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darkdevasofdestruction · 11 months

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Chapter 20 - Ken Doll and Barbie the CEO

With support from her partner, Kisara and Ohma returned to watch the third match. The odds were equal now, and the Kengan fighters had renewed hope. Now that they got familiar with the ring-out rule and the countdown, they can show off, as they deserve - After all, Purgatory was shit compared to Kengan.

Once they arrived back at the waiting room, the fight had already started, and Julius was fighting that guy who matched his colossal build. As soon as Kisara saw her friends, she almost completely forgot about her haziness and started smiling, greeting them with a lazy wave. Before she could blink, Raian was there - Thankfully, her partner pulled her out of the way before that dumbass could pounce on her. Five times. "Guys, stop, I'm getting dizzy." though her vision blurred slightly, she was able to chuckle. "Seeeeeee~♪ babe? I told ya you could fuck those fuckers up! You fucked them up real time!" he cackled like a freaking maniac, but he was hilarious. "It was a collective effort, I don't deserve all the praise. I learnt from all of you. It should be me, thanking you, for quite literally seven years of help. You especially, 'Tsuki. You started all this, my best friend. My win is yours, as well as everyone else's." the man smiled at her, and walked up, patting her hair. "Hatsumi would have been proud watching you fight." she smiles sarcastically. "Oh, yes, of course he would have - If he wasn't training in some mountains in the middle of nowhere, in China. He went training with Rei, the same as when he started training me. I wonder if he thinks Mikazuchi Rei is actually a girl." she started laughing again, only to cringe and clutch her sides. "Kisara." she heard Gaolang's voice, as he stepped forwards. "Thank you." he held such a sweet and tender expression as he thanked her and extended his hand for her to shake. "I don't do handshakes with the God of Boxing, brother." she smiled back, clenching her hand into a fist, and bumping it into his right Godly fist. "I have been blessed." he couldn't help but look away in amusement. Through all the praises, Kisara went to Agito and extended her arms to the side. "Do I get a hug, AG?" the girl gave him a playful smile. "You should have been in the roster from the very beginning. I know what I trained." careful not to hurt her, he pulled her into an embrace. "It takes almost being beaten to death a few dozen times to get this good." Kisara laughed, making Agito shake his head - It had taken a long time, getting full control over his two sides and eliminating the delay - But in the end, he succeeded.

"Hey, boss. You mind if I watch the fights from here?" a boy around Ryuki's age came in the room. He had silver hair, and a boyish, innocent expression on his face. Judging by his stature and the few visible scars, he must have been a fighter. Kisara's supposition was confirmed by Yamashita Kazuo, who agreed to let him watch from here. "Ohhh, are you Ryuki's friend?" Kisara quickly made her way to the two boys, putting her hands on their shoulders. "Ah - ! You're the lady that fought just now!" Koga stared at her with awe. "Kisara's my name, great to meet you. I take it you're training to become the next big guy too?" the boy grinned, though he seemed bashful. "Yes, Miss - But I know it will take a while. I just started, really. You guys are all super cool and strong, and I'm nowhere on your level." he was such an innocent boy, sweet darling. "Hey, now, you've got all the time in the world. At your age, I was a shut in who never left the bed. In fact... I was around 23 years old that I actually started doing any kind of physical training. That pretty man there - He's Nitoku. He studied to become an author, you know? He took up fighting barely 15 years ago. So - Not all of us start at an early age, but it's never too late, you know? So, chin up, I'm rooting for you!" though Koga was feeling overwhelmed by all the encouraging, he couldn't help but be attracted to the battle of the two beasts that was taking place. The impact of each and every blow was so heavy, that even the people of the audience thought they were being thrown flying away. "Hey, hey -- This doesn't look good at all! Our guy's getting pushed back!! Gosh, are they even human?!" poor Koga's face was dropped to the floor, crestfallen. "Doesn't look good? For who?" Wakatsuki scoffed at what he had just heard. "I've fought him before, so I can tell - It'll take more than THAT to bring him down." Julius managed to land a blow so hard to his opponent's gut. "Ohoho, yes, that was a fantastic fight, though you gave me a fright close to death. Half your face was dragged across the cement wall, it was insane!" Julius received a heavy blow to the head that sent him down to the ground - He almost got stomped down, but he blocked with his arm, delivering another blow - The enemy fighter was sent sliding across the floor, and continued getting plummeted... Or so the public thought.

"Wakatsuki... This isn't looking good." Ohma stared in shock as the opponent took a direct hit to the cheek, only to spin around and land a punch so powerful that it sent Julius to the ground, and the countdown began. "...I knew this would happen." he tsk'ed in annoyance. "He shifted the flow of power to reduce the damage." "But... That looked like your Redirection Kata." Kisara muttered back, earning a nod of approval. "C-Come to think of it... The first time he knocked Julius down - His fist made an unnatural impression on his torso. What if that's because he was going limp?" Yamashita pointed out a very good fact. "The Water Kata. That Pineapple Head relaxed all the muscles in his body to disperse the damage." Ohma agreed. "B-But how does he know the Niko style techniques. C-Could Toa Mudo be a Worm that's infiltrated Purgatory??!!!" the four of them sobered up.

On the count of 8, Julius got back up. Though he attempted a punch, he was deflected and sent to the ground, only able to block the rain of punches. But from that impossible posture, Reinhold was somehow able to lift the man slightly heavier than even himself, whilst getting hammered down, trying to break free. "JULIUS!!! PUT UP YOUR GUARD!!!" Takeshi was his one eternal rival - And his biggest supporter in this tournament. "It's hopeless! His opponent's techniques are first class! He's not an opponent he can beat with brute force!" Koga looked like a gasping fish. "You're underestimating Julius, kid." Kisara smirked. "Only people who have fought Takeshi and gave him a run for his money can properly develop strategies to beat down strong guys that rely on martial arts as well as their own raw strength. I bet Julius sees Tsuki in the ring." she jabbed at her best friend. "... Let's not." Wakatsuki grumbled, anxious for the fight before him. As if predicted, Julius knocked back Toa, making him fall on the ground, and he even made him cough blood. "WHA--?! WHAT'S UP WITH JULIUS'S FOREARMS?!" as Yamashita rightfully gawked, his arms truly did look... Odd. "THAT'S -- THAT'S MUSCLE CONTROL!" if something could make even the Tiger breathless, it must be fantastic. "I've never seen anyone control their muscles to that level before...!" "That's... Pretty insane. Think you could still defeat that guy?" though she meant it more as a joke, they both were wondering the same question - Although, neither has forgotten how modest and nervous Wakatsuki usually easy, even going as far as to downplay his own strength.

The two fighters were back up and took their stances. "He's preparing for a counter! He'll have to approach with caution." Wakatsuki declared - Everyone, on both sides, as well as the auditorium, were feeling tense. Julius was the first to rush, ramming like a high-speed train - And with a single punch, Toa had broken the concrete ground with his head. Impeccable. All the Kengan fighters were cheering loudly, gleeful at the fantastic sight before them - Although Toa must have landed the counter, Julius spun his forearm to repel Toa's block. He flexed his muscles to their limits, then released them all at once - Similar concept to the Blast core, though its usage is entirely different. On the count of 10, Julius Reinhold, the Martyr of Muscles, was declared the undisputable winner of the 0% fat fight.

"That was AWESOME, Julius! A great match to witness, as always!" Kisara praised the man, who grunted and nodded in acknowledgement. "That win was totally you. You pulverized his techniques in just one hit." Ohma recognised his achievements. Once again, Julius scoffed. "The truly strong need no technique - But more importantly, Tokita Ohma, I don't think that man is a member of the Worm you're looking for." Ohma nodded his head. "Yeah... That looked like the Niko style at first, but it was something else entirely." he agreed. "You've improved again, Julius." Wakatsuki praised, raising his hand up. "I'll be cordial with you, but only this once." in their most epic fashion, the two strongest men high-fived, the sound of that clap resounding like pure victory for the Kengan association.

"So, now that three matches ended, it's finally time for the Purgatory to choose first, and we counter, right?" Kisara asked, though quite a few minutes have passed. "Yes, you are right... But why can't they just pick someone already, the hype is dying down fast." the manager grumbled, staring suspiciously at the Purgatory. "But we have 13 matches - Doesn't that leave one out?" Naoya asked, counting on his finger.

As if on cue, Alisa came forth, announcing a special match, as all lights went off. It was a timed match, and instead of the ring edges, the fighters can only move inside the glowing light. You lose if your whole body leaves the bounds of the light. In this match, the countdown doesn't apply. If, by the end of the 5 minutes there is no clear winner, the match is declared a No Contest. Gaolang was the first to speak, saying that the Purgatory had every advantage - Kisara disagreed, and she looked at Misasa with a mischievous smirk. He looked back at her, and with that leisure smile of his, he took off his blazer and announced that he can go fight this one. "Who else but someone small, fast and agile like this silver fox do you think can properly fight under these rules? If some big-ass meat head comes over, he can easily play around him. You wouldn't want another Julius and Toa match under these circumstances, right?" Kisara countered Gaolang. "If Miss CEO has so much faith in me, how can I back down now?" Misasa lazily chuckled. "Maybe I should go. I'm a rookie too." Masaki serenely spoke. "No." Yamashita was solemn. "I'd like you to go, Misasa." after so long, he could see how match ups can be made in your favour. He trusted Misasa's confidence, though he's never seen him fight before, the way he saw others. Regardless, despite his small build, he was chosen as the Eighth Fang, so he must be strong, especially after Katahara Retsudo himself praised him so much.

According to Alisa, the Kengan team was 'tricked' into choosing first - As it was a special fight, the two teams had to pick at the same time. But no matter. Misasa had his hands in his pockets, and looked around. The ring was empty, save for his sole presence. Ohma was reminded of Kisara's No-Fighter stance, and found the corner of his mouth twitching up. This guy must be the real deal. The Purgatory will underestimate him, the same they did for Kisara. Losers. "Don't pussy out, Biiiiiiiitch~ ♪" the Kengan fighters could hear nothing from the two Fangs shading each other, but they could hear Kisara's uncontrollable laughter. Raian recalled that one day he trained with that damned Fox girl, and all the tricks and taunts she pulled on him. He wasn't sure whether that little shrimp guy was doing the same thing, or simply had a personal vendetta against that meat-head fuckwad, but it was going to be as good a match to watch, as the red head's. Still, he just wanted to jump in action and beat the crap out of those fuckers already. And kill. Raian craved violence.

Once the fight was announced, the meat-head went in for a punch - He was fast, and followed up with more hits until Misasa was at the edge of the light. Though Naoya was impressed by his speed, despite his large build, Ohma was disappointed to see such an amateurish waste evident from all his motions. "Now, the fun begins." Agito heard Kisara giggling ominously, jumping on the railing to get a better look of the fight. The meat-head tried to palm Misasa's face, only for him to side step and end up behind him, punching him out of the ring - But he failed, and the traitor turned around and somehow cut off at his shirt and chest, drawing a bit of blood. Misasa seemed irked off. The motion the ex-Fang made with his hand looked as though he was using his thumb's knuckle to cut, the same as Lihito used the pads of his fingers to pinch.

The light's spotlight was getting smaller and smaller, whist the enemy's arrogance was increasing a hundredfold. Kisara was sitting on the railing, dangling her legs playfully and grinning at the display before her. "He's toying with him, what a cute dork!" she felt so easy-going, unlike young Koga whose grip on the railing bar seemed to be so tight that his skin turned bloodless pale. "Toying with him? Miss Kisara, I know he's your friend, but look how close he is to the edge of the light! One small push and he's gonna get propelled out of the ring!" the poor boy gasped in anxiety, only to see the red head point her finger towards the fight, as Misasa punched the enemy down to the ground, his face roughly slamming on the ground. "Ahhh, that was rough...." Misasa took off his shirt, throwing it out of the light-ring. "I can't stand being talked down to by a piece of shit like you..." Kisara wolf-whistled at the blond fighter, only to receive a mischievous wink right back. Kisara laughed, and laughed harder, as the foe got back to his feet, shrieking and growling countless curses and insults towards the Eighth Fang of Metsudo. "Come on. It's time to go to Hell." Misasa got in a fighting stance, flapping his hand as a gesture to get his opponent to attack him. "You are just a bat who thinks he's a lion." Misasa effortlessly retorted, watching the traitor lunge at him, and he retaliated with a knee to his chin, making him stumble backwards, before rushing forward with a barrage of elbows well aimed. "I've never seen a martial art like this before." Ohma muttered, leaning down to Kisara's height. "That, my darling, is just about one of the best martial arts known to mankind." the girl giggled, snaking an arm around his waist to pull him next to her, so she could lean on his body. "It is called Silat, and it has mainly soft movements, and can be successfully done with weapons also. They use elbows not only for attacking, like in Muay Thai, but for blocking and parrying also." the red haired woman explained the theory behind it. "Look how Misasa used his elbow to parry and derail that idiot's straight punch, and now he's using the other elbow to hit him over the head, at precisely his weakest spot. We are adorably cute and small people, my love, but we are capable of defending ourselves, even against meatheads like Yumigahama." the girl giggled playfully, watching as the blond knocked him off the balance and getting him in a one sided beatdown, attacking from outside his awareness. Misasa was capable of out-maneuvering his enemy at every turn, and no amount of size difference can make up for an attack you cannot see coming.

Spinning elbow, 12-6 elbow, elbow uppercut and a karate-chip to the wind-pipe, they all sent Yumigahama to the ground, writing in agony. He didn't even realise that his large frame was working against him, as the ring was shringing at such a rapid pace. A psychological wall that was getting him caught up and unable to fight to his fullest.

The foe cockily got up, getting in a stance, laughing at murdering one of Misasa's subordinates - Took out the trash, he said - If only he knew how angry Misasa was, deep inside his heart. "I don't wanna hear another word out of you. Just shut up and die." Yumigahama kept throwing punch after punch as the younger one dodged perfectly, yet still got nicked here and there. Despite all this, he wasn't landing any hits, nor was he able to throw Misasa off his groove. His moves don't work if the opponent sees them coming, and Misasa was a master at foresight, and was always one step ahead. "He's strong!" Wakatsuki exclaimed. "Misasa excels at fighting in tight spaces. He's turned his smaller build into an advantage." Agito nodded. "Look, Wakatsuki. Misasa is carefully aiming for Yumigahama's vitals. Misasa's cultivated the skill it takes to bring down opponents with bigger builds, and with his movement restricted and nothing in his arsenal but simplistic attacks, Yumigahama has no way to defend himself." he noted skillfully. "That's right, you big, brawny guys~!" Kisara looked over her shoulder at them, a snake-like smirk on her face. "All it takes is a little ingenuity."

Finally, Misasa got fed up with entertaining that idiot, and the light ring was small enough to his liking; As Yumigahama aimed for a grapple, Misasa used his elbows to hit his wrists down, before the joints of his thumbs shoved hard into his temporo-mandibular joint, dislocating it. As the enemy was shrieking in agony, the blond aimed an elbow shot to his cervical vertebras, and another, right in his face, making his teeth fly out - With one last punch, Misasa slammed his head down onto the ground, making push out of his face and skull.

"IT'S OVER!" the red announced. "THE WINNER OF THE SHOWDOWN IS MISASA!" as Misasa made a catwalk prowl back to the stands where the Kengan team was waiting for him, the first to greet him was of course, Kisara, who high-fived him.

