. You’d be scolding him and hitting him (playfully of course) afterwards, vowing to never share ANYTHING with him again. He’d whine, promising he won’t be as obvious with future topics of discussion (a promise that barely lasts 2 days).

Bonus: Changbin is the type to store screenshots from group chat arguments like court documents. He has pretty incriminating evidence on that android of his so better not test the guy.

 ｡⁠Hwang Hyunjin*ﾟ

The type of friend to have just as much beef as you do with whoever you guys are talking about by the time you’re through with the tea.

Very reactive and will definitely be adding things on. Stuff like, ‘It isn’t even in their place!’ if someone’s talking smack about you and what not. With him it’s like sparring or a tennis match. When you serve, he will serve back; it builds up like a jenga tower. Just best friend material if you catch my drift.

Honestly there’d be a lot of tone variation haha. At some points you’d be whispering conspiratorially, leaning close to each other and whispering even if you two are alone. At other points your exaggerated hand gestures will be running the conversation. Gossiping with Hyunjin would be such a rewarding experience to be honest. In addition, he’s got a really expressive face, so you’d be knowing his opinion on whatever you’re saying immediately. Would definitely be slapping a hand over his mouth, frowning in disgust… the whole package.

Hyunjin has previously mentioned that he doesn’t judge a book by its cover, preferring not to believe rumours about people, and this is true. Nevertheless, he’d indulge you (thoroughly) because he trusts your judgement and you aren’t one to think badly of a person without reasons.

Bonus: Snacks and actual tea (or in his case, iced americanos) are FOR SURE part of the conversation. Would be sipping dramatically with raised eyebrows when you mention someone he knows. Let’s out a dramatic ‘SAME!’ because he doesn’t like them either. “I thought I was the only one,” he’d say while clutching his chest before shaking his head and continuing to munch on whatever flour-based snack he’s brought that day.

 ｡Han Jisung*ﾟ

Cannot keep still while gossiping. Will keep standing up and will even pace/ walk around when something is particularly juicy. And with his weak ass legs he’d probably trip and end up just lying on the floor for a while… unbothered by it because the story is getting good. Yes, Han is a floor gossiper. (Insert Rose’s “everything I need is on the ground” meme.)

Han also is the type to get SO wrapped up in a tea time session that he won’t notice the time passing lmao. He’ll probably remember an even juicier story mid-story haha. “BY THE WAY! Did I ever tell you-?”/ “SPEAKING OF WHICH-!”.

Like, every new point you make reminds him of something else. The two of you are out here putting pieces of a puzzle together until you’ve found out who the neighbour is cheating on her husband with or something lol. Like it’s part gossip part detective work, you two actually deserve salaries for how good you are. If you guys are texting and you drop a bomb, be prepared (preferably with low phone volume) for an impromptu facetime with a SHAKEN Jisung. Also, if any of the other members know something about what you two are talking about he’ll be dragging them in. If it’s Seungmin, who’s very stingy with his tea, the two of you will be offering your kidneys for the information he most definitely can give you.

No snacks/ drinks here because he’s probably the type to spit out his water in shock haha.

 ｡Lee Felix*ﾟ

Bro gets astronomically shocked. Like his reactions when he’s gossiping, watching people roast each other or similar situations are just priceless.

At first he’s pretty tentative with it because he doesn’t gossip much, but he’ll come around. He’s more subtle than Changbin but will still be nudging you with his elbow or foot when the ‘issue’ is in the room with you.

An adlib gossiper- he even gasps on beat and all that. You’ll be all like, “Felix you won’t believe what they said-” and he’ll be like, “Gurl what did they say??!” (You know, in the best aussified alternative for this sentence, cannot imagine the term gurl/gworl coming out of Felix’s mouth lmao).

If someone’s watching you guys they’ll feel so excluded (how I felt when watching skz talker in the gif *sigh*… feeling intensifies when there are no subs). Also I feel like a prime location for a gossip session would be the car! Long journeys where there’s not much to see outside the window, and you turn to him like, “Did you hear about…”

 ｡Kim Seungmin*ﾟ

Now if you’ve ever watched 2kr (2 Kids Room) you KNOW this man has the inside scoop.

It’s an elite feeling to be gossiping with Seungmin because, as I’d mentioned before, he’s very choosy when it comes to who he shares his tea with. That stuff is scalding hot. Like between him and Chris, those two know all the jyp ent. secrets. Like bro probably has documents proving that Hyunjin and Yeji are related. Seungmin is INFORMED.

This is another member who’ll have actual tea with him, cradling the cup delicately with both palms and sipping slowly as he watches you lose your mind over the rim of the mug. Crosses his legs and acts so nonchalant while slapping you with the fattest, juiciest conspiracy/rumour you’ve ever heard. If you tell him something he actually doesn’t know, his composed aura will fade so fast- mouth forming a perfect ‘O’ as you share your story.

 ｡Yang Jeongin*ﾟ

Jeongin will 100% end a gossip session saying, “But anyways, who are we to judge?”

Between Innie’s attitude and Grandma identity your boy is a prime candidate for a gossip buddy. He’s just THE ONE. His yt/vlives are literally titled ‘Maknae’s Private Life’- doesn’t that scream tea to you? Like if you’re gossiping in a group his input is for sure the most awaited. People will be leaving to go look for him if he isn’t already present.

Gossiping with Jeongin is all hushed tones and huddled conversations. Bro might even go as far as putting his phone on silent if the tea is hot enough. I feel like he’d unintentionally switch to his Busan accent when things start to get really juicy lmao.

Abruptly keeps quiet or changes the topic whenever someone passes by the two of you. If you aren’t used to this you’ll get so confused, looking at him like ‘???’ when he randomly starts telling you about the new shoes he bought.

Idk why, but to me I.N’s really good at insta stalking and he would be pulling up people’s pages if you didn’t seem to know who he’s talking about.

⚝A/N: How would you rank them MTL? I'd love to hear about it. P.s: in case you like them, the orange dividers originally by @animatedglittergraphics-n-more​ 

+Thank you for reading!♡ Here's a present for making it to the end😋:

using the safeword with toji

tags. rough dom → soft dom toji, fem coded reader, lots of fluff, domesticity, hurt/comfort, protectiveness, body worship, passionate toji, hardcore fucking → soft safe sex, reassurance, cuddling, intimate aftercare.

notes. ib this audio 🎧 (nsfw, headphones required) we need to start seeing soft toji some more 🤧😩

you didn’t mean any harm. all you were doing was sending some flirty texts and pictures to your husband while he was away at work. you missed him so much and thought about him all day, all needy for his attention. but when he finally came home, his reaction was not what you were expecting at all…

“the fuck were you thinking? you know my boss almost saw your pictures, right? and if i had to get up from my desk, that fucker could’ve seen what you do to me. you know how humiliating that could’ve been for me?”

the way toji slightly raised his voice at you sent a shiver down your spine. you could feel the outer edges of your motionless body tensing up with fear and this painful amount of culpability. not even over petty arguments in the past had this man so angry until now. you could feel yourself choking and aching with guilt, your nose flaring immensely it was almost hard to breathe. as if you were going to cry. but if you did cry, it would make you look like a victim. toji could’ve gotten fired and it all could’ve been because of you. you should’ve thought twice or at least resist those temptations before sending…

“i— i’m so sorry, toji,” you lamented. “i didn’t mean to humiliate you at work like that. i was just…”

“you were just what, hm?” his voice lowered to an ominous tone when he stepped closer to you. “trying to get a rise out of me when i’m working? distracting me like some desperate slut wanting my attention?”

you didn’t respond at all. instead you faltered your gaze down at the bedroom floor, ashamed to look into his eyes. after a long silence with the uncomfortable tension still lingering in the air, toji inched closer and held your face, craning your neck up to see the long face you were giving him.

“you expected me to come home all worked up for you so i could take you on right here. ain’t that what you wanted this whole time from me?”

you still didn’t reply with anything and toji sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. “you almost got me in trouble today, sweetheart. i take my job seriously and you know that. but you still wanted to tease me at work. that’s just fuckin’ unforgivable of you to embarrass me like that.”

“but… that’s not what i was trying to do,” you consoled, placing your hand above his and slanting your head into his palm.

“aww. you think you’re so fuckin’ cute innocently sending those pics and thinkin’ there won’t be some consequences. i’ll make you fucking regret that.”

your heart raced erratically from the baritone in toji’s voice. although you secretly loved him speaking this way in your ear, it would be better if he was dirty talking. but instead he was furious and a little unhinged that it scared you shitless.

“strip for me then get on the fuckin’ bed. face down. ass up.”

you didn’t dare disobey since you didn’t want to frustrate him more. after slipping off your clothes and climbing on top of the bed in the desired position, you watch as he unbottons off his dress shirt and positions himself behind you to eat your pussy while slapping your ass so harshly, emitting whines and screams out of you. toji kept sucking and devouring your aching cunt like a greedy man with restless hunger. you can hear him humming in amusement while doing so. although you were in need of this the whole day, the man goes insane whenever he has the chance to eat your pussy. with all that frustration and anger pent up, your thighs kept shuddering from the immense pleasure you were getting off of. he kept squeezing and slapping your ass so rough it felt like your skin was burning. all while ruining you to a shattering, creamy orgasm all over his mouth.

but just when you thought everything was fine after you came, toji was still frustrated. greedy, even. “where do you think you’re going? i didn’t fuckin’ say i was done with you. stay with your ass in the air for me like a good girl.”

your sweet arousal from before now became terse since you were suddenly frightened at toji’s ultimatum. although you didn’t deny it felt like ecstasy with him sliding his fat cock inside you just as always, him immediately fucking you rough like how a hound takes a bitch made you tear up. he was still furious, grunting and subtly growling while roughly smacking his hips on your ass. the way he’s pounding himself inside you had you biting onto the pillow and rolling your eyes back until that gut feeling in your stomach hit you. it felt good but at the same time it didn’t…

“fuck. please, toji! i— i can’t take it!” you whined out loud, contorting your face on the pillow.

“what was that?” toji huffed out. “you can’t take it? aw, baby. you can take more than this.”

he continued pounding inside you that your head started feeling cloudy. more tears welled in your eyes and stained the pillowcases along with your drool that he noticed, hefting a chuckle.

“see? you like takin’ my fat cock the way you like it. your pussy was made for it. got you crying and screaming from how good i make you feel.”

you were in such distress that you started to not feel the pleasurable sensation anymore. instead, you lingered on the overwhelming fear and anticipation taking over. how fucking terrified you were of toji, a much bigger and stronger man, breaking you this way because of how angry you made him today. slamming himself into you as a punishment for distracting him at work. he even took his work tie and wrapped it around your head to blindfold you, embraced by nothing except the dark. a frightening void that made you physically shiver. at this point, you felt insufferable.

“toji, it’s— it’s scary when i— i can’t see you…”

toji grunted, slowing his pace down so he wouldn’t finish too quickly. “aww. you’re scared because you can’t see my face? you think it’s scary that i’m like some wild fuckin’ demon slamming my cock inside you? well it’s supposed to be scary.”

all of a sudden your body fell numb, left with only tears and miserable sobs that toji took as sobs of pleasure. and this all happened because of you and your neediness. you knew you weren’t doing anything wrong, but at the same time you should’ve thought twice before disturbing toji while working. there was so much guilt weighing down on you it left you helpless.

“toji, i’m so sorry… please— please stop…”

the man slowed down again, this time releasing the hard pressure of his hand pinning your head down and leaning forward to mutter in your ear. “you’re sorry, huh? aw, sorry ain’t getting you nowhere right now. i’m not gonna fuckin’ stop ‘till i make sure you learn your damn lesson.”

you tried so hard mentally sheltering yourself. you can feel the tie, the pillowcase, and your cheeks stained in watery blots of your helpless tears. it felt as if you were stranded alone and taunted by unnecessary, insecure thoughts deteriorating your wellbeing. you tried so hard keeping yourself together to pleasure your husband in an angry state you’ve never seen before, begging forgiveness and sympathizing with him, but you were reduced to numbness. it felt as if the world around you was blurred including the sex. you suddenly resorted to something you never in a million years would ever do; the safeword.

“ramen,” you weakly uttered, collapsing your whole body and curling up like a ball while sobbing. toji immediately stopped after he processed what you just said, noticing your distress his heart entirely ached seeing you like this.

