You guys ever think about s/c/a/r/e/c/r/o/w. Augh.

Nie Huaisang’s outfits appreciation post

After the terrible loss of our second best dressed cultivator and fashion icon Nie Mingjue, the cultivation world now lacks one of it’s pillars. But little did they know, our fashion king had a disciple, someone capable of honoring his legacy in many ways.

While we all grief, a new icon rises.

And I’m here to prove that Nie Huaisang deserves his late brother’s title not only because Mingjue’s no longer serving looks -may his fashionable soul rest in peace-, but because Huaisang has always been a stylish icon on his own.

I mean, this look right here is enough proof:

 Huaisang has quite a lot of robes, and they are all so different, I decided to compile them chronologically:

1. the “assigned fashionable at birth”one

Look at this small bean with his cream-colored robes. Whoever chose this color for him did a great job, though it’s a bit weird that they looked at baby Mingjue and went “all you’ll wear is dark gray from now on” and then Huaisang was born and “cream it is!” And we don’t really see anybody else from the Nie sect wearing this color, I wonder if it has anything to do with Huaisang’s mom, or if it’s just for the dark\light color contrast,  the two young masters can’t possibly wear the same colors, it would ruin the aesthetic.

 It looks just like his main-possibly-stay-at-home-robes, like he just really loved this especific set and had a lot of other robes that looked just the same growing up.

Really small, really cute, makes you want to carry him around saying: look at my baby, he’s so stylish!

2. the “good old Gusu days” one

This is like a uniform, there’s nothing really special about it. But I’d like to point out two things:

One: the silver embroidery on the shoulders and the silver on his waist belt matches the pristine white of his robes really well.

Two: look how wide his shouders look, there you go, Huaisang, keeping the Nie shoulder game strong!

3. The “it’s called fashion, dage” one

Cream-colored again! It embodies teen!Huaisang’s aesthetic perfectly: it’s expensive, it’s pretty, it looks comfortable, but it’s minimalistic.

I mean, I have no idea if it is actually expensive, but it surely looks expensive.

It has no discernable patterns, but the fabric just looks so good, look at the texture. It looks warm and heavy (rip Ji Li). And it’s pleated, look at him! Everything about this one screams rich-carefree-spoiled-delicate-pretty-gongzi.

And well, we see him strolling around and getting in trouble instead of going straight home in this robes, then on Fatal Journey we see him painting landscapes instead of practicing and claiming he doesn’t want to become the Nie sect leader in this very set of robes. Maybe he has indeed been wearing similar robes since his childhood and wants to, you know, go back to when things were as simple as taking the long way home coming back from Gusu.

4. the “didn’t really engage on the war but needed to look good regardless” one

This one is so pretty, y’all. It’s silver and white and gray, the brothers  are matching with their disciples’ robes, you won’t find a Sect with a superior fashion sense.

I can totally understand why he didn’t change to some post-Sunshot robes. Imagine looking this good at home, with none of your friends or disciples or brother to see you. Nope. This robes belong to a banquet, even one as unpleasing and akward as this one.

(They technically saw him, since he wore the same robes while they were planning the whole Sunshot thing, but no one was paying attention to it, right? And you can’t let such a nice look go to waste)

One of my favorites, for sure. It even matches his fan. It’s peak aesthetic.

5. the “I’m only here for the food and the drama” one

I didn’t really like this one at first. It looked kinda futuristic in my head, you know? It’s probably just the really structured fabric and the color, but It was a bit too much.

But now, looking at it as I take screenshots, I like them. It’s bold and fierce and remember the shoulder accessories being a code for battle? Well, I doubt Huaisang shot a single arrow that day, but he was supposed to be competing, so it makes a lot of sense that he’s dressed like this while his brother is wearing his pretty, dark yet lighter civillian robes to watch him.

He’s even wearing epaulettes (well, I trust that that’s the name) that matches the ones Mingjue wore with his Sunshot robes! Are they the same pair? Did he borrow it? Or do they secretly comission the same robes and accessories  and wear them on alternate occasions?

These are the most battle-coded (and at the same time is not battle-coded at all, it’s too ostentatious) robes we see him wearing until now, and he is representing his sect at the hunt, he has to look like a proper heir that is capable of fighting, whether he likes it or not - and judging by how unenthusiastic he was during the opening shoot-the-wen-prisioners ceremony, I’d say he was not enjoying it at all-.

But it’s such a cool look, I really like it now.

6. the “he will throw hands with a non-corporeal entity while giving his big brother all the love and understanding he deserves” one

 This may look like the same robes we usually wears at home, but they lack the pleated part and I don’t think his long sleeves would fit inside his wirst thingy, which I now know it’s called a vambrace or a bracer,  they were quite wide sleeves.

Anyway, we again have his minimalistic aesthetic. No patterns, the only addition being the outer robe that realy looks like the one Mingjue wears with his stay-at-home robes, except with no sleeves; and the bracers\vambraces.

But look how different this looks in comparison with the previous one; he wasn’t fighting shit in those pompous silver robes, but he was so determined here, ready to face anything. This is the difference between a battle-coded look and a battle-codded Huaisang.

It’s practical, it’s pretty, looks comfortable and it’s perfect for scolding your older brother then comforting him because he gets emotional when people argue with him, ok?

Huaisang is the best younger brother, fight me

8.the “sad, sad” one

I’ll just say that the inner robes are really similar to the one Mingjue wears with his stay-at-home robes, though they are not the same. Perhaps my theory that they did comission a lot of similar itens is correct after all.

I don’t think this look is particularly good, and the context surely doesn’t help at all, but it’s interesting to see him in gray and black.

 Overall, I hate it here.

9. the “somehow even worse” one

Look, if I had to compile all his outfits, I had to include this one. But there’s nothing to say about it except just looking at him wearing it makes me sad.

10. the “you didn’t see that coming, did you?” one

This one here is a trick, ok? At this point of the story we have no idea of what’s going on and if this misterious person is important or not; all we know is that he is quite fond of patterns and dark clothing. And that he has some money.

But damn, once we find out who this is, it instantly becomes something else entirely. 

It’s so fucking DARK!! It’s Wei Wuxian’s kind of dark, it’s crazy to think our boy Huaisang, who’s been wearing light grays, white and cream all his life would come up with something like that. It doesn’t even look Nie, and that’s probably what he was going for, y’know, so no one could recognize him and all of that.

But jesus, this look is just wow.  It’s perfect for a scheming mastermind, even though we don’t really know about it yet. The scales pattern is really nice and I love when he wears this sort of robe, with the fitted sleeves and the extra fabric at the shoulders. The flame (I think) pattern is nice too, though it’s a bit too much here, just a bit. But he seems to like this pattern a lot, so let him have it

And the craziest part is: we know these robes. And i’ve seen a couple of posts about them, it’s the same inner robe he wore at the Phoenix Mountain night hunt competition, almost 16 years ago. 

Like what are these robes made of??

11. the “sneaky, sneaky” one

The famous Nie pattern, am I right?

I love all theories about this one and as I took the screenshots, I noticed how his inner robe is the same as robe number 8. Huaisang says no to excessive buying, please reuse your clothes!

I’m particularly fond of the theory that Nie Mingjue comissioned robes for both his didi and his boyfriend Xichen, but I can accept that Huaisang just inherited his brother’s robes, though the flame pattern (once again proving we won’t guess Huaisang is behind everything not even after seeing him wearing the same patterns as in episode one twice) at the bottom is definetly a Huaisang thing.

I really like how heavy it looks, and the black thin stripe.We know it’s the same pattern as Xichen’s robe but seeing it combined with the back and light gray of the Nies really gives it a distinct identity.

12. the “and the oscar goes to...” one

Look at him, all innocent-looking placing all the chess pieces on their right places. Gotta love director Nie.  And it makes so much sense that he would wear something as light as this robes for this moment. He wore light colors for most of his youth, when he was carefree and naive and harmless; he cultivated a reputation of being dependent, fearful and stupid even. In this moment, more than ever, he needs people to believe this is exactly who he is, and what’s the best way of doing it?

Yes, reminding them of your old self. All he does is pretend and lie while he cries and faints.  A director and an actor too!

Throw yourself at your brother’s sworn brothers trying to look harmless while annoying the hell out of them? check.

Faint conveniently as your brother’s murderer lies at your face about killing said brother because even you have limits and you can’t watch that fuckery and not want to murder him right there? check.

Pretend to be stupid while conducting the protagonist and pretty much everybody else to ask the right questions and therefore unmask the terrible things your nemesis did?  also check.

And the robes are really pretty, look at the texture at the bottom right!! Silver and white go really well together. Wide, wide sleeves and this heavy-looking fabric. Superb, really, one of my favorites again.

And look at him carrying his saber (which he  probably left at Pier Lotus later)!

13. the “...and cut!” one

Look at these robes and tell me they don’t absolutely look like something Nie Mingjue would wear. You know he would. 

And it’s such a contrast to his previous robes. The white and silver one for looking innocent and lost and funny; the dark gray to look like a serious sect leader who will endorse the accusations against his enemy (Ok, he did act confused and lost and innocent in these robes, but he also showed real shock and grief and sadness, he did show his true feelings too)

He’s honoring his brother here, he did it, he brought justice to him, he defeated his brother’s murderer.  He spent years wanting and waiting for this moment, it’s only fair he would do so while looking so much like his beloved older brother.

I love everything about this look. The color palette is almost the same as the one robe his brother wore to the post-Sunshot campaign banquet. The dark,shining gray, the black, the thin bronze\golden stripe at the collar. Even that extra overlaid fabric at the bottom front of his robes is the same as Mingjue used to wear. Beautiful, really.

He would be really proud of you, I hope you know that, Huaisang.

14. the “I may or may not steal your chief cultivator status, watch out Wangji” one

I know he would never steal Wangji’s post, cql!NHS doesn’t even want it; but like, we deserved Chief cultivator!Huaisang, right? So it was worth the joke, I think.

The inner light gray robe yet AGAIN, I suspect this is his favorite inner robe.

We have some bold patterns here, so elegant. I really like when he wears this kind of outer robe, accentuating his shoulders, suits him really well, And this is such a Nie color palette, just like the previous one. In fact, Huaisang wears way more dark colors than we give him credit for. Especially after becoming sect leader. 

Sleeve game on point too, really long. And it matches his fan as well.

Lovely look, I wish we could have seen more.

In conclusion: 

King of versatility, resusing 16 year-old robes AND looking damn good while doing it! He looks good scheming, he looks good lying, he looks good fainting, he even looks good tricking people into stabbing other people!

 Name a more iconic king, I’ll wait.

At the risk of sounding like a Jindosh apologist here (I am.) I will preface that Jindosh is a bad guy, he has either killed people personally or got them killed for experiment purposes by his Clockworks and has dissected the dead so he is not good, he is a villain, I acknowledge that.

Now with that out of the way I wanna criticize the narrative surrounding him and his mansion and how it sometimes falls flat on it’s face trying to demonize them thanks to a lot of points my friend @divaythfyr​ brought up. I’ll put all of that below the cut:

Yesterday I was told this line and I won’t lie it is...bad. Line in question: 

Billie: "His home is supposed to be full of marvels. Locals go in as a test of courage, or because they're desperate for a meal. Kids, even. People say you can hear them at night, pounding on the windows, calling for help."

But because I couldn’t live with the idea that he kills children you know the simplest villain demonization tactic in writing history (kick the puppy, kick the child whatever) and I think it’s pretty cheap to try and make him worse than Sokolov, I talked to the Jindosh apologist committee and thot about it so I’ll go over this line by line. 

1. "His home is supposed to be full of marvels.“ - Okay but isn’t his home also supposed to be scary? Isn’t the whole “Why would anyone build a scary mansion like this?” line from Emily/Corvo as they enter supposed to tell us that this is a scary place? Which is funny because in reality the mansion itself isn’t scary at all, in fact it’s extremely logical in the way it unfolds and exposes the rooms. It’s perfectly functional and as someone with a major in architecture, I can say it’s the best designed house in terms of organization in the game. There is no way to die in the mansion unless the Clockwork Soldiers and the guards get you - which goes for literally any important/rich person’s house? You walk in someone’s house uninvited and their guards get you. You can die if you get behind the walls but it’s extremely difficult to do so especially in the places where you can get squished. The house itself is completely harmless. So the whole idea from Jindosh’s end that it’s a maze is stupid on it’s own too, the house is perfectly logical and Stilton’s manor is an actual maze because I got lost 10 times in there. 

2. “Locals go in as a test of courage, or because they're desperate for a meal.“ - okay first part is correct people go in his house to either steal, test their skills or kill him. He says as much himself. He says fabled thieves and assassins died there. Again probably from his guards and Clockworks since you can’t die from the house in any rational way. And then he dragged them half dead or dead in his lab to dissect them. He has a fascination with watching people die because he is like evil and a villain like that. Which brings me to the next point which is:

There are only two ways to get in his mansion without powers. There is the bridge below which is broken and the railway which is guarded and has a Wall of Light on the other end. So how will anyone that is not prepared with a grappling hook or some kind of way to close this gap gonna get in? How is your random average person gonna go in? And most importantly why? Do people just walk in aristocrat’s houses and expect not to get out in a body bag or? 

Besides he has a) a lot of free food and drinks in the lobby which is his threshold as to how far you are allowed to go so if someone wanted food they can just walk in and take it and leave (after you know, scaling a mountain for whatever reason because there aren’t easier houses to steal from) and b) he has an audiograph, because I am sure he assumes people can’t read, which tells you “Do not enter or you will die and I will dissect your remains and this is a promise.” Like why add a warning if you wanna lure people in? Unless those people think they can outsmart him so they come with intent and not just because they need food/shelter. Also he has food right next to that audio. 

3. “Kids, even.“ - okay this one, the scary line. I won’t lie this made me uncomfortable. So like if we assume that normal people can enter by normal means (which in point 2 is clear they can’t unless further elaborated by the game on How? and Why?), a child going in as a dare and dying is possible. Billie after this line goes on to say that she saw a child dare his brother to touch the wall of light which vaporized the child, so the implication is possible. It’s possible a child went in his mansion as a dare and bad things unfolded. It’s also equally possible that it didn’t. We know of adult men dying because we see the bodies. For this one is just a rumor. You can take it either way depending on how you feel about Jindosh. It’s very unlikely a child would get this far though, unless this was some kind of Disney movie. Also Jindosh wouldn’t personally have a reason to kill a child you know, like I know it’s the easiest “this villain is super evil!!!!” writing tactic, but he had a pretty shitty childhood, he felt hated by his mother and probably wasn’t treated so nicely by his (bastard) brother. He likes to exercise his lack of control during his younger years by having control over other people through his house and toying with them. He is very childish in a sense too (with his toy house and toy soldiers), and because of all of this I truly don’t think he would kill a child. He wants a real challenge and to test out his machines and his house against the best and smartest Karnaca can offer, not children. Though my opinion here can be highly biased. 

Also many children can casually pull 6ft tall levers I’m sure--

4.  “People say you can hear them at night, pounding on the windows, calling for help." - we know people have died in the mansion and they have been crying for release, as he says so himself. But again the above points kind of challenge as to who these people that died inside were. However because you know I’ve been playing with his mansion for four years cause I am a dumb hoe, I can say that there are very little windows. In fact the majority of windows that aren’t blocked off by the cliff or the mechanisms are around his laboratory.

 Now yes people could go there and bang on them sure. But they literally...face the lab and chances are no one is gonna hear you bang on that side. The other windows not facing the lab are in the foyer where...you are allowed to be and nothing is gonna happen to you. 

And the windows that actually face a side where let’s say someone could hear if someone was banging are the windows on the front of the house. Only the thing is, there are no windows on the front of the house except in the foyer. 

Here are the buildings from across his mansion which I guess can maybe hear if someone was banging on the windows. But again no windows on the front of the house. 

The fake windows is where the mechanism for the ceiling over the gallery in the upper hall is. The one that kinda extends and unfolds from there. So isn’t entirely possible that the banging and screaming or whatever people heard is just...the mechanisms of his house? The scary evil child killing house? Which is actually moving and making a lot of noise at all times?

So in conclusion? Yes, Jindosh is bad, he has no regard to human life, he divides society as innocent bystanders and criminals. He does dream of an army of Clockwork Soldiers to eradicate all crime. Be, he isn’t a senseless killer, it’s his neutrality and fascination with death as well as his black and white thinking that makes him dangerous. He doesn’t see people as human. In the majority of cases we know of (except one for some reason? That cursed baker who got his brain fried why did you have to do that Jindosh!?) he experiments on people who he deems criminals without sympathy. Also in situations where he thinks it’s justified - breaking in to steal from him or hurt him, the Blade Verbena, prisoners that can actually provide a learning experience for his Clockworks and Sokolov. He doesn’t go kidnapping people off the streets to experiment on them. 

And despite his evilness being completely logical, the whole game tries to paint his mansion as this big puzzle and trap when in reality it’s...really just a house. The level design is beautiful and amazing but I think it doesn’t really carry the point as strongly simply because it’s not any more dangerous than any other mission and it’s just more fun when it comes to gameplay. The design is great but it never gave me the feeling of it being a horror house. So I think that demonizing Jindosh through hearsay instead of through his actual mission is a bit of a weird choice. A lot of things don’t reflect how evil he is, but not in the good way of “The Grand Inventor doesn’t seem evil but he is.” and instead you get it hammered how evil he is from the start without actually ever experiencing a climax of his evilness you wouldn’t expect. It’s not that every story should have a twist, but usually when you say someone is evil, you either make them good at the end or even more evil. Jindosh never has that climax, he is the same start to finish and that is... mildly annoying and slightly threatening. Like his level is pretty but not scary and they keep trying to convince you it’s scary which makes it weird which I guess is because if you listen to a lot of his unused lines and old concept art, he was supposed to be this stereotypical mad scientist but in the end they changed his visual design and lines so much he comes off as lukewarm. I understand what they tried to do with Jindosh but I feel like they failed to do it and had to rely on everyone saying he is super irredeemably evil to justify lobotomizing him.

Anyway this post is too long, sorry if the read more doesn’t go through somewhere and please feel free to counter my points I am open to different and non biased views (or even information I might not know because I haven’t read the books or found everything). 

Adventus Everlark

Author: @mandelion82

Prompt: Special request: Everlark celebrates Advent by focusing weekly on hope, peace, joy, and love. [submitted by @hutchhitched​]

Rating:  T (for suggestiveness and a trigger) 

Trigger Warning:  Mention of physical abuse.  