"Way to go, you little tanuki!" Koga almost shuddered at the ominous look those two seemed to emanate simply from those vague, enigmatic close-eyed grins addressed to one another. "Much appreciated, kitsune lady." he scratched the back of his head sheepishly, looking at the others. "Good work, Misasa." Agito praised him. "Oh, don't mention it. I was just lucky enough to hit his sore spot." the blond chuckled dismissively. "Hey, don't be modest, that was a nice fight!" Naoya scolded him with a laugh. "That's right, you little Ken-Doll. Don't go around playing down our fearsome might!" Kisara nudged him in the ribs. "Alright, alright, my apologise Barbie the CEO." Misasa chuckled lightly. "Okubo and Miss Kisara are right, you fought very well!" Yamashita Kazuo smiled at the Fang. "Your display was worthy of the name of Fang. The Master will be pleased." Agito nodded, pleased at his successor. "Hey, guys." Koga called out. "I don't want to say Misasa's win wasn't impressive - But don't you think those guys are pretty unfazed?" "Yeah... It seems that way." Ryuki also spoke in a light voice. "N-No way! Their ex-Fang of Metsudo just lost! They should be screaming on the inside!" the manager exclaimed in shock. "No. My guess is, the boy is right." Misasa spoke as Kisara was applying cute, smile-face and animal plasters on his cuts. "Do you know what Yumigahama's record in Purgatory is?" he asked, only to look down at the red head. "No, not the salamander, I want the pink seal -- Oh, and that blue and purple panda." he cleared his throat, looking back at the manager. "Nine wins and five losses, wasn't it?" "Five losses? But he WAS the Fang of Metsudo, wasn't he?" Nitoku was just as surprised as everyone else. "So you mean there're still at least five guys stronger than Yumigahama?" Okubo sweat-dropped. "Purgatory is... Unfathomable." Kano grumbled with a glare. "With weakling rules like the ring-out, are you really surprised freak-loses can happen? Just like what happened with Gaolang." Kisara reminded them bitterly, only to flinch at the obnoxious laughter of the Kure fighter. "I LOVE IT! That makes them all the more worth killing!" Raian cackled like a maniac. "No killing, Michael Myers. We want to win, not lose because you can't restrain your blood lust." the girl scolded him. As they kept bickering amongst each other, Purgatory chose their fighter, a man called Naidan Monkhbat, otherwise known as the Hawk of Ordos. "He looks pretty strong." Ohma admitted, watching almost lazily. "Is he... Mongolian? He reminds me of what we see in movies." the Masaki lookalike approved her theory. "Yes, that's a Mongolian Wrestling uniform. It belongs to the Main School in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region." the boy spoke his knowledge. "So... Is he a grappler? Have I gotten that right?" the single girl there asked. "That's a perfect match for my Sambo." Nitoku fixed his glasses, fire surging through his veins. "No, no, it's time for a wrestler like me to shine!" Naoya, in his clown outfit, smirked arrogantly. "I could go out, if you like." Masaki didn't look up from his book. "Sit the fuck down, Richie Rich." Raian's comment made Kisara chuckle.

Naidan smirked up at the Kengan stands, and flexing his arm, he showed off the white tattoo of a disgusting insect. He was a filthy Worm, reporting directly to the head. Kisara gasped in surprise, whilst Koga and Yamashita yelled in shock. Ryuki, however, took his shirt and faux glasses off, and stepped into the ring without a warning to anyone. The Dragon King promised his friend he wouldn't kill this Worm monster... But it seemed the Mongolian had a death wish. Did he really want to get killed, or was it his arrogance speaking?

Ryuki was a tall, well-built boy, even for his age, but standing in front of Naidan, he looked so small and vulnerable. Naoya and Masaki seemed to agree his style must be something close to Greco-Roman Wrestling. As Alisa declared the beginning of the fight, Ryuki, in the blink of an eye, disappeared, leaping towards the enemy, only for him to get skillfully kicked down. The boy landed like a cat on his feet, before leaping again; Instead, he got tripped and forced into a cartwheel move, dizzying him slightly. Ryuki realised there is no way he could beat him in a contest of strength alone, as the man before him was at least 30 kilograms of pure muscles heavier.

Whilst deciding on a surprise attack, Naidan affirmed he wasn't an imposter, but the real man named and called Naidan Monkhbat. Interesting concept, if not, a little fearsome. Ryuki went in for an Uncoiling Serpent fist, only to get effortlessly punched in the mouth, and sent backwards. None of his moves worked - The boy was far too direct, and his set-up process was sloppy at best. He was far too easily predictable. Even when he was being held up, not even his toes touching the ground, he tried to hit his shin into Naidan's temple, but he got caught, the enemy's hand gripping the inside of his knee joint. Kisara was reminded painfully of Ohma's fight with Seki, a long while ago... It was a most frightful memory that she didn't want to remember at the moment. She was afraid for Ryuki's life, especially in the merciless hands of a Worm.

Naidan back-slapped and dragged him around, punching and kicking him without as much as breaking a sweat, yet all of these hits were nothing but a warning for Gaoh to get serious and actually bring forth his killing intent. "He's holding back on him, all 'cause I told him not to kill him...!" Koga gasped, nervous as he watched the fight - Seeing his best friend being slammed into the ground, bleeding so heavily, only made him realise furthermore how weak he was, compared to everyone else. He has so much to learn. "His opponent's strong enough to kill him, even if it weren't for that." Ohma reassured the boy. "If he is strong enough to report directly to the head of the organisation, I fear Ryuki might have no chance." Kisara muttered softly. "His movements are as precise as a machine. There's not a bit of waste. He has the unique 'Clingy Muscles' and 'Stunning strikes' unique to a grappling-based martial artist. His resilience is extraordinary too. This is going to be a tough fight." Gaolang spoke, and Kisara couldn't help but nod her head in agreement, remembering Cosmo and how tough he was, especially fighting against that psychopath Akoya. Grapplers were something above her comprehension. "Nobody on our team could match him in pure strength, except for maybe Julius, Wakatsuki and Raian. Ryuki can't win the fight the way he is now." "Not even you and Ohma?" Kisara blinked in surprise, only for the Boxer God to miserably shake his head. "Agito?" still a negative answer. "What an insane man."

With some mental gymnastics played by the Mongolian, Ryuki was now questioning his own convictions and morals. His grandpa, Gaoh Mukaku, told him to kill all Worms as they are evil, yet at the same time, he wasn't trying to kill him in the ring. Going as far as to claim that the boy was questioning the validity of his grandpa's claims, Ryuki's mind was completely blank and gone beyond the human realm; He began attacking his foe on an instinctual level, and it was clear he was doing far better, enough to get Naidan staggering. Ryuki was so much faster and unflinching than before, so swift that even his opponent couldn't see his hits.

Still, the Mongolian and his mastered 'Bird's Eye view' was fantastic and on a whole other level than any of them put together. It was a different kind of Foresight that Kisara couldn't understand the mechanism of, yet could agree it might just be a little better than the initiative she was taught. She wondered if she would be able to keep up with Ryuki's swift moves, as she, too, was speed and agility reliant.

Naidan hadn't broken a single sweat bead during the entire match, not even as he was holding a struggling Ryuki up by the neck. "Neither you, nor I, can escape the karmic cycle of killing - So if you won't kill me, then I will kill you!" the opponent shouted at the boy. "Is it because of your environment? Then, let me exterminate the Root cause." as Naidan glanced back at Koga and Yamashita Kazuo, he completely missed Ryuki's lightning speed as he got slammed in the face, only for the boy to get behind him and feint him, then get hit with a soft strike in the cheek, to the point they were both on their knees. "I'm never... Never letting you hurt Koga again." Ryuki growled like a feral animal. "YOU WILL DIE." "BRING IT ON! ONLY ONE OF US WILL LEAVE THIS RING ALIVE!" Naidan laughed boastfully, whilst both Koga and Naidan's Purgatory friend yelled in disbelief.

Gaoh incapacitated Naidan with a thumb deep in his foe's eye and slammed down into the ground, plummeted down with a barrage of berserker hits and punches, only for Alisa to order for a count down. Ryuki was deaf to the refere, and Naidan was holding a death-grip on his neck, unwilling to let go of the one who had to kill him. The Omega. Both fighters were beaten and bruised, and the match was approaching its end. Naidan grabbed the boy, snapping his shoulder, dislocating his joint - No, rather, Ryuki dislocated his own shoulder to be able to land a good punch up Naidan's chin. In his suffering, he received a rough shin kick to that agonising spot of his joint, making his growl in pain.

Gaoh got flipped on his back and his waist was straddled; The Mongolian started strangling him, and not in the fun way either. His windpipe was on full attack. From sheer desperation, Ryuki pierced his thumb deep into Naidan's eardrum; Tears were gleaming and streaming down the boys face, only mirrored by the satisfied grin on the opponent's face, as he grabbed the finger killing him and driving it even further, into his skull and brain.

Naidan fell on Ryuki, half-dead. His friend leapt out from the stands, grabbing the Mongolian and begging him not to die, calling for the doctors to come over, yet barely any of his shouts were heard by the deaf man, who could only warn him not to trust the man calling himself Nicolas. "These fucking Worms only know how to bring misery to this world." Kisara growled, hopping off the railing and kneeling in front of Ryuki, bringing him into a tight embrace. The boy's fingers were gripping so deep into her flesh that she was afraid he would rip the flesh off her bones. "Shhhh, it's okay, Ryuki, it's okay. Everything will be okay. Nobody is upset at you, I promise. Nobody, not even Koga." it was almost weird, holding an almost exact copy of her own fiance, as though he was his little brother. Kisara was rocking the boy in her arms as though he was her child, one arm around his torso, the other hand caressing the mess of dark hair. "Miss Kisara... I....I'm..." the boy was trembling violently in her arms. The sound of running footsteps alerted the boy, who looked back at the two new-comers. "It's okay, Ryuki, just calm down. Let's get you fixed up. Miss Kisara, please help me get him to the Infirmary." Koga looked down at the two, panicked. The manager, however, was feeling intense guilt over being unable to save Ryuki. "Koga... Boss. I'm... S-So..." but the soft, weak voice of the young boy was drowned out by Naidan's friend, Liu, who was out for revenge. "Wait a minute... You think I'd let you leave, did you?" the glare of the Taiwanese man could freeze a lake. "YOU DIE TOO."

No matter what Yamashita said in an attempt to stop this Liu man, it was in vain, for the enraged man created an earthquake where he stood. Liu Dongcheng, the Serpent, one of the Three Demon Fists. How adorable. "W-Wait a minute, let's just all calm down--" "GET LOST!" Liu attempted a punch down towards the whimpering Ryuki, but in a split second Kisara rose up, using her Aikido to grab the foe's arm and making him fly on the other side of the poor boy, landing on his feet. Though Liu was shocked, being countered in such a way, he tried to hit the red head - He remembers her, the one who killed another one of his Purgatory friends - She deserved to die also. His next hit got deflected, but not by her, but by Ohma, who somehow appeared by her side in the blink of an eye, his eyes focused, yet his body completely relaxed.

Raian, too, came by, smirking like a mad-man, followed by a raging Naoya and a silently wrathful Akoya. "Look, I know how you feel, but if you start this, we're not gonna take it lying down." Tokita spoke with a bored flair, putting a protective arm around his wife, bringing her closer to his side. "YOU'RE ON! I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!" the enraged Taiwanese man had to be held back by his team mate, Jurota, whilst the other three were there to de-escalate the situation. "No, no, no, we'll back off right away, pardon the embarrassment." the blond called Nicolas smiled nervously. "Let's just keep a level head for now. This isn't the smart way to go." for some reason, Liu started at the one dressed for a nice beach time with absolute dread. "They've got a point. Naidan was acting strangely back there. I don't know what he was doing, but..." of course, nothing could calm him down. "If you get this competition called off, then Naidan will have died for nothing. Is that what you want? To let your friend die in vain?" Donaire, the one who no doubt was the captain, called out to him. This man seemed to have just about the same vibe as Ohma; Confident, assured, strong... A true leader, without even trying to be. "I'm killing them as soon as the competition is over." Lie growled at them, turning on his heel and walking away. "Well, looks like things are back under control." Naoya sighed, glaring at the Purgatory fighters. "They don't want this match called off any more than we do." Ohma nodded in agreement. "Things are looking a little too lukewarm." Raian grinned wickedly. "Raian, no!" Kisara snapped at him as she returned by Ryuki's side, embracing him. "Raian, HELL yes!" he lunged to land a punch on Jurota - But not only the brunet didn't even flinch, but Lu Tian casually rose his hand, blocking the fist. "You're a lively one, aren't you? But save that spunk for your match." as Raian tsk'ed in annoyance, remarking their strength, Naoya yelled and scolded the assassin. "Raian." Kisara called him over. "They're strong, aren't they? Very strong. To block your attack like that..." the Kure nodded at her. Sighing, the girl got a strong grip on the boy, but before she could get him up, she got dragged away forcefully by the assassin. "Nah, sis, ain't gonna let ya rip your stitches open." Kisara's cheeks turned a hue pinker, realising her awful mistake. "You should know better, Miss Doctress." "I... Might have forgotten I just got stabbed. Not that the pain isn't lingering, but I suppose the Worms pissed me off too much to remember." she sheepishly chuckled, only to get picked up in Ohma's arms. "Enough with the Worm-stuff, you dumbass bookworm. Just because you got some new moves and put a little muscle on those skinny arms of yours, doesn't mean you can overexert your injured body like that." the man smirked down at her, though the disconcerting feeling was eating away at his heart. "I just got you back, I'm not letting you escape my grasp, you little vixen." "Technically speaking, it was I who just got you back, not the other way around, you stupid gym rat." she brought him down in a kiss, before she was brought to the Kengan waiting area and put down. "Hey now, enough with that lovey-dovey shite! No need to make us all jealous!" Rihito whined at them, only to get swatted away by Raian. "Shut up, shit head, leave them be." Raian cackled, glaring at his menacingly. "There's still someone on the stage." Gaolang spoke all of a sudden, earning everyone's attention, before looking at the single Purgatory member, the man called Lu Tian, who easily blocked Raian's punch. "I guess he's next." Ohma grumbled lowly. The other member of the Three Demon Fists, the Centipede, Lu Tian. With a somber look on his face, he displayed a circular item, looking very much like a bracelet bangle. At once, Kisara gasped, her head snapping towards Agito, who was grinning at the direct provocation. "Agito -- Will you be alright?" she stepped in front of him, her hands gripping his arms. "My apprentice won her fight. I cannot lose either." he spoke simply. "I am as prepared as always, even with this." Kisara nodded at him with a smile, bringing her fist up for him to bump. "Alright, Agito. Show those fuckers who the Emperor of the Kengan Matches is!" "You've got it." with a monster-like grin, Agito confidently stepped in the ring, seizing up his opponent, challenging him with the Gu ritual bracelet.

It was going to be one hell of a fight.

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auldcowboysoul · 1 year

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Candid review

Bells of San Angelo, 1947. This film has what is probably the 2nd most brutal fight in a Roy Rogers film. Post-WW2, it seems that his films took on a more serious, more graphic style. Director William Whitney definitely played a part in this, and it's well documented by old western fans everywhere! What's not well documented is this fight. Come on, guys, I need a play by play, I need dramatic details, I NEED h/c (hurt/comfort). IYKYK

I find it so interesting and full of heroic drama, that once they are captured by the villain boss at gunpoint, Roy never says a word (although his facial expressions say plenty). He lets Cookie do all the actual talking, almost like a couple of kids caught breaking the rules together. The rule-breaking leader knows they deserve what's coming to them. But the sidekick friend can't help trying to talk their way out and around the consequences.

It's a different take from the usual, "our cowboy hero can do no wrong" attitude that many of the earlier Roy Rogers westerns have. In earlier Roy Rogers movies, it seems like Roy is insanely lucky and just doesn't get caught when snooping around/breaking the law for his hero purposes. OR he can always charm his way out of consequences, in a sort of theme of "the ends justify the means".

Like in this scene, where he doesn't have a search warrant and therefore is unlawfully searching the mine. It's a classic B-western plot pattern -- Roy puts himself and Cookie in a compromising situation, risking their safety to get some clue to catch the baddies and save the day. He's done this to himself and many sidekicks (usually Gabby Hayes) before, but this time, in a shocking twist for a Roy Rogers western, there actually are consequences. Violent ones.

