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king-paimon · 29 days

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Houseki no Kuni Chapter 107 Thoughts: Goodnight, Sweet Phos...

Hello everyone! Sorry for the delay with this post. I originally intended to finish it and post it on Wednesday, but you know.... life happened.

Another month has gone by and now we're on our second to last chapter for Houseki no Kuni. That's right; it's been confirmed that the next chapter will be the last chapter. Can you believe it? If you've seen my previous posts, I'm sure you have an idea of how I feel about this news.

But that'll be for the end of this post. For now, let's talk about this chapter! I don't know how long this one will be, but I'll still warn you that it might be longer than intended, which is the norm for me. This post is a bit too messy for my liking so I might end up making some edits to it later. For now, I just want to have it posted.

As always, please feel free to share your own thoughts in this post! Here we go!

Visual Storytelling Through Change in Style

The first thing I want to talk about is the visuals for this chapter. It greatly contrast with the visual style of the previous couple of chapters. In those chapters, the art was loud, intense, and chaotic, and yet mesmerizing and immersive. The heavy use of black, sharp lines and patterns emphasizes on the harshness of the changing environment. And in many of those page, Phos looks so small, as they are literally being consumed by their surroundings. Even though there were many panels where Phos, Eyeball, or the pebbles are the focus, the background is still very overwhelming in comparison.

Now contrast that with most of the visuals in this chapter. Most, if not all, of the intense visual motifs from the previous chapters are gone; no sharp patterns, black is subdued significantly, and the background isn't overpowering the characters.

The intensity of the visuals were cut back significantly and were traded in for simplified line art, heavy use of the white negative space, and soft hues that make everything airy and dream-like. This is especially true during Phos's sequence. I like how there are very few thick continuous lines in the artwork. These illustrations are mostly made up of light, loose broken up short lines that create abstract structures. And I like that as the regression continued, Phos's design simplified to the point that they were just a small abstract face.

This art style literally and metaphorically showed us the deconstruction of Phos. It's so simple, and yet so impactful.

This is also the case for the last two pages.

The change in visual tone does a nice job emphasizing the literal and figuratively change in scenery. To be more specific, the drastic art style changes can symbolize the final metamorphosis of the remaining characters and the story itself. With Eyeball and the pebbles, the style emphasizes how they've transitioned to a whole new place in a literal and allegorical sense. And with Phos, they're style does the same by emphasizing on the deconstruction of their being during their final moments.

I apologize if what I said was confusing (I also got myself confused for a moment haha) But I'll just end this section with this: I liked the art in this chapter.

Now then, we should jump into the meat of this chapter....

Phos's final curtain call.

Phos Can Finally Rest...

Like I stated before, I found Phos's pages really beautiful for different reasons. In terms of visuals, it's nice seeing some softer imagery after having nothing but sharp, chaotic ones. And story wise, it's nice to see Phos finally letting go and feeling fulfilled.

They are finally free, for real this time. Free from heartache, pain, existing. Phos is no longer held back by the sorrow they had been carrying, and they are free of regret.

They are finally at peace.

And would you look at that? We got to see Pho's original face one last time. And they were happy.

Good for them.

Before going to the next section, I want to quickly talk about this page:

When I first looked through the spoiler tag for the previous couple of chapters, I remember seeing some posts from people who seemed unsatisfied with how the story progressed. From what I understand, many of them didn't like that Phos decided to forgive the remnants of humanity. With this latest chapter, I'm sure there are fans who were also not happy that during Phos's final moments that they are thinking about wanting to see their old families again. I can understand the sentiment, though I'm not surprised with this development.

Despite everything that had led the story to this point, Phos did not hate their old families. Yes, they harbored malice towards them during different points of the story, and it would have been justifiable for Phos to punish them along with the other remnants of humanity came to them to pray. But instead, Phos chose to forgive and free them.

I originally saw Phos's actions as their way of finally cutting ties with their families and relieving themselves of the emotional baggage that they burdened them with. But it's been hinted for a while that despite everything, Phos still loved their families. And the fact that Phos wishes they could see them again solidifies this fact.

Though I can't say if I like this revelation or not, I still find it interesting. But again, I can understand if some readers disagree with Ichikawa's writing decisions. If you have your own thoughts about Phos's final moments, please feel free to share them!

But regardless of everything, I still think this was a wonderfully fitting send off for Phos.

But I'm not done talking about Phos just yet.

And Start Anew...

I'll admit that having the first image I see be Phos's last gem piece shatter was not the welcoming image I wanted to see. For a moment, I thought my hope that there was a chance the small piece of Phos would grow sentience and live a new life was shattered (haha.)

But hooray, for that theory became a reality! Despite Phos's last piece breaking up again, a small bit remained and is evidently showing signs of life. It was wonderful how the pebbles immediately recognized that small piece as their brother, showing once again how open and welcoming their are. Small Phos is so lucky.

And how ironic is it that this Small Phos is considered the smallest, (in some ways) youngest, and most fragile new member of this new family... much like how Phos was with the gems at the beginning of this whole story. (I know that Phos was the same height as the other gems, but because of their makeup and position within their society, Phos can be considered less significant or "smaller" than everyone else)

Hm. With that thought in the air... I hope the parallels end there and this doesn't mean that this small and untainted piece of Phos won't be subjected to a similar treatment of their predecessor, right?

...right??

Nah, it should be fine....Unless Aechmea somehow comes back-

Created Their New Path: Final Act of Defiance?

The second to last thing I'd like to talk about is this page because it had me thinking about few things.

It made me think back to the previous chapters, namely the crazy, nearly perfect plans perpetuated by Aechmea and the Lunarians. It's been emphasized many times how calculated Aechmea's plans were, especially when it came to Phos. He nearly predicted every action Phos would make and kept planning and manipulating accordingly until things go the way he wants. And in the previous chapter, it was also heavily implied that he and the other remnants of humanity counted on Phos, Eyeball, and whatever new organisms they came across, to get onto the Dues Ex Machina ship. In some way, they predicted correctly.

But now I must ask these questions:

Did they also count on the possibility of Phos not entering the ship?

Did they also count on Eyeball switching off the ship's autopilot, manually controlling it, and subsequently crash landing it on a planet that more than likely wasn't the original destination?

For these questions, I want to say no.

It's interesting how even though at this point in the story, both Eyeball and Phos seemed resigned to the fact all of their actions were a result of them being manipulated, even after the perpetrators were long gone. But funny enough, I think that their very last actions were entirely their choice. For Phos, staying on the planet and ceasing to exist was entirely their choice. And for Eyeball, choosing to meddle with the ships settings to grab Phos's last gem piece and boost the ships' output. I don't think Aechmea counted on Eyeball doing that. If Eyeball is correct and they did pass the planet that Aechmea had possibly prepared for them, then this means that Eyeball had in many ways changed the trajectory of his and the pebble's lives, albeit unintentional. This could all mean that are all finally free from Aechmea and his long-game, 4D chess plans.

Phos and Eyeball have finally and truly defied Aechmea and humanity.

...BUT THEN AGAIN.. there's always that dumb chance that this was ALSO somehow part of Aechmea's plan. I highly doubt it, because that would be very ridiculously convoluted, even for this story. But then again, you never know with this author.

But for the sake of this post, I want to believe Phos and Eyeball came out on top in the end by intentionally and unintentionally forging paths that wasn't previously made for them. Even though Phos's final choice was somewhat influenced by the professor, it still felt like it was truly their decision.

I hope this doesn't unravel somehow with the final chapter.

Speaking of which-

The Final Stretch...

I can't believe it. This story is about to end. We'll finally almost done and what a journey it has been. I can't believe I started getting into this series almost over 6 years ago. Many things have happened since then, and during this time, this story had sent me on such an emotional rollercoaster. Though there are many things within the story that I wish was different or handled better, I still think this was a very wonderful and thought provoking story.

Now Ms. Ichikawa has to stick the landing. This could make or break this series.

After everything you put us readers through, I hope the true finale will be worth it.

#houseki no kuni #land of the lustrous #hnk #hnk spoilers #hnk phos #hnk spoiler #lotl #hnk meta #lotl spoilers #hnk analysis #hnk chapter 107 #hnk phosphophyllite #hnk manga #hnk thoughts #story analysis

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lovedianagrey · 4 months

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soukoku fics: recs and reviews

look, i really like fanfiction. and i've always felt people sometimes don't give good enough reasons to actually read a lot of it. if you scroll down enough, you'll see i did that too. so i thought i'd help out some people that don't know what to read tonight. you'll notice i took my reviewing seriously hgdsafvkhagsv i'll add more in my reblogs as i go on with this review style, but for now, here are three fanfics that pushed me to do this. fair warning, they're long ones.

A Lesson in Thorns by arkastadt

Word Count: 454,556

Tags: Arranged Marriage, BSD Beast!AU, Canon Divergence, Slow Burn, Character Death, Heavy Angst, Happy Ending, Ghosts, So Much Smut

Review:

As one of the longest fics I’ve ever read, it took me three days to read it, and a lot of lost sleep. A Lesson in Thorns is a journey that no one is truly prepared for. It’s surprising, I think, how one only notices the slow burn in the beginning, and forget they didn’t start out together in the end. So many things happen in the span of those fifty chapters, and so many feelings arise alongside their events. The reader watches Chuuya grow into himself, despite the haunting (hehe) that surrounds him by the end. Dazai becomes a man wishing to live, despite becoming a ghost of who he used to be. It’s quite magical, the way the story builds upon itself. What is usually some home, this piece makes an empire.