Author’s Note:  This story will have both religious (Catholic/Christian) and secular elements. This is part 1 of a 4-part ficlet series. To be continued on A03 at a later date. Thank you. I hope you enjoy!  

______________

If Katniss knew anything about her boyfriend, Peeta Mellark, she knew he loved this time of year‒the Christmas season.  He loved everything about it; he was practically giddy as a child over it, and he’d been eager to share his traditions with her for some time.  Truth be told, Katniss didn’t always understand or share Peeta’s excitement for this time of year, but she loved to see it, and she loved him for it. 

Having grown up in a Catholic household, Peeta celebrated Christmas in the traditional Catholic way‒with Mass, prayers, and the lighting of Advent candles.  Of course, there was always a Christmas tree, presents, a big dinner, and tons of baking‒Peeta was a baker, and came from a long line of bakers, so there had to be.  

The Everdeens, by contrast, weren’t expressly religious; although, they were open to the possibility of a greater power in the universe, and they would partake in the typical holiday activities around this time of year.  Katniss had gone along with those activities for years, even tried to replicate them for her beloved sister, Prim, after their father died and their mother suffered from a crushing depression, but she’d never gotten the joy out of it that Prim did.  

Or Peeta.  

Peeta was a lot like Prim.  Maybe that was part of the reason why she loved him so much.  The two were kindhearted as they came and fresh as raindrops, both giving, loving, and selfless individuals.  Too good for Katniss, in her opinion.  They even looked alike, with their light skin, pale blond hair, and blue eyes.  Honestly, Prim looked more like Peeta’s sibling than her own‒she with her olive skin tone and gray eyes.  

Another thing Prim and Peeta had in common was their faith.  Despite growing up in a secular home, Prim held strong beliefs, similar to Peeta’s.  

For Katniss, faith was a challenge.  It required a great deal of trust and devotion, things which she’d always struggled to give.  At least, that’s how she felt about it.  But Peeta said otherwise. Peeta always said he saw Katniss for who she truly was, even if she didn’t see it herself.  He said he saw a loving and compassionate woman, dedicated to caring for and providing for her entire family.  

She’d argued that it was because they were family.  It didn’t make her compassionate; it was just the way it was supposed to be.  Directly after, she’d felt awful for her statement.  Families were definitely not created equal when it came to love and affection, and Peeta was proof positive of this. 

When Peeta first told Katniss about some of his childhood experiences, particularly his mother’s physical abuse, she was furious.  She couldn’t understand how he could have anything to do with his family, let alone uphold their traditions as he did, and she wanted nothing to do with them, either.  

Katniss had put off meeting Peeta’s family for that very reason.  Quite frankly, she wasn’t sure how she’d stand being in the same room as his mother.  If she even looked at him wrong, Katniss was certain she’d go off the deep end.  

But Peeta assured her that his family wasn’t all bad, nor had his home life been.  In fact, he’d mentioned a lot of good memories with his brothers and his father.  And regarding their holiday traditions, those were the ones he held closest to his heart.  

Peeta was so good, almost too good. 

If anyone could be a religious prophet come to earth, it would be Peeta.  But maybe she put him on a pedestal because she loved him so much.

No, Peeta was not perfect, and sure, he did things to annoy her, like the time he jokingly called her pure.  She’d gotten huffy about it and refused to talk to him for about two days.  In hindsight, her reaction was a bit extreme, but they’d made up, and then some.

Besides, if anyone was pure, it was Peeta.  

Not that he was a saint; there were certainly things he…bent the rules on, such as them sleeping in the same bed before marriage.  She was glad for that one, because she hated not sleeping in his arms. 

And Peeta felt the same.  

One time, after a particularly nasty fight with his mother over what she suspected to be an ‘improper arrangement’ between them, Peeta had told Katniss, “I don’t care if she thinks it’s a sin.  Now that I’ve slept with you in my arms, it’s impossible not to.  I’m not going back.”

“Sometimes you do,” she’d said cheekily.  Considering they weren’t ‘officially’ living together, she did occasionally sleep at her place.  

“I know, but those times are unbearable,” he’d responded, leaning in for a soft peck.  “If I had to do it all the time,” he whispered against her lips, “what kind of life would that be?”

Katniss concurred.  

Of course, the whole sleeping together thing had started innocently, when they were still just best friends.  It all began with Katniss’s nightmares…  

One night, after an especially bad one, she’d called Peeta, who lived in the same building, hoping he’d talk her to sleep.  On a whim, she’d asked him to come over, and she’d asked him to stay.  He did. 

After that, they shared a bed frequently, and it was all very innocent.  But the more they slept together, the harder it became to fight temptation, especially after revealing their true feelings for one another. 

It was sort of a mutual confession, but Peeta had been hinting at how he felt for a long time.  Then one night, in bed, he’d asked her directly, “You love me.  Real or not real?”  This was a little game they played.  

Without hesitation, she’d answered, “Real.”   

This would be Katniss and Peeta’s first Christmas as an honest-to-goodness committed couple, and they were both thrilled.  Peeta usually went to his family’s for Christmas, but this year, he’d said that he wanted to spend it with just her.  

And they’d decided to celebrate Advent together by focusing on hope, peace, joy, and love.     

Week 1:  Hope 

On the first Sunday of Advent, which fell this year on November 29th, Peeta taught Katniss about the lighting of the Advent candles, and they lit the first candle on the wreath, one of the purple ones.  Peeta explained that it was called The Prophecy Candle and symbolized hope and God’s forgiveness of man’s sins.  They proceeded to light it every night, together, and Katniss even prayed with Peeta, or at least remained by his side, holding his hand.  

Her favorite activity during the Hope week so far was when they spent an entire evening wrapped up in each other on the couch under the blankets, eating junk food and talking about their hopes for the future, their own wishes and those for their loved ones and all humankind. 

At first, Katniss had been fearful about speaking some of her own because she didn’t like to think too far ahead.  To think ahead was to ultimately be disappointed, in her mind.  She was so afraid that if she spoke aloud what she hoped for, as with one of those elusive birthday wishes parents talked about, it would never happen, or be taken away.    

But Peeta reassured her.  

Something else Peeta had been doing for Advent, which he hadn’t expected her to do was fasting.  It wasn’t a complete fast; he was still eating, but he wasn’t eating between meals or having meat on Fridays or any sweets.  

First, we fast; then we feast, was what Peeta had told her, referring to the period of penance and preparation leading up to the Christmas celebration.  

Peeta was being really good about it, so good that she worried he might waste away to nothing at this rate. And she liked a little bulk on his body.  Healthy and strong like an ox, that’s the way she liked him. 

Of course, she wasn’t making things easy on him.  

Katniss imagined it must be difficult for him to bake up all kinds of treats for her this time of year and not eat any himself, so she’d offered to fast with him.  But Peeta refused, saying he enjoyed the act of baking, which she knew, and that he enjoyed serving her.  She also knew that.  And naturally, he had to bring up her cheese bun and Christmas cookie addictions.  

He was right, though.  

What could she do but thank him and kiss him, then prop her head between her hands and watch him bake? 

As creepy as it might sound, she loved watching him.  She enjoyed seeing the muscles of his forearms twitch and pulse when he whipped a mixture.  And she enjoyed watching his long, pale golden eyelashes flutter in concentration when she got close while he read over one of his recipes (also when he sketched or painted).  

Presently, Katniss was seated on the edge of the counter watching Peeta boil fudge in a saucepan.  God, she loved fudge.

Peeta was multitasking today, so he also had a batch of cookie dough laying in wait in a mixing bowl.  When he looked over and smiled at her, she smiled sweetly back.  And then, partly to freak him out and partly because she wanted it, she scooped a bit of dough onto the mixing spoon and brought it to her lips.

“Katniss!”  He tramped over and smacked her hand lightly like a child’s.  

“Hey, watch it,” she said, grinning.  She’d been asking for it, though.  She knew Peeta hated when she licked the raw cookie dough batter.  Something about salmonella.  Although, she’d done it as a kid and never got violently ill from it.  

“But this was one of my traditions.”  She cocked her head and licked the very tip of the spoon in a seductive manner, hoping it’d get to him.  

It didn’t.  

Peeta simply sighed.  “Fine, go on and eat it if you want to end up in the hospital.”

Poking her lip out at him, she put the spoon down in its bowl.  He smirked over at her, then returned to the oven to check on the fudge.  After a few seconds he turned back, spoon in hand.  “By the way, trying to entice me while I’m baking isn’t going to work.” 

“No?”  She was honestly surprised.  

“Nope.  You should know that when I bake, I go into a zone.  And as you’ve seen, I have some self-restraint.”  He smirked impishly.  “But nice try.” 

Katniss pressed her lips together.  

“Don’t get me wrong, though.  I’m gonna carry the image of you licking the spoon with me the rest of the day, minus the unsafe cookie dough, and later…I might have big plans for you.”  He winked at her. 

“You mean big, big, big, big plans?”  Katniss imitated Miss Trinket, their ‘eccentric’ (to put it mildly) neighbor with the wild, colorful wigs and affected accent.  

“Yes, very big plans.”  

“Can’t wait.”  She bit down on her lip and reached for the spoon again as if her hand was magnetized.  

“For all that is holy, please stop eating raw cookie dough!” Peeta exclaimed.   

“Okay, okay.”  Katniss dropped the spoon back in, the corner of her lip twitching.  “But you might need to give me something else to snack on.”

“Will do, sweetheart.” 

With that, he walked over purposefully, placed his hands on either side of her face, and captured her lips.  Sofly, but insistently his mouth moved across hers, sending a pulsing sensation straight down.   

“How’s that?” he asked as they broke apart.  

“Hmm…you think a lot of yourself, Mellark.” 

He raised a brow then kissed her again, longer and slower.  

“Better,” she said, slightly breathless.  He began feathering hot, wet kisses down her throat, and Katniss sighed.  

With a low growl, Peeta gripped her hips, causing her to let out a small squeal.  He tugged her closer to the edge of the counter, and she wrapped her legs around his waist, pressing her pelvis into his.  She could feel his excitement growing, and just when she was sure he was about to carry her off and take her upstairs, he disentangled himself.   

“That’s self-restraint,” said Peeta smugly.  

Katniss felt like whipping a ball of deadly cookie dough at his head like a snowball.  “Tease.”  She groaned, shoving his chest.  “Sadist.” 

“No, masochist, sweetheart.  Trust me, this is a lot harder for me than it is for you.”  Katniss chuckled, and he pecked her cheek.  

Just then, Katniss’s phone began to ring.  She fished it out and took a look.  “Oh, that’s Prim calling.”  She hopped off the counter and prepared to tap the green button.  “Hey, Peeta, what do you think about inviting Prim over for Christmas Eve?” 

“Sounds great.” 

“Okay, I’ll tell her.”

Megumi doesn’t really get a lot of focus in the game. We know her to be some basic bad guy in Keiji’s backstory. BUT I refuse to believe that any character in this game is simple like that. There’s not a lot of information, or even scenes, about Megumi, but I wanna speculate about her a bit.

The game gives us a preconception of her being a ‘bad guy’. It being shown mostly through Keiji’s pov. It’s easy to think she’s either ‘good’ or ‘evil’, but there’s always that middle ground too. It’s fun to entrain that idea, with my own assumptions/hopes for her, with some context to build off of.

So let’s start on the timeline before the situation with Mr.Policeman happens. When it’s just a new officer Keiji and Megumi. We do know a little bit of their casual relationship with each other from some scenes. Megumi is actually pretty nice and encouraging to him. She sees his potential on the force, and probably expects a long career for him. He’s dedicated to the job and believes in it wholeheartedly. In YTTS Keiji tells Mishima that him and his boss would go out drinking on occasion. So assuming he’s talking about Megumi here, they had a pretty solid relationship to me.

When Keiji tells Megumi of the Mr.Policeman who influenced him to join, she’s nice about it and says to go find him since he could still be a part of the police. Then Keiji says the guy’s name, and it’s the first time we see her serious/stern. She tells him that he quit and that’s the end of the flashback.

The points when Asunaro is connected to anything is when Megumi gets serious. And frankly, conversations tend to end quickly after. (Possibly that’s just bc they’re flashbacks, but... it seems that nobody wants to continue talking after Megumi gets a bit cold.) Whatever her relationship with Asunaro was, I still wanna think she’s not a simple villain. Hayasaka was working for them too, but he was stuck doing so. Megumi could be in that same sorta situation, since in other scenes she was genuinely nice.

Here’s where some speculation comes in. Mr.Policeman was fired.......why? I mean that if Mr.Policeman did find something out, that’s a huge liability to let live. And for them to have such vast control of the police, they could have set up something to get rid of him. Why let him live? I think it’d be super neat if Megumi convinced them to simply let him be fired, so nobody has to die. (And to make sure he keeps quiet though? The game likes to remind us that Mr.Policeman has a kid, so I imagine that was the threat they used.) The idea that Megumi tried to mitigate death whenever she could makes her ‘cooperation’ with Asunaro interesting.

Then Keiji goes around asking about Mr.Policeman. There’s no doubt Asunaro heard about it. Suddenly Mr.Policeman is a liability again. And Keiji’s getting dangerously close to that. Since it seems that Keiji’s determined to find this guy, it’s time for them to tie up loose ends. It’s a set up. And Keiji was majority tricked into it. Him seeing his childhood hero dead like that certainly traumatized him. Keiji never had much of a chance, and he’s already suffered so much by it.

I could see that being why Megumi tried to sweep it under the rug. Though she couldn’t explain to him about it being a set up, it was. And Keiji had no way out of it. She said before that Keiji had a lot of potential, and to have everything being crushed by Asunaro would be unfortunate...... But at least she could get him out of the aftermath, and hope he kept moving forward with his career.

.....BUT we get this story from Keiji’s pov. To him, Megumi was directly involved in this corruption on the force. She fired Mr.Policeman for digging into the shady parts of the police. And she also covered up the murder by her subordinate. Her tone towards Keiji becomes cold at the mention of any of this. And who knows what other shady things she may have done/helped hide? Could he even trust her anymore? His honest and just view of the law and police has been completely shattered by her suspicious behavior. Mr.Policeman was one out of a hundered, and Keiji faced that realization head on, in the worst possible way.

Imagine doing all of that with good intention. Then meeting Keiji again years(?) later in the first trial, and realizing how long he has resented you for it...and he’s willing to let you die. But it’s all a misunderstanding.

One of the reasons I hope that Megumi’s characterization goes this way is because of what it does for Keiji’s characterization. The reasons used to justify her death would become invalid in an instant. And he’s killed someone else, while not totally innocent, she certainly wasn’t evil. Like the years of thinking over everything probably led him to believe.

But Keiji is still majority conflicted with her death. (There is a painting in Chapter 3 that shows Keiji down on his knees, in front of Megumi’s corpse.) Plus some dialogue he says to himself after he tells everyone about Megumi.

“Left her to die....?” “No..... I.....” “But... I killed her...... Megumi.....”

While Keiji didn’t actively kill her, his inaction did. If that trial involved pressing a button to kill Megumi, I don’t think he would have done it. I don’t think he ever wanted her dead. But in that moment, with her on the brink of death, and with his suspicions of her..... Inaction is the easiest thing for anyone to do. Plus, they’re about to go into a death game, and he can’t trust her.... Is possibly one way he justified it to himself.

That’s a problem Keiji has. He does bad things, but either tries to rationalize it or ignore it (and add it to the skeletons in his closet.) He actively chooses to do these things, burying himself in guilt and sins and he’ll keep digging. (Bc he hates himself that much.) Now Midori had brought up the Mr.Policeman shooting again.... and there’s potential that he’ll have to face killing Megumi head on too....

I have imagined the drama of the dolls being used and love it. I have wondered how a situation with a Megumi doll would go. It’s easy to expect Megumi to come back being pissed about Keiji killing her. That would be harsh for him, but he’d expect it. Asunaro would probably expect that too. But what if Megumi really is a nice person, and she’s realized how tortured he’s been by everything all this time. And how he’s misconceived the whole situation. And she’s dead, so what weight does Asunaro have over her now?

Keiji having to look Megumi in the eye as she explains and tells him that it’s not his fault. He’d not be prepared for that at all. (Even if she is antagonistic towards him, to realize that everything she did in the past had good intentions would still do a bit of damage to Keiji.) Perhaps Keiji’s characterization is heading in that direction. Where he has to face his past and accept the reality of everything that has happened. In order for him to grow as a character he has to admit his faults and start to actively make good choices and genuinely try to be a better person.

Family Roadtrip

Sam Winchester x Reader

Words: 1783

Masterlist

Summary: With your vampire foes vanquished, you and Makayla adjust to life with your new family. 

Notes: You didn’t really think I was finished with Makayla’s story did you?! This imagine is a bit shorter and may seem like a filler, but I really wanted to do something sweet and fun-loving after four parts of drama. I hope you enjoy and are excited to see more of the Makayla Chronicles!

Want more Supernatural? Find it HERE

-

You peaked around the corner carefully, motioning to Sam that it was safe to follow. He took the lead, keeping his weapon low. The two of you crept silently around the dark bunker. Noises kept your nerves on edge, making you jump at every rustling paper or creaking floorboard. 

A small form darted past the doorway and you quickly went after it. 

“Y/N, wait!” Sam called, trying to keep up with you as you sprinted into the library. You stopped so suddenly that he almost ran into you. 

“Not good.” You uttered, having lost your target. You had led yourself into a trap. A voice boomed throughout the room.

“Now!” 

The light switched on and Dean lunged out from behind a shelf. Makayla crawled out from beneath the desk and the two mercilessly unleashed the power of their water guns upon the two of you. They didn’t stop until you and Sam were soaked. 

“Okay, okay, you win!” Sam shouted over Dean and Makayla’s cheers of victory. Despite your defeat, you and Sam couldn’t help but laugh. 

“Makayla and Uncle Dean three-” Dean beamed. 

“Mommy and Daddy zero!” The two high-fived and stuck their tongues out on you. Sam eyed his brother. 

“I don’t like how much influence you have on her.” He chuckled. Dean shrugged and Sam shook out his hair right by his face. Then he looked at Makayla. “You know what I could use right now?” He motioned for her to come closer. “A great big bear hug!” 

Makayla squealed as she tried to get away, but Sam was quick to catch her. He engulfed her in a soaking wet hug until she seemed like she’d burst from laughter. Dean smirked, bringing you all towels to dry off. 

It had been a slow week. No hunts, no demons, no impending doom. Mary was gone, having revealed her connections with the British Men of Letters. It was still a sore subject for the boys so you and Makayla decided to come up with some games to distract them. She teamed up with her uncle and you teamed up with Sam. 