Roy gets the daylights punched out of him like never seen before in one of his movies. It's like the good director is making up for the dozens of previous films where Roy wins every fist fight and usually gets through every close shave unscathed.

The beat down would almost be humiliating to our hero, except that it's Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys. He looks damn good at everything he does, including getting beaten up by a bunch of vicious, murdering miners. He takes it all like a champ, and keeps going.

Again, I find it interesting that he doesn't say a word throughout the whole sequence, right before, during , and right after the fight. Of course, Cookie more than makes up for it.

It gives such dramatic feels to have Cookie handcuffed on the sidelines, alternately cheering for Roy and begging him to get up and keep fighting.

Then the way Cookie rushes to stand protectively over Roy's prone figure after the baddies are done and let Cookie go from the handcuffs... So great. Cookie threatens the bad guy leader with legal action (again), but the bad guy just scoffs it off. The scene is cut and spliced midway, which is tragic because I would have loved to see more protective-angry Cookie lines on Roy's behalf.

Anyways, Cookie gives us the h/c that's really needed after the shock of watching our hero get severely beaten. Cookie helps Roy to his feet and actually steadies him a bit as the henchmen bring their horses around. The bad guy and Cookie verbally duel it out for the last word. Roy just silently mounts Trigger and rides away, with one last look at the bad guys' leader.

In the scene after they ride away, Roy discusses the bad guys motives with Cookie as they clean their guns, acting remarkably chipper for someone who was just beaten into the dirt, literally. He doesn't seem put out in the slightest, just more determined to catch the bad guys than ever. Cookie wants revenge on the bad guys, but Roy still just wants justice. Which is inspirational really.

I think it makes sense that Cookie would want revenge, having been a little scarred, from being helpless and forced to watch while his friend got a thorough beating. He may have had some survivor's guilt, since the baddies didn't touch him. "We wouldn't want to hurt the Sheriff, it wouldn't be legal," the bad guy points out in a surprising burst of intelligence for a b-western baddie. Definitely a fanfiction opportunity if I ever saw one, for Roy to give some comfort to Cookie's emotional hurt.

Another note - Roy and Cookie had been out all night searching for a missing border sentry. He hadn't slept in possibly 24 hours. That does no favors to your stamina.

Realism points -- Roy does seem to be sporting a black eye with a cut under it, and maybe also some blood from his ear afterwards. And his jacket sleeve is ripped, which is tragic because that jacket is really flattering to his shoulders and waist. Like, aw no, nice jacket.

In my opinion, although this fight is pretty violent for a Roy Rogers film, it's just a warm up compared to the whipping/beating scene in Eyes of Texas (released 4 months later in 1948). To be fair, in Eyes of Texas they were trying to kill him, whereas in this scene, they are just trying to beat a warning into him. So not the same thing, plot-wise. But still, I think this is the second most thorough beating Roy ever gets from bad guys.

I have to wonder what fans thought back in the day. It had to be a little shocking. It's nice to get a bad guy/Roy rematch in the big fight at the end! He's fighting two bad guys, including the bad guy leader who punched his lights out previously, at the top of a rock cliff and it's very badass and exciting. He brings better backup in the form of a couple dogs this time (sorry Cookie), and the dogs actually help corral one of the bad guys, letting Roy focus all his fighting attention on the bad guy leader. It's so satisfying when Roy feeds the bad guy's line back to him.

"Get up, the picnic's just started!" He barks, echoing what the bad guy told him when he was being forced to fight the gang one by one. This is personal. And Roy doesn't need six cronies standing around to help him finish beating up this no good murdering snake! Cookie even gets a bop in at the end, when the bad guy is trying to run away from his justly deserved beating!

"Save one for me, Roy!"

On a side note, does anyone else feel like they can tell Roy's stunt double from behind? Something about his hair, I think! Like, this has to be the stunt double here, Joe Yrigoyen.

But this is actual Roy, and we can be certain because it was shot in one take.

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simpurnatural · 2 years

Text

Ink Memories - Part 1

Clint Barton x Reader

Simpurnatural’s Grand Masterlist

Warning ⚠️: Swearing, Mentions of Abuse, Smut,

Pairing(s): Ronin Era!Clint Barton x MOB!Reader

Summary: After Thanos snapped his fingers, Clint made it his mission to end all crime organizations. Little did he know that you would be the first he’d let live to tell the tale.

[Part 1 of 2] || [Part 2 of 2] (coming soon!)

REQUESTS ARE OPEN! WORKING ON (1) REQUEST <3

Clint stepped out of the rain and into the tattoo parlor with a tight grip around his bow. The warm scent of jasmine filled his senses as a his eyes landed on the dozen or so women sitting about. Their conversations dying down once they noticed his weapon

“Sir? How may I help you?” one asked, approaching the front desk where he stood.

“I need to speak with L/n,” he replies and looked at the security cameras in every corner.

“Follow me,” the girl nods as she motioned for archer to come with her.

Walking by every set of salon chairs, Clint took note of the fact that every person in that room had two pistols on their hip. Could he take on all of them? Probably. His eyes scanned for other exits before the sound of a buzzer was heard.

He watch as the girl mutter something inaudible into the panel before signing something with her hands and pointing to him. Now Clint’s sign language was a bit rusty but he could make out the fact that she called him old.

You leaned closer to to the screen, getting a better look at the man on your monitors. After conducting a facial recognition scan, you figured out that he was the man that was slaughtering all your allies. Not only that, he was an avenger. Of course you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity to meet him.

“Send him in,” he heard a feminine voice order as a concealed door hissed opened.

The girl moved aside to make way for him and waved flirtatiously. The others giggled but Clint’s shoulders slouched at this. You were just another crime boss to knock off the chess board.

After being ushered into your office, he watched as the large leather chair spun and revealed a petite woman sitting on it. His brows furrowed in confusion before straightening out again. You laughed loudly before speaking-

“Were you expecting a man?” you ask, motioning for him to take a seat. “Please sit, I wanna know why you want to kill me before I kill you, Mr. Barton. Or should I say Ronin?”

“Half the universe died and some of the other half didn’t deserve to survive it,” he replies as he placed his bow on the chair beside him. “But I wasn’t expecting a woman,” he says, answering your previous question

“I’m honored to be the first,” you reply then moved a bit closer to him. “You could shoot me right now and countless more would come. Or I could send you on your merry way,” you offered.

“Both sound very...tempting,” he says then eyed his bow.

“I suppose I’ll give you a moment to think about it,” you say, your hand brushing against the handle of your katana. “Do you know why I came to be?” you ask.

“When two people love each other-” he began in a sarcastic tone.

“-Quite the opposite actually,” you chuckle, “You see, my parents were practically royalty but they hated each other. Everyone saw it and believed that they wouldn’t be fit for power. So they made me,

Not because they wanted a gift for up high but to ensure that they kept their seat on the throne. Everyday of my young life was spent being reminded that I was nothing more than a object. Beaten mentally and physically almost to the point of death. Till I finally snapped!” you shout causing Clint to flinch.

His eyes noticed the scars on your palms after you slammed your katana on the desk. Dried blood stains painted it’s blade, the gold adorned handle beamed in the light.

“I killed them and was banished from the land for all time. So I formed a successful organization that would help girls leave their homes. At any cost,” you say with a proud look on your face.

“Touching story but I didn’t come here for nothing,” he sighs before swiftly picking up his bow and drawing an arrow. “You’ve killed a lot of people regardless,”

But you were quick to grab your weapon and push the desk towards him abruptly. Clint cursed as it made contact with his rib-cage, totally leaving bruises.

“You’re funny,” you smile as you threw daggers at him, using them to pin him to the door. Your eyes landed on his arms and an idea formed in your mind. “And the perfect blank canvas,” you smirked.

...

“What’re you doing?” Clint shouts as you tied him down by the wrists and ankles.

“Well you did come here to kill me so I thought to be cautious,” you shrug, patting him down for any other weapons. “Give me the gun,”

A girl came scurrying over with a tattoo gun in her hand and ink in the other. You thanked her quietly before telling everyone to leave the room.

“I want to gift you with something to remember me by,” you say and wiped down the needle before taking a seat on his lap. “You ever gotten a tattoo?” you ask.

“No,” he grumbles before getting a rag shoved in his mouth.

“Well this is going to hurt like a motherfucker,” you sigh, switching it on.

Clint quivered a bit here and there as you worked on his arm. Muttering muffled remarks anytime you kept the needle in one place for too long.

Something to also take note of was the growing erection you felt poking at your thigh. You watched as his face reddened every-time you changed your position.

“Are you comfortable, Mr. Barton?” you questioned then rocked your hips slightly.

He let out a groan before you decided to rid his mouth of the rag “Very,” he replies out of breath. “Are you done yet?”

“I’m not even halfway done,” you smile before continuing.

“Y/n!” One of your girls gasped as a handful of them came running into the room.

“Yes, what is it?” you asked, a pang of worry striking once seeing her scared expression.

“They’re here,” the girl responded, pointing to the black SUV parked outside.

“I’ll handle it,” you groaned, shooing them away and climbing off of Clint’s lap.

“Hey! Where are you going?” he shouts as you made your way to the backroom.

“Back be right back, Mr. Barton!” you hollar back before emerging from the room with two katanas in your grasp.

“Won’t you need my help?” he asks causing you to glance at the leather bonds that tied him down.

“Maybe,” you reply and twirling the swords in your hand as men in black suits approached the front of your store. Eyeing his bow and arrows in one corner and Clint in the other, you decided to untie him. “Betray me and I’ll kill you,”

“Right” he nods, rubbing the rawness of wrists then grabbing his equipment.

“Miss Y/n! We’re here for blood,” one of the men announced as they stepped in, “Your’s to be exact,” he chuckles darkly.

“Well you’ll have to shoot me yourself,” you reply bitterly before getting into a fighting stance.

“Suit yourself, little lady,” he says and signaling for the other men to fire.

Turning your katana into a sharp edge chain, you whipped in their direction and slicing heads clean off. Clint released countless arrows, some causing minor casualties and others burning the enemy alive.

“Those are very cool!” you commented, stabbing a man in the chest. “Do you make those yourself?”

“Yeah,” Clint responds as he threw someone over the counter. “Damn!” he hissed after being kicked in the chest, his bow skidding across the floor.

“Bye bye arrow man!” one waves as they began throwing punches.

Right as you cut someone clean at the torso, you turned to see Clint getting totally pounded. Looking down at one of the katanas in your hand, you tossed it over to him.

“Nice try!” the guy cackled before trying to force it into his chest. “Say hasta-”

“-La vista,” Clint chuckles with a smirk on his lips.

He pressed the button that reversed it’s blade and lodging it into the guy’s neck. He then pushed the corpse that collapsed atop of him off his chest. Your heart raced with adrenaline as he got off the floor.

“I gotta get me one of those,” he says, looking to you.

“That was so hot,” you breathed before slamming your lips against his.

Pulling away, you pushed him back onto the salon chair. Clint huffed as you climbed on top of him and reeled you in for another kiss. His hands slowly explored your body while you raked a hand through his hair.

“Wanna do this somewhere else?” he mutters in your ear, voice dripping with lust.

A shiver was sent down your spine as you mustered the words, “Of course,” before finding yourselves back in your office.

Kicking off your heels, Clint locked the door before turning to face you. He finally admitted to himself how beautiful you are. All the built up kill-thrill made him want to fuck you even more.

“Hope you don’t mind,” he said as he tore the end of your dress.

“Not at all,” you assure and tearing it even more “Be my guest,”

Upon propping up your leg, Clint began leaving red marks along your neck as you worked his trousers. He trailed kisses from the collarbone down to your shoulder, slipping the strap off.

Ridding himself of his shirt, it revealed his toned abs. You let out a breathy moan as he pulled down the top of your dress, revealing your chest. He cupped your breast and attached his lips to your’s.

You finally were able to undo his belt and tugged on his pants hastily. Clint pulled away and kicked them off before pulling down you underwear hastily. His hand hovered dangerously close to your heat making you gasp.

“Please,” was all you could say in the moment, “Clint please,” you pleaded.

Slipping two fingers in, he watched as your eyes rolled back as the feeling of sexual contentment devoured you entirely. It would’ve seemed like he was manually trying to rearrange your insides.

He added a third finger into your cunt and soaked in the sight of you riding his fingers. A loud moan slipped out of your lips causing Clint’s ears to perk up. He wanted to rile up another one out of you.

“You like that?” he asks and wraps his hand around your neck, “Tell me how bad you want it,” he whispers in your ear.

Saying anything felt beyond your basic capabilities at the moment. Your legs quaked at the intensity but he didn’t let up. His grip only grew tighter around your neck and moaned at the dominance he held.

“I want you in me so bad,” you finally say and Clint kicked his boxers, slammed into your cunt without warning. “Holy shit,” you gasp before his lips were on your’s again.

Both of you shared a mixture of slurred words in the kiss before you pulled away for a breather. Your heads still touching as he focused on your slight tummy bulge that appeared then disappeared with a every thrust.

“Feel that?” he asked, his hand pressing down slightly. “You can barely take me,” he coos as you groaned at the sight.

Back arched, you body was sprawled out across your desk. Clint leaned down and took one breast into his mouth and the other into the palm of your hand. The dual pleasure was surely shattering your whole being.

His lips left wet kisses across your chest as his hand rolled his nipple slightly with his fingers. Your eyes began watering at the feeling of your approaching orgasm. Clint just thinking of you coming around his length sent him into overdrive

“Cum for me,” he orders as his hips snapped into your’s.

You were moaning mess as both his hands lifted your waist up and down his length. He watched as you entered euphoric bliss, screaming his name from the top of your lungs. Then Clint yanked you down to your knees.

“Suck,” he instructed and you complied happily.

A deep groan left his throat as you took all of him. You pumped his length quickly, wanting him to reach the same amount of pleasure as you did. Mouth open wide, you hummed in a satisfactory tone as his hot seed shot onto your tongue.

Placing you back on your office desk, Clint wiped a bit of smudged lip stick from the corner of your mouth. He kissed you once more and tasted a bit of himself in the process.

“We should do that again sometime,” you breathed.

Wanna be part of the taglist? Let me know! <3

#clint barton #clint barton x reader #clint barton fanfiction #clint barton smut #hawkeye #hawkeye x reader #hawkeye fanfiction #hawkeye smut #mcu fanfic #marvel fanfic #marvel smut #mcu smut

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queenxxxsupreme · 4 years

Note

Ahhhhhhh your dad!witchers are giving me LIFE. If you're feeling up for it, what would be the reactions of the witchers when they learn their S.O. is pregnant? Sorry if this isn't the right way to make a request!!

A/N: No babe you did perfect!! This is a great way to make a request!! I’m so sorry it took so long for me to finish!! And I hope it’s what you wanted :)

ALSO just a little reminder that requests are open! I prefer them in my ask box but you can also dm me!! I’m always open to talking to you guys! Here is the link to my masterlist for more dad!witchers or other Witcher characters. Here is the link if you’d like to add yourself to my taglist.

Warnings: mentions of pregnancy, some angst, mostly fluff

Lambert

“Sit still, Lambert.” You told him, dabbing at the cut above his eye. He hissed and jerked away, bringing his hand up to hold your wrist away from him.

“Could you be a little more gentle? Fucking hell. Feels like you’re trying to rub off my gods damned face.”

“I am not. You’re just being a baby.” You brought your other hand up to hold his cheek, keeping his face where you wanted it. “Now are you going to suck it up and let me help you or are you going to be an ass about it?”

He shook his head, pulling your hand from his face as he stood up.

“I don’t have to deal with this.”