This author appealed a lot to the wants and needs within these characters, making a paced build up to the challenges the characters face. Furthermore, there is a wonderful line of thought that is unwavering, consistent to the very end. The reader meets Chuuya getting ready to be married. A deal has been struck with the Port Mafia, and as the leader of the Sheep, Chuuya must marry their boss. A questionable and confusing task, but Chuuya has no more cards under his sleeve, and he has to save Shirase from the pending prison sentence. He walks into where he is to be married, looking to find a wrinkled, aging man. Instead, he faces the bandaged limbs and cunning eye of Dazai Osamu, and the story truly begins.

The reader already knows it’s not a choice left for random that Dazai takes Chuuya under his wing. It’s already stated that on the first day in his position as the boss, right after killing Mori and sixteen months before he and Chuuya marry, he finds the redhead. A search that is broken down as the story unravels, and an effort that builds them and breaks them apart and puts them back together.

This fanfic is clearly derived from a lot of the factors pointed in Bungou Stray Dogs’s BEAST light novel, which in my eyes makes it all the more interesting. I tried to give a short insight into the beginning with as much care as I could without creating any spoilers for the reading. I guess from me, all my notes just say it’s worth it. This fic really drags you through so many stages of feelings and excitements, and it builds off from them until you reach a new peak all over again.

On Deathless Feet by AbsoluteNegation

Word Count: 71,848

Tags: Caretaking, Controlling Arahabaki, Canon-Divergence, Port Mafia and Post-Port Mafia, Smut

Review:

There are some stories that find themselves tucked into a hidden corner. It does not make them any less, and it does not make them any better, it just makes them quiet. Which in turn, when they are finally found, makes them all the more surprising. That is how I feel about On Deathless Feet, tucked in a corner of Ao3, and all incredibly surprising.

Written with a nonlinear narrative, the reader meets the famed Double Black in different moments, recently met, in the middle of their rise through the ranks, at the brink of their end, after their disconnection with years of silence. AbsoluteNegation makes a wonderful story threaded in different moments, contextualizing their uncomfortable return to each other with interruptions back to their old lives before Dazai’s split from the Port Mafia. The author mainly focuses on Arahabaki, and Chuuya’s relationship with understanding the singularity as it slips out of control. Dazai is sent in to help counter it throughout their time together, and long stretches of contact are needed to get it down to normal.

With a state of constant carataking, the two are thrusted into communion, needing to learn to accept living with each other for the time being. It isn’t a foreign feeling, seeing the other there, but at the end of the day it’s hard for the two with all that past. A past the author explores in detail just as much, not holding back on making it layered and pretty and very intense. They are creatures of passion, that’s what drives this ship and makes it so loved, and the author doesn’t shy away from building on it. Just as well, however, does the author place their own touch to their relationship, with the care and devotion the two also experiment between them. This fanfic is a welcomed balance to the rockier roads often explored surrounding these two. It never lacks sharpness, but it definitely warms the heart.

music for our funeral by itotypes

Word Count: 67,723

Tags: No Smut, Angst, 70s, Musicians!AU, Drug Abuse, References to Child Neglect, Songwriting, Artistic Lyricism

Review:

Music for our funeral by itotypes is a breathtaking composition, and there is not much like it. Set in the 70s, the author explores the surrounding setting of the rock genre, and writes a story of struggle and connection. Starting out with a run-away teenager, we meet Dazai’s lackluster perfection, the narrative often picturing him as a clinical artist. After leaving home, we watch him make himself something, and see him survive until he looks to live. Meanwhile, the other side of the piece plays with a striving perfectionist, and a reckless guitarist, in the form of Chuuya. The man comes from a struggling family (a stark contrast to the origins of his partner), and finds himself lost in the music.

An interesting part of the story is that we get to know the characters before they meet. In a way, it allows the reader to explore the lives privy to the explosion, and before the pining and intensity that sparks between the two. One of the most appreciative factors that make this story one of my personal favorites is the usage of images throughout it. With beautiful lyrics exploring the essence of a character’s beliefs without them needing to admit it to themselves, there is a clear view into the conflicts and selfish needs that each character has.

This author’s work is best described as an ode to music. It comes as a surprise at times, the way words fit together in reverence to this branch of artistry. Yet the fact that it’s done through another form of storytelling, through the use of words on a screen instead of notes on one’s ear, makes it all the more captivating. There is no question this is a must read.

#i read and review and rant #i have no idea if anyone wants this #i have no regrets writing this tho #bsd #bungou stray dogs #bsd chuuya #bsd dazai #chuuya nakahara #nakahara chuuya #dazai osamu #osamu dazai #soukoku #skk #skk fanfiction #soukoku fanfiction #fanfic recs #fanfic recommendations #fanfic reviews

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bonefall · 6 months

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First off, obviously this is a WC blog so I won't go further but THANKS for the brief dunk of The Lion Guard, that's one of my biggest problems with the show. Second off, are you seeing this shit Elder Bones?! * Points at the Thunder Spoiler Thread at WCRPForums * Do try to avoid reading the posts that aren't chapters though, they're bad as usual for that site lol.

Maybe one day I'll grumble about Lion King on the side blog lmao.

Anyway... that spoiler thread. I try to take these threads with a pinch of salt, but... overall feelings are really getting negative. If I had a Vibes Barometer, the needle would be dipping out of positive right now.

We're 2 books away from the conclusion and I don't know if they have time to turn this around... and they chose to spend time traveling. It's partially a travel book, guys. Several chapters of pointless bullshit.

(Spoilers under the cut-- remember we are getting this secondhand from a spoiler thread. Some of this may turn out to be misrepresentation.)

NIGHTHEART STUFF

We start off where the preview left off. They jerk the shit out of your chain with Squirrelstar teasing but spoiler we DO got her

(CELEBRATORY SQUIRRELSTAR MUSIC)

We get a BrambleSquirrel screaming match. Please for the love of god divorce these characters, this is fucking insufferable

They also had to give Bramblestar a smug little gotcha moment where he's right about his argument, Squilf accidentally walks to SkyClan camp for the plot and it turns out that Bramblestar, the guy who was apparently supposed to have memory issues and brain fog, was right that Squilf forgot how to navigate her own territory

Im dead serious she like... accidentally walked to SkyClan.

This is a clever literary trick called bad writing <3

While they're there, Nightheart says, "HEY WASNT THERE A MEDIATOR THINGY? ISNT HE SUPPOSED TO SOLVE DISPUTES?"

*I look directly into the camera. Right at you. Reader I am glimpsing across the magical threads of the internet, directly into your soul.*

Leafstar

says

"I Forgor"

if this thread is to be believed. Then the canonical explanation for why Tree was not mediating up to this point. Is because every single cat around the lake. Including the geniuses who came up with a unique role JUST for the specialest little boy. Just fucking forgot about him.

(bestselling young adult series)

Do I laugh? Do I cry?

I think im unlocking the emotion that those lizards who shoot blood from their eyes feel just before a squirt

Anyway

There is also an absurd amount of Bramblestar winking at Nightheart and teasing him about his new mate and reminding the audience about how much Nightheart wuvs him. This is probably supposed to be charming?

it just feels unsettling, ngl.

It's even more Bramble Worship than normal, like the writer is trying really hard to stress how cool and awesome their special boy is :D and how dumb and mean his wife is >:( and it's so fucking forced.

They pad the book by having it be cloudy so that StarClan doesn't show up the first time they try to do the Squirrelstar thing

I kept thinking, "What if this wasn't a willing abdication?? What if the Clan didn't have a second chance to do this?? What if this was Nightstar 2 all over again and she died of plot convenience before coming back?! This dumbfuck system has fixed NOTHING"

Plumstone and Dewnose have a moment where they antagonize Nightheart over the fact he was chosen to accompany Squilf and Bramble to the Moonpool, because he just got back and it's not fair

And you know what? They're right actually

Nightheart huffs that Squilf was giving him a Chance To Prove Himself but he doesn't fucking get it! His whole life's been nothing but chances he threw tantrums about being offered or blew up through wrecklessness, like a spoiled brat nepobaby, and he keeps getting more and more

Meanwhile Plumstone here has been in the background just being this consistently steady warrior, and has never gotten a chance to shine

He also has a moment where he whines about Sparkpelt and Finchlight being mean to him in the past when Sunbeam shares they've been super nice to her.

Sunbeam offers that they're probably trying to make up for it and he agrees.

Folks. I REALLY. REALLY HOPE. That this ends with Sunbeam telling him, "Nightheart, you are the problem. They've treated me like Kin, and they treat their Kin well. Do YOU?"

Anyway something happens and suddenly Nightheart's on the trip with Frostpaw.

The rest of his chapters so far (at time of writing the spoiler thread is at chapter 14-ish) are traveling chapters.

The traveling chapters suck diet discount dick. They look like they were rejected submissions for the various travel shenanigans that happened in Riverstar's Home.

For me, this is the most disappointing part of the Thunder Spoiler Thread. I love Nightheart because I really like the idea of him learning to grow, consider his actions, and realize that he's actually been very loved in his life.

