absolutely predictable question that i am dumping in your inbox here. i just finished reading the sword brothers doc (LOVED LOVED LOVED IT ur characterization of them is so good!!!) and i was wondering how kibou's apology/reunion with cole went after blowing up at him

no pressure i just love samurai and cole's dynamic so now your interpretation of kibou with that in mind is just gonna be like. swimming in my brain. like fishies (its 3 am here pardon me)

YOU you have given me possibly my favorite question ever to answer so here’s a full dialogue of the making up / reconfrontation between Kibou and Cocole under the cut because it’s long and im mental. Please ask me more questions like this I will be so mental <3 /nf

Click!

The break room door of the cafe opened to Cole and Nicole on their phones. The two looked up expectant as Lucky strided in with Kibou slinking in behind him. They took a seat at the small table across from Cole and Nicole. The pair put away their phones, Cole lifting his visor to stress scratch his scalp.

“Alright. Samurai-“

Cole was immediately cut off from an under table kick by Lucky.

“Dude what was that for? I just started.”

“Call him his name, Cole. I’m here to make sure he’s not getting the short end of the stick.”

“Hmph. Kibu- er.. Kibou. Why should we forgive you after everything you said to us?”

Cole sat back by Nicole and watched Kibou shift nervously in his seat. Kibou spoke up unsure.

“… I did not mean the words I said. I- I was not entirely in control of myself.”

“Dude you called us bastards and worthless friends for not going out drinking with you. Even if you were drunk you were the one to have those thoughts in the first place!”

Nicole snapped a bit at the generic apology. Kibou sunk back into himself and Lucky just remained to the side, understanding her anger. The silent, head lowered, dispondance from Kibou for a good while seemed to only raise the old hurt feelings in the couple. Cole’s past anger suddenly rose in his tone.

“You called us the worthless friends when you were the one drinking and dragging us down with you!”

Lucky sat up straight at the insult and even Nicole was a bit surprised if remaining silent.

“Woah- okay cool it dude. We’re trying to meditate not make this worse for Kibou-“

“No, he is right.”

Kibou said, stopping Lucky and everyone looking over a bit in surprise.

“I do not believe I deserve being forgiven for my words. I did not come here with that goal. I want you to be aware of my guilt and know that I am sorry. What you will do with that is your choice and I will not push for the one that is best for me.”

The room fell silent. Nicole and Cole glanced at each other with a conversation seeming to happen between them in their heads. Lucky pat Kibou’s shoulder with a sigh n tugged on it signaling they should probably go. Kibou nodded in response and stood with Lucky.

“Well if that’s all I think it’s best we get going. We have the doctors next door to still apologize to, hm? Unless you’ve got something else to say Kibou.”

Kibou glanced back to Cole and Nicole then back to Lucky, shaking his head.

“Alright’. We’ll leave you two it then.”

“Wait- Kibou!”

Kibou stopped himself from walking out the door while Cole scrambled over.

“…Uhm.. I was wondering if maybe you wanted to swing by later..? Friday after hours and maybe, I don’t know.. sort this out over a game of smash..?”

“Hm.. Sure. Best be ready to be wrong again.”

“Pff you’re on.”

The two shoved each other around laughing softly. Nicole floated over with a relieved sigh.

“Also- mind if we get your number again? We kinda deleted it a year ago..”

Kibou instantly shoves a hand in his pocket and hands them a neatly written post it note with his number, both being surprised at the preparation.

“You’re the 3rd people to say that so Kibou thought he’d just be prepared if it happened again”

Lucky piped up from behind them. He opened the break room door again with his foot and led Kibou out who seemed back to his chipper self then.

Click!

The door closed once more just as fast as they had come by. Cole lent back, sighing from the awkwardness of the whole situation. Nicole shoved the note between the keys in her pocket and watched Cole smiling softly, fiddling with his visor in his lap.

“..Missed him?”

“This version of him? Yeah, haha.”

A security guard died after fall at World Cup final venue – why are there not more answers?

A security guard died after fall at World Cup final venue – why are there not more answers?

His name was John Njau Kibue. He was a 24-year-old from Kenya and he worked as a security guard at the Lusail Stadium, the venue for the 2022 World Cup final. He fell from a substantial height at the stadium — with some reports suggesting it was from as high as the eighth floor — after Argentina had beaten the Netherlands on penalties in the quarter-final on Friday, December 9. He was treated for…

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Security guard dies after fall at World Cup stadium

Security guard dies after fall at World Cup stadium

A security guard has died after a fall at the World Cup’s Lusail Stadium on Tuesday. Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images The family of a security guard who died while on duty at the World Cup’s Lusail Stadium in Qatar are seeking answers and hope to receive help to return the body of the 24-year-old to his homeland, Kenya, they said on Wednesday. John Njau Kibue suffered a…

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Diavolo is already the villain. Perhaps it is not what Diavolo wants, but it is written in blood in their oath, in the furious tears Lucifer had shed as he held his sister, in the way Diavolo’s magic had worked at her fatal wounds.

There is no way around Lucifer’s hatred, not in any of the futures Barbatos has seen. 