“oh, fuck. hey, hey, hey— it’s alright, baby. it’s okay,” he murmured fondly, rushing over to hover above you and check if you were hurt. he swiftly removes the tie and gently holds your face, grazing his thumb on your cheeks. your eyes were still closed and your face was contorted from your internal agony.

“i’m sorry,” you whimpered again, followed by toji shushing you.

“no, it’s okay. it’s okay,” he quickly reassured, softly kissing your face and caressing you. “it’s me that should be saying sorry, baby. i didn’t realize…”

you slowly opened your eyes at him, your vision blurred from the tears still welling. “i didn’t mean to…”

“no, no, no. i’m glad you used the safeword. i would never, never want to hurt you. i care a lot about you and i want you to feel safe… you mean so much to me.”

toji presses soft kisses over your face and you couldn’t stop crying and sniffling. “my poor baby,” he consoled sweetly, wiping your tears away with his thumb. “got too intense for you, huh? it’s okay, love. you’re gonna be okay with me.”

“i thought you were mad at me…”

“no, baby… i’m not mad at you. i never was. i got a little carried away, that’s all.”

toji kisses you a couple times more on your face, then on your lips. you find yourself smiling weakly and feeling some kind of warmth in your heart seeing this side of toji once again. after kissing a couple more times for reassurance and comfort, you watch as toji lays right next to you, pulling the covers over you and bringing you closer to lay on his chest. you felt a sudden wash of relief after the tension had finally died down.

“…i’m sorry if i was being too mean back there,” toji mutters while caressing your skin. “i never had a problem with you sending photos to me while i’m working. it’s not your fault, i promise. i was just frustrated.”

you sniffled. “what got you frustrated?”

“my boss. he got mad that i was on my phone. really, i was just staring at your cute ass all over my screen.”

you lightly chuckled. “you actually liked the pics?”

“oh, baby. i loved them all,” toji beamed, kissing the top of your head. “it was unexpected of you, but that’s what turned me the fuck on more… i couldn’t wait to discipline you at home, but i didn’t mean for it to get that bad.”

after hearing his words of reassurance, you started tearing up again, which he immediately noticed. “don’t cry, baby. i love you so much. you’re perfect.”

for awhile you laid on his chest, taking in his addicting cologne as he has you in his arms. you love the way he holds you like this especially after sex. you feel much safer and protected from any negative thoughts and embraced his warmth. you felt like falling asleep to the sound of his heartbeat. hearing him also mumble words of affirmation and never taking his hands off to caress you. he was always this gentle with you it made your heart throb. he wants to make sure you feel safe again and you love him for that. and cuddling like this always ends with a nap and starts with something much more intimate…

the next few hours, toji woke up to the feeling of your warmth coursing through his body it intensified. your ass pressed against his dick it grew hard again for you. waking up and kissing him from behind felt like heaven on earth. it was the very moment the rush consumes you and energy pulls light out of everything around. such love is full of excitement and desire, released to fill each other with happiness. you loved the passion flowing and every expression of toji’s love for you. you’re enamored, you’re downing in every crazy feeling this man makes you feel ‘till you go fervent. this was love-making, this was what you’ve been craving the entire night…

ALL WORKS BELONG TO VILSOO © . do not steal, plagiarize, translate, or repost any of my works outside tumblr.

Hey, I don't want to bother you, but could you do something like Noah Calhoun x male reader? I don't know, I guess it would be great (if it's something I don't want to bother you but... Could you do some Noah Calhoun x male reader? I don't know, I guess it would be great (if it's something hot better... A submissive Noah wouldn't be bad 🔥

Anon cont.: Hey, I'm the same person who made the Noah x male reader request... Mhh... If you decide to accept it, could you add some humiliation to it? You know, the male reader humiliating Noah because... It's "small" down there and Noah simply loves it... I don't know... God, I'm a sucker and a weirdo... Don't think badly of me 😭😭😭

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Noah Calhoun x amab!reader drabble

Hi Anon. YES I CAN! It's just a short drabble as I have a lot of writing on the go but this really caught my attention. I’ve never written male reader before, or Noah (despite how I crave him 💀), so I hope this is ok!

Warnings/content: NSFW, frottage/handjob, humiliation, overstimulation, size kink kinda - but reversed?, biting, using cum as lube, light dom (reader)/sub (Noah) tones with a bit of switch Noah at the end (set in the unhinged Noah era)

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Noah's short nails rake over your shoulders as his hips buck forward again.

He looks beautiful like this. Breathless, needy, shy.

‘You feel so good in my hand,’ you coo as your tight fist works both your cocks with a firm, slow stroke. ‘Does it feel good? Being jerked off with a dick so much bigger than your own?’

Your words drip into Noah’s ear like warm honey, and he whines, driving his fingertips harder into your shoulders, a vague pang of delicious humiliation simmering, hot in his lower belly making his cock twitch.

It does feel good, and he nods with a vague whine, his eyes squeezing closed as you pump your fist a little faster.

A quiet moan escapes your throat and Noah shivers at the sound. A thick pearl of precum leaks from his tip, dripping down between your flush lengths and providing the lightest of relief for the briefest of moments, until his impatience takes over again. You can sense it from a mile away. He’s like an open book when you’re touching him.

‘Need to cum, baby?’ you ask softly, but it's not really a question. You just want to rile him, get him desperate. See him squirm.

Noah nods again, cheeks glowing.

‘I need to hear you, handsome,’ you push, and see him physically tense up.

‘Yes!’ he cries with a low snarl, head slamming back against the wall. Then, remembering himself, a much more polite, ‘P-please-’ follows.

He really is a picture, dirty blonde hair falling over his eyes and sticking to his forehead, shirt half pulled off in the passion of an earlier scuffle to kiss, lips swollen and mouth dropped open in bliss. A mess.

His freshly exposed, slender neck looks so enticing that your tongue unconsciously darts out to lick your lips as you plunge forward and bite down. It’s gentle, but enough to cause a jolt of delicious pleasure-pain to surge straight to his core and he writhes against you, trapped against the wall.

‘Cum for me, Noah,’ you encourage with softly whispered words, ‘show me what that little dick is capable of-’

You feel his cock throb in your grip, and while he might be small in comparison to you, his orgasm is quite spectacular; back arching, jaw dropping, legs trembling, and a thick, creamy rope that spills hot and slick over your hand and splatters up onto his belly.

He chokes out a moan out at his release, dropping back as his body relaxes between you and the wall while he desperately tries to catch his breath.

‘Been a while, huh?’ you tease with a tender kiss to his ear lobe.

He’s shaking with aftershocks, but you don't let him go yet, and he whines, his cock beginning to soften as the last sparks of his pleasure pulse through his body. You continue to stroke, hard and fast, his offering making each pump more delicious than the last until your own orgasm renders your ministrations sloppy and uneven.

Noah watches you cum with awe, eyes already sparkling with lust again despite the painful overstimulation you’re giving him. His blood boils with desire.

When you come down from the high, you find yourself in Noah’s place, pinned against the wall by his ridiculously strong hands.

As your eyes blink open, he presses forward and kisses you hungrily. A thank you. And an invitation.

With a raised eyebrow, he drawls, ‘Want to feel what else this “small dick” can do?’

You as Amanda the Adventurer includes(child reader);

You were just walking around for a new adventure with your pet friend sheep, Wooly! Who was hesitant especially when he feel the bad vibes around the place. After walking for quite some time, you saw a diner called, 'Smile Diner'. You dragged Wooly into the diner with a bright smile.

You enter the place and look around happily. There was not a lot of people. Actually, there's only five people sitting together. You dragged Wooly to a random table. Checking the menu only to find weird things on it but that's okay! You're used to it! "Wooly, what do you want to get?" You ask the sheep across you. Unfortunately however, Wooly had a bit of trouble choosing as he felt weirded out seeing the names. You're starting to lose your temper and keep asking him what he wants aggressively. Until eventually you couldn't wait any longer and yell at him, glitching in and out before suddenly sitting there with a smile again as you calmly ask Wooly what he wants, which caught the attention of the other five people.

Luther in a confused tone wonders why is there a child and a sheep without any adult supervision. Nyen was annoyed but couldn't do anything about it without his master's order yet. Nyon and Sebastian basically try to mind their own business while Randal laughs at the poor sheep who was trembling.

For some reason, one thing lead to another and now you're living with the ivory's. You look oblivious to your surroundings while Wooly is scared for his life, especially around the cat with the Nevada shirt.

You are quite the obedient child with a horrible temper and a gruesome sense of view, humour and mind. You fit well together with Randal as friends. Actually, you and Wooly are exactly like Randal and Sebastian. The only differences are that Wooly let it all happened as long as everything is in control while Sebastian is going to escape any chance he can and you have the worst temper or patience while Randal has no temper. Often times, Randal makes you lose it and it results in you attacking him. But it's all fine in the end. Luckily no one was hurt besides Randal.

Going into a different topic, cats. You look at the two adults being cats and ask them if they talk. Nyen grunts and Nyon stays quiet as always. You however don't mind and instead said, "Animals don't talk like that, silly! They make funny sounds like this; Meooww." You unknowingly mocked at them. Wooly just lowers his head down, remembering the time you did that to him and it doesn't end that well.

There was once where you said something about 'a lonely kitten is out there somewhere. Won't you help the lonely kitten?' This perks up Luther but he doesn't understand what you're trying to say. He wants the find this 'lonely kitten' though. Not knowing what it meant.

You laugh at anything dark honestly and try to make games out of anything. You drag Randal mostly to go on adventures while Wooly and Sebastian awkwardly watch you two in a safe distance. You spoke to the unhinged boy like he was an audience. 'Silly mister fox!' 'Kuku~ he is silly!' Refering to a fox with lost half of it's head. 'The opposite of alive iss..' 'DEAD!~' Randal continued and laugh maniacally as you both stand in front of a grave. 'Let's make an apple pie!' Wooly were holding peaches but it suddenly glitches into apples to which Randal clapped at and leaving Sebastian concerned.

Ranfren Characters thoughts on You(ooc);

Randal: "I like them! They're so fun to play with ~ kuku it's always fun to have a friend like them to play correctly! Ahh but they have such a bad temperr... I guess that's partly my fault heheh~ I wonder what they mean by rotting somewhere far but I feel myself rotting away too!~" Best Friends FOREVER.

Luther: "They are too similar like Randal but oh well. At least they are more well behaved. Randal mentioned that they are rotting like him but I don't pay any mind. A nice addition to the family they are♡ Their pet sheep is nice as well, they're like Sebastian but obedient. I want to find this lonely kitten they mentioned so I can help it♡ However I do think we need to keep that temper under control." He's clueless of your cryptic messages and hints but he'll soon figure out. Very soon.

Nyen: "Annoying brat. Always saying that cats go meow. I hope the lonely kitten they had mentioned dies." Doesn't like you. Best to avoid when Luther is not around. He won't kill you however.

Nyon: Nyon doesn't even came close to you. He only came close to Wooly but that happens once in a blue moon. Avoids you more when he saw how aggressive and dark-minded you can get.

Sebastian: "Ugh... Just another addition to the freaks of a family. Somehow I think they're worse than Randal... Everytime they speak, freaks me out because they always say something weird. I wonder how that sheep handle it.." He's... Just don't bother him that much. He already has Randal on his back. However he is glad that you managed to keep Randal away from him longer.

Bonus! Wooly: "I really don't know how we got into this situation but we can't escape now.." Nothing much to say. Wooly has been with you for so long he knows. He doesn't encourage you but he also doesn't do much unless you're close to being in danger or starting the danger.

Headcanons for Akashi laughing 🤭

Back with another headcanon post. Hooray for chronic Akashi brainrot! Lemme make this quick so I can go to bed.

As we all know, for most of the manga/anime, Akashi is someone who is portrayed as a serious, analytical, and (depending on which personality is in control) cold person. But he wasn't/isn't always like that as we've come to realize. Let me explore his character chronologically through the canon material before I get into my headcanons so we can establish some things about his personality.

When he was a child, he was seen to be much more of a smiley person because while his mother was still alive she allowed him to just be a kid. So I'm sure he had plenty to smile about before her passing.