I like the impulsive Nightheart from Book 1 who doesn't know what's wrong with himself, shooting down every attempt others make to bond with him, making shocking descisions that frustrate the entire Clan and not realizing how much he gets away with. I hoped that maybe, just maybe, the writing could be a little clever for once.

But, no. On this trip he's still whining to Frostpaw about how his family "wanted him to be like Firestar" and this is treated as something Frostpaw is able to bond with him about, somehow, because Curlfeather wanted her to be a Medcat??? And now she's choosing to be a Medcat again anyway????

FROSTPAW STUFF

WC Writing Team: "Everyone is super invested in Frostpaw's story where she learns to choose her own path! Especially the idea that she chose to not be a medcat of her own will and made a brave choice for herself! Lets fix that"

Literally, I guess lol

Smoky Cameo. Fuck Smoky. I hate this character and I hate seeing his deadbeat ass.

Gotta love how Daisy's one major role in ASC so far has been to be a source of negative emotions for Nightheart, but Smoky gets to be the new Barley with a cutesy barn rest stop.

He calls for a human to come get Frostpaw because she's got wounds.

Like. Cat MEOW MEOW calling. And this summons... a magic vet?

She has the world's fastest field surgery, as if she's some kind of endangered wild leopard and a top-notch vet staff rolled out of a research truck.

They even inject her, by hand, with tranquilizer. Who the fuck carries cat tranquilizer around?

Is this barn in the back of a fucking vet office???

Does this universe have roving surgical vans that drive around and play music like an ice cream truck, waiting for cats to call them over?????

Frostpaw wakes up back in the barn

But now her neck wound is fixed and she's spayed.

She looks down at the fresh cut on her abdomen and is like "what's this"

Smoky: "dont worry abt it"

If Frostpaw is okay with being sterilized, this will be the first time in the series that a cat being fixed will be seen as a good thing

Which, irl, it is. To be clear. Spay and neuter your animals

But dudes, this is really massively unsettling me. It seems like she doesn't know what has been done to her. This has never been treated as a positive thing in this series before. In the last book she was talking about the sort of life she would like to live

Once again she has been stripped of her own choices in a massive way

And if Smoky apparently lives so close to a vet that they just come when he calls,

I have so many questions im losing my marbles

Why is Smoky not neutered

Why were none of his 3, possibly 4 wives spayed

Why are his kids not fixed

Why were his kits with Floss taken "when they were too young to even open their eyes" back in TNP if their humans are so loving and educated

SO EDUCATED THEY WALK AROUND WITH CAT TRANQUILIZER

Anyway through the power of the writers not caring anymore, Frostpaw can now talk to StarClan whenever she wants.

They have magically bestowed a connection onto her.

This is apparently something they can just do now. Maybe it's tied to near-death experiences or the vet or something

Remember Shadowsight having a whole thing about this at the end of TBC?

Remember Mothwing and how upsetting it was to have no connection to them and how finding Willowpaw was a big thing in TNP?

Yeah apparently they could just do this whenever. Sorry.

Frostpaw is just cool with this because fuck the last book where she found out she likes being a warrior

Agency? What's THAT

It's not ok if your mom encourages you to be a doctor nun, but StarClan rips your organs out and forces you to be their mouthpiece and that's peachy-fucking-keen.

Then she goes traveling for several chapters i want to commit crime

Riverstar does the usual alarmist moaning, "ooooouuugh this newest crisis could destroy riverclan!!! Oooooooooooooouuououou it's for real this time!!!!"

Everything's gonna destroy the clans. A light breeze has just reduced ThunderClan to rubble. A beetle has landed gently upon Harestar's nose, 34 dead 25,430 injured

Girl help frostpaw is being followed by clickbait headline ghosts

And, also, for no good reason, the ghosts can't just answer a question. Why? Who fucking knows. Never explained. They can summon Frostpaw into a Ghost Zoom Call whenever they want now, but they're forbidden from revealing anything useful.

Average autistic experience with zoom calls though, can confirm, that is what every zoom call ive ever been in was like.

Im serious though, she tries to ask Reed who killed him, he just says no i cant :(

She tries to ask where her mom is. They don't tell her she's downstairs.

Riverstar says nothing useful

I have never been more frustrated with StarClan as a plot device. This is actually fucking insufferable.

They're annoying enough when they send vague signs and prophecies that amount to nothing, but now they can pop up like shitty unskippable cutscenes and STILL add nothing of value to the plot

Something I was ENJOYING was how much more grounded ASC was compared to previous arcs, and that StarClan was back to being difficult to access directly. Gone. Goodbye.

SUNBEAM STUFF

The highlight of the book everyone leave me alone i need to speak directly to sunbeam

I like how she's finding more reasons than just Nightheart to stay in ThunderClan, but is also struggling with the shift in culture

It's in a Sunbeam chapter that we FINALLY get Squilfstar. Everyone say Thank You Sunbeam

If you even LOOK at the Sunbeam wrong I will smash you to death with my hooves

For once it actually feels like we're using the cast in ThunderClan. Cherryfall, Dewnose, Plumstone, Myrtlebloom, Bayshine, Finchlight, Sparkpelt, and Lionblaze all get some significant little lines to add to this.

In particular I like Cherryfall throwing a bit of a fit about being a senior warrior and acting high and mighty, which Sunbeam immediately dislikes because ShadowClan doesn't do as much posturing. It's fun to see how she percieves ThunderClan cats.

I have a softness for these sorts of stories though, to be fair. The idea of moving to a new place and having to adjust.

It's also neat that she's growing frustrated with how Nightheart has now ditched her THRICE.

Girl please steal his family and dump him.

Be a legend. Marry his sister. It would make you the queen of pettiness you would become my favorite forever

Ivypool's exams are also pretty neat, they all test teamwork abilities. I'm going to be happy when I finally get to read them in full, if nothing else, these trials have been delightful to see.

Anyway the next emergency gathering comes up and it descends into an argument

Dovewing gets to yell at Ivypool and tell her to back off <3 "You're not going to manipulate my mate through me, screw you"

Tigerheartstar and the other leaders eventually agree to meet with the mediator off-screen because the writers don't feel like showing us Tree's madd skillz which definitely justify having this unique role that we completely forgot about until just now

It doesn't accomplish anything meaningful because they only acknowledged the mediator role to make the fans stop complaining

Tigerheartstar agrees to not station more warriors in RiverClan territory but nothing else. Waow.

aaand Berryheart's planning something and Sparrowtail, Sunbeam's father, accidentally spills the beans to his daughter. I like this because I have always imagined him as a himbo

so... yeah. It's not looking great. I'm not having a good time in this spoiler thread. I am hoping that a fair amount of it is misrepresentation, because if it's what the leaker says it is, I'm not going to be a happy camper

#Thunder spoilers #Asc spoilers #Tw sterilization #Tw spaying

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epickiya722 · 2 months

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I do not know if it was you, or another blogger that made a character analysis of Gojo that made me like the character and discover more about him through the manga.

While I never read the manga before or watched the anime, I had been exposed to it by my friends and some BNHA bloggers. Back then, I found Gojo to be overhyped (discount Kakashi) while liking the animation(?) style, bit still no interest.

BNHA and its Endeavour Redemption arc in the doing was tiring me to the point that I stopped reading it and manga altogether. For mayne six months or so, until now, at least. I randomly found your blog last week , and it got me a new hyper fixation 😃. You got me to start reading JJK (Megan cos playing also helps).

I bought Number 0 and Number 1 of the mangas. Only to remember midway in Number 0 that Walmart Kakashi will be snapped in two like a Kit Kat🥲. I saw that leak in one of the BNHA blogs, and I didn't mind it back then since I wasn't in the fandom, but Lord, now it sucks.

Anyways, all this long rant to say that I like reading your posts.

Gojo, rest in pain, I guess?

Probably was someone else, I don't write much analysis posts about Gojo. I think once or twice I did, I can't recall. Probably reblogged one though you saw!

I don't know, they're really just two different characters to me. Also... I was never really an active reader or watcher of Naruto like that (just very familiar) so when I first saw Gojo, Kakashi didn't register to me at all.

Like, I did not get similar vibes at all. And it actually annoys me that people will be like "He copied Kakashi's flow"! Kakashi ain't the only white haired, face covering character out there with magical eyes, y'all stop. 😆

Even funnier when, by this point, Gojo has probably been unmasked more than he has been wearing something on his face and switches up what he puts on his face. Kakashi been wearing the same mask for...? Also, didn't it take years for Kakashi's whole face to be shown or something? Took like seven episodes for Gojo to show that face.

I always been a fan of Megan's music and then when I found out she was into anime I was like "YYYYYEEEEEAAAAH". She cosplayed as Miruko one Halloween and it made my year. I am a former believer that Miruko would vibe to her music.

Just seeing other Black women being unapologetic fans of anime (or anything) does wonders for me and I hate it when people act as if it's such a foreign idea to understand. Honey, we can have interests, too, like everyone else. It's normal.

I always try to be careful about spoilers for anything I'm into. Like, I can talk about a chapter that happened two years ago, but I'll still mark as a spoiler because I know some people don't read Mangas or even if they do haven't caught up to that specific part.

That actually what set me off when Usher cosplayed as Gojo because he literally put "rest in peace, Gojo" or something along those lines and the amount of people who weren't even aware of 236... like bro, come on.

