#(which is when nino faints)

[crispyjenkins]

(AC wip) The Savage Price of Piety

it's desmond's deathday and i wrote like. 9,000 more words to this wip (first two parts here) last week and i want to brag about it, so happy deathday you wet bastard (mostly gen but with a surprise rarepair, time travel/reincarnation, found family, william miles’ a+ parenting, accidental subterfuge, desmond goes by miles mostly, inspired by study of flight by @esamastation but with a twist!, only somewhat historically accurate swears by which i mean probably not at all but leonardo had some Opinions alright) have some (three) chronological but scattered bits of scenes

  “Oh,” Claudia says as soon as she opens the door, seeing Ezio’s rather wretched expression, “you’ve figured it out, then.”

  “You could have told me,” he growls, following her into the entryway and closing the door behind himself. 

  Claudia scoffs, spinning on heel to lead the way further into the building for the kitchens. “I had one conversation with the boy, brother, I was hardly sure of it myself. Wait,” she halts and points a finger at him accusingly, “how did you figure it out?”

  Ezio, quite graciously he thinks, ignores the subtle insult to his intelligence. Sighing, he pushes back his hood before their mother sees him with it on indoors, and runs a hand over his beard. “I had Leonardo visit.”

  Claudia’s face slackens, before twisting into a rage that has Ezio stepping away warily.

  But she punches the wall instead of her brother, a shouted “Gods damn it!” echoing in the narrow space. Then she spins on her heel and hollers further into the residential part of the bordello, “Mother! We forgot about Leonardo!”

  Horrified by his sister and concerned for his mother’s current mental state, Ezio reaches out to put a hand on Claudia’s arm, but he doesn’t get the chance before Maria de' Auditore is shouting right back, “God damn it!”

  Grumbling, Claudia stomps down the hall and leaves a very confused Ezio hurrying to follow; she ignores all his pleas for explanation until she’s stomped into the kitchen, where their mother is pouring two very large glasses of wine, with very little water to cut down the potency. She passes one to Claudia silently, and then they both drink, though luckily they aren’t attempting to down it all at once.

  “I can’t believe we forgot the Maestro,” their mother mutters to herself as she comes over to kiss Ezio on both cheeks, before shoving the still mostly-full glass into his hands.

  “Forgot him for what?” Ezio wants to know, clutching the glass like a mother clutches a babe.

  “To test if Miles really is an Auditore.” It’s said so flippantly, like it doesn’t affect Claudia at all, but she also collapses into one of two chairs at the little tea table under the largest window. Their mother takes the other, massaging her forehead and looking like she’s grieving their family all over again.

  It occurs to Ezio, as he moves to stand next to the table, that she probably is.

--

“It’s all up to you now, Seventeen.”

  Desmond opens his eyes to the dark of the dormitory, faint moonlight cutting over the floor between his bed and Nino’s, and he can’t bring himself to move — even to roll off his arm that is very much still asleep. 

  Clay still haunts him.

  Five hundred fucking years, and his current twenty-four besides, and that fucker still won’t leave him alone. If Desmond were not so familiar with what an actual Bleed feels like, he’d almost think Clay is stuck in his brain the same way as his ancestors. Thank fuck he stopped Bleeding Ezio’s memories and feelings, while still retaining much of the training.

  Fuck, time travel is so weird.

  Or, reincarnation? He’s not sure of much, but he’s sure he was dead, he’s sure he burned, and he’s sure that though his 15th century mother had affectionately called him [redacted], his name is Desmond Miles.

  Or just Miles, he supposes. Sue him, he panicked when Adele first approached him, and the best aliases are ones you know you’ll respond to, right? If only he’d have had the forethought to divorce himself from his... future family’s surname.

  It sounds different enough with an Italian accent that it hasn’t caused any problems, yet. Like making him flinch. Or snapping that he hasn’t been a Miles since he was sixteen.

  Granted, he still has no idea what he would go by instead. Altaïr and Conner would feel weird, while Sef or Darim are just a bit on the nose, and does he look like an Edward? Malik, maybe. His grandmother here, now, is actually from the Levant, so his skin is certainly dark enough that people wouldn’t be surprised by the name.

Except that feels almost akin to naming himself Leonardo.

--

  So instead, Leonardo spends every spare moment with his best friend, sometimes to brainstorm, sometimes to simply be there for him. It’s during one of these visits, he and Ezio once again observing the youngest assassins in the training ring, that he hears Miles laugh for the first time, and it’s as if ice water has been poured directly into his veins.

  Oh fuck. Oh Saints, oh Holy Father, oh fuck.

  “Leonardo?” Ezio asks quietly, head tilted towards him in concern, but Leonardo ignores him to stumble for the bannister to lean over it and stare down at Miles learning a little jig from Tullio, laughing all the while.

  He had only heard it once, truth be told, and it had been Salaí that had caused it, but even three years later, Leonardo remembers the laugh of Rodrigo Borgia’s sinister little shadow.

  Below, Miles doesn’t stop smiling, but his golden brown gaze yanks up towards Leonardo as if knowing his thoughts are about him. His eyes narrow, then widen slightly in realisation, and then he winces and looks away, which is all the confirmation Leonardo needs.

  Turning around, Leonardo grabs a confused Ezio by the arm and drags him from the training room, ignoring his protests until they find the nearest empty room.

  “Leonardo, what—?”

  “Romulus.”

-

#that last one 👀 #the first one is part of my sib's favorite scene so far #middle one is just des being a Mess #crispy writes #also #absolutely do NOT think about the timeline i beg u #i am gay and Tired #savage price #that'll be the tag for all posts about this fic #if i do end up posting more #anyway the other posts are now tagged with it too #not star wars #for those that filter on my blog #title from poor isaac by airborne toxic event! #which was my 2nd most-listened-to song this year #yoinking some tags from the last posts: #this whole fic is based on the trope of time travel des not knowing how to lie for shit and people making assumptions (à la study of flight #except their assumptions turn out to be mostly right #des isn't ezio's kid tho 👀

[writingscraps]

Midnight Teasing

ao3 | ff.net

ship: Marinette x Chat Noir

rating: M (might go up)

summary:

“I really, really, want to kiss you,” he interrupted her so quickly, a gentle growl dragging through his tongue with his distraught agony clinging onto his shoulders as he thought about being the reason she’d be in said danger. He lowered his face to search for her bluebell eyes, “which makes this so dangerous, Marinette. And I'm afraid,” he swallowed the buildup of a knot choking him before continuing, “that I won’t want to stop there.”

“Then don’t.” She almost pleaded, her own voice alone infiltrating away any former intentions.

Someone was going to get hurt. Was it worth it?  

“Marinette...”

“No strings attached,” she interjected quickly, breathing loudly as she pushed herself closer, her eyes searching about his face through the dim lighting as her hands reached to hold around his neck.

“But...”

“Kiss me, and don’t stop, Chat.” She sounded almost distressed, the strain in her voice tugging at his heartstrings.  

“I don’t think I'll ever stop when it comes to you, Marinette.” 

Part 1: (post) (ao3) (ff.net)

Part 2:

Adrien Agreste’s eyes couldn’t stop lingering at the young girl that would sit in front of him during lunch, or across the courtyard during break. The day wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, except for the few times that Marinette’s hand would reach to touch right above her chest as if to sooth the area, the fingertip of her middle finger drawing circles over it, and he’d remember the burning sensation of said fingertips. He’d get subtle flashbacks from that night and his cheeks couldn't help themselves but to get flustered.  

Plagg had berated him senseless as soon as he got home and detransformed for that night, although he hadn’t been quite listening to whatever his Kwami had to say. He’d spent the following days simply eyeing the young girl from afar, exchanging their casual chatting throughout the school day. Trying his best not to draw any attention when his green eyes would dart down to stare at her pink lips, and the way her pigtails were neatly placed into hair ties; he could have extended his hand outwardly and reach his fingertips through her silky strands.  

But if Adrien hadn’t known what he did know, he wouldn’t have ever suspected that underneath her white tee and thin blazer she wore the love bites he’d left, possibly already fading, and hating that soon she wouldn’t have proof of that night.  

“Yo, dude, you okay?” Nino sudden inquiry interrupted Adrien’s thoughts, his mind just beginning to lose itself as he remembered said night.  

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I’m fine, why?” He huffed a soft chuckle, trying to brush off his question as silly, as in “can’t you see I was paying attention to whatever Madame Bustier had to say,” when in reality his mind would fog at the memory of Marinette gasping so softly, whimpering his alter ego’s name so delicately.  

It had been almost a week since he had seen Marinette inside her bedroom, always wanting to go back but just not knowing what would become of his visit. Although, he had such a vivid idea of what he wanted it to become. What he so desperately wanted to do to her.

He found himself wanting to touch every inch of her every time he was near her.

He could breathe in her faint scent of vanilla, the natural rose tint upon her cheeks making him want to act feral towards her. It worried him, making him anxious about not being able to stop kissing her frenzy this time, if he were to be alone with her again.  

His hands twitched as he’d come to witness a few times her new act of “applying lip balm” – cherry ChapStick she claimed – as she explained that she didn’t want the weather to dry lips. But he knew better than anyone in that school that she shouldn’t worry about her lips drying at all. They were soft, and plumped, and pouty, that emitted the most divine sounds anybody could mutter just as she parted them slightly.  

Adrien found himself stuck between having the urgency of wanting to see her and morally understanding that what they had both condoned into that night hadn't been the proper response. Not from his standpoint, at least, in the sense that he was Paris’ superhero and knew better; Marinette was just a fan, and although he was immensely attracted to her, he couldn’t allow himself to use his pedestal for his own benefit.  

Still, he wanted to see her again. Tonight. To end things, of course, although he couldn't really say anything had started to begin with. They had just shared a few kisses; that’s it.  

Opposing to Plagg’s advice, Chat Noir was now suited up with the excuse of patrol, in spite of his chase going directly towards The Tom & Sabine Boulangerie Patisserie bakery shop; although he wouldn’t be using the front door.  

He landed with a soft step on the balcony, quickly peering through her skylight once seeing that her bedroom lights were still on. He had been hoping for this much, considering it was almost midnight; knowing Marinette as he did know her, he was aware of how much of a night-owl she could be.  

Chat Noir gently knocked on the latched skylight door, anticipating anxiously for it to open with a smiling Marinette welcoming him in. But he only continued waiting, noticing she wasn’t in bed and probably by the desk area, although he couldn’t quite see her.  

There was a loud thump, and suddenly he could see Marinette’s empty desk chair rolling away, and he assumed she had probably fallen off. He couldn’t help but chuckle lightly to himself. It was funny.  

He didn’t want to seem desperate, despite actually being desperate, but through the anticipation he forced himself to knock again as he crouched in place, waiting.  

It took a few minutes, but his belt-tail erected just as he saw the young girl climb up to her loft and quickly on her bed to reach for the skylight. As soon as the latch was open, the cat boy swooped in, landing on her bed beside her, not wasting time as he rubbed his cheek against her shoulder, purring quietly and delightfully.  

Marinette winced, a wavering smile taking place as she nudged herself away momentarily, finding herself having to explain, “You’re cold,” when she noticed his knitted eyebrows stare at her with concern. Chat Noir grinned softly, forgetting the weather hardly affected him when transformed, but she was right, the weather had dropped pretty low since the morning.  

“And you’re going to help me keep warm?” He inquired smoothly, already leaning towards her, shamelessly allowing the tip of his nose to skim against hers. There it was, the heavenly scent of vanilla he craved. So close, this time.  

She was quiet, he noticed, with a subtle frown as she slowly pulled away from his touch. She wasn’t playing along to his silly antics this time, and was being rather serious.  

He knew she’d probably be upset; he was just really hoping she wouldn't be. He kissed her in such a titillating manner, and hadn’t come back when he promised he would. The problem had been that he really wanted to come back.  

He pulled himself away, watching her with curiosity and concern, his thumb and finger reaching to hook her chin to keep her head in place as he leaned closer.  

“What’s the matter Marinette?” He sounded worried, his tone soft and low.  

“You didn’t come.” She said into the drafty room, her tensed shoulder slouching as she glanced up at him. She shouldn’t be this upset, but he took so long to come back. “I really wanted to see you,” Marinette found herself scoffing so easily, it brought shivers down Chat Noir’s spine as he watched her eyes shut momentarily, amazed at how vocal she was being.  

Her lower lip pouted slightly, like she wanted to say something else but kept stopping herself; and he couldn’t contain how cute she was, even now as she was upset at him.  

“Marinette, it wasn’t that – I just didn’t know – “

“I asked you to come back,” Marinette quickly stopped his word-jam, pulling her head away from his grasp as she looked up at him with her eyebrows drawn together, showing how upset she was. “Why didn’t you, Chat?”  

“Marinette,” he cooed with a soft voice, both his hands reaching to hold her elbows to draw her closer, just as she was moments ago, “I really wanted to come. But this...we can’t...you and I can’t be anything.” He wanted it to be clear that a relationship between then was close to impossible.  

How would it work? She’d be in danger, and he couldn't risk it – he couldn't risk her.  

“Chat I – “  

“I really, really, want to kiss you,” he interrupted her so quickly, a gentle growl dragging through his tongue with his distraught agony clinging onto his shoulders as he thought about being the reason she’d be in said danger. He lowered his face to search for her bluebell eyes, “which makes this so dangerous, Marinette. And I'm afraid,” he swallowed the buildup of a knot choking him before continuing, “that I won’t want to stop there.”

“Then don’t.” She almost pleaded, her own voice alone infiltrating away any former intentions.

Someone was going to get hurt. Was it worth it?  

“Marinette...”

“No strings attached,” she interjected quickly, breathing loudly as she pushed herself closer, her eyes searching about his face through the dim lighting as her hands reached to hold around his neck.

“But...”

“Kiss me, and don’t stop, Chat.” She sounded almost distressed, the strain in her voice tugging at his heartstrings.  

“I don’t think I'll ever stop when it comes to you, Marinette,” he said back to her in a whispering tone, like it was a secret and anyone could be listening. His heavy eyelids were half-lidded, oppose to her wider ones, watching him watch her in a daze.  

He had a mystifying blend of black cardamom smell to him, with a subtle hint of smoky vanilla, probably due to all the roof-hopping. She felt a shiver run down her limbs, and wanted to scream at the sheer angst she had not being able to see him outside of patrol as Ladybug. But he wasn’t kissing Ladybug. She couldn't kiss him as Ladybug. It wouldn't be right, morally, at least. There shouldn't’ be anything wrong doing it as Marinette, right?  

No harm, no foul? Right?  

Her mouth felt dry, and he was an itch that she was dying to scratch. “Chat Noir,” she breathed in deeply, trying to engrave him into her memory, “Kiss me already.”  

She didn’t need to tell him twice. Although, he had initially gone to try and stop whatever shenanigans they were getting themselves into. But when she asked very sweetly, her voice drenched in honey, so inviting – who was he to deny such a desirable request?  

“And if I can’t stop?” He almost promised, simply leaning closer to her, watching as she shut her eyes in anticipation. She took another breath, eliminating any space the two, wanting him.  

“Then...don’t.”

Chat Noir’s hands squeezed her upper arms just as he pressed his lips into hers, her cherry lip balm still faintly lingering on her lips. How was she so addicting after tasting her just once? Both of her palms dragged down to spread widely against his chest, as though she was trying to hold onto something while kissing him back, but there wasn’t any grip to his leather suit.  

Her mouth opened wider than the first time he kissed her, her lips taking as much as they could of him. She mumbled quietly into his mouth, very much enjoying their lip-tussling. The tip of her tongue swiped his lower lip, licking him like she’d enjoy a cupcake’s buttercream. She only kept pushing herself onto him, feeling the burning sensation of her fingertips traveled north until both of her hands intertwined into the tousled patch of his blond hair resting against the nape of his neck.  

Her fingers dug harshly against his skin and drag themselves into his scalp, unconsciously massaging his occipital bone, making his whole body want to levitate at how good it felt.  