After that, Akashi enrolls in Teiko, and at age 13 he still smiles, but they're smaller and he seems more mild-mannered and reserved compared to when he was younger. However, that doesn't mean his smiles aren't genuine. He still had happy moments in Teiko up until his second year, and he enjoyed hanging out with the rest of the GoM + Kuroko and Momoi. But we still never really saw him laugh. I'm sure he did during those times, but it was never anything that was shown explicitly.

After he switched personalities, he was barely smiling at all. Bro was miserable. He would smile every once in a while but in more of an unhinged way if that makes sense. Maybe he chuckled once when he met Mayuzumi. If you can even call it a chuckle. It was more like he puffed out a breath of air. And again, it was in more of an unhinged way. I remember in one of the Replace novels, Mibuchi made an observation that before Akashi switched back to his true self, he could never tell if his smile was genuine or if he was simply using it as a tool to get others to let their guard down. This is what I mean by "unhinged".

But post-Winter Cup? Akashi is nothing but smiley and I love that for him. Obviously, it's still slightly toned down, but it's a much better improvement from both his first year at Rakuzan AND his entire Teiko run. He seems to have just finally given up on facades and allowed himself to be more open with how he feels, which has canonically led to his teammates seeing sides of Akashi they'd never seen before.

In the post-Winter Cup content, I've seen him chuckle a lot more, and his voice when he chuckles is the most precious thing ever and I wish I could hear more of it. But that takes care of the canon, so let's get into my headcanons, shall we?

First of all, what makes Akashi laugh? Well, from the canon, we've seen that most of the time, it's when he's watching his teammates' antics and chuckles in amusement. But if you really want to make him laugh, I feel like, similar to my headcanons on how to startle Akashi, you'd have to catch him off guard. Like, you'd have to say or do something so ridiculous and left-field that it catches Akashi off guard and makes him laugh out of the sheer unexpectedness of it all.

So, how would Akashi look when he laughs? It would depend on how hard he's laughing. If it's one of those cute lil chuckles he does, he has this small smile on his face and his eyes sparkle with fondness. But if you're lucky enough to get an unrestrained laugh out of Akashi, chances are either his head is tilted back or his shoulders are hunched as he's bent over trying to catch his breath. He's probably not even looking at you either because when he laughs like that his eyes can't help but close. And his face crinkles in the most precious way.

How does he sound when he laughs? For small chuckles, we already have examples of this in canon; refer to the KNB drama CD season 3 volume 9 if you need a reference. But if he were to laugh really hard? Well, first of all, he pegs me as the type of person who would at first try and hold himself together before failing miserably.

I'm not sure if this counts as canon or not, but I remember a KNB video game where there was a scene where the GoM was reminiscing on some couple's costume event they were dragged into participating in back in Teiko, and Akashi had mentioned that when he saw Aomine in a dress and Midorima in a woman's kimono, he literally had to stop looking at them to keep from bursting into laughter.

Going off of that, if Akashi was caught off guard and found something really funny, he'd probably be like "PFFFT" before catching himself and trying to hide his growing smile behind his hand. But then it gets too hard to hold in his laugh so he gives up and just laughs wholeheartedly. The more funny something is, the harder it is to hold back, so if he's laughing really hard, you will absolutely hear it. He's not a super loud laugher like Kise or even Takao, but if he's laughing hard he's definitely not quiet about it. His voice sounds very melodic while he's laughing, too. He probably got that from his mom. 🥹

How do people react to him laughing? GoM + Momoi are more accustomed to seeing him happy/smiley, so when he laughs, they're more endeared by it, if anything, because it reminds them that Akashi is back to his old self. But his Rakuzan team (more specifically, the Uncrowned Kings) is still getting used to Akashi's true self and is figuring things out about him every day. So I would think that post-Winter Cup is when they hear Akashi properly laugh for the first time and all of them come to a nonverbal agreement that they must protect Akashi's smile at all costs. They also take note of things that Akashi finds amusing just for the sole purpose of using them to make him laugh again and see that adorable laughing face of his.

As time goes on and Akashi becomes more open, it's less and less difficult to get him to laugh, and he expresses himself much more freely compared to before. Happiness is a good look on him and his friends hope that he continues to stay this happy for a long time.

Alright, that was my rambling for the night finished. I need to sleep cuz I have class in the morning.

Thozsa

Overview

Name: Thozs’ahltsya (thoz-AAHL-tss-yuh)

Nickname: Thozsa

Pronouns: He/Him

Race: Yuan-Ti Pureblood

Age: approximately 26 years

Height: 5 ft 10 in

Class: Blood Domain Cleric

[Due to my own fellow party members being able to read this, I will have to limit the information I’m sharing here] Thozsa was born into and grew up in the Cult of the Blood Fang. The cult is made up entirely of Yuan-Ti and is located on an island off the coast of Faetopia. For a century the Blood Fang operated completely unknown to the inhabitants of Faetopia- until now. (thanks Thozsa) For reasons unknown to Faetopia, the Cult of the Blood Fang works to dismantle and overtake the kingdom. They hold a special hatred for the Faetopian Dragonborns particularly.

Features

Thozsa’s features are most related to the Blue Komodo Island Viper.

His skin is a vibrant teal color that lightens in tone on his chest, stomach, palms, inner thighs, neck, and under-eyes

Similarly colored scales cover most his body. The scales are thin and sparse near his joints, but large and plated on his shoulders, chest, upper-back and abdomen.

His eyes are an amber/yellow color.

Under his eyes are lines of pit organs. These pits detect thermal radiation. They are not too useful to him as a Pureblood, as he has better eyesight than other types of Yuan-Ti.

The roof of his mouth hosts an organ called the Jacobson’s Organ. Using his forked tongue, he can collect particles/chemicals from the air and then press them into said organ. This gives him a much higher sense of smell than if he were to just use his nose.

His teeth are a mix of human-like teeth and something more carnivorous. His incisors and molars are typical of human anatomy, but his bicuspids are much sharper than that of humans. In addition, his canines (cuspids) are large and long- snake fangs. He has a gland in his mouth that can supply these fangs with painful venom if he so chooses.

His jaw can unhinge and open much wider than other humanoids, so much so that even with his mouth closed, an indented line runs across his skin from the corners of his lips to the top of his ears (basically the seam of his jaw is slightly visible)

His ears are slightly pointed.

His nails are tougher than human nails and naturally grow at a pointed shape.

Temperature Guide

As a Yuan-Ti Pureblood, he is not as cold blooded as more snake-like Yuan-Tis, but that does not exclude him from the dangers of cold weather.

temperature guide for purebloods

100+ degrees is dangerous. If Purebloods cannot find shade quickly, their bodies will begin to shut down after a few hours. Their bodies react akin to getting a high fever

90 to 100 degrees can be uncomfortable for long periods of times without shade. Purebloods may become fatigued after several hours

75 to 90 degrees is ideal. Purebloods function the best at this temp range

60 to 75 degrees is uncomfortable for purebloods, but not dangerous. Their bodies might become a little sluggish, depending on how long they spend in this temp

at 60 degrees, purebloods will look for a tight and safe place to brumate. This place may accommodate many purebloods at the same time, or just one. During beumation, a pureblood’s bodily functions will slow drastically to save energy. Most won’t eat for up to a week. They will only leave their place to get water every few days. From an outside perspective, brumation seems a lot like hibernation.

50 to 60 degrees is ideal for brumation

anything below 50 is deadly after a certain amount of time. Their bodies will shut down.

Thozsa’s Past

Childhood

Thozsa was born on the Blood Fang’s island, and as a pureblood, this meant he was practically cattle for the first few years of his life. He spent the first two or three years of his life with other same-aged purebloods being looked after by higher Yuan-Tis. And by looked after, I mean being given the bare amount of food, water and other necessities. For the first years of his life, he was simply kept alive.

Near age four he was upgraded from just being kept alive to being kept alive and taught basic necessities. Necessities like the Yuan-Ti language, the Blood Fang’s functions, the greatness of their deity Sseth, and discipline.

At age six, he began his physical training, working on establishing stuff as little as needed motor skills all the way up to endurance training.

At age eight, he was introduced to Sseth’s magic for the first time. Many other purebloods from his group died at this age- their bodies not surviving the magic.

At age ten, he made it through The Selection- a process in which purebloods who show promising skills are selected for continued training. The rest are used for labor and or sacrifice.

He spent the next ten years of his life training to become a weapon, a tool for the Blood Fang to use as they please. More specifically: a spy. Purebloods who made it through their childhood were sent to the mainland to infiltrate the kingdom and gain valuable intelligence on the inner-workings of the Faetopian government.

Adulthood

At age 20, Thozsa was put through the Trials. The Trials were what decided if of-age Purebloods were ready to infiltrate. There were only two endings to the Trial: death or victory. Thozsa entered the Trials with eight other Purebloods and was the only one to make it out alive.

Nearing age 21, he was sent to the mainland of Faetopia.

For four years he traveled on the down-low from town to town, gathering information in the subtle way of simply observing. However, the longer he worked, the more familiar he became with Faetopia, and the more aggressive he became with his tactics. He soon became semi-known by some people as a bounty hunter. As he gathered information for the Blood Fang, he would earn coin by killing for others, something he was very good at.

At age 25 his name as a bounty hunter had reached the capital. Thankfully, his illegal bounties had stayed underground, but his bounty work for various organizations/guard posts/towns has caught the attention of the Faetopian Royals. He was skilled and they needed someone who’s loyalty could be bought with coin, seeing as no one else could possibly offer more coin than them. And so Thozsa was hired along with a handful of others to be present at the Queen’s baby shower (it was a very big and important event trust me) and keep an eye on the guests. And most importantly, capture/kill anyone who poses a threat. Thozsa takes the job both for the coin and for the sudden inside look he’d get of the capital. The job went successfully. Someone made an attempt on the Queen’s life and Thozsa killed them. Unfortunately though, he’d met the Prince of Faetopia (Aster) at the event, and even more unfortunately, was hired the next day to be the prince’s personal guard. Aster was annoying as fuck. (If the position wasn’t going to give him much needed inside information for the cult, he would have declined it immediately)

Present

Here is where I can give even less detail for fear my fellow party members read this. But the basics I can give are:

Aster drags Thozsa around Faetopia as he does his Princely (and not so Princely) duties.

Aster annoys the shit out of Thozsa, and if it weren’t for his circumstances, he probably would have killed the man already.

What’s weird is that Aster seems to care for Thozsa’s wellbeing even though he’s the guard, not the other way around.

Aster is also very touchy and hugs Thozsa and tries to hold his hand and gets pouty when Thozsa pulls his hand away weird huh

(everyone can guess from my art that these two do in fact grow closer over time, enemies to enemy-lovers to who the fuck knows type beat maybe, but I literally cannot explain any of it without spoilers for my party damn)

Other Info

Incase I didn’t make it clear enough above, Yuan-Ti Purebloods are the lowest of the low in the Blood Fang.

They exhibit the most human traits out of all the Yuan-Ti.

The more snake-like the Yuan-Ti, the higher up they are in authority.

The basis is, their deity, Sseth, is very snake-like. So the more snake-like you are, the closer to Sseth you are.

Some of Thozsa’s likes:

Heat/Warmth (obviously)

Humidity

Rabbit meat

The smell of frankincense

Soft textures

Some of Thozsa’s dislikes:

Cold (obviously)

Crowds

Not having control

Small talk

Cinnamon

Very open areas

By using his Jacobson’s Organ, he can quite literally smell certain emotions off people.

Some emotions present the emission of certain chemicals that he can detect with the organ.

Though this only works in very close proximity

He has gold caps over his fangs

Being a Pureblood, he cherishes the more snake-like parts of his body.

The gold on his fangs is a way of exemplifying one of his more snake-like aspects.

He cannot see yellow properly.

Something many Purebloods experience is the lack of certain eye cones responsible for detecting yellow (i know this isnt how it works irl leave me alone this is fantasy).

To him, yellow appears dull and near brown.

A yellow daisy is the same color as sand to him.

The thermal pits under his eyes can be overloaded with sensory

By pressing something warm directly onto the pits, thermal energy is being directly input.

It creates a similar effect to shining a flashlight directly into your eyes, except this isn’t painful.

It’s a sensory overload in the sense of all his brain can think is ‘warm, warm, warm, warm’.

