#paradise tree snake | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

vanteguccir · 24 days

Text

Coziness, love, and other things | Matt Sturniolo

Matt Sturniolo x reader

Summary: Where Y/N's cozy cottage becomes a refuge for Matt, but it's not just the house that encloses him, but who's inside; OR, where Matt and Y/N are in love, but afraid to confess. Until one day.

Warning: None.

Requested?: Yes, by @mattscurlygirly

Author's note: That is my work, I DON'T authorize any plagiarism, copy, or "inspiration"! | English isn't my first language, so I'm sorry if there's any grammar error.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

Los Angeles was buzzing with life when the triplets moved there, looking for new opportunities for their YouTube career.

It was a sunny day, the day after they settled permanently in their own home, when Matt found himself wandering around the local market, on a somewhat clumsy mission to buy fruit and vegetables for a Wednesday video that Nick had come up with. He wasn't exactly an expert in grocery shopping, and the confusion of colors and smells left him a little lost.

It was then that he saw her - Y/N, standing in the middle of the fruit stands, examining a pile of apples with a serene smile on her lips. She radiated a calmness and natural beauty that instantly caught Matt's attention.

With an inexplicable impulse, Matt approached her, determined to overcome his usual shyness.

"Hi, excuse me." He began, nervous but determined. "You seem to know what you're doing here. Can you help me pick some fruit?"

Y/N looked up, her eyes meeting his in an instant. Her smile widened when she noticed his hesitation.

"Of course!" The girl responded, kindly. "What do you want to get?"

What started as a simple exchange of words quickly turned into a lively conversation. Matt discovered that Y/N was a plant lover and an avid supporter of local agriculture. Her passion was contagious, and he found himself sharing more stories about his own life than he expected.

When it was time to leave, Matt found himself reluctant to leave her.

"Hey, do you want to go out sometime?" He asked suddenly, his courage increasing with each word.

"I'd love to. Why don't you come over to my house on Saturday? We can do something together." Y/N smiled, her eyes shining.

Matt agreed immediately, feeling a bubbling excitement in his chest. He couldn't explain the feeling, but he knew there was something special about Y/N from the moment he saw her.

A week later, Matt was standing in the doorway of Y/N's house, his heart beating a little faster than normal while waiting for her. When she opened the door, her warm smile enveloped him almost instantly, dispelling all his worries.

As soon as the boy entered her home, he was immediately captivated by the warm and cozy atmosphere. It was as if he had found a refuge amidst the chaos of the city and even the crazy acceleration of his home.

Over the next few weeks, Matt found himself returning to Y/N's house more and more frequently. He couldn't resist the feeling of peace he found there, nor her company.

Gradually, his feelings for her intensified, but he was hesitant to confess. He was afraid of ruining the friendship they had built - and one of the only true ones he had created in the crazy city of LA and among so many celebrities -, and even more afraid of being rejected.

Little did he know, she felt the same way.

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

The gentle afternoon breeze danced across the fields around Y/N's small home, whispering secrets among the leaves of the trees and caressing the petals of the flowers in her garden. The golden sun cast its rays through the windows, painting the interior with tones of warmth and coziness.

Inside the house, Y/N was busy watering her plants in her kitchen, an activity she considered as essential as breathing. Her refuge was a veritable green paradise, with foliage that hung gracefully from shelves and vines that snaked up the walls.

The sound of soft knocks on the door in a rhythm already very familiar to her took her out of her reverie, and a smile immediately formed on her lips.

"Come in, Matt!" She called, letting out a nasal laugh at his sudden appearance in her home as she continued to water her plants.

Matt opened the door with a wide smile, his blue eyes shining beautifully in the sunlight.

“Hey, Y/N.” He greeted, entering and closing the door behind him. "How are you? I couldn't send you a text yesterday. We finished recording during the night."

"Better now that you're here." Y/N responded with a playful smile, turning her watering can over and throwing some water towards him.

"Hey, I came in peace!" Matt feigned horror, quickly dodging away, watching the droplets fall on the floor.

"You always say that." Y/N teased, laughing as she put the watering can back in place. "Come on, I made pie. Your favorite."

Sitting down at the kitchen table, they began to talk while eating, as they always did when they were together. It was that easy with Matt. The words flowed effortlessly, and the silence was never uncomfortable.

"Oh, I brought you something." Matt said, taking out a small package from his backpack and placing it on the free space above the table.

"What is it?" Y/N raised an eyebrow while finishing chewing the sweet in her mouth, curious.

"Surprise." Matt replied in a whisper, his smile widening.

The girl opened the package carefully, revealing a pair of small, colorful flower seedlings. Her eyes instantly lit up, rising to his face as a smile gradually grew on her cheeks.

"Matt, they're beautiful!" She exclaimed, holding one of the seedlings gently. "Thank you."

"I knew you would like it." He pressed his lips into a thin line in an attempt not to smile like crazy, watching her tenderly, his eyes traveling from her eyes bright with joy to her wide and excited smile.

With Y/N's help, they prepared pots for the new plants, sharing laughter and lively conversations as they worked together. It was crazy how Matt found an immense interest within himself in plants. It wasn't news that he loved nature with all his being, but Y/N awakened something different in him.

As they worked, their fingers occasionally touched, sending subtle shivers down their spines. It was nothing new for them - there was always electricity in the air when they were together, a gentle tension that they both recognized but chose to ignore.

As the sun began to set, they finally finished planting the flowers, admiring their work with satisfied smiles.

"They're perfect." Y/N murmured, looking at the flowers fondly and clasping her hands together in front of her body in admiration.

"Just like you." Matt said softly, his eyes meeting hers.

A familiar warmth spread through Y/N's chest, and she looked away, feeling her cheeks flush slightly. Matt always had a way of making her feel special, even with the simplest compliments.

"You're so silly, you know that?" She said, trying to hide the emotion in her voice.

"But it's true." Matt insisted, his smile never wavering.

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

It was Friday night, the perfect time to escape the routine and get lost in the city's bright streets. Matt parked his car in front of Y/N's house, feeling excitement pulsing through his veins. With a hint of anticipation, he pressed the horn twice in succession, a sharp sound cutting through the stillness of the air.

A few heartbeats later, the door opened and Y/N appeared, observing the car for a few seconds before bending down slightly, looking at Matt in the driver's seat with a mixed expression of surprise and confusion.

"Matt? What are you doing here?" She asked with a frown, her voice thick with perplexity. "Oh my, we had no plans for tonight, right?"

"No, we didn't. But today's video was too stressful to record, and while I left Nick and Chris at home, I thought it would be a good option to drive around for a bit, I needed to clear my head. But it's no fun alone." Matt shrugged, smiling small and raising his right eyebrow, his expression brimming with expectation.

Y/N arched her own, but the mischievous glint in her eyes indicated that she was interested. She shook her head, a smile playing on her lips.

"Why not? I'll get my jacket."

Matt watched as Y/N ran back inside. He knew there was nothing special about just driving around, but the simple idea of spending more time with her was enough to make him happy.

When Y/N returned, he stretched his upper body across the car's console and the passenger seat, pulling the inside handle and pushing the door open, adjusting his posture again and watching her get in and sit down next to himself.

Matt quickly turned on the car after making sure she was comfortable, leaving the familiar streets of Los Angeles behind.

As they drove through the city, they talked and laughed like they always did, the radio playing Y/N's favorite playlist in the background at a low volume, letting the night guide them wherever they wanted to go.

Matt felt at peace next to her, her closeness filling him with a comforting feeling, his mind finally emptying itself of problems and all stress, and focusing completely on the girl he loved.

Suddenly, Y/N's favorite song started playing, filling the car with an infectious beat. Her eyes lit up, a scream of excitement escaping her lips followed by an excited laugh. Her right hand worked on opening the window on her side, allowing the wind to play with her hair.

Matt couldn't take his eyes off her.

As the girl sang at the top of her lungs, her eyes closed tightly, and a beaming smile opened on her cheeks, Matt felt like he was witnessing pure euphoria personified.

He was in a trance, his mouth slightly open, and his pupils almost completely dilated, his heart pounding in his chest.

She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.

Matt tried to keep his attention between her and the road, making sure they were safe while Y/N gave herself over to the music and the night, the strong wind circulating through the inside of the car and moving the boy's fluffy hair.

His heart filled with warmth at seeing her so happy, and he knew without a shadow a doubt that he was right where he belonged.

༻﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡﹡༺

A cool autumn breeze danced through the tree leaves, bringing with it the comforting scent of dry leaves and spices. In Y/N's room, autumn-scented candles cast a soft, welcoming light, serving as the only source of living light, while the warmth of coziness filled the walls.

Y/N and Matt were cuddled up in the double bed under thick blankets, their bodies pressing gently against each other as they watched a horror movie on the television.

A bowl full of freshly baked and fragrant chocolate cookies rested on the girl's lap above the duvet, consequently warming her legs, both of their hands fishing for the treats from time to time.

The atmosphere was filled with the tranquility of an autumn night, Matt's favorite, but the boy struggled mightily to concentrate on the movie as his heart beat wildly in his chest.

The feeling of Y/N's warm skin rubbing against his made his own goosebumps, the natural smell of her hair filled his nostrils, leaving him in a state of almost drunkenness.

As the movie progressed, a scary scene appeared on the screen, causing Y/N to jump in fright and snuggle even more against Matt's chest.

The boy felt a shiver run down his spine almost automatically, and his heart beat even harder in his chest, so that he could hear it in his ears, the sound of the voices coming from the television becoming muffled to him.

When Y/N looked up with an amused smile on her face, ready to make a joke about the scare, she found Matt's eyes already fixed on her in a different way, a good one. There was something there - a quiet intensity that made her own heart race.

Her smile slowly faded, her throat swallowing hard at Matt's intensity.

Their gazes remained fixed for long minutes, or seconds, and before Y/N could find the courage to say anything, Matt raised a trembling hand, taking it to the apple of her cheek, caressing the flushed and warm skin lightly, his expression full of tenderness and emotion.

"Y/N." He whispered, his voice soft to the ears. "I need to tell you something."

Y/N's heart lurched in her chest, her cheeks burning slightly under Matt's touch, feeling anxiety and anticipation rise through her body like a shiver.

"What is it?" She asked just as quietly, barely able to contain the emotion in her voice, the movie already long forgotten.

Matt swallowed hard, summoning all the courage he had within him.

“I love you, Y/N.” The boy confessed, knowing that if he thought twice, he wouldn't say it. His eyes never leaving hers. "I love you more than I ever thought possible to love anyone. I would do anything for you, anything to have you."

Matt's words echoed in the room, filled with sincerity and vulnerability. Y/N felt tears threatening to overflow her eyes, a wave of heat flooding her chest.

She wanted to say something, express the whirlwind of emotions she was feeling, but words escaped her, and she knew that in that moment she had gained what her heart longed for most, having him for herself.

Then, in a moment of pure connection, Y/N leaned up, resting her hand on Matt's chest, and finally captured Matt's lips with hers, initiating a sweet, passionate kiss.

Their lips moved in perfect harmony, conveying all the love and affection they felt for each other. Y/N's free hand traveled to the side of Matt's head, playing with his curly hair lightly, as Matt brought his hands to her hips, lightly squeezing the covered skin between his fingers.

When they pulled away seconds later, Y/N blinked long and hard, her eyes shining with tears of happiness, a radiant smile lighting up her face.

"Matt, you are every flower I have ever admired." Y/N muttered, her voice cracking. "That means I love you too. With all my heart."

And there, on that autumn night, under the glow of the candles and the warmth of the blankets, Matt and Y/N could finally allow themselves to feel and love, without fear of rejection, because they already belonged to each other.

༻✦༺ 　༻✧༺　༻✦༺

My asks are always open. My requests are closed at the moment since I have many to work in, but you can always send questions or simply talk to me 🩷💋

And remember to treat people with kindness always!