I knew it just had to be a marketing tactic because I know damn well Usher ain't seen JJK a day in his life and how convenient it is he comes out with that cosplay around the time when "Daddy's Home" becomes a fairly popular song used in Gojo's edits. I can't go watching one video on YouTube without hearing that song play when Gojo pops up. And even if he has... WHY WOULD YOU TAG IT LIKE THAT?!

Oh, but Megan definitely doesn't know any of the characters she be cosplaying, alright... okay... 🙄

I'm just going off on a whole tangent here, I apologize for that. I've been sick for like three days and just woke up from a nap. 😅

Also, thank you! Glad you enjoy my posts!! Anytime anyone says they like reading my posts, I still get shocked. They're really are just random thoughts I been having and really I'm still learning grasping the characters and story myself. And this is just for any. I don't even for them to get read, let alone for anyone to actually agree with me. I guess because, at the end of the day, I really just needed to throw a thought out there before I lose it or keep rethinking about it over and over.

#kiya answers #jjk #jujutsu kaisen #jjk spoilers #jjk manga spoilers #gojo satoru #satoru gojo #megan thee stallion

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nanabansama · 3 months

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Spoilers for Chapter 110

Did you notice that Mitsuba, School Mystery No. 3 whose name literally contains the kanji character "3", died 2 times and is now dying a third time!?!?! WELL, I DID!!!!

Sorry, I've just seen others theorizing about this for a while and always thought it was such a sadistic idea and I can't believe it actually happened... AIDAIRO!! AIDAIROOOOOOO!!!!!!!! *wordless wail*

If that wasn't bad enough, AidaIro had him meet Mitsuba Sousuke's mother and, unbeknownst to her, her son is dying all over again RIGHT NEXT TO HER...!!!! Keep in mind that she doesn't even know he's here, either. And now she may never even get to know this new version of him!!! NGYAAAHHH!!! Yet another example of the sadistic torture AidaIro enjoys putting us through...

Anyway, a moment of respite before I start yelling again: I enjoyed comparing my prediction posts to this chapter! I was right that Tsukasa would win, but...well, I think I got everything else wrong? HAHA. But seriously, I never could have fathomed the plot twist that Mitsuba has no yorishiro, effectively meaning that Tsukasa is literally STEPS away from completing his goal and destroying himself, yet here we are. I'm beginning to think the end of the series is closer than any of us could have anticipated... (it's almost sad to think about!)

But sadly, even though Hanako is trying his best to get through to Tsukasa, Hanako is still shackled and effectively powerless to stop him if he gets to Nene. Maybe there's some sort of schoolmystery-yorishiro power dynamic going on where Tsukasa is always weaker than Hanako, but with the state he's in now, I think Tsukasa should be safe to just shove him off...

That said, this move was so well-played! Hanako, stripped of power, could not stop Tsukasa with force alone, so he instead had to use the force of gravity to force Tsukasa on the ground and pin him with his knife and body. I still don't think this is enough to stop Tsukasa entirely, but it is enough to give Hanako time to plead with him. It also restores my faith in the fact that Hanako is a good fighter.

Anyway...I feel like everyone's already wibbled and wobbled about the ending of this chapter by now, but I just want to say I am SO GLAD Amane communicated his feelings to Tsukasa. That he said "i love you" in every single word he said, even if Tsukasa didn't hear it. It was so heartwarming, since Amane almost never does this. He always either bottles things up or shoves his feelings to the side until they're suddenly wrenched out of him and he's forced to care again. And while he was only able to do this because he was literally seconds away from losing Tsukasa, I am SO HAPPY that he could even do it all.

But unfortunately, he still couldn't say "I love you". He had to settle for the tsundere version. (Siiigh...)

Yet even if he did I'm not sure if Tsukasa would be convinced...That boy is soooo traumatized by the time Amane pushed him as a child, it's actually concerning. (._.`)

All I'm hoping for is that something happens to stop Tsukasa. I'm not emotionally prepared for him to go yet!!! But even if he does go within the next chapter or the next few after it, I just hope he goes out knowing he was loved. Like Sumire did. 💔

It feels like each new chapter has been more exciting than the last...if we get a Yugi backstory chapter next month I think I might actually die of happiness. Goodbye everyone...I'm going to a better place... 👼

I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter as much as I did!! This was such a good one I'm sure I'll be back later to tack on more thoughts. Thanks for reading!!

#tbhk 110 #jshk 110 #tbhk #jshk #sousuke mitsuba #yugi twins

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silyabeeodess · 8 months

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TWST Analysis: Malleus/Aurora Parallels

In one of my previous posts on TWST, I explained my thoughts on how our leading bad boys had heavy parallels with the heroes of the Disney films through their personalities. Unfortunately, at the time, I couldn't cover Malleus well since Book 7 had yet to release. I still don't feel like I can in-full since the Book isn't finished; however, I have noticed a couple of new things that only add to my previous explanation on how he paralleled Aurora. While this is a shorter post, to avoid spoilers for the Japanese release, I will continue below the cut:

So there's two things I want to add so far with what chapters have been available to us: Malleus' feelings of isolation and, later on, his feelings of the small world around him collapsing. I'll mention Silver as well for comparison, because he too has several clear Aurora parallels. Silver talks to animals, he's an ethereal beauty, and--obviously--his sleeping habits. As explained in one of the Halloween events, he also grew up in the woods and was left by himself at times by Lilia. However, despite this, Silver found himself in ready company and was comfortable in the cottage he called home. He quickly made friends with forest creatures, he had Lilia, and he would later have Malleus and Sebek. Malleus though...

Malleus may have had some of that growing up, but there was always a distance established right from his birth due to his status as a prince and insane strength as a mage. Silver and Sebek are his friends, but they also work for him. They greatly respect him, but it's to the point that they won't treat him on an equal level as they do each other. (This can also parallel how the three fairies raised Aurora, but ultimately weren't her family, instead serving her and her parents as royalty. They lied to Aurora to keep her safe, pushing her to take up her duty as princess when she'd barely learned she was one.) He's set on a pedestal high above and far away from everyone else. That's his cottage in the woods.

Because of this, like Aurora, we find Malleus responding to his loneliness by becoming something of a wanderer. Aurora explored the forest near her home, daydreaming of finding love in someone she would "walk together and talk together" with. Malleus wanders the campus grounds for places that feel lost to time, like Ramshackle Dorm, like how he himself feels due to his long lifespan as a fae. Then, also like Aurora, he eventually happens upon someone he's been waiting for for so long during one of these walks. Aurora met her prince, her true love. Malleus met Yuu, a friend who will accept him as a person rather than an object of power or fear.

Now for the second part: The feeling of the world collapsing around him. To recap on things I've covered before with her character, in Aurora's case, she lost her sense of identity and freedom. She grew up believing she was a commoner girl who could one day fall in love with whoever she pleased... only to go home the same day she meets someone she likes and be told she's a lost princess who has to abandon everything she's ever known to get hitched to a total stranger. For Malleus, he finally finds a friend in Yuu and feels comfortable with his life as a student... and it's all ending in a blink of an eye to him. Lilia is leaving him, possibly even dying, as far as he knows. Yuu is trying to leave to go back to their own world. Even without those two issues, he's still a junior and the year is ending: Even though he technically has one more year of school to go, at least half of it will be spent away from Night Raven College, as is the case with all of its seniors. The good times are ending. Everyone is going away. Malleus is being thrown back into that isolated state that he was so miserable in before.

#twst #analysis #twisted wonderland #video games #malleus draconia #princess aurora #twst silver

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exocynraku · 6 months

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thunder spoilers under the cut!!! read at your own risk!!! here are my opinions on the book!!! i wrote this right after reading originally on the 4th and planned 2 post it on the 7th. it's not the 7th exactly where i live but the wiki updated with spoilers since it's the 7th over there so whatever

okay, so, overall, i liked it. i didnt LOVE it, but i liked it. sunbeams chapters were all great, and with nightheart travelling with frostpaw, he finally had the chance to not be an ass, and he wasn't as bad! i actually read his chapters this time, and oh my god frostpaws chapters were INCREDIBLE!!!! i loved her interactions with whistlepaw and smoky, and wow. she did get spayed, LOL! got spoiled for that early (thanks, assholes!) i was NOT expecting to meet the new cats of the park! i totally thought we'd encounter warriorclan! i'm a little bummed about that, but the cats of the park were all super nice to read about which was super nice. especially bee! thought i'm upset she has the same name as another cat.. wails the reveal of splashtail i totally expected, but i'm a little surprised over curlfeather. i know that there's been suspect she was a villain, but damn! i wanted to hold onto hope! but hey, her being evil is super interesting. plus, wow! she's in the dark forest! i guess i shouldve expected that, but it's felt like forever since a cat got sent there. (which i dont think is rlly true? juniperclaw went i think that was tbc? whatever, still feels so long ago) also i didnt mind that it was a travelling book! i know a lot of ppl HATEEEE travelling books, but i think there was still enough substance to make it interesting! now, that ending... er, hard to explain my feelings. i like cliffhangers because they make me really excited for the next book, but man! this one hurt bad! i want frostpaw to jump out !!!! raugh!!! also, waffle and wasp are cute! i'm happy theyre coming to the clans! we NEED more genetic diversity SOBS and honestly, with frostpaws thoughts right before leaving the park, with the clans needing to become less harsh and fighty, and more open, especially to outsiders? that was incredible! genuinely, genuinely incredible! and i hope they go through with it, i really do! berryheart is also an interesting character. if i'm being honest, i hope she leaves. not becaues i dont like her (i think she's one of the most interesting characters we've had in the series for a long time, even if she sucks), but because like i said earlier we NEED more genetic diversity in the clans! more cats with long blood lines need to leave or die, and new cats w/o long blood lines, or none at all need to start existing. all of the incest is pissing me off. so i'm glad that somecat with not a particularly long bloodline, but a big one (berryheart has like 70 siblings) is leaving. plus those other cats. last misc things, finally, some tree action! it's a miracle! i also like how there were mentions of 1: thunderclan being overcrowded (please please please mass exctinction event GO) and 2: tree being mediator, but never really having the chance to shine. also, cherryfall sucks. jeez louise! i used to like her for gods sake! spotfur and her kits were adorable, i liked ivypool in this book, and oh my god, brambleclaw finally gets less of a spotlight! overall, i liked it. not the most amazing book to ever exist ever, but it definitely got my excited for the next books!!! really happy with ASC so far and i'm pumped to see what's going to happen with it in the future.