In most situations, this is extremely unwanted and disliked, however, if he was ever in an environment he felt completely safe and relaxed in, this sensation would be rather nice.

He never knew his parents.

There is no sense of family in the Blood Fang. Especially for Purebloods

Once a Pureblood is born, they are taken and put with the rest. The parent(s) do not get to watch their child grow up, and it is very likely the child will never know who their parent(s) were in the first place.

Thozsa’s parents have lore in this world and I love them dearly. Their story is heartbreaking.

He sheds his skin

Purebloods shed once around every three years or so.

It’s a bit different to how snakes shed, it’s not a full cohesive full-body at one time thing

The parts of the body that have the most scale coverage shed pretty nicely, the parts that don’t have a lot of scale coverage shed messily.

Leading up the shed, their eyes gain a new layer and fluid becomes trapped between the old layer and the new growing one to protect it as it grows. This leads to Purebloods being almost completely blind for a day or two until the new layer is done growing and the old layer can be shed.

Are Friends Electric?

Kerry and V have had a row, don't blame me it wasn't my fault :D

Misty is worried, it’s almost three hours ago now that V had taken the elevator to the roof. This wasn’t unusual in itself as he often went up there to spend time with his thoughts, but this time he’d bypassed the store, presumably to avoid a conversation, Misty only knew he was up there because she’d seen the flash of his currently blue hair on the way past and then heard the hum soon after as the elevator made its way to the top of the building.

He’d seemed better, more stable lately. The operation had affected him mentally more than anything else, months of physical therapy had helped him walk again and build up enough stamina to start to go back to training, but his absolute refusal to talk about what happened to anyone but Kerry had been a worry, even to the Rockerboy himself.

She respected that he didn’t want to talk, he had a lot going on and found it hard to articulate, sometimes making him embarrassed and angry, but he’d gone up a long time now and Misty knew that it wasn’t long ago he’d been up there with a pill and a gun weighing up his options. Locking the door, she makes her way up to the roof.

-

Slouched on the grubby white garden chair V cuts a pathetic figure, a bottle in one hand and a cigarette almost burnt down to his fingers in the other. Misty sighs with relief, she’d expected worse although she’s only now realising it. Kneeling quietly in front of him she flicks the cig from his fingers and places the three-quarters empty bottle onto the floor gently shaking his knee to bring his attention around.

Now he lifts his head the tear tracks are evident, the redness of his eyes would have given him away regardless, the smudges on his cheeks seem to have come from wiping his eyes with bloodied knuckles.

“Who came off worse, you or the wall?” she asks him with a half-smile.

V sniffs loudly and just manages to look her in the eye, “Wall’s fucked, serves it right.”

Although now smiling, V is clearly very troubled, the smile only serving to make him look somewhat unhinged.

“Wanna talk about it?”

A non-committal shrug seems to be the best she’s going to get for now.

-

V had been is a stormy mood for the best part of a week, at first Kerry had tried to talk him around and get to the bottom of it, but he was being met with a brick wall every time and if he’s honest he has other shit going on that demands his attention so he’d reluctantly backed off and waited for whatever this was to burn itself out.

Louise is after more cash, holding the kids to ransom once again. Even though they’re grown she still has complete control, how had he not noticed what a controlling bitch she was until it was too late? Kerry is hunched over the laptop in V’s office trying to compose an email with the right balance of ‘Stop being a cunt’ and ‘Get fucked’ when the ex-merc storms in and swings Kerry’s chair around to face him, only just stopping short of giving the other man whiplash.

“Where the fuck are you going?” he spits indicating the overnight bag which Kerry has placed on the floor next to the elevator.

Kerry is taken aback but tries to keep his tone light, “I’ve got a two-day promo thing in Texas, I reminded you yesterday and it’s been on the calendar for weeks.”

“You’re leaving? Now? You can’t be fucking serious.” V has now taken to wildly gesticulating and pacing the room. “You can’t leave now.”

It was pleading more than threatening, but Kerry is still concerned. “I’ve got to babe, but I’ll be back Friday. We’ll go somewhere fancy for dinner when I get back, how ‘bout that?”

“You think throwing your cash around in an over-priced shithole is going to make this better? Fuck you Kerry, you have no idea what I’m going through, you’ve hardly even spoken to me in days.”

“I’ve tried talking to you and it’s hardly my fault that you never check the fucking calendar. Maybe a couple of days apart will do us good.”

Kerry is as stunned as V is when the words spill out of his mouth. The anger and hurt in V’s simmering gaze is more than Kerry can bear, but before he can try to explain or apologise the other man has stormed back through the door and Kerry winces on behalf of the lounge wall that has just been tastefully redesigned by V’s formidable fists. He sits with his fingers woven together and his head bowed for several minutes until the soft hiss of the elevator doors opening indicates that he is alone in the apartment and he goes to survey the damage.

-

That was yesterday morning, since then V has been going from bar to bar, getting into trouble and fitfully sleeping in a doorway, he can’t remember a lot of it, but as the anger receded and a deep sadness began to set in, he knew he needed to be here on the rooftop, alone with his thoughts. He finds some comfort in this place, feels close to Jackie and to Johnny, he talks out loud to them sometimes even though they’re gone, but he’s pleased that Misty is here now, his thoughts were getting darker and he was struggling to work up the enthusiasm to leave at all.

Misty moves to the other chair and hooks V’s pinky finger with her own sitting quietly looking out over the City and letting him get it all out in his own time. He tells her about the argument, about being hurt by what Kerry said, about being in a dark place right now and not feeling supported and she listens, nods and tightens the grip on his finger.

“Why do you think Kerry said what he said V?” Misty asks.

V bites back his first reaction and thinks for a moment before answering, “I’ve been a bit of a dick I guess, kicking off at the smallest things, chewing his ear off while he’s trying to work. No one else understands though, what it’s like to…” V stops and sighs.

“…be without Johnny?”

“Yeah, I guess. But he’s given up on me, just left me to work through it by myself, thing is I’m not sure I can.” V gazes sadly out over Night City, neon blurred by the tears returning to his eyes.

Misty puts her hand on his arm and turns to look him in the eye. “It’s a lot, what you went through, you’re struggling and that’s fine, but Kerry’s struggling too. He’s got his own demons, now he’s got yours as well, he’s doing his best but he’s out of his depth. There’s no shame in talking to a professional, someone who can unpick what you went through and set you back on a more positive path.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right, but he was going to leave, today of all days he was going to leave me by myself and fuck off to Texas.”

“Does he know why today is important to you?” Misty has half guessed why, but needs V to confirm her suspicions.

“He should!”

“Now V that’s not what I asked…”

“OK, maybe not, but he should.”

-

Last year around this time V’s mood swings had been put down to the medication he was on, they were still changing it up every week trying to offset the side effects which seemed to manifest daily. He and Kerry hadn’t spent a more than a few moments apart since he came back, as soon as the shuttle landed, he’d been whisked to a room in a private facility with twin beds – which were quickly pushed together – and all the comforts of home.

A few weeks later they were back at the condo, Kerry still catering to V’s every whim, so grateful to have him back, but also feeling stretched beyond what he could easily cope with. Things began to slowly improve, Kerry could work while V was at physio or training, but he’d promised the universe that he’d always be here for V if it brought him back to him, and he was keeping that promise.

V said little about his time on the space-station, had all but blocked it out as far as Kerry could tell, but he would talk for hours about Johnny, the stuff he used to say about people, the memories he shared, how much he missed having him around. Kerry would listen attentively, much of what V told him was exactly how he remembered his old friend to be, irreverent, charming and a pain in the ass, the difference was, Kerry didn’t miss him, not anymore. Years of therapy had started the process, but meeting him again confirmed it, Johnny was his past and that’s where he could stay, V was his future.

This time two years ago, V had just sold his soul and was in an Arasaka funded facility orbiting the globe about to be ‘cured’ of his brain-parasite. He’d disappeared from the condo days before making up some excuse about a job, which Kerry had not believed as V has been too sick to work for weeks, and wasn’t heard of again until months later when he could finally get a call through and Kerry had saved him. What happened in those intervening weeks was a mystery to Kerry, some of it was a mystery to V.

Misty had correctly guessed that two years ago today Johnny had effectively died, and with him a piece of V was gone too. He would never be the same, but there was nothing stopping him being proud of the new, successful, generally happy and loved person he had become, and Misty told him so.

“I bet Johnny would be proud of how you’ve done, I am for sure.”

“Thanks Misty, Johnny would prolly call me a pussy and cuss me out for shouting at Kerry, but I appreciate the sentiment.”

“You know you need to find someone to talk to V, a professional, someone who can help.”

“Uh-huh, Kerry knows someone, keeps trying to palm me off onto him, maybe I’ll let him.”

“Good idea, and Vik and me are always here for you, you know that.”

V had been eternally grateful when Misty had finally forgiven him for helping Haniko, once she understood he didn’t feel like he had a choice she eventually came around.

“I know Misty, thanks.”

“And I think you’ve got some apologising to do.”

V nodded slowly, “Yeah, I need to explain everything to Kerry, he’s the best thing that ever happened to me but he’s not a fucking mind-reader. As soon as he gets back from Texas tomorrow, we’ll sit and talk – if he’s even still talking to me.”

“I am, just,” a honey-soaked gravel voice declares from the direction of the elevator, “though I’d be happier if you answered your fucking phone and didn’t make holes in our walls.”

V’s head whips around rendering him momentarily nauseous, Misty heads towards the open doors clutching at Kerry’s hand as she passes, he takes up her vacated spot and puts a hand on his input’s knee, searching his eyes.

“I…I thought you were in Texas.” V stammers covering Kerry’s hand with his own.

“And leave you like this? Texas will still be there next month, fuck em!”

They both chuckle and move to rest their foreheads together, “How’d you find me?”

“Gave you a couple of hours yesterday before calling, you didn’t fucking answer, called again, no fucking answer, called Vik, hadn’t seen you, called Mama Welles, hadn’t seen you, called Misty, she called you, you didn’t fucking answer…”

“OK I get it, I’m a dick. I put my calls on mute, couldn’t deal with it all. So, Misty called you today then?”

“Actually no, Vik did. Saw Misty pass as he was locking up and guessed where she was going.”

“Oh, right, listen Ker I need to explain…”

“All you need right now is a rest and a very long shower, anything else can wait til after. Did it help coming up here?”

“Yeah, yeah it did.”

“Good, that’s all that matters for now, let’s go home.”

Billy Mine - Act 2.1

Leaving Ray of Hope Children's Home felt so…final. It's what I wanted, but I had a hard time adjusting to family life all the same. I mised Billy Mine. He was like a drug in my veins and I was going through withdrawals.

My new parents, Patrick & Christina Ellis were wonderful. They were so patient and kind and loving. They are so much more than I deserved. Before I started high school, my father decided to throw his hat into the political ring. He went from local New York politics to becoming a US Senator. It made life more hectic. We were more in the spotlight. Of course being in the spotlight brings out a lot of lunatics as well. My father gets regular death threats that the Secret Service are aware of. Others are just threats from unhinged individuals.

A few days ago, I was attacked on my way home from work. Police think it was a potential kidnapping to use against my father. Luckily I was able to fend them off, but not without injury. I have stiches on my forehead, a black eye, a busted lip, bruised ribs & they dislocated my shoulder. Years of Muay Thai actually paid off. I don't think they were expecting me to fight back. I wasn't so helpless that they could have just plucked me off the street. I was causing too much of a scene and I'm sure some of them are in worst condition than I am. Bystanders came to my aide, and they took off. Mom & Dad were in NY not DC at the time, so when they found out, I got brought straight back to their place. Not that I complained too much, I felt like crap.

*****

"Baby, do you mind coming outside? There's someone I need you to meet. It'll only take a minute." Dad wraps an arm around me to help me out of my chair.

I couldn't hold back a groan. "I'm really not in the mood to see people," as he leads me out onto the terrace.

"I know, Jules. I swear, it'll just be a minute. I hired security for you and I want you to meet him."

"Daaaddd," I hiss and stop in my tracks but he keeps ushering me forward.

A man stands with his back to me looking out over the Manhattan skyline. Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair, bespoke suit…my skin breaks out in goose bumps.

Hearing our arrival, he turns around & greets my father, "Senator Ellis."