1.2kish words dia/luci. #no sex just angst, #post-celestial war, #lil bit o’ present canon.

not really sure where any of this is going or what it was for, I just… wanted to play a little with dia/luci on the diavolo side of things. I want them to communicate more but it doesn’t… seem like it’ll happen. tender shout out @kibu-me for their wonderful dialuci thots, they were more helpful than they know lmfao

~~~~

“Lucifer,” Diavolo reaches out to help Lucifer up from his knees, and though Lucifer does not flinch away, the sheer hatred in his eyes is enough to make him hesitate. Diavolo steps back from the angel, no, the devil, shakily gets to his feet. The proud jut of his chin and the sharpness in his eyes have become more pronounced in the weeks following the Fall, just as the bone deep exhaustion settles in the bags under his eyes.

“You’re rejecting the change,” He says, quiet as his brows cinch, looking down at him as Lucifer scoops up the sword in his hand before straightening his back. Lucifer does not say anything, only forces his gaze down--but Diavolo can still see the intensity through Lucifer’s long, thick lashes. Even if it is not aimed at him directly, Diavolo can sense the animosity filling the room with a suffocating weight. 

“You will die, Lucifer. And then what use will I have of your oath?” Diavolo says, harsh, but Lucifer does not say anything. The look on his face clearly says, I would rather die. Diavolo’s hand shoots out to grab Lucifer by the front of his collar, pulling him close. Lucifer’s hand holding the sword stays still at his side, but Lucifer finally looks at him with that devastating stare and it is like a strike anyway.

Perhaps if they were closer, then maybe Diavolo would be able to get to him. Would be worthy in Lucifer’s eyes of the severity that rests under the other’s wicked tongue. Diavolo knows that Lucifer hates him, but does not know how to make him voice the desires he is so desperately fighting. 

“Talk to me, Lucifer,” Diavolo demands, pulling up on the other’s tunic, likely disturbing the bindings keeping his tender wounds together. Lucifer does not wince, or perhaps he does not even allow himself to register the pain, too caught up in his pride. 

Diavolo does not need Lucifer to tell him to know what’s going on with Lucifer’s body. He knows that Lucifer’s wings, burned and blackened as they are, still throb with intense pain. He knows that the physical, actual Fall has his body marred, beaten, and Diavolo’s continued requests to spar with the other only impede the angel’s recovery. 

(Devil. The devil’s recovery--if Diavolo is to keep Lucifer as a devil at his side, he should better remember what Lucifer is now. He cannot keep falling prey to the heavenly beauty of Lucifer’s features, as twisted with unvirtuous hatred as they are.)

But what Diavolo does not know is the current state of Lucifer’s mind. How could he, being a devil all his life? 

How does the angel side of Lucifer battle with this new, animalistic devil? Lucifer is too proud to fall to the baser desires of demonhood, too powerful of an angel to relinquish his control in such an unsightly way--but Lucifer has refused it all. He has simply put a stop to all such urges, has put a stop to feeling anything and Diavolo knows better than anyone, that just like giving in without restraight, complete abstinence will lead to his sure end. 

The future of the Realms lies in the equal ground, in the balance of all--and Diavolo is not about to gain another pawn only to lose him to himself. Diavolo is far too selfish for such a thing. 

Lucifer’s submissive redirection of his gaze is nothing more than a shoddy facade, a blatant lie in the tense space between them and Diavolo wants nothing more than to shake him, hit him, anything to knock Lucifer out of this obvious self-imposed rot.

Diavolo does not blame Lucifer for his desire to not trust him, but who else will Lucifer turn to? His brothers, who are all going through their own transformations? Lucifer would never reveal this weakness of his own volition. Diavolo is already the villain. Perhaps it is not what Diavolo wants, but it is written in blood in their oath, in the furious tears Lucifer had shed as he held his sister, in the way Diavolo’s magic had worked at her fatal wounds.

“Is that a command, my lord?” Lucifer’s icy acquiescence is a slap to the face more than anything, and Diavolo’s lips shift into a deeper frown. His own sword is clenched in his free hand, but before he does something stupid, he releases Lucifer, shoving him back. 

There is no way around Lucifer’s hatred, not in any of the futures Barbatos has seen. 

“No.” Diavolo responds, colder than before. He sucks in a breath, and exhales. Diavolo throws the sword on the ground and turns on his heel to walk away. 

“We’re done for today.” 

-

-

-

“Lucifer,” Diavolo reaches out to card his hand through Lucifer’s hair, and though Lucifer does not flinch away, the sheer rage in his eyes is enough to make him hesitate. Diavolo has not seen such vitriol burn for him in Lucifer’s eyes in thousands of years, not since the era after his Fall. 

���What are you thinking?” He asks, quiet as his brows cinch, hand hovering over the skin of Lucifer’s cheek instead. Lucifer does not say anything, does not shy away from Diavolo’s touch, only forces his gaze down--but Diavolo can still see the intensity through Lucifer’s long, thick lashes. Even if it is not aimed at him directly, Diavolo can sense the animosity filling the room with a suffocating weight. 

“Talk to me, Lucifer,” Diavolo implores, dropping his hands to his sides, despite how he wants to make Lucifer look at him. Too many years of Lucifer at his side tell him how bad of an idea that would be.

“Is that a command, my lord?” Lucifer’s cold acquiescence is a slap to the face more than anything, and Diavolo’s lips shift into a deeper frown. Lucifer’s submissive gaze is nothing more than a shoddy facade, a blatant lie in the tense space between them and Diavolo wants nothing more than to hold him. 

But Diavolo has always been the villain. It is not what Diavolo wants, but it is written in blood in the margins of their oath, in the furious tears Lucifer had shed as he held his sister, in the way Diavolo’s magic had worked at her fatal wounds.