“Well this is the consequence of you starting a fight with a dozen men at the tavern, Lambert.” You threw the rag down on the table and put your hands on your hips. “I get pissed.”

“I don’t see why you’re pissed, Y/N! I did it for you! Most women find it endearing when a man fights for her honor.”

“I can fight for my own honor. I don’t need you to knock out an entire room full of men just because you can!”

“The bastard fucking grabbed your ass, Y/N!” Lambert turned to face you. “You thought I was gonna sit idly by and let you punch him once or twice?”

“His friends did nothing to me. They didn’t deserve to be beaten to bloody pulps.”

“They did if they were friends with that asshole.” He turned to walk away but you weren’t done yet.

“Lambert, come back here and sit down. I need to finish looking at your damn face to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine. They’ll heal up in a couple hours.”

“I don’t care if they heal up in a couple seconds. Come back here and sit down so that I know you are okay.”

He sighed heavily, turning around to face you.

“Woman, you drive me fucking insane.”

“Good.”

“I’m a witcher! Cuts and bruises aren’t going to hurt me. I’m fine!”

You glared at him, arms crossed tightly over your chest.

Why couldn’t he just listen to you? Why couldn’t he give you peace of mind? You just wanted to make sure he was okay, for crying out loud! You knew he would heal quickly, but your stomach still churned with the thought of him being hurt.

“Lambert. Come sit down. I won’t tell you again.”

“You’re not my fucking boss, Y/N.” He shook his head.

“But I am yours to watch over and protect, and you are mine. Come sit, now.”

“Not now.” He pulled the front door open.

“I’m pregnant!” The words came out rushed and urgent. Your hands fell to your sides, curling into fists.

The stubborn witcher stopped in his tracks. He didn’t turn to face you, not yet. But you could see the way he tensed up, almost hearing the breath sucked in through his parted lips.

Tears sprung from nowhere, trailing down your cheeks. Your knees became shaky. You pulled a chair at the table out and sat down, hunched forward with your elbows on your knees.

“I-I’m pregnant.” You repeated, but this time it was more quiet and gentle. “And I am absolutely afraid of-of having a baby, especially with you, Lambert.”

He turned around in the doorway but he couldn’t move any further.

You shook your head, sitting back on the chair and wiping your cheeks.

“You’re reckless. You don’t think about how your decisions could affect you in the long run. You act on impulse, on anger.” You paused for a moment to bite your bottom lip. “I love you more than you could ever believe. But I-I am afraid to have a child with you.”

When he said nothing, you looked up at him. His jaw was locked, brows drawn together just slightly as he gazed at you.

“How do…. How do you….?” He couldn’t figure out how to say the word, to say that you were pregnant. The word got caught in his throat and left a bad aftertaste.

“I’m late.”

“You’re never late.”

“No, you….” You stopped yourself from calling him an idiot. You shook your head and rubbed your brow. “That time of the month hasn’t happened in nearly two months.”

He was quiet for a few more moments before taking a deep breath, realizing what you were saying and what was happening.

“Oh, fuck me.” He brought his hand up to rub his face.

“I did, love, and this is the result of that.”

He snorted at your terrible joke.

His hands rested on his hips as he gazed at you, unsure of what to do, of what to say.

“You’re positive this is…. That you’re….”

“Yes. If I had any doubts, I wouldn’t have told you. And if-if you don’t want this, then I understand. I do. You didn’t-You didn’t sign up for this, for a baby. I won’t hold it against you. It’s completely okay.”

“Hold it against me?” He repeated, finally taking a step back into the house. “If I-If I bail on you? If I leave you for you having a-a…. a thing?” He gestured to his stomach.

You dropped your gaze to your hands.

“Do you really think that low of me?” Lambert’s voice was a quiet whisper, almost timid and unsure. He didn’t know if he wanted to hear your answer.

“No, Lambert. I just-I don’t want to make you feel trapped.” You sniffled.

The witcher was kneeling down in front of you before you knew it, taking your hands and holding them in his own.

“I would never leave you to handle this on your own.” His voice was gentle, tender. You’d only heard this tone when he helped you through a panic attack or calmed you down after a bad nightmare.

Lambert brought his hand up to cup your cheek, thumb brushing tears away.

“I-I love you, Y/N.” He murmured, leaning in to place a velvet kiss on your lips. His hand came up to hold the back of your head, keeping your forehead against his lips. “I love you, bug.”

“I love you.” You whispered, eyes closing tightly as tears trailed down your cheeks.

Eskel

Eskel listened to the sound of the fire crackling the hearth, to the sound of Lil Bleater snoring all the way out in the barn.

The night was quiet, but also so lively. There were many noises, many things to keep the witcher from sleeping. It wasn’t just the noise either. There were so many thoughts going through his mind. Any time he tried to close his eyes, the worst ones would make themselves known.

So instead of wasting his time and trying to sleep, he laid on the bed with his head on your stomach. You had been brushing your fingers through his dark hair in an attempt to calm him, but you ended up falling asleep.

Eskel didn’t mind though. It was relaxing just to watch you rest, to know you trusted him enough to close your eyes and fall asleep.

He closed his eyes, listening more intently to what was going on around your home.

There was a herd of deer nearby. They were slowly making their way closer and closer to your garden.

A fox had already snuck into your garden through a hole in the fencing caused by Lil Bleater earlier in the day.

Eskel sighed, knowing very well he’d have to fix the fence in the morning.

But then there was another sound, one closer than the creatures outside. It was a slow thump, quiet and gentle. It was almost…. a heartbeat.

Eskel lifted his head, brows drawing together as he looked around the room. He wasn’t sure if he expected to see something or not.

He sat up, brushing a few stray pieces of hair back out of his eyes, and looked down at you.

That was when he realized the sound was coming from you. It was a heartbeat…. in your stomach.

His jaw locked, muscles tensing as he realized what it was that was making the noise.

There was no way you were pregnant. You couldn’t be. You both were always so careful. And besides, it was extremely difficult for witchers to have children, but it wasn’t impossible.

Eskel ran a hand over his face, shaking his head. No, no. He had to be dreaming. Maybe it was the lack of sleep finally getting to him.

Still, he couldn’t help but look down at your stomach.

You shifted in the bed, spooking Eskel. He jolted a little but it didn’t seem to bother you. You rolled over on to your side, lips parting.

What if you didn’t know you were pregnant? What if you were keeping it from him on purpose? What if it wasn’t his?

Eskel shook his head, realizing how dumb the thought was. You loved him. He could see it in the way you looked at him, the way you smiled when he was near and when you leaned into his touch when he was close enough.

But what if you were keeping it from him because you didn’t want him to know? What if you didn’t want to have a child with him? With a scarred and mutilated witcher?

***

You woke up feeling someone brush their hand over your hair. You rubbed your eyes and peered up at Eskel. He was on his side propped up on one elbow facing you, occupying himself by brushing your messy hair down with his hand.

“Good morning.” You smiled up at him, yawning and closing your eyes as you scooted closer to nuzzle your face into his chest.

“Morning, doll.” He dipped his head down to kiss your head.

Eskel didn’t want to frighten you, to scare you, but he really wanted to know if you knew. He needed to know. But he wasn’t willing to wake you up if you were going to go back to sleep. Your rest was more important than his sanity.

So as you drifted off to sleep again, he focused on drawing shapes into your arm.

A few more hours passed and you woke up once more.

“How did you sleep?” He asked.

You rolled over on to your back, swiping your hair away from your face.

“Good.” You hummed, reaching up to cup his jaw. “How about you?”

“I, uh, couldn’t.” He cleared his throat, turning his head away from you to look across the room at nothing in particular.

“Not even a little?” You sat up, frowning.

He shook his head.

“Too much on my mind.”

You found it weird that Eskel didn’t look at you. It was like he was avoiding your gaze, like he couldn’t look you in the eye.

“What’s….. on your mind, Eskel?” You asked, tilting your head to the side a little.

He shook his head, running a hand over his face.

“Nothing.”

“I don’t believe you.” You reached out to stop him from getting up, your hand finding his arm. “Look at me, Eskel.”

With a soft sigh, his yellow eyes flickered up to you.

“Tell me, please.” You drew your eyebrows together and pouted just a little, hoping he’d comply.

He held your gaze for a few heartbeats before letting out a soft breath. He leaned back, shoulders slumping and eyes falling to his hands.

How was he supposed to tell you that you were carrying a baby? His baby?

“You’re pregnant.”

The audible gasp that left your lips was enough to confirm his thoughts.

“How-How do you….?” You couldn’t form a complete sentence. Your hand came up to hold your stomach.

“I can hear its heartbeat.” He answered quietly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

You looked down at your stomach and then back to your witcher. You closed the space between you and him and cupped his jaw with both hands. You tilted his face up, swiping the unruly pieces of dark hair from his forehead.

“Don’t get that tone, Eskel.” You murmured.

“What tone?”

“The tone that tells me you’ve been stuck in your head too much, that you’re having too many bad thoughts.”

You pressed your lips together, studying his golden eyes.

“I didn’t tell you when I found out because I wanted to wait. I wanted to do something special. I was going to make you dinner and we were going to go for a walk to town and I was….” You trailed off, the excitement in your veins fizzling out when you saw that he still looked sad. “I promise I was going to tell you, Eskel. I’m-I’m sorry I didn’t sooner.”

“It’s not that, Y/N.” He shook his head, gently pulling your hands from his face. “I just…. What if I’m not good enough?”

Tears blurred your vision of the handsome witcher before you. You quickly wiped your cheeks before leaning in to kiss his lips. Your hand came up to the back of his neck, fingers gently tangling in his dark hair.

“You are going to make an amazing father, Eskel.” Your words were whispered against his lips, your breath warm.

His hand found your jaw, calloused pad of his thumb brushing across your cheek.

He finally smiled, then chuckled softly, opening his eyes to meet your gaze.

“I’m going to be a dad.”

Geralt

You hummed softly, folding Geralt’s clean clothes as he gathered things from the other room. You were sitting on the edge of the bed, listening to your witcher move about in the main room, gathering what things he might need for the Path.

You put one of his shirts down, your fingers brushing over the gray material. Your eyes were focused on the buttons but your mind was elsewhere.

You had put off telling him that you were expecting, thinking you’d be able to find the time to tell him the exciting news. However, duty called and the witcher was needed. Word had traveled that a town a few hours away was under attack by a pair of wyverns. Geralt had mentioned needing to leave soon for his duties, but this meant he’d leave sooner.

“Dove?”

You lifted your head, finding him standing in the doorway. He was leaning against the frame, holding a few vials in his hand.

“Yes, love?”

“You’ve been awfully quiet all day.”

“Just busy.” You answered, offering him a gentle smile.

He nodded, looking down to the vials.

“I know I’m leaving sooner than expected…. and I am sorry.”

“Don’t be, Geralt.” You shook your head. “It’s your duty. Don’t apologize for it.”

Geralt sighed, moving into the room. He put the vials down on your vanity and came to the bed. He pushed the clothes that you had neatly folded, messing them up.

“Geralt!” You teasingly smacked his arm. He smiled a little, sitting down in front of you.

“We had plans.” He said, taking your hand in his. “We were going to take a little trip to the coast. You were finally going to teach me how you make such delicious bread.”

“I can teach you another time.” You squeezed his fingers. “And there will be time later for the coast.”

He nodded, bringing your hand up to kiss your knuckles.

“I had a surprise for you, you know.” Your heart began to beat faster and you felt a little tingly. The smile on your lips grew. You brought your hand up to his cheek, cupping his jaw and brushing your thumb over his skin.

“Do I get to know what it is?” He raised his brows just slightly.

“We are going to be having a little one.” You giggled.

His eyes widened and he looked down to your stomach.

“You're…. You're pregnant?”

“Yes.” You nodded. “We’re going to be parents, Geralt.”

A smile broke out across his lips, his hand coming up to rest on your stomach.

“Are-Are you sure?” He asked quietly, husky voice tender and sweet.

“I’m positive.” You nodded.

Geralt brought his eyes back down to your stomach before pulling you in for a kiss. His hand came up to your cheek, the pad of his thumb trailing over the apple of your cheek. His hand that was on your stomach slid around to your side before he carefully drew you into his lap.

“I can’t believe it. Is it a boy or girl?”

“Love, we won’t find that out until the baby is born.” You giggled softly.

“How long until that?”

“Oh, we have a while.”

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#dad!witchers #witcher geralt #witcher lambert #witcher eskel #geralt of rivia #eskel #lambert #the witcher #the wild hunt #kacey answers #anon

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masked-buffoon · 3 years

Text

Chapter 2: Twisted (Part 4)

Warnings: none...? (enjoy it for now XD)

Author notes: a kind of transition... More action in the next part, I promise!

Dazai-san's office was quiet when I entered, without bothering to knock on the door. It was not yet the middle of the afternoon, and the warm sun rays shone through the imposing bays, bathing the room with bright light. I sat down on the couch and contemplated how peaceful it was without my superior, before demanding my mind to come up with a plan to erase the slave trading company from the world. The orders given by the higher ups of the organisation had been clear; I could not let these people run free, for they had betrayed their contract with us and deserved to pay for our losses. In a way, the whole Port Mafia worked like an enterprise, a business, except it was led by a ruthless man who commanded countless armed men ready to kill on a single word from him. I sighed and closed my eyes. Ambushing them would be quite a difficult task. The location of the warehouse made it impossible to surround with the men and there was a single entrance, heavily guarded. Inside were stored the slaves, from different origins, whom I ideally wanted to spare from the fire, so launching a massive and blind attack was also not an option. Going all out for them in the open was not a wise plan, and I thought eliminating them from the inside was a much better strategy. As such, I had ordered the investigation team to gather information about Samejima Seiji that we could use against him.

For the moment, I could simply rest in the serene atmosphere of the empty office, without worrying about being beaten up by my whimsical executive. Erasing an entire organisation... I was not sure I could do this within a single night, just like Dazai-san and his partner, Nakahara-san, had done some time ago. This achievement had given them the title of sōkoku, double black, the strongest and most feared duo of the underground. I did not possess my superior's extraordinary foresight and intelligence, nor was I half as strong as Nakahara-san. His gravity manipulation ability was made for combat, it was undeniable, whereas mine... I did not even know how it could prove useful, considering I could not even control it. I was worthless, and deserving of the executive looking down at me. At least, if I could succeed this mission on my own, I would perhaps make sure he would not slap me upon returning by the end of the week.

A knock interrupted my train of thoughts and I groaned an annoyed "come in", much like Dazai-san each time someone would bring in a new pile of paperwork. It was Taneda-kun, the subordinate I had scolded in the torture room.

"Ogawa-san... I am there to bring you the intel we gathered about Samejima Seiji." He timidly said, putting the documents on the table in front of me.

"That's a thin file..." I grimaced before sighing.

"The man isn't very interesting..." He conceded "Shall I leave you alone?"

"Please." I nodded.

Once the door closed, I took a look at the information I had requested. There was not much, indeed, nothing exploitable at the very least. He did not even have a family I could have used to lure him into a trap, and despite being able to hack into his offshore accounts, stealing his money would not erase his organisation. As I was thinking about a strategy, at least a dozen of ships all around the world was transporting his slaves, which would bring in another tremendous amount of money. The fact he liked tennis was useless for the Port Mafia as well. The only thing I could use was his lewd tastes for women, but being the head of a slave trading company, he could surely have all the women he wanted for his personal pleasure. Finally, I came to believe it would be easier to drop a bomb on the warehouse and make them disappear all at once.

Once again, a knock disturbed me and, frankly annoyed, I stood up to open the door myself.

"I asked to be left alone —" I started grumbling before cutting myself "Oh. Yamada-san."

"I'm equally pleased to see you, Ogawa-kun. There is someone on the line who requests to talk to you." He gave me his most contemptuous look.

"I have a phone. Why didn't that person call me directly?" I crossed my arms.