~ taglist:

@lustfulslxt @ladybunny44 @worldlxvlys @earth2starkey @remussbitch @freshloveforthefit @il0vebeingdelulu @sturniolowhore @mimi-luvzyu @alorsxsturn @urfavgirllyyyyy @domizzzsstuff @sturnizd @hearts4chriss @cupidzsq @dracoflaco @leah-loves-lilies @tylerthecreatorsrealwife @rootbeerworshiper @junnniiieee07 @elliesturniolo1 @sstvrnioloo @lightsgore @gidgett11037 @sturniolho @ksskianshd @ccolleenn @sturniolo-lover1317 @soimightlikeoldmen69 @hrtyjy @ldr-sl0t @breeloveschris @jamiesturniolo @its-jennarose @sainzzsturns @ecliphttlunar @thebottledwatersupplier @soso-scarlettolivia @maryx2xx @sturnolio-luvs @bitchydragonparadise @lvrsturn @freshsturns @h3arts4harry @iammattswife

(If you want to be added to the taglist, please comment here)

449 notes · View notes

elegiaalasestrellas · 2 years

Text

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”.

youtube

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh”.

The other thing about marriage—this is really worth knowing, too, and I learned this, in part, from reading Jung. What do you do when you get married? That’s easy: you take someone who’s just as useless and horrible as you are, and then you shackle yourself to them, and then you say, we’re not running away, no matter what happens. Yea. That’s perfect, because then you don’t get to run away. The thing is, if you can run away, you can’t tell each other the truth. If you tell someone the truth about you and they don’t run away, then they weren’t listening. If you don’t have someone around who can’t run away, then you can't tell them the truth. That’s part of the purpose of the marriage. It’s like, I’ll bet on you, and you bet on me. It’s a losing bet—we both know that—but, given our current circumstances, we’re unlikely to find anyone better.

Two things that come off of that…You know, people are waiting around to find Mr. or Mrs. Right. Here's something to think about, man, and to put yourself on your feet: if you went to a party and found Mr. Right, and he looked at you and didn't run away screaming, that would indicate that he wasn’t Mr. Right, at all. It’s like the old Nietzschean joke: if someone loves you, that should immediately disenchant you with them. Or it’s the Woody Allen joke: I never belonged to a club that would take me as a member. That's a very interesting thing to think about.

You’re going to shackle yourself to someone who’s just as imperfect as you are. Then the issue is, you might be in a situation where you can actually negotiate. You might think, well, there's some things about you that aren’t going so right, and there's some things about me that aren’t going so right, and we’re bloody well stuck with the consequences for the next 50 years. We can either straighten this out or suffer through it for the next five decades. People are of the sort that, without that degree of seriousness, those problems will not be solved. You’ll leave things unnamed, because there's always an out. It’s the same thing when you're living together with someone. People who live together before they’re married are more likely to get divorced, not less likely. The reason for that is, what exactly are you saying to one another when you live with each other? Just think about it. Well…For now, you’re better than anything else I can trick, but I’d like to reserve the right to trade you in—hah—conveniently, if someone better happens to stumble into me.

Well, how could someone not be insulted to their core by an offer like that? They’re willing to play along with it, because they're going to do the same thing with you. That’s exactly it: yea, yea…I know you're not going to commit to me, so that means you don't value me or our relationship above everything else. But, as long as I get to escape if I need to, then I'm willing to put up with that. That's a hell of a thing. You might think, how stupid is it to shackle yourself to someone? It’s stupid, man. There’s no doubt about that. But compared to the alternatives? It’s pretty damn good. Without that shackling there are things you will never, ever learn, because you’ll avoid them. You can always leave, and if you can leave, you don't have to tell each other the truth. It’s as simple as that. You can just leave, and then you don't have anyone you can tell the truth to.

Biblical Series IV: Adam and Eve: Self-Consciousness, Evil, and Death, IV, p. 25-28, by Jordan Peterson.

Jordan Peterson (2017). Biblical Series IV: Adam and Eve: Self-Consciousness, Evil, and Death. Jordan Peterson Website. Podcast. YouTube Vídeo.

0 notes

ultraintrovertedgryffindor · 2 months

Text

𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐄𝐝𝐞𝐧

didn't really wanna write this in the first place, considering my faith, but ugh it was too good of an idea to resist😅

Summary: Aemond was always God's favorite creation, that is, until He made you.

Warnings: SMUT (MINORS DNI), ROUGH NONCON, Lucifer!Aemond x Eve!Reader (does this count as monster fucking?), a whole lotta blasphemy going on here, guilt, degradation, humiliation, corruption, taste of the forbidden fruit (aka oral, m!receiving), painful loss of virginity, blood, creampie, Aemond is very very mean

word count | 2.4k🤙🏻

As soon as Aemond was created, he knew he was made for greatness.

Aemond was the most beautiful out of all of the angels, the most beloved and cherished. God put a lot of effort into sculpting him out of the finest materials, making him appear ethereal, almost as much as Him. It shouldn’t have been much of a shock when some of the angels preferred his company to God’s, telling him how much better he could run things, what things he could achieve if the Creator simply…ceased to exist.

Aemond tried, and Aemond failed, forcing God’s hand to banish him and his fallen angels from paradise, making Aemond lose his eye in the process. He refused to bow down and blindly obey what claimed to be a superior being than everything else, and he was thrown into Hell for wanting his own independence.

Aemond grew bitter and angry, what kind of Father did that to his beloved creation?

He vowed from then on that he’d try to spurn his Creator at every moment he could, devoting himself to make God have a perpetual headache as revenge. He’d destroy anything and everything He loved and wanted to protect, burn Heaven’s gates to the fucking ground.

So when Aemond saw God had made such fragile little toys to roam what he called Earth, he took every opportunity to maim and kill each creature. But that only made God create beings that could take care of said creatures.

Aemond and his demons could only laugh at the smooth skinned being that God created out of dust. Dust, he thought derisively, how inferior this so-called human is compared to me to be made out of something so quaint.

Aemond attempted to push all sorts of dangerous thoughts into the human’s head, wanting the man to destroy and self-destruct, but all he managed to get through was the feeling of loneliness.

Then, in response to the human man’s loneliness, God created a similar being to keep this human company; you, whose beauty almost matched Aemond’s, and he suddenly came to the realization that he wasn’t God’s favorite anymore.

God didn’t walk with Adam as much as he did with you, little Eve, doting on you and granting you whatever you wished without you even having to ask. No, no, no, this won’t do, Aemond thought maliciously, only he could be God’s favorite. No…Aemond had to ruin you.

Watching you and Adam live in blissful ignorance, speaking and being in the presence of the Lord, boiled his blood, hotter than he had ever felt before. But one silver lining, the Tree of Knowledge.

God told you and Adam that you could eat from any tree or plant you wished, just never the Tree of Knowledge for you would surely die. Aemond smirked to himself as he devised his plan. He would make damn sure one of you would eat the forbidden fruit.

Aemond came to you when you were by yourself, disguising himself in the appearance of a serpent, the only form he could take in your presence, which irked him, but he’d make do.

You eyed the serpent carefully, watching as it slithered across the grass towards you, seemingly just watching you as you worked in the garden…until it started to speak.

“Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?” The serpent spoke.

“We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but the Lord God did say, you must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.” You answered hesitantly, still very confused why a snake was speaking to you like it was a man. But a part of you were intrigued, his voice was soft and alluring; entranced, you had to listen to what it had to say.

The serpent seemed to scoff. “Surely you will not die.” The serpent climbed up the tree, taking a bite from the lowest hanging fruit, a loud gasp eliciting from your own lips as you saw the being swallow and didn’t immediately fall dead. “See? Who is He to tell you what you can and can’t do, hm? Aren’t you supposed to be free?”

A sinking feeling formed in the pit of your stomach, feelings of rage and betrayal encompassing you. “I-I…I am free! You have forgotten your place, beast!” You snapped, “The Lord God loves us and wants the best for us. He must have a reason!”

“You think everything is perfect, silly girl?” The serpent giggled, circling around you like the predator he was, eyeing your naked form, finding a reluctant feeling of gratefulness that God chose your features so well. “There’s so much wonder here right in front of your eyes, all you have to do is simply take a bite of the fruit.”

You shook your head defiantly. “No. He said we’d die. Why would He lie?”

“Because, if you eat from the tree, your eyes will be opened for what the world really is. You’ll understand right from wrong. You will be like Him. Consider, for just a second, if God truly loved you, He wouldn’t keep all this knowledge from you, right? Why would He keep something so simple from someone so innocent? Maybe He wants it all for Himself because He doesn’t think you deserve to feel all the joys He feels, that you’ll never feel. Ask yourself, why does He give you less when He takes more? How being free is being locked inside this place? Maybe you're weak or a mistake or too emotional. Maybe you're not good enough for His world, maybe you never were…”

Aemond could see the hesitance slowly leave your face, finally considering what he was saying to be the truth. Yes, little Eve, eat. “He’ll never know, sweet little lamb. I’ll never tell, you have my word. You deserve to know, you deserve to be free.”

The serpent’s poisonous words penetrated into your mind, making your mouth water from just the thought of finally eating from the forbidden tree. You had to admit, the tree was pleasant to the eye, the fruit it bore looked so delectable, like water on a hot day, maybe it would have always come to this? If not now, then definitely later.

You picked the same piece of fruit the serpent had bit into before, the skin of the fruit so soft and ripe, you were practically drooling as you brought it to your lips, taking a considerable bite.

As soon as the sweet yet bitter flavor hit your tongue, it felt like all the walls came down and the heavens opened. It was the best thing you had ever tasted in your life, the taste almost making you moan aloud. And you weren’t dead, in fact, you had never felt more alive. But your skin prickled at the breeze hitting your skin, and you realized you were naked. How long have you been naked? And the serpent was no longer with you, instead, a tall figure stood in front of you now, transformed as soon as the fruit traveled down your throat.

Unlike the serpent, the being in front of you was too beautiful to be any sort of beast, or human for that matter. You teared up instantly, the sight being too amazing for your human mind to comprehend. “Who…who…?” Was all you could get out.

“I am called many names, little lamb. Lucifer, Satan, Devil, Father of Lies, and much more…but you may call me Aemond.”

Your stomach dropped, the fruit sitting in your stomach like a heavy stone, burning from the inside out; you wanted to vomit. What have you done? You almost screamed when he grabbed you by your hips and pulled you close to him, your chest touching his, your breasts pressed uncomfortably against the leather of his clothing.

“You just had to give into temptation, didn’t you? You just had to taste it.” The Devil disapproved mockingly, an evil grin decorating his face, making his visage all the more menacing.

“You…you deceived me!” You sobbed, “You lied! You-!”

“Ah, ah, ah, can’t claim yourself to be innocent now, little girl. Now, the trust is broken. How will your God ever love you now?” He purred, licking up your free flowing tears from your cheeks and moaning at the salty taste. You tried to pull away, but he was too strong, holding your head in place, his fingers digging into your skin, once never blemished nor tainted now marked by the beast. “Shh, it’s okay. Don’t cry. Besides, I’ve got something else for you to taste.”

You begged for him to stop as he forced you on your knees, the grassy floor that once felt so soft now cutting up your flesh, itching and burning. “Please, don’t do this to me!”

Aemond only snickered, “Poor girl, you have no idea how evil this world really is, huh? This is just a taste of what’s to come. Be grateful this is all I want…for now.” Aemond forced your mouth open, squeezing your cheeks together and forcing his fingers into your mouth, choking you until he replaced them with his cock. “Ah, such a sweet, innocent, unused mouth. Adam never made you do this, hm?”

You couldn’t force back your tears, copiously flowing down your cheeks along with the drool on your chin. The head of his cock kept hitting the back of your throat over and over, you gagged and almost vomited until he gave you a breather, pulling back and looking over your tear stained face with a sickening awe. “So pretty…prettier than me, I must admit.” His eyes darkened in jealousy. “That bastard can’t possibly love you more than me once I’m finished with you.”

In one swift movement, Aemond had you on all fours, shoving your face into the ground, dirt and grass covering the side of your face uncomfortably. You screamed as he shoved his cock inside you in one thrust, filling and stretching you almost impossibly wide. The pain had your ears ringing and vision going white, sweat beading out of every pore in your skin as he forced you to take all of him. “Fuck, so tight. Did Adam never take you to bed? I figured as much, such prudish creatures. Don’t worry, my sweet little lamb, I’ll break you in for him.”

As if you thought the pain couldn’t get any worse, his brutal thrusts had you sobbing, the amount of tears you shed causing the soil to turn into mud beneath you, grass getting underneath your fingernails with how hard you were holding on to keep yourself from passing out. “S-Stop, please, mercy!” You begged.

“Mercy?” He growled. “I’ve begged for mercy too many times to count, I never received any. Neither shall you. Now shut up and take my cock like a good little lamb.”

“God…please…make this end…” You whispered into the ground, only to get a mocking laugh in return.