Marinette’s heavy breathing was suffocating him, in the best way. His whole body felt heavy, at the same time liquifying just as her pouty lips began to kiss about his face, dragging her mouth across his cheek until reaching his jawline. He hadn’t noticed how easily her body was getting atop him just as he allowed himself to fall back onto her pillows.  

Her sloppy kisses made him purr merrily; his boots pointing outwardly in trying to contain his happiness. His ears blocked out any other sound that weren’t her, composed to listen to the soft accidental moans she’d make against his skin, or the sharp inhale through her nostrils before crashing his lips against hers.  

His gloved hands went to wrap themselves around her body, playing with the lower hem of her pajama top.

Their kisses deepen; her saliva tasting sweet as her tongue teased his lower lip again. He was on a trance when she suddenly pulled away, her hands releasing his head with the loud smack echoing in his ears, taking him longer than a second to open his eyes and try to remember where he was.  

Marinette had begun shifting, easily mounting the cat superhero, a low grunt forcing itself from his dry throat as her thighs straddled his hips. He had no intentions of stopping her whatsoever. She sat so comfortably, staring down at him with such a mesmerizing gaze just as she squeezed him in between said thighs.

This was a dangerous game, and they knew so.  

“Chat Noir,” Marinette called him, her voice just above a whisper, softly spoken just above in an inaudible murmur as she looked down at him with a such a bashful expression, that he wanted to devour her.  

“Yes, Princess?” He found himself asking with a toothy grin, his palms spreading about her thighs, daringly proceeding to move upwards.  

She wasn’t saying anything to him for almost a minute, trying to control her breathing before she quickly reached for the bottom of her shirt and swiftly removed it over her head to toss aside.  

Chat Noir tried to sit up, taken aback by her actions, but she was quick to push him back down with a gentle shove. “M-Marinette,” he called to her, his green eyes spellbound by the way her breasts were perfectly cupped inside her light-shaded bra.  

“Touch me, kitty cat,” she practically begged him, her hands searching for his to place onto each breast.  

He gulped the knot on his throat, mouth slightly gaped, beginning to feel himself get hard as he let his hands be guided. He groaned audibly, his thumbs compressing to feel just how soft her breasts were, even with the material of her undergarment.  

continue reading in my ao3 or ff.net account

#I am reposting the second chapter to see if it gets more attention the second time around ;^; #I'll be posting the third chapter soon but in case you wanna reread :) #marichat #marichat fanfic #marichat fanfiction #fanfiction #marichat ao3 #ao3 #archive of our own #yes they're aged up #marinette x chat noir #chat noir x marinette #marinette #marinette dupain cheng #chat noir #adrien agreste #ml fanfiction #ml ao3

[tsuki-chibi]

Ladynoir July 2023 Day 14: Lingering Touch

Read all the entries on AO3

--

It was hard.

When Chat opened his eyes and saw Ladybug laying on the rooftop beside him, the very last thing in the world that he wanted to do was leave her. She looked so cozy. So comfortable. The urge to close his eyes and just go back to sleep was almost overwhelming.

But if he did that, that meant his father and Nathalie might find out that he hadn’t spent the night at home – and that was just asking for a disaster. That would be the end of any free time he would have for at least the next month; he’d have Nathalie breathing down his neck, trying to see what he was doing and why, every waking moment…

Which would make fighting any akumas, and spending any time with his lady, completely impossible. Chat made a face at that thought. Yeah no, going back to sleep was not an option.

“My Lady, I need to go,” Chat whispered to her.

“Mm, no, it’s Saturday,” Ladybug whispered back without opening her eyes. She scrunched her nose up cutely, and Chat didn’t try to stop the soppy smile that crossed his face. It was really unfair for one heroine to be that adorable.

“I know it’s Saturday for you, but I have a lot to do,” Chat said. He didn’t know exactly how Ladybug usually spent her Saturdays. But she’d mentioned a few times that she spent a lot of time with her friends, and that sometimes she had to help her parents out, and that she always devoted time to her hobbies – and of course, she usually saw Chat over the weekend too.

Chat envied her. He wished his Saturdays could be so free. He couldn’t even explain to Ladybug just how bust he was, or how much pressure he was under, or how badly his father would react if he woke up to find Adrien missing.

He sat there for a couple moments, daydreaming about a normal life. A life where he could lazily wake up on a Saturday morning and hang out in bed for a while. A life where he could join Nino, Marinette, and Alya at the park for lunch later. A life where he could spend all afternoon with his friends before heading home to spend the evening at his leisure.

“Chat?” Ladybug said, pulling him out of his daydreams. She was squinting up at him. “Do you really have to go? It was kind of nice spending the night with you.”

Chat sighed. “I’m sorry. I really do.” He looked mournfully at the little nest Ladybug had made for them out of blankets. You wouldn’t have thought that sleeping on a rooftop could possibly be comfortable, but it actually kind of was.

“Ugh, okay. I guess I should get up and go too, then. My parents promised not to bother me this morning, but I’ll head home just in case they changed their minds.” She sat up and stretched. She’d taken her pigtails out last night to make it more comfortable, so her hair fell around her face.

She looked beautiful.

He couldn’t resist reaching out to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes. Their eyes met and she smiled.

“We should do this more often. It was really nice waking up with you,” she said with a faint blush.

“I liked it too,” Chat said, his heart thumping so hard that it hurt. He let his hand drop to his lap.

“I’ll see you later, then?” she asked.

Chat nodded. “See you later. Oh, here –” He reached up again and fixed a few more strands while Ladybug waited patiently. Chat may have taken a little longer than he needed to, delaying the inevitable. But finally, with one last lingering touch, he pulled his hand back and stood.

“Have a good day, Chaton,” Ladybug said with a sweet smile, and Chat smiled back. He carried that sweet smile and gentle wish in his heart for the rest of the day.

#miraculous ladybug #ladybug #chat noir #shameless romance #miraculous ficlet #my fics #ladynoirjuly2023

[sasuhinasno1fan]

Wish come true - Adrien AUGreste Day 9+10

It took a while for this one to get written and I was a bit back and forth on letting Ameile get the ring just based on the reason for why Gabreil wanted to keep it. I never actually watched s4 and 5, just know from friends hatewatching, and I had assumed the rings had a bigger part in the story but so far, they just seem to be family heirlooms. But again, because it’s not cannon past s3, Felix actually has a relationship with his dad. Anyway, enjoy!

Friends

“Remind me never to do Student UN again.” Adrien said, dropping onto the deck of the Liberty.

It was the Saturday after their schools Model UN and while Adrien lucked out with Lila not participating, she was back in school and made it her mission to make his life difficult by being a nascence. it took the whole class playing shield to keep him from actually hurting her. Chloe surprisingly had been a huge help, giving her a dress down that honestly, was too good to describe. Obviously, the Mayor’s daughter hadn’t done a whole 180 but with most people remembering how her mother treated her and starting to give her the benefit of the doubt, she was coming out from her spoiled shell. She was still spoiled and self-centred, that was Chloe, but Adrien compared her to Cleo from Monster High. She cared and wanted people to know that, it just took a while for her to find the ways of showing it.

“No need to applaud, I’ve arrived!” Chloe announced, stepping onto the ship, stumbling when Sabrina tripped off the gangplank and crashed into her. Her best friend stuttered apologizes when she turned to glare but the blonde took a breath and asked if she was ok.

Baby steps, that’s what it was about.

“Look on the bright side, two days and a full party where we don’t have to deal with her.” Nino said. He was leaning against Alya’s legs as she sat on the stage with Marinette and Alix, still going over the story about the Miraculous and their secret society. She’d been even more into it when the news riel about the sudden return of the Temple, with a very familiar looking mark, ran.

“And even better,” Luka said, kneeling down next to Adrien, “You now have more free time and I’ve gotten ahead in assignments.”

Adrien smiled to himself. “I guess that is something worth celebrating. Other than actually pulling off the school’s first Student UN.”

“Oh my god. Chloe!” Alya called.

“I didn’t do anything!”

“No.” Alya got up, practically shoving her phone into Chloe’s face. “Did you know about this? that this was today?”

Chloe’s eyes widened. “Crap. I can’t believe I forgot. I didn’t think I’d forget.”

“What?”

“Lila’s mom disappeared a year ago.”

“Died.” Chloe corrected. “She died, I’m sure of it. she was really sick, dizzy spells, fainting, confined to her bed for days. I never liked Lila, but I liked her mom. I can’t believe I forgot.”

“It’s been a busy year, what with Hawkmoth and everything.” Sabrina said.

“Not to mention Lila suddenly showing up at school.” Marinette reminded. “I’m sure her mother knows you care.”

“She showed up at school?” Adrien asked.

“Lila was homeschooled. With her dad’s popularity, Emile didn’t want her being stared at. Not like she cared; she was always doing something to make a mess of things. She would be a clothing model for her dad for clothes for her age group and clearly, she loved the attention.” Chloe said. “it started small then, but she started lying to get her way. Emile would catch her a few times but she started to get better and then Emile got sick, so she hid better. All of a sudden, she walks into the classroom with this lie that her father hated that she was being locked away and wanted her to be normal and interact with the people who bought his clothes.”

“Which also brought in the lies she told us basically about how she was involved in all our favourite things.” Alya reminded.

“Which Alya here actually helped expose a little. Did you know she said Jagged Stone wrote a love song about her?” Alix said, putting a hand on the reporter’s shoulder.

“Jagged Stone, is in his 30s.”

“Her lies went crashing down pretty soon after he made a statement about it not being true. Didn’t stop her, but we knew to fact check and before you know it, newest big model on the scene is the biggest scandal no one wants to deal with.”

“But she lost her mom.”

Adrien thought about how she reacted the first day he met her. She had no standing, clearly grasping at anything to be seen. He understood it, keeping up a façade because it was easier, but she seemed to take singular focus on attacking him, insulting his mother and her love. He could blame it on Lila’s own mother and her disappearance, but he didn’t know. The popular kids he me at his schools, a lot were mad at their parents, but unless they were involved in some way with yours, your own parents never made conversation. Any cheap shot about them was about their looks or their jobs, not their ability to love you. he felt bad for her, but it didn’t justify her behaviour. He did feel bad for Chloe though. He wondered if Emile Agreste had been more of a mom than her actual mother.

“Chloe, did you want to go give your condolences?” Adrien asked. “To Gabriel and maybe Lila? I mean, I don’t like her, but if my mama disappeared?”

“We should at least let her know we’re thinking of her.” Mylene said. “But if we all went.”

“She’d lose her head. Or lap it up. Or, I don’t know, maybe be normal.” Ivan pointed out, all valid points.

“her dad wouldn’t want his daughter’s whole class coming by. He doesn’t even leave his house.” Chloe reminded.

“So only a few of us. Chloe, you and Sabrina. Maybe Juleka, since you model for him? And Marinette, since you’re working his internship.” Rose suggested.

“I will be working his internship. And honestly, if Lila hates Adrien the most, she hates me second. She constantly goes after me trying to get me in trouble.” Marinette reminded.

“I’ll go.” Adrien said, shrugging when everyone looked at him. “I don’t like her, but I mentioned to her dad that I liked Solitude. Feels like I should at least let him know how sorry I am.”

“So, Chloe, Sabrina, Adrien and Juleka?”

“Except, Juleka is practically becoming the new face of the brand,” Luka reminded. “I don’t know her well, but I know her enough. If we’re worried what all of us being there will do, do we really think sending her replacement is a good idea?”

“Chloe, Sabrina, Adrien and Luka? if only to stop Adrien when Lila undoubtly pisses him off.” Rose said, Adrien looking insulted.

“Hey!”

“Oh, you know she’ll do it. get filming, I’ll call the limo.” Chloe said.

                                      ________________

“Yes?”

Chloe tossed her hair, standing at full hight. Adrien would admit, it was impressive how easily she fell into being her snooty self when she wanted something. There was Chloe who held onto her self-importance and could still be ok to be around and then there was this side, who after a few minutes, you’d be tempted to throw her off the Eiffel Tower.

That was probably why any akuma she caused would take her there.

“We’ve come to pay our respects to M. Agreste.” Sabrina nudged her, leaving her to sigh and roll her eyes. “And Lila I guess.”

“We have guests Chloe.”

“Oh, let her in. I haven’t seen her in years!” that was a different voice, but one that perked Chloe up. She turned to Adrien, who was messing with the plastic covering the bouquet. She smirked in a way that worried Sabrina, who started tugging on her jacket to get her to spill.

The gate swung open and Chloe led them to the door. It was pulled open and Adrien had to remind himself that Emile Agreste had been missing for a year. The woman who stood in front of them was near identical though.

“Chloe!”

“Amelie! It’s so nice to see you again. How is it in London? Great, I’d like you to meet someone. This is Adrien.” Chloe dragged Adrien over, ignoring his questions of what she was doing.

“Um, hi?”

“Oh, my goodness. Felix, Felix! Come over here. Look at this.” grabbing Adrien, the woman dragged him in the house, Chloe still ignoring the questions over what was going on, smiling at the scene before them.

Amelie brought Adrien to stand in front of someone. Someone with the same shade of hair and eyes, near the same height and had the same expression Adrien tended to have when truly annoyed or angry.

“It’s this amazing? Felix, you two look exactly alike. Lila, you must have been so surprised when he came to your class. I hear you’re new?”

“Um, yeah. I’m Adrien Rossi…and this is a little strange.”

Amelie giggled, clapping her hands. “Oh, this is amazing! Emile and I always hoped our kids would look like this, near twins. I always wanted to play a trick on you Gabriel, and switch the kids for a day. Oh, the things the two of you could have gotten away with.”

Feeling a little awkward, Adrien gave the teen in front of him a smile. “Hi, and you are?”

“I’m Felix.” His accented French made Adrien tempted to switch to English, but he didn’t want to assume.

“Oh, and I’m Amelie. Emilie was my big sister. Chloe, why don’t you introduce me to your other friends?”

Adrien glanced over Felix’s shoulder to see Lila glaring at him. She seemed madder than usual, like she actually wanted to hurt him. Eager to get out, Adrien handed the flowers to him.

“Sorry for your loss.”

Felix looked at the flowers before looking back at him. It was strange, seeing such a proper picture staring back at him. Mylene, while waiting for others to finish their video, had braided his bangs into his hair and the fishnet poking out from under his oversized shirt was a definite contrast to his slacks and waistcoat.

“I know you don’t mean my father but thank you regardless.” Felix said.

“Oh, I didn’t know. I won’t say ‘I’m sorry’ because I know every kid who lost a parent never wants to hear that. So instead, I’ll say…I hope the important memories never fade and if they do, you never lose the feelings you had during them.”

Felix looked surprised and Adrien realised he was hoping for a reaction. Just not the one he gave. He took the flowers and handed them to Nathalie, who looked pained as Chloe held court with Lila’s aunt.

“If you don’t mind, Mlle. Bourgeois, this is a family occasion.” Gabriel finally interrupted.

“That’s fine, we just wanted you to know we were thinking of you. oh, and Sabrina.” The red-haired girl took out the SD card that they downloaded their video onto and handed it to Lila. “Just so you know we care.”

Lila dropped the SD card and stomped on it a few times. Whether or not it broke it, Adrien wasn’t sure, but they all got the message. She stormed up the stairs, ignoring her aunt’s yelling to come back and apologize, which turned into a near fight between her and Gabriel about Lila’s behaviour. Adrien took one look at Felix, who’s face still held the same expression, but with a bit of sadness and spoke without thinking much.

“Hey, Felix. Is it your first time in Paris? We’re having a party at Luka’s houseboat; you should come with us.”

A small bit of relief appeared in the green eyes as he turned to his mother. “Can I?”

“I suppose. How about you meet me back here at 4 so we can say goodbye and go to the station together?”

And with that, they had a new addition.

                                                  _________________

“Whoa. It’s like a funhouse mirror.” Kim said, looking Felix up and down, who looked annoyed at being gawked at.

“Except I’m sure his temper is the same. Sure, you remember that part, huh Kim?” Adrien said, smiling when the athlete got red and turned back to the party. “Sorry about him.”

“You didn’t have to do this because you feel sorry for me.”