You were all sitting down for lunch when Makayla had a sudden outburst of enthusiasm. 

“I want to go on a road trip.” She exclaimed. “A big family road trip.” You smiled at her excitement. 

“Where do you want to go, sweetie?” 

“Anywhere!” She giggled. She started tugging on the sleeve of Sam’s flannel. “Can we go on a road trip daddy? Can we? Can we? Can we?” Sam laughed and pulled her into his lap. 

“I don’t really see why not.” He looked at you and his brother. “What do you say, guys?” Dean shrugged, giving his niece a smile. 

“It’s not like we’ve had a case in a while and with mom gone…” He trailed off, trying not to let his frustration show. You jumped in. 

“I think it’s a great idea.” You could use a little time out of the bunker. Besides, Makayla had only ever really traveled because of hunting. It would be good for her to just have fun with her family. Hell, it would be good for all of you. 

“It’s settled then.” Sam concluded with a grin, bouncing Makayla on his knee. “Go help your mom pack and Dean and I will make a plan.” 

His daughter jumped down from his lap and hurried off to her room. You gave Sam a kiss on the cheek before following her to make sure she didn’t pack a bunch of snacks instead of clothes. Sam watched you leave with a small smile. 

“Things have been going pretty well between you too, huh?” Dean said, noticing his brother’s puppy-love look. Sam broke his gaze and turned to Dean. 

“Yeah.” He sighed happily. “Yeah, they have.” He drank the rest of his coffee. “You know, it’s like nothing has changed and everything has changed at the same time. Y/N is back, and we’re back together, but it’s so much more than it was before.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I’m not sure yet.” Sam fell quiet, trying to sift through his own thoughts. His feelings for you weren’t the same anymore and it wasn’t just because you were the mother of his only daughter. It was like all of his feelings for you from all those years ago had not only resurfaced, but had grown to be so much more. Like he wanted something more.

-

Makayla watched the road ahead with excited eyes. You had been on the road for about an hour and she was still practically bouncing in her seat. Sam had actually insisted on sitting in the back with her, so you were in the passenger seat while Dean drove. 

The plan was to hit a few places in Nebraska and then circle down into Colorado to Estes park. You would be camping instead of renting motel rooms, which would definitely be interesting, but Kayla begged and begged to sleep under the stars like they did in the Western movies Dean had gotten her into. 

The further up into Western Nebraska you got, the more you tried to clear your mind of monsters and demons. This weekend was for you to spend real, quality time with Sam and Dean and for Makayla to have a normal childhood adventure. 

“Daddy look!” Kayla exclaimed, pointing out her window at the dark shapes roaming the fields. The animals seemed to watch as the impala drove by. 

“Those are called pronghorns.” Sam grinned at her awestruck expression. The fact that she still had that innocent fascination with the world made his heart swell. He wanted her to hold onto that forever. 

You’d be arriving at Toadstool soon, your first camping stop. The sun was getting lower and lower in the sky, painting the clouds pink and orange. Nebraska may not have a whole lot in it, but damn it had good sunsets. You didn’t notice, but Sam’s gaze had shifted from your daughter to you. Seven years since he had met you and you still took his breath away. 

You finally turned your head, seeing him in the rearview mirror. The way he was smiling made your heart stop for a moment. It scared you how much you loved him. What if you messed up again? What if he couldn’t forgive you? What if he couldn’t love you because of what you did before? You wouldn’t blame him, of course. 

Once you reached Toadstool Geological Park, Sam helped you set up the tent while Dean grabbed the cooler and the snacks. When Makayla started running towards the trail, Sam took a few strides with his long legs to catch her. 

“It’s too late to go hiking right now, Kayla.” He explained gently. “We’re going to go in the morning when we can see everything better.” 

“I still don’t really get the appeal of it.” Dean muttered. “Just a bunch of rocks.” 

“It’s a ‘natural wonder’, Dean.” You snarked. You gave him a flashy smile. “Just like me.” Dean narrowed his eyes. 

“The only thing you are is natural pain in my ass.” 

“Dean.” Sam scolded, motioning to the young child in his arms. 

“Yeah, that’s a bad word you son-of-a-bitch.” Makayla exclaimed. 

“Makayla!” You gasped. You glared at her uncle. “Dammit Dean!”

“How do you know it was me? You curse like a sailor!”

“Guys, it doesn’t matter who taught her what.” Sam sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with his free hand. “Can we just try and make sure it’s not a regular thing?” You both nodded in agreement, still slightly glowering at each other. 

You started a fire and broke open the hot dogs. You had bought plenty of campfire foods, including everything that was needed to make smores. You wanted this to feel as postcard perfect as possible for Kayla. No monsters, no villains, no impending doom. Just a family around the campfire with marshmallows and chocolate and laughter. 

“You really went all out for this,” Sam noted, motioning to the array of fireside foods. He handed you a nice cold beer and wrapped an arm around your waist. 

“I want this trip to be everything hunter’s don’t get.” You sighed. “Not just for her, but for us.” You leaned your head on his shoulder. “I know things are rough for you guys right now and having a kid around isn’t making that easier-”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Sam shifted so that he was facing you, holding your face in his hands. “You and Kayla… you’ve changed my life in so many ways. And Dean’s. You give us a purpose that isn’t always dark and bloody. You gave me life again.” You smiled, feeling tears prick the corners of your eyes. 

“I never thought about it like that.” You stood on your tiptoes so you could reach his lips for a sweet and devoted kiss. 

-

Dean had decided that he would sleep in the impala, so cramped in the little tent was you, Makayla, and the 6’4” mountain that was trying desperately not to squish both of you. Makayla was already asleep, huddled in between the two of you with her head resting on Sam’s chest. His arm was outstretched so it was both holding her and his hand could rest on your shoulder. You tangled your fingers with his, looking at him over Kayla’s sleeping form. 

“I’d say this trip has been successful so far.” You whispered. Sam nodded. 

“We all needed this. A chance to get away from everything with Lucifer and hunting… and mom.” His smile faltered and you squeezed his hand supportively. 

“She’ll come around. Mary is just…” You trailed off, trying to figure out the right word. 

“Complicated?” Sam finished solemnly. 

“Yeah.” You blew out a breath. For some strange reason, you felt connected to Mary Winchester. Like you were cut from the same bloody and worn out cloth. Feeling Sam’s eyes on you, you pressed a kiss to the back of his hand. “We should get some sleep. The Tasmanian devil over here is gonna keep us on our toes on this hike tomorrow.” You motioned to Kayla with a stifled laugh. Looking back at him, your expression was serious, but warm and bright at the same time. “I love you, Sam.” 

“I love you too.” He gently ran his thumb over your bottom lip, wishing he could kiss you, but not wanting to wake Makayla. 

As your eyes closed your breathing steadied, Sam felt so many emotions rising in his chest, seizing his heart and clearing his mind. In that moment, he knew more than ever before, what he wanted. 

He wanted to marry you. 

-

General Tag: @rae-gar-targaryen; @takemepedropascal; @childhood-imagination;  @mylovegoesto; @yellowbadgergirl; @itmejado; @suckmyapplejacks Supernatural: @desimarie12; @deandreamernp; @vicmc624; @halesandy; @livshaes; @d-whinchestergirl87; @mrspeacem1nusone​ Sam Winchester: @theamuz; @adeliness​ Makayla Series: @rhiannon-the-troublemaker​; @hoboal87​

Xander Support Science Rebuttal/Review + How Mediocre Localization Could Change A Character (2/2)

Continuing From My Last Post (You can find my first post here with all of the links and citations referenced there also being applicable here)

This was originally gonna be three parts, but cutting down the rest of what I had, I don’t think I would have enough for three so instead you get a big second post. Please enjoy, and leave comments/asks one what you liked and what I could do do better in the future.

Continuation 

-At 20:57, Ghast talks about Xander’s final showdown in BR chapter 26, “Despite already establishing that Xander had his doubts about Garon and his way of doing things, calling his siblings naive is hilariously rich coming from someone who routinely overreacts and disrespects his own family members for making inarguable claims about Garon” Xander doesn’t say that in the original script. He instead says:

Xander: I see...So you deceived Camilla and Leo like that? However, that will not work on me. As the First Prince of the Kingdom of Nohr, I cannot allow those who threaten the Kingdom to exist. No matter what others may say, now...I will defeat Corrin. 

Nothing to indicate Xander disrespecting his siblings by insulting them, it’s simply a matter of defending his country.

-Ghast then goes on to also mention how Xander defended Garon and told Leo to shut up in Rev chapter 14. To that, notice the difference in the conversation between JP and the localization.

-

JP version, english patch 

Leo: ...Hey, Xander. We should help fight, too. Even if we become enemies of Nohr, just like Corrin…

Xander: What?! Don’t say such stupid things!! 

Leo: !!

Xander: Understand? We have our pride as the Nohrian royal children. No matter what happens, Father… He won’t let anyone betray this country. Remember this fact.

Leo: ...Sorry.

Xander: ...If you understand, then it’s okay. From here on out... There are things that we must do for Nohr. Corrin and them will meet at the Bottomless Canyon, when the skies over Nohr and Hoshido switch. Until then... Gather all of the trustworthy troops you can find.

Leo: ...Brother? What on earth are you…?

Localization

Leo: Xander, I’m not certain we should be fighting the Hoshidan forces. Even if it means becoming enemies of Nohr…

Xander: Enough of this foolishness!

Leo: !!

Xander: Listen. We are noble princes of Nohr--loyal sons to King Garon. No matter what… We cannot betray Father or this kingdom. Remember that.

Leo: I apologize for my words, Brother.

Xander: No need to apologize, so long as you understand. You and I must do all we can to protect Nohr. Corrin told where and when to meet him/her. We need to be at the Bottomless Canyon on the day the skies change. We have until then to gather our most trusted soldiers.

Leo: What are you planning to do, Xander?

-

The JP version has Xander shift his perspective, because this is the point where he realizes Garon is not the man he used to be. When he tells Leo to “shut up” in the JP script, it’s because Leo mentioned betraying Nohr not anything to do with their father. The conversation goes onto paint Garon as a tyrant by saying “He won’t let anyone betray this country” placing the blame unto his father for being an asshole, rather than having Noblesse oblige towards BOTH Garon and the Kingdom. The localization makes this conversation worse by having Xander still vehemently defend Garon when it was supposed to subtly communicate that it won’t be the case anymore. It also makes Xander look like more of a dick than he actually is.

Line Changes

-At 22:15, he goes onto the Conquest chapter 27 line where Xander says Corrin will be punished like any other traitor if they are leading the Nohr family into a trap to do them harm. He also says that Xander believes that Corrin is leading them into a Hoshidan ambush, but I don’t know where he got that from? He says nothing about Hoshido, he only says if Corrin’s actually trying to harm their family. And again, this is another case of localization making Xander seem more harsh than he is. The original line was:

“Xander:..I understand. You’re the one who has led and fought with us the whole time. That’s why...I believe you. I believe in your words. But, if what you say turns out to be a lie...We will determine you as an enemy, and our entire army will turn against you. Prepare yourself for that.” 

Nothing as threatening as the localized version, because Xander isn’t actually like that.

Xander’s Denial/Trust Issues

-Ghast goes on “While Corrin’s claim would be hard to swallow, without any context, Garon’s been a bloodthirsty monster the entire game (talks about Garon being evil and Xander witnessing it)...Xander even later says the war was pointless and that his real father, would never have started a meaningless war like the one they just fought in, showing that he knew from the start that what he was doing was wrong. So why would he threaten Corrin like that for suggesting disposing of Garon”?

Because, at that point, he was still in denial of Garon possibly being bad, clinging onto hope that his father would return to the way he was. As I mentioned earlier, it takes seeing Garon as a literal monster to finally push Xander over the edge, but it’s also why he and the other Nohr siblings are hesitant to fight against Slime Monster Dad, because they felt the exact same way due to how they grew up. 

Following up, he says, “Why would he not trust Corrin, when at that point of the game they chose to return to Nohr and fight with them and they probably have an A support which shows he’s been doubting Garon for years” 1) As stated before, the support wasn’t translated well, he’s not actually the type to stand up to Garon even if he had his doubts unless you have some very definitive proof and 2) 9 times out of 10, Supports don’t affect the story in any meaningful way. At best it affects whether you can not have someone unrecruit themselves, or in 3H in order to get the CF route. I can just as easily have Corrin not support Xander at all.

Further on, Ghast says “Even after Garon being a complete dickbag, and Corrin showing unquestionable loyalty the entire game, Xander still trusts Garon more” No, he doesn’t. It’s not trust, it’s fear. He’s afraid of his father. He visibly recoils whenever Garon barks orders at him, he says that as a kid he was more scared of his father than any ghost in the Boo Camp DLC. Xander is fully aware of Garon’s atrocities and how awful he is, but he defends him because protecting Garon is synonymous with protecting his Kingdom and family, and because he’s in deep denial of Garon’s behavior due to growing up in a destructive environment, AND because he’s utterly terrified of him. It’s a complex way of thinking, and something that has shaped Xander up to that point.

Logic vs. Emotion

-He goes back to BR chapter 26 at with 25:17 “He doesn’t even take a moment to think things through and ask himself why all of his siblings have stopped fighting Corrin already, he doesn’t consider Leo and Camilla’s feelings at all, completely dismisses Elise’s plight, and instead blindly fights for Garon to win the war...Xander’s reaction to Elise’s final dying plea in his arms that he’s responsible for, to get him to listen finally is to continue fighting Corrin. Xander’s hubris has blinded him from seeing why Camilla and Leo could see reason, he pushed his agenda so far that he literally killed his own sister. At this point, Xander has absolutely nothing but his annoying patriotism to his country and his blind obsessiveness with pleasing Daddy Dearest, so instead of finally beginning to see the light, Xander instead spits on Elise’s dying wish, and forces Corrin to fight him, despite literally being told not to do it.”

Ghast’s incessant desire for Xander to have no personality except considering others feelings and be a pragmatist is what drags down this analysis the most for me. Besides already ignoring literally everything that was changed in the localization, as well as the more-than-implied undertones of an abusive/destructive childhood, he is under the impression that after killing his own sister, there should only be one reaction to it, to join Corrin and fight Garon. Completely disregarding the darkest part about Xander, his suicidal desires, most of which are delved into his Nyx support. You can’t get this support in BR obviously, and that route is where he is pushed to his limits and is suffering the most on the inside; when he kills Elise everything inside of him breaks and he thinks the only way to atone is to die, hence why he triggers a Suicide-by-Cop by forcing Corrin to fight him. This is reflected in gameplay where his stats are lowered and he doesn’t move, showing that he’s holding back and wanting Corrin to finish him off.

Ghast goes on to say “What were the writers hoping to achieve by making Xander completely disregard his little sister’s sacrifice and to continue fighting with absolutely no resolve or reason to fight? He couldn’t do anything else? Really?”

Uh, yeah. Really. At least that’s what Xander believed. Being suicidal does that to people. Context of the moment and not thinking rationally can really fuck someone up depending on what happens. It is an issue the audience can have, where doing the smart thing is obvious, and it’s bad writing when the character doesn’t do it, but 1) characters aren’t robots dictated solely by logic and 2) characters that always do the right/smart thing can get pretty boring, at least to me. It’s also why I enjoy Corrin as a protagonist and why Takumi and Leo work extremely well as Corrin’s foils.

-He then goes onto critique Xander claiming he didn’t have a choice like his other siblings, because of his responsibility as Crown Prince, saying that at that point, Leo, Camilla and Elise had left the war so what did he have left to fight for. And to that I say, he had the rest of Nohr to fight for, literally a bunch of innocents that he needs to protect. Meanwhile, his retainers are probably bleeding out, whoops.

-30:28 “Now Elise is dead. Her courageous sacrifice goes ignored by Xander, and the only possible reasoning behind his decision to continue was to keep fighting for Garon and Nohr” or, y’know, because of those not so subtle suicidal tendencies of his that were just triggered by him killing his sister, leading him wanting to be killed?

“But therein lies another problem, Xander’s responsibility is to his people, not to a megalomaniac king undeserving of his loyalty” Denial, fear, and a harmful way of thinking can do that to someone.

-Ghast actually acknowledges Xander’s suicide by cop thing with his stats and says it was supposed to be tragic but it’s not because he thinks Xander’s line of letting his feelings overrule my duty is baffling because “...he suppressed his real feelings because of his duty, there’s no instance where Xander’s emotions get in the way of doing what he should do as Crown Prince, someone who is to strive for the well being of his people” Chapter 2 he spares Kaze and Rinkah, and in chapter 3 he and the other siblings rescue Corrin despite not being ordered to. This is him doing what his feelings told him to do in spite of what consequence it might have for his country in the future. Not to mention a lot of his actions in Conquest have him do things based on emotion and feelings even if it might have ended the war sooner not to.

-34:55, “So guess what? He knew. He knew Camilla left for a good reason, he knew Leo was right to suspect Garon, he agreed with what Elise wanted the entire time, and he knew Corrin was right, but most importantly he doesn’t believe in Garon anymore. So what does he have left? His people. But how, Xander? How are you going to lead your people to the peaceful future you just admitted to always wanting as Crown Prince if you go ahead and throw your life away? So let me answer your question. Is that justice? No Xander, it’s karma, you colossal tool”.

People aren’t allowed to have feelings and who cares if he was suicidal and wanted his life to end because he felt like he didn’t deserve to live anymore, and most likely felt his people deserved better than him, yadda yadda. Again, it’s this desire to rope Xander into this box of not having a character besides being receptive to other people that makes this analysis worse. Because he’s ignoring intrinsic facets of Xander’s personality. Traits that really can’t be ignored when understanding the greater context of the siblings, Nohr, and the game as a whole. Unfortunately, said traits were also bogged down a bit by a bad localization.

35:37-”If this was support Xander he wouldn’t have done all of this and he would’ve made all the right choices” I don’t agree, for aforementioned reasons that I don’t wish to repeat again.

35:56 ”And if he can’t negotiate peace, Xander should bravely face his father like he said he did in the past and do the right thing for the countrymen he so devoutly serves. Stand up to the guy.” Basically the entire argument is based on one line that was never in the original script and therefore never intended to be something the audience would think. Xander never stood up to Garon directly before, the only real instance of that happening is chapter 27 of Conquest, where he finds his father is a literal monster. Any other time he tries, he recoils in fear. Even his line in CQ chapter 9 where Corrin might be executed for getting help from Elise and Xander says “Father, kill me or kill no one. That is all there is to it” isn’t in the JP script, it was literally just ellipses instead.