"It is rather urgent, so I would appreciate that you do not ask any questions. For my and your sake." He replied curtly.

I was forced to follow him in the corridor, toward his office. It was fancier than Dazai-san's, heavily decorated with luxuries he would not be able to afford, did he not occupy such an important position in the Port Mafia. Without waiting for him to suggest it, I took a seat in front of the desk. He handed me the phone.

"Ogawa Yōko." I introduced myself "I was told you wanted to talk to me."

"Yes, indeed."

My blood froze in my vessels and my hand started shaking uncontrollably as I struggled to keep holding the phone. It could not be... I breathed out and tried to calm myself down. I could not let him hear how frightened I was.

"Dazai-san." I clenched my jaw "What would you want from me?"

"Tell Yamada to leave us alone." He ordered.

I did as told and, as the door closed, brought the phone back to my ear.

"I heard you interrogated a prisoner earlier. Is that right?"

"It is." I nervously tapped my finger against the desk "I gave my written report to Yamada-san and ordered an investigation on Samejima Seiji, the leader of the slave trading company we are after. I also obtained the location of their headquarters."

"I know the details, the report was sent to my mailbox." He stated, making me frown "Which is why I know the man was released. What I want to know is why. You are perfectly aware that we don't let them go."

"I judged he did not need to die and simply made sure he disappeared from Japan." I answered concisely.

"You are a fool for thinking he could be harmless." He scolded me, rather harshly despite his poised tone "Now that he is gone, we can't even know if he isn't going to inform his boss, and any plan we can make won't change the fact we lost the upper hand of surprise effect...!"

I sighed, slightly.

"The man chose China to start his new life with his wife and future child. I made sure they were escorted by our men from Tokyo to Beijing, and also personally called our contact within the Chinese embassy to provide them with a new identity, which means we can find them anytime. Besides, I do not think he would even try to go against us... Not after how I threatened him in the torture room." I explained.

"Oh? And how did you threaten them, Ogawa-kun?" He sounded more curious than angry.

"Oxytocin." I said, staring at a painting on the wall "With his pregnant wife at my mercy, obviously. Then, I crippled him by shooting a bullet in his hip. I made sure to send them a souvenir from their stay among us as well, to remind them we are watching."

"Excellent." He somewhat chuckled at the other side of the line "It seems I was wrong for worrying. Yamada only mentioned you had released our prisoner in the wild, after all, I could not help wanting to question you about your clumsy mistake."

"I understand..." I relaxed a bit "But my report contained everything I told you, including the methods of torture and details about their release... You said you had received it in your mailbox... But it was a handwritten version I had submitted to Yamada-san."

"Is that so? Perhaps I should have a talk with him, then... Anyway, I entrust you with taking care of that company, so no matter what that second in command says, you have free reins." He declared "Try not to disappoint, this time."

"Of course, Dazai-san." I accepted his orders.

Having been officially appointed to the task, I left the office of Yamada-san, not without a slight smirk as I gave him the phone back. Our superior wanted to have a few words with him about the reporting incident, and if he had expected that his false report would have doomed me, his lie would actually get him quite a lecture. However, I knew that he would not be demoted, because Dazai-san needed a stupid pawn he could move as he wished. The greedy man was the perfect tool for that motive, easily controlled and manipulated, quick to kiss up the higher ups and too nearsighted to see he was being played with. Quickly, I made my way back toward the executive's office, the only place where I could focus properly without being disturbed. There was no point in launching an attack on the organisation, we would have to kill them from the inside. I could still exploit his weakness for women and attempt to seduce him — I had been taught by Ane-san herself — but seeing as I lacked many feminine attributes, I would not even be able to get a glance from him. Disguising myself as a slave disgusted me, for I had been in their stead only a few months ago and entering the company undercover sounded like a waste of time. They were not that powerful, it was only the location of the warehouse which made it complicated. Then, I had an idea. Slaves were captured to be sold. As much as I despised this business, it was one of the Port Mafia's most important income, a market a powerful organisation like us could not neglect. Slaves were sent overseas, of course, but there were auctions in Yokohama as well. I had been the product of one of them, so I knew for sure such events occurred. I had seen different kinds of brands on many girls' skin, marking them for life as properties, and I recalled that particular company had been present as well. I only needed to know if they were to participate in another auction soon, or if there was a way to invite them to a scheduled one. Once everything would be settled, it would be my turn to infiltrate the event.

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#bsd #bsd oc #bsd fanfic #bsd dazai #bsd imagines #bungo stray dogs #bungou stray dogs #bungou stray dogs oc #dazai osamu

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ill-skillsgard · 5 years

Note

Henry D finally opening up about all his fantasies that had been suppressed for so long, wining and dining her before shyly asking if she would want to try😳 What do you think his fantasies would be? Anal, car sex, maybe even slightly public?

Warning: 18+ sex/anal sex/mature subject matter/cheating. Please read at your own discretion

Disclaimer: All characters mentioned are based entirely on fiction.

Read more Henry x Mistress here.

Okay, so I took this is a slightly different direction. It felt right to do it this way. Be warned, this part does contain anal sex to a degree. So, if you’re not into that kind of fun, this part might not be for you!

I dedicate this week’s episode of His Mistress to a couple special people. The ones that see my worth and let me make terrible music recommendations to them and let me go wild with their ideas. You know who you are. This one’s for you. Kisses!

Shoutout to @micheallangdons for making the gif above!

First Times

In your new professional world, you were no stranger to first-times. He smiled at you the first time you ever made the copier work without having to ask somebody else for help. Your favour from Henry’s clients earned you a special night of dinner where you ate and subsequently detested caviar for the first time. You scheduled your first meeting successfully. You spoke to Henry’s lawyer and also found out the name of the woman that was still wed to him in the eyes of the law. Her name was Mary.

After the night of caviar and much too expensive wine, Henry brought you home without asking if he could. Things were aligning, and Henry knew that you wouldn’t want to go back after such a lovely evening. Your heart was still alight with the memories of soft piano keys and low candles. Henry held your hand on the drive home and only let go when it was time to get out of the car.

When you were both settled into his bed with the TV on in the background, you sighed.

“What’s up, gorgeous?” He asked you.

“Oh, nothing,” you sang, for there surely was nothing up beside your spirits. “Why don’t you tell me something about you I don’t already know?”

“There are probably many things you don’t know.”

“So, tell me anything.”

Henry chuckled, reaching out to graze your arm and smooth his thumb over your skin absently. “One time, when I was ten years old, I broke my wrist, trying to climb onto the roof of my friend’s house. His dad had to take me to the hospital. I remember my dad being so worried until he found out how I’d broken it. Then he said I deserved the lesson.”

“And did you learn your lesson?”

“Well, I certainly haven’t been known since to climb on rooftops, so I’d say yes.”

You tittered at the trivial sweetness of the story, but you craved something more profound. Something darker. If you would spend most your time with him, you had to know more. You wanted to know it all.

“Tell me something that nobody knows about you,” you pried.

“Hmm,” he tapped the faint dimple on his chin, incongruous eyes raising to the high ceiling above the bed. “I might have to think about that.”

“You can’t tell me you have to think that hard about a secret.”

“What kind of secret? I don’t have any secrets!”

You narrowed your eyes at the licking little lie that fell from his lips. He rolled his eyes knowingly. “You will not be a secret for much longer.”

“Sure,” you said sarcastically. “That’s not what your lawyer said.”

“What did my lawyer say?” Henry tried to pass his curiosity off with a chuckle.

“He said this settlement could take a long time if Mary decides to make it difficult.”

“Jeeze,” Henry’s eyes rolled again. You pushed him gently, assuring him you weren’t angry. “Knowing her, it will turn into a real rodeo.”

“Yeah, she’s going to ride you like a bull.”

“Hey! You don’t get to solidify my anxiety over this! You’re supposed to be the one keeping me from blowing my head off.”

A short silence proceeded. You took in a deep breath and punctured the quiet with another question. “Do you think she will actually come for your neck? Try to get it all?”

“I hope not. I don’t see why she would. She might be icy, but I don’t think she would want to see me penniless.”

“So, have you had enough time to think of a secret to tell me?” You asked.

“Not really. We’re talking. Why don’t you ask me things if you’re suddenly so curious about my past?”

You sat up excitedly, readying yourself to sling all sorts of questions at him. Henry saw the eagerness on your face and gulped. “When was your first kiss?”

Henry laughed nervously. “Uh… Sixth grade? A girl named Cheryl.”

“Cheryl? Man, people from your generation have such old people names.”

He placed his hand on your knee and shrugged. You continued since Henry seemed open to being interrogated, and you weren’t sure if he would ever let you do it again. You saved the more intimate questions for when the waters were thoroughly tested. Henry had a shy side to him that could be easily uncovered, but you didn’t want to spoil your fun by making him clam up too soon.

“Okay… What about the first time you ever saw a girl naked? Besides your mom.”

“Ew! Can you not?”

“Sorry! Just answer the question.”

Henry scratched under his eye, tucking his bottom lip under his front teeth. With a shake of his head, he gave another shrug. “Maybe the first time I ever had sex. But I’m sure she probably had some clothes on still.”

“And here I thought you were a good Christian boy!”

He laughed heartily at your remark and squeezed your thigh after he recovered. “Oh, dear God, no. I’m nothing of the sort.”

You looked at him slyly and reciprocated the grip on your leg by stuffing your hand between his thighs too. “Don’t I know it? You naughty, naughty boy.”

“Oh, no. We’re not playing naughty boy!”

“Why not?” You groaned.

“Because I always get spanked, and I don’t trust you around my ass.”

“Wise man. Smart of you not to trust me around that fine tail.”

“Shut up,” he blushed hard and toppled onto his back. You seized the moment to climb on top of him and use him as a full-body pillow.

“Okay, here’s one. Tell me about your first blowjob.”

“No, let’s not talk about that.”

“What! Why not? Was it weird? Did she use teeth?”

“There were no teeth,” he chortled. “I just don’t want to tell you who it was.”

“Your wife?”

Henry gave a hesitating nod. The revelation didn’t allow you relaxation.

“Wait… You mean to tell me that you’ve only been blown by two women in your entire life?”

He shrugged again, unashamed this time. “I had girlfriends before her, but I’d never let them… Do that. It’s so degrading. And I could never ask.”

“You are a good Christian boy, aren’t you?”

“No! I’m just respectful.”

You leered up at him. “Is that why you hate it when I give you blowjobs?”

A pair of strong arms wrapped around you, throwing you over to the other side so you were face to face again. “I do not, I repeat, do not hate when you s — you know. Go down on me.”

“Say it,” you whispered.

Henry shook his head rapidly. “Nope. Nuh-uh.”

“Yes! Say it.”

“Why?”

“Because I want to hear you say it.”

“Suck my cock,” he closed his eyes to hide from his own bashfulness.

“Say that you love it.”

“I love it.”

“No. Say that you love it when I suck your cock.”

“I love it when you suck my cock. But that doesn’t mean I want you to right now!” He blurted.

You shifted closer to him and gave him a teasing nibble of a kiss. “You’re so sexy, Mr. Deaver, and you don’t even have to try.”

“Hush,” he pressed four fingers to your lips, but you only kissed them until he took them back.

“Have I been your first for anything?”

“First time I had sex in a car. The first time a girl’s ever flashed me on an airplane. First time I ever fell in love with a person that felt like the Earth was crushing my skull.”

“Wow, you’re so sweet.”

Henry kissed you hard, and you felt the urge to defy his wishes to not sink below the sheets covering his hips. It wasn’t a matter for long. You knew once you got him a little worked up, he wouldn’t have any problem with you pulling his underwear off. He simpered against your mouth when your hand went travelling. Before you could work your fingers under the waistband, he inched away to avoid the contact.

“I don’t like that you don’t like getting blowjobs,” you told him.

“I know. I’m sorry. I had it beaten out of me.”

“Well, let me beat it back into you using my mouth.”

“Good god, you’re always so dirty.”

“I want you to accept that eventually.” A severe tone came over both of your faces. He searched your eyes for a clue, but couldn’t seem to find one until you sighed through your nostrils. “I like sex, and I know you think I’m only saying that because I want to impress you, but that’s not the case. I want you to be more open with me, okay? I’m not like her. I’m not going to make you feel disgusting for being aroused and wanting sex.”

“I know. I know.”

“I don’t think you do,” you explained gently. “I’ve told you a dozen times that you don’t have to treat me like a nun. You can be the boss outside of work too.”

“Maybe I like it when you’re the boss,” he tried to cloak his smile with the back of his hand, but you saw the mischief sparkling in his eyes.

“I’m not sure if you’re ready for what happens when I’m the boss. That means you have to do as I say.”

“I can do that,” he nodded.

“No, I don’t think you’re capable of handling the responsibility. You have to be very, very open. And you have to do whatever I say, even if it’s something you’ve never done before,” you were already crawling down Henry’s body by the time you reached his groin and looked up at him.

“Something I’ve never done before? Like what?”

“Like letting me eat your ass and finger your prostate.”

“What?” He squeaked, cheeks turning bright as neon.

“See? You’re not ready.”

He clutched at the sheet covering the bed and gave you a wary look. “But… It’s… What about? Jeeze.“

“What about what?”

“Hygiene?”

“You just showered before you got into bed.”

“So? What about hair?”

“Hair? Do you think if I’m willing to tongue fuck you, I’d care about a little body hair? Please.”

If he could make it happen, Henry would have melted into a puddle and absorbed into the linen so your intense gaze would stop penetrating the layers of his self-control. You waited for him to say something, but it became clear that he had been robbed of words. You decided to hold the reigns a little tighter.

“You’re not ready for me to be the boss. You’re not ready for the world’s most mind-blowing orgasm.”

“Pretty sure I’ve already had that, courtesy of one filthy little girl,” Henry’s eyes trailed away in contemplation. “What does it feel like?”

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t have a prostate or balls or a dick. But I know how to work all three to make an obscene amount of cum leave your body.”

“I just don’t think I could come with your finger in my ass.”

You scoffed, pressed your forehead to his tummy and kissed just above his waistline. “Oh, my sweet, sweet little Christian boy. The worlds you have yet to explore.”

There was a hint of trepidation left on his face as you rolled the waistband of his underwear, nuzzling into his groin. You pulled the cotton material down, and he lifted his knees to help you along. In no time, Henry’s firm muscles relaxed as blood rushed down to fill him up. You took your time with him, attending to every inch with fervour until his head plastered to the pillow, and his jaw hung wide open. Then you sucked one testicle into your mouth for a short roll, assessing whether he would be receptive to it. By the way his knees shook, you discerned that the sensation had taken the proper effect.

“Like having those balls sucked on, don’t you, Mr. Deaver?”

“Y-yes,” he murmured.

“Doesn’t that feel so good?” Your rhetoric had him nodding his head.

You encircled his shaft with one hand, angling him up and away from you until more of him was exposed. He caught on quickly and tried to close his legs. “Don’t worry, just going to press on that spot just below. Not too low. Oh, that’s right. Open your legs and get comfy, big boy.”

“Christ,” Henry whined, throwing his arm over his eyes.

“If you ever want me to stop, just tell me.”

“Don’t stop,” the words leapt from his mouth.

Henry became tight again until he grew used to the feeling of your thumb pressed up against his perineum. As you bobbed your head up and down, you worked a small circle of firm pressure there until he pulled back one knee to watch for a moment.

“You can watch, it’s okay,” you whispered against the head of his cock.

When your head disappeared, and he felt a strange wet prodding, he jerked away but settled to assess the feeling accurately. He didn’t understand why it felt good, and that confused him. But it was you down there, and that was why he wasn’t panicking yet. Only when your hand crawled closer to his entrance did his stomach sink and his lip wobble.

“That… That's—mmm,” Henry melted when the tip of your tongue pushed a little harder.