Has he always been this foolish? To think that he could have Lucifer’s brightness at his side and to not be blinded by it, like all the others before? It is a terrible, but hilarious joke; Diavolo has been burned by his own selfishness. He supposes it is his divine retribution at continuing the farce for as long as he has, settling into the comfortable nature as if there aren’t skeletons just waiting to be dug up beneath them. 

What can he do? What would Lucifer allow him to do? The answer, unfortunately, is not much--there is no way around Lucifer’s hatred, not in any of the futures Barbatos has seen. 

“No.” Diavolo says, something a little like resignation in his shoulders. “It isn’t.” 

“May I go, then?” Lucifer continues to not look at him, but Diavolo, for all of his power and might, cannot bear to not look at Lucifer. Diavolo nods stiffly. Lucifer bows, and as he leaves, he takes all the light out of the room with him.

“We’re done for the day.” 

For the WIP game, here are a few words (you don’t have to chose any or all of them): Best Ghost Eye Choice Huh Can Pokémon (submitted by my 7 year old-lol 😂)

Thank you for sending words in❤️ This got a bit long, so I decided to put it under a cut

Best

“Jonghyun, Jinki, I understand your reservations, believe me I do, but I truly believe that this is the best course of action right now.”

“Don’t speak to anybody, nobody here knows who we are and it will be best to keep it that way,”

None for Ghost 

Eye

Before anybody could say anything more, Key’s eyes darted past J/P/N and landed on you, causing his entire demeanor to soften.

What’s going on? Where am I? Who’s talking? Why do my eyes feel so heavy?

You couldn’t even open your eyes, let alone ask coherent questions, answers could wait.

His hair was in disarray, his clothes were disheveled, and his eyes appeared red-rimmed and puffy.

Maybe I’ll just rest my eyes for a second, I’m sure that will help.

Your eyes started to slowly drift closed.

“Y/N, don’t close your eyes!"

You shifted your gaze over to Jonghyun and Minho, subtly getting their attention before darting your eyes and nodding towards the King, and then towards the barrier.

Kibum looked away from where he was fending off Jonghyun and Minho to meet your eyes.

The only parts of his body that were moving were his eyes, which were darting around frantically and seemed to be holding a plethora of different emotions.

“Y/N, do you want me?” Kibum asked, his chest heaving and eyes wild with desire.

You had to tear your eyes away from his, lest he see how reluctant your words were.

You looked him directly in the eyes as you spoke.

“That the eyes on all of these portraits seem to follow you wherever you go in this hall? Because I know, it’s unnerving, isn't it?”

“Please, Y/N, close your eyes.”

Ultimately, you were victorious, though you almost instantly regretted putting his hood down since, mere moments after doing so, an older woman who had been sitting near the two of you became wide-eyed and developed a shocked look on her face.

“I am only going to say this once so listen and listen well,” Jonghyun stated, his voice steely and his eyes fiery.

“I am most definitely thinking about slitting someone's throat right now, but I assure you it isn’t hers,” Key stated, locking eyes with Jonghyun, who visibly bristled.

Choice

So, with really no other choice, you began dashing in the opposite direction.

Before you could begin to defend your fashion choices, a new voice cut in.

No, but what other choice is there?

Huh

“Moving in with Jonghyun must’ve come with a bit of a shock then, huh,”

Huh?

Can (I also included "can't" and "cannot" because why not)

“You know, Y/N? I’m really glad we were able to do this. I don’t have many other girl friends I can hang out with.”

“Is there any way you two can bring this inside? My neighbours are starting to stare,”

The room was silent once more but, luckily, it was less of an “I want to murder you” silence and more of a “there’s nothing else I can think of to say right now” silence.

“I can think of worse ways to reunite. Besides, I was looking for you.”

“Y/N, Y/N, can you hear me?”

“Y/N, if you don’t want this then just say the word and I’ll leave. We can pretend like this never happened.”

“What do you think, Jinki? We can’t just leave her here.”

“You’re right,” one of the strange voices began. “We can’t just leave her here, we’ll take her back to camp where it’s safe and we’ll figure out what to do from there.”

“Dahee, he’s my cousin’s widower. I can’t...” (MIGHT TRY TO REWORD THIS, IDK)

I can’t risk conjuring a light, not if there’s still a chance I’m being followed.

Now focus. I can’t make any mistakes. Don’t want to hurt him

“Stay with me for a bit longer, we can rejoin the world later.”

“The horses need to rest, Key. They can’t keep going forever. I’m sure this town has an inn, we can spend the night there and continue on once the sun rises.”

“Joke all you want, but I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Y/N. She’s done things for me that I can only dream of repaying her for. Perhaps she’ll do the same for you. I just hope you deserve it if she does.”

“As the Captain of your Guard, I cannot agree to this in good conscience. And as your friend, I beg you to reconsider.”

“Key, I cannot and will not be held accountable for Jonghyun’s actions towards you if provoked.”

“I will see what I can do,”

At this point, I’ll take what I can get. Please don’t let this be a mistake.

So, not to alarm you, but I think your child may be a mind reader or something, because I've literally had the beginnings of a Pokémon AU sitting in my WIP folder since November and I just haven't been able to figure out what to do with it. The AU's in point form, but I figured I'd include it here anywayPokémon

Hmm, I think he’d be some sort of a Pokémon Doctor

Blissey - Jinki’s first Pokémon. He raised her from an Egg and now she assists him with his Doctor duties

I see him as a Pokémon Breeder, raising and caring for Pokemon so they can be the very best

He’s cared for a lot of Pokémon over the years, but his constant companions are:

Charizard - His starter, the first Pokémon Jonghyun ever raised

I think Kibu could be a very good Pokémon Stylist

Most of Key’s Pokémon live as pets. Needless to say, his house is quite full:

Furfrou x2 (Comme Des and Garcons) - His two main Pokémon and, in the case of Comme Des, his first Pokémon.

I see him as a Pokémon Trainer who retired after winning his region’s League Championship

Hmm, I think he’d be a Pokémon Coordinator