“I only feel sorry you would have had to spend the afternoon with Lila.” Adrien said, taking in the same surprised look Felix had before. “If I felt sorry for you because of your father, then I’d feel the same about a lot of my friends. Lot of single household kids here. Fair amount due to a parent passing away but they have their ways of remembering them and it’s a reminder to us to always remember the important feelings. now, you hungry? Kagami is getting off training soon and she’s bringing freshly made mochi. It’s really good.”

Felix stared at him, like he was trying to figure him out before he turned away. “Not particularly hungry, though I am thirsty.”

It took some time, but Felix started to open up. He was sarcastic and a bit rude but they were all used to it with Chloe. When Kim’s teasing went to far, Felix shut him down with a rather well-timed insult that had the whole group laughing as Kim went red and pouted. His social skills lacked some, which made him bond with Kagami when she finally arrived.

“If they say something pop culture related you don’t get, just nod. They usually figure out we have no clue what they mean and explain to not look stupid.” She advised.

“Thanks Kagami.” Adrien said sarcastically.

Somehow the topic turned to the thing majority of their class shared in common, single parent households. It was a healthy debate of what they felt they missed compared to their friends and classmates with two parents.

“Twice as much worrying? That baby akuma accidently smashed through my room and my dad freaked out. I was in the bathroom, which is the furthest from the skylight so I was fine. but Papa lost it, trying to break in and check on me. Which is fine, I get it. but after Scarlet Bug fixed everything, he came by to check if I was ok while Catseye went to go drop the baby off and my dad’s first reaction is that I’m dating Scarlet Bug! Do you have any idea how mortifying that is? The poor guy didn’t get a chance to explain before my dad tried inviting him to dinner with us.” Marinette went.

“Please, you think that’s bad? Reminder that my dad became akumatized to keep me from leaving.” Chloe threw in. “Your dad got akumatized because he thought you were dumped.”

“Seeing how my dad won’t even talk to me since I came out,” Marc said, “I wouldn’t be too mad about him getting akumatized because he didn’t want to see me hurt.”

“At least your mother wasn’t akumatized because she wants to control you.” Kagami said, taking a sip of tea.

“Or akumatized because she doesn’t enjoy being control.” Luka said.

Felix looked confused. “Is this what we do? Talk about being akumatized? Wait, have all of you been akumatized?”

“Pretty much. I think Marinette is the only person who hasn’t been akumatized. Just all her friends and family.” Nino said.

“Besides, we’ve realised that talking about what happened and remembering the emotions we felt is a reminder that it’s ok to feel that way. If Hawkmoth didn’t exist, we could feel that without consequences. Our reactions would be different. We have to remind ourselves that while we try to keep a check on our emotions to keep Hawkmoth from taking us over again, feeling what we felt is normal. And one day we can feel those emotions without worrying about the really bad consequences again.” Rose explained.

“I think there are some consequences you should still feel worried about.” Felix pointed out.

“So, what would be your trigger?” Markov asked, hovering over the mochi to keep Kim and Ivan from having too many.

“My trigger?”

“A lot of ours was Chloe. Chloe’s was Scarlet Bug believe it or not.” Alya said.

“Mine was a grown man who thought it was ok to threaten kids and act like a child. But got us a contract out of it.” Adrien said. “It doesn’t have to be anything big.”

Felix’s gaze went to his cup, clanging his ring against the ceramic. “My dad. But not his passing. It could have been, he died in an accident but that would have been my mom’s. she lost her sister and the love of her life within a month of each other. My trigger would have been my uncle not showing his face at the funeral, but expecting us to come to his house to mourn his wife. I loved my aunt, but why should my father’s passing be brushed off? I can’t talk about it with my mother and I don’t make friends easy. Most just want something because our family is rich, but I wanted to mourn and because of my uncle I can’t. he doesn’t even seem to understand why my mother wants the rings back.”

“Rings?” Adrien asked.

Felix messed with the ring on his finger. “because my aunt was older, she got the family rings. Used to be told stories about how they had special powers and for a kid who grew up with his father telling him about fae and calling his wife Titania the fairy queen, I liked those stories. After my aunt disappeared, my mom wanted a piece of her back and that piece was the ring. They used them as their wedding rings and he doesn’t seem to get why my mom wants them back. He’s mourned her by hiding away. My mother’s hid her mourning to take care of the company and me. She deserves that much.”

Adrien looked at the ring, as Felix continued to mess with it. it was slightly big, a bit faded but Felix handled it like it was the most important thing in the world. Probably because it belonged it to his father. The ring could have gone to Amelie but instead Felix had it, to remember his father because she had him. and all she wanted was a way to remember her sister. He got why Gabriel wanted to keep the ring if it was his only link to his wife, but he wasn’t the only one who lost her.

“I think you should steal it.” Kagami said. “he lives inside his home, rarely coming out. I’m sure he has other ways of remembering her. The rings don’t belong to him, they did to her and now to your mother. But if you want to avoid getting in trouble, maybe convince your mom to have him sit down and explain her side. Guilt could probably work too if she adds how she can’t grieve her family with nothing to hold onto.” The whole group stared at her. “What?”

“You, are a terrifying person. Look, the point is, you have every right to feel the way you do. Tell that to your mom so she can take care of it. and if that doesn’t work, maybe steal the ring, but only if you feel like he’s saying no to be an ass.” Adrien explained.

“So, steal as last resort?”

“The guy is friends with the mayor of Paris. Try not to get banned before we can hang out again?”

“Again?”

“Well yeah. We’re friends now, you’re stuck with us.”

Felix took in the mix of faces, all – including Chloe – giving him looks that all said they were telling the truth. His usual personality turned people away, but these people were fine with it. he looked at Adrien, a wilder copy of himself and realised his original plan to be an ass wasn’t going to work. They were too stubborn and honestly, it was just easier to give in.

Later on, the train, he watched his mother smile softly down at the ring in hand.

“I have to say, I’m surprised Gabriel was moved enough to give me the ring. I’m sorry I had to use your father as an in.”

“It’s fine. I’m just glad you have it now. Besides, it wasn’t mainly my idea. Got it from a friend.”

“A friend?” she asked with a smile on her face.

Looking at his reflection, he spun his father’s ring on his finger. “Yeah. My first actually.”

#adrien august #adrien augreste 2023

[intercoursefluids]

Where Do I Belong Chapter 9

Alya cursed, pointing at Nino before spinning around and marching into the bathroom.

Nino immediately got the hint, turning to face the guy and explain their side.

“Okay, so Alya is going to calm down and then come back, I’ll be telling you what we know for now, is that cool, dude?” He asked, fanning himself with his hat.

Nino waited until he nodded before speaking, wanting to make sure he was good to keep going.

“I’m Nino by the way, Alya is my girlfriend and Marinette is one of our best friends. Adrien is another one of our friends but you’ll have to meet him later, he kinda went missing just recently.” Nino said, shaking hands with the guy.

“It seems a lot has happened recently, I am Damian, Jon is my best friend and, to our understanding your friend’s long-lost sibling.” Damian told him, properly introducing the two boys now that it was a little calmer.

Nino nodded, agreeing with Damian’s assessment as he slouched in his chair.

“You have no idea, dude. Anyway, Mari’s parents, Tom and Sabine, got in a really bad crash a couple weeks ago. They were doing a catering order for the bakery when they were involved in a hit and run, they didn’t make it out unfortunately.” He started.

Nino told him everything, how Marinette had come to live with her grandfather, how Adrien and the woman who took care of him had disappeared without a trace, how there had been some school drama to solve.

How strong Marinette had tried to be throughout all of it.

Both boys compared their sides of what had happened and came to the mutual conclusion that Marinette’s Grandpa Rolland was a massive asshole.

Alya had still been in the bathroom by the time he had finished his side of the story, so they switched topics.

Nino told Damian all about Hawkmoth, what he did to people, when he started doing it, and what it was like living with his influence surrounding the city.

Damian shared his experiences with similar issues in Gotham, explaining what it was like in his city and how he could understand what it was like living with a villain like that to some extent.

Although it was comforting to know that Marinette would at least have someone nearby who could understand what it was like, Nino was a little nervous about possibly sending Marinette to such a dangerous city, which he told Damian.

“Don’t worry, Marinette will not be living in Gotham. Jon and his family live in Metropolis, though Metropolis is very close to Gotham, it is entirely different from my city.” Damian tried to reassure him.

“Okay, but isn’t Metropolis like, 20 minutes away? I know that isn’t far for Americans, how different could it be?” Nino asked, eyes shooting to the bed as Marinette rolled over, flinging her arm our and hitting her brother in the face.

He didn’t so much as flinch.

“The leading consensus is that Gotham is cursed.” Damian said, drawing Nino’s attention back to him.

Nino blinked a few times, trying to gauge whether he was serious or not.

“Gotham is-?”

“Cursed? Yes.”

“The whole-?”

“Yes, the entire city as a whole.”

“Why do you still live there?!” Nino asked incredulously.

“We are too stubborn to move. It’s a cursed city but it is our cursed city.” Damian offered as an explanation.

Nino went to open his mouth but shut it, remembering how often he had had this same argument with his cousins about Paris.

“Y’know what? That’s fair.” He settled on, nodding to Alya as she finally walked out the bathroom. Her hair and the collar of her shirt was wet, like she had been splashing water on her face to calm down.

Alya took a seat just as someone knocked on the door.

“Oh, is that your dad?” Nino asked, looking to Damian.

Damian nodded in affirmation, standing up to answer the door.

Two men walked inside, carrying bags of take out with them.

“Damian?” One of the men asked, setting the bags on the table and turning to face him.

“They’re asleep at the moment, Jon fell asleep after we got here and Marinette fainted, from what I understand however, she should be completely fine after some rest.” He told them, gesturing to the bed.

“Oh, well that’s a relief. At least they are getting some sleep.” One of them men said, setting down the bags he had been carrying.

The same man stepped forward, holding out his hand first to Nino, then to Alya.

“Hello, sorry that we had to meet under these circumstances, I’m Clark.” He said smiling at the two.

“Alya, this is my boyfriend Nino. We’re Marinette’s friends.” Alya explained, taking the initiative now that she had calmed down some.

Clark nodded, his smile faltering for a second as he cast a glance towards the bed.

“So… Her name is Marinette?” He asked, no longer looking at the two teens before him.

“Yeah, it is. Are you her bio-dad?” Nino asked, casting a glance to the two passed out together on the bed.

The man nodded, pursing his lips before walking over to the chest at the end of the bed.

He opened it, pulling out a blanket and setting it on top of the bed.

He moved up to the two, peeling Jon out of his hoodie and taking off his shoes before moving onto Marinette.

He hesitated at first, almost deciding against it before he carefully did the same for her. Gently taking off her coat and shoes, setting them alongside Jon’s and laying the spare blanket over the both of them.

Marinette groaned, causing him to freeze, worried that he had woken her up. She shifted a little, kicking one leg out of the blanket before settling again, causing Clark to heave a sigh of relief.

Alya had been watching the entire time, sure they may seem like good people, but she knew that looks could be deceiving. Alya didn’t look away until he had moved away from her friend, making sure to keep her friend safe from any danger that these strangers could bring.

Speaking of which…

“Well, we know Jon and Damian’s names and who they are, sorta,” She started, turning to face the other man in the room. “-And Clark just introduced himself, but who are you?”

The man looked up from where he had been setting out the food, walking over and holding his hand out for a handshake.

“I apologize, my name is Bruce Wayne, I am Damian’s father and Clark’s friend.” He said, shaking her hand.

Alya’s mouth fell open, just now recognizing him for who he was.

“Bruce Wayne?!”

Tag List: @Toodaloo-kangaroo @Ev-cupcake @Vroomtaka @animegirlweeb @rosesandsailboats @depressed-bitchy-demon

Come Find Me On Discord!<3

#maribat #ml x dc #dc x mlb #mlb x dc #marinette x damian #maridami #siblings jonette

[four-loose-screws]

FE7 Novelization Translation - Chapter 11 Section 8

If you would like to start from the beginning, read a missed part, etc., click here!

FE Game Script Translations - FE Novel Translations - Original FE Support Conversations

If you are interested in donating to support my work, please check out my Ko-fi here. Thank you!

———————————

Chapter 11: Four-Fanged Offense (Section 8)

After Matthew and Legault shared the location of their destination, Eliwood and his allies, without a moment to waste, all began to march.

Matthew and Legault moved as the vanguard to lead the way, guiding the army to push up the mountain road, through the middle of a blizzard.

And so, they finally succeeded in infiltrating the Black Fang's main base.

"It is faint… but I can hear voices." Eliwood said.

Lyn also seemed to hear words beyond Eliwood's own, and she quickly confirmed which direction they were coming from. "Over there! Let's go check it out!!" She said and started running, with Hector following after her.

"Marcus! Wait here with Ninian and the others. And stay on guard so we can be able to escape at any time!"

"Yes, Milord! Leave it to me!" 

Eliwood gave his orders to Marcus, then followed after Hector and Lyn, while being careful not to make any footsteps.

-

"...Really?! You're going to give me a job…? Is that true, Mother?!" Nino was just told that she wasn't being given an errand delivering messages, but a real job. Her heart overflowed with excitement.

"Yes, and it is a very big job. …It is a request from the king of Bern."

"The king?! You're giving such an important job… to me?"

"Sonia?! I am against this!! You cannot give such a dangerous job to such a small child…!" Brendan argued, his face pale.

But Sonia smiled calmly and replied, "...True, this is really a job your sons should do. However, we haven't seen either of them since their report a few days ago."

"Big Brother Lloyd… Big Brother Linus…" Nino loved her big brothers dearly, and their disappearance greatly pained her tiny little heart.

Brendan was also worried about his sons, silencing him from saying anything further.

"And that's why I'm ordering my daughter to do this. Even you cannot complain about it."

"Ah! Father…" Nino tried to step in.

Brendan spoke not a word but looked at Sonia for a moment, then left the room. "...You may do as you wish!"

"But…" Nino hesitated.

"Nevermind him, we must talk about your job. Jaffar! Come hither!" To shush Nino from trying to say anything further, Sonia called out to one of the Four Fangs.

In response, Jaffar entered the room without a sound.

"Jaffar! Should you be up? Doesn't your wound hurt?" Nino rushed over to him, peppering him with questions with worry written all over her face.

But Jaffar's expression hardly changed at all, and he did not even try to look at her.

"Such a cold man… Though I suppose that is of no matter. You've heard the details of the request from the king, yes?"

"...The assassination of Prince Zephiel…"

The words that Jaffar spoke sent Nino into a state of utter shock. "What!? The prince? …The king is trying to assassinate the prince? But why? He's his son!"

"...Nino! Silence!"

"Ah… I'm sorry."

Sonia said to quiet the panicking Nino, then looked back with an emotionless expression at the Angel of Death, standing still in front of her. "Jaffar, I shall trust this job to you and Nino."

"...Are you serious about this?" His expression showed that even he was a bit surprised.

He knew the extent of Nino's skills. She could only cast beginner anima spells. No matter what stood in their way, she would be of no help. That was his logical assessment.

But Sonia said calmly, "Yes, I am serious. As my daughter, even Nino must soon become able to handle herself."

"...Don't do this. It will be impossible for such a child."

"If you go with her, there won't be any problems, now will there? You cannot say no. It is a strict order from Nergal himself to put the king in our debt."

Nergal was the man that took him in when he was orphaned, and trained him to be an assassin. To the man that Jaffar had become, it was unthinkable to reject any of Nergal's orders.

"Nino! If you fail… I trust you know what will happen?"

"Ah… yes."

Failure to complete her duty. In other words, her death.

She shivered violently in fear, but only for a moment before enduring it as bravely as she could for the mother she loved so much.

"Now then, we shall go to the manse where the prince resides to investigate. I'll share the details on the way there." Sonia said to them, without a clue about how Nino really felt, then called in another of the Black Fang's upper members, called the Shrike.

"Kenneth!"

"Yes, Lady Sonia!"

Kenneth was a short, stocky man with a smile of utter subservience on his round face. He wore the robes of a bishop of Elimine, as he had actually served as a disciple of the gods before joining the Black Fang.

"Where is our leader? He just left the room." Sonia

"He went with Jan, outside."