You resisted a laugh and focused on the task at hand: the trifecta you had promised would make him forget his own name. With your hand gripping his shaft firmly and your other hand sneaking its way up, you pulled back and let a watery bubble of spit fall down the crevice to lubricate your short path. You were thankful for cutting your fingernails earlier as you finally gave his hole a slight press. Henry’s hips tilted, and he rose his head off the pillow to make sure you were still you and not a dream.

“Yeah, relax, big boy. Let me get in that tight hole. I promise you’ll love it.”

The push started slow. His teeth cut into his bottom lip hard and then released the moment the first half-inch of your finger made an entry. He was warm and inflexible at first, but after a few loving strokes of his cock, he slackened the muscles in his arms and legs. You ventured a little deeper, curling your finger up and letting him grow used to a little more.

“Oh, my. Look at how hard that dirty cock is now!”

Henry felt an equal wash of shame as he did arousal. He was ashamed that he found it so arousing, but all ulterior thoughts melted away the moment you rubbed a firmer spot inside of him. You concentrated on it but didn’t apply too much pressure. Not until he was ready. Not until he was begging for more.

“Please… Please, god, do something. Touch me.”

“I am touching you,” you winked.

“Suck my cock, too.”

“That’s a good boy! I like it when you tell me what you want.”

You throated his entire length but never neglected the hidden button inside of him. You rubbed slow circles around it, worked it up and down and side to side until Henry was throbbing, one leg stiff while the other bent at the knee.

“Jesus Christ, that feels so fucking good, baby. Jeeeesus.”

“Mm, I know it feels good. I knew you’d like having that gorgeous ass played with.”

“I’m going to come. Hard. I’m going to fucking—” Henry was cut off by another undulating moan culled from the precise attention you gave his prostate. “Baby! Keep doing that. Oh, God. That’s amazing.”

“Yes, come hard, Daddy. Shoot that fucking load.”

Henry’s fingers combed through your hair and held your mouth in place while his hips bucked. It was a move that he never felt comfortable executing before. It went hand-in-hand with his aversion to blowjobs. But something told you that Henry would start asking for a lot more of them soon.

His body tensed up only to melt, twist, and then relax. He chewed his lip, panted, rapidly blinked like he was about to cry and covered his mouth with the one hand that wasn’t clutching the bedsheets.

“Give me that bad boy cum. I want it all.” Your final encouragement was the last thing he needed to hear before he tightened and exploded.

You were amazed by what didn’t make it down your throat. Henry’s orgasm tore through his body like a lightning bolt and leaked from the swollen tip in pulses. Each ripple forced out another thick drop of cum, and you didn’t unsheathe yourself from him until you were sure you witnessed the last bubble glistening down the underside of his cock.

“Holy. Fucking. Shit,” Henry said between deep breaths.

“Told you I could make you leak like a faucet.”

“That was… That was insane.”

You smiled, assuring him you well knew of your sexual prowess over his body. He reached for you to lie on him, and you obliged. Once you settled next to him and got comfortable in the space between his arm and torso, he kissed your head. Another long breath left him that tickled down your spine, and you both giggled.

“I am your slave. You are my goddess. I can’t believe that really happened just now. Wow, I swear I can’t feel my hands.”

You cozied up to him, a broad smile unbreakable on your face. “That was your first prostate orgasm. Congratulations!”

#henry deaver x mistress #henry deaver fanfiction #bill skarsgard fanfiction #castle rock fanfiction #bill skarsgard imagine

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deck16 · 5 years

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Guild Wars 2 Retrospective

I've played a number of MMOs over the years. Guild Wars 2 is my favourite, and it occupies a place in my memories like a favourite book or movie. And so, I want to write down my thoughts about it.

I don't think I'm finished with the game yet. As I write, the Icebrood Saga is soon to be launched. Even ignoring future content there's so much current content I want to do.

That said, now's a good time to write down my thoughts. I finished Living World Season 4 not too long ago and it had a certain finality that made me want to pause and reflect.

This is going to be long. And it's going to be a lot of opinion. There's going to be a lot of praise, but if I praise Guild Wars 2 for something don't take that to imply that only GW2 does that thing, or that GW2 does it best.

Soundtrack

Have a listen while you read this.

youtube

The earlier stuff by Jeremy Soule is different to what came later, in expansions and such, but not incongruous. It's all good.

Music is one of those strange and strong memory triggers, like smell. There are some refrains from the soundtrack that bring back memories. I remember listening to the soundtrack when the game was released to help get through a particularly un-fun and short-lived job. Some tracks bring back memories of playing with friends. Or just exploring Tyria on my own.

Money

Ars Gratia Artis

How does one make money off a product, like a game?

Make it worth buying.

(Other.)

Option 2 includes things like psychological tricks, and planned obsolescence with yearly releases.

I can't say GW2 never indulges in Option 2. But I feel it mostly goes for Option 1.

Pictured: ArenaNet offices after releasing the black wings cosmetic.

Subscription Model

Guild Wars 2, like its predecessor, never demanded a subscription.

This earns a massive amount of respect from me. Many MMOs charge subscriptions while they're new, raking in some easy money while they've got hype. I think GW2 could've done that. That ArenaNet chose not to is laudable.

Money Store

GW2 does, I'm sure, rake in extra money from expansion packs and cosmetics. The former is very understandable. The latter can be dangerous in greedy hands.

You can buy a lot of tat with real money in GW2, it's true. It's even had a version of loot boxes from day one.

Thankfully the real-money stuff is largely cosmetic or convenience. I have bought a few items, but I do not feel a second-class citizen for not buying more. Indeed, I roll my eyes at the bizarre characters decked out in effulgent tat. If they want to support the game I enjoy to look like rejects from a bad anime, more power to them. I rather more a normal appearance, and there's plenty of options to get that by playing, not paying.

Exhibits A through D: Effulgent Tat

Maybe I'm a sentimental idiot, but GW2's soft-sell approach has made me sympathetic. When GW2 developers were laid off due to a "financial squeeze" I went and bought some gems. I feel they deserve it. Not like other companies who lay off staff when money abounds, just so they can cut costs.

You will see adverts for money-store items here and there, such as the login screen. But, crucially, it never interrupts your game with teasing messages along the lines of "if you buy XYZ, you can skip this".

There's also the daily log-in rewards and the character birthday rewards. These give a nice mix of the cheaper money-store conveniences and also grant access to things you can't even buy.

Explorable

Something that struck me very early about GW2 was the extent you can just wander around to level.

Progress by Wanderlust

See an interesting land-mark? Go wander over, you'll probably run into some quests. Cross paths with an event? Join right on in and help out. Harvest resources as you go. Kill monsters off the beaten track for extra experience.

There are other things to find to reward exploration. Mini-dungeons, mini-bosses, chests of loot, and even just really pretty locations. It feels really good when you say "what's over there?" and you actually discover something that's totally supplemental but also totally interesting.

One of the earlier off-the-beaten-track finds I made. A bandit's cabbage farm. Handy if you're into cooking.

Early on, I loved wandering to level. It made the grind of levelling feel more like exploration, like I was playing Morrowind or Skyrim, rather than an MMO.

Even now, years on, there are zones I haven't explored. I took the direct path through Living World Season 4's zones, and now I'm contently going back and exploring them top to tail. Nowadays I don't wander quite so randomly. I use the map markers to guide me, but I still have plenty of "what's that?" or "what's over there?" moments. I'm still finding stuff.

NPC Chatter

NPCs across Tyria talk to each other. A lot. It's all fully voice-acted and often interesting or funny as well.

I am still surprised when I stop somewhere quite isolated to clean out my inventory or fiddle with my traits and some NPCs strike up a conversation. It must be very tempting to cut costs by not having the random Inquest NPC in corridor A chat about his research with the other Inquest NPC.

A small thing, but it does make exploring that little bit more rewarding.

Not a great example for funny-factor, but a good example for isolation. To see these two hostile Inquest NPCs you'd first have to opt to do the Living World chapter their zone is in, then decide to explore beyond the story there, then happen down this particular corridor, and finally not kill them before they had a chance to talk.

Events and Meta Events

Events and meta events impressed me greatly as I discovered GW2.

Little Adventures

Early on, I was exploring Harathi Hinterlands, and I come across an event where Seraph NPCs (good guys) are defending against Centaur NPCs (bad guys). I help, the Seraph win. And then one of them announces they're moving on to their next objective.

I follow. Things escalate. About an hour later, we (NPCs, other players, and myself) have pushed into the Centaur base and are taking down their leader.

It made the world feel alive. Here was this war that was happening whether I was there or not. If I chose to pitch in rather than walk by, I would be treated to a little adventure: combat, loot, and a little story.

A limited-time event had players pursuing and then killing ley-energy people. I felt bad for the poor bastards, being chased by dozens of loot-crazed players. Not bad enough to not join in, though...

Putting the First M in MMO

Events are a reason for players to work together, in scales big and small.

On the small scale, it's always a relief to see some new players jump in and help you with a Champion when you're tackling it alone or in a small party. The shoe feels good on the other foot: it's fun to play the hero and jump in to help some scrappy players beat a champion they were struggling with.

On the big scale, maps like The Silverwastes and Dragon's Stand are dedicated to meta events. Groups of players must spontaneously split down multiple paths to achieve objectives in limited time. I've seen these fail often enough to know success isn't guaranteed.

Play with Friends

Despite the acronym, it's not easy to play with friends in every MMO. Here's a hypothetical exchange:

"Hey, you want to play that MMO?"

"Sure! It's more fun to play with friends."

"Okay! I'm on the Black Mountains server."

"Oh. I'm on the Dusty Gorge server."

"That's alright. I'll make a character on Dusty Gorge."

"Great! Where shall we meet?"

"Well I'm only level 1 on this server, so it will have to be a starter zone."

"Oh. The lowest character I have is level 20. So... I'll just one-shot everything, and I'll get no XP and useless loot."

"Ah. Well... I guess I'll get to level 20 and let you know? So, we can probably play in a week or so?"

"...Okay."

These problems do not happen in GW2 with the megaserver system and dynamic level adjustment.

When the game came out a group of friends and I quested through several zones together. This is us in the charr starting area.

(I don't want to pretend dynamic level adjustment is perfect. Because if you take your Ascended-item max-level elite-specialised hero to a starter PvE zone you are going to be more powerful than a new level 1 character. Not quite to the point of absurdness, but not far from it either.)

Any barrier that makes it hard to play with friends in an MMO is idiotic. I am very glad GW2 started with low barriers, and only made them lower over time.

A Better Grind

There's grinding in GW2. How could there not be, in a modern MMO?

I have seen people in GW2 doing what I consider painful, repetitive grinding. Armies running laps in the Edge of the Mists. Heroes repeatedly doing Fractals. Massive groups teleporting from one world boss to another on a clockwork schedule.

If people want to do that, more power to them. None of that is necessary, though. It's for bragging rights or as a faster alternative to levelling.

Look at the relative stats for item rarity. For a fresh level 80 character Rare equipment is trivial to get, and Exotic is very doable. This equipment is not that far behind the very best. Certainly the gap is much, much less than most other MMOs. And it doesn't go obsolete over time as new content is added... mostly.

Mounts are more than just a "go faster" convenience in GW2. They complement the exploration side of the game, with each able to run, jump, or glide differently. They have weight and inertia and are fun to drive. The optional, later-game mounts require some grinding to get; thankfully they are account-wide unlocks.

Is there any grinding required to just experience the game? The answer is "yes", but I think GW2 has taken the harsh edges off it.

If you enjoy grinding, is it really grinding? GW2 lets you enjoy grinding in two ways:

No Repetition

Get something once, and you don't have to do it again. That's good, because something only becomes repetitive if you have to do it more than once!

Very many things are account-bound. Progress can be made on any character. And once you unlock it, you have it on all characters.

Even something like levelling, which is not account-bound, doesn't have to be repeated. Level-boosting items are handed out as you play or as birthday gifts. All free; not paid-for. And handed out generously: I have enough to get about a half-dozen characters to maximum level. Even if you don't have quite as many as I do they will still speed up the levelling process.

Grinding by Playing

Many things you grind for can be earned doing a variety of things in a variety of places. This has the happy side-effect of making grinding goals come with just playing.

Suppose a friend newly joins GW2, and I'm tempted to join them in the low-level non-expansion zone. I won't be "wasting time" as I'll be earning masteries, gold and other currencies and crafting materials.

Photo-bombed by a hunter pet. Look at that smug expression on its face...

Combat Mechanics

GW2 combat feels pretty satisfying and fluid to me. I don't want to hold GW2's combat up as exemplary, because it isn't. Other MMOs do similar things; in many cases better.

But I like GW2 combat well enough. Here's why:

Movement. Many attacks can be avoided by moving away. In any half-way hectic combat you're constantly on the move, either to avoid enemy attacks or to better position your own. Having a dedicated dodge move adds to the experience.

Action Camera. Not everyone likes the action camera, but I love it. I can control the game like a shooter, not like some modded real-time strategy game.

Elegant Rules. Over time, MMO rules systems often turn into incomprehensible messses that no-one understands. Or they start out that way. GW2's rules are pretty complicated but it keeps things mostly comprehensible with a kind-of status-effect middleware that relies on common effects like boons and conditions. The programmer in me finds it quite genius and, frankly, elegant.

Weak Holy Trinity

In GW2 the healer, DPS, tank divide is de-emphasised. Every class does a little of each.

Yes, you can emphasise one over another, and if you're doing difficult content you probably should. But no class is defined by their trinity-role. You want to be a tanky thief? Do it!

Healing is especially unique. In old-school MMOs, healing is just "reverse damage". You hit me for 20 damage? I'll heal me for 20 damage. In GW2 it's a bit more nuanced, usually revolving around regeneration or other slower effects. Someone chucking out healing skills is a life-saver (literally) not because they're un-doing chunks of damage but because they're increasing survivability.

Amateur Theorycrafting

When I was levelling up my thief I found she struggled with survivability. I paused to re-consider my tactics. I decided on a condition damage approach, and picked weapons and skills that would make my enemies bleed. Caltrops, shrapnel bombs, and double daggers!

It worked! The thief was still fragile, but she could stack enough bleeds to kill most things, even many things at once. The caltrops helped: tougher bad-guys would limp in pursuit, bleeding to death.

My post-hoc re-enactment of that bleed build.

Apparently it wasn't an optimal choice: theorycrafters would pick other configurations. That's unavoidable. There is always a meta in any game made by mortals.

Yet I was pleased I had "figured it out" on my own, just by playing and experimenting. I didn't need an internet guide to survive. And even if it wasn't the best choice, it still worked well enough.

Having done the same on a few classes since then I feel GW2 is a game where you can tinker and customise and come up with things that work.

My current warrior setup tries to be tanky in a few ways; one of which is by combining For Great Justice with Might Makes Right. I doubt it's a "top meta" build but it seems to work well enough.

Rotationless

I hate rotations in MMOs. I get they're inevitable to some extent, but I loathe MMOs that embrace and build upon it as if it's a positive thing.

Well, let me back away from that a mote. I hate it when they do that and it's not opt-in. If people want to do it for some unique style or to get a few extra percentage points of damage, I don't mind.

I don't want to think about internal timers and priorities when I play. Those things are artificial. I want to think about the actual goings-on in combat. I want use Hundred Blades because I've moved into a position where I can strike mulitiple foes; not because a I've randomly proced a buff that enables or enhances it.

This is why Berserker Warrior is my favourite class in GW2. I can play it in a brain-dead way. The "auto attack" skill, plus one or two others, is all I need in a stand-up slugfest. Everything else is to respond to a situation: to move, to heal, to break, to push.

There are classes and specialisations in GW2 that do require something of a rotation. That's fine. I won't play 'em but I've no problem if others want to!

PvP and End-Game

I've not done much PvP stuff or fractals or raids. So I can't talk much about that. I wish I had tried these things, but such are the laments of a casual player with limited time.