Furfrou x2 (Adam and Eve) - These two have been with Taemin the longest out of any of his Pokémon.

praise me

minkey | nc-17 | 1002 words | cw: sex | originally posted on ao3 

when kibum calls him pretty and compliments him, minho melts.

minho's weak, he's so weak. he's so weak that when kibum starts whispering pretty words into his ear, he thinks he will cry – because he loves it. he loves it when kibum calls him pretty, that he's doing such a good job taking his dick, that he sounds pretty. he doesn't get to hear it often, he gets cute, he gets handsome, he gets manly but only kibum calls him pretty. only kibum roughly whispers to him that his lips are pretty, only kibum presses his thumb onto his lower lip and makes him salivate at the thought of what else he could press to his mouth.

but now, now he gets to look at kibum who doesn't take his eyes off him. minho's pants are in some corner of the room, his shirt is held up agains this chest and his thighs are burning with pleasure, his whole body is hot and his shirt clings onto his skin, as does his hair. but kibum doesn't even look affected by their heat, it suits him. how kibum manages to look composed even as minho's legs are giving out from riding him, he doesn't know.

"kibum..." he gasps as he's slowing down, his brain suddenly registering more of the sensation as he moves his pace down. he gets to take in small every ridge of him and he gets to feel his body starting to weaken. but kibum holds him, holds his hips so harshly he will bruise. tears build up in his eyes at how overwhelmed he feels, his body wanting more and more of kibum, for him to push in deeper and harder. when kibum picks up on this, the change in atmosphere changes so fast as kibum lets minho sit back down on his lap and he cups his cheek.

"i– i want to switch position," he voice shakes, feeling kibum's dick reach further into him and he doesn't want them to stop. but kibum cups his cheeks, presses soft kisses to his lips and minho's arms come around his shoulders. kibum only gives him a few more kisses before he wipes away the few tears. from now on, kibum's gentle. he helps guide minho into lying on his side, guides him into a position that allows his body to relax, where his head gets to rest against a pillow but kibum pushes his leg up, allowing him to sink back into his ass and minho moans. his voice is weak, moans barely spill from him but he's happy – he's not content yet, so when kibum slows down in their new position, he almost instantly whimpers. "c'mon– kibu–" he manages and he doesn't mind the chuckle he hears from him, because he wants more; he wants to finish.

at the time, it sounded like a good idea to have sex after his shower from the gym because it would help him reach that last phase of relaxation and he is so close, he is so close. it's not a bad idea now, but he really overestimated how much he could take right now. but he doesn't tell kibum to hurry, he presses his cheek to the pillow and tries to keep his urging hand away from his own cock. but he only manages to keep away for so long before his hand wraps around him, starting to pump himself in tune with the firm, hard strokes into his ass. he never realised how long they could keep up but it's been a lot longer than last time and he was so loud in the beginning, but now his voice feels gone.

"minho-yah, you're so good at this..." and now kibum's doing what he knows will set him over the edge. minho's voice grows louder, encouraging kibum's praises and he gets what he wants, he gets more, because he's already been so good. so kibum tells him he feels great, that he's so warm, so good under him and minho's just breathing against the pillow. his hand works faster around himself and he can feel his orgasm approach, urgently but he thinks he'll manage to last a few more moments until kibum leans down, covers him with his body, dick reaching deep into him and whispers roughly into his ear that he looks so pretty and that hecould do this forever. minho whimpers, his whole body clenches and his blood rushes through him until kibum says you're my pretty babe and that's when his orgasm hits him.

white spurts out of his cock, his body shakes with pleasure and the moans coming from him are loud and he can't help that pleasured sob that follows as kibum uses him to reach his orgasm. the bliss he feels lasts longer, because of kibum. when he feels his hips stutter against his ass, minho lets out a content hum as kibum rides out his orgasm.

when kibum pulls away from him, minho's ears occupy themselves with trying to pick up the noise of the condom coming off and his brows furrow together as the mattress dips at kibum slides off. he's only gone for a moment before he comes back, lying down on next to him with a few tissues and he helps minho wipe his hand clean, pressing a soft kiss to his temple before he tosses the used tissues away.

"i thought you would fall right asleep," kibum says, wrapping his arm around minho to pull him closer. minho laughs softly in response.

"you really exhausted me," he answers with a soft hum coming from him and minho shifts to be able to rest his head on his chest. a content sigh slips past his lips when kibum starts stroking his head gently, following up with affection just like minho asked him to several years ago, when he had been incredibly shy and concerned what he would get back in response, only to get relief when told him of course. he knew he could trust kibum, he knows he still can.

Unconquered Land

Tolen and Lieutenant Kibu stood shivering in winter’s wake as it bade its last farewell to the eastern shore, covering every visible surface with a thin layer of frost. Their boots crunched into the frozen crust, and their steaming breath billowed from their mouths like smoke from a dragon’s nostrils. They were supposed to be on watch, scouring the docks for any suspicious activity, but the early morning fog was so thick that they could barely see past the pier’s edge.       “I mean, how are we even supposed to see anything in this damned smog?” Tolen whined through hollow coughs. He clenched and unclenched his fists as his hands grew numb from the cold.      Lieutenant Kibu clicked his tongue. “Oh, for the love of everything good, would you stop complaining?” he snapped as he shook the numbness from his own fingers. “If you hate it out here so much, then you’re more than welcome to ask the captain for a different job.”        