The Second Video: Xander’s Supposed Hypocrisy

The second video goes onto more story Xander and supports Xander stuff, once again closing Xander off into a box of just being selfless and being completely receptive.

-At 4:25 he says instead of letting the war be over quicker by letting Zola execute the Hoshidan royals Xander commits treason against his own army and people by destroying Zola’s company in chapter 18. Ghast makes this out as Xander being self fulfilling and not for the welfare of his people at all, despite this completely going against Ghast’s apparent need for Xander to consider his families’ feelings and wishes, and saving the Hoshido royals would what Corrin would want. I really don’t know what Ghast really wants from Xander sometimes.

-From 6:01 to 7:12, Ghast criticizes Xander’s way of doing things as hypocritical. “Xander acts like Garon (declaring treachery and using violence to get his way) to make sure the war is won in an honorable way”. Never mind the fact that since Xander is thinking about the future of Nohr, and he doesn’t want his country to be seen as deceptive cowards, and the fact standing by and letting a person like Kotaro do what he wants, despite being a greedy politician who destroyed a whole country in the past and can easily stab Nohr in the back later.

Further on, at 10:05, “It’s not enough to be a good person, you have to stand up to people doing bad things” ...that’s literally what he does against Zola though? Besides the aforementioned planned execution, there’s also the fact that Zola is committing a crime by instigating conflict in a neutral territory, why would taking him out be a bad thing.

Justice Is An Illusion

-At 11:00, he goes on to criticize Xander’s Justice Is An Illusion speech in CQ 24, specifically the line “If we allow evil men to let their vision take precedence over our own, we all lose. Remember that, and find solace in it” He says this is hypocritical of Xander to say, as Xander had done nothing to stand up for his own vision of peace in the face of evil men at point. This is despite the fact that, as we know by now, Xander isn’t the type of person to stand up and directly fight back against his father, because of fear and denial. So despite it looking cowardly, it’s consistent with how his portrayal was supposed to be, which the localization fumbled on.

Also, the line that Ghast criticizes? Guess which line isn’t in the JP script. Actually the speech is a lot longer in the localization than the JP version, like twice as long:

The localized speech:

Corrin: ...Xander, what do we--?

Xander: I know. I don’t like this plan any more than you do. But we must stay strong. If we falter now, the whole world will pay the price. Corrin… Camilla told me you once asked her where justice lies.

Corrin: Yes. She didn’t have any more answers than I did.

Xander: Little prince/princess… The sad truth is that justice is an illusion. A child’s fairy tale. There is no light path that always leads to good, nor dark path that leads to evil. To believe that--to see the world in black and white--is missing half the picture. All that matters are the choices we make--especially the hard ones.

Corrin: But this? It’s too much…

Xander: Letting innocents die is a tragedy, but so is letting the chance for peace slip away. This is war. There is no such thing as a clean win when lives are on the line. Instead of clinging to a false sense of justice, hold strong to something true… The desire to do what you know is right and to protect the ones you love… And the ambition to see your vision of a peaceful future through to the end. If we allow evil men to let their vision take precedence over our own, we all lose. Remember that, and find solace in it.

Corrin: You’re right, Xander. I know in my heart that you’re right. Gods, give me strength...

The JP Speech:

Corrin: ...Xander. I…

Xander: I know. You do not truly agree with these methods. ...Corrin. Before this, you… I heard from Camilla that you asked where justice is found. 

Corrin: Yes…

Xander: ...Things like justice, do not exist. This is war. In this world, there is no right or wrong way of being. There is only… Ambition and desire. Along with the expectations of the people who follow those emotions. You’d do well to remember that.

Corrin: …

-

I was surprised to see it was so short, so I double checked on a playthrough of the untranslated version to make sure it wasn’t a mess up with the patch, and it’s not. It’s actually that short.

Xander’s Honor

-At 14:22 he says Xander “Carelessly violates his code of conduct by dirtying his hands and by betraying his father and Nohr” What exactly does Ghast want, because Xander goes against Garon like he wanted, and allows his vision to hold precedence like he wanted (even though the line was a Treehouse add-on), yet this is apparently a bad thing because it’s contradictory to what he does later, when in the context of the situation, he literally can’t do anything because it would mean going against half the army as well as any Hoshidan forces. Xander says justice doesn’t really exist, because even when they did things like take out Zola and Kotaro for their scheming, who’s to say that was the most just decision, because as Ghast himself said, letting them do their thing could’ve ended the war faster. But on the other side of things, where would the justice be in letting people like that do what they want? That’s what Xander ultimately means when he says there’s no justice, further complemented by saying there is only ambition and desire; it was Xander’s ambition and desire to do what he thought was right, justice or not.

-At 16:03 to the end, Ghast concludes the video by saying that Support Xander and Story Xander may as well be different people. But the thing is, they’re not. Xander is in deep denial of his father being evil because he’s still latching on to what few good things there were about him, and Garon is what Xander is scared of the most. Xander’s multifaceted personality makes him out to be selfless and caring on the inside, whilst appearing intimidating, but none of this was intentionally cultivated, it’s just the way he grew up, and being a natural introvert, he’d rather not change how people perceive him because he’d rather not cause anyone trouble. And having a drive to do things for others, he also has personal issues and sentiments which influence his actions, such as suicidal desires and difficulty controlling and expressing his emotions.

This is shown really well, but mostly only in the original script. The grievous inconsistencies are a result of the localization adding in lines that contradict what was originally supposed to be conveyed. Apparently he stands up against Garon frequently, he fights for justice against evil men, and he doesn’t let his emotions rule over his logic. But none of that is actually true.

Conclusion

In general, I don’t really like either video because Ghast imposes what kind of character Xander should be like and doesn’t acknowledge (or outright dismisses as stupid) a lot of what could influence him. The final driving point is that it’s simply baffling that there’s no acknowledgement whatsoever of Xander’s story inconsistencies being possibly a result of bad localization (which they are) when Fates had one of the most controversial localization seasons in the past few years. Granted, yes, people were more up in arms about problematic content, the skinship, and name changes, but not many seem to recognize that maybe that it also extends to the script in general altering character personalities? It’s even more confusing considering Ghast’s main videos are about story and character analysis, yet doesn’t really seem to ever bring up how localization and translation can alter the script, thereby affecting the player’s reading of the plot.

Overall, what’s done has been done, most people see Xander as two (or three) different people because of Fates’ bad writing and not because messages possibly being misconstrued. I would like to say, that saying Xander was ruined was not the best choice of words, as even with mediocre translation, he’s still a fantastic character and not all of what makes him the way he is was lost.

It’s just I feel like we could’ve gotten better.

Anyway, thanks to all who read through this. Play Fates, it’s a good game, even though I think Treehouse fumbled a lot of it.

Chapter 12: Long Away

Summary:

After three hours of traveling they finally reached the small house where they would live for at least two months. And the house was just disappointing. That house was supposed to be where the queen had lived in her childhood and this house was quite old, it even had several plants growing on the walls of it. It could be blamed that it had not been used for years. But still Brian expected a little more.

Tag-list:  @whitequeen-ofwillowgreen​ @likesomekindofcheese @anotheronebitesthedick @0-primejive-0

Rays of light sneaked in through Brian's window causing him to get up. He growled a little and turned to the other side so he could continue sleeping. Then his mind remembered the night before and that they were going to the outskirts of the city that day.

He quickly checked the clock on his desk. 11:01 am. He had to hurry if he wanted to eat something before he left. He dressed with the first thing he found and fixed his hair a bit, before heading out into the hall.

Brian made his way to the dining room. His friends were already there and they hadn't been that long there, they'd barely started eating.

Breakfast was fairly quiet, no one spoke at all. Maybe it was just the tiredness from the night before.

After finishing eating Joe arrived, who told them that it was time to leave, that they were waiting outside.

They all went for their belongings and left the castle where a white van was waiting for them. The driver was the Queen's personal chauffeur with whom they had never spoken. They got their things up and got in the back.

The road to Ridge Farm was as boring and uncomfortable as possible.

Brian wanted to talk to Roger but he was still upset by what had happened a few hours ago. John looked completely exhausted that most of the trip he was asleep.

On the other hand, Freddie did not want to talk about any topic at all. Brian wanted to talk to him and also ask him about his past but he was aware that this was not the time or the place to ask sensitive questions.

Brian considered sleeping like John, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make it because of the movement of the van. So he just watched the window and how the city with big buildings and streets full of people was transformed into the countryside with small brick houses and empty streets.

After three hours of traveling they finally reached the small house where they would live for at least two months. And the house was just disappointing. That house was supposed to be where the queen had lived in her childhood and this house was quite old, it even had several plants growing on the walls of it. It could be blamed that it had not been used for years. But still Brian expected a little more.

Everyone got out of the van and "admired" the house. Now they truly regret breaking the rules multiple times. They grabbed their suitcases and walked into the house.

The furniture was old and worn; the wooden floor creaked under their feet and in general the place smelled of dust and humidity.

Joe showed each of them their rooms and unfortunately they will have to share, since there were only two. Obviously, if Roger and Freddie slept in the same room they were going to burst their heads because they couldn't see each other for a second, so Roger and Brian went to sleep in one room while John and Freddie would be in the other.

The rooms were rather tasteless, with white painted walls and no decoration whatsoever. It only had two beds, a desk and a closet.

Brian placed his suitcase on his bed, which creaked slightly, and began to unpack his clothes. He hadn't brought too many clothes since they barely had time to put her things away; although luckily he didn't forget his beloved guitar

Once he finished putting away and organizing his things, he lay down on the bed. He had barely slept the night before, he was exhausted, and just wanted to rest. It was better to do it now since he doubted he could do it at night.

He curled up on the bed and closed his eyes waiting for his desired dream.

Brian's eyes widened, he really had slept a little, he didn't feel fully rested but at least he wasn't dying of sleep anymore. And he hadn't had any nightmares which he was always grateful for.

He got up from his bed and stretched a little. Until now he felt the emptiness of his stomach. He hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and it was getting dark it was obvious he was already hungry.

He left the room and heard Roger and John talking downstairs. Going downstairs, he saw them sitting on the couch while watching television, although they were not paying attention to it.

He went to the kitchen to find something to eat. He ended up making a cheese sandwich and grabbing an apple. He would like to eat something more elaborate but he didn't have time for that, he just wanted to eat.

He went into the living room with the others and noticed that Freddie was not there.

-Hey, where's Freddie? - Brian asked to be a little calmer.

-He came out - John replied.

-He probably just went looking for a girl to fuck - Roger said while laughing.

Brian was not convinced of the simplicity of the answers but did not give it much importance. Freddie could take care of himself, it was also a quiet town it was unlikely that something would happen to him.

They didn't do much in the next few hours, there really was little they could do in an old house. Fortunately, Roger found some board games, they were old but at least there was something entertaining to do.

They played Scrabble, the game that the three of them liked the most, for a couple of hours. John was the one who won the most games. Then it became somewhat repetitive and they decided to play chess. Roger surprisingly was pretty good at playing.

Around midnight Roger decided to go to sleep. So Brian and John were completely alone. Brian knew John very little; he had spoken to him on rare occasions. Still it was nice talking to him. With John he talked about more “philosophical” things instead of random things like he did with Freddie and Roger.

After a few minutes talking about the greatness of the universe, they heard the front door open. It was only Freddie who tried to enter as cautiously as possible.

-Hello Freddie - John greeted when Freddie was about to go up the stairs - Where were you? - Asked innocently

-You know ... - Freddie said in a trembling voice and without showing his face - I went to a bar to have a drink -

-Is everything alright? - John asked worried as he approached Freddie.

-Yes ... I just needed to rest -

Before Freddie went up the stairs, John grabbed him by the wrist. Freddie finally turned to see John, revealing the reason for hiding his face. It was evident that he had been crying and the most important thing was the bruise that covered his left eye.

Naturally, Brian gasped at the sight of Freddie's beaten face.

-What happened?- John asked as he guided Freddie to sit in the living room.

-It is nothing - Freddie said, dismissing it, although it was evident that something bad had happened to him.

-That's not true - Brian spoke - Someone has ... hit you - This last word hurt him to say.

Freddie sighed and understood that it was impossible to get out of that one. Still sooner or later he had to tell them what had happened.

-I don't know who hit me - Freddie revealed - It was just a someone walking around, he saw me and decided to hit me-

Freddie's explanation did not entirely convince Brian. There was something he was hiding.

-Did he hit you without saying anything? - Questioned John - Normal people are not hitting people who are on the street.

-Well ... - Freddie played lightly with his hands because of the nerves - Let's say ... I did something to make him angry -

John looked at him with a frown. Neither John nor Brian spoke hoping that Freddie would be more specific.

-Let's say that I ... - Freddie wasn't sure it was time to reveal one of his most important secrets - was walking with a man ... -

Freddie closed his eyes waiting for some retaliation from his friends. Brian already knew more or less where he was going, unlike John who didn't quite understand what Freddie was referring to.

-And why would someone hit you for walking with a man? - John asked innocently.

-I wasn't just walking with him ... maybe we kissed ... - Freddie's voice was fragile and he took constant pauses - Let’s say... very intense ... - Freddie covered his face with his hands so as not to see the reaction of his friends.

-Then you're gay? - Brian asked to affirm what he was saying.

Freddie slowly nodded.

It really wasn't a surprise, at least for Brian. He already suspected that Freddie liked men; many times when they talked about old relationships he did not comment on any woman, only Mary but still looked somewhat uncomfortable when talking about her.

-Did they beat you for being gay? - John asked somewhat confused.

Freddie again nodded slowly.

Unfortunately, in Rhye that was quite common. It was not uncommon to hear on the news how gay people were beaten on the street. The black queen was the one who tried to stop these hate crimes, but as always the council put a lot of obstacles.

-Aren't you angry? - Freddie asked scared as he removed his hands from his face. To their surprise none of them looked angry or even disgusted.

-Why would we be? - Brian said as he sat next to his friend - It's just who you are.

Freddie breathed relief when he saw that his friends were not against who he liked.

They both hugged him. Brian wanted him to know that everything was going to be fine and that he would always support him, just as Roger always supported him.

MC:SM Mafia – Round VII 🎁

THE 7TH ROUND OF MAFIA

What could be better than a nice, fun christmas party with your friends? Obviously, a nice, fun christmas party in a big, christmas-themed cottage of a mansion’s size! So you couldn’t believe your eyes when your mailbox presented you with the greatest early christmas present ever: An invitation from an old friend whom you can’t remember ever having written to! My, your memory must really be weakening. But who cares, christmas party, CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!

So you did what any normal human being would do, and went immediately without even packing your stuff. No worries, your old friend said they’ve prepared everything for your stay, so what could you possibly need on your way?

…Well, maybe you should have packed. At least the most basic stuff, like weapons. For A ZOMBIE HORDE CIRCUMVENTED YOU SHORTLY BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL AT THE MANSION! AHHHH!

Through pure willpower, you managed to run through them, only face-planting a few times here and there because wet, cold ground turns out to be really slippery. You made it to the front door, and you knocked crazy like there was no tomorrow, because there may be just none for you if you had to stay out here any second longer. Not only because of the zombies, but it was also really getting cold. Brrr…

To your delight, the door soon opened as if by magic. It was pitch-back inside, but you entered anyway… and, again as if by magic, an outstanding white pumpkin fell down and right onto your head! Was it a house rule to wear those indoors???

You slowly felt your way in the dark, found another door and opened it – and there was light. It was so bright, it blinded you for a moment, but then you saw – there were the other party guests! They also all had white pumpkins on their heads. Maybe you skipped in the letter that it was a special costume party?

Before you could ask any questions, however, a female sounding voice with long, red hair surfacing under her pumpkin began to speak. Your old friend?

"I’ve gathered you all here for a special event", she said. "We’re gonna play a party game… have you ever heard of werewolf? One of us is gonna be the traitor, the others are gonna be the innocent citizens, and you have to find out who is who. Now, let the game begin!"

With that, for a second, it was pitch black again – and when the light came back, your host has disappeared.

Ooh, a party game, that sounds really fun! What could possibly go wrong?

Dear guests, it is time.

To play.

A VERY META GAME OF MAFIA WEREWOLF!

And don’t forget to thank your old friend for hosting the party… while you still can. 😉

☀ Results of Day 1:

After that friendly announcation from your old friend, you greeted the other party guests, acting like you actually could recognize them, before scattering in the search for vacant mattresses and pillows. Maybe we could have a little slumber party to start things out!

🌑 Results of Night 1:

Ready for a slumber party, Magnus grabbed some pillows and blankets from the bed chamber and climbed up to the attic. He was shook when he saw his old friend Lluna the llama there, and accused Stella of stealing her from him! However, Lluna had already moved on, knowing that Magnus would be okay on his own. They had a short but sweet moment, before Magnus told Lluna that she cannot have their TNT, to which she walked away snobbishly. Magnus then went on to sleep, since nobody seemed to be in the mood for a party…

Note: The person playing Magnus this round played as Stella in the previous round.

Jesse was not up for the idea of a slumber party, and snuck away to the most unlikely place for a gathering: The attic! To their surprise, however, the attic soon turned out to be a hotspot! But at least they found Stella, so they could follow their plan to guard her for the night.

Stella climbed up the attic and was glad to have found JxJessica. Now she could sleep silently knowing they’re protected.

Dan was not up for the idea of a slumber party – he’s gonna stay right here and solve this mystery TONIGHT! So he spent the whole night thinking about who seemed sus.

While the others were busy thinking about party stuff, CASSIE snuck away to the library. Time to bring some real fun into this party… She entered the secret hallway and set off a trap in the bed chamber, gallery and the living room, to hopefully cause maximum damage!

Stampy was compelled by this cute adorable calico-cat OMG!!, so he did the only logic conclusion and followed the kitty to the living room, seperating himself from the boring others who wanted to throw a slumber party. Time for a CAT PARTY! Although he wanted the kitty to stay safe, so he made sure to disharmed all the traps in the room.

☀ Results of Day 2:

Dan started the conversation by stating where they were last night, and Stampy did the same. It quickly ended there, though. 🤷

Magnus then pointed his stone sword against CASSIE and warned her that he knew who she was. CASSIE said that that was an accomplishment, as she barely knows who she is herself. Magnus was so stunned by this answer, he couldn’t even speak. 😮

🌒 Results of Night 2:

Magnus had a super hard time trying to digest that information… how could anyone know anything about CASSIE, if she didn’t even know it herself? How would the universe still work?? HOW DOES HER HEAD NOT EXPLODE??? Deeply in thought, he was surprised by nightfall, and quickly ran back to the good trusted attic to try and clear his mind. There he found Winslow, and after a short moment of shock, he decided to try and befriend him. However, Winslow demanded fish for a bribe, so Magnus decided to get him fish tomorrow and sleep for the night.