also, with the cats of the park cats being introduced, i'll have to draw them! oh boy more work for me to do

#wc #warrior cats spoilers #wc spoilers #asc spoilers #a starless clan spoilers #thunder spoilers #ray talk

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oxean-et-al · 7 months

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A "brief" review of Submachine: Legacy

So, Submachine: Legacy was released yesterday, and I beat it about an hour ago, after just over nine hours of playing.

Review in brief: I liked it. It was good. It feels like a fitting send-off to the Submachine series (or this first phase of it, at least), though I won't go quite so far as to call it a "definitive edition" of the games.

Of course, there's more to my thoughts than that, hence the rest of this post. This review will be spoiler-free, though given the nature of the games there's not much to spoil. I'll also be assuming you have no idea what I'm talking about, so first, a quick history lesson.

The Submachine series is a series of (initially) Flash-based puzzle games produced by the Polish game developer and artist Mateusz Skutnik, consisting of 10 games in the 'main' series, released between 2005 and 2015, as well as 3 'spin-off' games, and one 'non-game experience,' for lack of a better term; this last item was also the final Submachine-related work to be released (or, in this case, finalized), being declared finished in December of 2017.

The first game, retroactively titled Submachine 1: The Basement, was, at its core, one of many 'escape the room'-style flash games, which abounded on sites like ArmorGames, Newgrounds, and Kongregate at the time.

However, as the series went on, the barest breadcrumbs of lore in the first game grew into a great web of narrative, held together by notes from multiple different (and sometimes unreliable) authors, and the games transitioned from being mere escape rooms into a unique form of puzzle game, held aloft by Skutnik's masterful hand-drawn environments, which benefit from his training as an architect.

I mean just look at that.

With the death of Flash, the availability of the games diminished greatly, available only through purchase on Skutnik's website, or via large collections such as Flashpoint Infinity. The 'non-game experience' I mentioned earlier, Submachine Universe, remained available through itch.io as well.

But now, nearly six years later, comes Submachine: Legacy, a remaster/re-release of all prior works in the Submachine series, available on Steam.

So, with all that preamble out of the way, my thoughts.

Submachine: Legacy is, ultimately, just the original Submachine games bundled together into one program, with some graphical updates here and there. But it's not merely the same games as before; there have been some changes and additions.

On the UI side, your cursor lights up when hovering over an interactable object, which makes looking for things much easier. The cursor also indicates where you can exit a room, and (in some cases) which item to use in a given context (hammer, karma water, etc.) That's a fairly simple change which I think makes the games much better, and more fun to play.

There are short sections linking the main games, or "chapters," which are quite nice. Also very nice are the detailed landscapes now viewable through some windows and telescopes.

There are a few changes I am slightly less enthused by, though. Submachine: Legacy, to my surprise, incorporates most (possibly all) of Submachine Universe; however, presumably due to reasons of copyright, the multiple user-submitted theories that festooned the walls of every room have been replaced by architectural sketches.

Likewise, some of the puzzles have been simplified. In some cases this is perhaps warranted, such as with the rotating wheels puzzle (I'm not really sure what to call it) near the end of Submachine 2: The Lighthouse. In other cases, however, I think it makes the series lose a small amount of its charm - I am specifically thinking of how the pieces of silverware that are used in some of the earlier games as makeshift wires, bridging broken electrical connections, have been replaced by new power relay items. These are both fairly minor changes, but they did disappoint me just the smallest amount.

The only changes that I had a distinctly negative impression of were in sound design. Specifically, both the 'item picked up' sound effect and (especially) the 'electrical connection made' sound effect went on for far too long, and, in the latter case, was rather overused.

It's for these reasons that I can't quite call Submachine: Legacy a 'definitive' edition of the games, though it does come close, and I would recommend it for newcomers to the series (the price, for reference, is $25)

Submachine: Legacy also has new content for the long-time Submachine player (which, let's face it, is likely to be most of the player base), involving over a dozen monoliths scattered throughout the games, and a genuinely brilliant new puzzle. For the sake of a spoiler free-review, I'll say no more, though do note that (I think) it is possible to accidentally reset the monoliths, so be cautious.

Submachine has been a major factor in my life, and this feels like a fitting send-off to (this part of) the series, and I eagerly await the next installment in the series.

#long post #for me anyway #submachine legacy #submachine

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kinglazrus · 9 months

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Beep boop hello to you! Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Let’s spread the self-love 💚

I adore whoever made this ask game. Thank you for sending me one, Lexx! This was so hard to choose, so these aren't in any particular order.

The Moment It Breaks

Description: After months of lies and secrets, it finally happens. His identity is revealed in the worst of ways—in the middle of a ghost fight. Now everyone knows that Tucker Foley is the Tech Hunter

Reason: I made this AU for the Danny Phantom au zine, Reality Trip, and I have had so much fun playing with it. It started as a throwaway wondering "what if Vlad approached Tucker instead of Valerie?" and grew into something huge. I've always adored no one knows aus, and this one takes it a step further. I'll be posting the fic to Ao3 soon, and I've got big plans for the rest of this AU.

The Haunting of Danny Fenton

Description: Valerie knows Danny Fenton, everybody does. Youngest of the family, son and heir, future owner of Fenton Works. Notable for all those reasons and infamous for none of them. Where Maddie and Jack are the local quirks, Danny is the tragedy. And, for the next week, he's the Red Huntress' newest client.

Reason: I adore writing Valerie's point of view. She's my favourite character, so it's a bit criminal that I don't have more fics focused on her. I've also used some different narrative techniques in this fic playing with perspective, which has been a lot of fun.

The Punishment Fits the Crime

Description: Ghosts are naturally drawn to death. Danny, however, finds himself drawn to those who have wrongfully died. He always said he would never hurt someone who doesn't deserve it. It's not his fault that he keeps finding people who do. Or: Danny is a vengeful spirit.

Reason: My darkest fic, tonally. I got the idea to turn Danny into a vengeful spirit and immediately decided to push it as far as I could. There's only a couple of chapters up right now, but the tags tell you all you need to know about the direction this fic is going.

The In-Laws

Description: Harriet and her son, Kwan, meet each other's boyfriends through a family dinner. Hopefully, Vlad Masters and Danny Fenton can get along for one meal.

Reason: Because it's fun! This is a very light-hearted, humorous fic, and I had a great time with it. I like to write all kinds of pairings, and this was a great way to explore two I hadn't yet: Vlad and Harriet, and Danny and Kwan. Bad News shippers come get your juice.

Blossoms On Her Tongue

Description: Years after Undergrowth’s attack, Sam’s ghost powers from that day are slowly returning. Sam is excited at first, both at the chance to grow closer with Danny, and the opportunity to use her own powers for good. But things aren’t as great as they seem. After all, plants don't mix well with the cold.

Reason: I can't actually say because that would be a spoiler! But there's a specific dynamic I wanted to explore for the trio and this fic was what came out of it. I've got three parts planned for this series, each one focused on a different member of the trio.

Honourable mentions that I almost picked for this:

The Survivalists (of course)

Prince Before King. Genius Before Fool.

Not Your Danny

Deep Wounds

Dead Man Walking

Until Death Do We Part

#the king answers #lexosaurus #there are more honourable mentions than fics I was allowed to pick #almost tossed one of my YJ fics in there but my blog is just all danny phantom stuff so I resisted

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laxmiree · 4 months

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[CN] MLQC Season 2 Chapter 54 Translation (Lucien's Route - Part 2)

⚠️ SPOILER ALERT ⚠️

This post contains a VERY HEAVY SPOILER for the chapter that has not been released in EN yet! Feel free to notify me if there are any mistakes in the translation~

"The world of the future should be something we both anticipate."

"Do you want our lives to be perfectly woven together from now on?"

"Or do you want to explore an unknown, new world that might not be as good as the current direction?"

Lucien takes my hand, placing a solemn kiss on it, as devout as when he once crowned me.

"This decision is yours, my Queen."

Translation under the cut!

Previous part-> [Here]

[Chapter 54-7]

I suddenly opened my eyes, breathing a bit rapidly, my throat sore as if I could still feel the suffocation from being choked by water.

A crescent moon quietly hangs in the sky, and outside the car window, pure white ice crystals continue to fall silently.

I tilt my head slightly downward, and on the dashboard of the steering wheel, faint white numbers indicate it's been less than half an hour.