“He can’t save you now.”

Aemond’s thrusts were wild, trying to make it as painful for you as possible, watching your blood drip down your inner thighs and making a little puddle on the ground, staining the grass. But along with the blood, an almost white fluid made a ring around the base of his cock. “Oh, starting to enjoy this now, are you?” He grinned evilly, gripping your hair to pull you back against his chest, his other hand reaching around to hold your neck.

As much as you hated to admit it, yes. The pain slowly went away, all that was left was an achy pressure in the pit of your stomach, a burning that seemed to grow in intensity with every harsh thrust he made. “S-Stop…”

Aemond hummed in disapproval. “Why do you resist the pleasure you feel? Give in to sin and you can have anything you want in the world.”

“No…” You said to yourself. “No!”

Aemond chuckled. “So defiant, I like that. Makes it more fun to break you.”

You gasped as Aemond reached down to rub circles around a spot you didn’t even know existed, the sensation overwhelming but you didn’t want it to stop, though you’d never admit this. It made the pressure in your stomach only grow faster, moans escaping you and getting louder the more he touched you. “What’s happening?” You cried, panicking.

“You’re about to reach your peak, little lamb. You’re about to feel one of the most pleasurable of sins, and all because of me.”

“No, stop! Don’t make me, please!”

But it was too late, you reached the point of no return. It felt like you were going to die, the feeling was so intense, your whole body convulsing and spasming around Aemond’s cock. And with it, a dark feeling overtaking you.

You groaned loudly, an almost growling noise, as you reached your peak, your eyes rolling to the back of your head, only to come back as black voids. There was no white in your eyes nor color, just darkness. Your fingernails pushed out, being replaced with claws. Your canines fell out, being replaced with fangs. A brutal ache in your skull had you crying out, blood dripping down your face as a horn on either side of your head grew from beneath your skin.

“Yes, dark little lamb, give in to me.” Aemond cooed, and for the first time, you listened to him.

Aemond flipped you onto your back, looking down at you in a mocking admiration, grinning as your skin grayed and veins went red, beginning to resemble one of his demons.

He was taken by surprise as you flipped him onto his back with a shocking amount of power, shoving his cock back inside you and began to ride him violently. “There she is, there’s my fallen angel.” He groaned as his cock began to pulse, your walls squeezing him just right as you made yourself come around him as many times as you could, the feeling addicting to you now. “Fuck, do you want my seed, little Eve?”

“Don’t call me that.” You growled, scratching up his chest with your new claws, drawing copious amounts of blood, your now forked tongue lapping up the red fluid. The added pain made Aemond reach his peak quickly, his cum filling you to the brim. With one more cry, you sprouted dark wings, fluttering softly but just enough it brought you to your feet.

Aemond stood up with a grin, watching as his cum dripped down your shaky legs, mixing with your blood. “You’re mine now, understand?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Hm, now what shall I call you, if not Eve?” You pondered his question for a brief moment, before ultimately deciding your new name and your new fate.

“Lilith.”

hey y'all, thought i'd post a little something something for Valentine's Day. I wrote the first half of this months ago and then i got a boyfriend and stopped writing but i really liked this idea and decided to finish it. Hope you enjoyed!

youtube

#house of the dragon #aemond targaryen x f!reader #aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen imagine #aemond targaryen x fem!reader #aemond targaryen smut #aemond targaryen

634 notes · View notes

herpsandbirds · 8 days

Text

Paradise Flying Snakes (Chrysopelea paradisi), mating, family Colubridae, Tapah, Malaysia

Mildly venomous.

This arboreal snake is capable of gliding from tree to tree, by flattening their bodies, and flinging themselves through the air.

photograph by Francis Seow Choen

#flying snake #chrysopelea #colubridae #snake #reptile #herpetology #animals #nature #asia

253 notes · View notes

correlance · 2 months

Text

Paradise Lost: How John Milton's 1667 work influenced "Hazbin Hotel"

I've been thinking about why the "fruit of knowledge" in Hazbin Hotel is depicted as an apple, as opposed to another fruit that would've been more accurate to the Middle East during the Fall of Man, as well as how Paradise Lost by John Milton (1667) influenced the show.

Per one source:

"Because the Hebrew Bible describes the forbidden fruit only as 'peri', the term for general fruit, no one knows [what exactly type of fruit it was]. It could be a fruit that doesn't exist anymore. Historians have speculated it may have been any one of these fruits: pomegranate, mango, fig, grapes, etrog or citron, carob, pear, quince, or mushroom."

Per Wikipedia:

"The pseudepigraphic Book of Enoch describes the tree of knowledge: 'It was like a species of the Tamarind tree, bearing fruit which resembled grapes extremely fine; and its fragrance extended to a considerable distance. I exclaimed, How beautiful is this tree, and how delightful is its appearance!' (1 Enoch 31:4)."

In Jewish and Islamic traditions, the "fruit of knowledge" is commonly identified with grapes. The Zohar explains that Noah attempted (but failed) to rectify the sin of Adam by using grape wine for holy purposes. Today, the "Noah grape" is still used to make white wine.

Furthermore:

"The association of the pomegranate with knowledge of the underworld as provided in the Ancient Greek legend of Hades and Persephone may also have given rise to an association with knowledge of the 'otherworld', tying-in with knowledge that is forbidden to mortals. It is also believed Hades offered Persephone a pomegranate to force her to stay with him in the underworld for 6 months of the year. Hades is the Greek god of the underworld, and the Bible states that whoever eats the forbidden fruit shall die."

So, how then did the apple become the foremost symbol of the "fruit of knowledge"? You can partly thank Paradise Lost by English poet John Milton, a work which the lore of Hazbin Hotel is based off of.

Milton published the book in 1667, a time when the hedonistic Restoration era was in full swing. The exiled King Charles II was restored to the throne as King of England in 1660, and was a party animal, with dozens of mistresses, and nicknamed both the "playboy prince" and "Old Rowley", the latter after his favorite lustful stallion.

However, the association of the "fruit of knowledge" began with a Latin pun long before Milton immortalized the association in Paradise Lost. Per the linked article above by Nina Martyris for NPR:

"In order to explain, we have to go all the way back to the fourth century A.D., when Pope Damasus ordered his leading scholar of scripture, Jerome, to translate the Hebrew Bible into Latin. Jerome's path-breaking, 15-year project, which resulted in the canonical 'Vulgate', used the Latin spoken by the common man. As it turned out, the Latin words for evil and apple are the same: 'malus'.

[...] When Jerome was translating the 'Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil', the word 'malus' snaked in. A brilliant but controversial theologian, Jerome was known for his hot temper, but he obviously also had a rather cool sense of humor.

'Jerome had several options,' says Robert Appelbaum, a professor of English literature at Sweden's Uppsala University. 'But he hit upon the idea of translating 'peri' as 'malus', which in Latin has two very different meanings. As an adjective, 'malus' means 'bad' or 'evil'. As a noun it seems to mean an apple, in our own sense of the word, coming from the very common tree now known officially as the 'Malus pumila'. So Jerome came up with a very good pun.'

The story doesn't end there. 'To complicate things even more,' says Appelbaum, 'the word 'malus' in Jerome's time, and for a long time after, could refer to any fleshy seed-bearing fruit. A pear was a kind of 'malus'. So was the fig, the peach, and so forth.'

Which explains why Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel fresco features a serpent coiled around a fig tree. But the apple began to dominate Fall artworks in Europe after the German artist Albrecht Dürer's famous 1504 engraving depicted the First Couple counterpoised beside an apple tree. It became a template for future artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder, whose luminous Adam and Eve painting is hung with apples that glow like rubies.

Milton, then, was only following cultural tradition. But he was a renowned Cambridge intellectual fluent in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, who served as secretary for foreign tongues to Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth. If anyone was aware of the 'malus' pun, it would be him, and yet he chose to run it with it. Why?

Appelbaum says that Milton's use of the term 'apple' was ambiguous. 'Even in Milton's time the word had two meanings: either what was our common apple, or, again, any fleshy seed-bearing fruit. Milton probably had in mind an ambiguously named object with a variety of connotations as well as denotations, most but not all of them associating the idea of the apple with a kind of innocence, though also with a kind of intoxication, since hard apple cider was a common English drink.'

It was only later readers of Milton, says Appelbaum, who thought of 'apple' as 'apple', and not any seed-bearing fruit. For them, the forbidden fruit became synonymous with the 'malus pumila'. As a widely read canonical work, 'Paradise Lost' was influential in cementing the role of apple in the Fall of Man story."

To tie this back into John Milton's relationship with King Charles II of England, as mentioned, Milton originally served Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, and the English Commonwealth, which was formed with the overthrow and execution of King Charles I on 30 January 1649, following the bloody English Civil War (1642 – 1651).

The King's two sons - the newly-christened King Charles II, the elder, and James, Duke of York (King James II), the younger - fled into exile on the European continent. However, with the death of Oliver Cromwell on 3 September 1658 came the 2-year-long dissolution of the English Commonwealth, and the restoration of the monarchy.

As for Milton himself, we can look to an article by Bill Potter.

Milton, born on 9 December 1608, was around 51-52 years old when King Charles II was restored to the throne. He attended Christ's Church, Cambridge in his youth, and mastered at least six languages, as well as history and philosophy; making him, perhaps, the most knowledgeable poet in history. He spent more than a year travelling across Europe, conversing with and learning from intellectuals, linguists, poets, and artists, including the famous Galileo Galilei.

However, Milton was a controversial figure of his time, being unafraid to criticize institutions of authority; arguing that "divorce was Biblical", for which he was routinely condemned; joining the Puritans; penning the Areopagitica, a treatise on liberty in favor of Parliament and the Roundhead rebels, during the reign of King Charles I, arguing that the King must be held accountable by the people; and agreed with and justified the murder of King Charles I, for which Parliament hired him in 1649 as a propagandist and correspondence secretary to foreign powers, on account of his fiery manifestos against "the man".

The collapse of the Commonwealth with the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658 did not deter Milton from continued political writing against the monarchy and the new public sentiment that brought about its Restoration under King Charles II in 1660. On the contrary, Milton - now totally blind, having lost his eyesight by the age of 44 in 1652, a decade earlier - began writing Paradise Lost in 1661, and spent the next six years dictating the work to transcribers.

A supporter of regicide, Milton was also forced into exile himself, and faked his own death, as Charles refused to pardon - and sought to execute - any of those directly involved with his father's murder. Milton's friends held a mock funeral for Milton on 27 August 1660, just months after the coronation of King Charles II on 23 April 1660.

King Charles II commented that he "applauded his [Milton's] policy in escaping the punishment of death [execution for treason] by a reasonable show of dying", but insisted on a public spectacle nonetheless by having Milton's writings burned by the public hangman.

After eventually obtaining a general pardon from King Charles II, Milton was imprisoned, and released, likely due to political friends in high places. He died, aged 64, in 1674. His theological views were sometimes considered heterodox by the best Puritans, and his political views came close to getting him executed on several occasions. His poetry, however, has endured as some of the greatest works in the English language, especially Paradise Lost; much of his greatest work was written during his 22 years of complete blindness.

One of the main factors in King Charles II deciding to grant a pardon to Milton was, ironically, Paradise Lost. While originally written by Milton as a scathing criticism of King Charles II and the monarchy - depicting Lucifer Morningstar as a sympathetic rebel against God, with King Charles II claiming that is right to rule came from "divine ordainment" - Charles II enjoyed the work, and authorized its publication on 20 August 1667. We know this because a 1668 copy of Paradise Lost in royal bindings by Samuel Mearne, bound lovingly in a fine red leather made of goat skins tanned with sumac, and stamped in gold with the royal cypher of King Charles II, was found. The endpapers bore a watermark with the royal arms of Charles II.

Per one Miltonian scholar: "The most single important event in Milton's life was the event against which he struggled most: the Restoration of Charles II, [and his relationship with the King]. Had it not come, we might have never had Paradise Lost...certainly, we should never have had [it] in [its] present power and significance."

Milton followed up Paradise Lost with Paradise Regained in 1671, three years before his death, with advice for King Charles II, urging the hedonistic Charles to "reign over himself and his passions":

"For therein stands the office of a King, His Honour, Vertue, Merit and chief Praise, That for the Publick all this weight he bears. Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules Passions, Desires, and Fears, is more a King; Which every wise and vertuous man attains: And who attains not, ill aspires to rule Cities of men, or head-strong Multitudes, Subject himself to Anarchy within, Or lawless passions in him which he serves." - John Milton, Paradise Regained, Book II, lines 463-472

To summarize: "If we must have a King back again, my Lord, please try to be a good man, unlike your father, who fell to his pride, [which was also the downfall of Lucifer]."