"Thank you so much for meeting here instead of the office." They shake hands. "My daughter, Jules."

He turns his attention to me & I'm lost in his obsidian gaze. There's only one other person who has eyes like that. I can hardly catch my breath. I feel faint and clutch my dad's arm tighter. "Billy Mine" I whisper. Billy's eyes widen with recognition before the darkness takes me.

******

"Sweetheart? Jules."

"Dad?" I open my eyes to find I'm still on the terrace, but on the chaise lounge not on the floor. Shit. Billy.

"You need me to take you back to the hospital? How do you feel?" Dad asked crouched down beside the chair.

"No. No. Don't do that. I'm ok." I look around. I couldn't have been hallucinating. Billy steps nearer. "Billy Russo."

Billy hands me a glass of water, "Here. Drink this."

"You two know each other?" I hear a protective tone in my dad's voice. Billy's eyes dart to mine.

"A..a long time ago. Ray of Hope. W...we were there."

Billy looked to be more in shock than I was. "Juliet."

"Bill owns the security company I've hired to watch over you, until the police or secret service find those men," reassuringly pats my leg. "Nothing like that will ever happen again."

Bill clears his throat, "We'd like to sit down and discuss your daily routine and schedule but we can arrange that for a better time," nodding at me & handing me his business card. I take it, careful not to touch him. "Please call my assistant to schedule something when you feel up to it."

He scans my face & injuries. His eyes are hard like the day he saw my bruises from Carla. Scary mad. "Of course. Thank you."

"Excellent. Thank you again for coming out here. I greatly appreciate it. Jules will set an appointment soon. She's still recovering."

"You're welcome, Senator. Completely understandable."

"Let me see you out."

"No, I can see myself out. Stay with your daughter." Turning to me, "It was good to see you again, Juliet, despite these circumstances."

I can only nod, my throat tightens with the sobs and cries I try to hold back. I haven't thought about him in over a decade but to watch him leave, I wanted to run after him. Have him take me with him.

"Jules?? What's wrong?" Dad brushes away tears that I didnt even know had fallen. "Are you in pain? I can get a doctor out here."

"No. I'm sorry." I start crying and my dad hugs me, "It suddenly feels overwhelming. But I'm ok. I promise." I lie to him. "Maybe if I just lay down for a minute." I kiss his cheek and squeeze his hand as he helps me return to my room.

I take some pain meds yet still sleep restlessly, tormented by dreams of Billy Mine.

@idaofinfinity @imagine-a-fictional-boyfriend @snowkestrel @ellooo0ooo @bustlingcrowdsxorxsilentsleepers @terry2227 @e-dubbc11

Insane Stories From Belobog's Trash Cans - Volume 2: The Astral Express Gets a Pet

(Disclaimer: This story contains depictions of violence and unfunny cringe attempts at humor throughout.)

On the Astral Express, what started out as a fairly standard day quickly got more interesting when Himeko decided to hold a sudden meeting with the rest of the crew. That’s when she began to discuss the possibility of the crew getting a pet for the express. But, there was a catch; it involved Stelle’s input…

“Oh, wowie! We’re really gonna get a pet!?”, March 7th exclaimed excitedly upon hearing the suggestion. Dan Heng stoically followed up with: “Easy there, March. Let’s hear what else she has to say.” Welt nodded and replied, “Indeed. Even I’m curious about where this idea came from…”, while contemplating.

While they all quieted down, Himeko kept smiling and then answered their inquiries with her trademark elegance. “Hmm… Well… I’ve been noticing how Stelle has been under a lot of stress lately, with her recent arrival on the Express and her struggles on our Trailblaze expeditions and all of that.”, she said, “So, I just thought that having a pet to take care of would be therapeutic, and help her with acclimating to her new home. That’s all there is to it.” Stelle, who was standing nearby next to the others, just nodded and gave a grateful smile silently once she learned about her reasoning. March 7th smiled wider and cheerfully commented: “Aww… That’s sweet of you! You’re always looking out for us, Himeko!” In response, Himeko crossed her arms and kept upholding her mature aura. “Naturally! That’s my duty here on the Express. …Now, do any of you have any ideas on what kind of pet you want? Remember, Stelle’s input takes priority, as this is all for her sake.”, she replied.

“Ooh, ooh! Hey, hey!”, March 7th emoted while bobbing her hand in the air, “How ‘bout a bunny? I love bunnies, and having one would be sooo cute! And I’m sure the conductor would appreciate it, since they kinda look like a bunny, too!” Dan Heng shook his head in reaction before suggesting, “Putting Pom-Pom aside… May I suggest a cat? They’re quite popular and generally low maintenance pets.”, with a subtle hint of longing in his tone. She nodded, and while still feeling happy, said: “Ah, that’s a good idea, too! I didn’t know you liked cats, Dan Heng.” Meanwhile, Welt offered his own idea, but he whispered it so quietly, nobody could hear him. “A dog, perhaps…?”, he uttered out mutedly.

Himeko looked around attentively before she addressed them. “Heh… Wonderful suggestions, everyone. With that, what are your thoughts, Stelle? Is there anything you’d want as a pet that we could adopt? It should be something important that can make you feel calm and comfortable.”, she asked. Using her last two brain cells, Stelle spent a few moments thinking about her options until something became clear to her. It was so simple, and she couldn’t believe that she hadn’t considered it beforehand. She had a plan for obtaining the pet she wanted, and she would adopt it, no matter the cost. She then silently nodded to Himeko’s questions in agreement, all while having a blank look on her face.

“Oh, really? That’s great to know!”, she stated, “What type of pet is it? Where can we get one?” A single, decisive second passes before Stelle unexpectedly shakes her head and neutrally answers with, “Ight, Imma head out.”, and then proceeds to teleport to some far off Space Anchor location using her phone.

Of everyone present in the parlor car, only March 7th and Dan Heng seemed to be concerned about the shocking turn of events that just happened. “Oh, brother! I’ve got a bad feeling about this…”, she groaned. He nodded and rolled his eyes while responding with: “I do as well. Hopefully, this ends peacefully and no one gets hurt…” And so, they patiently waited for the unhinged Stelle to return with her pet…

…

In the hustle and bustle of Belobog’s streets, Stelle arrived in the Administrative District from the nearby Space Anchor. Dead set on her goal, she spent a few minutes walking down the sidewalks with determination in her stride; she knew exactly what she was looking for, and where to find it.

Upon nearing her destination, a small alcove containing some rail-lined fences near a shop, she then spotted a hauntingly familiar person, somebody who she feared running into. The acquaintance’s visage posed an obstacle to Stelle, as this could ruin her plans to acquire her pet. Nevertheless, she proceeded to formulate a risky, but effective plan to get past the person in her way. Using inspiration from an iconic (and memeable) scene in a terrible, yet hilarious old movie, she prepared to confront the adversary and recited her plan. All of this was to rescue her pet from the acquaintance’s grasp!

Near the sidewalk’s edge, Sampo was carrying an empty trash can. While Sampo partaking in helpful tasks is an almost unheard-of sight, this time was an exception. Due to his recent museum thefts as “Mr. Cold Feet”, he was forced to serve two years of community service as punishment. To make sure he complied, various members of Wildfire and the Silvermane Guards supervised his work, such as Gepard and Seele. Originally intended for prison, Natasha and Chief Oleg vouched for his previous good deeds while he was a member of Wildfire, which helped lighten his sentence.

Regardless of the circumstances, Sampo begrudgingly cleaned up litter off the streets and took out the trash cans for emptying. With a bored-sounding sigh, he set the empty trash can he was carrying down in the fence-surrounded street corner. “Maannn, this is bad for business~! I’m losing precious customers and sales while I’m wasting away with this boring, non-profit labor. I can’t even get away to continue my pursuits, what with all these old friends of mine watching me!”, he complained, “...Though, I guess I can’t whine too much. I owe Wildfire for savin’ my bacon once they found out about Mr. Cold Feet, otherwise I’d be in the shackles right about now. And I must pay back any favor that I owe, or my name isn’t Sampo Koski~! Then… That’ll be my motivation for continuing this mundane freeloadin’ work… Oohh, the betrayin’ humility~!” He then proceeded to let out a half-groan, half-laughing sound. He didn’t care that he was talking this flamboyantly to himself, even while he was being watched, that’s just how Sampo’s weirdness works.

Dusting his hands off, Sampo then picked up a nearly-full trash can right next to the empty one he just put down. As it left the ground with an effortful heave, the spot it sat in revealed a stone-faced Stelle, who stood a short distance away. For some unknown reason, her deadpan expression then morphed into a wide-eyed manic grin. Feeling high from the position, she then yelled at the top of her lungs: “GARBAGE DAY!!!” This led to Sampo looking at her, his eyes barely peering over from the trash can’s massive cylindrical shape. All he could mutter out in his distracted mood was, “Huh?”, in a confused manner. Then, without hesitation, she whipped out her baseball bat and pointed it like a gun at him.

As soon as he realized what was happening, he tried to raise the trash can in front of his face like a shield to defend against the incoming attack. “No!!”, he yelled. She then chucked the bat at him, and it hit the rim of the can with a loud bang, which led to it bouncing off it and striking Sampo squarely in the forehead with its top-heavy side. He let out a painful, “Augh…!”, grunting sound as he dropped his makeshift shield and went crashing to the ground with it.

Finishing her over-the-top reenactment, Stelle picked up the bat that rolled all the way back over to her, twirled it, and made a sarcastic-sounding laugh with the same wide-eyed manic face from earlier as she put the weapon away. She proceeded to take a few steps and laugh once more. “Ha ha ha…”, she went.

Then, all it took was one look at the tipped over trash can Sampo was carrying, which had all of its trash spilled out into the street, for Stelle to snap out of her daze and regain sight of her mission. Unable to bear the sight of its injuries, she ran over to it to check to make sure it was okay. “Oh, no! I’m so sorry, little one! I didn’t mean to hurt you, I was aiming for your kidnapper. Geez… You have a dent in your side… Here, lemme comfort you!”, Stelle empathetically said before lifting the trash can up and holding it like a small child, “Shhh… Shhh… It’s okay, I’m here for you. Nobody will hurt you ever again. An adorable trash can like yourself deserves better…”

While she continued to soothe it, a sketchy but charismatic voice rang out on the ground near where it had fallen. “Psst… Hiya, Stelle! I’m kinda in a bind down here. Could ya lend a hand to your ol’ pal, Sampo~? I’m not sure why my favorite client would assault me, I told you to watch the face in the past before!”, the mercenary doofus muttered out with the typical goofy smile he usually wore when conducting “business”. Ignoring him, Stelle began to put the trash bags back into her trash can she was still holding, all while saying: “Don’t worry, I’ll adopt you as my pet! I’ll feed you trash bags and cuddle with you everyday! On top of that, I’ll also fix your dent and give you a name… …Yeah, your name is now… …Trashie! It’s an honor for you to become the Galactic Baseballer’s partner in trash. So, come on, lemme take you back to your new home, Trashie! The Astral Express is what it’s called…”

After finishing clean-up duty, she then carried her newfound “pet” (can, trash bags, lid, and all) away with her back to the Space Anchor she teleported from. And she did all of this while having a parental smile on her relaxed face. Watching this madness unfold, Sampo slowly sat up in confusion, his head still throbbing from the attack and his body still sitting in the street. “What was that all about? Oh man, my head’s gonna keep killin’ me for the rest of the day… Maybe I should just “sneak away” while I can. I can hear customers callin’ Sampo Koski’s name~!”, he said sneakily while he began to scheme. Unfortunately for him (but not for everyone else), his thoughts were interrupted by his security supervisor, Pela, yelling at him. Facepalming, she sternly commanded: “Hey, no slacking off!! Get back to work! I’ve got my eye on you, Mr. Cold Feet! This is what you deserve for your crimes!”