Jan was one of Brendan's followers who had been with the Black Fang since its inception.

He was small fry, and neither a help nor a hindrance, or so Sonia thought, at least.

"...I wonder what he is planning…? Well, no matter. Now then, Kenneth, you will be in charge while I am gone. Do not allow anyone to take the item."

"Understood. You can leave it to me, Kenneth, even if it costs me my life…" Kenneth said obediently.

Sonia, Jaffar, and Nino disappeared into a teleportation circle. 

ー

Eliwood, Hector, and Lyn, after spying on the entire conversation, were now covered in goosebumps.

"...Do they really intend to assassinate the prince?" Eliwood wondered aloud.

"Yes, and by order of his father, of all people… I can't believe it…" Hector shook his head.

The emblem was the one object needed for the prince to be crowned successor to the throne… But even if the emblem was returned, without the prince, it would all be for naught.

Eliwood made his decision in an instant. "We… We must stop the assassination! If we talk to Nino… she seems like she'll understand!"

"The man they called Jaffar is dangerous, but… That is our only option." Lyn said, picturing the ruthless Angel of Death in her mind, in the same moment that a high-pitched man's voice reached their ears. 

"Hello, trespassers! To think, us assassins have had our base infiltrated. I cannot help but laugh. Eh heh heh heh!"

The man that had appeared before them was Kenneth, the Shrike.

He continued with a creepy, grating laugh, "But you will not escape. Sonia has left me in charge while she is out."

"Why are you, a holy man, in a place like this?!"

At Eliwood’s question, his round face twisted into an expression of obvious contempt. “Gods… Gods, you ask of? You still cling to them, don’t you? But you’ve met Lord Nergal, correct? Then you should know now. Gods are not real. They were born from humanity’s weaknesses. …If there is such a thing, then there is only one, and that is Lord Nergal.”

“You are a fool…”

"Eliwood! We don't need to bother with a guy like him!! Let's hurry back to the exit…"

Now that they had uncovered the Black Fang's plot to assassinate the prince, they had no time to waste fighting with the assassins here.

Eliwood nodded in response to Hector's words, and started to retreat, but Nils appeared even though he was supposed to be waiting for them.

His face was pale, and said, "We can't leave! Someone put up a strange barrier, and we can't go outside!!"

"...It was him. I just felt a wave of evil come from the person in front of you…!" Ninian's powers sensed the dark power Kenneth unleashed from within him.

He'd constructed a barrier with his ominous dark magic, and now none could leave the area.

"The way humans struggle and suffer… there is nothing more beautiful. It is when I witness their pain, that I experience the greatest pleasure I have ever felt… I will watch you suffer slowly!" Kenneth openly expressed his most deviant hobby, then disappeared into a teleportation circle.

He likely intended to observe Eliwood and his allies from somewhere within the fort, to make his subordinates fight and enjoy watching everyone suffer.

"...We will find that man, and make our escape!!"

The Black Fang vs. Eliwood's army. The curtain had raised on their all-out battle, where they would fight desperately for their lives. 

ー

#fire emblem #fe7 #fire emblem 7 #the blazing sword #the blazing blade #lyn #lyndis #hector #eliwood #gba #game boy advance #japan #japanese #translation #novel #novelization #fe7 novelization translation

[maximum-potential]

Day one of me info dumping about the mha mlb au

Mlb mha au Quirks part one

{Caline bustiers class edition}

Adrien agreste - Glowstick

Summary - Tupe: The user is surrounded by a sparkling glow, the user can manipulate the glow to a certain part of the body and heat it up.

Marinette dupain-cheng - interfacing

Summary - Type: Emitter, The user can manipulate and bind fabric, the user can make the fabric more or less rigid, twist it so it becomes sharp, and use it to pick up and carry objects depending on how much it can carry before it rips

Chloé bourgeois - Sting

Summary - Type: Emitter, The user can stun their foes and paralyze them for a short time. Once the quirk is activated a glittery bee stinger surrounds their fist

Ivan bruel - Stoneheart

Summary - Type: Transformation, The users skin turns into rough stone when damaged or enraged, it can only get stronger with the more damage is done with it

Alya césaire - Cell tower

Summary - Type: Emitter, Using their cellphone they can launch an array of a abilities, the user functions as a hotspot themselves using the antenna on their head, but if something where to disconnect her they will start feeling woozy after a while.

Nino lahiffe - Bubbles

Summary - Type: Emitter, The user can blow and control impenetrable bubbles of various powers and colors. The user does usually need some substance to create the bubbles either from soap or gum

Rose lavillant - Mother Nature

Summary - Type: Emitter, The user can grow and manipulate large plants. It’s heavily affected by the emotions of the user, the stronger the emotions the bigger and healthier the plants are

Alix kubdel - Static touch

Summary - Type: Emitter, the user has to tag others to extract the charged particles which ends up freezing them for a short while. the user has to move often and can form into an offensive zap

Nathaniel kurtzberg- Delineation

Summary - Type: Emitter, Whatever the user draws materializes the more detailed the drawing the more stable it is. the object is to scale of the drawing and disappears from the original source may it be paper a canvas or even dirt

Sabrina raincomprix - Detection

Summary - Type: Emitter, The user can sniff out people and objects from the smallest trace, the user can be presented with a certain perfume or a piece of cloth and use it to track it down

Juleka couffaine - Siren call

Summary - Type: Emitter, the user can send a glass shattering screech that addles the brains of her opponents, often making them faint. The user is very sensitive to sound even their voice and it can sometimes block out their own mind and send them into a frenzy if they overuse it. The user is rather sensitive to vibrations able to feel and define them clearly

Myléne harpéle - Horrify

Summary - Type: Transformation, Whenever he used is scared or in danger they find themselves turning into a slimy beast fueled on their and other peoples fear. The creature glows in the dark and can make a sticky pink goo that hardens quickly. It puts a lot of strain on the user afterwards

Max kanté - Level up

Summary - Type: Emitter, the user can focus in on small objects and turn them into “xp” via pointing their fingers at it and use it to level up their allies and enhance their quirk temporary.

Lê Chiến Kim - Heartbreaker

Summary - Type: Mutation, The user must pluck one of their feathers and smooth them out to create and arrow. Whoever is hit by the arrow finds their feelings of love and friendship turned to hate, a telltale sign of his quirk is the victims donning black lipstick. His wings also grant him the ability to fly

Lila Rossi - Changeling

Summary(?) - Type: Transformation, With just a kiss the user can transform into their opponents and sending them into a deep sleep until she moves onto the next one

#miraculous au #mlb mha au #mha quirks #au #i spent way too much time on this #bhna au #mlb marinette #max kanté #rose lavillant #alix kubdel #le chien kim #adrien agreste #Lila Rossi #chloe bourgeois

[sokokoko]

These are from @awfulalignmentcharts

I have wanted to fill out alignment charts for so sooo long. I even have some saved on Pinterest that I might get to later

Using my characters from After School Guardians for this <33 I did 10 charts because I don't have self control

Sorry I haven't made proper drawings for everyone yet :((( but these are them. I'm going to rant about my characters and their placements now though🚨🚨🚨

Any good, healthy decisions Ash makes is as a result of him thinking about his father

I was so tempted to put him in doesnt study and it shows seeing as he's proved to be a problematic disaster (see: road trip and living together 😭)

Stormy aces without studying even though she's not much of a brainiac (more of a fashionista type, tbh) because a lot of her youth was spent either surviving or sharpening her mind. She's unexpectedly smart sometimes (kind of sad that it's "unexpected", as if she can't be both beauty and brains). She has photographic memory and commits important details to mind (which really helped her when she was on her own) and I think that'd transfer over to remembering things she needs to ace tests

There's no other way to put it but to say Shadow is a himbo. but!!! he can't completely be blamed? He, Ash, Crystal and Stormy are all non humans getting used to human things so stuff's kind of complicated. Although, it probably makes him look really dumb seeing as the others aren't doing things as silly as him

On the note of them being non human, (Shad a boogeyman, Stormy a siren, Crystal a harpy and Ash an it's complicated) they don't attend school (they'll definitely have their moments where they show up and embarrass the human gang or get into shenanigans) so the studying one is definitely hypothetical

I'd honestly be scared to give some of those guys phones. Crystal would follow instructions on how to use it (probably being guided by one of the humans), Shadow would struggle for 3 months and discover a new feature every other day ("huh?? You can check the weather? I thought this was just a calculator???" "Shadow, PLEASE 😭") Stormy would probably always be getting hers wet/forgetting it's not waterproof and Ash would be the one with the horribly cracked screen, disgusting fingerprints all over or losing his phone frequently (possibly all at once. If so, Zinthia would faint after seeing the "phone" and she isn't phased by many things [execpt Ash being Ash])

It's okay though cuz Zinthia and Alan are our rich kids!! Just buy more phones and ignore what Ash is doing to his current ones 💞

Zinthia steals your wallet only for the thrill of stealing it but doesn't care about money cuz she has her own ✨

Alan will def help u out by holding ur wallet for u but he got his own money so he wouldn't even have any particular intentions. He's not not touching your money cuz he cares about you or your feelings. No, no. Koko is the only one who could be accused of caring about feelings (Shadow too but not in the situation in which you give him your wallet and say he can buy something if he likes)

Crystal's alignment explained wallet wise; she simply doesn't care about material goods (but food is 💯 the way to her heart)

The phone wallpaper one is actually really interesting to me cuz the pairs seem to mostly have the same tastes. Crystal is Nino's guardian, Stormy Alan's, Ash Zinthia's and Shadow Koko's and they're all basically next to each other ("basically" cuz Koko and Shadow deviated, dang it, guys)

The arrows in the thunderstorm one indicate that they'd just be comforting their magic guardians and Alan would use hot coco (never been so glad before that i used Ks in Koko's name 😭✋) while Nino uses his awkwardness

The storm one is funny but Crystal and Stormy are literally reliving trauma so that puts a bit of angst to an otherwise lighthearted situation. Thanks, Soko 🙏 just what the Dr ordered 💞

I felt the need to add something special for Stormy during the road trip. She'd appreciate me letting her have a place at the top <3

Nino and Koko protect the snacks in shifts but show no loyalty/there are no discounts for each other if they both happen to awake at the same time while one is guarding and the other is craving snacks

The urge to say Stormy disappears into to the ocean was so strong but considering the fact that she's a siren that's literal just running away 🤣 so Nino gets to avoid his problems through cryptidhood

Im crying at how Ash's placements literally tell a story

And Alan's "aesthetic" wallpaper exclusively means he goes through rotations of pictures of stars. Because he is obsessed with them by virtue of his family and their history. I won't get into that just like I won't get into what Ash is because that is a whole Thing™️™

Also, Alan is not meek, that's just the drawing. He's more of an intelligent, dedicated and composed person. Crystal might seem a bit similar to him because they had some similar answers or in how they are studious, but she is quiet and stoic in her intelligence and has a bit of a superiority complex towards the others at first. Alan just tries to wrangle these heathens he's been stuck with (read: everyone but Koko and occasionally Shadow if he doesn't get attacked in conversation. Despite how silent and level headed she is most of the time, Crystal gets hella argumentative with Stormy.)

✨ Refer to this post for the old + new summary of After School Guardians ✨

#soko #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #writeblr #original story #not writing #original characters #oc stuff #my ocs #oc #ocs #oc art #my oc shit #alignment chart #alignment charts #credit to awfulalignmentcharts #funny #crack post #ppu #guardians #after school guardians #paranormal powers universe #alan parker #koko burray #zinthia necromance #nino carterfield #stormy asg #shadow asg #ash asg #crystal asg

[s-decor]

Chthonic Fantasia (my review of 'Fellini's Casanova')

Enlightenment-era Venice, the actual birthplace of Casanova, serves as the perfect metaphor for Casanova’s life. Man’s lofty ambitions, which aim to elevate him above mere earthly mortals: art, architecture, and social pursuits, float perilously atop unnatural, fragile structures, which will inevitably sink and be consumed by the primordial depths of the lagoon. In Fellini’s adaptation of the notorious libertine’s memoirs, Casanova likewise attempts a failed transcendence of reality through elaborate fantasy and self-aggrandizement, which lead him only back to himself. 

Fellini’s vision for his Casanova biopic was to create a “portrait of nothingness.” The director hated the man, dismissing him as a “facade” and “barren” with a “non-existent life” who lived in a “fog.” This take inspired the look of the character: far from a “Latin lover,” Donald Sutherland’s shaven, bulbous head and prosthetic nose and chin give him the appearance of a worm, faceless and without personality, and as he attempts to gain patronage as a great intellectual, he slithers from court to court, and bed to bed, leaving little to no impression. 

Inside the courts, despite their ornate costumes and luxurious furnishings, almost everyone Casanova encounters looks like a corpse: bloodless with caked on makeup and garishly flamboyant clothing that only highlight their anemic pallor; the living dead entombed by decadence. Desperate for recognition, the worm Casanova parasitically attempts to burrow his way into the diseased and corrupt elite underworld through slimy flattery, pompous boasts, and plagiarized poetry. Indeed, at one point in the film, at an entomologist’s home, he faints at the sight of an insect being stabbed, saying that he could feel the stabs himself, a rare instance of empathy. 

Casanova’s prodigious sex life is rendered as nothing but a repetitive, robotic procedure. To underscore this, whenever he initiates intercourse, he ritualistically turns on a flightless, mechanical, musical bird, that impotently flaps its metal wings and dances to a childlike tune. Despite his impersonal and cold approach to love-making, Casanova insists that he is not just a body, but that his wit and intelligence are what sustain him in the act. He has sex with a potential patron as an alchemical experiment to help her achieve “purification.” For Casanova, sex can’t just be “sex:” what should be the most intimate experience between two people, is an elaborate science experiment in his quest to ascend to greatness. 

When we reach the point of Casanova’s death, he is old and alone, with an unnaturally powdered and rouged face, evocative of Aschenbach in Visconti’s Death in Venice. At the moment of his death, Nino Rota’s childlike and haunting mechanical lullaby plays as Casanova is reunited with his last great sexual conquest, a robotic doll, and they dance on the frozen lagoon. A beautifully sad image, it highlights that what Casanova ultimately dreamed for was death: an impossible frozen crystallization of perfection, rather than revel in the messy sorrows and joys of life on earth.

After rewatching the film, I was reminded of another movie that also depicts a blank man passively pursuing an over-the-top idea of erotic adventure that culminates in a Venetian masked ball: Eyes Wide Shut. After trying to match his wife’s adulterous fantasies with his own, the film ends with a reconciliation: 

Alice Harford: I do love you and you know there is something very important we need to do as soon as possible. Dr. Bill Harford: What's that? Alice Harford: Fuck.

The final word has an oddly romantic ring to it; it reminds them that they need to get out of their heads, strip the erotic of all of its pretentions and politics, and get back down to earth in an act of mutual recognition and sharing. While fantasy is a powerful internal resource from which to draw upon for inspiration and energy, too much escapism and narcissistic indulgence can close you off from the greatest experiences in the material world, including love.

“Fellini’s Casanova” translates Casanova’s memoirs into a tragic tale spoken not by the man, but by the void in Casanova’s heart. While it’s certainly not a film for everyone, and may even disgust and exhaust many, there’s no denying that Fellini’s trademark id-driven direction, indulgence, surrealism, and flashes of childlike sentiment and pathos are well-suited to the subject.

#federico fellini #fellinis casanova #casanova

[flightfoot]

Nullius In Verba Ch. 8

Thanks to ArtEngine for betaing!

---

AO3

Alya nervously bit her lip, trying to hold back her anxiety. For the past few weeks, she, Nino, and Animan had bided their time, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. They’d only get one chance at this, so they had to make it count. The consequences of failure would be… unpleasant. Exactly what they would be, she did not know, but judging by the amount of influence Hawkmoth had over akumas - over them - it could get pretty bad. She didn’t know whether he could inflict amnesia on them all a second time, and she didn’t want to find out.