Tolen fell silent, feeling the true weight of that challenge. If he complained to the captain, the captain would tell the general. And, if he told the general, the general would tell Mother.        And Mother would be displeased.        And one simply did not displease Mother.        So, he clenched his jaw tightly shut, and the two stood in silence as the light gradually grew. The fog did not lift, however, and neither did the cold. If anything, it grew colder. Soon the soldiers were so numb that they began to make quick glances at their legs just to be sure they were still there.        There was really no point in them even being there. Nobody traded in the winter. The docks were empty, as were the ships, which were securely tied and locked into place at their stations. Carved figureheads of phoenixes in flight, fiery beaks wide open in midscream, towered menacingly over the barren boardwalk. In the heavy mist, shadows, and still-dim light, they made Tolen swallow hard and huddle closer to the lieutenant. He opened his mouth to complain again, more to fill the silence than actual irritation, when Kibu suddenly grabbed his arm in a vice-like grip.        “Look,” he whispered.        Tolen squinted in the direction of Kibu’s gawk, past the docks and toward the dark waters of Channel Manon, to see a halo of light floating over a dark silhouette on the horizon. “What the…?”        It was… a boat. Not a ship, a rowboat, with a single passenger.        The figure was draped in a black robe, hooded so the two sentries could not see his face. A lantern, small, but bright and brilliant, hung from a high hook behind him. His gloved hands were clasped in his lap; he was not rowing. The boat seemed to be moving itself, closer and closer to them.        This realization made Kibu’s eyes narrow into slits. “Halt,” he called. The boat stalled. “Who goes there?”        The mysterious man did not answer, but he and Tolen could faintly hear angry whispers. The man seemed to be talking to himself.        “Who goes there?” Kibu repeated. He saw no weapons, but every living being in Yerda learned from the cradle that certain people did not need weapons to be dangerous- Kibu was one such person. He hoped this man was not. It was too cold and too early. “Answer me.”        Finally, the figure spoke aloud. “Please, let me approach.” His voice was like sand on wood. “I have an urgent premonition to share with… Mother.” He snarled the word.        Tolen gasped and whipped his head toward his companion, gripping his shoulder. “A premonition,” he whispered. “A premonition. Kibu, it’s the Oracle.” Tolen’s childhood village spoke of the Oracles like children of the gods. One Oracle every lifetime, one who can see entire generations, from the rise of kingdoms to the fall of empires. The thought of seeing one of these great beings in person made him- temporarily- forget his numbness.        Kibu, however, drained of color at the mention of the title, and his body went cold- more so than before. The stories he had heard as a child, namely from his grandfather’s lap, were not in as high regard. He, unlike Tolen, knew about the current living Oracle, about what he was. If they were true…        Kibu tore off his glove and, with a flick of his fore and middle finger, a bolt of blue lightning shot from his numb hand, crackling a stubby post inches away from… it. He did not want to hurt it, just to scare it away. If his grandfather’s stories were true, then this thing should stay far away from Mother’s shores. And them.        But, the Oracle did not move        “Turn around,” Kibu ordered. “Turn around, and begone.”        More angry whispers. “Please,” the Oracle said. “This is so, very important. I must tell-”        “Then tell us,” Kibu said, thin tendrils of lightning crackling in his hand as a warning. “Tell us your premonition to give to her, and then leave.”        “Kibu, what the hell are you doing?” Tolen hissed under his breath. “This is the Oracle. You can’t just-”        Kibu finally jerked his shoulder free. “Know your place, soldier.” He stared his companion down.        The fellow sentry shot him a defiant glare, but stepped away.        The lieutenant turned back toward the Oracle, and started. In the few seconds that he looked at Tolen, the boat had rushed forward to where it was nearly at the pier. “STOP,” he roared, and ran toward the creature. He raised his hand again, this time to hurt.        Tolen moved to grab him. “Kibu, no!”        But the Oracle still seemed unmoved by the lieutenant’s rage and fear. As the boat bumped against the moldy wood of the pier, its size almost comical compared to the hulking vessels that surrounded it, the Oracle’s hand reached up and threw back his hood.        And revealed what was beneath it.        Tolen screamed out. Kibu slipped on the frost and fell flat on his back. His grandfather had not been a particularly honest man, but his stories had, indeed, been true. It was the most hideous sight he had ever seen, so grotesque and horrific that he had to turn away and double over, retching.        “Fine,” the Oracle growled. “Have it your way. Go back to Mother and tell her that an Etherkai Mage will be born on unconquered land.”        Kibu could not stop gagging, but Tolen, who had been staring more in morbid fascination than horror, now stared at the being in awe. “What did you say?”        “An Etherkai Mage will be born on unconquered land.”        “That’s impossible,” Kibu hacked, still not looking back. “The Etherkai are extinct.”        Neither listened to him. “Where?” Tolen asked. “When?”        The Oracle grinned mischievously. “Now, where is the fun in me telling you everything?” And with that, the rowboat backed out into the open water and turned in the direction it came.        Kibu scrambled back to his feet, slipping once or twice, and moved toward the retreating boat. “Wait,” he cried. “Tell us more. When will it happen? Can’t you at least say that? Wait. Please, wait!” But, it was too late. The boat rowed itself away and was swallowed by the fog.

This is the unofficial prologue to the fantasy series I am writing. I really hope you guys love it. :)

Characters and world belong to me.

About

Rules: answer these questions, and tag 20-10 followers that you would like to get to know better.

Tagged by: Borrowed from @smokespun-ooc

Name: Ki

Nickname: Ki, Kibu, Cam, Riski

Zodiac sign: Pisces sun, Sagittarius rising, Gemini moon

Hogwarts house: Ravenclaw

Height: 5′6″-5′7″ depending on who measures