Eh! It’ll be fine, as long as Jesse and Stella are working together. That’s the power of friendship! Insert Trademark So they followed her into the living room and started thinking about their next move. Not for too long though, as their tiredness quickly caught up with them, carrying them to the land of dreams.

Not saying a word, ’cause a llama says it all, Stella decided to go to the living room. There, she and Jesse reassured each other that they didn’t have any suspects yet, before Stella decided to brag about her strategy to Stampy. Afterwards, she stayed awake the whole night.

Well, that didn’t really go anywhere, Dan thought to himself… but maybe there’s just no mystery to solve yet. So, how to kill time until the first murder happens…? – Let’s look at some pictures in the gallery, maybe. Maybe they could be hiding some clues! After carefully inspecting each painting, he concluded that there were no secrets to be found, so he went to sleep. It was then that CASSIE striked and gagged and fettered them, carelessly (seriously, ow!) dragging them all the way down to their basement, where feline eyes continually stared into Dan’s very soul… He soon began to see cat faces everywhere, in every detail of the wall, even in the wrinkles of his hands- THEY’RE EVERYWHERE, DAN MUST OBEY OR HE’LL SUFFER IN CAT-HELL FOR ETERNITY!!!

That was close! Magnus sure seemed very hostile towards CASSIE, out of nowhere really. She hasn’t even killed anyone yet! But anyway, since the traps didn’t do anything last time, she decided to change up her strategy and start acting like that really shady neighbor from her early childhood and followed Dan to the gallery. There, she waited until Dan was sleeping soundly, and then she striked and gagged and fettered him and dragged him down to her basement. There, she whistled for their cats, and let the magic happen. Yes, stare into Dan’s very soul, good kitty!

That was a nice little exchange of information – until CASSIE dropped those words. Oh my – Stampy didn’t even know what to answer to that! He definitely needed to clear his head after that to prevent himself from starting to ask existential questions he didn’t (wanna) know the answer to, so he went back to the living room and looked at those amazingly constructed traps again (seriously, a genius made these!). Seems like they have reset… dang it. After successfully clearing his mind and having a nice talk with Jesse and Stella, he took the risk and went to bed.

Dan was kidnapped.

☀ Results of Day 3:

Magnus immediately broke the ice by telling everyone that he NEEDED FISH. DESPERATELY!

Stampy professionally ignored him and questioned his and Dan’s whereabouts. They both answered, but Magnus then rambled about being SNOW WHITE and raided the kitchen, only granting Dan one cooked salmon. 🐟

Dan, on the other hand, stated that he was kidnapped, and Stampy suggested that it was CASSIE due to her being in the gallery with Dan.

Magnus believed Dan, and threatened to throw CASSIE out. Stella confirmed that Stampy didn’t have a metallic weapon. Stampy admitted that he followed Winslow for the first night because kitty. Winslow sure seemed to have enchanted a lot of guests this time around! 😼

Medi confessed that he was Dan. CASSIE tried to save herself by saying that Dan must be lying and that she was an adventurer. Magnus then threatened to nuke the room, because why not. 🧨

Magnus suggested to keep CASSIE locked up in the closet, and CASSIE agreed with a warning that she’d be making gay jokes all night.

After a little more discussion, Magnus went on to demand Dan to go with him. Then he suddenly changed his mind and suggested Dan to get into the closet and CASSIE staying with him to have a gay mini party and vibe with her.

Stampy brought up the idea to have everyone go together into one room, since he can deactivate traps and Magnus would win any fight with more than three people.

So, which plan to follow now? Magnus said that CASSIE would go with him and Dan into the closet. Then he changed his mind and said the opposite. Dan was the only one who actually voted, together with Jesse volunteering to be the guard.

Oh boy, what a discussion we’ve had today!

🌓 Results of Night 3:

Magnus sure had a plan going into this. Making sure to take a little detour to the kitchen first and get all that yummy and very smelly fish, he headed straight up to the attic and held his TNT ready. This is going to be a very interesting night! …Well, he hoped so anyway, but since he couldn’t watch Dan – it was way too dark without any windows up here –, he couldn’t do anything but go to sleep.

The others had a long and honestly a bit tiring conversation about who is the liar – Dan or CASSIE –, and Jesse were glad when it finally ended with them telling Jesse to volunteer as a guard for the closet. At least their Flint & Steel is gonna be safe in there, too… They didn’t trust CASSIE one bit, so they poked her throughout the whole night.

>> Alrighty! Magnus wasn’t the only one with a plan tonight! Now, let’s see if Lluna is sniffing something diamond at Dan… No? Really nothing? Now that’s super SUS! Stella stayed awake the whole night, just in case she is going to be attacked – even though she was really tired…

What an audacity of CASSIE to straight up tell everyone that Dan was the liar and she’s innocent! Dan wasn’t sure what Magnus had in mind, but he definitely hope his plan will work. He really didn’t want to kill anyone tonight… maybe he won’t though, as that would make CASSIE a top suspect… Welp, he was wrong. He suddenly heard a calico cat’s threatening meow behind him – oh god, they’re here! What did they want from Dan!? What – kill Stampy?! No way he would do that – No, he didn’t want to – but the cats approached closer – circumventing him – hissing – staring – aaaaAAAAAHH! Dan couldn’t endure it any longer! Sorry, Stampy, he HAD to do this!!!

Welp, that could’ve gone better… Pity that Dan isn’t the one being locked up first. But Magnus was not the only person with a plan, for sure. CASSIE whispered Winslow her stratetgy via cat language, and kept eye contact with him as she entered the closet. It’s all or nothing! She couldn’t do much but endure the constant poking of her guard Jesse. Yes, she wouldn’t get any shut eye, that’s fair.

Magnus sure seemed to have some kind of plan, even if a little questionable. After a long and good discussion, he decided to drag them all up to the attic. Stampy really couldn’t help but wonder what he was up to… Stampy didn’t have any weapon, after all. Hopefully this isn’t a terrible idea… And what a terrible idea it was! He honestly couldn’t help but feel a little intimidated by Dan’s pure presence. Yet, he closed his eyes and went into the realms of dreams… but not for long, as he suddenly woke up to Dan’s hands strangling his throat. He couldn’t scream for help… or even whisper… all he could do was die, in silence, with no one even noticing.

Stampy has died!

The Last Day ☀

"Let’s keep CASSIE alive. CASSIE isn’t Cassie.", Magnus said sarcastically, mocking the dead. This ol’ "party game" had nothing on him. He went on to take the lead on CASSIE’s final demise. WE’RE GONNA THROW HER OUT, TODAY! And everyone (but CASSIE) agreed.

Needless to say, this was not going to plan for CASSIE.

But then, from somewhere, the guests could hear a distant meow… is that… is that from the ocean??

Dan, thinking that the ghost of Stampy was still among them, apologized for killing him. Another gentle "meow" revealed that this was the only way Stampy would’ve accepted to die. How heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time…

Anyway, let’s get back to ELIMINATING CASSIE!

But suddenly, CASSIE whistled, and in the next second, countless calico cats started to appear out of everywhere. Dan screamed in fear, but Magnus already had a plan-

"Here, kitty kitty!", he yelled, gaining the cats’ attention with the ungodly amount of fish he robbed from the kitchen. The tons and tons of copies of Winslow were almost going to crush him, but he managed to throw the fish out of a window just in time, and the cats instantly followed. There they all went, not a single one left to be pet… or to defend Cassie.

"Time for plan B", CASSIE said to herself, yieled her diamond axe, then threw it on the ground and yeeted outta there. EVERYONE, AFTER HER!!!

She ran and ran and ran, but eventually, the guests were able to corner her. They grabbed all of CASSIE’s arms and legs, and dragged her back to the entrance hall.

"Any final words?", Magnus asked.

"H HHH HH HHH H H"

And with that, they threw Cassie out to the… wait. There were no zombies.    Riiiiight.

"Time for plan B indeed", Magnus agreed and went to get the diamond axe CASSIE had left behind. Oh, no… no, no, no no no no NO-

And with that, he cut down a nearby tree and used the wood to build a giant cage around Cassie. What were you thinking, that he would decapitate CASSIE? Oh, of course we’re gonna do that too! 🪓

Yeah, what a lame party this was.

The guests have won the game! 🎁

~ Note: The person playing Stampy has a username referring to the Sea.

❄️ Untamed Winter Fest 2019 ❄️

Day 29 - Frozen - 1.8k

Jiang Cheng watched the gently waving fan as it moved hypnotically, still covering the lower half of Nie Huaisang’s face. He wondered if this was the Nie Sect leader’s version of those flesh eating plants that lured in their prey with pretty colours and tempting smells before snapping closed and devouring what was caught.

The thought made him uncomfortable and he tried to banish it as his eyes lifted and travelled a little further up to find those solemn dark eyes watching him watch the fan.

And really now he was looking for it Jiang Cheng wondered how he, how everyone, had missed that underlying tone of cold cunning in their depths.

But perhaps it was just that he could see it now because he knew it was there; people only saw what they wanted to see, nothing in the world was truer than this.

Nie Huaisang had been a consummate strategist, matching Jin Guangyao move for move, year after year, in a hidden game of chess only one of them had been aware they were playing.

While one man acted the benevolent patriarch of the cultivational world the other played the clown in the background, wept and shook his head when pushed to the forefront and cleverly used his prey as his protection.

Jin Guangyao hadn’t ever seen it coming. That was scheming on another level entirely.

Jiang Cheng considered that they’d come a long way from those silly boys who’d met at the Cloud Recesses and spent their days fooling around, drinking, sharing pornographic books, whilst going about their young lives with their seemingly all-consuming worries.

The worries of children.

Life had chewed them up and spit them out since, and while he didn’t think there was a cultivator of their generation that had come through the last several years unscathed Jiang Cheng had closed himself off emotionally in order to survive, his frozen heart refusing to allow any further possibility of hurt.

He wondered if, like himself, Nie Huaisang would give anything to return to those carefree days of innocence, to be surrounded by his family again. He liked to think he’d not be nearly as ill-tempered with Wei Wuxian as he had been, that he’d appreciate that lively, conceited yet warm-hearted brother of his more, that he wouldn’t waste time bickering in front of his sister and instead just be in her calming company and give her all the love she deserved.

Perhaps Nie Huaisang had the same regrets, wishing he’d not spent so much time avoiding Nie Mingjue and instead been more appreciative of the love and care his elder brother held for him.

***

He would be the first to admit the meeting hadn’t held his attention and he had let most of the discussion flow over his head despite Lotus Pier being the host location, it had been a relief as it drew to a conclusion so he could see the other attendees off to their accommodations.

Afterwards, though it was late in the evening, he found himself in the company of the man who most of his thoughts had been on during the conference as they walked leisurely along the walkways and paths along the lake.

“Jiang-xiong was quite preoccupied during the discussion” Nie Huaisang commented, giving him a quick look from the corner of his fox-eyes.

“It’s the same discussions over and over though isn’t it? Patting themselves on the back for seeing through the Chief Cultivator and having a part in bringing him down” he sneered. The discussion was mostly made up of the smaller Sects due to the current political climate. He had heard Lan Xichen of Gusu had retreated into seclusion after Yunping City; the Jin Sect was in complete shambles despite his attempts to help Jin Ling settle things down, and that only left the Nie and Jiang sects of any size, and the smaller sects were full of their own importance.

They strolled on.

As ever Nie Huaisang was elegantly dressed; he’d always had that interest in beautiful fabrics, intricate braids and hair ornaments and beautifully painted fans. His was the soul of a poet or an artist, not a warrior or a diplomat. And look what he had accomplished.

It was another truism that war made murderers out of even the gentlest souls; one just had to find out what one was prepared to go to war for.

“I thought of the past. Of Cloud Recesses” he broke the companionable silence as Nie Huaisang walked on beside him, his closed fan tapping occasionally into the palm of his left hand.

“They were simpler times” it was almost tentative and Jiang Cheng glanced over, but couldn’t read the reason as the fan flipped open and rose into place to hide his expression, “but no less sincere”

“Do you think of it sometimes?” Jiang Cheng asked, curious how close he’d been in his thoughts earlier.

“Sometimes. Rarely. It’s...raw. I haven’t allowed myself to want the things I wanted then for a long time. I was too focussed, too...consumed. And too dead inside”

That Jiang Cheng understood, hadn’t he acknowledged that frozen part of himself that kept him safe, but emotionally separated from the world? Nie Huaisang came to a halt then and turned to face him.

“Perhaps it’s time we looked forward instead, Jiang-xiong. Perhaps now all accounts are settled it’s time to accept that wanting some of those things we wanted as silly little children in the Cloud Recesses is permissible”

Jiang Cheng didn’t think he quite grasped what Nie Huaisang meant, there seemed to be a message for him, especially in those fox-eyes which stared at him over the top of the fan, but it eluded him.

“It’s perhaps time to let ourselves heal” Nie Huaisang touched his arm with the lightest of contacts, then folded his fan and moved off back towards the dwellings with a, “Goodnight, Jiang-xiong”

***

He spent a lot of time with Nie Huaisang over the following days. Jiang Cheng told himself it was because he was the least annoying claimant upon his time. But he did genuinely enjoy their evening walks which became a staple of the conference. Their talk rarely became as deep or personal as on the first evening, but they never lacked for subjects, and neither minded when silence fell between them when there was nothing that needed to be said.

Jiang Cheng being Jiang Cheng did notice that the other had started to act a little more solicitously towards him, there were often small touches or smiles that caught him off guard, and maybe made his pulse speed up a little. Purely through surprise, of course.

He thought it may be due to Nie Huaisang finding someone with a shared history who had suffered similarly, and who he could talk to about it that made the other move towards renewing their friendship, to which Jiang Cheng had no objections.

He was a little sad when the conference ended and it was time for the other sects to go their own ways. Although only due to the impending departure of Nie Huaisang; he’d happily row the boat away from Lotus Pier himself for any of the other Sect heads. He was at the pier most of the day seeing them all off on their separate journeys.

Nie Huaisang took his leave late in the morning, “Thank you for your hospitality Jiang-xiong, I hope to see you again very soon”

“I hope so too” he allowed himself to agree and didn’t miss the warming of the other man’s eyes in response.

***

Over the following days Jiang Cheng didn’t want to admit how empty Lotus Pier had suddenly become. He continued to take the evening constitutionals that had become the norm with Nie Huaisang but they were lonely and left him brooding more often that not.

He did think deeply on Nie Huaisang’s comment of letting themselves heal and what that meant to him, he felt like the message had carried a very important weight for the other man. For himself he considered part of the healing process would be to forgive and let go  as completely as he could of the hatred he had carried for Wei Wuxian in the years since the Burial Mounds. It was something Wei Wuxian had wished for him as well, as he’d informed Jiang Cheng during a time spent trapped in a cave awaiting rescue together.

They both knew it wasn’t going to be easy, there was no magic fix-all. They had hurt each other deeply. But his family was everything to Jiang Cheng, and knowing he’d been naive and childish enough to be manipulated into betraying the man he had always thought of as his brother left a sour taste in his mouth and a cold ache in his chest.

How they were going to get there, however, he had no idea. Perhaps he could start with writing to Wei Wuxian; he thought he might find it more freeing than having to be honest with his words, which Jiang Cheng was under no illusions he’d be terrible at.

He would think the matter over carefully before he committed himself, however, it was a delicate situation and something that should be approached with forethought.

Several days after Nie Huaisang had left for Qinghe a small box was delivered to Lotus Pier. It was carved with the beast-head sigil of the Nie sect so he had no questions over who it was from.

Inside was a jade pendant carved in the shape of a nine-petalled lotus flower. The petal tips had all been limned a delicate shade of purple and beneath the pendant was a silver bell and a matching purple tassel. It was an exquisite piece meant to be worn on his belt. Something told him Nie Huaisang had been the one to make it himself and that same something itched vaguely in the heart he thought frozen solid from years of grief.

Still, it was a lot of time and effort to spend on a gift to a friend. He would have to be sure to write and thank him, perhaps send a gift back, although he was under no illusion he wasn’t an artist like Huaisang; any gift would have to be commissioned by him only and therefore perhaps wouldn’t come across as quite as sincere?

He was just drifting off to sleep that night when something clicked in his head; he shot upright in bed.

Wait, what had Nie Huaisang meant about sincere feelings from their times at Cloud Recesses? About allowing themselves to move forward and heal, and accepting that childhood wants that were still valid?

His pulse sped up.

Was he being courted?

The conversation JC refers to with WWX occured in my Day 13 prompt for reference but it’s not necessary to have read for the above

The Invisible Cord- Ch. 7

Previous chapters

***

November 2011

The Green Creek Motel

Right outside of Washington D.C.

Bright lights, loud drilling sounds, suction, voices in English and Japanese the sensations fill me and I begin to panic.

Grounding. Where am I?

I’m in an empty parking lot.

Why?

Because of the mysterious email claiming to have information about my baby.

The hour I’ve been sitting here has felt like years but the panic subsided slightly as I practice my calming techniques.

After an eternity a car followed closely by an SUV enter the parking lot. I feel for my gun. Not long after my abduction I bought it and have kept it near ever since.

A man exits the car and looks right at me and nods.

Pocketing my gun, I exit my car carefully.

He looks in the window of the car and gives another nod.

A door opens and a girl exits For a few moments we just stare at each other. Her face is serious, but her eyes are soft.

Her daddy’s eyes.

My baby.

The one that was stolen from me, thought to be dead. Here she is standing in front of me.

It feels like I’m moving through molasses as I cross to her. She is standing with another girl, the redhead holds my girl's hand with both of hers. My daughter looks me right in the eyes with curiosity. In her face I see myself as a teenager, her bright, wide, almond-shaped eyes and narrow face take me back to a more innocent time.

We just stand there looking at each other for the longest time. Finally, I reach out a shaky hand, “My name is Violet, I believe I’m your mother.”

I barely make contact before my girl throws herself into my arms and buries her face in my neck.

For the first time in sixteen years my life feels full.

_________________________________________________

The Green Creek Motel

The ‘suite’ at the motel makes me wonder what the standard rooms look like. We all crowd in.  And it’s a tight fit but no one really seems to notice.

I can’t stop looking at Emily- April. Since we saw her both Scully and I have been unable to stop looking at her. The urge to stay near is impossible to ignore, it’s primal, the need to protect my family.