To quote another source: "Though the passage begins by noting that the office of a King is to bear the weight of public concerns, it is the control of one's private concerns that truly set a King apart as a virtuous character. Indeed, so important is self-command that any wise or virtuous man who attains it is like a king; any king who does not practice [self-command] is nothing more than a mere subject, ruled by anarchy and lawlessness."

Milton's words, too, echo a work written by Charles' grandfather, King James VI/I of Scotland and England: Basilikon Doron ("Royal Gift").

Per Wikipedia:

"'Basilikon Doron' (Βασιλικὸν Δῶρον) means 'royal gift' in Ancient Greek, and was written in the form of a private letter to James' eldest son, Henry, Duke of Rothesay (1594–1612). After Henry's death, James gave it to his second son, Charles, born 1600, later King Charles I. Seven copies were printed in Edinburgh in 1599, and it was republished in London in 1603, when it sold in the thousands.

This document is separated into three books, serving as general guidelines to follow to be an efficient monarch. The first describes a king's duty towards God as a Christian. The second focuses on the roles and responsibilities in office. The third concerns proper behaviour in daily life.

As the first part is concerned with being a good Christian, James instructed his son to love and respect God as well as to fear Him. Furthermore, it is essential to carefully study the Scripture (the Bible) and especially specific books in both the Old and New Testaments. Lastly, he must pray often and always be thankful for what God has given him.

In the second book, James encouraged his son to be a good king, as opposed to a tyrant, by establishing and executing laws as well as governing with justice and equality, such as by boosting the economy. The final portion of the Basilikon Doron focuses on the daily life of a monarch.

All of these guidelines composed an underlying code of conduct to be followed by all monarchs and heads of state to rule and govern efficiently. James assembled these directions as a result of his own experience and upbringing. He, therefore, offered the 'Basilikon Doron' ('Royal Gift') to his son, with the hope of rendering him a capable ruler, and perhaps to pass it down to future generations.

Overall, it repeats the argument for the divine right of kings, as set out in 'The True Law of Free Monarchies', which was also written by James. It warns against 'Papists' (Roman Catholics) and derides Puritans, in keeping with his philosophy of following a 'middle path', which is also reflected in the preface to the 1611 King James Bible. It also advocates removing the Apocrypha from the Bible."

King James VI/I further instructed his son and grandson:

"A good monarch must be well acquainted with his subjects, and so it would be wise to visit each of the kingdoms every three years."

"During war or armed conflict, he should choose old-but-good captains to lead an army of young and agile soldiers."

"In the court and the household, [a royal] should carefully select loyal gentlemen and servants to surround him. When the time came to choose a wife, it would be best if she were of the same religion and had a generous estate. However, she must not meddle with governmental politics, but perform her domestic duties."

"As for inheritance, to ensure stability, the kingdom should be left to the eldest son, not divided among all children."

"Lastly, it is most important...that [a royal] would know well his own craft...to properly govern over his subjects. To do so, [one] must study the laws of the kingdom, and actively participate in the council. Furthermore, [one] must be acquainted with mathematics for military purposes, and world history for foreign policy."

"[A royal] must also not drink and sleep excessively. His wardrobe should always be clean and proper, and he must never let his hair and nails grow long. In his writing and speech, he should use honest and plain language."

King James VI/I further supplemented Basilikon Doron with a written treatise titled The True Law of Free Monarchies: Or, The Reciprocal and Mutual Duty Between a Free King and His Natural Subjects.

"It is believed King James VI/I wrote the tract to set forth his idea of absolutist monarchism in clear contrast to the contractarian views espoused by, among others, James' tutor George Buchanan (in 'De Jure Regni apud Scotos'), [which] held the idea that monarchs rule in accordance of some sort of social contract with their people. James saw the divine right of kings as an extension of the apostolic succession, as both not being subjected by humanly laws."

Milton's own Areopagitica was a follow-up on De Jure Regni apid Scotos by George Buchanan, and also to The True Law of Free Monarchies, as well as the idea of the "divine right of kings". It takes its title in part from Areopagitikos (Greek: Ἀρεοπαγιτικός), a speech written by Athenian orator Isocrates in the 4th century BC.

Most importantly, Milton also wrote on the concept of free will: "Milton's ideas were ahead of his time in the sense that he anticipated the arguments of later advocates of freedom of the press by relating the concept of free will, and choice to individual expression and right."

The concept of free will, too, was a major topic explored in Paradise Lost. Per one source: "In 'Paradise Lost', Milton argues that though God foresaw the Fall of Man, he still didn't influence Adam and Eve's free will. [...] God specifically says that he gives his creatures the option to serve or disobey, as he wants obedience that is freely given [or chosen], not forced. Some critics have claimed that the God of the poem undercuts his own arguments; however, Milton did not believe in the Calvinistic idea of 'predestination' (that God has already decided who is going to Hell and who to Heaven), but he often comes close to describing a Calvinistic God. God purposefully lets Lucifer (Satan) escape Hell, and sneak past Uriel into the Garden of Eden, and basically orchestrates the whole situation so that humanity can be easily ruined by a single disobedient act. In describing the Fall of Man before it happens, God already predicts how he will remedy it, and give greater glory to himself by sending his Son [Jesus Christ] to die, and restore the order of Heaven."

In Hazbin Hotel, Adam also describes the Calvinistic idea of 'predestination', and that "the rules are black and white":

However, "This possible predestination leads to the theory of the 'fortunate fall', which is based on Adam's delight at learning of the eventual coming of the Messiah [from his bloodline]. This idea says that God allowed the Fall of Man, so that he could bring good out of it, possibly more good than would have occurred without the Fall, and be able to show his love and power through the incarnation of his Son. In this way, the free will of Adam and Eve (and Lucifer/Satan) remains basically free, but still fits into God's overarching plan."

However, there is one major flaw with this, and that is that we don't know if Jesus Christ exists within the Hazbin Hotel universe or not. Yet Charlie Morningstar, the daughter of Lucifer Morningstar and Lilith, and the "Princess of Hell", is depicted as a savior-esque figure within the show who, like God in Paradise Lost, encourages lowly sinners to choose obedience to God out of their own free will. More interestingly, Charlie does not come from Adam's bloodline; yet, while Lucifer decries 'free will', Charlie supports 'free will' instead.

Perhaps is is merely because Charlie, being the daughter of Lucifer and Lilith, claims to want to fulfill Lilith's "dream" of humanity being empowered in Hell ("The mind is its own place, it can make Heaven out of Hell, or Hell out of Heaven" - Lucifer, Paradise Lost); however, I think it also stems from Charlie having a genuine belief that 'free will', and people choosing to do good instead of evil, is "good" and "Godly".

True to Paradise Lost, this is also in fulfillment of God's plan; and, according to one fanfiction, why God allowed Charlie to be born to Lucifer and Lilith, so that sinners may be redeemed through Charlie.

For more on differing interpretations of 'free will', I suggest reading: "Free Will and the Diminishing Importance of God's Will: A Study of Paradise Lost and Supernatural" by Kimberly Batchelor (2016)

Excerpt: "'Paradise Lost' –and Milton’s purpose for writing the poem— is rooted deeply in postreformation Arminianism and this is apparent in its employment of free will. Chapter 1 argues that Milton turns to free will as a tool to justify the actions of God. Freedom of choice is God-given, and sets up a morality in which right and wrong are dictated by God. Chapter 2 shows that in 'Supernatural', free will is not given by a higher power; and, in fact, free choice functions as an act of defiance against God's will."

This raises the question: Is 'free will' given by God, using Lucifer as his vessel, in Hazbin Hotel, as in Paradise Lost? Or is 'free will' not given by a higher power; and, in fact, an act of defiance against God?

This brings us back around to our first question: Why is an apple, or 'malus', used to depict the "fruit of knowledge", especially if 'malus' means 'bad or evil', whereas Milton depicts 'free will' as God-given?

Well, for one, Lucifer still chooses to associate himself with apple symbolism and imagery, despite being skeptical of free will:

Based on the introduction to Episode 1, Charlie also views 'free will' as a gift (Miltonian), whereas Lucifer appears to view it as a curse.

However, Charlie also notes that it was through the 'gift' of free will that the "root of all evil" entered the world, for if mankind could choose to be good, then they could also choose to be evil ('malus').

John Milton states in Paradise Lost: "Of Man's First Disobedience, and the Fruit Of that Forbidden Tree [malus], whose mortal taste Brought Death (evil, malus) into the World, and all our woe."

Thus, the use of an apple specifically is likely a tie-in to what others have been speculating about a character that series creator Vivienne Medrano (Vivziepop) alluded to a while back: "The Root of All Evil".

However, "Roo" itself is depicted as possessing the body of a human woman, presumably Eve, the first one to eat the "fruit of knowledge":

Thus, we can discern that "Malus" likely refers to this character. (Also see: "Maleficent", a name that also uses the root word "mal", "evil".) As for Roo's intentions, if Charlie is "good" - and, if, in fact, Alastor was sent by "Roo" (Eve) - then they may want for Alastor to work on their behalf to "corrupt" Charlie, or make sure the hotel never succeeds.

This is because demonic power is tied to human souls, and there are "millions of souls" in Hell, which likely fuels the great power of "Roo". The more souls there are in Hell, the more powerful "Roo" becomes. The Overlords also get their demonic power from "millions of souls".

The deal between Eve and "Roo" might even be the first contract, or deal, between a human soul and a demonic entity; in exchange for 'free will', and the knowledge of good and evil, Eve allowed the "Root of All Evil" to inhabit her body, and to escape the void or prison it was confined to by Heaven (Hell?). (For one cannot be 'all-good' unless you attempt to 'eliminate' or 'ablate' evil; and, in Greek mythology, Zeus imprisoned the Titans in Tartarus for all of their evil deeds.)

Another possibility, brought up in an article by Gillian Osborne, is that Lucifer sees the "fruit of knowledge" as an apple, but it may appear as different fruits to different people, depending on how they view it. This also fits with Lucifer and angels being able to easily shapeshift.

In Paradise Lost, only Lucifer describes the fruit as an "apple" (malus), as he associates malus with "bad, evil", while the narrator also describes the fruit as "a mix of different colors" and peach-like. This then begs the question: "Did the fruit of knowledge of good and evil become 'evil' because Eve harbored resentment towards Adam?"

Quote: "Lucifer (Satan) gives Eve yet another hint that this tree may be more complicated than he wishes her to believe: although elsewhere in Milton's poem Eden is heady with its own newness, sprouting spring flowers left and right, the tree of knowledge is already old: its trunk is 'mossie'. Nevertheless, Lucifer claims to wind himself around the tree 'soon'; the quickness of his reported arrival stands in contrast to the timescales required to cover a fruit tree with moss (PL 9.589). Placing Lucifer's winding body between these two timescales—an easeful present and the inhuman scale of natural history—Milton suggests that there is something dangerous in entangling the past with the present. Yet, 'Paradise Lost' also makes deep biblical history feel like present politics for its readers. When Adam and Eve wander out of Eden at the end of the poem, they famously make their way not only into an earthly paradise, but also into the present. Eden's mossy apple tree therefore represents the pitfalls of conflating nature and history, of seeing any action in human history—even Eve's eating of an apple—as natural, if by nature, we mean inevitability. For Milton, history, unlike nature, is directed by humans, progressive, and, like the reading of 'Paradise Lost', hard work. While trees may inevitably collect moss the longer they live, Adam and Eve's labors in the garden, and our labors of reading, require agency and effort. Milton's poem refuses mourning the loss of Eden, [and the perfection of Heaven], in favor of a perpetual, melancholic, recreation of paradise: a present perfecting."

To quote Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier, which also draws inspiration from John Milton's Paradise Lost: "It's an unfortunate situation...but you do have a choice [i.e. free will]."

#hazbin hotel #hazbin hotel analysis #hazbin #hazbin analysis #hazbin hotel meta #hazbin meta #hazbin hotel theory #hazbin theory #deep thoughts #john milton #paradise lost #eve hazbin hotel #lucifer hazbin hotel #lucifer morningstar #adam hazbin hotel #lilith hazbin hotel #lilith morningstar #roo hazbin hotel #root of all evil

204 notes · View notes

villainsimpqueen · 1 month

Text

Echos In Paradise Lost.