Orientation: Pan

Ethnicity: Caucasian

Favourite fruit: Raspberries, strawberries, kiwi, cherries, plums, grapes, clementines, peaches, apples... I love fruit. The only kind I can’t abide is all types of melons for some reason.

Favourite season: Autumn

Favourite book series: “The Chrestomanci Chronicles” by Diana Wynne Jones, and “The Parasol Protectorate” by Gail Carriger.

Favourite fictional characters: (In no particular order): Camus (Suikoden II), Tir McDohl (Suikoden), Hervey (Suikoden IV),  Demyx (Kingdom Hearts), Terra (Kingdom Hearts), Yakushi Kabuto (Naruto), Zack Fair (FFVII), Zidane Tribal (FFIX), Seishirou Sakurazuka (Tokyo Babylon, X/1999, Tsubasa Chronicle), and I’ve gotta stop there or I’ll never stop.

Favourite flower: Dark red (as near to black as possible) roses, forget-me-nots, spider lilies,  amaryllis, buddleia, hyacinth, heliotrope, lavender, stargazer lilies, sunflowers, jasmine, honeysuckle, again another list I have to stop or I won’t!

Favourite scents: Lemon, lavender, lavender/lemon verbena (best candle), jasmine, stargazer lily, wood smoke, food grilling in summer, oranges, my wife, late afternoon in the woods when it’s sunny and warm and the air is heavy with evergreen and wild fruit and flowers and an indescribable warmth and nature that touches your very soul.

Favourite colour: Purple, black, silver, green, blue - especially in saturated jewel tones.

Favourite animals: Cats of all kinds but most especially snow leopards.

Favourite artist/bands: Vertical Horizon, Lindsey Stirling, Fall Out Boy, Pentatonix, Linkin Park, Goo Goo Dolls.

Coffee, tea, or hot cocoa?: Unfortunately I’m allergic to coffee and black tea. I love cocoa and hot cider though.

Number of blankets I sleep with: One or two depending on how cold it is.

Dream trip: I’d like to go back to Japan. I also want to visit Scotland, and I have family in Norway. And I know a trip to Italy would make my wife super incredibly happy!

How many blogs do I follow: 80

Number of followers: More than 100, less than 200

What do I usually post about: All kinds of stuff on this blog! Almost all my FFXIV stuff gets put on my FFXIV character blogs though.

What is your aesthetic: I like a whole lot of different things so... eclectic? My very very favorite aesthetic is Glowing Shit on a Dark Background. So like the entire aesthetic of Tron: Legacy is absolutely and totally wonderfully my jam.

Tagging: Whoever wants to do this!

Shifting Tides Ch 2

Moana let a tiny sigh escape, and quickly looked around to make sure nobody had heard her. Thankfully the elders were too busy arguing so she settled back into her seat and guiltily tried to pay attention again. There were too many voices clamoring against each other though for a single thread to stand out so her mind drifted off once more. She had never expected being chief to be easy but she had never imagined one of her first duties as the tribe’s leader would be to find out where three missing people were. It was unheard of! Who could have anticipated something like this? She thought restoring the heart of Te Fiti was the hardest thing she’d ever have to do but she was beginning to realize that life had a funny way of constantly trying to one up itself.

Growing older had taught her that and many other lessons, including the realization that problems were seldom ever straight forward, black and white affairs. Life was a series of compromises where you tried to find that happy balance between what you needed and what you wanted. If you could tell the difference between the two at all.

She thought ruefully that Te Fiti had merely been the warmup and here was the main event; wrapped up prettily in a package of desperate fear. She supposed it really was too naïve to think that they’d always be happily travelling, exploring the ends of the earth until she couldn’t go any farther. In fact, it hadn’t taken long for her people to begin discussing another permanent village and start assessing each island they found with a critical eye for it’s potential as a settlement. It made sense really, fifteen generations of stagnation on a single island created some deep seated habits and fears. She couldn’t blame them for being apprehensive, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t be unhappy with it either. Nothing filled her heart with more joy than being out on the water, free and uncomplicated.

But then the first person went missing. At first they thought the child had been swept away in a storm, the weather had been a little rough lately and it was easy for a child to be overlooked, to get caught in the undertow; but a week later a teenager went missing. A week after that a woman went missing. The timing was consistent; all the victims were female and no bodies had washed up on the shore. No bodies had turned up anywhere at all. The implications of the situation made her sick to her stomach. She wanted to believe the best, she didn’t want to think that there was any foul play involved but then why were the victims aging up?

“Moana! Your thoughts?”

She bolted up, she hadn’t heard anything!

“Um, what was that again?” She laughed a little nervously, she wished she could just grab a canoe and sail away, or turn into a hawk and fly away… just get away from this fear and heartsickness. She felt like she was drowning. She knew some on the council were unhappy that Tui had stepped down so early. She knew some were unhappy a woman was the successor. Being caught not paying attention looked doubly bad on her, but what was she supposed to do when they chose to just scream at each other without resolving anything!

Akeakamai stood and with the air of a parent patiently explaining something to their child repeated, “We think it best to sail on Chief, though our hunters have found nothing the most likely culprit is a wild beast or a storm. Perhaps it’s best to leave it here and find safer harbors.”

Akeakamai took his seat amid a chorus of approving murmurs, he was revered for his wisdom and thoughtfulness in the village, and right now she agreed that leaving seemed like the best option. However, she did notice that another elder, Henare, seemed displeased; but then again Henare was never one to back down from a fight, or for taking the coward’s path. Unfortunately, he considered any passive course of action to be cowardly; he was a blustery straight forward man and often argumentative. In this particular case though there was nothing to argue, just a gaping unknown that was stealing their women. He looked disgruntled but kept his peace.