There is an unreasonable fear welling up inside that tells me if she leaves my sight she will be gone again forever.

And so I loom over April and Scully glancing around as if a villain is about to jump out of the shitty painting on the wall. One hand is planted on Scully’s lower back while the other rests in the air behind April, ready if anyone makes a move.

April’s hair is a darker red than her mother’s and she stands a few inches taller but it’s undeniable that they are mother and daughter.

My thoughts begin to wander down a sad path as I picture her as a little girl with a toothless smile, cheering at a softball game as she runs the bases, cuddling together and watching B Sci-fi films, it all haunts me.

The anger and sadness form a large knot at the pit of my stomach and I fight the urge to punch the nearest wall.

The clones walk to the center of the room to face us. Seeing the clone of Samantha still stings, we make eye contact until she seems to sense my pain and looks away.

“There are currently dangerous people looking for you.” Kurt gestures to the teens, “We you need to understand that you can’t go back to your normal lives. I can promise you that they’re watching your homes right now and are just waiting for the opportunity to strike. They wouldn’t hurt the girls but I can promise they wouldn’t hesitate to kill you.” He makes eye contact with each of the adults.

“Who are these people coming after us?” May’s mother, Violet, speaks up. She’s small and looks as exhausted as Scully and me.

“A different group than the ones that originally took your children, though there are some connections. They are led by a woman named Diana Fowley.”

My mouth falls open and Scully freezes.

“No.” Scully shakes her head, “She’s dead; I saw her body.”

Kurt gives a somewhat robotic shrug, “Her death was faked. For some time she was in hiding but near the end of Spender’s life she came back and took over. It turns out the old man always had a backup plan. Years ago he’d made clones of all of the members of the syndicate and of the men who worked for them, he saw it as a way to gain full control. So Fowley took over these operations and in the end it cost him the little control he had. At this time she has some of the clones out looking for you.”

“Clones of who?” Scully asks with narrowed eyes.

“CGB Spender, Krycek, Jeffery Spender, the entire syndicate. Along with some lesser hit men.”

I meet Scully’s eyes and see the fear. She pulls April closer to her.

“So what are we supposed to do now?” I huff, frustrated to be just hearing this for the first time.

“We have a safe place for you but it’s far.” Kurt answers.

“And isolated.” Samantha finishes.

“Will we be separated?” April asks in a small voice.

Kurt and Samantha look at each other for a moment and there is silence that is broken by May.

“We are not going anywhere without each other! You won’t separate us!” Her tone leaves no room for argument and April nods in full agreement.

“It will be more dangerous with all of you together.”

“Doesn’t matter. We won’t be separated.” May says evenly.

Kurt sighs and looks to his companion, “I suppose we can make it work. But understand there is a higher chance of being caught.”

Scully stiffens and I squeeze her shoulder.  I know we are feeling the same reluctance the clones are but we don’t know what their lives have been like. The looks on the girls’ faces give us a clue as to how much they need each other. It’s a look I know I’ve worn when people have tried to separate Scully and I.

They need to stay together

Violet’s expression mirrors the intense one her daughter wears, “We stay together.”

I look at Scully who closes her eyes but nods reluctantly.

“Alright then. We have new cars outback. We need to move now.”

__________________________________________________

November 2011

Somewhere in Nebraska (17 hours in)

My parents and May’s mom take turns driving the SUV that holds all of us as we follow behind Kurt and Samantha. So far the clones are scant on details, which seems to be driving my father insane. I can see the tension in his hands on the wheel. The passenger seat next to him is empty as both mothers are loath to leave our sides.

He’s done most of the driving; I think it helps him feel like he has more power over the situation than he does. When we first started out I was sitting next to my mother who was stiff. I could tell she wanted to hold me but was gauging my reaction. I wanted to be held by her but at the same time felt incredibly uncomfortable by the idea.

I wasn’t held much as a child, at least not by adults. Most of my childhood was spent cuddled up next to May. So I moved closer to her slowly but as soon as I laid my head on her shoulder I became a junkie for her attention. Her fingers, long and delicate, move through my hair as she rests her cheek on my head. It feels unreal.

Her turn to drive comes when we reach Omaha and all take a good stretch. I exit the bathroom with May and her mom and see my parents leaning against the car as it fills with gas. She is leaning fully into him as his big frame practically swallows her whole. It is nice. Even May smiles at the image and looks softly at me, taking my hand.

My father moves into the back seat next to me. I’m wide-awake by this point and can’t hold back the barrage of questions. He smiles and responds to all of them happily with his arm resting comfortably behind me. I pull my legs up on the seat and hold them to my chest, hanging on to his every word. Every few minutes my mom will interject or correct him, usually correct, and I find myself missing growing up with them.

When I notice how heavy his eyelids are getting I shut up to let him sleep. The utter peace on his sleeping face makes me tired and I begin to drift off until a long-forgotten memory comes to me of him holding me as a little girl. The memory is hot to the touch. I think I had a fever. I was scared and in and out of consciousness but he was so gentle. He held me, kissing my head and telling me everything was going to be okay.

I look over at him and note the differences in his face. In my memories he is so young, almost boyish, now his face is lined and he looks tired. On instinct, I rest my head on his shoulder.

He shifts and puts his arm around me and I think of all the times in my life I tried to picture my father. He’s different than I imagined but so much better. As he seems to be falling back asleep I feel a soft kiss on my head and quickly fall asleep as well.

__________________________________________________

November 2011

Location unknown

The anger nearly blinds me as Jeffery Spender tries to explain over the phone how they lost Mulder and Scully.

“How?” I say through clenched teeth, “How could you possibly lose them?”

“I don’t know. Scully left in the morning like she usually does. Around lunchtime, Mulder took a taxi to take lunch with her. I followed them to the hospital. Mulder came out an hour later and went to the library-”

“I don’t need their fucking itinerates!” I ground out.

“I waited outside there for hours and he never came out! I called the hospital and asked for Scully and they said she had left for the day. When I went in to see if I could find him he was gone. They must have known they were being followed. They didn’t leave any kind of trail.” He says, unable to hide the panic in his voice.

Pinching the bridge of my nose I sigh, “There has to be some kind of lead. Get one of our people in the police department to track their cars.”

“What if they’ve changed cars?”

“Just do it!” I yelled into the phone before slamming it back down and look up at the clone of a once-great man. His jowls jiggle as he talks, his voice arrogant as ever even as he stands before me, his superior.

“Ma’am we have found information on who helped the children escape. We believe they’re also responsible for contacting Mulder and Scully.”

He holds out a folder containing pictures of the clones of Kurt Crawford and Samantha Mulder talking to the teens.

“How. Did. This. Happen.” The words leaving my mouth are deadly quiet but the next sentence is an explosion, “I thought all of these things were dead!”

“We did too ma’am. We’re investigating that as well. Would you like us to use some of our people in the FIB to get their pictures out there?”

I nod and flick my hand dismissing him. There was documentation of the clones being destroyed. Their production was watched over carefully and their numbers were always well documented. When they eradicated the clones, or when they tried to, the numbers matched up.

The other clone members of the syndicate were sitting around the room waiting for order in eerie silence. Rather than finding it discomforting the silence just makes me smile.

I slam my hand on the desk in frustration and they jump.

“Will you idiots go make yourselves fucking useful?!” I growl at them, “Go through the old files and videos. Call our people on the inside. Do some actual intel! Just do something besides sit here uselessly!”

They scatter like roaches while I massage my forehead. The unanswered questions spin around my head forcing me into a chair. How could they have figured out a way to have the girls live independent of their injections? They must have someone on the inside. Finding out how those goddamed clones got their hands on the formula might lead me to someone who knows where they are. It is only a matter of time until we catch them. I just have to be patient.

Will Byers: The Great Debate

I know I still have some requested analyses to do, but I’m in a rotten mood, and I need to vent.

This whole debate on Will and whether he is gay has me infuriated. Yeah, I know I’m heavily biased due to my identification with the character, but I’m still pissed. The assumption that Will isn’t gay until they explicit state it is solely based on heteronormativity. In pop culture, people are simply assumed straight until proven otherwise. It’s the reason why they were able to hoodwink everyone with Robin in the first place. With just a mention of her saying she was obsessed with Steve in high school, everyone assumed the two of them would be a thing by the end of the season. That was a totally acceptable assumption to make. Thinking Will is gay? No, they need to tell us that.

There are reasons to think Will is gay, and certainly more than the casual fan probably realizes. I will go over them here, not that I need to lecture anyone who actually reads this on the topic.

1) Will is stated as having sexual identity issues in the original character summary.

Let’s just get this one out of the way. Yeah, it’s not known to the average viewer, but it’s still valid. Sure, they could have since deviated from the original plan, and by itself it may mean nothing, but it’s supporting evidence.

2) Will is bullied for being gay.

This is another one that doesn’t mean anything by itself. Will is bullied for being gay by both his father and the local bully. They could have used any number of similar characteristics, but they went with gay. Will is small, sweet, and honest, so there’s possibilities like mama’s boy, sissy, etc that could have gotten a similar point across without bringing in sexuality. It’s not just a passing mention. It comes up when Joyce talks to Hopper, and he even asks if it’s true. Troy is an absolute monster as he twists the knife in Mike’s wound. Troy bullies the other three for cruel, but accurate, reasons. He mocks Lucas’ race, Dustin’s lack of teeth, and Mike’s face (Mike kinda got off easy if you ask me). Now Troy may or may not be correct, but he probably thinks he is. He digs into each character’s deepest insecurities. He exists to tell us this information. If Will’s sexuality is unimportant, then why have Troy bully him the same way Will’s own father did? Troy simply could have made fun of him for being poor.

3) Will is especially close to Mike

This is made clear in every season. Yeah, they’re best friends, but Will and Mike are depicted as special. From the very start, Will can’t bring himself to lie to Mike. Yeah, I know, you can excuse the whole “It was a 7.” thing as just him foreshadowing his ordeal, but why set it up with Lucas telling him it’s ok as long as Mike doesn’t know? Mike is similarly shown as close to Will, with him being the most concerned. Dustin and Lucas are clearly worried too, and upset when the body is found, but Mike is shown taking it the hardest. They’re telling us the two of them share something special. Season 2 doubles down on this  hard. Mike is the only one Will trusts with what’s happening to him. Mike is the only one he is shown remembering other than is mother. Mike is ultimately the one who breaks through to him. 

4) Will is extremely jealous when Mike and El get together.

I don’t know why this one is hard for people to see. Maybe they’re just not looking for it. Yeah, some of it is just some good, subtle acting. Will is upset every single time Mike is shown showing affection for El. It technically starts in the Season 2 script with Will’s eyes being on Mike as they were all dancing. I know I’ve seen a clip of Will glancing over and looking upset, but I don’t remember that from the actual release. Was that a deleted scene? If so, its removal is conspicuous, especially with that released script. The jealousy is still apparent throughout Season 3. The sad looks on Will’s face whenever Mike and El are together, when Mike says he loves her. The anger he shows towards Mike, and only Mike, despite Dustin and Lucas similarly being focused on girls. I know I’ve seen people say he smiles when El dumps Mike. I honestly can’t tell, but he does look away, suggesting he doesn’t want his reaction to be noticed.

5) Mike is able to evoke emotion in Will

For the most part, Will is a quiet kid. He’s soft-spoken and has an innocence about him. He has a little frustration in Season 2, due to people treating him differently (though he leaves Mike out of his accusations), but he’s generally a go with the flow guy. Mike has the power to calm Will, to cheer him up, and make him cry both good and bad tears. Even in Season 3, his D&D annoyance is a slow build. It’s ultimately Mike’s rejection that sets him off. It’s specifically the fact that he feels he’s losing Mike. They were building that frustration alongside the D&D the entire season to that point. Is it really that much of a stretch for D&D to be a metaphor here? He jabs Mike over El when Mike tries to apologize, accusing him of throwing everything away over a “stupid girl.” Now, this “stupid girl” is supposed to be a friend of his, one who has helped save him twice. Will looks around Castle Byers at a D&D book and a drawing of Will the Wise. Both are accompanied by flashbacks beginning with Mike’s voice. He tears up the photo from Halloween, the night of the Crazy Together moment, right down the middle where Mike and Will are depicted. Will ends up destroying Castle Byers, berating himself the entire time, before collapsing in anguish. Yeah, it can be open to interpretation, but it’s not hard to see that Will could be calling himself stupid for thinking he and Mike shared something special now that El is in the picture. I’d like the people who think Will just isn’t ready to grow up to explain to me why that scene felt more like a breakup than a friend fight.

6) Will seems relatively trauma-free

Now, this is actually an issue I have with the show, as Will, along with pretty much the entire cast, should be amazingly traumatized. I bring it up only to counter the idea that Will has lost a portion of his childhood to the Upside Down, and so he’s not ready to grow up. Will has lost about two weeks of his childhood. He showed some issues in Season 2 before getting possessed, but he’s also shown enjoying his childhood as well. Just because we rejoin his life when bad stuff returns to Hawkins it doesn’t mean he had no life in the interim. He didn’t spend every day since getting rescued from the Upside Down in a hospital or deprived of his friends. There’s honestly no reason why Eleven would be more ready for adolescence than Will. If anything, Will should be associating his trauma with D&D and avoiding it like the plague. It should be causing him post-traumatic stress. He should want to get as far away from reminders of what happened as possible. A game with mindflayers and demogorgons isn’t something he should want. He has a reason for wanting D&D, and it’s not that he’s still a kid inside, because he still had other interests before Season 3, like comics, drawing, and the arcade.

7) Will not liking girls doesn’t just mean he doesn’t like them yet

This is the other counter argument I’ve noticed: that Will just hasn’t matured to liking girls yet. While it’s not unbelievable for a boy his age to not start sexually maturing, there’s really no indication of this. He isn’t just uncomfortable dancing with the girl in Season 2, he flat out doesn’t want to do it. He also has no problem with Max joining them for Halloween, stating that Dustin and Lucas were excited about it so he ok’d it. He understands boys liking girls. He shows no real hostility towards Dustin or Lucas for it. When he tells Joyce he’s never going to fall in love, it doesn’t sound like a kid who finds the idea of dating gross. He sounds sad as he says it. When Mike says it’s not his fault Will doesn’t like girls, Will is stunned into silence. Now Mike doesn’t know if Will is gay, and Will may not really know either, but it cuts deep.

In conclusion

By no means is my interpretation definitely correct. I could be absolutely wrong. But why is my interpretation seen as ridiculous? My theory isn’t perfect, but I have evidence. I have rebuttals to alternate interpretations. If we’re not meant to think Will is gay, why does it seem like they keep giving us reasons to? If it’s not important, people from the show could easily just say so. Noah and Finn end up having to awkwardly respond to questions they may not even have the answers to. 

It’d be very strange if the Duffers and their team somehow painted themselves into a corner by accident. It’s possible, sure, but I don’t see how it could keep happening. Finn had said they had other takes of “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!” including one that added “yet”, but stated that they ultimately went with the one in question. Well, I mean, they chose to go with that one. I don’t know why, but neither do the people saying Will is just immature. We speculate, and if I speculate that they went with that one because that’s the storyline they’re going for and are trying to keep it under wraps, then I should be allowed to do so without being scoffed at. I may be biased because of my bisexuality, but they’re also biased because of their heteronormativity. 

Undisclosed Desires - Killer X Reader

Fanfiction: Killer, Reader

Word Count: 2.915

Original Version PT / BR: https://www.spiritfanfiction.com/historia/undisclosed-desires-18335196

Killer, the masked supernova. His long, wild blond hair, his muscular and briefly tanned body, his arm with war marks, his hoarse voice and his face never revealed. It all prompted him.

[You] remembered him and his hot friend Eustass Kid very well. Both were from the same city as you, sharing in addition to their hometown in south blue some memories of their childhoods.

A brief smile blossomed on his painted lips [the color of his choice], just by looking at that sheet of paper attached to the newspaper. The wanted poster of him and his companions, a brief increase making him even more famous; not everyone would be proud of it besides the pirates, but you were proud of it and hoped it would continue to have your reward increased.

Walking through the streets while watching that leaf, he stopped at a small cafeteria on the main avenue of his island and ordered a [drink of his preference]. His eyes [their colors] watched the street and the sun slowly set while hiding behind the low-rise buildings.

Then, a memory came to mind. A memory of more than ten years, a hard and bitter memory.

[...] You were in your ten years, Eustass was eight and Killer was twelve, the oldest on that block. Unlike Killer and Kid, you had been born into the family [your surname or whatever you want], a family known for the legal profession; it was clear that the poor boys were often hungry and that problems were around them. Both his relatives and the parents of his friends did not approve of their children's friendship with him, probably because they were always in fights or confusion. However, something prompted him. Kid always had that authoritarian, arrogant, explosive air among other rude adjectives. Killer was like that when needed, perhaps because he was older and took care of his friend, he was patient and almost never raised his voice; somewhat aggressive when needed. It was more than common to see them training with metal parts, improvised swords and other weapons that they assembled with their contraptions. You always watched them through the living room window during your [your favorite instrument] classes, always imagining a date with them and what games they could play together, devising a way to get closer without them being surprised and their parents not finding out. In reality, you wanted to get close to the blond boy, maybe it was the beginning of your hormones surfacing and wanting to feel his touch. Their mentally prepared meetings never happened. The first meeting between you was by a monkey that passed in the street, while you walked and watched them from the other side of the street, you managed to hit a pole and fall on your butt. Everyone laughed at you, including him. He curled up on the floor, with red cheeks, tears in his eyes and bruises on his knees. Children could be mean, and they didn't hide it, especially when it came to pointing a finger and laughing. Then the sounds of laughter stopped and when you looked up, you could see those two boys fighting with each other, because of you, at the end of that day you rewarded them with ice cream and created a friendship. When they were hungry, you didn't bother to bring your food to them. If they were injured, it was not uncommon to help them make dressings. They talked, joked and approached. More and more, you wanted to get closer to Killer. Maybe because of the positive energy he was going through, the shy and welcoming way, or just the pure, innocent feeling that was blooming in his chest. You liked him the way he was: shaggy blond hair, an exotic laugh, a passion for pasta with lots of sauce and peppers, the way he talked about his dreams of being a warrior and going to the sea. He was fascinating and charming. Until that day. After your eleventh birthday, the following week you had taken courage from the depths of your chest, at a time when you considered yourself alone with him, you quickly sealed your lips against his. In a timid whisper that sounded between your lips [the way they are] slightly red from the pressure: "I like you", you ran off to your residence while the boy was stunned by that display of affection. Not knowing how to react, Killer, at his height of joy, started to laugh. Loud and without shame. Unfortunately, one of the boys he and his friend had taken away when you fell, was around and heard his laugh. Without thinking too much, he told all his friends that, out of vengeance for various confusions, they went to make fun of the boy who still looked like a fool. Between a chorus of "Killer likes [his name] -chan" and "Killer weird laugh" among other mean nicknames, without help from Eustass Kid, the blond-haired boy beat them all until they were unconscious. Some people even say that the children were on the verge of death with such violence from the orphan boy. Ashamed of his laughter, his face hurt by a few blows he had taken and because he no longer wanted to show his face to [his name], he hid behind his mask. [...] You barely felt the tears streaming down your slightly flushed cheeks, until the waitress who brought your drink and [appetizer you like best] asked if it was "okay" with you. Robotically, his lips released: "Yes, everything is fine", even though he is not.