How has only this much time passed... It feels like I've experienced several days in that dream.

Lucien, who's hugging me, seems to sense my movement and lowers his eyes.

Lucien: What's wrong?

When I lift my eyes and meet his serene face, all of my uneasiness instantly dissipating. I let out a long sigh of relief.

MC: I just mentioned to you that I've been having frequent nightmares lately, and now I've actually had one…

Lucien gently reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, a hint of meaning fleeting through his eyes, and a subtle smile curves his lips.

Lucien: (teasingly) So... now that you've seen me first thing, are you still scared?

His hand gently caresses me, his fresh scent lightly lingering in the air, and the images of the nightmare faded from my mind.

Outside the car window, it's as if the sky's breath has eased, and the snowfall gradually lessens, becoming gentle and lighter.

MC: Of course, I'm no longer scared.

I smile and shake my head.

MC: Lucien, let's go home.

—--------------------------------------------------------

MC: Then I'm heading back~

I stand at the doorway, looking at him with reluctance.

MC: I promise, before going to sleep, I'll have a big glass of milk so I won't have nightmares.

Lucien: Alright, then I wish this lady a beautiful dream.

MC: Goodnight, Lucien.

I turn to insert the key into the door. Just before pushing it open, Lucien's hand suddenly holds mine. I turn back in surprise.

MC: What's wrong?

Lucien's gaze drops to our entwined hands, seeming a bit surprised as well. After a moment, he releases my hand.

Lucien: ...I recently discovered a nice restaurant and thought of trying it together with you.

Lucien: But you shouldn't have time tomorrow.

I blink, unable to suppress a laugh.

MC: Even if I'm busy, there's always time for a meal~

Lucien: (chuckle) I'll pick you up after work tomorrow, then.

Lucien turns and walks towards the next door, his movements seeming a bit slower than usual.

In my line of sight, there's an indescribable attachment in his expression and actions, as if the one who just had a nightmare wasn't me, but him.

It's only after the sound of the closing door next door reaches me that I chuckle softly and return to my room.

Why do I always feel... from a few months ago, this person has become even clingier?

I brush my teeth, my mind replaying the details of his recent actions, and a big grin forms on my lips.

"Gurgle gurgle" As I spit out the foam, I've already figured out how to respond to this "clingy" person.

MC: Tomorrow, when we go for dinner, I'll bring a small surprise gift for Lucien~

Just as I finish speaking, I suddenly hear what seems like a muffled sound from outside.

MC: It can't be that the flowerpot got blown off, right…

Dragging my feet, I walk towards the balcony, searching for the source of the noise. Just as I lean out, I suddenly feel the ground beneath me tilting.

MC: ….!

In the moment of realization, the ground beneath my feet collapses with the thunderous sound of bricks and stones.

After a muffled crash, everything falls into silence.

—-------------------------------------------------------

Lucien: MC…..

A softened call reaches my ears, gentle as if afraid of disturbing me. I drowsily open my eyes and meet Lucien's gaze.

Sunlight streams through the large glass window of the flower shop, bathing all the flowers, and Lucien's hair tips in warm light.

Memories flood back, it seems that... when I and Lucien passed by this flower shop during our walk, he went to choose flowers, and I took a short nap there.

...But how come I had another nightmare? Lately, my nightmares are becoming more frequent, and my imagination is getting richer.

Passing by a bridge, and it breaks; stepping onto a balcony, and it collapses. Could it be that I'm really under too much stress?

Fortunately, after every nightmare, I can always look into those reassuring eyes.

Just like now.

Lucien: Did I take too long to choose flowers?

MC: No you didn't. It's just that the sunlight was so comfortable and warmed me up, that I couldn't help but close my eyes for a while~

I look at the jasmine flowers he's holding, the white petals shimmering in the sunlight, emitting a refreshing fragrance.

MC: Are you only buying jasmine flowers today?

Lucien: Mm, jasmine has a calming effect, and it's more suitable for you who haven't been sleeping well lately.

I stretch lazily and casually loop my arm around his.

MC: Lately, I've been drinking a lot of milk, relaxing quite a bit, and now buying flowers too.

MC: If things still don't improve, I might have to resort to the ultimate dream strategy!

Lucien looks at me with a hint of confusion, innocently blinking his eyes.

Lucien: What's this ultimate strategy?

—--------------------------------------------------------

In the soft glow of the bedside lamp, the tranquil fragrance gradually fills the room. Lucien places the jasmine in a vase and sits on the edge of the bed.

Observing my expression that's like facing a formidable enemy, Lucien can't help but smile amusingly.

Lucien: Is there anything else this little lady needs for her bedtime preparation to battle the nightmare?

I haven't figured out exactly what's missing, but I always feel a lingering sense of unease in facing nightmares, as if I haven't found the right solution.

So, with a bit of scrutiny, I started "examining" everything in the bedroom, attempting to smooth out all the "flaws."

MC: Could it be... the blanket isn't soft enough?

Lucien: Mm, it's possible.

As he speaks, Lucien reaches out to pat the blanket, and the cotton underneath the cover does seem to become softer and more fluffy.

MC: Hmm... or perhaps the arrangement of the flowers is a bit odd?

As I reach out, Lucien has already picked up the vase and placed it in a corner of the bedside table.

Under the gentle light, his refined face is defined by a soft play of light and shadow.

He seems happy to satisfy all of my wild and weird ideas.

[T/N: In the original CN they use the phrase "甘之如饴" (gān zhī rú yí) to describe him indulging MC's ideas 😂. This phrase means "to endure hardship gladly" or "a glutton for punishment." It is used to describe being willing to bear difficulties or pain with contentment and patience ahah]

MC: I can't pinpoint any flaws, but it feels like something is still missing... Professor Lucien, do you have any ideas?

Lucien and I lock eyes for a moment, and he slightly curls his lips into a smile.

Lucien: How about listening to a bedtime poem?

The scent of jasmine mixed with the fragrance of cedar enters my nostrils. I bury my head in his embrace and nod.

After the rustle of turning pages, a deep voice resonates in my ears.

Lucien: Now sleeps the crimson petal, now the white;

Lucien: Nor waves the cypress in the palace walk….

As if finding a refuge within my heart, I contentedly closed my eyes.

This sleep is incredibly comfortable, sweeping away all exhaustion and stress with each breath. In their place, a warmth spreads, reaching every pore.

It feels as though I've replenished all the missed sleep during this time, experiencing a long-lost sense of contentment and relaxation.

[Trivia: "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal, Now the White" is a poem written by Alfred Lord Tennyson. It's part of his larger work called "The Princess." Also a bit of fun fact, the poem is considered erotic poem-you'll see what I mean if you read the whole poem]

—-------------------------------------------------------

MC: Lucien-

I squint my eyes, elongating my tone as I call for him, and lazily stretching. However, as I reach out, I don't find his familiar warmth.

Did he leave after soothing me to sleep? I open my eyes, realizing that the sky outside is still dark.

—How many hours have I slept? I couldn't have slept for a whole day and night, could I?!

I jolt up, wondering why no one has called me to go to the office, and why hasn't the alarm clock rung?!

As I feel for my jacket, I absentmindedly pick up my phone to check the time.

It's 2:11 AM, and there's a line indicating the day bellow the Gregorian date — the fifteenth day of the eleventh lunar month.

I cross-checked with the date in my mind and found no discrepancies.

... It seems my sleep quality has been poor lately, messing up my circadian rhythm.

I exhale in relief, tossing aside the half-changed clothes, and flopping back onto the bed with a "thud." Since I haven't slept for long, I might as well continue sleeping.

Just as I close my eyes, there's a soft sliding sound from the window, followed by familiar and elegant footsteps.

MC: Lucien?

A trace of excitement surges in my heart. It turns out Lucien hasn't left yet, so I quietly get out of bed, intending to go look for him.

Pushing open the balcony door, under the winter night sky, a faint chill envelops my surroundings.

The crescent moon hangs high, casting its pure light on Lucien's figure, outlining his silhouette.

Unable to resist, I sneak closer and gently wrap my arms around him from behind.

Lucien senses my embrace and turns around to shield me from the cold wind. He then smoothens the tousled strands of my hair disheveled from sleep.

Lucien: (softly) Why didn't you continue sleeping?

MC: It feels like it's been a while since I slept so comfortably; I'm a bit unaccustomed to it now.

MC: Well, actually, I'm not used to waking up and not seeing you. During this time, every time I wake up from a dream, it feels like I…

My voice suddenly pauses.

Lucien: (quietly) What's wrong?

MC: ….

I glance at the crescent moon in the sky, gaze at it for a moment, then shift my focus back to Lucien.

MC: Lucien, can you be the first thing I see when I open my eyes, regardless of whether it's a good dream or a nightmare?

Lucien: Yes.

He answers simply and naturally as if this is a task that can be easily accomplished.

MC: I want to skip work tomorrow and sleep in for the whole day. Is that okay?

Lucien: It's okay.

MC: Then... I don't want to see the crescent moon, I want to see the full moon. Is that okay too?

The crisp winter wind sweeps through the balcony's curtains. Lucien's gaze is profound and quiet, his voice carrying an unyielding indulgence.

Lucien: (chuckles softly) Yes, it's okay.

Lucien: I promised you, in this dream, my MC can do anything.