Moana straightened her headdress; she disliked wearing it, and tonight it felt even heavier on her head than normal. She felt like wiser minds than hers deserved it more, she still felt young and incompetent. But this was her given role to play, it was her duty to safeguard her people and lead them into a bright and happy future. She straightened her spine and leaned forward a bit, giving herself a moment to compose herself and come up with a chiefly answer.

“I agree, until we learn more the best course of action is to leave. I think it would be prudent to leave our best trackers here to keep searching and take the rest of the village away from Kibu. We can come back in a week to see if they’ve found any answers. If they are… if they are dead I want to find their remains and give them the proper rights, but I won’t put the living at risk unnecessarily.”

The mood became solemn and the torchlight seemed to deepen, casting dark shadows on the wall. Nobody wanted to admit their people were gone forever, but after all this time what were the chances they were still alive? They’d scoured the island and found nothing, the best they could hope for was to find their bones and put them to rest.

But with a course of action decided, however distasteful it was, the meeting concluded and everyone dispersed. There were jobs to do now and a sense of purpose invigorated her people. The morning would be bustling with a new voyage on the horizon.

Moana was left alone with her thoughts once more. She pulled off her headdress with a weary sigh and left it next to her chair. The moonlight filtering in through the windows cast an eerie glow on the walls rather than the reassuring brightness she usually saw. The missing villagers weighed too heavily on her mind for her to see anything but monsters in the shadows.

She held her arms close to her chest and walked down to the shore. Kicking her feet in the water she tried to relax and collect herself, all was not lost. Bad things happen, and you can either run away from them or face them head on. She’d rather confront the issue then let it consume her, but that was harder to do when there were factors outside of her control.

She cupped her grandma’s necklace in her hand and smiled at it fondly, “You’d laugh and tell me I already have the answer. I wish you were still here. I want to be the leader my people need, but I still feel my heart pull back to the ocean.”

Voyaging was simple: you decided to go and you went. Leading a village meant being involved in everyone’s lives, making decisions that may not be liked. It meant laying down roots like a tree rather than drifting like a wave. Sometimes she really felt like she wasn’t cut out for this.

“I’m proud of you Moana.”

Moana flinched and looked up into the eyes of her father and tried to blink back the tears she just realized had been forming in her eyes.

He held out his arms and she fell into them, momentarily feeling like a child again. A sense of comfort fell over her, she was being too selfish. The whole village was feeling the same things she was. She wasn’t any worse off than any of them.

“It is during the hard times that a leader finds their strength. You have all the tools you need; I believe in your spirit Moana. I’ve learned over the years to trust in your instincts, have yours ever led you astray?”

He patted her hair smooth and rested his forehead against hers, “Don’t let fear cloud your sight, you will find our people. Believe in that.”

She hugged her father and straightened up, “You’re right, there are preparations to be made. They’re waiting for me.”

Scusa, sei dell'Italia?

Ciao! Non, sono spagnola ma parlo italiano! Ho fatto l'Erasmus in Italia alcuni anni fa

Why do parents find it really difficult to let their children have an early marriage?

NOTE: The text below has been directly translated from Malay Language to English Language. Some of the texts are grammatically incorrect, or just confusing. But try to understand the basic points the writer is trying to bring across. Those Malay Language readers may want to read the original post. The link can be found at the end of the post. Any parts which you don’t understand, feel free to ask me! Thanks! :)

  Removing the Difficult Parents Why We EARLY MARRIAGE?.

  * Special for male …

  Marriage problems will continually spoken of by all walks of life, let alone when are the world are faced with the syndrome ‘lust’ sponsorship that promote western films exciting to be able to tear down the walls of faith by some Muslims today, especially the youth who are at their age ‘to know’ ..

  Enormity of the problem of lust syndrome can be seen in many episodes of innocent abandonment. More and more, these problems worsen, the more confusing is the government and Muslim scholars solution. Abandoned babies seems to be a 'campaign’ that the response is noted by the community. This volume!.

  Yes. It only managed to contain the wedding this problem. In my research, many teens out there also have the desire to get married early. Only, which become a problem is the obstruction from their parents, or is it?. If not true, it is not heard the stories about the couple eloped in southern Thailand.

  Many scientists have struggled to mobilize the ideas provide an answer to these problems. Some scientists are being admonished parents to not be too insistent with their children to complicate matters as set wedding dowry rate is too high as well as binding the children with their choice (parents), while the owner was not interested bodies.

  There are even scientists who advise young people who can not afford to get married so fast so as to tame the passions, in accordance with the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam claim that 'Whoever among you is able to marry should be married. Because the marriage was indeed close views and preserve the genitals. But anyone who can not afford, he should fast because they will resist his desires.

  It is probably true that kibu father is among the factors that lead to marital problems become complicated and difficult to handle. However, I personally do not blame both parents in full, but I try to keep an eye on why they are so hard to let their children even if they get married early to be aware of the problems their children face.