Deep in your heart, guilt was slowly consuming you. Maybe if he hadn't been in such a hurry to want to give his first kiss, there wouldn't have been such sadness and disgrace with Killer. You really liked him, to the point that years later you could still shake all your feelings with just a photo and little news, and you didn't want anything bad to happen to him.  What saddened him most was seeing him hide the face you admired so much behind that iron mask, which Kid helped choose. You wanted to appreciate the sight of his face more, see the lips you had touched, see through his expressive eyes what was going on in your mind. And not a piece of iron. Between a sip [of your favorite drink] and bites of [your aperitif], those memories seemed even stronger and more real. The memory of styling that distressing mask was still fresh in his mind, since no one, in any way, was able to convince him to take it off. As if it were a refuge. With two cans of paint, blue and white respectively, brushes and some stencils; both you and Kid convinced him to decorate it. The indigo tone that so pleased the boy took over the mask and small details that followed the blank stencil. I didn't know how, but he didn't choke on the smell of paint that was around him.  You just wanted to cheer him up and get him back to how he was before, and not a shy bush animal as he looked. When Killer took the mirror and started to visualize how his mask was, even without seeing his reactions, you felt that he was grateful and a little more cheerful. And when his voice, slightly muffled by the mask, sounded thankful, his heart turned to melted butter. It cut into his heart, all he wanted to do was see that feature again.

As soon as you paid the bill for the cafeteria and followed the path to your residence, your fingers groped your own face, wiping away some tears that were streaming down. All those memories moved you. Step by step, you tried to think of anything else that was possible to forget, not even shopping for your dinner and your [favorite pet]. But, the image of the poster was present. And when he looked at his final purchases, there were the ingredients for making hot peppers accompanied by pasta, just the way he liked it. - Ai, Ai, [Your name]. Only you yourself, never change - He spoke to himself. Smiling, you followed the path to your residence, cutting the path through a square. The flowers were in full bloom and with their perfumes roaming the air, it was a pleasant and welcoming climate. The darkness of the night was already spreading across the slightly bluish-purple sky with pink tones, the streetlights started to be lit, little by little bringing beams of light to their path. Deep down, you wanted him to see how the city was evolving. I wanted the scent of flowers to invade his nostrils and to be able to talk about what happened during the years they were apart. It was then that his gaze, wandering among extremely flashy and colorful flowers, stopped on a small, shy white flower. Snowdrop. In an impulse caused by nostalgia, you bent down, approaching the little flower and taking a seedling from it. You brought the plant close to your nose and breathed in the pleasant aroma that resembled honey.

It was normal and even his habit to make comparisons with people and plants. In your mind, you were a [flower of your color and preference], Eustass was a red tulip that was born in the mildest climates, while Killer was that little flower.  Your mother used to tell some bedtime stories when you were a child, one of the stories you liked most was exactly the meaning of the flowers.  This simple flower had a certain ambiguity in its meaning. It had an extremely suggestive name, snowdrop appeared after the winter thaw and the beginning of spring. It could mean hope and comfort for showing that winter was over and the plantations would be prosperous, in addition to being considered the flower of doom for the same reason, snow.  However, this was not his vision. It meant transition, from a state of pain to a state of well-being. In the case of Killer, it would be vice versa. 

Even the smell of Killer reminded you of the plant, you knew that very well. You remembered that odor that, before leaving for the sea, was cozy in you. At the age of sixteen, a very pretty teenager with one of the best educations on the island, she was far from them. Occasionally, they met occasionally on the street and few words were exchanged. And his feeling never changed, even though his kisses were stolen by another boy. Rumors were rife in the city that the group of hooligans that Killer was involved with Kid would leave the sea in a few days. You could feel your heart breaking in several tiny fragments, for the first time you had slept after a lot of crying, the pain in your head irritated you and your eyes burned accompanied by a throat irritated from crying. I just didn't expect to see him in his room at night, a few nights later. Sitting on your white dressing table, watching your face covered with that iron mask, until you enter the room after dinner. His body was paralyzed by that presence and how he had entered there, on the second floor. "Some pirates are sneaky," he commented, his voice muffled by the mask. - I see - your answer came out automatically. As soon as he rose from the dressing table stool, his feet guided her to him. Killer was much taller, his hair was longer and more wild, he smelled of soap mixed with rum, his body had more defined muscles, his skin looked more tanned. You wanted to touch it, but your shyness inhibited your desire. He approached you, his clothes brushed, you wanted to know what he was doing behind that wall that separated them. His hands lightly touched her body and she began to trace him gently, as if drawing a map of every inch of him. Killer always loved the way you moved, your hair [color and cut], your eyes that seemed to reflect your soul, your body [his type]. Everything made him feel comfortable, welcomed. - Oh Killer, forgive me - you finally got to say what you wanted after so many years. The eighteen-year-old blond wrapped his arms around his body in a tender embrace, you could feel the warmth that his skin emanated and the gentle breathing. Anyway, you leaned your head against his chest, enjoying that moment and his heartbeat. - I missed you - his outburst came with a brief tear. He whispered "Me too". Then he broke away from the embrace and made her sit on her comfortable bed with those thick, fluffy covers that her parents loved so much. "I will be leaving in a few days, I needed to come and see you," he confessed.  That speech only confirmed the rumors and he felt his chest tighten with that confirmation from him. It was as if they both knew what was coming, without needing to ask or suggest something on either side, Killer removed his mask and left it on the dressing table. You loved his face, it was unique. Thin nose, large amber eyes accompanied by long and thick lashes - which you have always envied - the lips a darker tone and your face with a well defined jaw under the epidermis layer. His hands [as they are] lifted and touched the boy's cheeks, falling slightly to the base of his neck, causing little chills. How many years passed before you could have that vision again? And how many years would it be before I could review it? This time the initiative was not on his part, but his. Killer approached slowly with closed lids, as if he could smell the damp hair [their length], his large, callused hands were holding his waist. Without your noticing, your eyes were closed while your lips received a serene kiss that deepened as they were both looser. It wasn't long before the kisses were moving to a more heated phase. Killer removed his own black blouse with white polka dots and threw it on the floor next to the bed, you who were lying down found yourself undressing for the first time in front of a man, without an ounce of modesty. Being naked, both physically and emotionally, they exposed themselves without any fear. Killer's warm hands explored his body, he loved every detail of his skin and the features of every reaction he caused in you. Everything was new to both, like a treasure hunt that would end in pleasure. The feeling of having his skin sliding against yours, caresses scattered, the light burning of his purity being taken away by him, the pleasures of the flesh, the fear of being caught by his parents. They were indescribable. It seemed that their universes had collided and become one, a union of galaxies and thoughts. A sparkle appeared in both her eyes and his, the pleasure she never thought existed was being tested night come in with pauses and small conversations.  You were never able to erase the memory of that night, even the fear that passed over the next few days before his departure. The fear of having generated a life in its moment of greatest pleasure, without having used any adequate protection. Whenever they exchanged a look, no matter where they were, it was like a spark that it was impossible not to pass unnoticed by those who accompanied them. 

When friends leave for your life of piracy, you don't feel complete for long. Even her parents adopted her dejected or more unsympathetic and the days went on until she was able to overcome her lack. The only ray of hope that keeps her heart warm and a sparkle in her eyes every time she had a brief news about Kid Pirates, was a promise that he was done with her the first night while saying goodbye. Already with the helmet in his hands and properly dressed after helping with a small spot of blood between his legs and sheets, he places a last kiss on his lips and forehead. Before he showed the window and each one to his reality, Killer stopped for a few moments, hesitating about something. Then he turned and took her hand. - [Your name], I'll go back to the search. As soon as Kid conquers One Piece, knows the world and becomes world famous with fortunes in our rewards, I will come back to you - He holds your hand tightly, with a serious look. You knew when someone was lying or trying to trick someone. And at that moment, I was being as sincere as possible. - I waited, please don't delay - this time you place a kiss on his hand. One last look and so he jumped out the window, going back to his makeshift shelter with Kid. Since then you come or wait, follow your news and follow Eustass "Captain" Kid to get One Piece before anyone else. And, like rare letters that Killer, sent from time to time, was kept under seven keys in his yard. When you are late, you walk to a point that is close to your home, it is in the middle of half an hour after the sea or with the hope of returning before, and while this is not happening yet, you enjoy terrestrial life.

the night hurt us.

A/N: Hey. Hope you guys like it. I had to keep Jason from calling his S/O "doll" and similarities.

Also, we hurt in the night, so the night hurt us back and we hurt the night, and so the night hurt us back are so related somehow.

Beta is @lyss-91, thanks.

Request: Helloo, I was wondering if I could request a Jason Todd (Titans) where y/n and him are working together and one of them gets hurt badly leading to confessions (and possibly mild smut)?? Love your writing!! Thank you x

Disclaimer: mild smut (I haven't write any related to smut so it may be a not so good part), the usual violence.

━─┈ ✧

"Easy like that? The big bad bat let you go chasing your childhood idol?" You asked while punched another bag of ribs, making the man grow in pain. "I'm sorry. That wasn't the kind of moan you were expecting tonight?" You questioned rhetorically, disgust almost dripping from your tongue, so different of your tone just seconds ago.

"Yeah. Kind of. I need to hand him some fills. People he used to know are dying." Jason, or Robin as he was dressed of, explained and kicked the rapist's accomplice calf muscle which leaded him to fall on the ground. His face was already painted in blood, but neither of you cared. By how you saw it, he deserved it. Even worse. What kind of monster rapes 3 women in one week? Surely a type that won't be able to speak for months. "The police couldn't do their job as usual and they crawled to us. Batman told me to go after him with the information as soon as he noticed. He knew I wanted to meet the old Robin."

Jason's man stood up again, apparently not tired of getting hurt over and over again. Well, that wasn't the worst thing that Todd would deal with. In fact, beating up a freaking scoundrel constantly was very appreciated by him.

"Combine business with pleasure. Try not to pester him for an autograph." You teased him, a delighted smile on your lips. Jason lived for reading about Robin when he was younger, suddenly he became Robin himself and now the boy was going to actually met the first person who wore his cape. As you smacked the man you were fighting's jaw from the down to the top, a kind of selfish thinking invaded your head. "How long you will be gone?"

"Two days. A week if most." He shrugged, not really paying attention to that. Another punch, Robin huffed. "You are making it way too easy, man. But could I expected from a tool who covers his friends for fucking raping woman, huh?" Jason threw him against a vehicle, your car, often beating up his face. "Are you missing me already?"

"Please. It will be the best days of my life." You resorted his innocent, usual provocation. "And be careful with my car. I don't want his blood all over my baby." Hiding your early melancholy for being apart from home, even just for a little amount of time, you finished your criminal by giving him a knee against his teeth. Your lips opening way for the imagine of your own teeth, a proud smile giving in. Unlike him, there was nothing brooke inside your mouth. "Touch a woman one more time and what just happened will feel like a fucking carnival compared to what we are going go make you go through." You used the same offensive expression he'd call the girl who had ran away at the begging of this combat.

"That's hot." Jason smirked, referring to how you would handle that situation and put that asshole in his place, right after he stopped the hitting circle, throwing the unconscious man away. You rolled your eyes, checking if the man was still awake, your back facing Robin. Time for you to call the police, if the neighborhood hadn't yet. Since there was no sound of sirens, the answer must be negative. You couldn't say it was surprisingly. After all, that was Gotham. People didn't want to mess with maskered psychos or anyone else, to be exactly. "You know, you could co—"

Jason's speech was interrupted by a grunt. You recognized this hoarse voice, retraing his pain as if it was some sort of overload weakness. You worked with him on partner patrols for long enough to know how a hurt him sounded like. Yet you'd never hear that, a grunt substituted by a rigid shout. He was in more pain than you'd ever be conscious of.

When you turned around, ready to face what made your heart throbbing, the man who Robin fought was found with such a sharpy penknife embed in Jason's back. Before he'd attack him from the back again, you jumped his direction, your injured hand from the previously disturbance grabbing a knife to situate that on his skin. Which was made only a few seconds later, you stabbed his stomach twice and then rested your white weapon against his used hand to harm your friend. His whinny screaming got you even angrier.

"Shut the hell up. At least I didn't attack you from behind like a coward."  You growled, putting your knife back inside your night uniform, kneeling down beside Jason. "Robin, are you okay? Fuck, of course you are not okay. I'll call Alfred, just help me to get you in the car." You said exasperated. You never dealt with a situation like this. Sure, you did hurt a couple of bad people so bad they needed to rush to the hospital, even a come once. Through they were horrible human beings, your sense of revenge for the ones who couldn't get it themselves always louder than that tiny guilty part. You didn't care. Otherwise, you were in front of a bleeding Jason who couldn't even stand up straight this time. It was different.

Everything with him as different.

You put his hands over your shoulders while you held his torso, walking baby steps, calm and soft, there was no need to hurt him even more, when both of you attempted to reach the car. Ultimately, you opened the car's door and put Jason in, trying to be as gentle as you possible could.

"Thought you didn't want blood all over your precious car." His weak voice tried a joke, although it came out as coughs and drops of blood.

"For once in your life, Jason. Please shut up. For your own good." You replied, the tone coming out of your throat sounded fragile, almost like the closest way you'd be from begging.

"Come on, (Y/N). You are no fun. I'll be okay to rip off more stupids soon and—" He noticed your state, but didn't think it was serious. You were worried. As much as it pleased him a lot, it wasn't uncommon for someone to be a trembling mess when their friend was bleeding on teir automobile.

"Jason, please. If not for yourself, for me." After closing the back door, you went to the driver's place, sitting there and turning on your car. Jason was dizzy, in pain and feeling what he'd assume was his heart beating trough his whole body as he pressed his hand against the wound to keep blood from slipping away, but that scene was clear as looking at the sun: you, sat down, eyelids pressed together hardly, fingernails cutting part of your steering wheel because of how strongly you were holding it. That was just a microsecond before you recovered your mind and opened your fearless (Y/E/C) orbs, — a piece of fear inside them, pictures by non poured particles of water, tears of pure worry that you didn't let cross the line between your cheeks and the exterior world. — enlaced with his image on the car's prismatic rear-view mirror and speed up to the Batcave. Fortunately, one of your strong sides from your training were reflexes, so you were able to watch Jason, the street and call Alfred at the same time, the only thing you couldn't control, yet were so desperately making an effort to, were how your head ached from keeping tears, how your sobs choked you up, how you denied any thought on how may Jason didn't make it. Because he needed to. Gotham needed him to. You needed him to.

"Don't worry, Miss (Y/N). Master Jason will be recuperated soon." Alfred announced, taking off his dirty gloves, covered be the current Robin's blood, other liquids of his organism and medical things that you couldn't pay attention to. "Master Bruce will be here as soon as he can."

"Joker causing trouble again?" You'd ask, glancing an all tied up Jason. He looked better, indeed. Healthier. Alfread was such a lifesaver as he always had been, since Bruce was just a kid, even before Bruce was even born. For now, you were just grateful for him to be here.

"I am afraid so."

"Thank you, Alfred." You thanked him with a warm smile. He just nodded, grabbing his surgical tray.

"I will bring you some tea. And then let me exanimate you." Didn't sound like a question to your ears, because it wasn't. You pouted like a kid, but it didn't matter. Alfred had enough work on Jason, and calming you down while helping him. He didn't need to be busier now.

"Alfred."

"Please, Miss (Y/N)." You sighed, aware that would be a helpless cause. After all, some band-aids sounded good at this point.

"Okay." Then, Alfred left. And you are back to glaring Jason. Blood a hundred per cent inside him, exactly where it was supposed to be. His features calm, as if he was getting the rest he'd be rooting for. You put your hand above his, caressing it.

"I'm sorry, (Y/N)." A quiet voice spoke, and you raised your head, looking into his green eyes. "For worrying you."

"Jason, you are the one in this room who just got a kind of surgery or medical preceding, I don't care." You shook your head. The image of Jason between life and dead playing in your head like a sick game. "The fact is, you were the one dying. You shouldn't apologize."

"It was a stupid mistake. I failed somehow I shouldn't have." You took a deep breath, trying to contain yourself. Here he was again, too worried about his performance to even think about his life.

"Jason, you didn't fail. Everyone makes mistakes. Batman won't be disappointed on you and neither should you. Next time, watch your back. Be sure the idiot isn't up. You already know it, don't beat yourself for this slide. Just..." He looked down, facing your hand on his, such a beautiful contrast. The look in your eyes didn't leave his memories, how horrified you were. Adding the fact that Jason wasn't able to do nothing about it, that was what hurt the most. Not that fucking stab, or the stitches Alfred would use to fix him. What mattered were you. How scared you were. You needed him by your side and he wasn't there. "Just be happy that you are here. Alive. With me."

He looked up to you, his arm moving to place his hand on your face. Some annoying pain showed up, but he didn't mind. You leaned in to help him, your own hand making its way to his neck while the other one worked as your support, holding on his sretcher.

"I swear I won't worry you like that anymore." Jason caressed your chin. For the first time, you let a solitary tear fall down your cheek, which he quickly still delicate washed away. "I hate to see you cry, especially about me. I told you I would be okay. What's a stupid bastard against the fucking Robin?"

"Holy shit, I can't believe I'm in love with such an idiot." You huffed, closing your eyes, kind afraid of what he was going to answer.

"You better believe it. Because I'm an idiot and I'm also in love with you." He pulled you closer as your eyes opened. His finger stroking your skin, both smiling lips getting closer, closer, closer...

No one knows who started it, but a kiss emerged from a long time of secret feelings. Calm at first, just two young people trying to figure out how it felt to be adored, to be loved, to feel. It was like home itself, after waiting so long in a trip, you finally got where you knew that was your soul's place. But things started to get a little too touchy.

"Come here." Jason whispered between kisses, pulling you to the medical bed he was laid on.