He stood up fully and replied, “Alright, alright… Fine. I guess I owe it to ya for not throwing me in jail. Still, what about me gettin’ assaulted? Surely, that’s not something that can be tolerated! But I don’t wanna see her get in too much trouble, please don’t press charges, she did so much for little ol’ me~!”, in a half-sympathetic, half-joking tone. Not impressed with his exchange, Pela scoffed and continued her orderly droning. “...Hmph! That doesn’t concern me. I don’t have the energy to report it, I’ve been too busy writing my-...”, she stated before she reverted to an embarrassed manner as she almost revealed her secret hobby, “...T-That’s not the point! Just… DO YOUR JOB!!” He nodded at her flustering and saluted her. “Aye aye, valued customer. Just leave it to the reliable Sampo Koski~!”, he said. She sighed as he returned to his work, and everything went back to normal, free from Stelle’s influence, which helped suppress Sampo’s silliness.

…

Back on the Express, the crew’s anxious silence continued on for what seemed like hours, even though only ten minutes had passed since Stelle left them. Right when March 7th was about to go search for her herself, Stelle teleported back into the parlor car, now holding Trashie as her newly acquired pet.

“Whew… You made it back, Stelle! What a relief!”, March 7th gasped in respite while wiping her brow, “Where’d ya run off to? And, um… why’re you holding a trash can…?” Realizing what occurred, Dan Heng shook his head and quietly responded with: “Wait for it…” And, as if right on cue, Stelle began to explain herself. She lifted Trashie up higher and patted it a few times affectionately so everyone in the room could see it.

“Fellow Trailblazers, meet Trashie! This cute lil’ trash can will be the Astral Express’ official pet from now on. I rescued it from the streets of Belobog… You’ll all love Trashie, and it’ll make a good addition to our Trailblazing expeditions. I think I made the right choice…”, she clarified. Dan Heng then gestured over to March 7th after she finished talking, saying, “See? I knew it…”, in an unsurprised tone. “...Huh!? Uhhh…”, she stammered while scratching her head, “...This is supposed to be a pet? But it’s not even a living thing! She’ll have to pick an actual animal out, right, Himeko…?” She glanced over at Himeko expectantly, hoping that she would put a hold on Stelle’s odd behavior. However, perhaps not shockingly, she decided to reinforce/tolerate the situation, as if she was the permissive mother of the group (which she kind of is).

“Heh heh… Don’t be so hard on her, March! Some pets don’t have to be animals, since there are people who keep plants and even rocks as them…”, she exemplified politely, “Also, remember, this is Stelle’s decision in the end! And if she’s happy with her pet, then I think we should be as well.” Somewhat unsatisfied with this answer, March 7th failed to rebut the argument with: “Yeah, but… this is a bit of a stretch…” Dan Heng was starting to get annoyed at the pointless protesting, since he had given up any hope of getting his dream cat. So, he decided to ease her worries. “Well, it could be worse… At least we won’t have to worry about feeding, watering, walking, or cleaning up after it. And if… Trashie somehow needs attention, Stelle can handle it all by herself. It can be her punishment for not bringing us a genuine pet…”, he said conclusively, and he said the last sentence with a hint of disappointment in his voice. As an answer, she took a deep breath and said, “Sigh… You’re right… For once. And yeah, I’m over not getting my imaginary bunny now. I’m the same way with my stuffed animals, so I can understand her… enthusiasm. It’s whatevs, I guess!”, as all of her stress faded away.

That’s when Welt chimed in at last, not being sure what to say beforehand. “Well, I’m… glad that this all worked out, I suppose… Though, something’s been on my mind for a while… Stelle, you said you “rescued” this… Trashie? From what, exactly…?”, he asked. Stelle, who was near the lounging sofas, was clearing off a space for Trashie to sit on. While she was placing some of its trash bags on the sofa itself for some unknown reason, she answered the question with: “Trashie was being kidnapped right in Belobog’s public streets for everybody to see! By… Sampo, of all people. I rescued it by using my bat to force it out of his hands. And so, the Trailblazin’ Galactic Baseballer strikes out once again!” For a second, nobody reacted to her cringe, so she continued to rearrange Trashie’s bags like earlier.

Dan Heng just groaned after a while, and March 7th shook her head before proceeding to shrug her shoulders. “Normally, I’d be upset at you for attacking someone innocent and making your stupid jokes. But…”, she commented with a mixture of aggravation and confusion, “This IS Sampo we’re talking about, so… I’ll let it slide! I wish I coulda seen it, that would’ve been so funny! That blue-haired freak deserves a hit to the face. At least SOMETHING good came out of all this! Ha!” Welt’s face then scrunched up in surprise as he stumbled out, “I… don’t know how to respond to that…”, with an awkward disposition. This caused Himeko to chuckle and say: “It’s in the past now, so it doesn’t matter… All’s well that ends well!” Everyone uncomfortably laughed as the realization of the situation’s oddity crept up on them.

Once the silence returned, Welt spoke up once more, remembering that he had forgotten something important. “With that behind us… What’s the conductor’s opinion on keeping Trashie as a pet? Will they allow its… trash(?) to be spread here on the Express’ floors?”, he asked somewhat rhetorically. “Since you asked… In Pom-Pom’s humble opinion, Trashie can stay here as the Astral Express’ honored guest as long as Stelle can pick up its messes.”, Pom-Pom answered bluntly, appearing from out of nowhere, and everyone turned around to face them, “Like now, for example… All of you crew members should remind her that she must put away her makeshift bed once she wakes up, if she wants to keep her pet on Pom-Pom’s train!”

Confused at their response, the Express crew gave Pom-Pom puzzled stares. Then, they pointed over to where Stelle was, causing everyone to turn around and look behind them. In the span of a short minute, the entire rest of the crew somehow missed out on an usual sight that took place while they were distracted by Pom-Pom. There, on the sofa, was Stelle. She was sleeping on the sofa soundly, using one of Trashie’s bags (filled to the brim with plastic and paper materials) as a makeshift pillow, and she was holding the can itself in her arms. She had a relaxed smile on her face and she was sleeping hard, snoring softly all the while. She was also mumbling something about “Tatalov” in her dreams…

Himeko and Welt both had parental-like looks on their faces, not minding how strange the sight was. Meanwhile, Dan Heng and March 7th had sibling-like responses towards it. “How does she even do it…? I didn’t hear anything at all…”, he said while tilting his head with a confused expression. Smiling for the first time in a while, she optimistically stated: “Well, it’s kinda cute, I guess. Maybe keepin’ Trashie around won’t be so bad, after all… It’s doing what Himeko said a pet would do for Stelle. Hee hee! I swear, she’s just like an adorable lil’ raccoon over there!” 

The calm silence that followed spoke for itself when it came to everyone’s thoughts at that moment. While most of them were resistant towards the idea of Trashie at first, they all eventually came to accept it for what it was and what it did for Stelle. And the fact that they cared that much about her to accept her weirdness, no matter what, speaks in volumes for how kind the crew truly was. And as the celestial locomotive drifted through the cosmos, the smiles on their faces drove them even further, to truly become a strong founded family!

[Writer’s Commentary: Honestly, I have no idea what I was thinking when I wrote this… This insane idea I had about getting a garbage can as a pet occurred naturally to me as I was playing the game. Like usual, this ended up longer than I expected. And for some bizarre reason, I made it weirdly wholesome at the end, all while taking it absolutely seriously. That was not my intention, but it seems like it's something I can’t help but do. I apologize if that’s not what you wanted, reader, but this kind of thing just… happens when you’re writing sometimes. I don’t know if this is any good, but I don’t like it as much as the first one… Sorry about that… In more lighthearted comments, I parodied an ancient meme in this story by recreating it almost verbatim in the scene with Sampo. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s called the “Garbage Day” meme and it comes from an unintentionally funny scene from this terrible old horror movie called “Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2”. It’s quite old, so I don’t blame you if you’ve never heard of it. Once I started playing Star Rail, I realized that swapping the characters in the original scene with the game’s characters was the perfect parody material, and Stelle/Sampo were the most suitable for the reference! Here’s the link to it on YouTube if you want to watch it: https://youtu.be/i7gIpuIVE3k?si=iFnhj1lDXlCqA5a8. Anyway, that’s all I want to say. I won’t waste anymore of your time, so… See you next time!]

For Brooklyn and Elias, n.35, what inspired you to create them?

(Asking bc their designs are literally so cool. I would love some insight on that cause I am OBSESSED)

ask game (🥺)

Hiii ty for the question

This is interesting because out of all my ocs they're the ones where I'm less sure about where my inspo came from🤔 especially when it comes to Elias he very much developed as my art improved 👇 here's his earliest design (tw old art...)

By drawing him over and over and using blueish tints over my art all the time he got pinker and pinker and he ended up getting a design that's a little more sleek and cohesive. My main inspos for him were the vtmb toreador fledgling (because he used to be my toreador pc until i decided i liked him being a fledgling too much and changed it so he's the childe of the og toreador fledgling) and with time i ended up getting more and more inspired by other media, for example mahito from jjk, someone's nsfw oc that will go unnamed lmfao, and i started referencing irl people when drawing him to get a feel for proportions and to make his design more consistent. My main inspo is fernando lindez (though they rarely end up looking very alike) and what I try to replicate in Elias are his eye shape and his general facial proportions, i like how all of his features are close together in a way that feels kind of feminine and pretty.

When it comes to Brooklyn instead my inspos are more clear though her design kind of came naturally with me just messing around while practising how to paint darker skin tones. She is also a vtmb fledgling redesign (this time the malkavian one) and one of their clan stereotypes is that they usually get heterochromia. I didn't like the idea of just giving her different eye colors (though that's what ended up happening LMAO) and i looked into like. Pretty pictures of eye trauma😭 examples down here nothing graphic imo

This is not exactly what i had in mind at the time but it's similar so. Just kind of randomly evolved into her whole eye being white as i messed up painting. When it comes to her general design I wanted an excuse to draw lots of fun hairstyles without going against vtm canon (vampires are stuck w the same appearance forever) and whenever I design characters i like to steer kind of minimalistic, so i often end up with making the eyes and hair the same colours because I dont want them to get too busy or overwhelming. I can't even point out specific inspos for her because it's just a very common trope (tempest, yue from atla, 5000 different ocs) but when it comes to irl influences i was inspired by Anok Yai because I'd seen her in an interview and fell in love with her + a lot of other dark skin black super models. That's the main thing with brooklyn she has to give supermodel and very put together which kind of contrasts with her personality being. Completely unhinged. Anyways I don't really reference her much anymore because Brooke's features just kind of fit very nicely with my same face syndrome but here's Anok Yai for fun ^^

Hi!! I was wondering if you would give us a sneak peek into your WIPs? Like, what's next? What can we be excited about? :)

Hiya!!

Um! I'm currently working on a few fics for Jacob and John Seed (far cry 5), the Penguin, John Wick, Price, and the final chapter of Fever!

I'm mostly working on the Jacob (and John—man is down so bad canonically, it makes him look stupid. And sadistically unhinged) fics atm.

But I'll have a Price + Jealousy fic (I'd say drabble but it's, like, 4,9k) posted when I finish editing it. Maybe today? Or as soon as my cup of Lapsang Souchong is finished brewing.

(some Ozzie, and Jacob and John under the cut.)

Jacob Seed x Dep

It starts with Eli. With the distrust that festers between them, and you, like a disease that reeks of putrefaction, and cuts like the jagged edges of broken hope scattered across the blood-drenched pavement.  They don't trust you anymore.  You are not a hero— Not since three lines from a song turns you into the incarnation of wrath—the same harsh lines carved into your apoplectic flesh. Into a mindless machine corrupted to kill, to maim. To vivisect without prejudice as to who you're ripping apart, tearing to pieces.  (The blood that soaks your hands is all the same, anyway.) —you are a tool. And maybe it's time to become one, a martyr, before the broken fibres of your murky soul become too entrenched in calamity that you find kinship in the arms of Abaddon before you ever do in the Redeemer.

John Seed x Dep

The seed (pause for laughs), Sharky says, has been planted the moment John set eyes on you.

"He's got it bad," he continues, despite the ferocious glares of disgust being flashed his way. (Or, maybe, in spite of them because if there's anything Sharky likes more than his aunt, it's attention.)

"And you should use that," he adds with decisive nod. "Take one for the team. Then maybe Joseph will stop all this madness, and we can all live in a tense, unease co-existence until the apocalypse doesn't come, and his believers leave him. Then he can kick his sorry ass, pull a coup, and bada-bing, bada-bang: Hope County goes back to normal."