  In my research, the difficulty parents relinquish their children to marry early are still learning and other factors not having a job is because ofATTITUDE and CHARACTER itusendiri children. Why not. All right.Now we, as a child, let’s reflect for a moment. How far is our attitude towards parents? Good or bad?.

  If bad, how his parents that easy as we would like to give to get married? It terjaminkah we will do good to our spouse later?. If the good is, how far are we bearing RESPONSIBILITY attitude?. Good or bad?. If the responsibility as a child in the house run by complacent, how about when to marry later?. Bang!. Do not forget ya, greater responsibilities await. Have to take care of his wife, the heavy responsibility that …

  Not yet is coupled with responsibility as Muslims to their religion, especially the prayers. Did we leave off prayer?. If prayer at all, what other deeds?. Once again it should be noted, the husband must take care of “religion” of his wife later. 'Cover the aurat well, don’t miss your prayer’. All will be revealed later that know …

  In fact, if we look at the parents have been willing to let their children lead a blessed marriage path. Only the child’s attitude is that diraguinya. "Had he been home like this, do not respect me, worship was helter-skelter, like manalah I want to take care of her son.“Perhaps it is the heart of the concerns of parents.

  So, before your parents want to allow you to get married early, make sure ATTITUDE and CHARACTER are treated with care. Not easy as parents to 'stamp’ approval, a lot to be explored first. No, silly. Not because they are cruel, but you all must understand that you all want to take care of those children later. Anyway. Wish the author was able to'green light’ early marriage is ok. =)) 

Peace!.

By: Abu Muawiya, Thursday, 23/02/12, 12:45 AM.  Link: http://airmata90.blogspot.com/2012/02/mengapa-ibu-bapa-sukar-melepaskan-kita.html

Do you have an obey me masterlist for your comics? I've seen them pop up from time to time and they're just so good. But idk how far down I have to scroll 🥲 When did you start it? I've seen Simeon's and Diavolo's argument and the end of the exchange program along with a few others but those I saw on wit. I really hope you can make a masterlist if it's not too much trouble. I'd love to follow along. Honestly, the plot is immaculate. Sometimes I wish it wasn't an otome game and something along the lines of your comics you know. Exploring the relationships between the realms, the drama, the angst, the betrayal 😫

Hi anon! Yes I do have a masterlist and I update it everytime I post a new comic. You can find it here! :)

Thank you so much for your interest and your kind words! I started drawing comics for OM! since the beginning of 2020 and I've drawn quite a few. I understand that it's easy to get lost, so I hope the masterlist helps you!

On the other hand, wellp, OM! was designed to be a dating sim from the beginning, but it's true that I remember things getting heavy if only for a bit in the first lessons of s1 from the first game. I really liked that, and even if the game went in a different direction (although I think Nightbringer has gone back to it, not sure), I decided to explore that "heavy" part a bit further. Thank you very much, in any case! 🥰

obey me (especially with nb) tries to shy away from any biblical implications but they can pry "devildom = hell" and "lucifer's father is capital g God" from my COLD, DEAD HANDS.

the stakes get so much higher and more dramatic when you go the more religious route. the lore/backstory activates my "fight god and upend hell" instincts SO HARD. i packed the religious baggage up and now i write my silly sexy demon fanfictions with it.

anyways i did study abroad for a semester myself and DANG going to another country for RESEARCH??? what an absolute champion, you are so powerful, i've really struggled with being creative and doing work, but you are producing whole ass gorgeous comics?? with such heavy dramatic impact and beats??

also just as an aside that comic got me excited to write about obey me again. i have ALWAYS had a fascination with that aspect of dia and luci's relationship and it!! JUST!! HAS ME!!! SHOOK!! MOTIVATED! SALIVATING!!! dia has always had this potential and it's always so interesting to think about!!

sdfhgkldhg apologies to spam you or anything, it's extremely slow at work so i'm just super chatty. good luck to you!!! you keep slaying, creatively or research wise!!!!

NO NO please don't worry I'm actually very chatty myself too so I get excited when I receive this sort of asks

I understand that they want to keep it secular to reach out to as many players as possible who don't necessarily know about Demonology (I myself am no expert) and because in the end it's a cute gacha dating sim (which is perfectly fine), but I do enjoy doing adding my darker/angstier twist to it because I love portraying complicated/heavy emotions so...

Haha thank you again! You're also very brave for going abroad and trying to keep your creativity flowing while working! I totally understand the struggle, last year I had a huge artblock and couldn't get to draw anything at all for a while 😭😭 Now that I'm more used to the (insane) PhD work pace, I try to save some time to focus on my hobbies! I've been writing a lot too and fortunately my PhD gives me lots of inspiration to create new stuff. I don't know if it will work for you, but listening to music and creating playlists also helps a lot when I want to get inspired (I have this "Diavolo's Bad Ending" playlist I listen to whenever I want to get in the mood lfmao)

I'm very happy that you want to write again! I know how hard it can be, but there's always time for everything and especially for yourself, and your creativity is a very important part of who you are as an artist/writer/etc so let's try to give it the space it deserves!! (this is mostly a reminder to myself haha)

Thank you again for your kind words! Good luck to you and you keep slaying too! 🥰🥰🥰

Simeon: Choose me

Diavolo: Pick-

Me: I choose Solomon.

Simeon:

Diavolo:

Me: I'm gonna go hang out with Solomon

Simeon and Diavolo would be liek: 🤡🤡

FGO if Mike the Fairy is made into a playable Servant.

*inserts memey futuristic city image*

??? who???

*Looks at Simeon and Diavolo fighting*

*Shimmies over to the twins*

I'd say that's no fun because the twins don't fight but Orit has a romantic route with Beel so she technically kinda did that 😂