 She glanced over at Animan, trying to keep tabs on him without drawing too much attention to herself. Her, Bubbler, Animan, and Puppeteer being a friend group may be well known at the warehouse, but as far as she knew, Hawkmoth wasn’t aware of the details of what went on there. If he did, he may not be so willing to put potential co-conspirators in such close proximity to each other.

Today seemed like a promising opportunity. She, Animan, Bubbler, Stormy Weather, and Stoneheart had all been chosen to wreak havoc together, in the hopes that they FINALLY might be enough to take down Ladybug and Chat Noir. The extra akumas were wild cards, but with that many of them out, Hawkmoth would have a hard time splitting his attention between all of them. They might not get a better opportunity to execute their plan.

She surreptitiously nodded to Nino and Animan, catching their eyes. The plan was vague and hinged on a lot of “maybes” and assumptions, but it was the best they’d been able to come up with, considering the limited info they had.

Thankfully they were already near the school, Francois-Dupont. Hawkmoth seemed to have a sick obsession with the place - which was made even more disturbing by their guess as to his identity. Still, hopefully he cared about his son’s safety to SOME extent, or this plan would fail before it even got started.

Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Animan slink off, hopefully unnoticed. He was the stealthiest and most adaptable of the three of them, best able to sneak up on someone and pounce. 

Stormy Weather and Stoneheart went their own, separate directions, smashing buildings with his fists in Stoneheart’s case, and blowing them to pieces in Stormy Weather’s. The heroes would have to fight them separately if they wanted to keep the collateral damage down. Ladybug could repair everything, of course, but having a building collapse on you was never pleasant, even if you woke up afterwards without injuries.

That left her and Bubbler to take care of the school itself. The two of them rushed in, causing lots of yells and screams as people recognized Hawkmoth’s minions. 

Or… maybe not just as minions. She felt a faint pang in her chest. This had been their school, after all, before.

How many of the people cringing in fear once ate lunch with her? How many of the people running for shelter had once run beside her during P.E.?

Then again, judging by that news article, Hawkmoth had already sunk his claws into most of her classmates, and probably more, since it was written. Most of the new akumas had been around her age. 

She shook her head. No time for dwelling on that now. If all went well, everyone would be freed. Things would go back to how they were - whatever that had been like.

Unless- unless even getting Hawkmoth’s Miraculous didn’t allow for her to bring back everyone’s memories, and return their normal forms. Unless they were truly stuck like this forever. Unless-

No. Enough of that, Alya. Focus on the task at hand. You can cross that bridge when you come to it. 

She searched for her target - or rather, Animan’s target.

There! Up on the second floor, a blonde boy ran, hand-in-hand with a pig-tailed girl, one she recognized from the class pictures. Adrien Agreste and Marinette Dupain-Cheng.

Her stomach gave a lurch. Isolating Adrien may not be as easy as they’d hoped. Hopefully this girl, Marinette, didn’t put up too much of a fight.

She looked at a clock, checking the time. Just a few minutes until school let out, or would have, if their presence hadn’t caused the school day to get cut short. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Animan herding Adrien and Marinette into a classroom. Good. If he could just keep them preoccupied long enough…

Nino caught her eye. He’d seen them too.

“Attention, faculty of Francois-Dupont!” he announced, swinging his bubble sword around, capturing as many of the fleeing adults as possible. 

 Two of the bubbles floated into the classroom Animan had cornered Adrien and Marinette in. With luck, they’d capture the two students and keep them out of the way during this. If not… well, Animan should still be able to keep them out of sight long enough for the plan to work.

“I need to speak to a very uncool dude. I think you guys know him. Gabriel Agreste?”

A butterfly mask materialized around Nino’s face. He flinched, clenching his teeth, but kept going. “See, I have a score to settle with him. You people are his son’s teachers, right? One of you must have his number.”

“He’s very private,” an owlish-looking man piped up nervously. “And even if he wasn’t, if you think I’m going to obey an akuma, then you’re crazy!”

“Oh, really?” he said, stepping forwards. “Even if Adrien’s the one on the line?”

This was one of the most difficult points. Nino didn’t want to actually endanger anyone, so he had to make sure his bubbles stayed low enough that popping them wouldn’t cause more than minor injuries to those trapped within them. He had no intention of releasing the bubbles before they were all safely on the ground, but with Hawkmoth pressing for control, he couldn’t guarantee that. Which meant he needed a different bluff.

“We can get in contact with Nathalie?” A red-haired woman suggested. “She handles most of Adrien’s day-to-day school affairs.”

Nino scoffed. “Not good enough.”

Privately, Alya agreed. There was no guarantee that Nathalie was right next to Gabriel. And without the element of surprise, she didn’t have much hope for her prospects fighting against Hawkmoth.

Alya winced as a butterfly mask formed around her face as well. 

Pause the Bubbler.

No.

The Bubbler has turned traitor. Subdue him.

Fat chance.

Even as she thought that, her hands shook. A quick look at Nino confirmed that he wasn’t doing much better. His breathing was ragged, coming in short bursts, and his movements were shaky. Both of them had built up a resistance to Hawkmoth’s control - especially Nino, whose very akuma essence was based on disobeying adults, and Gabriel specifically, even if he couldn’t remember why that was - but that resistance had limits. 

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a large man she hadn’t seen before, looking around wildly. As he answered his phone, a faint male voice reached her ear. She couldn’t make out much of the words, but that angry tone, that sound… it seemed familiar.

Well. She knew they’d be taking chances for this plan. And something about this… the way that voice sounded… she had a hunch about who was on the other end.

PAUSE THE-

Before the voice could get any further, she launched herself towards the large man - or more specifically, at his phone. With a flash of pink light, she vanished.

An instant later, she reappeared in a dark dome, surrounded by fluttering white shapes. Wasting no time, she threw a pause icon at the nearby figure.

Breathing heavily, she admired her handiwork. Hawkmoth stood in front of her, cane held in front of him like a shield, his eyes open wide in shock.

It was over.

After all this time - all this grief and worry - the final battle had taken a mere split-second.

A slight tremor built in her belly, turning into a full-throated laugh. Here was the great and powerful Hawkmoth, kidnapper of dozens, tormentor of Paris, frozen, as much at her mercy as she had been at his.

Smiling, she plucked his brooch from his chest. A magical light swept over him, leaving him as the civilian Gabriel Agreste, and-

“Seriously? You made yourself even taller as a supervillain?!” she gasped out. “How insecure can you get?” It’s not like he was especially short to begin with.

A light emerged from the jewel. 

“AAHH!” she dropped it.

The light formed into a purple butterfly with a human-looking face.

…Okay, this was getting weird. Did she get caught up in some akuma’s power? Maybe this was all a dream?

Her heart sunk. She really hoped this wasn’t merely her imagination. She didn’t want to wake up back in that warehouse, awaiting Hawkmoth’s next kidnapped victim, being pulled out every few days just to be mind-controlled into attacking others.

“Master?” the little bug asked.

She grimaced. “I don’t think so. I don’t know who you are.” 

The bug blinked, looking behind him. “You got it off of him,” he breathed out, wings fluttering excitedly. “You freed me from his grasp.”

“Freed you-?” She looked down at the Butterfly Miraculous on the floor, glinting in the faint light from the open window. “Are- are you the Miraculous?”

He bit his… well she assumed he had lips, but it was hard to tell, with how tiny he was. “We kwamis give Miraculous their powers,” he said carefully. “I am the Kwami of Transmission, and I empower the Butterfly Miraculous.”

Perfect. She’d originally thought she’d have to do this by trial and error - a prospect she wasn’t relishing, what with the potential to inflict great harm if something went wrong - but this little fellow seemed likely to be able to help her avoid that. “Do you know how to undo this?” she said, gesturing at herself. “To be able to undo all the akumatizations, to free everyone?”

The little butterfly’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Or at least, I know where to find the instructions to undo it. Gabriel performed a ritual in order to enable his akumas to last indefinitely. Normally, he wouldn’t be able to keep more than one person akumatized at a time, but with this, he only needed to wait a day for cooldown in-between sending butterflies, and he didn’t have to release an akuma from someone first - he could have his own akuma army.”

She grimaced. If he’d gotten to continue preying on Paris for much longer, even the warehouse might not have been able to fit all his victims.

A loud crash resounded through the air, the ground shaking. She winced. “Better undo his ritual  before the other akumas can cause too much damage.”

Of course, it didn’t matter a ton since Ladybug could fix the damage-

Ah crap Ladybug could undo the damage. Including her pausing Gabriel. 

But she wouldn’t do that until all the akumas were defeated, right? She thought that was the case. 

All the akumas, including her.

“Show me where the instructions are,” Alya told Nooroo. “Before we have company.”

#nullius in verba #alya cesaire #nino lahiffe #miraculous ladybug #ml fanfic #permanently akumatized au #miraculous ladybug fanfiction

[gravityslingshot]

Setting meme: a solemnly quiet hospital room . Lucifer to Lorraine@inmydadsbasement

She had had a dream. Over yonder the lands outside Shiprock the Navajo had brought her to, its vacant stretch of dirt-caked rocks loomed big and endless through the fine rain. In front of her, the hole in the ground of its twelve-storey-diameter seemed like an endless pit, having swallowed land, now it swallowed the light. Pitch-black, the coins and stones thrown into it had returned no sound. The light shone down it from torches disappeared into the blackness that sent shivers down her spine while the little girl behind her clung to her mother, Nino. Ed and the elders looked grim. The line of jingling bridles over turkey-red paint, and the weary, solemn faces of the men that rode the horses parted. Out came the villagemen carrying a plain white sheep, bound with rope not at the ankles, but across its body like a makeshift harness with a borrowed silver belt.

‘  A year ago,  ‘  Ed said they had found the hole.   

‘  It’s about time we try to find out what lies in it, what it is, where it came from.   ‘  John, Full of Grace, says through a rolled cigarette with crumpled cigar tobacco.   ‘  Today,   ‘   His eyes shifted lightly around the lip of the giant hole, from which the darkness seemed to ooze over and into the bottom.     ‘   --We let the sheep lead our trail.   ‘

The men lowered the animal with thousands of feet of rope. Thousands became tens of thousands, and still they felt no bottom. So they tied the ropes to the one of many boulders scattered around, and went on the next bout of watching and praying quietly.

The next day, they raised the rope with horses. The elders were smoking big, black cigars. But a different smell seemed to waft up from the hole, almost delicious. It reached their noses before the sight of it did. No one laughed. They all stared at it, puzzled, some in horror, some feeling alone in such a strange space and time, under the day that seemed just as bright and calm as any other.

 The sheep was dead. It looked boiled, or braised, covered head to toe in its skin with its wool fallen off. Its muscles were lean, but surprisingly its belly bulged out, more than it should. Sweetwater pulled her in. After peering up and looking around at the others, he unsheathed his knife and made a long incision, a careful slit across its belly till the roundness of his arms became caked with dried and partly solidified blood – the kind they’d chop into square pieces to eat. He pulled out a lamb by its loosely dangling legs it had, cradling its soft, fragile body and neck. Its mouth openly gasped in air.

He sheared the umbilical cord off. 

Yellow-white with a red tinge of blood over it, the lamb was barely alive. And all over its sickly slick surface were the mounds across its body: tumours, with its womb-blood beginning to pool between them in the large zig-zag lightning grooves. All around them rose a sickly smell. An undescribable stench.

Lorraine startles. Her palm flattens, not on grass, not in the sun or hot wind, not in the rain but under building shade on soft cotton blankets of the bed she sits up in. She listens to the thumping of her own heart clambering – not in relief…  

She reflects drowsily, in the slow swell of birds chirping, the sun glaring through the curtains. The faint sound of a train whistle passes, just like the sounds of Mississippi. And the light from the sun drives in in sheets, basking the floor and bed in a yellow glow. She looks around the hospital room, surrounded by light lime green wallpaper, knowing its only standing screen once she laid eyes on it, that its patients were destined to shiver in the black night, looking down at the pair of feet peeping from under, and up at nothing.

There it is, she begins to realise, what she wanted—tangibly before her a man, unlike the fairy world of a vision’s pantomime.

When she opens her mouth, no sound emerges. Her tongue feels as dry as sandpaper. Her head, slow, rolls away from its horrible place, forward to catch up with words.

‘   Where’s Ed?   ‘

I don’t know what happened. Ed would know.

#inmydadsbasement #( voice ). lorraine warren

[19761107]

『La Strada』 PART2~The best masterpiece of Italian cinema! Fellini and Nino Rota's visual and musical masterpiece King of Movies!~

10. Zampano and Ilmat

The next morning, when Gelsomina woke up and got out of the truck, she found herself in the circus group's quarters.

A beautiful song came out of nowhere.

Gelsomina peeks into the room, as if invited by the beautiful tone.

The tightrope walker was playing the violin there.

She asked a nearby woman.

Gelsomina:

"Where am I?"

Woman:

"Rome. That's St. Paul's Basilica."

Gelsomina:

"Are you with the circus?"

Zampano and the tightrope walker come face to face.

The two had known each other for a long time.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Hello, I wonder who you're. Is it 'Lifle'?"

"This is great, we need animals."

"I'm just kidding, you know."

"Do you have any cigarettes?"

"He should be called an artist. It's a unique program."

"What are you going to do?"

"What happened to the chain-breaking trick?"

Zampano:

"I advise you as a friend. Don't talk."

"If you talk too much, you'll regret it."

Ilmat:

"I was just joking."

Zampano:

"Don't forget."

ーーーーーーーーーー

The show begins and Ilmat performs some spectacular aerial feats, earning applause from the audience.

Ilmat whispers to Zampano, making fun of him.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Good luck"

Zampano:

"He's disgusting."

The host:

"New attraction at Giraffa Circus!"

"Zampano! Introducing the man with lungs of steel!"

Zampano:

"Everyone! This is a 5mm thick iron chain."

"It's made of crude iron, which is stronger than steel."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat quietly approaches and watches from the front of the audience.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Wrap this around my chest and connect the two ends with this hook."

"And just by expanding my chest muscles, I use my chest power to break the hook."

"If you suspect that the hook is a gimmick, please check."

"Ms. Gelsomina"

"This is not meant to make the pain go away."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat makes a fuss and makes fun of it.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Amazing, great, great."

Zampano:

"The hook may dig into the flesh and cause blood to bleed..."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat gets in Zampano's way and makes a motion to tear off the chain.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Ee, Ee, Ee"

Zampano:

"We don't need the strength of two bulls."

"You don't have to be a university professor to understand this if you're a little smart."

"There are three things we need: healthy lungs, iron ribs, and superhuman strength."

"I would say that those who are faint-hearted should not watch it."

"When the drums sound three times, please come, Ms. Gelsomina."

ーーーーーーーーーー

That's when Zampano raised his arms, took a deep breath, and expanded his lungs and chest.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Zampano! you're on the phone."

ーーーーーーーーーー

The audience laughs out loud.

Zampano can't contain his anger even after the show is over.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"I'll kill him."

"Come out, you idiot!"

"I'll make sure you never laugh again!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Somehow Ilmat managed to escape and the fight was over.

The next morning, Gelsomina asks Ilmat to teach her how to play the trumpet.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Come on, blow it."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina took a deep breath and blew into the trumpet all at once.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Oh, great job. You're smart."

"Listen, I'm a violinist."

"When you hear this, come secretly behind me and blow the trumpet."

"Just like you just did. Let's do it."

Gelsomina:

"No."

Ilmat:

"Why?"

Gelsomina:

"Zampano is angry"

Ilmat:

"Listen? It's all my fault. "

Circus ringmaster:

"What about Zampano? Call me. I'll talk."

Gelsomina:

"He went to town."

Circus ringmaster:

"Okay, I'll talk later. Don't be afraid. We're family."

"We're working together. Performing is for your own good."

Ilmat:

"Did you remember? If I did this, you would understand."

"Let's try. Do well."

"Everyone watching, I'm about to play a very sad song.''

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat plays the violin first.

Then Gelsomina blew her trumpet loudly.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Okay, that's great. That's really great!"

"Even being with Zampano, it's a big deal."

"Before my song ends, come behind me and blow."

"Okay, one more time. Let's begin."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina blew again.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"What do you think? That's fine."

"Gelsomina, let's do it three times."