Chapter 3.

(My fics are 18+.)

summary: Gold itself is inert and does not tarnish or corrode, but it can be alloyed with other metals that may affect its appearance or properties. However, the purity of gold can be compromised if it is mixed with impurities during the refining process, resulting in a lower quality or different color of gold. Additionally, gold can accumulate dirt or oils over time, which may affect their appearance but can usually be cleaned to restore their original shine.

Chapter 3.

Branches, thorns and vines slapped against your body as you ran through the forest of the Gardens. Your heart pounding in your chest as you ran searching.

You were moving too fast, you needed to slow down and so you leaned against a tree heaving allowing you burning lungs to ease from their over working.

You needed to breathe and you needed to focus, You needed to find Adam, but if you rushed you may have missed him.

He had taught you to track.

You let out a shaky breath and took in the surroundings that were barely being lit up by the moon. The messy path proved that your dear husband had come this way and you kneeled down to rub your fingers into his tracks feeling how soft the disturbed soil was, it was still fresh, meaning you couldn't be far behind him.

You steeled your breath as you pushed up, your world spinning lightly as your head throbbed causing you to hold the wound.

“Adam!” You shouted in hopes your husband was still very near to hear you, that he would come back to you, to Eve.

Only the soft sounds of chirping crickets and the occasional chirping of night birds called back to you.

You moved slowly following your frantic husband's tracks as you shouted for him, hoping, praying that he would answer.

“ADAM!” you shouted with your hands over your lips to make your voice stretch longer.

"I stand close by thee, my dearest.”

Adams voice called, causing you to turn, your eyes straining in the darkness as you searched for your husband.

"Adam, I beseech thee to return unto me, my husband, I implore.” You called back into the nightly shadows.

"Pray, come hither, my dearest, and prove thou dost not harbor disdain towards me.”

You Husband sounded frantically worried and it pulled at your heart as you neared the shadows. You just wanted to comfort your husband, You needed him well in mind so that He could help free your dearest wife from the snake's hold.

"Never could I harbor hate towards thee, thou art my most cherished husband. I do perceive thy troubled mind, yet I have pardoned thee. Pray, emerge, come unto me, Adam.” You pleaded with him, nearing the shadows you saw a glow, perhaps a flash of your husband's golden eyes, and your chest ached as you saw they moved away from you. How could he not see that you could never hate him? That you fully believed in your husband and that you knew that he was good, pure and loving. That you had not seen the out wordly source that occurred during such an argument, Your husband was not cruel.

"Hither, I beseech thee.”

Adams' voice wailed, it sounded ugly, broken and torn and it was working like a lure to lead you into the shadows, into the darkest parts of the forest. Playing against your nature to comfort your loved ones, an act that it had learned to use against you.

You went to take a step off the path you were one, almost blinded by the need to reach your husband, that you didn't focus on how his tracks did not meet the path of the voice calling out to you. Begging you to come to it, Surely he must've turned somewhere up ahead? Perhaps he heard your calls and turned back another way?

"My beloved, I implore thee.”

You nearly entered the darkness, your lips opening to call out for Adam once again, to beg for him to come near you, to take your hand.

“My Husba- '' Your voice cut off and your shriek was muffled by a large hand covering your lower jaw as your backside was pulling into warmth.

“My Echo, that is not me..” Adams' hushed and panicked voice was low and gravelly in your ear. You felt your feet being lifted from the forest floor as You felt your husbands movements through his chest, the soft snapping of twigs and vines under his feet.

"Come to me, dearest"

The voice of your not so husband called from the shadows making you move your head back against Adams chest, Seeing how his scorching eyes glared stone blades out into forests Shadows. His chest rose and fell against your back quickly, a look of torment in your husband's eyes.

What was he hearing?

What were the snakes tormenting your husband with?

And for the first time, you prayed, You prayed to the heavens to the Angels above for you to understand what the snakes were doing to your husband.

And your prayers had been answered.

You heard screams of agony that came from.the voices of your beloved wife, screams from your own voice that was not in fact your own.

"Thou art naught, a mere vessel of ineptitude.”

such cruel words aimed towards your Husband, as the screams pierced through.

Taunting him and jabbing at your Husband, things you had not known that would cause him such pain. Adam had always seemed so confident, was your husband suffering in silence?

"Thou couldst not even retain thy first consort, wherefore should I deign to cast mine eyes upon thee?” Not Your dearest Wife speaks harshly to him, her words cold and sharp like striking him with a spear.

"The celestial beings should never have birthed thee. Thou art naught but an erratum of existence.” Your not voice cut into your husband deeply.

You felt how his breathing quickened against your back, how his arms trembled around you. His ragged breath quickening against your ear as his eyes stared into the shadows making you look back seeing a set of golden eyes scorn back at you both.

"Thou shalt ne'er be a good husband, doomed to solitude for eternity.” A voice speaks one you have heard failing to be of morning doves when it was singing birds.

You felt how Adam flinched and you looked back at him, feeling him shake around you as he held you. You could still hear a voice trying to lure you away from your husband, coaxing you to leave him, to join them in the shadows.

"Doth thou not crave the taste of being a virtuous husband?”

You jolted from the voice as it did not sound far away from you like before, you felt a shiver run up and down your spine as your skin blossomed with bumps and your hair rose as the voice whispered into your other ear that was away from Adam's hyperventilating lips.

"Doth thou seeketh a partner who would ne'er seek to wield dominion over thee?”

You felt a sick feeling overtake your chest as you could hear the whisper in your other ear, felt the faint lips that ushered them against your lower lobe.

“ To conceal no secrets? Dost thou ponder upon the veracity of Adam's words to thee and Eve?”

You felt as if something was wrapping around you in a tightening grasp, more so tightly than your husband's shaking arms. The feeling of leaving an unbelievable cold chill even with your husband's warm and burning chest against your back, and the fur cloak that kept you hidden did not shield you from this creeping chill.

“Why was Eve fashioned? And why were thou?”

You shook your head away trying to get the feeling of the lips away from your ear with a small cry.

"Thou art a pitiful creature, consumed by the lust for dominion over thy wife, so fervent that thou hast smote thy hapless spouse.” the feminine voice spoke hauntingly.

"Nay, nay, I ne'er wished for it... I did never yearn to cause them harm... I have learned... I am altering my ways…” Your Husband voice shook as he sputtered. His grasp on you weakened and you clawed at his trembling arms.

"I could reveal unto thee the essence of a noble husband. I shalt ne'er dictate unto thee as Adam doth, but rather set thee free unto realms yet unexplored.”

You yelped again squirming in Adams' hold trying so desperately to get whatever was whispering in your ear away from you, the feeling of something slithering around you and squeezing you only grew more causing you to cry out in distress.

"Hast thou indeed? Behold thee now, holding thy spouse captive against their volition. They yearneth naught for thee, for thou art but naught!”

You heard your husband let out a breath and it rasped away from his lips and a low weeping whimper left him. His arms started to unwrap from you, causing your feet to fall to the forest. You felt so utterly sick, as if you were being torn apart from your skin and flesh. This was pure Agony, this was..Was something you had not learned such words to describe but you felt your Wife and Husbands losing themselves, Losing faith.

These ugly creatures preying on them, preying on you, you did not understand why.

Why were such creatures ever in these gardens, in your home?

Why did they get to torment your loved ones and you so?

What right did they have?

To surround you and your husband with tormenting words, all around with screams and sounds that brought inducement to one soul.

What were their goals? Their ambition to cause so much distress?

Your love for each other was true, their love for you was true.

Pure.

YOU believed it with every single speck of dust and flesh of your being.

As you were sculpted and stitched together to be so for them.

Without their love, you surely could not exist in such a world.

How could these Snakes speak of such things?

“LAIRS!” You screamed and it was piercing, causing silence to overcome the forest, aside from your husband's ragged breathing.

"Liars hath no voice in this realm!" Your voice seemed almost booming, as it echoed through the shadows of the trees and it was

if on your command the heavens moonlight shone down brightly illuminating against the trees and brush, drowing away the shadows with its gentle relieving light.

You and Adam stood basked in the soft gentle light both breathing harshly, you turned to look at your panting husband watching how his eyes did not leave where the other scornful golden eyes had stood, now vanished away by the heavens light.

The feeling of whatever foul trick the snakes played to enrapt your body had left you, once again freeing yourself to move and breathe.

You hadn't even hesitated, moving towards your Husband hiding your face into his chest, your arms wrapping around him as much as you could clinging to him as tears stung your eyes.

“No….Y/n…I…I shall only bestow upon thee anguish.” Your husband's voice sounded broken as it trembled as much as his own body did within your grasp, and it itself had brought you more pain than the throbbing wound on your head.

"My husband, my dearest, my Adam, Thy heart harbors no malice, I perceive and trust that thy deeds were not wholly thy own, just as Eve's are not solely hers. We are beset by adversaries, endeavoring to erode our trust in each other and our love.” You spoke wholeheartedly believing your words were true as you squeezed your arms even tighter around your husband looking up at him with love and empathy understanding in your own eyes looking into his fear filled golden ones.

"They have ensnared our wife, weaving deceitful words around her, I implore thee, my husband, expel them from her midst, Shield her from their influence as thou hast shielded me." You pleaded with him, begged your husband.

"That serpent...Lucifer, he is much grander than I... y/n I am but a mere man... in comparison to him, I am naught…” Your husband so dejectedly murmured, You could only stare up at him in disbelief.

Your husband was nothing?

The husband you had taught you how to hunt? Your husband that had provided you and Eve such splendid meals each night after spending hours hunting? Your husband who had fought a large snarling beast that towered even above him? A Bear that was somehow bigger than your husband, as big and tall Adam was? Your husband who had turned that bear into the softest of beds for your wife and you to lay on next to him?

Your husband who had held you so tightly and safe in his arms as you cried into your wife's chest that dreadful night? Your husband who had left spear in hand so confident and determined to keep you and your wife safe when they had preyed upon you?

Adam, Your Adam was nothing?

Blasphemy. Lies.

You moved cupping your husbands cheek making those normally intense scorching eyes which now looked so dull as if those snakes words had sullied their shine.

But gold can not tarnish. Gold was pure, just like his soul.

Nay, my love, thou art far greater than thou dost perceive. Thou art more than a mere man in my eyes. Thy worth surpasses his, for thou art my husband, my protector, and my beloved.” You spoke so softly, so lovingly to your husband, showing your affections and devotion to your husband, listening to how his breath hitched as he listened to your words.

"Thou art stronger than aught I e'er did know, swifter than aught mine eyes e'er beheld, and brighter than the sun at its highest peak. And I doth believe it so, for I believe in thee with all the love in my heart.” You whispered to him, only allowing him and him alone to listen to your confession, watching how those intense sourcing golden eyes sharpen with each word, arising with each one of your breaths. It was as if you were breathing the fire that forged him into the sharpest of blades, as each word you spoke was utterly the truth of your beliefs, repairing the bends and dents the snake's blows had delivered against him.

Feeling his sturdy arms wrap around you securely, protectively.

His eyes burning directly through your soul as he looked at you so intensely it would bring the bright scorching sun envy.

Then you watched how they melted, softening on you as he pulled you closer to him, bending his head down, and your eyes fluttered shut feeling your husband's lips pressed against your own for the first time.

It was short but it sent a million tingles through your spine as he pulled away, his lips placing on top of your head as he held.

His eyes stung as he held them close tightly, his inhales sharpening as he steadied himself, breathing in the sweet and yet smokiness that came from you always reminding him of the meadows Eve loved and the Fire he liked to play with.

How foolish of him to ever doubt.

He was made in the Angels perfection, He was made to protect his wife and spouse and any children he fathered.

This was his very purpose.

How could he believe the words of the banished?

The ones that had to sneak into the gardens to weakly lure his innocent wife, his one and only true bright sun.

The ones that torment his precious spouse, His paradises perfect Echo.

He was more than just a Man.

Adam was the First Man ever made.

He was made with perfection and he was never to be tarnished to flawed.

How could he ever allow some lowly cast away from heaven and heavens first failure ever sway him from his true path? Allow them to tear apart the ones he loved more than anything?