"I don't wanna hurt you." You intercepted, biting his neck while both tried to regain oxygen.

"That's the last thing you will do." He said, his hands going down on your back. You grinned and got in the stretcher, carefully to not hurt him more.

Jason smiled openly, grabbing your butt as you came back to his lips. Your hand coming inside his shirt to touch his well defined abdomen. How long have you been dreaming about this? Being able to touch him regardless, hearing his moans because of how good you made him feel. And by the way he possessively hold your ass, you could tell he felt just the same. Sitting on his lap, it was obvious that Jason was getting very excited with your little foreplay. His kiss got rougher, you pressed your clothed parts together only to get that dense voice to moan your name.

Until another voice said your name.

"Miss (Y/N), could you get off Master Jason? And master Jason, let go off Miss (Y/N), please." Alfred walked in and you jumped off Jason scared, falling to the ground. Needless to say your soon to be boyfriend laughed his ass off after checking up you were okay.

Rekindle Chapter 16: Ghosts

The day after their defeat of Hawkmoth.

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@marichatmay

Enjoy!

Read on Ao3

The morning lights filtered in through the windows, forcing Marinette to accept that the day had begun. Still mostly asleep, she groped blindly toward the other half of the bed, searching for the familiar source of warmth that had helped her sleep so soundly last night. When she didn’t find it, she sat up on her elbows and blew aside an errant lock of hair with an irritated huff. Excluding herself, the bed was empty.

Had it all been a dream? No - his overshirt and shoes were cast aside at the foot of the bed. He’d at least been here. And unless he intended to go walking around in his bare feet, then he was still here. She sniffed the air hopefully, but couldn’t smell any delicious scents, much to her disappointment. Although maybe that was to be expected. She certainly wouldn’t have felt in the mood for cooking if that all had happened to her.

She rolled over to plant her feet on the ground and forced herself out of bed. There was a lot to do in the newly Hawkmoth-less world. She hesitated as she looked down the hall at the guest room. Maybe he had gotten up in the middle of the night to sleep alone? Poking her head in, she saw the bed was still perfectly made and waiting for a guest. So he’d spent the night with her. Her heart fluttered before remembering why he’d had to stay at all.

The living room was as she remembered it last night - restored by the Ladybug Cure, but blankets left astrew from their impromptu movie marathon.

“Adrien?” She softly called his name, not wanting to alert the neighbors. “Are you there?”

“Marinette?” Tikki replied. She turned around to track its source and found her kwami sitting on top of an envelope in the kitchen, working her way through a cookie only slightly smaller than herself. “They left before I woke up. But they left a note!” She floated off of the envelope as Marinette walked over to pick it up.

The message was simple and frustratingly vague: “I’ll be back tonight. Discovered something about Hawkmoth.”

She frowned at that. Hawkmoth. Not dad, or father, or even Gabriel. Hawkmoth. Before she could dwell on it further, her eyes widened and she frantically looked around. The Butterfly miraculous was missing!

Taking a deep breath, Marinette forced herself to calm down and think things through. “Tikki. Can kwami appear if there isn’t a wielder of their miraculous?”

Tikki considered this for a long moment. “Well, yes, but we don’t like to. It is super tiring because it means we have to manifest without a living anchor in this world.” She nibbled a little at her cookie, looking pensive. “Do you think that Nooroo spoke to Adrien?”

“Nooroo? That’s the name of the butterfly kwami?” At Tikki’s nod, Marinette continued. “I don’t see why else Adrien would take the butterfly miraculous. But I don’t understand what Nooroo could’ve told Adrien that would make him leave without saying goodbye.”

Putting a comforting paw on Marinette’s cheek, Tikki replied, “I’m sure he had a good reason. Chat Noir wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”

Marinette flashed a smile at Tikki’s concern. “I know. But thanks for saying it. It makes me feel a little better. Especially with what we have to do next.” Marinette ran her fingers through her hair and suddenly realized how dirty she felt. Even if the sweat and grim had been cleaned off by the Ladybug Cure, she’d feel better after a shower. “Finish up your cookie. We need to talk with the mayor and call a press meeting.”

And if Adrien wasn’t back after that was over… then she’d let herself start to worry. But for now, she put on a brave face and got cleaned up. Who knows? Maybe she would meet someone new today.

--------------------------

Adrien entered his childhood home, just another shadow among many. The mansion’s defenses hadn’t been difficult to weave through. They were like an old friend to him, a hurdle he would have to constantly evade back during his teenage years. Only slightly more arduous to get around was the police sentry posted outside, but even then, the early morning ensured the guard wasn’t exactly at the top of his game.

Maybe they didn’t have a warrant yet, or maybe their lingering fear of Hawkmoth kept them from entering. Either way, only his footfalls echoed in the spacious halls, halls that felt even emptier without Gabriel’s presence looming over everything like an omnipresent shadow. Finding himself in the foyer, he looked up at the giant painting Hawkmoth had commissioned shortly after the disappearance of Emilie Agreste.

Disappearance. Adrien remembered Gabriel’s very careful choice of words, remembered how he had brushed it off at the time as him just being a strange person. Even years later, Adrien just thought that Gabriel hadn’t given up on finding his wife someday. That he was unable to move on.

His claws hands clenched into a fist. He hadn’t been entirely wrong. Gabriel hadn’t been able to move on, but that was partially because he had known something that Adrien didn’t. Something he had kept hidden from Adrien for ten years. Something that Nooroo had told Adrien after forcing himself outside the tainted miraculous. Emilie Agreste, Adrien’s mother and the wife of the person who would become Hawkmoth was alive… at least for now.

Adrien climbed the staircase and entered Gabriel’s study. Just as he remembered it, a painting of his mother hung on the wall at the back of the room. Years ago, he had discovered a safe containing the miraculous book behind it. But there was more to it than that. Pressing the hidden buttons that Nooroo had described, Adrien felt a brief rush of panic as he sunk through the floor and ended up inside an underground facility.

All his questions faded away to background noise when he saw her, resting peacefully inside a sarcophagus of glass and metal. She didn’t look a day older than how he remembered her, wearing her favorite white suit with a vibrant rose attached to her lapel. Her expression was serene, as if she was sleeping. Or was he sleeping and this was just another dream of his, the sort that he had stopped having a few years after she had vanished?

Before he could find a way to pinch himself through the suit, a tiny but ragged voice sounded near his ear. “She doesn’t have long left.”

His head jerked to the side, where he saw Nooroo, looking at him with weary eyes. He hadn’t even considered that kwami could become sick, but those doubts were put aside when he took in how frail Nooroo looked, the way that his big kwami eyes had bags under them, the way he shivered in the chill of the underground. Nooroo was looking even worse than he had before, when he had woken Adrien up in the early hours of the morning.

His words caught up to Adrien. “What do you mean? Isn’t she fine while she is in there?”

Nooroo shook his head sadly and Adrien heart dropped. “The machine is effective, but imperfect. Her sickness has advanced through the years. On the tenth anniversary of her internment, she will succumb to the infection.”

“Sickness? Infection?” He fought to keep his voice from breaking. It was hard to grasp that his mother was still alive, making it all the more painful that she was about to be ripped from him all over again. He was starting to get tired of all the tears.

“Gabriel and her used to run across the rooftops of Paris, using the miraculous not for evil but for simple pleasure.” Nooroo sighed. “But Duusu’s miraculous had been damaged during the Fall. It wasn’t safe to use. We tried to tell them but...” Nooroo looked over at the still form of Emilie. “...They didn’t listen.”

“So… Gabriel somehow built this,” Adrien gestured to the wires and tubes leading into the machine, “and put mom in it. Right?” Nooroo nodded. “Can’t I just get her out now, take her to Master Fu? There is still a week until the anniversary. That should be plenty of time to heal her, right?”

Nooroo watched him with sad eyes. “I’m so sorry, Adrien. She will last a week inside the machine, or maybe an hour or two outside of it. Even if she did live a week, there is nothing Master Fu can do. The infection is beyond mortal power to heal. There is only one thing that could possibly save her now.”

Adrien looked at his ring and frowned, deep in thought.

-----------------------------------

As much as Marinette would love to have Chat Noir by her side right now, it was for the best that he didn’t see the crowd of reporters gathered in front of her. Most were wearing bright smiles and there was an excited energy arcing around the space. And why shouldn’t they be excited? Their long nightmare was finally at an end.

She clamped down on her nervousness, remembering the lessons Chat Noir had given her way back near the beginning of their superhero career. Deep breaths. Stay focused. She had always been curious about how he knew so much about making public appearances. Now she knew.

“Citizens of Paris!” The voice of Ladybug cut through the chatter, silencing conversations immediately. “Hawkmoth, now known to be Gabriel Agreste, has been defeated for good. I am in possession of his miraculous and he is now in police custody.” She allowed them to cheer before she continued. “I will now be answering questions by the press, but keep in mind that some things must remain secret.”

“Was Gabriel Agreste working alone? Do you know if his son or any of his employees were involved?”

Marinette’s heart leapt to her throat before she got her feelings under control. It was a question she had been anticipating, but not so soon. Still, she rolled out the answer she and Tikki had prepared.

“I can only say for certain that Nathalie Sancoeur had some involvement in Hawkmoth’s plans, as evidenced by her willful assistance during last night’s battle. Adrien Agreste, meanwhile, we believe to be completely innocent of his father’s wrongdoings.”

“And where is Adrien Agreste?”

Showtime. “Since we believe he may be in danger, Adrien agreed to be hidden for his own protection. Chat Noir and I believe that this is the ideal solution for the time being. Rest assured that he is being looked after.” Hopefully that would buy time for everything to die down a little before Adrien returned to the public eye. The reporters jotted down her answer, not fully pleased with it, but at least accepting it.

The questions continued to come, but nothing made her react the way that the first one had. Some she had to turn down entirely - where the miraculous would go or how they intended to track down Nathalie, for instance.

All the while, worry gnawed at her in the back of her mind.

----------------------------

“Hey, Adrien,” she settled next to where he sat on the stairs in the foyer of his old home, in the shadow of a horribly dour painting of his father and him. His head was in his clawed hands as he stared at the ground.

He seemed startled at the sound of his own name and looked over at her with red rimmed eyes and a wavering smile. “Hey, Mari. How’d you find me here?”

She dropped her transformation and wrapped an arm around his and wiped away his tears with the cuffs of her sleeves. “It wasn’t hard. Where else would you have gone? And with the Butterfly miraculous too.”

“I could’ve taken it to Master Fu,” he offered feebly.

“Then you would’ve taken me with you.” She cupped his cheek and smiled sadly. “Sorry, kitty. I don’t want you to be alone.”

He swallowed heavily. “I found out what Hawkmoth was trying to do.”

“Was it something to do with your mother?” It was an educated guess. What else would Gabriel Agreste, the fabulously successful and rich fashion star, want?

“Yeah…” He stared off into the distance again before looking around the foyer. “You know, this place used to be my whole world. I rarely ever got to leave when I wasn’t doing stuff for his business. I didn’t mind much at the time, though. I didn’t know anything different. Besides, mom was there, so even if it wasn’t lively, it was warm and welcoming.”

She just watched and held onto him. It was clearly something he needed to get off his chest.

“We had a funeral for her three years ago. There hadn’t been any sign of her for years, so we just gave up hope.” He scowled. “Not Gabriel though. Refused to go to the funeral, so I had to go alone, see family I’d never met before and try to explain why he hadn’t show up to his own wife’s funeral.”

There was a long silence between them before Marinette said, “I’m sorry about your parents, Adrien. Your mother sounds amazing. I’m wish I could’ve talked to her, thanked her for raising such a good son.”

Adrien turned to look at her with those wide Chat eyes and for a moment she was worried she said something wrong. Then, he smiled. It was small, but it was genuine and heartfelt. “Come with me, Mari. There's someone I want you to meet.”

RULES: repost, don’t reblog. just pick a muse of yours and fill it out.

MUSE: Jihyun Kim/V

— basics

▸ is your muse tall/short/average? He’s tall. He’s not breaking the 6′ marker or anything, but he’s still seen as being tall regardless especially with the build of his body.

▸ are they okay with their height? He doesn’t mind it. It’s probably the very least of his worries if not even being one at all. He’s perfectly content with his height.

▸ what’s their hair like? It’s very soft and silky. It’s naturally a mint color looking more blue or green depending on the lighting. Usually he’ll wear it parted to the side with hair curtaining over his left eye and a small section of it resting between his eyes/on his nose when he’s not styling it. It’s also a little wavy, but when it’s longer it makes the waves look a little more stringy.

▸ do they spend a lot of time on their hair/with their grooming? He usually doesn’t spend that long on getting dressed up. Even when he has an event to go to it might take him an hour at most depending on what he’s wearing and what he’s trying to achieve. So on an average day it might take him about half an hour to get ready between a shower and dressing, but when he’s got an event or a date he’ll usually take a bit longer to style his hair along with making sure he looks completely presentable.

▸ does your muse care about their appearance? Not really. The only times he’ll care is if he’s got something important to do. Other than that he doesn’t pay much attention to his appearance. He especially stopped caring after everything with Rika and Mint Eye, and only starts to care again about his health/appearance after his good end.

▸ does your muse care about what others think about them? He tries to not care as much as he can, but he can’t say that it doesn’t bother him especially when it comes to his art. He already places a lot of blame on himself and he’ll take those comments as if he deserves them. With his art it’s a lot more stressful. He cares way too much about what others think about his art to the point where he put off drawing/painting because he was so scared. So as much as he tries not to show it that caring can still burn like a flame in his chest depending on the situation.

— preferences

▸ indoors or outdoors? Outdoors ▸ rain or sunshine? Sunshine ▸ forest or beach? Forest ▸ precious metals or gems? Gems ▸ flowers or perfumes? Flowers ▸ personality or appearance? Personality ▸ being alone or being in a crowd? Alone ▸ order or anarchy? Order ▸ painful truths or white lies? White lies ▸ science or magic? Science ▸ peace or conflict? Peace ▸ night or day? Day ▸ dusk or dawn? Dawn ▸ warmth or cold? Warmth ▸ many acquaintances or a few close friends? A few close friends ▸ reading or playing a game? Reading

— questionnaire

▸ what are some of your muse’s bad habits? He chews his bottom lip at times; shifts his weight when he’s uncomfortable; constantly apologies even if he doesn’t need to; shoulders a lot of blame even if it’s not his fault; putting himself down; getting really caught up in a project (photography, painting, etc.) and forgets that there’s such a thing as breaks, sleep, and food; spreading himself thin and putting to much onto his plate; not asking for help

▸ has your muse lost anyone close to them? how has it affected them? His mother passed when he still a teenager. Despite not really speaking or interacting with her up until around the time of her death she still meant so much to him. Before really getting to know her he was basically a puppet that allowed his father to pull the strings bringing Jihyun in  direction that wouldn’t make him happy. So getting to discover his love for the arts through his mother despite his father and professor’s words had brought him and his mother closer. It wasn’t until she submitted his art to a contest did he break away from her due to his fears only for her to then pass by her coming to save him from a house fire.

It leaves him with many regrets for what he did and didn’t do, but he has become more influenced by what she has told him especially after reading her diaries. It sticks with him for years to come as he shoulders the guilt from what had happened. It leads him in the direction of his art and his love.

▸ what are some fond memories your muse has? The first time he ever painted something was magical. He knew what his father thought of artists and what he drilled into Jihyun’s head, but it was so much fun! It may not have been the most beautiful painting and he may have forgotten where it’s gotten off to, but it was a time of learning what he wants in life and a bonding experience with his mother.

A lot of memories with Jumin are precious to him. There were many games as children and many times they hung out as adults that he’d always hold close to his his heart. He’d remember running around his house when his father was out while playing tag or hide and seek with Jumin. They are his happiest childhood memories of becoming best friends and getting to have someone so close stay beside him throughout his life.

A time where he was on a trip just by himself to indulge himself in his art he sat and watched the sunset. It was like a breath of fresh air despite his sadness at seeing the sun disappear. Seeing the rays filter through the clouds and the birds chirping as they settled in for the night filled him with a sense of hope and encouragement after a hard day. It gave him the motivation to keep on going and to not give up on his unfinished work on that trip.

▸ is it easy for your muse to kill? No it isn’t. The last thing he wants is for people to get hurt, especially if they’re innocent. The idea of hurting anyone, especially in such a way, is just something he doesn’t want to ever take part in. The closest he’ll come to ever hurting someone is knocking them out, but that’s only under the circumstances that he has no other choice. Either way he’ll always try to avoid such conflict and violence.

▸ what’s it like when your muse breaks down? When it starts he’s very quiet. He doesn’t like to show these weaknesses to others out of personal choice and the need to not bother them with his problems. So even if he’s on the verge of a break down he’ll either sit with it until everyone is gone or he’ll excuse himself to a secluded place far away from everyone. Then the tears will start to flow freely down his cheeks and his breaths will become faster and shorter. He’ll then attempt to try and make himself as small as possible by curling up into a ball in a place off to the side of a room or just wherever he’s standing if he doesn’t feel like moving.

Fingers will thread themselves into his hair as he starts to sob and whimper. If he is especially certain that no one is around he’ll start mumbling a few words and cry them out. All of the things he feels guilty over will start attacking him all at once causing him to start shaking. At the same time he’ll start questioning his existence even further and pondering the importance of himself. Afterwards he shuts down for awhile as it leaves him exhausted and the last thing he wants is for anyone to put up with him when he’s in such a state. So he’ll end up keeping to himself until he gets some energy back.

▸ is your muse capable of trusting someone with their life? Of course. Those people have to obviously be special, and he’s already made a mistake of trusting someone with his life before only for it to end in disaster. But with the right person he’d definitely trust them with his life.

▸ what’s your muse like when they’re in love? When he loves he loves with his whole heart. He’s rather inexperienced with how one should love another, but after learning he will still love them with everything that he is. Despite no longer being seen as the sun he will still try to shine some warmth and comfort on his partner. He wants to envelope them in a place that is safe and to know that they can be open and honest with one another. There’s no stopping him from also spoiling his partner. He’s not a big spender by any means but he loves to shower them with simple gestures of love and affection. He’s also very gentle when in love. No harm should ever come to his partner, and even though he’d come to know his self worth he’d willingly take the fall for them so long as that meant they’d be safe. He’d also totally be the partner that would go on late night adventures to get ice cream and go star gazing without any complaints.

He will truly love them just as much as he’s come to love himself.

Tagged by: @tinymute (Thank you!!)

Tagging: Anyone that would like to do this consider yourself tagged!