Take one for the team, he says. You've taken a lot for the team. Bullets, knives, bombs, brainwashing, sporadic drugging, and a tattoo carved into your chest by said sadistic sociopath, and now they want you to give yourself to him, too.

You make a gesture—a small jerk of you chin—but then you wonder if there's some truth to that statement, some sort of compromise that will stop the fighting—if only long enough for everyone to regroup, to prepare.

John Seed, huh? The jagged lines etched into your chest burn fury red. You somehow doubt he'll make it that easy. Or painless.

Penguin x Reader

Your eyes skirt to their table once more, pulled in by some macabre sense of curiosity, like looking at a lion in an open safari, and immediately seek him out. 

You don't know why he's the one piques your interest so much. He is far from your usual type—decades older, greying at his temples, scarred up, and grizzled—but there's something about him that pulls you in. 

It rears. That hunger in your guts, the one that says I want, I want, I want, and refuses to yield until it's fed. Until it's satiated. 

But there's a massive difference between stealing expensive perfume at Macy's, shoving luxury Gucci lipstick into your lifted Valentino white bag, and this. A gangster. And the bloody Penguin of all people, too. 

There's stupid, and then there's this—

"Thanks, sweetheart," he rasps when you sidle up, refilling his half-empty glass of water. 

His words are dripping the same grease found in the smarmy grin of snake oil salesmen, and pulsing with his heavy accent. He flashes a grin—all rectangular teeth, some coloured in gold—and it is oiled in that same sycophantic smear as his tone. 

He isn't a handsome man, and from the way he compensates by throwing his power and wealth around, he knows this. There's a vulnerability in him—a sadness that feels out of place in such a grizzled, sleazy gangster—and something inside of you itches to peel back the veneer, the grit and the grime, and find the man hidden behind those walls. 

Okay so I just beat REmake 4.

Here's a few quick thoughts

The introduction to the village is excellent and sets a perfect tone

Gameplay tweaks as well as the original's formula that is still used still work great. The REmake combat system is pretty tight, although it took me until the island to actually master the knife parrying system, mostly for the Krauser battles.

The treasure hunting is addictive, I got almost everything except some damn treasures in the village, I'm still mad! The shooting range minigame was EXCELLENT, I did not expect to be so immersed in it, I even actually sat down and got an S ranking on every single game! It actually helped me improve my aiming skills for the actual part of the game.

The graphics look amazing and the game makes great use of the PS5's DualSense controller.

I've said this before and I'll say it again; I'm glad the game is still camp as fuck. Yes, it's not as much as the original but it's also definitely not as depressing, grounded and soulless as, literally, almost every other narrative-driven modern game out there. This is so fucking refreshing to experience and I hope it starts a new trend of going back to cheesiness and camp as an alternative to all these non-entertaining but highly-applauded, for some bizarre reason, alternatives.

The Castle looks AMAZING, definitely my favourite area.

Leon, Ashley and of course The Merchant stole the show. Every scene they were in and saying their silly shit was entertaining. Leon's "swallow me whole" and the Merchant's "size matters... Or so they say, right" in particular got me so good 🤣

Krauser and Rámon were also done pretty well I think. Their actors did an amazing job. Krauser has more of a backstory this time and feels more like an actual person and not like a boss fight. Ramón himself looks more unhinged than ever, and both through documents by his caretakers as well as his quotes towards Leon during their battle we are able to see how the comments and treatment he received about his appearance actively influenced his hatred for the world and people. I think this is a very understated detail that adds a lot of depth to Ramón that I've seen no one talk about so far.

I know Luis is everyone's new bae and all, and that's great, but I honestly don't see the appeal. He's uglier than before, he's more annoying than before and he stays longer than before so nah, it's a no from me. They attempted to give him a bit of a backstory this time around but, ultimately, it's not impactful at all. He was also very unhelpful during the mine segment. I felt like he mostly just sat around and did nothing. He was pretty useful in the hut though and the el gigantes fight and he had a few good one liners, I'll give him that!

One thing that is present in the other two remakes as well but is especially annoying and noticeable in this one, is that when you move from one area to another, the lighting effects drastically change. It's like you change filters on an Instagram post or something lol

A little disappointed that Capcom is selling extra treasures and weapon upgrades as DLC again, and even more disappointed that they'll, probably, sell Ada's campaign as DLC... Hopefully that means they're gonna expand upon it though so at least we'll get more Ada. Hopefully...

Speaking of Ada, Lily Gao's performance was fine? Y'all are pathetic and miserable human beings for bullying her off the internet. Honestly. Is she my favourite Ada so far? No, I think Jolene Andersen is the definitive take on the character for me, but Lily gave a completely different approach to the character and, given how the whole concept of her dynamic with Leon is that they have both changed in certain ways after the Raccoon City Incident, it makes perfect sense? The previously innocent and inexperienced Leon is now hardened and cynical. The previously more emotional and alluring Ada is now more "matter-of-fact" and cold.

Overall I am very happy with the game and plan to instantly replay it. Nothing more that I can say.

Just buy it so Capcom can REmake more and get more of our money. I love capitalism

@risesabove​ asked: ❛ people like us don’t get to decide when we’re done. ❜ ♥️

For the Damaged Sentence Starters. | Said from the Lone Wolf.

SummerSlam was over, their team victorious against Nexus, but Bret knew that it wasn’t to be the end between himself and the Rated-R Superstar. Blood that wasn’t necessarily bad but definitely full of tension, whatever hostility Edge and Jericho had for Cena still boiled underneath the surface, switched between friend and foe. Carried itself over to the Hitman purely because of association. It wasn’t as though Bret picked favorites, for he would’ve joined anyone in tag team action. Been a source of support for the guys or girls of the WWE who needed it - good fight still within him - John just so happened to be that person. Perhaps part of him, too, wanted to give Y2J a couple of stiff right hooks to the jaw, long overdue revenge for the disrespect he showed to the Hitman’s family, the remarks he so confidently said to Bret’s very face, maybe a piece of him also wanting to save Adam in the process, to shake some sense into him. For as unhinged and aggressive as the Toronto native was, a somewhat troubled kid with a lot on his mind, he deserved better than to be partnered with Chris, a true snake. Jericho wouldn’t do him any good. Would only ruin Edge and all that he worked so hard for - Bret could recall just how much effort the kid put into his craft while learning deep inside the Dungeon - damn his soul all because he chose the wrong sort of friend.

Maybe it wasn’t his place, but that never stopped Bret before. Always trying to do the right thing, always trying to be the hero that others needed, a slower paced step wouldn’t keep the old man down. He would find his way to help - no more grudges held - he would talk to Adam. Never would intrude but would still be there for him all the same, when he couldn’t find him in the locker room, when searches around the venue building proved unsuccessful, Bret tried and looked in the last spot that he could think of. An area that others had mentioned seeing Edge when the blonde needed space to think; gravel his silent companion and parked cars frozen onlookers. The parking lot. 

Whatever he had to say was interrupted, for Adam spoke first, somehow noticing Bret’s presence even with his back to him, himself seemingly staring at the nighttime stars. Sounding sadder than the Hitman had ever heard him before, what he spoke of was a truth that all in their business could understand. Nobody was ever truly free. 

Shutting the exit door behind himself as softly as he could, nodding in agreement but doubting that Adam realized he did so, Bret replied in a tone that was much more delicate than he expected it to be. Gentle - a flag flown in truce given what they had done to each other and each other’s teammates in the past weeks - considerate. 

“That’s just the life we live, Adam. This business, it’ll never let us go. It just takes and takes until there’s nothing left. But, y’know, it’s not exactly easy to leave, either. Believe me, I’ve tried. Guys like us, like you and me, we’ll always be a part of it. It’ll never leave us. We’ll never be able to be without it.”

He cleared his throat, still having more to say. “I’ve actually been trying to find you all night. Edge, I think we need to talk. Y’know, it’s none of my business, and what you do with your life is your own decision, but I can’t stand around and watch as you partner up with Jericho. That guy, he’s bad news. Since returning to the WWE, I can see that he’s changed you for the worse. He’s brought you down to his level. He’s manipulating you just like everybody else whose hung around him. I can only see this team hurting you in the end. It’s not good, Adam. I feel like part of you knows this, too.”

___

Do you have any tips for practicing facial expressions? I always seems to struggle with em and can never quite get the expression I’m visualizing down on paper.

Okay so:

Let's break this down based on stylizations. Before anything else, you need to keep in mind what style you're drawing in. If you are doing something rendered, realistic, or a cartoon style that's more realistic like a lot of the DC cartoons, then you need to use references, and break things down by facial muscles and bone structure. Where as if you're doing something more simplistic, exaggerated, or shape based, you want to turn up those rules to an 11 and really lean into the rules of squashing, stretching, and follow through.

Let's start with realistic styles.

Let's use an example. Here's Mrs. Stock Image.

We want to draw a character with a similar facial structure to Mrs. Stock Image. We want to start with a Red Lining, to break down her facial features into it's core shapes, to help us as we look over our reference. I've blocked out the core shapes, and drawn arrows that help show me how the face squashes and stretches into her smile. I've also blocked off the hairline a little bit.

Now that we have a breakdown of Mrs. Stock Image's face, we can use that as a baseline for other expressions. I've done some explorations of how her face could potentially contort or change based on this information. Some things I keep in mind- when a character's mouth opens, their jaw opens so that needs to stretch every time, even if it's just a little bit. Eyebrows communicate a majority of major emotions. A person can smile when they're crying or frown when they're happy, so the eyebrows usually communicate a majority of emotional intent.

It's also important that the irises sit inside of the eyeball rather than on top of it. This helps with believable dimensions and perspective.

this is correct.^^

this is incorrect (for a realistic style) ^^^

There's a lot more that goes into realistic styles- dramatic lighting and shading can also help shape a character's expression and intent. Let's use Mr. CSP Head.

This is a completely neutral looking guy.

BUT WAIT!

Now he looks like he's emerging out of the darkness! What sinister intentions does he have?!

Oh wait.

now the lighting is soft, coming from below. Like he's being illuminated by a soft candle light. Look at how serene he looks now.

Lighting and Shadow can have a big impact on the tone, which is why a lot of cartoons will omit strong shadows up until very intense moments. There's plenty more I could say about realism, but we'll put a pin in that for today and stick to the simple basics for now.

Let's move onto cartoony styles. Since you asked me this question specifically, I'm guessing you're asking about the styles I tend to draw in. So I'll cover those for the most part.

I balance realism with exaggeration. Here's some of the exaggerations I tend to use a lot:

For simpler emotions, I tend not to exaggerate too much. There's still obvious emotions here, but it's not STRONG emotions. These would be expressions used during conversations that are pretty neutral. However, if the scene was more intense, then I'd exaggerate the emotions even MORE, like so:

The teeth are more exposed, the facial muscles are contorting more, even in this more exaggerated art style I'm still relying on the rules of reality as a jumping off point. Something else that I do that's more of a stylization choice is the inclusion or exclusion of eye shines to indicate emotions as well.

I usually use eye shines when a character is feeling a stronger emotion, and omit them entirely when a character is tired, depressed, or too empathetic to feel anything at all, like below.

Something else to keep in mind is that the iris should always be touching one of the eye lids, unless you're trying to make the character look inhuman, unhinged, or caught off guard by something shocking.

You can also play with how much you want to exaggerate an expression depending on how much energy you want to put into the character's face.

Hope this was helpful!

Android 21 - I will be referring to her as 'V' if you prefer that over 21 or just want a mix of both. (Dragonball Z: Fandom Separated)

1 - Alright I'm going out the gate with this: unless your character is literally from DBZ. I won't be using the power scaling from that universe for this character, or maybe even at all. I would say eh, at most she's like 'Thanos' levels of power but mostly just a brute rather than any of the utility he had. And usually either has powers to help with combat rather than anything super useful like time manipulation et cetera. However, that being said, most of the DBZ big villain characters are capable of destroying multiple galaxies, planets at once. So while this is a factor, I am more than fine scaling her down to like... Superman levels of power or something as it's overwhelming otherwise with little consequence. Her real mechanic is potentially scaling endlessly, but I'm willing to reset her if she dies fully then regenerates/revives. So yes, I'm willing to let protags, characters or otherwise fight her as I think just her having a higher number and winning automatically is a bit lazy writing/dumb baby fandom Goku auto-wins vs everyone fighting logic. You just NEED to talk to me first when fighting this character, as I will have two tags for this power-scaling.