Adam could never thank the heavens Angels more for them blessing him with such a perfect spouse like you. For if it wasn't for your words of pure incorruptible truth, he would have forgotten himself by their wretched words.

"Let us hence and chase them away from our wife.” Adam spoke to you in a low voice, pulling away allowing you to see him. See his unwavering unafraid gaze as he stood up tall, taller than you have ever seen him stand before, his shoulders Broad as he moved a gentle hand to your back as to guide you back.

And you could not help the overbearing feeling of pride as you took in your husband, now ready to defend against evil attacks.

As your belief was ever true

Gold can not tarnish.

-----

@seriouslyaverage

@jinisblad1

@dovespancakes

chp 4

#hazbin hotel adam #adam x reader x eve #adam x reader #eve x reader #eve hazbin hotel #18+ fanfic #hazbin hotel fanficion

62 notes · View notes

shadowjackery · 10 months

Text

The Gladdest Thing Under the Sun

I honestly thought we were supposed to wait a couple of days after the zine’s release, but, heck, everyone else is doing it, so here we are: My contribution to @gensokyozine . I’ve wanted to do this story for a while, so I hope you enjoy!

Descriptive text for the visually impaired or for easy quotation:

PAGE 1

Title: "Shadowjack presents: The Gladdest Thing under the Sun"

Yuuka Kazami, a youkai woman, climbs the cracked stone steps to the ramshackle Hakurei Shrine. She carries a parasol. Up the wooded hill, through the pines, stand the shrine gate and two guardian komainu -- one of whom, Aunn, is alive and waving cheerfully, tail wagging. The plum and cherry trees atop the hill are in bloom. Dandelions sprout as Yuuka passes.

PAGE 2, PANEL 1

Title: "Yuuka Kazami, Flower Mistress of the Four Seasons"

Yuuka wears a summer outfit that evokes the mid-20th century: a vest over a short-sleeved blouse with a necktie, a knee-length pencil skirt, hose and heels, a handkerchief neatly folded in her vest pocket. She also wears glossy leather gauntlets and tight sleeve garters. Her hair is bobbed and curled in 1930s fashion. Her eyes are slitted, like a snake's.

She rests her head on her hand and gazes up at Reimu, rapt. A cat with black and white fur, spotted something like a yin-yang ball, lies nearby, watching her carefully.

PAGE 2, PANEL 2

Title: "Reimu Hakurei, Mysterious Shrine Maiden of Paradise"

Reimu, a human woman with a long ponytail, looks down at Yuuka, sweating slightly. She says, "Um... you know..."

PAGE 2, PANEL 3

Reimu wears her usual red-white shrine maiden robes and ribbons, much patched and threadbare. She is barefoot on the porch, holding a broom.

Reimu: "When you look at me like that, I get the feeling I'm about to be CUT and PRESSED."

Yuuka is shocked. "Oh, my! I would NEVER. A wild flower is best viewed in its natural habitat, always!"

PAGE 2, PANEL 4

Reimu, smiling: "I'm a wildflower?"

Yuuka, grinning: "One of the best!"

PAGE 3, PANEL 1

Reimu greets Yuuka at the entrance to her residence. Yuuka bows formally. She has brought a package, wrapped in cloth with a floral pattern.

Yuuka: "Ojama shimasu."

Reimu: "Hai, hai."

Reimu: "Everything is flowers with you, isn't it?"

Yuuka: "It could hardly be otherwise, dear! I am what I am."

PAGE 3, PANEL 2

Yuuka takes off her shoes, while Reimu places the parasol on the weapons rack by the door. The top shelf holds scrolls, boxes labelled "needles" and "seals", and one Mk 2 hand grenade.

A large sign by the rack says in printed text, "Check ALL weapons before coming in! Including but not limited to: Swords, Axes, Bows, Spears, Guns, Wands, Staffs, Parasols, Lasers, Bombs, Poisons, Curses," and so on.

A handwritten post-it note has been tacked to it, saying, "SEIJA -- Do NOT obey this!"

Another, ripped and faded sign has been taped by the list, adding, "MARISA -- Whatever it is now: NO. I mean it."

There is a bullethole next to the sign.

A different yin-yang cat watches Yuuka.

Reimu says, "So what kind of flower is Marisa?"

Yuuka: "She reminds me of pampas grass."

Reimu: "?"

Yuuka: "One of a few varieties of cortaderia, somewhat resembling susuki."

PAGE 3, PANEL 3

The two women go inside where there's more shade.

Yuuka: "It's a fast-growing, invasive species that can contribute to rat infestations and dangerous wildfires."

Reimu, laughing: "A WEED!"

Yuuka: "But charming in its way."

PAGE 3, PANEL 4, OFFSET

Somewhere, Marisa sneezes.

PAGE 4, PANEL 1

In Reimu's kitchen, the two together prepare afternoon tea, while two different cats beg at their feet. Reimu pours hot water from a large kettle into a cast-iron teapot. Yuuka takes down bowls and cups, and opens up the Japanese-style lunchboxes she brought.

Yuuka has put on an apron that parodies the "piyo piyo apron" worn by Kyoko in the manga "Maison Ikkoku", but instead of a drawing of a baby chick on the chest, it has a drawing of a Dragon Quest slime, saying "suu suu".

Reimu: "You aren't bothered she stole the Master Spark from you?"

Yuuka: "Oh, Marisa didn't steal it from me! She bargained for it fairly."

Reimu stops what she's doing to turn toward Yuuka. "Bullshit."

Yuuka: "It's true! I was curious to learn a little magic, and in exchange for lessons I agreed to trade her a cutting."

Reimu: "Huh!"

Yuuka: "I don't mind helping another gardener to improve their art. She makes it bloom well, doesn't she?"

PAGE 4, PANEL 2

Yuuka carries a tray of sandwiches and snacks out of the kitchen.

Yuuka: "Besides... to cast it ONCE, she needs a device."

A surprise second Yuuka, with long hair, and wearing trousers instead of a skirt, whisks the teapot and cups from Reimu's hands, leaving Reimu with nothing to do.

Yuuka, the second: "But I by myself can cast it TWICE."

PAGE 5, PANEL 1

Only one Yuuka again. Yuuka and Reimu kneel on the veranda to take their tea. One yin-yang cat nearby sprawls asleep in the sun, an orange tabby circles curiously, and a third cat sulks by Reimu.

Reimu: "Okay, then how about... Alice?"

Yuuka: "Ohhh... Alice is special. With her pride and ingenuity, she bears the seed of great potential for power."

PAGE 5, PANEL 2

Yuuka beams with enthusiasm. She says, "Why, if one could but prune away a few of her mortal failings -- such as 'restraint' or 'mercy' -- she could make a truly MARVELLOUS youkai!"

We can now observe that Yuuka's necktie is not knotted, but instead held by a silver woggle marked with a "lily of the valley" emblem.

PAGE 5, PANEL 3

Yuuka blushes happily. "She might even be stronger than I. Wouldn't that be an interesting day?" A heart floats in her words.

Reimu tries to hide her concern. She thinks, "Ganbatte, Alice-san..." But only says out loud, "...er, uh... and Yukari?"

PAGE 6, PANEL 1

Yuuka grins wolfishly. "Yukari and I have an arrangement: She doesn't meddle in my garden, and I don't BURN DOWN hers."

Reimu: "Isn't it weird that a youkai of FLOWERS is so good at fighting?"

Yuuka: "I'm surprised to hear that from a Japanese!"

Reimu: "You say that like you're not."

PAGE 6, PANEL 2

Yuuka: "I am known in many lands, by many names, wherever flowers grow."

Yuuka narrates the scene from the foreground, wearing a woman's kimono and lacquered okobo sandals. She carries now a Japanese-style paper parasol. Her hair is tied up in a bun with a cherry-blossom kanzashi, and she wears a sunflower hair ornament. She is surrounded by flowers: chrysanthemum, hollyhock, and birthwort, and above her spreads blooming sakura.

Yuuka: "Did not your own samurai describe themselves as cherry blossoms, and fight for emperor and shogun under the banners of the chrysanthemum and hollyhock?"

In the midground, two armored samurai clash. The lower-status one has fallen to the ground; the richer has a bloody slash across his left eye. He swings his sword and chops the grounded man's spear in two, but the other is undaunted.

In the background, an army of horse and foot mounts the top of the hill, banners billowing.

PAGE 7, PANEL 1

Now Yuuka narrates wearing a huipil dress with embroidered shawl, and simple leather slippers. Her hair is done in buns, with a Mexican sunflower by her ear. A hummingbird flies near her. Growing around her are Aztec marigold, dahlias, banana yucca, and Mexican hat flowers.

Yuuka: "Across the sea to your east, the mighty Mexica gathered their 'hummingbird' soldiers to send to the 'Flower Wars' (they named them) to gather honor, blood, and sacrifices."

In the midground, the fighters are now two Nahuatl, one poor, one rich with a slashed left eye. The poorer one wears only a loincloth, and has a shield slung over his shoulder. His shield is painted with a hummingbird design, and from it hang a few feathers. The richer soldier wears a full-body jaguar costume, and wields a macuahuitl war-club. The poor soldier leaps to his feet and tackles his enemy, disarming him.

In the background, an army of Aztecs battle below a stepped pyramid and high mountains.

PAGE 7, PANEL 2

Now Yuuka narrates wearing men's doublet and hose, embroidered with fleur-de-lis and tulips, along with knee-high riding boots and gauntlets. Around her neck is a sunflower pendant. On her shoulder perches a falcon. About her feet, and entangling the narration boxes, are red, white, and yellow roses.

Yuuka: "And to the far west, the lords of the English struggled for a choice of kingly roses, red Lancaster or snowy York."

In the midground, the fighters are now two Englishmen, again one poorer, the other richer with the eye injury. The poorer soldier has some mail pieces and a simple brimmed helmet; the richer has plate armor, a full helm, and a shield. The rich fighter is overthrown, his foe about to stab him through the visor with his own arming sword.

In the background, mounted knights charge a line of archers behind wooden stakes. A church or fort stands on hills in the far distance.

Yuuka: "Flowers and War have always been intertwined."

PAGE 7, PANEL 3

We return to Reimu's veranda and cherry trees.

Reimu: "You've seen so many strange places... Do you have a favorite?"

Yuuka: "...it was in the west, in Flanders, perhaps a hundred years ago."

PAGE 8, PANEL 1

Yuuka invisibly narrates: "Such a war, Reimu! The men burrowed like moles, or took to the air like kites."

Above barbed wire, two airplanes spit tracers at each other. It is World War One.

PAGE 8, PANEL 2

Yuuka: "They plowed the earth with cannon, night and day."

Shirtless German artillerymen fire their gun amid sandbags. Something explodes close by.

PAGE 8, PANEL 3

Yuuka: "They slew by shot and poison, fire and blade."

A gasmasked French soldier, armed with pistol and entrenching tool, cautiously moves down a trench. An unseen enemy waits around the corner with rifle and bayonet.

PAGE 8, PANEL 4

Yuuka: "And for no purpose that I could see, no treasure nor slave."

Barbed wire and ruined buildings.

PAGE 8, PANEL 5

Yuuka, narrating: "The destruction was so maniacal it seemed no tree, no blade of grass, would ever grow there again. I thought you humans had gone absolutely mad!"

Yuuka, wearing colorful hat, coat, and umbrella, stands on a windy no-man's land, surrounded by dull mud and broken pieces. Tracer fire crosses the sky, coming from a distant machine-gun nest. She notices, but does not bother to avoid, the few bullets that land near her.

Yuuka, narrating: "But it was I who did not understand your passion. When I learned your true intentions, I was deeply humbled."

PAGE 8, PANEL 6

Yuuka, narrating: "Did you know, Reimu? You can find graves in the wild by how the flowers grow. (Bone meal makes such good fertilizer.)"

The corpse of a soldier lies upon the ruined earth. But near his outstretched arm, a single bluebell, and a few patches of grass, have sprouted.

PAGE 8, PANEL 7

Now there are no bodies, but grass and wildflowers and bumblebees cover the ground. A shattered helmet has a flower growing through the holes.

Yuuka, narrating: "I tell you that after this great war, those fields FLUORISHED with color. Rainbows spilled on seas of green grass!"

PAGE 9

Yuuka, narrating: "And ever after, all through those lands, the people wore blood-red poppies, to remember and give thanks to their kindred who slept below, for this sight they had worked so hard to create."