"I'll go around the hall, so blow behind me."

"I see."

"Now, press here with your finger, this finger is here."

"That’s how you blow it."

"Try it"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina could play two scales.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"You're good at it!"

"Then, come with me. 1...2..."

ーーーーーーーーーー

The two march.

Then Zampano returns.

Pick up the trumpet and stop Gelsomina.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"What's going on?"

Circus ringmaster:

"I’m making her do it."

Zampano:

"She's my buddy. I'll decide what she does!"

"I won't let her work with that idiot!"

"No, it's unpleasant!"

"Try it again..."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat poured a bucket of water over Zampano's head.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Circus ringmaster:

"Zampano, stop it."

"Stop! You'll get killed!"

"Hold them both, Paolo!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

The men around him step in to stop Zampano.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Circus ringmaster:

"What the hell are they called?"

"Zampano, come on. he've got a knife."

Ilmat:

"Watch out, it's a knife."

Zampano:

"Come on, I'll kill you!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat locked himself in the back room.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Open the door and come out, you idiot!"

Policeman:

"Drop the knife!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano and Ilmat are taken away by the police, and the circus is ordered to leave.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Female member:

"What are you going to do from now on?"

"He'll come someday if we're together."

"Forget about him."

"You'd rather not be with him."

"What will you do alone?"

"If you stay here, I'll feed you."

Gelsomina:

"What about the car?"

"Just give it to the police."

"Come with me."

"Where do you sleep?"

"There's room for two in my car."

Circus ringmaster:

"Go to work, Mora. Clean everything up."

"The truck is coming at 4 o'clock."

"Do whatever you like!"

"Either come with us or wait for him."

"That's it for him."

"That idiot too."

"I’m sorry."

11.Useless

Gelsomina was at the site of the circus the whole time.

She was sleeping on the carrier of an auto tricycle.

A whistling sound comes from somewhere, and the warm glow of a flashlight illuminates Gelsomina.

Ilmat was released first and returned home at night.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Were you asleep?"

"What a beastly smell! Are you okay?"

"Zampano remains in custody.  Maybe he can leave tomorrow."

Gelsomina:

"Tomorrow?"

Ilmat:

"Oh, maybe."

Gelsomina:

"We're both at fault. Zampano isn't the only one."

"And he's already come out."

Ilmat:

"Well, depending on how you look at it, I was worse."

"But he has a knife."

"Come down. Come down."

"Custody is medicine for him. I wish he could stay for as many years as possible."

"I have a short life."

"Ah, the atmosphere is nice. Let's put it on here."

"Nice loungewear."

"Sit down, sit down."

ーーーーーーーーーー

The two sit side by side and talk.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Your face looks strange."

"So you're a woman? You're just like thistle."

Gelsomina:

"I won't wait for Zampano. Everyone invited me."

Ilmat:

"It's a good time to say goodbye to him."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat falls asleep laughing.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"I want to see his face when he comes out tomorrow and no one is around."

"Definitely break up with him. He's a savage."

"There's no reason. I just feel like teasing him."

"For some reason, I don't even know. It always happens like that."

"By the way, how did you end up with Zampano?"

Gelsomina:

"My mother gave him 10,000 lire."

Ilmat:

"Did that really make you follow him?"

Gelsomina:

"I have four younger sisters."

Ilmat:

"Do you like him?"

Gelsomina:

"Me?"

Ilmat:

"Yes, you."

"Aren't you going to run away?"

Gelsomina:

"I tried to run away."

"I couldn't."

Ilmat:

"You're a strange woman."

"What do you mean 'couldn't'? If you don't like him, you can go with everyone else."

Gelsomina:

"It's the same thing if I go with everyone."

"Even if I were with Zampano, it wouldn’t be any different."

"Both are the same. I'm a useless woman."

"No, I don't like being alive."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina's real problem is that she feels worthless.

Since she was useless, she was sold to her mother for 10,000 lire.

Zampano doesn't treat her like a human because she's useless.

That's what she believes.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"How about the cooking?"

"Can you cook?"

Gelsomina:

"No"

Ilmat:

"What can you do? Singing and dancing?"

Gelsomina:

"No"

Ilmat:

"So, do you like going to bed with men?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina turns to the side.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"So what do you like?"

"You're not particularly beautiful."

Gelsomina:

"What should I do in this world?"

Ilmat:

"If I join you, I'll teach you how to walk on a tightrope."

"I'll shine a light on you."

"We'll tour in my car."

"Enjoy the world. What do you think?"

"Or will you continue to struggle with Zampano forever, being used like a donkey..."

"However, I'm sure you'll be of some use to Zampano."

"What was it like when you ran away last time?"

Gelsomina:

"I was beaten badly."

Ilmat:

"Why did he take you back?"

"I don't know. If I were him, I'd throw you away in one shot."

"He's probably in love with you."

Gelsomina:

"Zampano for me?"

Ilmat:

"That's strange? He’s a dog."

"He wants to talk to you, but all he knows is barking."

Gelsomina:

"I feel sorry for him."

Ilmat:

"Yes, I feel sorry for him."

"But who else can be with him besides you?"

"I'm uneducated, but I read it in some book."

"Everything in this world is useful for something."

"For example, this stone."

Gelsomina:

"Which one?"

Ilmat:

"Any one is fine."

"Even a pebble like this is useful for something."

Gelsomina:

"What kind?"

Ilmat:

"That's..."

"Even if you ask me, I won’t understand."

"God knows."

"Humans don't know when you will be born or when you will die."

"I don't know what the use of a pebble is."

"But it's useful for something."

"If this is futile, then everything is futile."

"I think the stars in the sky are the same."

"You're also of some use."

"Even a woman with a thistle face."

12. Gelsomina's determination

Gelsomina took the pebble from Ilmat and looked at it with tears in her eyes.

Gradually, the smile returned to Gelsomina's face.

The will to live returns to Gelsomina.

It is the mercy of Ilmat.

God made Gelsomina use Ilmat and gave her life.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"I'll set everything on fire and burn it. All the clothes and blankets."

"He'll figure it out."

"I don't want to work with him anymore. I worked for the 10,000 lire he gave me."

"He's unconcerned. He's not thinking about anything. I'll tell him, 'What do you mean?'"

"What are you useful for?"

"I'll put poison in the soup. No, I'll burn all."

"He's all alone without me."

Ilmat:

"Everyone in the circus invited you, right?"

"You were asked to come by the troupe, right?"

"You didn't say anything about me?"

Gelsomina:

"They'll never work with you again. And with Zampano."

Ilmat:

"Who's going to work with them? They need me."

"I can go anywhere. I'm a person who wants to be alone and free."

"I can live alone. What will you do? I don't even have a home."

Gelsomina:

"Why did you say earlier that your life is short?"

Ilmat:

"Because I'm always thinking about death."

"My job is a dangerous job where I never know when I'll die.''

"No matter when I die, no one will be sad."

Gelsomina:

"What about your mother?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

'Ilmat' means 'madman'.

Because of his style of tightrope walking, he was prepared to die at any time.

His personality is like the wind blowing in the willows, and he seems like a wanderer.

Ilmat's cheerfulness, his lightheartedness and ability to do whatever comes to mind.

It is a truly free way of life that transcends good and bad.

Despite the anxiety of not knowing when he will die, he risks his life to enjoy the present moment, help others, and even make fun of people he doesn't like.

Leave life and death to God's will and 'live in the now'.

Isn't this the way living things are supposed to live?

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"What are you going to do? Should you wait for him or go with the troupe?"

"Come on, get in. I'll drive you close to the police station. You'll know when he comes out."

"Wow, this monster moves?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat drove her to the police station.

It's time to say goodbye to Ilmat.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"This is it, this is the police."

Gelsomina:

"Are you going?"

Ilmat:

"I'm going. Are you sure you want to come with me? But I don't want to take a useless woman with me."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat puts the necklace around her neck on Gelsomina.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"♫ Gelsomina, Gelsomina TARIRARI ♫"

"I'll give you this. It's a memento."

ーーーーーーーーーー

After saying that, he said goodbye to Gelsomina, looking unusually sad.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Ciao!"

"♫ Gelsomina, Gelsomina TARIRARI ♫"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina was sad, but she looked up and said goodbye to Ilmat with a tearful smile.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Goodbye, Gelsomina."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat skipped away and disappeared on the other side of the apartment building.

13. Two people who are a good match

Time passes and Zampano is released.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"Zampano, here."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano put a cigarette in his mouth, both emotional and shy.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"I was invited by the troupe."

Zampano:

"I wish you could go."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina silently took Zampano's coat from the carrier and put it on Zampano.

It was like a real married couple.

The two stop at the coast during their journey.

Gelsomina ran to the shore, which resembled her home.

And I was remembering my parents' home.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"Which direction is my house?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano says with unusual gentleness as he takes off his shoes and socks and walks toward the waves.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Over there."

ーーーーーーーーーー

It was a beautiful, bright and calm scene with countless reflections of light.

The sunlight reflected off to the far shore sparkles in the monochrome image.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"Before, I just wanted to go home."

"But now it doesn't matter."

"My home is where I am with you."

Zampano:

"That's a great idea."

"You changed your mind because you couldn't eat enough when you got home."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina is irritated by Zampano, who doesn't understand her love.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"You're a beast. I'm astonished."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano may be too embarrassed to say anything.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"HA HA HA HA HA. But it's true."

14. Monastery

Zampano and Gelsomina met a nun during their journey and decided to stay at a convent.

The nun: "Permission granted. You can rest in the barn over there."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Thank you, Director. I appreciate it."

"Quickly bring me a blanket."

ーーーーーーーーーー

The nun has favor with the naive Gelsomina.

The Zampanos were fed.

ーーーーーーーーーー

The nun:

"There's still a little left."

Zampano:

"Thank you. It's delicious."

The nun:

"Would you like another drink?"

Zampano:

"You'll take it."

The nun:

"Would you like to work with her too?"

Zampano:

"She's helping out a little. She plays the drums and bugles."

"Let her hear the trumpet."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina played the melancholy tune that Ilmat had taught her.

Zampano was so impressed that he stopped eating and continued listening.

ーーーーーーーーーー

The nun:

"Well, you're good at it."

Zampano:

"Enough, wash this."

The nun:

"I'll wash it."

Zampano:

"She'll wash it."

The nun:

"Come with me."

"She's good at playing the trumpet. What song is it?"

Gelsomina:

"I don’t know."

ーーーーーーーーーー

The nun speaks to Gelsomina.

ーーーーーーーーーー

The nun:

"Do you always sleep in that car?"

Gelsomina:

"It's spacious inside, so there's a pot and a lamp."

The nun:

"That's wonderful. Do you like traveling from place to place?"

Gelsomina:

"Are you here all the time?"

The nun:

"We move too. We change monasteries every two years."

"This is the second one."

Gelsomina:

"Why?"

The nun:

"If we stay in the same place for a long time, we will never be able to leave."

"There is a danger that we will become attached to the land we live in and forget the God that is most important to us."

"I go around all over the place with God.''

Gelsomina:

"It varies depending on the person."

The nun:

"Would you like to see inside the monastery?"

"I'll show you around. It's an old monastery that's more than a thousand years old."

ーーーーーーーーーー

This is a conversation between Gelsomina and Zampano in the barn before going to bed.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"Zampano, why are you with me? I'm ugly and I can't cook or anything."

Zampano:

"What are you talking about? Sleep soon. You're a woman who says strange things."

Gelsomina:

"It's raining. I'm glad I stayed."

"Zampano, would you be sad if I died?"

Zampano:

"Are you going to die?"

Gelsomina:

"Before, I wanted to die if I lived like this. Now it seems like the two of you are a couple."

"If even a pebble is useful, we can live together."

"I need to think about it. Don't you think about it?"

Zampano:

"Don't think about it."

Gelsomina:

"Really?"

Zampano:

"What are you thinking? Stop talking about this nonsense!"

"Go to bed early! I'm sleepy"

Gelsomina:

"Zampano, do you like me a little?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano no longer answered.

Gelsomina plays the trumpet.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Stop it and go to sleep."

15. Crime of theft

When Gelsomina woke up in the middle of the night, Zampano was awake and doing something.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"There's a silver heart over there. Your hands are small so you can fit in it."

Gelsomina:

"No."

Zampano:

"What do you hate? Who are you telling this to?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano hits Gelsomina.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"No. That's bad."

Zampano:

"Noisy!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

The next morning, Zampanos are preparing to leave the monastery.

Seeing Gelsomina's gloomy expression, the nun spoke.

ーーーーーーーーーー

The nun:

"What's wrong? Do you want to stay here? I'll ask the director."

Zampano:

"Thank you very much. Your warm hospitality was a great help to a poor comedian."

"Push!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina left the monastery crying.

This scene seems to foretell the future in which Gelsomina goes to God.

This scene highlights Gelsomina's purity and Zampano's sinfulness.

The journey continues through ranches and lakes.

16. Crime of murder

A familiar car was parked on the side of the road.

Ilmat was repairing cars there.

Zampano and Ilmat meet.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

" 'Lifle', please help me. I'll help you someday too."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano kicks away Ilmat's car repair tools.

The way Zampano's face is not shown and only his feet are visible is eerie and frightening.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

" 'Lifle' "

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano attacks Ilmat.

Unable to control his anger from the previous fight, Zampano punches Ilmat.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Fuck!"

Gelsomina:

"Zampano, stop it!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano kept hitting.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat:

"Are you planning on killing me?"

Zampano:

"This is a thank you from 'Lifle'."

"Be prepared next time."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat walked unsteadily and then fell down on the spot.

Gelsomina rushes over in a panic.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"Zampano, hurry!"

"There’s something wrong with him!"

"He's acting strange."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano approaches and kicks Ilmat's leg to check on him.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Wake up, stop joking."

Gelsomina:

"He's going to die."

Zampano:

"Be quiet!"

"Hey!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano looked at Ilmat's downturned fingertips and knew that he was dead.

Due to a bad blow to the head, Ilmat hit the back of his head against a car and died.

Gelsomina goes crazy and starts screaming.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Be quiet!"

"If you just be quiet!"

"It turned out to be a bad thing."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano looks around in dismay.

Zampano grabs Ilmat's legs and drags his body away, hiding him under a bridge.

Gelsomina stares at the scene, holding her breath.

Gelsomina's body gradually began to tremble.

He then pushes Ilmat's car under a bridge, causing it to burst into flames.

Zampano grabbed Gelsomina by the arm, put her in his car, and drove away.

Afraid of being caught by the police, Zampano left the body under a bridge and fled the scene to make it look like a car accident.

17. Collapse of the heart

All you could see from the car during that time were rotten trees with withered leaves.

The black tree branches add to the horror.

The Zampanos continued their journey, performing tricks to earn food.

The season is winter. At the corners of the road, there is a thick layer of unmelted snow.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Please do not watch if you are faint of heart."

"The flesh may tear and blood may come out."

"Now, with the drum as a signal, Ms. Gelsomina, please come."

ーーーーーーーーーー

There is no smile on Zampano's lips, and he speaks indifferently.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Ms. Gelsomina, it's the drum."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina has been spending a lot of time thinking about things.

She suddenly noticed Zampano's words and spoke.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"He's acting strange. Zampano!"

"Zampano, he's going to die!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina was having a mental breakdown.

The horror of the incident can be felt in the words of Gelsomina, who speaks while wearing clown makeup.

Since the incident, Zampano has developed a habit of checking his surroundings.

Stop the car and talk to Gelsomina.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"What's going on? What happened?"

"No one saw it. It's okay. No one will know."

"I'm hungry, stay here. I'll make it for you."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina wandered off to somewhere while Zampano left the car.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Hey! Where are you going!? Hey, where on earth are you going?"

"Where are you going? Hey, do you want to go home? "

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina rejects Zampano because of his uncleanness. .

During that time, Zampano did the chores and nurse care of her.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Eat."

"Stop crying! Stop! Stop crying!"

"It's cold, I'm going to bed now."

Gelsomina:

"No, no, please don't come in!"

Zampano:

"Do whatever you like!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampanos continue to move.