[Chapter 54-8]

As Lucien finishes speaking, the crescent moon in the sky transforms into a full moon.

Its bright and clear radiance spreads across the dark horizon, illuminating the tranquil night before me.

Not sure if it's my imagination or not, but even the winter night air seems to have warmed up. I lazily lean back into his embrace.

MC: (smiles happily) It's really convenient.

MC: But Professor Lucien set the dream temperature higher, is it because you don't want to cuddle me anymore?

Lucien chuckles softly, tightening his hand around my waist. His distinct joints touched my skin through the thin layer of pajamas.

After a long silence, he speaks again, his voice seemingly blending into the night.

Lucien: (chuckles) Are you satisfied with this dream?

I open my mouth but don't respond immediately.

In this dream, Lucien has been by my side, much like the time we spent together before when he entered my dreams to wake me up.

[T/N: MC talks about S2 CH 34]

Yet, it's different from that time. Instead of fantastical scenes, this dream resembles the mundane aspects of everyday life.

I don't know why he created another dream— one that isn't necessarily perfect.

So, I decided to throw the question back to him.

MC: Well, are you satisfied?

Lucien: (quietly) I am not satisfied.

Lucien's response was straightforward.

Unknowingly, he has adjusted the surroundings to a temperature that's just right, allowing me to instinctively seek and indulge in his body warmth.

Lucien: Those unsettling nightmares are data I failed to handle properly.

MC: Data?

Lucien: Mm… the unexpected deaths in those nightmares will be real experiences you'll face in the waking world.

His words leave me momentarily puzzled, and I can't help but widen my eyes slightly.

MC: I... I don't quite understand.

MC: Are you saying that if I wake up, I'll be surrounded by death like in those absurd horror movies?

MC: But why? I've never experienced anything like that before.

Lucien: Because the previous world was three-dimensional.

Lucien: And now it's transitioning into four dimensions... Do you remember?

I recall the experiment we conducted more than ten days ago and Lucien's explanation about the "four-dimensional worm."

...When standing in a higher dimension, time becomes a visible axis.

From birth to death, all forms of a person will be displayed, like an elongated shadow.

My thoughts briefly clarify within the recollection, only to once again plunge into confusion.

MC: I still don't understand. The world is ascending in dimensions, but what does that have to do with me…..

Lucien: Because you are the CORE. You are the sole variable in the world's transformation, the anomaly it wants to completely erase.

It's me again.

Surreal emotions wells up in my heart. Hearing Lucien's words, I can't help but smile wryly.

It's as if I'm always a stumbling block in the world's progress, and it will always have issues with me.

MC: So, should I just keep hiding here until its evolution is complete?

MC: But I can't imagine what the world will be like after its evolution is complete….

If everyone becomes an elongated "four-dimensional worm" does that mean every moment, we are all constantly splitting into our past selves?

I've never had a clear concept of the world after ascending, and Lucien's mysterious explanation only adds to my confusion.

I look at him and hesitantly speak.

MC: ...What's the difference between the world after ascending to higher dimensions and the current one?

Lucien: If you still don't quite understand, I can try to illustrate it for you in the dream based on my understanding.

While he speaks with a calm tone, I catch a faint and almost imperceptible... delight.

As his words linger, the dream before me begins to transform.

The balcony we stand on, the bustling streets... all scatter into countless points of light.

Then, they intersect and merge, gradually forming two long trajectories composed of images of both me and Lucien.

I pause my breath, staring blankly at the unfolding scene before me.

This view isn't unfamiliar to me.

This is the fourth dimension—

Time.

Like an extended scroll, every segment of our past unfolds vividly before my eyes.

On one side, the shadow represents my journey. From babbling words to stepping out of school, the chubby baby face gradually fades until it matches my present self.

On the other side is Lucien's trajectory.

A young Lucien sits upright at a table, diligently sketching patterns in an insect atlas. The scene radiates a vividness surpassing any photograph.

I find myself unable to look away, involuntarily drawn closer.

MC: So, you used to draw these kinds of pictures when you were young…

Lucien smiles ever so lightly.

Lucien: Mm, I used to enjoy spending time in this way back then.

I gaze at the scene before me in a trance. As it progresses, I see the young him turning around, closing the door of the once-empty laboratory behind him.

Further in the distance, he stands in the center of some academic hall, receiving honors.

Following my gaze, Lucien seems a bit absent-minded as he speaks.

Lucien: After the world ascends in dimensions, all our trajectories can unfold before us like this.

Lucien: Whether it's the future, the present... or those missed moments of the past.

I lightly inhale, feeling my heartbeat quicken a bit.

...I've often wondered with curiosity, picturing countless scenarios before meeting Lucien.

What expression would appear on his face the first time he picks up an experimental instrument?

How would he look while delivering a lecture on a foreign stage?

And after the world ascends in dimensions, such questions will cease to exist, and we'll genuinely see every second of each other.

All of this floods into my mind, like a dream coming true.

So... this is what Lucien wants to achieve.

Like me, he's also curious and feels regretful about the moments he missed in my past.

Holding onto his warm hand, I can't help but ask softly.

MC: Is this the world you long for?

Lucien: Just one of them…

Lucien's voice is soft, and I don't quite catch it, so I turn to look at him.

He gazes at the intersecting trajectories before us, his eyes shimmering with emotions that alternate between doubt and brightness.

Lucien: If this is the evolutionary direction chosen by the world, then it should be an ideal scenario for me.

Lucien: But I don't know why…

He murmurs while holding my hand, as if questioning, and yet it also seems like he's speaking to himself.

Lucien: I always feel like it's not ideal enough.

Lucien: And you, you can guide the world to evolve in even more unexpected directions.

As Lucien speaks, he finally turns to look at me. Those ink-like eyes hold my reflection deeply.

Lucien: The world of the future should be something we both anticipate.

Lucien: MC, do you want our lives to be perfectly woven together from now on?

Lucien: Or do you want to explore an unknown, new world that might not be as good as the current direction?

Lucien takes my hand, placing a solemn kiss on it, as devout as when he once crowned me.

Lucien: This decision is yours, my Queen.

[I choose dimensional ascension]

[I choose the exploration of the unknown.]

#mlqc lucien #mr love queen's choice #mlqc cn #mlqc spoiler #mlqc #mlqc translation #mr. love queen's choice #mr love lucien #mlqc xu mo #mlqc spoilers

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crplpunkklavier · 10 months

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I'm rereading Exorcism (now that its finished! yahoo) and I love Kitty Poes sm shes such an interesting characterrr would you wanna tell me about your process for developing her? ig I couldve DMed you but I myself love a chance to rant publicly so here you go lmao. I am unfortunately only on chapter 14 (though I got further than that last time) so if you wanna be spoilery just give me a warning and I'll read it later >:3c

kitty my best friend kitty

i think i can go over this without any spoilers past chapter 14! you have already seen her big arc and i am sooo happy people liked her <333

so! i've never mentioned this to anyone before, but kitty is a bit of a riff off of one of my oldest OCs. when i was about 18, i was big into katekyo hitman reborn, mostly because i was even bigger into organized crime as a general topic. catalena foggia was the youngest of four, and after a rival family took out her parents and all three of her older brothers (you know, the sort of backstory you give people as a teenager) she very grimly stepped up to the throne.

now whenever i need a female character with a "hello, i Run This Place" air about her, my mind goes to catalena, who of course was called cat by all her friends.

and i knew that i wanted a character like that as klavier's manager. generally, whenever i get to make OCs for my aa fics, i try to make most of them women if they aren't already implied to be men by canon like the rest of the gavinners, since aa refuses to have adult female characters that don't die. the gavinners started out as a bunch of teenage guys, the music industry is tough as nails, LA is horrible..... nobody but cat could've done it, man.

the whole dutch connection sort of happened on the fly. i knew i didn't want to call her catalena foggia, even if nobody but, like, the two irl friends i still have who knew me at 18 lol, knew of that oc. it was still important to me to differentiate, because this wasn't cat, this was a new oc who was very similar to and inspired by her. i remembered that kitty is a valid first name, so i went for that, because i like to think i'm funny. :^)

once you reach the end of exorcism, you'll find a little gdoc with bonus content i left in the end notes there, which among other things contains explanations for all the pun names i've used in the fic. including kitty's, but i'll reiterate here: the reason i stuck with a cat theme was that klavier gavin, in my mind, is absolutely a golden retriever, so i wanted to give him a manager/babysitter who is a cat. a big cat. kitty is short in stature, but i mention her lion's mane of hair often enough in the text, so, u know.

that's also part of what i wanted her to be. yeah, she had to be tough simply for the industry and for the fact that she was managing teenagers for a while, but i also knew that i wanted to give klavier friends, and people in his life who really care about him, and will stick with him through all this. kitty is lawfully loyal: if she doesn't agree with something, she has no trouble walking out, but once she actually takes to someone like she took to klavier, she will be fiercely protective. i never mentioned her age, but i imagined her in exorcism to be somewhere in her mid to late 40s. she's seasoned, she's experienced, she's capable - she's what klavier deserves!!! that's what i wanted. kristoph and daryan are so painfully incompetent, when it comes down to it. klavier needs people in his life who know what they're doing.

so, i wanted a big little lion lady for my dog boy. i sort of just clicked through my various dictionaries for a while looking up different cat terms in different languages to see if any of them sounded enough like a last name, and that's how i landed on poes. only after that did i decide to make the dutch conundrum A Thing.