Yuuka wears early-20th century men's hunting clothes: a sturdy jacket and breeches with knee-high boots and gloves. Her curled hair is in a loose pompadour. As ever, she has a parasol. The sun shines warmly. The hill Yuuka walks down is covered in grass and bright red poppy flowers, stretching on forever. The plants almost completely cover a few remaining pieces of military hardware: a broken machine-gun, a lost helmet, a twist of barbed wire. Yuuka smiles.

Yuuka, narrating: "Tens of thousands of men willingly buried themselves for nothing better than the GLORY of FLOWERS!"

PAGE 9, PANEL 2, INSET

We return to Reimu's veranda. Yuuka clutches a handkerchief, almost overcome with romantic tears.

Yuuka: "It was the most beautiful thing that I have ever seen!"

Reimu stares at her and says nothing.

PAGE 10, PANEL 1

Yuuka says, "Excuse me!", wipes her tears, and takes out her compact to redo her makeup.

Reimu thinks, "Yuuka is one of my oldest friends, but she really is a monster, isn't she? I don't even know how to BEGIN to explain the truth to her... or if I even should."

PAGE 10, PANEL 2

Title: "FLOWERS appearing in this story."

Many cut flowers are arranged on a wooden surface, with identifying captions. In no particular order, they are: primrose, fleur-de-lis (yellow iris), common sunflower, anemone, dandelion, Mexican sunflower, tulip, rose, cempoalxóchitl (Aztec marigold), dahlia, banana yucca, Mexican hat flower, pineapple sage, bee orchid, celandine, Flanders poppy, lily-of-the-valley, bluebell, daffodil, kiku (chrysanthemum), aoi (birthwort), hollyhock, ume (Japanese plum), and sakura (Japanese cherry).

PAGE 10, PANEL 3

In a simplified art style:

Reimu pats Alice on the shoulder and says, "Alice, we sure attract some weird ones, don't we?"

Alice wears her usual workdress and hairband, but also has sturdy explosive ordnance disposal goggles and gloves. She is inserting a stick of dynamite into the back of a Hatsune Miku doll. Other dolls and marionettes (and one teddy bear) fill the room, all with visible dynamite fuzes sticking out of their heads, and all with glowing eyes.

Alice says, "Don't disturb me when I'm setting the explosive charges! If they went off, they could hurt the dolls."

Reimu: "...This is why she likes you, you know."

Alice: "?"

END

#fan comic #touhou #yuuka kazami #reimu hakurei

237 notes · View notes

adam-eve · 2 years

Text

Bert Bouman: Adam & Eve

from "De Eerste Mensen" (The First People"), published in 1973

#adam & eve #garden of eden #paradise #adam and eve #eve & adam #snake #tree of knowledge #1973 #dutch art #bert bouman

16 notes · View notes

helluvatimes · 11 months

Text

In The Shadow Of Death

A lizard in the deadly grip of a Paradise Tree Snake. Photo credit: Jonathan Chua.

We had only a little time to record this before the prey would be quickly devoured and the satiated snake would move up the tree. This image was cropped quite substantially. Because I didn’t want to move too near and end up frightening the snake into abandoning its meal. Another lizard elsewhere would’ve ended up as the replacement.

#photographers on tumblr #canon 70-300mm #canon eos rp #canon photography #flora fauna #lizard pics #paradise tree snake photos #photography tips #snake pics #wildlife photography

0 notes

whbfan · 1 month

Text

The Two Stars That Fell From The Sky | Part 5/6

Gamigin was flustered, standing with his arms outstretched in desperation, his back blocking the doorway.

Gamigin: (Why is his Majesty, ‘Satan’, the king of Gehenna here…?!)

He couldn’t understand why ‘he’ whom he only saw in [Gamigin]’s memories was standing in front of his house, in the middle of a remote forest.

Satan, the king of Gehenna and Lucifer, the leader of angels. They were never suppose to meet.

As Gamigin’s young heart pounded loudly with nervousness, Sitri appeared from behind Satan with a quirky arched eyebrow.

Sitri: His heartbeats are very erratic and anxious. It is loud and gets on my nerves.

Astaroth: Sitri, that’s not really important right now.

Sitri: …That is also true.

When Sitri took a step back, Satan, their king, tramped in front of Gamigin.

He stood so close to Gamigin that their chests were almost touching, and spoke.

Satan: I heard the man who fell from the stars lives here.

The sense of royal authority, coupled with the bad language was overwhelming.

Gamigin was stunned in silence, unable to speak as he felt a flame so hot it could melt iron.

He didn’t know Satan was actually smiling and barely managed to open his mouth and spoke with a trembling voice.

Gamigin: T-the man… who fell from… the stars…?

The bells at the end of his staff jingled anxiously.

Astaroth: His Majesty and we have come to find something that has fallen from the stars two years ago…

Astaroth: We do not know if it is beneficial or harmful to Hell…

Astaroth: But it wasn’t there… in Hades, Tartaros, or far away in Abaddon… That is why we—

Sitri: Have come all the way here. A place once called ‘Paradise’.

Said Sitri coldly, interrupting Astaroth’s gooomy ramble that sounded like a folk tale.

Gamigin: Paradise…? Here?

Astaroth: Looks like you are unaware… But this is the place Heaven’s envoy used to stay long ago before the war with Heaven.

Astaroth: Although we are now enemies with all angles and this land is useless…

Gamigin flinched at the words ‘we are now enemies with all angels’.

Astaroth: But the moment I stepped foot on this land, I heard a funny story.

Sitri: A devil who introduced himself to be the friend of a devil named ‘Jjok’ said his friend Jjok lived with someone who fell from the stars.

Sitri: For two years.

Satan: But…

When Satan sniffed and approached, Gamigin and Satan’s chests finally touched.

Satan scowled.

Satan: Who are you to wear Gamigin’s clothes? What have you done to Gamigin?

Gamigin: ……?

Gamigin widened his eyes in surprise when Satan uttered a familiar name.

For a moment, Gamigin forgot about the situation behind his back and opened his mouth ot ask gladly if he knew [Gamigin].

Gamigin: ….Sniff sniff.

But instead of speaking, Gamigin also sniffed the air like Satan.

He could smell the faint odor of gunpowder, accompanied by a sharp gaze from a distance, hidden from the view by trees and foliage.

Astaroth: Sensitive little thing. He seems to have noticed that Leraye is aiming for him.

Sitri: Even better. You should now answer without adding anything else to what his Majesty, Satan asked you.

Sitri ordered coldly and glared at Gamigin from Satan’s side.

Sitri: Oh, before he answers, may I ask Astaroth to read his mind to see if he is lying, your Majesty?

Satan: Go ahead.

Said Satan, his eyes still on Gamigin. Meanwhile, Astaroth reached out for Gamigin.

Then, the black snake encircling his neck slid down his arm and shone its eyes.

Black Snake: Hiss—

Astaroth: This snake reads lies… If you lie before it, you will be buried in the soil underneath your feet and become manure for the island…

Satan: Cut it out with the threats. Child, explain to me.

Satan spoke kindly in his own way, but because of his sense of pressure, Leraye’s murderous intent that he could feel from afar.

Astaroth’s snake flicking its tongue and Sitri’s murderous intent, Gamigin thought he would lose his mind.

He was still too young a dragon, and it was the first time he felt such an oppressive atmosphere since falling to Hell, so he spoke widely about everything that came to mind.

Gamigin: I—! Am actually a dragon! [Gamigin] is my savior and he gave me his clothes and powers!

Sitri: A dragon…?

Astaroth: A dragon?!

Satan: You can see that at a glance, idiots.

Sitri and Astaroth looked dumbfounded, but Satan crossed his arms and scowled instead.

Sitri: …What did you see, your Majesty?

Satan: …? He’s a dragon. You can see that from miles away.

Sitri: …Isn’t he a devil? From miles away?

Satan: …This looks like a devil to you?

Satan and Sitri cocked their heads at each other.

Meanwhile, Astaroth’s black snake was still docilely flicking its tongue.

Astaroth: Looks like he isn’t lying. Especially more since his Majesty, Satan can see it too.

Gamigin breathed a sigh of relief—

Satan: But. Why can I smell an angel inside?

Gamigin: …….!

Gamigin felt his heart drop underground.

Sitri: From earlier on… I can hear a frightening heartbeat behind the doors.

Gamigin held his jumpy heart, but Satan only pressed Gamigin’s chest with his own and bent down further.

Satan: Who the hell is this angel hiding in Hell?

Satan’s growl and vibration of crunching teeth touched Gamigin’s skin directly.

Soon, Astaroth and Sitri were standing on either side of Gamigin, leaving him nowhere to escape.

Sitri: This may have been a place for distinguished guests of Heaven to stay in the past but this isn’t ‘Paradise’ anymore.

Astaroth: In a land already abandoned, who dares plan to destroy Hell…

Before Astaroth could even finish, the front door that Gamigin’s back was pressing slowly opened.

Lucifer: He who lays a hand on Gamigin, will split into thousands of pieces to become nourishment for this land.

Lucifer walked out from the door that opened smoothly as though he couldn’t feel the weight of Satan and Gamigin and warned in a low voice.

At that moment, Satan, Sitri and Astaroth instinctively jumped backwards, putting more than five steps between them and Gamigin.

Sitri: He’s…?!

Lucifer: Devils are a noisy lot.

When the tall Lucifer looked down at them and murmured, Sitri took a step forward and growled.

Sitri: Lucifer…?! How can you, the first Seraph, be here…! Are the angels attacking Hell in earnest now…?!

Astaroth: The first Seraph and a dragon… Damn it… What the hell are you planning…

Lucifer: You cannot see although you have eyes… Does this dragon really look like he can harm anyone to you devils?

Lucifer clicked his tongue, as though he pitied their intelligence.

Satan laughed out loud.

Satan: True, that one doesn’t look like he can harm anyone. But…

Soon, there was a scythe summoned from Sitri’s blood in his hands, the tip of which he aimed at Lucifer.

Satan: But I think you can do it.

Taking that as a cue, everyone was ready for battle at the same time.

A red glow gathered behind Sitri’s back, which soon morphed into the shape of a large coffin and Astaroth was suddenly pointing a rifle at Lucifer.

But Lucifer only spoke flatly with a look and voice that seemed unperturbed at their hostility.

Lucifer: I shan’t stop you if that is your choice. But are you really seeing what stands before you?

Sitri: …….

Lucifer: Attack if you think this dragon will harm you and if I also look like I will harm in your eyes—do as you wish.

Lucifer: I shall neither blame nor stop you.

Lucifer’s demeanor and words were calm, but the devils watching were not at all reassured.

Satan: ……

However, Satan only stared quietly at Lucifer and the small dragon next to him.

Sitri: …Your Majesty. In any case, he is the Seraph, Lucifer. Angels are not to be trusted. You should not be fooled by their words. So…

Sitri: Let us think after we kill them.

The moment he stopped speaking the Iron Maiden, Sitri’s coffin, opened.

Standing next to him, Astaroth loaded his riddle with a clunk—! without answering him.

At the same time, Lucifer’s eyes filled with white and light energy began to gather in his hand.

Jingle, jingle…!

It was the moment of decision between the destruction of Hell or the death of the most terrifying of the Seraphim.

The bells at the end of Gamigin’s staff jingled anxiously next to Lucifer and rang noisily, Just then.

???: WAIT—!!

A small shadow formed over everyone’s head.

It was a tiny little devil with wings the size of a palm—or rather, the flesh of one’s side, spread out. Jjok’s leap… No, it was a great flight!

He spread his wings wide and jumped, and then—fell with a splat—! on Satan’s face.

Satan: ……

Jjok: What the—! A fragrant and dangerous and sexy breath is on my belly button…! I mean, please hear me out!!

Sitri: …Get down first. You are holding onto his Majesty, Satan’s face.

Jjok: What?! His Majesty, Satan?!

Jjok immediately unglued his body from Satan’s face and dropped to the ground with his head on the ground, raising both his dangling arms above his head and spoke.

Jjok: The king of Gehenna, the strongest, cleverest, and most brilliant of this Hell, the summit of wrath, the heart of iniquity!! Your Majesty, Satan—!!

Jjok: I, Jjok, risk my life with the authority of one who succeeds the blood of the Red Lump family to speak to your Majesty. So please, just listen to me for five minutes. Just for five minutes!!

Sitri looked distasteful, but Satan nodded for the small resident of Hell’s request at his own life.