2 - With that, I will more or less be separating her from the fandom and DBZ rpc, but open to it otherwise. I will have a 'vague canon' sense for her for the events that happened, then simply have her fighting her split ego as an event they simply fused then counterbalanced another out. Forming another being entirely that no longer can return to her human form, but has their old memories, combined personalities, etc. She's not the most difficult

3 - I will make jokes/4th wally jokes with this show at times or a lot about it's writing, so honestly expect it as it's DBZ, but also be serious at others. DBZ is one of those shows that it's like... so bad that it's good from the cheesy power scaling then having some pretty good fight-scene choreography. Though there were some good moments, I think it peaked at the Frieza arc then became kinda samey until they did DBZ Super or whatever it was called? It improved a lot with that, but it's DBZ, it's kind of plagued by the concept of old fighting anime/power scaling but I'll do my best to actually make it enthralling/funny. So I can write her seriously, but I will be upfront that I will also poke fun at the show in an endearing way.

4 - I will not have this character attack, physically bully or kill yours out the gate, as I know rp wise the consequences of this character using any of her power to retaliate. Just... don't threaten her or insult her frequently is all I ask unless she's having an insult-off/I return it, she's semi-hard to push for how I have her. Just expect her to be extremely unhinged or odd in her train of thought at times. More or less sticking to canon for characterization with a lil bit of extending.

5 - This character does eat people by turning them into sweets or just straight up absorbs them into her goo, talks about eating people. So if that bothers you? Uh, may wanna move on from this character. Otherwise, you're good to go. Other than violence, murder, I can't think of many more triggers with this one.

The artwork is noted to be unedited as I simply like her toned and more or less fine with canon. Left the water mark but not suggesting the artist as I'm... not sure if they're okay or not? I'm a bit iffy but you can see their patreon in the water mark as 'putcher'.

Do I want them to die: Sure, it's DBZ, everyone has died a few times in the series. It's fairly meaningless but crossovers I will say let's just, try to plot it out or it'll be a joke death. Will I have/get icons: I got plenty! Tag: sweet maji (Default) - z powered (Canon Power Capability, levels of Thanos or characters that can compete with him and can destroy multiple planets, a galaxy when exerting) - z crossed (Crossover Scaling at more or less placing her around Superman/Even with other big bads/protags). These power scaling tags are purely for verse dependent, though I CONSIDER THESE VERSES MORE OR LESS ALL COMBINED FOR INTERACTIONS. Why? I think it's funny, cheesy, plays into DBZ’s inconsistency even if it means her dying. dbz maji (Canon Request Only Verse) rampage maji (This character has gone on a rampage, cannot be reasoned with and has probably absorbed other characters/eaten them for their powers and is running out of control. This is request/plot only) Age: Thirty Seven. Sex: AMAB born, though chooses none usually other than for obvious reasons. Gender: Fem Presenting, any pronouns. Race: Majin Android. (Present) What she was, whether human or otherwise is unknown to her. Sexuality: If they like you. Personality traits: Loves sweets, eating people. Sadistic, Masochistic. Brutal. Fairly Neutral if not odd or bizarre from her full fusion in her fight with her other ego in canon. Generally doesn't attack first unless she feels a need to if something is at stake that matters. Jokey, whimsical, murdery. Tends to have contrasting maturity at times though can combine it with a joking, older woman insight or vastly immature joking/insane ramblings, banter. When calm, she's rather kind, almost 'motherly'. Is interested in her own scientific pursuits to herself, possibly to stabilize herself or make herself more stable. To further her own studies on herself. She wanders naturally being a Majin and feels the need to, especially to other life. Self-sacrificing. Fairly tragic as a person? Extremely loving, loyal. Mental traits: Majin Insanity: has various mental traits of Kid Buu and Majin Buu (Good) in terms of insanity when being unhinged. Though combined with her own personality? It has its own manifestation of having traits of Kid Buu and 'Good' Buu, but with her own varying levels of maturity. So her personality might jump at times depending on how much she's riled up/feels though mostly with a femme fatale vibe, granted, she might change tune if really pissed off. Has a semi-identity crisis when it comes to who she is. Physical traits: Around 6'1 and toned visually. Powers: I will just be using her canon powers as she really, REALLY doesn't need help. Flight - Ki Flight Ki Blast - Basic Energy Blasts - High-Heeled Ki Slash, a unique Charged Ki Blast where she kicks using high-heeled boots to fire a barrage of pink sword-blast-like Ki Slashes. This energy manipulation is planetary to galactic depending on verse. Tail Attack - she can weave her attacks with her tail to make a rather chaotic and fluid fighting style. Hungry Beam - this turns people into food Sweet Tooth/Absorption - either through her good or her food or energy, matter, she can absorb or consume people, energy, matter for their power or intelligence. If she does this too much, however? She can go berserk, however. This usually only happens if she needs it. Otherwise, she can shed excess power and energy (if she's stable enough to think to do this) (Canon adjusted powered to mostly balance her but also make her more flexible) Connoisseur Cut Fighting Style - this strike absorbs her opponent's energy partially and copies their moves. She uses acrobatics, instant transmission with this along with other things listed on her wiki, as they’re more style rather than explicit powers. Be aware, while this character can’t instantly absorb yours? If allowed to grapple or part of her goo envelops your character? They’re pretty much absorbed, so try not to like... let that happen in an rp unless you want her to do that. She wouldn’t do this to good people when stable, however or neutral, as the character in question cannot die until she does at that point. It’s a state of purgatory in a way, though they can eventually be absorbed fully if left for too long. She would do this if desperate though and about to die, however. Z Fighter Moves - she can use the more common powers of the Z-Fighters such as Solar Flare, Kamehameha, Instant Transmission, etc. This is merely from a pool of fighters she already canonically knows pretty well. Photon Swipe - a death-beam capable of destroying planets or a galaxy depending on the verse scaling. Excess Power Detonation - to basically release steam when threatening to go berserk? Android 21 can release energy to either enhance herself physically or her blasts by a large amount behind her base power. Survivability - Frieza, Cell, Kid Buu and their cells are a part of her being and makes her an extremely enduring being. Such as it’d probably take the force of several planets to do major damage to her as in canon, granted this scales down with verse. Regeneration Extreme - She has instant regeneration in canon and has one of the greatest capabilities in the series. Futuristic Intelligence - Specializing in Biology and Robotics specifically, it’s mostly due to studying her own composition and what she has in terms of memories from canon and intelligence. Then being able to create clones of other powerful beings if she desires, though would not at this point. It’s just worth noting that she can be talked to intelligently. Motivations: Wildly varies depending on her mood. But the main ones tend to be: having fun, eating, then finding some sort of stabilization to her own mind. Backstory:

Vaguely uses her canon backstory, like going unhinged to the point of splitting when killing her adopted son from losing control. I have them fuse in the final fight and more or less have them balanced out leaning towards 'good'. As otherwise, interactions would be relatively hard without murder as a result.

CIX “You give their hoodie back because it doesn’t smell like him anymore”

CIX Masterlist                                               Group Masterlist

Ask: Cix reaction to you giving them their hoodie back because it doesn't smell like them anymore? Thank you!

BX/Byounggon: 

His eyes were half closed and his breathing was heavy, but Byounggon was entirely too comfortable to get up and actually get ready for bed. His head on your chest? That was his safe spot and he just refused to get up and get ready for bed... until your fingers threading through his hair stopped. 

“Why’d you stop?” He asked, lifting his head to look at you. He thought maybe you had already fallen asleep, but no you were simply looking at him. “I need you to get ready for bed.” You said, tone serious. “I don’t wanna. I’m gonna sleep in this.” He mumbled putting his head back down on your chest. “No, I really need you to do something for me.” You whined and by listening to your tone, he could tell you meant it. 

“What do you need me to do?” Byounggon adjusted himself, looking you in the eyes as you felt heat rise to your cheeks. “I need to wear the sweater I stole from you to bed tonight... it doesn’t smell like you anymore and I really need it to smell like you.” You admitted, kind of embarassed at the request but still quite meaning it. Now, he didn’t know how to respond. This was quite the sweetest thing someone had ever asked him to do. 

“I’m getting ready for bed right now. Where’s that sweater?” 

Seunghun: 

“You sound sad.” Seunghun commented, looking up at his phone screen to see your face. You looked sad too and well Seunghun knew this wasn’t fun. It was bittersweet for him as well, touring was so fun but he missed you a lot. 

“I just miss you.” You mumbled, putting your phone closer by your face. You pulled the hoodie of his you were wearing up to your nose, realising that the scent of him had faded quite a bit. The realisation could’ve made you cry but you held it back. You just really missed him and it seemed wearing his hoodie as much as you had was making the scent of him go away. 

“What’s wrong?” Seunghun asked, noticing how looked significantly more upset than before. “The hoodie I stole from you doesn’t smell like you anymore.” You sounded so sad, but the words were slightly funny. “The hoodie I stole...” He repeated before shaking his head slightly. “This isn’t funny. When you come back you need to wear it for a while, so it’ll smell like you again.” You pouted and he could only simply pull a smile. It was cute, truly it was and he would do that for you if that’s what you wanted. 

“If that’s what you want I’ll do it. I’m so going to hold it over you that you miss me that much.” 

Yonghee:

It seemed like something had been on your mind the entire day. Almost as if you were hiding something and well it was making Yonghee anxious. He was almost scared that he had done something wrong. So even though you were in their dorm, he was treading lightly around you. 

It wasn’t until he caught you trying to put a hoodie back into his closet that he started to question things. “What are you doing?” He asked, catching you red handed with his hoodie. “Is this why you have been kind of off all day?” He added on and you could only blush in embarrassment. It looked like you were stealing them in his eyes. “It’s not what you think. I’m not stealing one.” You said, frowning and holding the hoodie you were trying to return. 

Yonghee took the hoodie from your hands before pulling you in for a hug. “Then what are you doing?” He asked, small smile playing on his lips as he watched your face get flushed. “I took this hoodie a while ago. It used to smell like you and now it doesn’t.... I was returning it so you would wear it again and I could take it again.” Your explanation made you sound crazy but Yonghee didn’t think so. He thoought it was one of the sweetest things he had ever heard, albeit a little unhinged. 

“I’ll wear it right now, so you can take it back with you when you go back home.” 

Jinyoung: 

The second you had entered the house he had tugged you along. Deseperately wanting to cuddle with you and be alone with you for a few moments, so much so he practically threw you onto his bed to do so. Crawling over you, Jinyoung burried his face in your chest and let out a sigh. 

“I missed you so much.” He mumbled into your chest. It had indeed been a while, schedules being hectic for the both of you. That being said, you needed him to do something for you. “I missed you too... which leads me to this.” You slightly pushed him off of you and reached for your bag. Tugging out the hoodie, you handed it to him. “i need you to wear this today.” You added on and he simply looked confused. 

“This is mine?... You want me to wear my hoodie?” Jinyoung was confused and you couldn’t help but sigh. You were kind of embarrassed because of this, why did he have to ask questions. “It doesn’t smell like you anymore and when we can’t see eachother for a while... I wear it because it smells like you and makes me feel better.” You explained, watching a cocky smile pull over his lips. He pulled the hoodie on over his head and pushed you back down to hug you further. 

“That’s so cute, so ridiculously cute. I’m definitely holding this against you later on.” 

Hyunsuk: 

When you heard they were going on tour, you knew you had to get him to do this thing for you before he left. Even if that meant bargeing in on practice because you didn’t know when else you could get it to him. 

“Hey, what are you doing here?” Hyunsuk smiled, hugging you tightly and tucking your head under his chin. “I know I’m going to see you before you go on tour so you can give this back then. I just needed to get this to you before then.” You said and pulled out the hoodie you had taken from his closet a while ago. 

“This is my hoodie, I let you take it a while ago... why are you giving it back?” He asked, pushing the hoodie back into your hands. He liked that you had something of his, he loved it actually. “I need you to wear it over the next few days and give it back to me before you go on tour. It doesn’t smell like you anymore, I need it to smell like you.” You said and he had to bite back tears. He was going to miss you so much. 

“I’ll do that but you, you need to give me a shirt of yours for the same reason. Promise?”