thank you for asking about her <33333 enjoy the rest of the fic, feel free to keep me posted about ur reading experience too :3c

#extraterezi #exorcism tag

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catholic-character-tournament · 11 months

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Round 2 - Side B

John Gaius art cred @exmakina

Propaganda below ⬇️

Harrowhark

I'm pretty sure you've already got plenty of submissions for her so I'll just say she was raised in what is basically a cult (technically a nunnery but let's be real) dedicated to keeping the body of the thing that will kill God behind the rock. One of their prayers is actually "I pray the rock is never rolled away". Harrow is extremely devout as penance for her earlier heretical actions in the tomb as a child (spoiler!) so the Catholic guilt really comes through

imagine being a catholic nun and you meet god, but it turns out he’s a twitch streamer from new zealand who became god because everything got a little bit out of hand. and just before you met him you gave yourself a diy grief-fuelled lobotomy with the help of your best frenemy. imagine how insane you’d be. now multiply that insanity by nine. that’s the fictional love of my life right there.

she meets god. she’s not inspired

she’s number one practitioner of space Catholicism. The locked tomb is chock full of Christian (catholic) imagery themes metaphors etc. just look at her she’s got a bone rosary

They're Catholicism with extra bones. Everyone is a nun. They have what is basically a rosary made from knuckle bones. They technically worship the same God as everyone else, but they're waaaay more focused on The Body in the Tomb (Mary) and we get a moment where we find out that while everyone else prays the equivilent of The Lords Prayer, they're doing the equivilent of Hail Mary. And they paint their faces with skulls.

She thinks leaving dry bread in a drawer is taking care of someone. She's in love with a 10,000 year old corpse (the same one they worship). She spent ALL NIGHT digging with her bare hands to make sure a field had bones every 5 feet so she could fight her girlfriend - I mean, greatest enemy. Spoiler territory: She's been puppeting her parents corpses since she was 8 years old. Instead of grieving her dead girlfriend, she gives herself a lobotomy. She makes soup with bone in it so she can use the bone IN THEIR STOMACH to try and kill them.

The author is/was Catholic and the entire series had heavy Catholic overtones. https://www.tor.com/2020/08/19/gideon-the-ninth-young-pope-and-the-new-pope-are-building-a-queer-catholic-speculative-fiction-canon/ A good breakdown of how it's Catholic

John

book quote from the chapters where he's relating how he got necromantic powers and people freaked out!! this is pre-apocalypse and resurrection so it's implied he took a lot of inspiration from this incident . He said, Then we took off. Thread after thread on message board after message board. People wanting proof. People asking what the fuck it meant. People talking about the LUCIFER telescope and saying we were aliens. People calling me the Antichrist, which was a trip. People writing up these long posts on how the trick was done, how I got the meat into the pie. Was I fake? Was I real? If I was real, what did it mean? Suddenly there were hundreds of people, all there at our front door. They came in caravans, they were sleeping in their cars or putting up tents. A hell of a lot of them had flown out internationally. He said, Some of them wanted to see the miracle. Some of them wanted my help, like, Oh, you’re the magical death man, can you do something about my body? Can you fix my fibromyalgia? Thing was, I could. That surprised me. I could take out their tumours. I could fix their macular degeneration. Big damage was easy, unless they’d actually lost the limb or whatever. Couldn’t grow those back. But I spent hours and hours a day playing Jesus. That was nice, those were some of the nicest hours I got to spend. He said, But when you’re doing the whole Go, my child, your knee cartilage is fixed, you’re going to get a lot of visitors. I had to turn people away because I had to eat, I had to sleep, even though I didn’t want to. M— had brought in her best friend, the nun, and I was worried I was going to get the Antichrist bit from her too, but she was just like: stop doing this! Read your Bible! This was Christ’s whole problem! I was like, What are you talking about, Jesus cured the lepers and everyone was all, Hooray, thanks man. M—’s nun was all, Are you kidding, Christ never said no and never asked anyone to pay and got way too much attention and brought the heat down on everybody. Christ didn’t keep to office hours, she said. Don’t do that. He said, So we limited Jesus stuff to one hour a day, and I always had to eat breakfast. But by then the whole world was on our doorstep.

look this is kind of weird but he is the only survivor after nuclear bombs destroy the earth and he has weird necromancy powers so he revives his friends and a few other people to be his subjects and basically makes himself a god to them. there's a lot of layers since he's literally the only character in the entire series who remembers the world before and has a concept of the religion he's copying for his own. he treats the other characters like toys he can push around for his own amusement and everything is a joke but he does this world-weary act that somehow gets the reader to kind of feel for him even when he's being atrocious. and he's the only one who remembers memes. which is a torture all of its own.

I said "yes" but to be more clear: he was canonically Catholic when he was still mortal, but that was 10,000 years ago and he kind of killed everybody on the planet. Just slightly. Some of them got better. Now he's the Emperor Undying and his empire is very Catholic-coded.

OP note: I got some replies saying he's not actually canonically catholic and this is "as Catholic" as he gets

#harrowhawk #harrowhark nonasigmus #john gauis #tlt #the locked tomb #cct polls #tumblr tournament #tumblr bracket #tumblr polls #polls #r2sb

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celestemagnoliathewriter · 11 months

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All That Remains, Ch. 1 and 2 Notes

I wrote a fic for the @regulusblackfest and I have been DYING to talk about it since I finished it a month ago.

Author reveals came today so now I can gush all I want! Since I wasn't able to post about all my chapter updates or plans for this fic, I thought to write posts to tell you all about how this fic came to life, and notes behind what I did in each chapter. I'll do it in twos. Below is a moodboard I created for the fic to give you an idea of what I was thinking (visually) as I created it.

This story came out of a desire to see Regulus in a thoroughly, morally grey way. Regulus, to me, is often (mis)characterized as this poor little meow meow who has no agency, or he's just immature and misguided, and underneath he has a heart of gold.

He does have a heart, feelings, and wishes, but he makes a lot of morally questionable to morally reprehensible decisions. My goal in writing this work was to make a darker character like Regulus more sympathetic. You may not like him - you probably won't, to be honest - but you'll root for him.

Chapter notes below (there are spoilers, fyi)!

Chapter 1 - la recherche commence | the search begins

I chose a prompt in which Regulus's partner becomes pregnant. To do this in a way that felt faithful to his characterization, I had to give Regulus some motivation to find a girl. His parents want him to marry and he's got the idea to choose his own bride. He thinks it will be easy.

A line to capture his previous thoughts on women:

She was familiar enough, having spent his childhood growing up along other pureblood children, but as she was always with the other girls, he never needed to pay much attention to their feminine nonsense.

Regulus is purposefully written as a misogynist, and it's not a good look. He's a) a baby boomer, b) a pureblood in elite circles, and c) the son of a family that cares about continuing the line, which only matters through the male line. He's a chauvinist, but one who thinks he's in the right, because he's parroting the tradition of generations before.

A commenter wrote, wondering how Regulus could be so clueless about girls, when he's got 3 girl cousins.

He starts talking to them and it's really awkward. He gets one word responses, awkward responses, or skittish girls. He makes a list of potential brides, like a pro/con list.

Having female relatives is no guarantee of success in treating women nicely, fairly, or even knowing how to talk to them. He's arrogant and assumes he doesn't need help.

But he's also fragile. He's just 17, playing adult games, and wounded from a lifetime of being compared to Sirius. Regulus struggles with his ineptitude and wonders what Sirius would do.

He ends the first days of his search in frustration.

All That Remains, ch. 2 Notes

Chapter 2: le devoir avant le plaisir | duty before pleasure

It astounded Regulus that the girls around his age were less willing to allow him to court them, but the girls from the minor pureblood families, and the younger girls, seemed to understand the privilege they were receiving by being singled out by him.

In this chapter, we see Regulus trying to narrow down who he's going to court and it's not going well. All his conversations are one-sided and he struggles to figure out why.

This is the chapter that I began some world-building. This was a huge experiment for me, putting Catholicism this blatantly into a fic, but I was inspired by both the work of @artemisia-black and @green-and-grey-kenaz to bring this to life.

Thus I've got Regulus having a good old time on the organ, musing on his lady troubles.

Regulus's new friend/thorn in his side, Maia, gives him a reality check, and I start showing off her personality. In the previous chapter, she's not afraid to tell him what she thinks or argue with him.

She's no saint, either. This is one of the lines I give her: “You are the last wizard I’d want to spend my life with, and that includes Muggleborns.”

She doesn't say Mudblood, but there's a clear hierarchy in her mind that Muggleborns are different/worse. She's not necessarily outwardly bigoted but there is prejudice there. It's one of the reasons why Regulus becomes attracted/intrigued by her. He's never going to go for a blood traitor - think Blaise Zabini's comment in HBP that he wouldn't touch a blood traitor like Ginny, no matter how attractive she was. Same deal for Regulus. Maia's not a blood traitor, but she's not outwardly terrible.

The last thing we see in the chapter is Regulus thinking about his Dark Mark. He's not regretful that he joined the Dark Lord but he DOES wonder what his future bride will think of the tattoo. It sets up an uncomfortable tension that will continue throughout the story.

To read the fic:

#regulus black #all that remains #marauder era #my ocs #sirius black #house of black #noble and most ancient house of black #regulus arcturus black

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