Afterward, Jjok did his best to explain what had happened.

His small wings trembled. Although there was no wind, urine flowed a little between his legs, and his two eyes were full of tears.

It was understandable. It was an appeal to stop their fight as Satan, the breathtakingly powerful and imposing king of Gehenna, took aim with a scythe at Lucifer, the first Seraph.

How he first met Gamigin, the day they first met Lucifer, and the two years he spent with them.

He explained everything in a short amount of time, pissing himself like never before but admirably didn’t pass out until he finished.

At the beginning of the story, Jjok was a red lump. But by the end of the story, his fur had whitened and had turned into a red lump with a single white line.

Sitri grimaced when he finished speaking.

Sitri: How stupid… Are you telling us to believe you?

Astaroth: We can’t not… My snake is not reacting at all. He is telling the truth.

Jjok: I, Jjok! Am born as an offspring of the devils, and cannot lie! Although… although… I am a mongrel…!

Jjok shut his eyes tightly as though confessing to something embarrassing.

Jjok: Ever since I realized that I was abandoned in this forest at birth, I’ve been ashamed of it, always cowering, never belonging anywhere…

Jjok: Still, the fact that one half of me was actually a devil, descended from the blood of Gehenna’s great Red Lump family, was my only source of pride!

Jjok: I am…! I have lived my entire life to become a devil who can do his share in Gehenna and…! With the help of those two, I have become a devil worthy of myself!!!

Jjok held the tip of Satan’s shoe with his entire body and shouted desperately.

Jjok: So your Majesty, Satan, the master of the soul of the great Red Lump family…!

Jjok: I can give you my life for my single request. You can take my life! So please… Accept those two in Gehenna!

Sitri: Pardon…?

Jjok: [Gehenna stops no one.] That… is the fairest rule of Hell, which I believed would allow me to become a resident of the great Gehenna…!!

Jjok: I always tried to be qualified to return to Gehenna one day… and if I do qualify, I would like to hand over my qualification to them…!

Jjok’s words were nothing of correct, and Sitri was lost for words.

To his dismay, he thought he could hear Leraye who was pointing a gun at him from somewhere unseen, sobbing with emotion.

Jjok: I… am a lowly devil who was never affiliated anywhere in my life.

Jjok: But Mr. Lucifer and Gamigin became family for me.

Jjok: I am a devil with neither a country nor land, but please allow me to have a family…

But Satan flicked the end of the shoe where Jjok was dangling and pulled him off.

Jjok: Your Majesty, Satan…!

Satan: Looks like you’re mistaken. There’s no such thing as qualifications like that. Because as you said, Gehenna stops no one.

Sitri: Your Majesty…!

Satan: However. Their opinions matters. Not yours.

Satan sheathed his scythe from Lucifer and spoke to the dragon—Gamigin.

Sitri felt a trickle of sweat run down his back as Satan sheathed his scythe and was inwardly relieved. To fight Lucifer, the First Light, was something that would only be possible if all the kings of Hell came together.

Satan: Dragon of the noble and virtuous race. I have confirmed that you have inherited the will of our friend, Gamigin, one of the 72 devils.

Satan: If you live as Gamigin, we Gehenna will accept it and embrace it.

Satan: Will you embrace Gehenna?

Gamigin: No.

Both Jjok and Sitri stared at Gamigin in surprise. Lucifer was still staring unknowingly into the sky.

Jjok: Gamigin…?! Why…?!

When Gamigin refused without an ounce of hesitation, Jjok scuttled toward Gamigin in surprise.

Gamigin: …Mr. Lucifer is an angel and I heard that angels did many bad things to devils. In fact, my race was exterminated at the hands of angels.

Lucifer frowned a little by Gamigin’s side as he spoke. Wherever he went, it seemed like the debris of blood the angels scattered was following him. However—

Gamigin: But… Mr. Lucifer isn’t an angel like that…!

Astaroth: Ridiculous…! He is the leader of all angels and the head representing the Seraphim. His words are the words of angels!

Gamigin: If you are going to fight him when he hasn’t done anything bad yet, and you’re only inviting me to Gehenna,

Gamigin: I can’t consider ‘devils’ who act in that way to be a good race!

Jingle, jingle—! The staff in Gamigin’s hands rang clearly like the look in his eyes.

Gamigin: I shan’t be affiliated to anywhere if they don’t accept Mr. Lucifer, whether that be Gehenna or anywhere else.

Lucifer thought Gamigin was acting foolishly but for some reason he couldn’t voice the words to dissuade him.

Satan: What an arrogant kid.

Satan gritted his teeth and laughed at the same time.

Satan: I don’t know how much power you can wield as a dragon in this Hell, but the one who bears the name of [Gamigin] is speaking, so I’ll ask you this once.

Satan’s gaze brushed past Gamigin to reach Lucifer next to him.

Their gazes lock and suddenly the air around them felt dangerous, like it had been frozen into ice made of fire.

Satan: He who shone the first. The highest wing of angels, Lucifer the light of dawn. What are you doing with a young dragon and a small devil by your side, hiding your halo and wings?

Lucifer wasn’t going to care much about what Satan said, but his question plunged deep into his heart.

[What are you doing with a young dragon and a small devil by your side?]

Lucifer: (What… do I want to do?)

Atonement for the poor? No. Vengeance for the lives already lost? No.

The poor man, to whom God had granted all things but not death; he was merely suspending his life because he could not die.

The young dragon and small devil who tried their best to live with him had placed Lucifer in their fence and protected him.

Lucifer: I… had been careless… with those that are precious to me…

Noble beings called angels had brought merciless destruction to their lives. That was where he had belonged to.

Lucifer’s eyes began to shine white again as he recalled that fact once again.

He felt resentful to his merciless brothers. To himself who failed to stop them and… to God who had remained a spectator.

As Lucifer’s body began to gather white energy like he was on fire, Satan clicked his tongue and pointed the tip of his scythe at him again, gathering red energy in his body,

Satan: Damn it… I knew that angels…

At the sound of the voice which was somehow bitter, Jjok stepped between Lucifer and Satan, spreading his hands and feet wide, and exclaimed.

Jjok: What the—! No!! Please don’t fight!! I-if you’re going to fight, do it over my dead body!! Please!!! Don’t torment my family!!!!

Jjok was desperate but Satan didn’t have the time to care. Lucifer’s eyes had also turned white and he looked like he had lost his mind.

Satan pulled the Scythe of Blood back, as though he was about to swing it. White energy ripped the air and flashed from Lucifer’s hands, making explosive sounds as though it was ripping apart dimensions.

Gamigin: (Do I really have no choice now…!)

Gamigin walked calmly as though finding what he had to do in a situation he had never imagined before and stood before Lucifer as though protecting him from Satan.

Just then, the quiet jingle—! of the bells brought Lucifer back from his irrational state.

The scarred young dragon with dawn-colored scales who had yet to grow.

When Lucifer first fell to Hell and now this young dragon was trying to protect Lucifer.

Lucifer: (No… What I was about to do, it was hurting this young thing again—)

Just when Lucifer was about to stop the white light from his hands…

CRACK!!!!!!

—

The clouds that had filled the slightly overcast sky parted with a terrifying crack, and a pure white light burst through the gap.

Then, the nostalgic voice that haunted Lucifer everyday in his dreams burst forth, echoing across the sky.

Michael: Lucifer hyung—! I heard that you were here! You have no idea how much I was looking for you…!!!

#the two stars that fell from the sky #what in hell is bad #what in ‘hell’ is bad #whb #whb spoilers #whb gamigin #whb lucifer #whb satan #whb event #whb jjok

43 notes · View notes

inbarfink · 2 years

Text

I’ve seen some interpretations of the Rocky Horror Picture Show that compare Frank to the Christian Devil and/or the Serpent of Eden. And… it’s not like that doesn’t make sense. Frank is a tempter who stands against the restraint of the explicitly Christian morality of the mainstream culture our protagonists come from. The Criminologist even calls his temptation of Brad and Janet a “forbidden fruit”. But… I just think that’s not the only angle one can take when looking at Frank. Frank is many things both as an in-universe person and a narrative character. But we are first and foremost introduced to him, before we even get a chance to see him, as a Frankenstein Pastiche.

Is it any wonder that he does such a good job of playing God?

Like any good Postmodern Prometheus, Frank creates new life, but this goes beyond just Rocky. It’s Brad and Janet who are kind of the Adam and Eve in this comparison, and while Frank didn’t literally create them with mad science - he did re-make them in his own image.

(And after first turning them to stone - a form of earth - and then back to flesh)

Also, if we're looking at the Frankenstein's Place as a sort of twisted Garden of Eden - a place where Brad and Janet lose their innocence, gain greater knowledge and understanding of themselves, commit a transgression by giving into temptation, and then get cast down to Earth unsure of what to do with what they have learned - then Frank as the Master of the castle, who first welcome Brad and Janet but eventually then targets them with furious punishment, fits much better playing the role of God than a random snake or even the Devil himself.

Yes, it's a weird-reverse-sort-of-God whose creed is exactly the opposite of the Conservative Christian God in whose church Ralph and Betty got married - but this is already a weird-reverse-sort-of-Eden as well. Adam and Eve started off so 'innocent' in that they felt no shame about their nude bodies, and when they lost said innocence is also when they started feeling the need to cover up. Brad and Janet’s 'innocent' state has them dressed very modestly, and their 'corruption' is marked by them... well, they're never fully naked, but certainly gradually get more confortable walking around in their underwears or lingerie.

And following the narrative thread of this weird-reverse-Garden-of-Eden, the real Forbidden Fruit isn’t actually Frank’s dick, it’s Rocky. The Garden of Eden was this wonderland of earthly delights where Adam and Eve could pertake of any fruit they desired.... except for the Tree of Wisdom. That was the one pleasure they were forbidden from. And the Frankenstein’s Place is similarly a paradise of desires - just less of a fruitbowl and more of the Sex, Drugs and Rock n’ Roll variety - but the one thing you can’t do, the one person you’re not allowed to have sex with... is Rocky.

And I think the interesting question here is ‘why is Rocky the one thing that’s off-limits in Frank’s Fantastic FuckCastle?’. Because, well, if we look at it from an Eden Perspective, here’s what the Serpent had to say about the subject of the Fruit of Knowledge:

Eating the Forbidden Fruit isn’t just about succumbing to mortal pleasures about godly morality or whatever, it’s about becoming kinda like God. And maybe that’s the real reason why Frank’s so upset about the idea that Rocky has slept with someone else. It’s less actual romantic jealousy and more... galling at the idea that someone else can tempt his Significant Other to cheat on him. That’s his thing!

And like, espacially since Janet has that line in “Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch-A-Touch Me”

Which I always read as a kind of admission that she’s like... exploiting Rocky’s desire for an emotional connection for own sexual pleasures. She is maybe falling into this very Frank-Brand of hedonistic manipulativeness. Her newfound knowledge of her sexuality is making her more like ‘God’ in a way, and now this God is pissed about that idea.

And this also does places a ‘Serpent’ figure in our Garden of Eden and that’s Riff-Raff. It’s through his manipulation of events that Janet get offered that Forbidden Himbo in the first place. He probably wasn’t really counting on it directly, more like just causing random chaos in the hopes of distracting Frank long enough to prepre for the coup. But still, without Riff-Raff and Magenta’s tormenting of Rocky, he wouldn’t have fallen in Janet’s lap like this.

And I think, this is taking very directly from the Christian interpetation of the Garden of Eden myth, where the Serpent is retconned as Satan. Riff-Raff is, after all, a resentful servant planning to usurp his master out of jealousy and uses the humans as pawns in his scheme to do that. If Frank is playing God, than Riff-Raff is clearly playing Devil here!

And, like the pitchfork is OBVIOUSLY a reference to the American Gothic motif but... there’s no reason why you couldn’t also connect it to a Satanic motif? Especially as, with Frank being a Reverse-God who preaches for sin and pleasure, Riff-Raff is a Devil of... well, I dunno if he necessarily believes in all of that sexual conservatism stuff - but he’s certainly willing to use it as an excuse for his personal beef with Frank! Either way the point remains, the pitchfork ties together the concepts of traditionalism and sexual shame, as symbolized by American Gothic, with the Devil.

#rocky horror picture show #rocky horror show #rocky horror #janet weiss #riff raff #dr. frank n. furter #frank n furter #dr frank n furter

568 notes · View notes