I really love GW2's approach to remove gear and level restrictions in all PvP. It's great you can buy the game, log in, and play PvP or WvW on a mostly level playing field.

I also love the concept of World vs World. Both as a mode of competition and the way it allows for a variety of activities like soldiering, skirmishing, scouting, siege-engining and supply-hauling. You can even just potter around the WvW zone doing vistas or harvesting resources if you want to.

Some people will complain GW2 doesn't have enough end-game. They're probably right, in a sense: there are better MMOs out there for their needs. As a casual player, I'm largely happy with the balance GW2 had decided to strike.

A World to Escape To

Tyria is a welcoming fantasy world. Like a digital Narnia or Neverland it is a place to escape to. It's comforting to be there.

Of course escapism is part of many works of fiction. On the other hand, it's not something every work of fiction ought do.

If you're going to do escapism, do it well. GW2, I think, does it well.

Scenic

Tyria is a beautiful place. It was in Guild Wars 1. It still is.

The designers have a real knack for displaying awesome, yet realistic, environments. There are stunning settings in all manner of environments. Just look at the screenshots I’ve peppered about.

They especially do nature well. Some of the forests, with dappled lighting and weather effects, are gorgeous.

This isn't just a matter of graphics, or even art. It's a sense of moderation: it's knowing that if everything is epic, nothing is.

They know they rock the scenery. Why else would they make pretty views a big part of the game?

Race Realism

MMOs often have a problem where non-human races are... well... quite human. Sometimes in very silly ways.

Not so GW2. I love the charr. A "cat people" race that aren't humans with cat-ears and a tail. The charr are inhuman yet have animal traits that are familiar, from the loping all-fours run to the always-sniffing nose. They're well designed.

Charr posture though... All that weight bearing down on feet that don't have the benefit of heels? An awkwardly forward centre of gravity? They've got to be sore by the end of the day.

Pretty much all the races are done well, including monster bad-guy ones. There's a lot of detail put into GW2 creatures and it's a shame in a way that the nature of the game means we rarely get to see them up close and detailed.

Arguably GW2's weakest race, aesthetically, may be the humans, who all look like stock photography models.

After doing so well with the charr, I don't know what possessed them to give Rox ridiculously huge kitty-cat eyes.

Empowering

Thinking logically, Tyria really isn't a nice place. There are all sorts of problems, from local bandits to world-ending dragons.

Throw that logic out the window. What matters more than how many problems there are is how empowered you, I, or anyone is to solve these problems.

There's no problem in GW2 that can't be fixed. Bandits can be beaten up. Dragons can be defeated. Even racism can be fixed. (Yes, often violence is the only option, but that's action RPGs for you.)

There's a spirit of co-operation and capability that runs through GW2. You are not so much the mighty hero coming to save the helpless peasants. Rather you're mucking in with people already hard at work trying to fix things, be they grub-squashing farmers or dragon-killing soldiers. You just happen to be the tipping point they needed. Even in the story, when you're promoted to grand poobah, you're a pretty collaborative boss, tending to work with your comrades.

In GW2 hope trumps hopelessness. It's escapism. It's nice.

Story

GW2 has a number of stories you can embark on.

I have mixed feelings about GW2's story. Like most MMO stories, it isn't that great. I wouldn't suggest you get a bag of popcorn and watch all the cutscenes on YouTube.

But as far as MMO stories go, it's probably better than most. It certainly has its ups and downs. Yet in those better moments it can be quite enthralling. Living World Season 4 -- the most recent story section at the time of writing -- kept me interested and even tugged a little at my heart-strings.

Like a soap opera, the GW2 story makes up in quantity what it lacks in quality. Over time -- years and years, remember -- you get to know and love the world and the characters. And it's doubly engaging because you are one of the characters.

Characters

The best thing about GW2's story are the characters, especially in later content. Characters who are essentially RPG tropes are given personality by competent writing and voice acting. Canach's dry sense of humour always amused me, as did Taimi's energetic voice acting.

This is a well-calculated expenditure of effort. Good characters can make talking heads engaging. Bad characters can't be saved even by multi-million dollar effects budgets.

A cool little scene at the end of the Personal Story has your character striding alongside the members of Destiny's Edge.

War and Isolation

Many people don't like Orr, the final zone in the base game. I do.

As per the story, it's a warzone. And you can see it. It's like the D-Day landings over there. Scouts, transports, war machines; everywhere you go the Pact are battling the undead. There are no heart quests there, just dynamic events; and I think that reflects the epic goings-on quite well.

Likewise, a zone like Mount Maelstrom is meant to be a wild place far from civilisation. And it feels like it. There are people (someone's got to give quests) but they're either explorers, exiles, or strange native creatures.

These may seem like rather pedestrian observations. I bring them up because many MMOs get this stuff wrong. Epic war zones have maybe a few dozen NPCs battling but otherwise seem unaffected. Far-flung regions have just as many towns as the heart of civilisation.

Getting this stuff right provides a sense of place, and of progress (level-wise and story-wise).

Living World

I enjoy GW2's Living World episodic content. From a story and setting perspective it gives the world a sense of history and progression.

From a gameplay perspective it adds new content... and often a lot of content. Whole new zones are added. I have especially enjoyed Season 4's zones, which feel as richly developed as the normal zones.

Style and Polish

People often talk about Blizzard games in terms of polish (even Blizzard do). I feel GW2 has a certain level of similar polish. (Whether that's still true for Blizzard games is another matter.)

The art style is gorgeous and consistently applied from the grand stuff like character creation screens and loading art, right down to little touches on the UI. This consistency isn't exactly a key selling point but it does speak to a certain craftsmanship.

When you jump in the water, the lower part of your HUD gets "splashed" with drops in GW2's signature "inkbrush style". It's part of the transition animation from land to water skills. A tiny touch that is illustrative of GW2's attention to detail and consistency in style.

Wiki

Similar quality can be seen in the official GW2 Wiki which is informative, tidy and (as far as I've seen) complete. It's good to be able to look with confidence at a definitive source rather than look over a handful of fan MMOs trying to sort fact from speculation.

Conclusion

So... I like Guild Wars 2.

It's been the perfect MMO for a casual player like me. It respects my wallet. It respects my time. It offers variety, solid gameplay, and a comforting world to visit. It seems to have been made with real love.

Thank you to the people who made it. You should take pride in the countless hours of entertainment and joy you've given to me and so many other players across the world.

If you've stumbled across this and are thinking of playing, know that GW2 can be played for free. Why not give it a go?

#guild wars 2 #gaming #mmo #review

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thewritingartmature · 6 years

Text

Honor To Us All

Summary:

“This is your final chance, Shirogane.” Haxus began. “Sign the confession, with the arm you have left,” Haxus chuckled. “And allow me to give you the rites to put your spirit at ease.”

Shiro only glared.

or the Dishonored AU that no one asked for.

Chapter 1 - Honored

The sharp sound of the whistle signaled the end of the day’s work, mutters and sighs escaping the lips of dozens of workers crowded in the factory floor. Shiro smiled in relief, wiping away the oil from his hands against his apron as he followed his fellow workers out into the line. To see him among them was a sight all on its own, so young and inexperienced compared to grizzled worker who doubled him in age and height. He received many side glances and rolling eyes wherever he strolled. Yet Shiro didn’t mind. An orphaned street rat he stole to survive, being beaten and tossed around in the few times he was caught. Now finally at 14 years of age he managed to gain a job, a legitimate source of money that he could proudly show off and spend on whatever he needed with no worry of the consequences. It was enough. Well, almost. Putting away his apron and gloves he followed in line. The boss handed out the employees’ pays as they brought out their own bags, the boss throwing in the amount he saw them fit of earning. Once it was Shiro’s turn, for a mere second the man’s eyes softened.

“Here you go, Takashi.” The man hummed, handing Shiro is pay. Takashi pursed his lips as he watched the money inside the bag, counting with his eyes and making the math in his head. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s…less than what you said I would make.” Takashi said, his voice stern. The man scoffed slightly.

“We’re on a tight leash recently. It’s only until it gets better. Don’t worry about it.” The man insisted.

Liar. Takashi thought, but instead he simply nodded and moved along. Of course, he was lying. He had been doing the same thing since he started working here a few months ago. Shiro may be a street rat, but he wasn’t stupid. But then again…what more could he do? Speak up and lose the only stable job that he had managed to gain? He couldn’t take that risk. Even if it meant to accept a lower wage than what he should well receive. Because money was money, and besides…he had Keith to worry about too. So he played pretend, leaving the factory with his pay in his hand and his head high.

He went to the market, buying bread and cheese for dinner, before heading back home. Well, what to him was home. It was a shed on a hill. It used to belong to an elderly farmer that died long ago, leaving the place vacant until Shiro and Keith made it theirs. It wasn’t perfect, but it was just enough.

“Welcome back, Shiro!” Keith chimed, running out of the shed to hug him as he arrived. Shiro welcomed Keith with open arms.

“Hey Keith! I got paid today, so guess what I got?” Shiro asked, watching as Keith gasped and his eyes gleamed at the bag.

“Is that cheese?!”

“I think we have the right to spoil ourselves once in a while.” Shiro said, Keith throwing his arms in the air with a cheer. He had met Keith when he was barely 7 years of age. An orphan and street rat struggling on his own, he was quick to look up to Shiro like the brother he never had, and Shiro returned the sentiment tenfold. The two had been together ever since.

“How was work?” Keith asked, his mouth full with cheese and bread as he looked over at Shiro.

“Fine. Normal. The usual.” Shiro hummed, eating his share. “What about you, did anything interesting today?”

“Managed to pickpocket some nice stuff from a rich brat by the docks. I think I can sell them for a nice price.” Keith said with a smile. Shiro raised an eyebrow.

“Keith…”

“She won’t even notice it’s gone! She has more money to spend than the Emperor himself probably.” Keith insisted. He finished his share, before gasping in realization. “Wait, I did see something else.” He said, hurrying back into the shed to pick something up. He returned with a piece of paper, handing it over to Shiro. “Look!”

“…Blade Verbena?” Shiro smiled, looking over at Keith. “You want to go this year?”

“Actually,” Keith hummed. “I was thinking I could compete!” Shiro couldn’t contain his laughter, even when he didn’t mean to laugh as he did. “Shiro I’m serious!”

“I’m sorry.” Shiro said. “But you’re too young to participate, you know that.”

Keith pouted. “Well…but you can, right?”

“Well…yes, I did just turn 14 this year.”

“Then go for it!”

“Why?” Shiro rested back against the wall, closing his eyes. “I only have days off on holidays, and I could really use the break you know.”

Keith pouted. “But what about the prize money?”

Shiro opened one eye. “…Prize money?”

“Yeah!” Keith said, pointing down at the paper. “This year there’ll be a prize money! See?”

Shiro reread the section, his eyes widening slightly. “…5,000 Coin.” He could feel his heart skip a beat. That was…a lot. Enough for them to live on for the next five years or more if they used it right. Enough to buy new clothes that actually fit, buy more than just bread and cheese, buy medicine when they got sick instead of begging for scraps of it and hope for the best. 5,000 Coin could easily be life changing.

“With that much Coin, we can live as kings!” Keith cheered. Shiro gently nodded.

“Yeah.” He said, feeling his throat dry all of a sudden. He glanced over at Keith, seeing his eyes gleaming as he smiled back at Shiro. “(It could be life changing for the better.)” He thought. And all he had to do was something he was already good at? This was a chance he couldn’t let go of. “I’ll do it.” He said, setting the paper down. “I’ll sign up.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. But you better be there to cheer me on, ok?”

“Of course!”

…

Shiro had always had a thing for swordsmanship. A hobby that made him dream of one day becoming a knight or a soldier to explore uncharted lands. Though he never used his weapon against anyone with ill-intentions, he knew he had some skill. He could finally put it to use at something. The Blade Verbena. An Annual dueling festival held all over the Empire, each city and providence hosting their own versions. People from all over Serkonos would come to compete, and Shiro had to make sure he beat every single one of them.

After the qualification rounds, Shiro stood with the 49 other competitors in the arena, looking up as the Chief of the Grand Serkonos Guard gave them words of encouragement. He could see Keith from his seat on the stands, waving at Shiro whenever he had the chance, Shiro waving back sheepishly.

“And so, we remind everyone, that the winner will not only be declared the champion of the annual festival, but will go home with the first ever award money; 5,000 Coin!” The Chief declared, everyone cheering in response. The brackets were listed up on a large board, hand written with chalk to keep count on the following fights. Shiro felt a soft nudge from the competitor next to him.

“You better back off now, kid, before you embarrass yourself.” He said, a smirk on his lips. Shiro couldn’t help but to smirk right back.

“I don’t know. You know what they say, sir, the bigger they are, the harder they fall…and I really want to see how quick I can make you fall.” Shiro responded, earning chuckles from the others around him.

The fight was on.

…

The first few suckers who got to fight against Shiro in the first few rounds were quick to realize that they shouldn’t have underestimated him. They charged in with confidence, and were quickly defeated before the smirk could be wiped off their faces. As Shiro went up the ranks, the challengers began to take their fights more seriously than the last, each fight lasting longer and becoming harsher, forcing Shiro to push his limits. Not that Shiro would’ve wanted it any other way. Every time he knocked a challenger down, the cheers became louder and louder, Keith being the loudest of them all. In the end, it was just Shiro versus a formidable competitor, much older and experienced than himself. Yet, he did not waver. Shiro dueled with prowess and determination, and with struggle, he defeated his opponent with a standing ovation.

“Shiro!!!” Keith screamed, snapping Shiro out of his daze as Keith ran into the arena, the guards not even stopping the young child from tackling at Shiro, hugging him tightly as the crowd cheered around them. “You did it! Shiro you did it you won you won!” Keith squealed, Shiro wincing only slightly as he gave Keith a confident smile.

“Told ya I could do it.” Shiro said.

“Ahem.”

Shiro looked up, seeing the opponent back on his feet as he turned to face him. Keith was quick to get ready to fight, though it would never come. Instead, the opponent offered his hand to Shiro.

“I have never seen such…a talented person at such a young age. You more than deserved that victory.” The opponent said. Shiro looked at him, smiling as he proceeded to shake his hand.

“Thanks. You did great too.” Shiro said. The opponent nodded, looking over at Keith with a smile.

“You have a very talented brother.” He said.

“I know!” Keith said, smiling as he hugged Shiro’s arm. The opponent simply nodded before backing away. The Chief proceeded to walk over to Shiro, a smile on his face.

“Congratulations, Champion. You have very well earned your place.” He said, gently setting the golden medal around Shiro’s neck. Shiro could barely keep his eyes off the beauty of the metal.

“Thank you, sir.” Shiro said, unable to stop smiling.

“And of course, your award money.” The Chief said, a fellow guard handing Shiro a large bag, heavy with coin. Shiro could barely hold it as it was handed it him, having it to settle it on the floor momentarily to admire the amount of coin inside. He had never seen this many coin in one place at the same time.

“I…I don’t know what to say…” Shiro said, feeling his heart race. Keith awed in amazement.

“Shiro, we can eat more than just bread and cheese with this!” Keith whispered, barely believing his eyes. This could change their lives drastically. Yet…they weren’t done yet.

“Actually, there is one more thing.” The Chief said. “Your talents are beyond extraordinary. I have seen children of your age from all walks of life who have been training all of their lives to become part of the Guard, and never have I ever seen someone with such potential. Therefore, I was wondering…if you would like to join us?”

Shiro.exe stopped working, the world around him going silent as Shiro looked at the Chief with wide eyes. “…what?”