18. Crime of abandonment

Zampano was making a fire in a place where there was a fence to protect him from the wind.

Gelsomina got up from the carrier for the first time in a while.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"I like this place."

Zampano: "It's cold."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano's cold attitude toward Gelsomina has clearly changed.

Little by little, his compassion for Gelsomina oozes out.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Sit down and enjoy the sun."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina's mood swings are becoming more intense.

I feel like she's feeling a little brighter now.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Would you like some soup?"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano tastes the pot that was on the fire.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano: "This is missing something."

Gelsomina:

"Give me, I'll do it."

Zampano:

"It's been a while. It's been 10 days since we last spoke."

"I didn't mean to kill him. I just hit him twice. Nothing happened."

"He only got a little nosebleed, and when I let him go, he fell down. After about two shots, I'm not going to jail."

"I want to work like other people. I have the right to live!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina tastes the food and hands the plate to Zampano.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Not bad. Now, let's go."

"There's a festival in the village. It's 5 or 6 kilos. We might be able to make some money."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina's behavior suddenly changed.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"What happened, what happened?"

Gelsomina:

"He's acting strange."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano finds out that Gelsomina has become ill.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Let's go back to your house. To your mom's place."

"Don’t you want to go back to your mom?"

Gelsomina:

"You're alone without me."

Zampano:

"I can't play! I have to earn money to eat. You're sick! Here!"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano says, pointing to his head.

Because Gelsomina's words are almost unconscious, her true feelings are expressed and these have weight.

Gelsomina lies down to sleep outside.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Come on, what are you doing? It's cold. Get in the car."

"Get on"

Gelsomina:

"You killed him. I'm tired of it."

"I wanted to run away. He told me to stay with you."

"We don't have enough firewood. The fire will go out."

ーーーーーーーーーー

After a while, Gelsomina fell asleep.

Zampano placed Gelsomina's clothes and blankets next to Gelsomina, who was sleeping outside.

He will cover her with a blanket gently.

He put the money in his pocket into Gelsomina's hand.

Then, just as he was about to close the top of the cargo bed, a trumpet caught his eye.

Zampano leaves Gelsomina with the trumpet nearby so she doesn't wake up.

As Zampano pushes the car onto the public road, the camera shifts to Zampano looking at Gelsomina, and Gelsomina gradually becomes smaller and smaller.

19.Spirit Voice

How many years have passed since then?

At a certain town's circus troupe, Zampano performs his usual "Man of Steel Lungs" tricks.

Zampano had gray hair, and his voice was a little hoarse and he looked older.

He strolls through the town between performances of the circus.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Singing voice:

"♪ LA~LA LA LA LA~ ♪"

ーーーーーーーーーー

Suddenly, for a moment, he heard a voice that sounded like spirits.

Zampano quickly turned around.

It was a song Zampano had heard.

Thinking it was just his imagination, he turned and started walking again.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Singing voice:

"♫ LA~LA LA LA LA~, LA~LA LA LA LA~♫"

Then, as if to stop Zampano, the voice could be heard again, this time clearly.

Zampano looks back again.

When he went to the voice, he found a young woman humming the song while hanging the laundry.

Little children formed a circle around it and skipped around.

A young woman is singing while spreading out the pure white sheets.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Singing voice:

"♫ LA~LA LA LA LA~, LA~LA LA LA LA~♫"

Zampano:

"Hey, where did you learn that song?"

The Washing Girl:

"What is a song?"

Zampano:

"That's it. It's the song you sang."

The Washing Girl:

"Oh, this song?"

"♪ LA~LA LA LA LA~ ♪"

Zampano:

"That’s it."

The Washing Girl: "A long time ago, a girl who was here was singing this song."

Zampano:

"How long ago?"

The Washing Girl: "A long time ago. Four or five years ago. She was playing it on a trumpet. That's how I learned it."

Zampano:

"What about that girl?"

The Washing Girl:

"She died, poor thing."

"You're from the circus, aren't you? That girl was also a traveling performer."

"She didn't know anyone here, and she didn't talk much."

"She was a strange girl. One night my father found her on the beach over there and brought her home."

"She had a high fever. So she went to our house. She didn't say anything, didn't eat anything, and was crying."

"When she felt well, she would sunbathe. And she would blow the trumpet."

"She was cold one morning."

"The mayor took care of the rest. Maybe you can find out if you ask the mayor..."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano is upset and leaves silently.

The barbed wire lying in front of Zampano begins to look like a thorny whip, indicating Zampano's sins.

20. Zampano's Redemption

At the circus venue, Zampano's turn has begun.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Host:

"A big round of applause for Zampano."

"He’s the man with the lungs of steel."

"Please look forward to it."

"Now for the music."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano entered with his head down.

Zampano has an older body.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"Okay, everyone!"

"There's a 5mm thick chain and a big hook."

"It's made of crude iron, which is harder than steel."

"Now I'm going to expand my chest, and in other words, use just my chest muscles to break this hook."

"This cloth is just in case I bleed."

"Sometimes there's blood."

"Please do not watch if you are faint of heart."

"The hook can dig into the flesh."

"I'm giving you some advice. Please."

ーーーーーーーーーー

This statement is repeated many times throughout the work.

However, the meaning that we feel each time is different.

Saying the same thing will be effective.

It speaks of the need to "have to eat'' as a profession.

And then there's the "transition of time."

Although the words are the same, changes in location, companions, and aging are clearly visible.

So sad.

ーーーーーーーーーー

"Time is the Great Arthur" 

ーーーーーーーーーー

This is a line from Chaplin's "Limelight."

And that repetition is a refrain effect.

Music and poetry evoke a sense of flow.

The story instills "universality'' and "formal beauty'' in the viewer.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Ilmat's song

"♫ Gelsomina, Gelsomina TARIRARI♫"

Gelsomina's trumpet

"♪ LA~LA LA LA LA~, LA~LA LA LA LA~ ♪"

ーーーーーーーーーー

The repetition of is also a refrain effect.

After finishing his turn, Zampano went to a bar and got drunk and got into a rough situation.

Then he lunges at the men and starts a fight.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano:

"I don't need friends. Why are you running away? I'm fine without anyone."

"I want to be alone."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano had no intention of being there, and seemed to be being tossed about by the rough seas, just as he felt.

What suddenly hit Zampano was a feeling of emptiness.

The gusts of wind, the cold, and the helpless feeling of loneliness.

I think he've always believed that Gelsomina was alive somewhere.

That's why Zampano has been able to live sanely until now. His heart was preserved.

However, he learned that Gelsomina is no longer in this world.

'Feelings of regret'

But, just 'anger' towards himself.

The 'loneliness' attacks him mercilessly.

After losing Gelsomina, he learned the "meaning of life'' and realized that he had lost that hope.

Zampano, drunk, wanders towards the beach.

This coast is like home to Gelsomina.

Coast at night. Waves like black liquid wash over Zampano over and over again.

It was a stark contrast to the shore where Gelsomina decided to live with Zampano, where countless lights were reflected and sparkled.

At that time, Gelsomina said to Zampano.

ーーーーーーーーーー

Gelsomina:

"Before, I just wanted to go home."

"But now it doesn't matter."

"My home is where I am with you."

ーーーーーーーーーー

Zampano sits down on the beach where Gelsomina was found dead.

Then I think of Gelsomina and look up at the night sky.

"I guess you've already gone to heaven, leaving me behind..."

You can almost hear his words.

And then he realized that he was already alone in this world.

Breathing heavily, looking around, frightened, Zampano collapsed crying on the beach.

What he really wanted to hold in those hands that held the sand had been erased by time.

The camera takes a close-up shot of Zampano crying, and gradually pulls back, and gentle waves and a slightly bright moon come into the frame to comfort Zampano.

And so the story of Zampano and Gelsomina ended.

To be Continued…Part2

[wolflover2426]

Wish You Were Here

AN: Was inspired when I was listening to Wish You Were Here by Avril Lavigne on loop and wanted to let off some steam.

When the news was announced, Adrien felt his entire world shift and crash. He thought it might have been a nightmare because surely it can’t be real?

Life wouldn’t be so cruel as to take another important person in his life, right?

Unfortunately, when he got to class the next day. Everyone was in grief, Alya seemed to sob endlessly and Nino was hugging her. The redness in his eyes and the tears running down his cheeks were signs that he was trying to be strong for Alya but he couldn’t. Everyone is either sobbing silently or trying hard to avoid eye contact with anyone.

Even Chloe was awfully silent and seemed to hide her face as if it could hide the faint bags which showed she hadn't slept or the way a few hairs were sticking out of her ponytail.

Adrien wanted to cry but he just felt empty. Like as if his mind was on a different level of existence and hasn’t caught up to what’s happening right now.

Class was relatively short as Ms. Bustier seemed to want to get it done sooner or she might just break down in front of them. It felt like time moved too fast because before he knew it, it’s time to go home.

His bodyguard is waiting for him but he notices the soft look in his eyes as if telling him it’s gonna be alright. Adrien told him to go back to the mansion and he’ll just walk back, somehow he agreed and the car left him behind.

His eyes caught the familiar bakery across the street and the reality seemed to finally hit him as he fell to his knees and the tears started running down his face. He screamed and a roar of thunder was heard followed by a downpour.

He didn’t care he was getting drenched, he didn’t care that his father would scold him for not coming home in time.

He felt Plagg wiggle inside his shirt and seemed to nuzzle into his chest as if to provide comfort. He got up and ran into a pathway between two buildings and muttered, “Claws out!”

Transforming into Chat Noir fueled him with energy that he wasted no time using his baton to launch himself towards the rooftops.

He stopped by a familiar balcony where he set up his date for Ladybug only for her to not show up and he ended up taking Marinette here.

Marinette.

When did that name begin to hold such meaning for him? He knew that she was special with the way she spoke kindly to everyone even to people like Chloe on some occasions, to the way she would make time to help their friends with anything or even the way she smiles and comforts people during a bad day.

He pressed a button on his baton as it shifted into a phone. He only had one contact there, Ladybug.

LB, I know we don’t have patrol today but can we meet? I’ll be waiting at Tour Montparnasse.

Sending the message, he decided to make his way to the destination. For some reason, the rain didn’t slow him down. If anything, it felt like a reminder that he’s currently fixated on his surroundings and helped ground him.

Reaching the top as he landed on the glass platform and sitting down. Somehow, it calms him down to just sit and watch the view from the tower and make him realize just how small he is.

The rain continued and he wondered if the water on his face was from his tears or the rain. The hollow feeling in his chest threatened to overtake him and he had never felt so lonely. He hoped Ladybug got his message because he needed a comforting hug from his partner.

He curled into himself and he wondered what he did wrong. Why did history have to repeat itself again? Why did it have to take Marinette?

As he sat there, deep within his own self-loathing and the way his eyes began to sting. He began to ponder if Ladybug had read his message and was coming or if it was ignored.

“I wish you were here.”

#miraculous ladybug #marinette dupain cheng #adrien agreste #chat noir #ml angst #ml fic #mlb fanfic #ml fanfic #mlb fic

[uptoolateart]

All That Is Necessary - Ch 9

Co-Written with @raspberrycatapult

CHAPTER PREVIEW:

They passed the park, which was now largely empty, and reached the bakery. It looked ghostly with no streetlights to illuminate it, but it still managed to be more welcoming than the mansion.

Someone had closed the blinds. Faint light peeked through. Were Alya and Nino downstairs?

He put his hand on the door handle, then hesitated. At that hour, it felt like breaking and entering.

‘Go ahead,’ Marinette said quietly. ‘You’ve got the light.’

He blinked, staring at his hands and remembering the burning light – then realised she meant his phone.

He turned the handle and opened the door. Other phone lights flashed around the bakery, finding him, Marinette and Manon. Adrien put up an arm to shield his eyes, then squinted and saw that the bakery had been invaded.

‘Who the hell are you?’ demanded a boy whose voice he didn’t recognise.

Adrien shone his torch in the boy’s face, then at the faces of his companions, all strangers, all holding the remnants of that morning’s baking.

Maybe it was the result of what they had been through that day, but Marinette seemed to transform into a creature unfamiliar to Adrien. Her bluebell eyes flared and even in the low light her whole face went a little red, one hand clutching Manon and the other in a tight fist.

‘Everyone out!’ she yelled, making the invaders drop the cookies and pastries they had been devouring in her absence.

‘You can’t make us,’ one of them said – a boy, maybe eleven years old, with a mean mouth.

‘You wanna bet?’ she bit out in a hard voice. ‘This is my house and I am going to give you to the count of three before –’

‘Before what?’ one of the other kids said, arms over her chest. ‘Who are you going to call? The police?’

Marinette let out a low growl. Adrien stared at her in surprise – then clenched his fists, prepared for a fight.

Suddenly, the others started backing away, their eyes on Adrien.

‘It’s him,’ they murmured to each other. ‘He ran into that fire –’ ‘He brought out that girl –’ ‘He killed her.’

‘He didn’t –’ Marinette started to say.

But Adrien talked over her in a low, cool voice. ‘Do you really want to find out if that’s true?’ He gave them all a pointed look. ‘Take your cookies and get out.’

They blinked at him, then hurried around the counter and out of the bakery, letting the door slam behind them with a jingling bell sound.

When they were gone, Marinette’s shoulders dropped and she heaved out a breath. She turned to him, an embarrassed, pained look on her face. ‘I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me there. I –’

‘It’s okay. We’ve all had a rough day. Even those kids we just threw out.’ It was hard to stay angry at some scared and hungry kids.

Keep reading at AO3

** An AU inspired by the ‘Gone’ series by Michael Grant, adapted heavily to a Paris setting and the Miraculous character set. PLEASE READ TAGS. Rating: Teen+ **

#ml fic #mlb fic #ml fanfic #mlb fanfic #miraculous fanworks #ml au #mlb au #gone au #ml adrien #ml marinette #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #fanfiction #fanfiction 2023 #adrinette #ml adrinette #adrienette #ml adrienette

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

Graveyard Siblings (6)

Class revenge. And mention of suicide.

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 5)

------

Normal class day and most of the class was still together. This is set after the class’s trip to Gotham.

Alix and Chloe had transferred to another class or a different school. There were a few new students but they transferred out within a week, when they all had tried to point out Lila’s lies and the class picked on them on Lila’s behalf.

Class is still taught by Mme. Bustier.

She rolled-calls and somehow Marinette’s name was on there and she just absentmindedly read it.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng”

“Present.” A cheery voice said.

Goes to the next name before everyone froze and looked at the source of the voice which was where they exiled Marinette to before her ‘suicide’.

There she was. An older-looking Marinette who would look the same age as them as if she was still alive, her longer hair was in a high ponytail and her clothes were switched out from her usual pink to red and black and had a more mature look that was stylish instead of cute.

She wore her signature bright grin but the sight of it brought chills down everyone’s spines.

Lila thought that it was her curse kicking in and since she hadn't seen Marinette until then, fainted on the spot, thinking she was finally going to be killed.

“M-ma-marinette. What are you doing here?”

“What do you mean?” Older Marinette said with a confused face. “Oh. You mean why am I not late? First time for everything, I guess. I am not late today so Yay for me.” She giggles but everyone else thinks that it sounds terrifying.

“But this is impossible. You simply can’t be here.” Max said, “Odds of you still alive are zero.”

“Can’t I? I mean I woke up early and got here on time. What is impossible about me being early? I would normally be a zombie during the morning, Max but nice one.”

Some students checked their phones for akumas. Hawkmoth had mysteriously disappeared around Marinette’s death making a few rumours about Marinette being Hawkmoth floating around. (Lila was the first to suggest that as a theory.)

Mme Bustier cleared her throat, terrified out of her mind and scared that if she provoked the ‘ghost’ of her former star student, there would be consequences like the horror movies. But she was not going to let it hurt any of her students.

“Marinette, there must have been a misunderstanding. You should be home.”

“Why?’

“Because um...you are... you are sick and you don’t want to infect your fellow classmates, right?”

“Hm..I feel fine but now that you mention it, I feel a little dizzy. I think I am going to take the day off.”