“The Guard.” The Chief repeated. “I was wondering if you would like to work with us as a member of the Guard. Sure, you are young, but with such potential, you will be able to learn lots of invaluable skills to your disposal. We can offer you education and the preparation needed to fully do your job, as well, in exchange for your work and service You will even receive a very nice pay.” The Chief said. Shiro could barely breathe, he could barely think. A job with the guard? With pay? With education? Was this a dream? His skin had become pale, and it was noted, as the Chief gently got a hand on his shoulder to snap him out of his daze. “Stay with us, Takashi. Don’t go fainting on us.” Shiro shook his head, looking up as his mind rushed to form a response.

“I-I don’t know what to say, sir! I would be so honored-!” Shiro began, but just as suddenly he paused, feeling the grip of Keith’s small hand on his. Shiro looked down at Keith, and narrowed his eyes, before looking back up at the Chief. “But…what about Keith? I can’t leave him.”

I won’t leave him.

The Chief looked down at Keith, and then back at Shiro with a smile. “He can come live with you! In exchange for your work, he can study as well. Maybe he can even apply to become part of the force as he grows as well.” The Chief insisted. Keith looked up at Shiro with his jaw dropped, his eyes gleaming in awe.

“Shiro?” Keith asked. Shiro pursed his lips, a smile sneaking into his features as he forced himself from crying. He gently nodded, smiling at Keith.

“What do you think, Keith?” He finally asked. Keith looked at him before shaking him around.

“What do you mean?! Of course! Shiro you HAVE to take this!” Keith insisted. Shiro chuckled, looking up at the Chief.

“So…where do I start?”

…

Shiro always went back to that day, and whenever he did, he always thanked whatever gods were at work that day for granting him the opportunity when they did. In a matter of two years his life had already made a complete turn from what it once was. He gained a place to call his own among the barrack buildings of the Guard, living with Keith. Earning a steady and justful income for clothing and food. They were educated with some of the best, the only thing better being that of the nobles and royalty. That is, until the unexpected promotion was thrown at him. Well, promotion wasn’t the best word for it. It wasn’t something he was looking for, to begin with. A position had opened up all the way in the capital of Dunwall, and the Chief, insisting on his potential and praise, had set him up to take it. Now he was supposed to leave the only place he had ever known and begin a whole new job in a whole new place. It wasn’t him that was the angriest of them, though. Oh no. That was definitely Keith.

“You’re going to leave?!” Keith asked, looking up with worry in his eyes. It was a panic Shiro rarely saw in him, and it made his heart ache. “You’re going to leave me alone?!”

“There’s nothing I can do, Keith. I’m to leave for Dunwall in a few days. It’s already been ordered.” Shiro insisted. He struggled to keep his tears from escaping his eyes, even though Keith’s were already flowing freely.

“Take me with you! Please!” Keith insisted, grasping at Shiro’s uniform. “You can’t just leave! You can’t just leave me here! You can’t just…I can’t…” Keith sobbed, unable to speak the words he truly meant.

Don’t leave me too.

First his parents, and now Shiro. To Keith, the world was falling to pieces around him. Shiro stood with Keith, rubbing his back ever so softly as he allowed him to cry.

“I’m sorry, Keith.” Shiro whispered. Keith shook his head, resting his head against his chest.

“Will I ever even see you again?” Keith asked.

“Of course.” Shiro said, gently lifting Keith’s face so that they made eye contact. “We’ll write letters to each other, too. We’ll keep in contact.” Shiro said. Keith didn’t seem convinced, furrowing his brows as he buried his face against Shiro’s chest once more.

“I’m going to miss you.”

Shiro frowned. “Me too, Keith. Me too.”

…

It had been a week since his departure from Serkonos. To say goodbye to Keith was easily one of the hardest things he ever had to endure, and yet, he knew that he had a whole new set of challenges ahead of him. He had to be strong. He had come this far. He could not allow himself to fall back so easily. Dunwall was not what he expected, nor a place he would exactly call home. Compared to Serkonos, the city was too crowded and cramped and squished all together, only leaving enough space for alleys and the main street. It was overwhelming. But nowhere near as when he arrived at the Dunwall Tower. It stood out from the city, heavily guarded and filled with flora and structures seen nowhere else around. It was only when he was led into the royal gardens, escorted by the royal guards, that he realized what kind of position he had been brought into.

In the large gazebo standing among the garden, the royal family sat while surrounded by guards. They sat on garden chairs while with a clothed table, drinking tea and eating delicious treats ranging from cookies to small cakes.

“Your majesty, Takashi Shirogane has arrived.” The guard said. The emperor settled down his tea, smiling.

“Thank you. Let’s see to him.” He asked. The guard nodded as he signaled for Shiro to approach. Shiro stepped up, stopping a few feet away from the king before proceeding to bow.

“Your majesty, Emperor Alfor, it is an honor to meet you.” Shiro said, keeping his head down.

“The pleasure is all mine. Rise.” Alfor said, signaling him to come within the gazebo. Shiro followed, careful of his movements as Alfor turned to his daughter. “Allow me to introduce you to my daughter, Allura. If I am correct, you two are of the same age.” Alfor said, his cheerful tone never wavering. Shiro turned to face the princess, almost stunned the moment he saw her. Allura had always been mentioned to be the most beautiful woman of all the Empire, and many simply saw it that it was a title to go along with her status. But they were true. Allura was beautiful, her bright blue eyes with pink shades contrasting against her darkened skin, her white hair fluffy yet controlled in a standard fashion. Her smile could melt the coldest of hearts and possibly end wars. Then again, it could all be an overreaction from Shiro’s mind. But then again, he had never met such a beautiful woman. Not until now. He managed to snap out of his daze, bowing down as he offered his hand to her.

“An honor, princess Allura.” He said, feeling as the princess settled her hand on his for it to be kissed.

“An honor to meet you as well.” She said, her tone as cheerful as her father’s. Shiro was quick to peck her hand, a flush rushing to his cheeks as he let go and proceeded to stand once more.

“I have heard many good things about you, Takashi. An excellent leader and warrior, surpassing even some of your superiors, and you’re only 16 years of age.” Alfor said. Shiro bowed his head.

“Your words are beyond kind, your majesty.” He said.

“Maybe.” Alfor said. “But I wish to put it at the test. You see, my daughter is starting to become a woman, and is becoming independent. Such a rowdy young lady she is.” Alfor said, ignoring Allura’s groans of embarrassment from his words. “I do not trust simple guards to be able to keep up with her. Therefore, I have a request to ask of you.” Alfor said, turning to Shiro. “I wish to ask you to take the position of Lord Protector of the Future Empress. You will be with her, you shall protect her from any danger that arises, no matter how small.” Alfor said. Shiro could feel his heart beat against his chest to the point that it began to ache.

Lord protector.

To the princess.

…holy shit.

“Calm down, my boy, you look like you’ll faint.” Alfor joked, Shiro quickly snapping out of his panic, shaking his head and wiping his brow.

“Forgive me, your majesty. It is…just…a position of such importance. It’s not that I’m not grateful, but I am a mere student compared to so much more talented soldiers…” Shiro said, rambling as he could feel his face turned red. He only stopped when Alfor raised his hand to have him do so.

“You are a man of grand potential, and the same age as my daughter. I need someone who I can trust. Not just an old man following orders, but a soldier who will be able to keep up with her, one who she won’t outlive from age.” Alfor said, standing up as he gently got his hand on Shiro’s shoulders. “I appoint you because I can sense something special within you, Takashi, and that sense is telling me that if anyone can protect my daughter, it is you.” He insisted. Shiro could barely breathe as he analyzed his words, yet, his heart quickly set. He would do this. He would protect the princess. He would take this challenge.

Maybe this is for what I was born for.

Shiro gulped, bowing his head. “I…I would be honored to take the position, my emperor.” He said. His eyes suddenly turned to Allura, before returning to the floor. “If princess Allura would have me.” Alfor suddenly laughed, a bright smile on his features.

“I knew I had made a good decision!” He said, turning to Allura. “Well? What do you think?”

Allura hummed, crossing his arms. “I don’t think I need protection.” She said, but a smirk spread across her features just as quickly. “Let’s see if you can keep up, Shirogane.” Shiro could only smile. This was the beginning of something grand.

Something not even Shiro could have dreamt of.

| Next Chapter >

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bidickgrayson · 7 years

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i’ve been really loving persona 5 so far, but i’ve been too busy playing it to actually write down my thoughts so far lol

i think persona 5 is going to be the first persona game i actually finish!! amazing. i got like, 65-75% through both persona 3 and 4 and haven’t played them in over a year lol....probably going to go back and restart them after i finish p5 so i can finally finish them a couple years after starting them. i can barely even remember what happens in both of them lol

the palaces are surprisingly fun?? also i’m super duper glad that safe mode is a thing, my enjoyment of the game went up a lot when i finally switched. dungeon crawling in p5 is fun, but i’ve never been all that invested in the actual fights themselves in any persona game, and to me they’re just annoying obstacles in the way of all the other stuff about the game i’m a whole lot more interested in. i honestly doubt i’ll ever play a persona game on a difficulty higher than easy

i’m also really impressed by how different each palace is?? i really thought after the first one that they’d all follow that same basic blueprint of like, you go in, fight enemies, find the items you need to progress, and you’re done, with different aesthetics for each one. but each palace has kind of a new gimmick/puzzle, so it’s not just finding the right order to pull levers or whatever, it’s figuring out how to beat an unwinnable game or interrogate a guard the right way for a password. it’s all so fresh and different and never feels like a slog because of that. and i love the connections between the palace and the person’s cognition, like “oh, this is that way because this person thinks of this thing like that”. lots of cool connections that way, lots of cool explanations for why a palace is a certain way

this game feels so cool??? cool isn’t even the proper word for it, because i don’t think it conveys the my strength of feeling enough. like, everything about the game’s design and the whole phantom thief thing makes me feel cool and competent as hell. infiltrating a palace by sneaking in and solving puzzles and beating up or sneaking past guard and making thieves tools and taking cover and jumping up and across obstacles and sending calling cards and assigning different tasks in the middle of a boss fight to accomplish something and hearing the awesome music after you’ve sent a calling card and getting contacts to help with various aspects of thieves’ work....everything down to the menus and loading screens, the whole game is just a whole lot of fun and looks rad as hell and makes me feel rad as hell playing it. it really feels like a group of thieves planning a whole involved operation, and that’s awesome

related, but damn, pretty much everything about the protag is cool as hell, he’s so slick, and i went from thinking his mask was kinda goofy to thinking it really suits him and it’s great

i love the group a lot. like, a lot. and i know that because i don’t want the game to end, and also because i’ve been listening to the (awesome awesome awesome) ost, and there are some endgame songs that make me almost queasy with how much emotion i feel from them, which is directly related to how much i love the group. and the last time i remember that kind of feeling was in me3 and the batfamily lol

like i said, i don’t remember much from p4, but i like morgana a helluva lot more than teddie lol. which i mention just because they’re basically equivalents in the role they play, and also because i genuinely very much like morgana

i love the confidants. it’s hard for me to think of a confidant i don’t like (although i haven’t done them all). i like that they’re all likable people, and i love that so much of the game is about the thieves finding commonalities/connections with each other and with other people. i can’t remember a lot of p3/4, and maybe i’ll change my mind when i replay, but i feel like at least in p3 there were some social links for people who.....i didn’t really like a whole lot. like maybe they were interesting or whatever, but not really good people. which is totally different from my experience with p5 for me, because basically everyone is a good (misunderstood/unfairly judged) person (with some problems too probably, sure)

related, but i feel like this game is very sympathetic to its cast of characters, which i really love. like with futaba and her extreme social anxiety. the game/characters don’t shame her for having a hard time with people and needing time/whatever (and they praise her when she does something hard for her that’d be easy for others, like going out in public!! love it) and that’s really nice. i feel like there’s a lot of compassion for the victims of the story, which in a game that’s all about questions of justice and doing right or whatever, really makes the story a lot better and more compelling to me. it’s not just about going and beating up the bad guy, it’s going and beating up the bad guy so there is justice for all the people the bad guy has abused. and characters can be angry at their mistreatment! really like that too.

like, there are legitimate reasons to kind of question the power to change hearts how they want, and the morality of that, but i liked that it was never like “these poor people whose hearts we changed didn’t deserve that :(”, it was more like “these villains fucking deserved whatever was coming to them, but is this the right way morally to handle these situations of injustice?” i liked that they never let abusive people off the hook for being abusive, no matter their reason

it’s been nice playing because i feel like i feel the things the story wants me to feel. which is a roundabout way of saying the game has good writing lol. i like that the game doesn’t just say “these are the good guys and that’s all there is to say about it”, i liked that there were questions of whether the phantom thieves were right or not, and while they’re the protagonists and clearly who you root for, there’s also an understanding for why some people might find it questionable that there’s an option to change a heart arbitrarily. and like, i hated when they were uber popular (and being set-up), but in-story, the characters were also a little bit wary and overwhelmed, and there was some evidence that maybe this overwhelming popularity wasn’t the best. and now that period of popularity is over, and the characters are like, yeah, that....wasn’t good, and i’m like, thank god i wasn’t the only one who thought so. there are dozens of other examples. like now that they’re back to being distrusted/ppl not believing in them, they’re all like, this is actually kinda better, and i’m like, YES, i love you best when you’re doing good things in the dark basically

and my final worry on this point of matching what the game expects me to feel versus what i actually feel was finally put to rest today! yay! i’ve pretty much always disliked akechi, and i fcking called that akechi was the gonna be a baddie (or at least not who he pretended to be) from back when he said something about pancakes when he shouldn’t have understood morgana saying it, and i’m relieved that i was right. persona loves to throw in little things that are just weird enough to make me ask “now why did that happen that way” and figure it out, which makes me feel smart when i figure something out 60+ hours before it’s revealed in game lol. and persona loves the “this seemingly benign character is not what they seem!” and that makes me 3/3 on that character in each of the persona games i’ve played. which i like, honestly. i like that the clue is there, enough so i can grab it, and feel clever for it. it’s why i like the puzzles in the game too--they’re not super challenging, but figuring them out usually makes me feel pretty clever and competent without getting frustrated, which is a great feeling

ALSO!! ALSO!!!! i love it when something the game has been teasing and building expectation for for a while turns out to be even better than i was hoping for. (which last happened with olivier in sora no kiseki sc). and the whole operation where protag gets caught and interrogated by sae?? SO MUCH BETTER THAN I THOUGHT. i fcking loved their whole ridiculously complicated and involved plan, and them figuring out akechi without him knowing, and i loved all the tiny details, and i loved that once again, hours before it was actually revealed, the game gave me enough of a hint for me to realize, oh, they were wanting protag to get captured coming into this operation....(when makoto asked sae very specifically about the interrogation room in the basement). it was really frustrating to watch the phantom thieves get set-up in the badlands of september/october, but it’s gonna make it even more satisfying when the phantom thieves outsmart their enemies (which they’re already largely have so far, and it’s GREAT!!!). shido and akechi are good villains, they’ll be satisfying to beat

because i’ve never beaten an persona game, i have no idea what to expect for the ending. are we gonna go all the way through march to finish the year? is it going to finish at school or something (??) or with a big final boss?? is the protag gonna leave after his year is up and (presumably) his name is cleared? i don’t expect the game to end in december after they take shido’s heart, because the cruise ship doesn’t really feel like a final dungeon, and i think akechi is gonna have more significance than they’re giving him right now. but idk, maybe i’m wrong! i’m kind of dreading the ending just because i want to keep planning heists and playing indefinitely, but if the ending’s anywhere near as satisfying as the whole plan to get joker captured, i’ll be happy. i’m gonna really miss the phantom thieves and the feeling i get while playing no matter what tho

#the tl;dr of this is p5 is a game about a bunch of vigilante heroes wanting to do good and help people #and that's my number one weakness forever and ever amen #('heroes are forever')#but here's this post with like a thousand words elaborating on some of my thoughts on the game so far #persona 5 spoilers /#up through november #katherine plays persona #talking to myself

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