The rest of the class murmured in agreement, scared not to offend the ‘ghost’. A few of the girls like Mylene had tears running down their cheeks. Horror movies logic dictates that you should not remind the ghost that they are dead or make them angry.

Juleka was half-scared out of her mind for Rose who was also crying and herself and also half-excited, even though Marinette might be a vengeful ghost, there is still a ghost in their classroom.

Mme Bustier started muttering prayers under her breath.

Marinette packed up her things and was out of her seat when Adrien came into the class.

He was held up because he started sneezing non-stop this morning. Turns out Natalie had some black feathers on her.

He sees Marinette in the back row.

“Ma-Marinette! How are you here?!” to which everyone in the class sans Lila who was still passed out, shushed at him.

Ignoring them, he blurted out, “You are dead.”

The word echoed through the classroom. It was silent for a moment and you could hear a pin drop.

“Dead? What do you mean dead?” Marinette took a step down the stairs, the perfect picture of confusion but her eyes seemed a little crazed and Adrien took a step back, the word ‘Traitor’ carved into his back started burning.

Everyone in their seats shifted slightly away from her. Some considered making a run for the door but they didn’t want to draw attention and face the ghost’s wrath. They all mimed at Adrien to stop.

He ignored them again. “Don’t pretend you are innocent. You did this to me. YOU MADE ME LOSE EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. YOU SHOULD HAVE STAYED DEAD. I DON’T REGRET KILLING YOU FOR THE HORRIBLE PERSON YOU ARE, LADYBUG. YOU DESERVED TO DIE FOR WHAT YOU DID.”

Realizing what he said, he covered his mouth, hoping it would somehow fix the damage he had done.

Marinette smirked. The picture of innocence gone.

It took a moment for what Adrien’s outburst meant to register in their heads.

Adrien, in an attempt to get back into their good graces, had once claimed to be Chat Noir, the ‘hero’ of Paris. They had brushed him off. If what he had said was correct then that meant that they drove Marinette who was Ladybug to kill herself. Horrible realization sets in as it meant that Hawkmoth won.

Lila chose that moment to came back to the land of the living to scream bloody murder once she saw Marinette again.

The scream brought everyone out of their trance from their shock and started screaming or yelling.

The windows slammed open and the wind whipped. The doors of the classroom closed shut with a loud bang. The clouds were dark outside and there were some flashes of lighting and thunder. (Thank you Longg.)

Marinette’s hair was undone and whipped around her. Her eyes were glowing blue. As she started laughing at the chaos she had unleashed, the class and Mme Bustier ducked for cover and hid under their desks. Except for Adrien and Lila.

Lila, fueled by anger, pounced at the ravenette but was thrown against the classroom wall before she even had a chance to lay a hand. Fell down and appeared to be knocked out. Alya made a move to check up on her.

Adrien was thrown back against the floor when the strong winds started. The scars on his back were burning with a lot of intensity now and it was a miracle that he still hasn’t passed out from the pain.

Unknown to him, the words were glowing red and seen through his shirt. Mme Bustier, Nino, Sabrina and Nathaniel were the few that saw the bright red letters spelling out ‘TRAITOR’ on Adrien’s back as he got back up.

“Marinette, this isn’t you. Milady, please.”

“Shut up.” She flicked her wrist, sending Adrien against the teacher’s desk. He hit it hard and was knocked out like Lila.

Alya after making sure that Lila was fine. “Marinette, stop this. I know that you are probably mad at Adrien for killing you but we never did anything to you.”

“Never did anything?! Never did anything? Hah. What about the time that you slapped me in the face in front of the entire school and said our friendship was over? You called me names. You said that I deserve every bruise you gave me. The rest of you weren’t any better.” She turned around and with the flick of her wrist, the heavy desks were in the air, robbing anyone of a hiding place.

“You stood by and allowed it to happen. You destroyed my stuff, claiming I deserve it. My sketchbook, filled with commissions, torn and stepped on like trash. You all crossed a line that Chloe didn’t even dare and you call it the right thing to do. Hypocrites all of you. Some of you have known me since l'école primaire. What was it about me that you believed her over me?! ”

What happened next was all a blur to everyone, there was a lot of screaming involved, some blood, lightning and thunder everywhere and then, black.

Nino opened his eyes to see Alya peacefully sleeping on her desk. What happened?...Oh Crap I fell asleep. The last thing I remember was….MARINETTE!

Nino snapped his head up. And saw the rest of the class and Mme. Bustier asleep in their respective places.

But there was a sense of wrongness. Something was off... and he can’t pinpoint on what.

The bell rang, startling everyone awake. Nino checked the time. And crap did they all sleep through the first period?! Turning towards his now-awake girlfriend, “Hey Alya, Alya, what do you remember?”

He was surprised to see red eyes like she had been crying. “I- I- I had the weirdest dream. Marinette was there, like she never died and she… why are you looking at me like that?”

“Don’t freak out but I don’t think it was a dream.”

On the rooftop, above the classroom, a red clad figure lounged at the edge with her airpods in and chuckling to herself.

-----

Marinette didn’t torture them. Scared the hell out of them, sure but it was harmless. Mostly. She left carved words on everyone’s wrists which no one else but the class can see. (This one is more mental than anything.)

The scars are unique depending on how close they were to Marinette before she died. Most of the class had the word ‘friend’ crossed out. FRIEND

Nino and Kim had Childhood friends. It serves as a painful reminder of how long they had known the girl.

Alya was a special case with BEST FRIEND and ‘A good reporter always checks her sources’ underneath it. She remembers saying those words to Marinette a long time ago, back when she thought she knew Marinette.

Mme Busitier had Best Teacher and when she was in the comfort of her own home, saw ‘Bully Enabler’ on her other wrist.

Adrien and Lila were questioned as they weren’t the only ones with scars on their wrists. (Although Lila had LIAR written in big letters across her forehead with a sharpie and a drawn-on-moustache of a cartoon villain.)

Nino managed to get the class to back off on Adrien and later to pull him aside to explain about the scars on his back and why did Ladybug (who was apparently Marinette this whole time and she was dead... he thinks.) called him ‘Traitor’?

Adrien told Nino everything. The curse didn’t interfere so for the first time in months, Adrien was able to say the truth.

-----

That was also the day that Lila’s reign finally ended.

The class had suspected for a while about her lies and false promises. There were a few inconsistencies in the beginning that were overlooked and brushed off as Lila’s memory problems.

They all had for the first two years had defended Lila against anyone (mainly Marinette) who thought she was a liar. Lila herself made sure that her lies were believable, actually putting in research for once in her life and planting evidence here and there about her achievements with a few faked articles. They staunchly believed her lies until Marinette’s death.

With her main enemy finally down and everyone else who opposed her, lost their morale along with their ally, Lila stopped putting in the efforts to make her lies seem real and then the cracks of her kingdom began forming.

At first, the students of Mme Bustier class believed them but the stories soon seemed like bragging but they were too polite to point it out to their ‘nice’ and ‘shy’ classmates.

Lila began making mistakes from her lack of research and a few of them later pointed out the few inconsistencies but they were brushed off as memory lapses.

More and more of these ‘memory lapses’ happened more often and soon, most of the class had their suspicion of Lila.

They were just in denial of Lila lying to them.

A few like Max, Nathaniel, Juleka and Sabrina who finally find out that Lila was lying and confront her about it were threatened and they were too afraid to do anything.

After all, Marinette had tried to disprove them and look where she is now. Six feet under.

And the ‘ghost attack’ from Marinette was the final straw.

The class tried to help Lila get rid of the sharpie, especially the one on her forehead and Alya made a comment how it was so typical of Marinette despite being dead and some half-heartedly agreeing.

Max, frustrated that his friends still can’t see it that Lila is a liar and they were the ones who drove Marinette to death that she is now haunting them and it was all their fault, took out his detailed research to disprove Lila’s lies. Nathaniel, Sabrina and Juleka spoke up and brought out their own research. The seeds of doubts which had been planted the past years were finally sprouting

A while later, the entire class was in chaos, everyone was shouting at Lila, some of them were shouting at Adrien, Alya being in complete denial and Mme. Bustier trying to maintain the peace.

Unknown to them, the camera in the classroom was being live streamed to a screen in a room in Le Grand Paris, complete with audio as a group of teenagers watched the chaos unfold.

“You know.” Chloe said, “I thought it was hilarious when you went all bloody mary on them but this shit is way more entertaining.”

Maria smiled, satisfaction on her face as she snatched some popcorn from Alix. “Oh, I had fun. Took years but Lila is finally getting what is coming to her. In about an hour, Signora Rossi is going to come through the door with the police.”

“What did you do, M?”

“Let’s just say the Italian Embassy and the French Police got an anonymous tip this morning about Lila Rossi and the incidents following her around the schools she had attended in the past couple of years.”

“No..” Alix gasped.

Maria just smirked.

-----

Gabriel was freaking out when Adrien came home and told him about what happened to his class.

He did not need another ghost attack on top of everything else.

First, Afterlife had managed to steal some (read: a lot) of Gabriel’s investors and Gabriel’s shares were plummeting.

Secondly, there were a few important documents leaked onto the internet, showing a few suspicious purchases which had the brand and himself under scrutiny.

Third, Natalie told him about her recent condition which occurs during the night and raised a few suspicious glances from Emilie when there was a raven in the house while Gabriel wanted to see proof of this transformation.

Lastly, Emilie had been poking around about the years she was in her coma and it was sheer luck that she hadn't found out about Hawkmoth and connected the dots.

He called up John again to complain that it didn’t work and asked for a refund or face a lawsuit. John pointed out that the spell only worked in the house and kept ghosts out of it and other places were free game.

Needless to say, Gabriel pulled Adrien out of school to be homeschooled again and made sure Emilie stayed inside, no matter what.

The longer Natalie stayed as a raven, the whiter Gabriel’s head of hair became and he was beginning to lose hair at a very fast rate.

----

(Part 7)

I swear I didn't mean to forget tagging you guys.

Taglist: @local-witch-of-mn, @ladyqnoirr, @lolieg, @istoleyourcookies

#maribat #ml class salt #adrien salt #lila bashing #lila salt #gabriel is slowly losing his sanity and I am enjoying this too much #tw suicice #suicide mention #graveyard siblings

[san-fics]

On the beach

MLB fanfiction.

Adrianette (mostly). LadyNoir

🚫 warning: this fan fiction will contain explicit descriptions. Please avoid reading if you are underaged or not interested 🚫

Part 1

Adrien woke up under the umbrella on the beach and looked around with sleepy eyes. No one was in sight, except for Marinette Dupan-Cheng, who was still asleep on a nearby beach towel.

Adrien and his friends — Nino, Alya and Marinette — arrived on the island where his family owned a summer house on a shore with a section of a beach.

After swimming all together Alya and Nino went for a walk to explore the island, and Adrien was too tired to join after an acuma fight that night. So, he lay down to nap a little on the towel at the beach next to Marinette, who also looked tired and went to rest a but earlier.

Adrien stretched out and smiled, watching his sleeping friend. A pleasant warm feeling of tenderness filled his chest. This feeling arose in him every time when he had an opportunity to observe Marinette from the side, when she didn’t see him. She was a very sweet and kind girl and Adrien was happy and proud to consider himself her friend.

Marinette was lying on her side facing him, and Adrien noticed how beautiful she was. Dark hair, usually gathered in two neat tails, were now scattered over her bare shoulders in lace patterns, already dry, but slightly tangled after swimming. It created a picture of effortless natural beauty, complemented by the measured sound of the surf and the salty smell from the sea waves.

Adrien was mesmerized. His gaze slid down her body, noticing how well it was folded. Marinette was dressed in shorts and a swimsuit top only, so the perfect curves of her body were clearly visible now.

With impunity Adrien ran his eyes over her naked thighs and flat stomach, lingered on her chest.

He was a little embarrassed when he realized, that he was staring at his friend’s body, but he couldn’t bring himself to turn away. No one could see him anyway, he thought, and relaxed, noticing to himself how beautifully the swimsuit outlined the flawless shape of her breasts, which was peacefully heaving from Marinette’s calm breathing.

Adrien looked up at her elegant neck and lingered on her lips now. They were slightly open and flinched a little in time with her breathing.

Adrien swallowed. For some reason his throat and lips went dry, and a shiver ran down his spine. He licked his lips and could no longer look away from her face.

Marinette was so beautiful. Could one even think that way about their friend? Beauty — is something objective, Adrien said to himself, feeling convinced: there is nothing personal about it, right? Yeah.

Although Adrien happened to come across some modelin girls, who behaved so disgusting, that their beautiful faces seemed unpleasant to him.

Marinette slightly moved her head, making him forget his internal debates. Lock of her hair fell down her face, and Adrien's eyes widened as he watched a strand of hair hitting her lips. This view made him feel a hot stream of energy running down his stomach, making his body tense.

He raised a shaking hand and reached for her face. Like spellbound he leaned to her, and removed hair from her face with a careful movement.

Adrien found himself still hovering over her face, so close he could feel her sweet breath on his face. This sensation interrupted his own breathing. His head was slightly spinning and he leaned closer, wanting to feel more of that sweet breeze.

He inhaled the stream from her lips and couldnt longer think. His body weakened, his eyes half closed.

Marinette slightly tilted her head in his direction and her hand began to move along the body, straining before waking up. She let out a faint, sleepy groan and slowly opened her eyes.

Adrien was unable to move. There was a thought pulsating weakly in his mind, that he needed to distance himself, that his actions could be whirred and unpleasant for Marinette, that she could be frightened. But her groan knocked the last remnants of reason out of his head.

Marinette opened her eyes and met his gaze.

For a moment she was just looking at him, blinking. Then, probably realizing his proximity, she took a sharp breath, opening her lips more and froze, but didn’t move away.

Adrien, as if he was hypnotized, slowly lowered his gaze to her lips and swallowed, then licked his own lips. His chest tightened with sweet languor. He looked up, meeting her eyes again, and realized that her breathing is also quickened, her chest heaving more.

Marinette swallowed too and dropped her gaze to his lips. This movement gave Adrien some unusual feeling of confidence. He only now realized, that his hand was still holding her hair.

He gently tugged it behind her ear and ran the back of his fingers over Marinette’s cheek from ear to lips. His hand turned and he continued to run the pad of his thumb over her lower lip.

Marinette made a subtle movement with her lips, lightly wrapping the tip of his finger. Maybe it was only an accidental movement, but it was enough for Adrien’s whole body to get an electric shock. He felt as his lower abdomen was cramping from tension.

Adrien inhaled the air sharply. Not being able to resist any longer, he closed his eyes and touched her lips with his.

Adrien could feel the world spinning around him as her lips parted, accepting his kiss. Marinette’s taste literally intoxicated him, so that Adrien no longer remembered where he was and who he was. From now he could only feel her smell, her taste, and the gentle touches of her lips.

Adrien had never felt this way before. He never knew that a kiss could instantly drive him crazy. Although this wasn’t just a kiss, but the kiss with Marinette, the most beautiful and gentle, and kind, and caring girl in the world!

Somewhere on the back of his mind the image of Ladybug appeared, but maybe he used to be rejected by her, or maybe Adrien’s sensations were just so filled up with Marinette at the moment, so that image remained aloof from his attention.

This taste... he needed to feel it stronger, to have more of it. Adrien moved closer, supporting Marinette’s head from behind with his hand. He pushed her slightly towards himself, penetrating deeper into her kiss. Her lips opened to meet him more, as if they were just waiting for his signal.

Adrien felt that the air began to run out and slightly pulled away from her, catching his breath. His eyes were still closed and he could feel her uneven breathing on his face.

He opened his eyes and met Marinette's gaze.

[part 2]

[more MLB fanfic and videos]

#miraculous #miraculous ladybug #miraculous lb #adrianette #miraculous fanworks #miraculous au #miraculous fluff #miraculous fanfic #miraculous fandom #miraculous world #miraculous adrien #adrien agreste #adrien x marinette #miraculous marinette #miraculous ladynoir #ladynoir #ladynoir fanfic #mlb ladynoir #miraculous smut #mlb #miraculous cn #miraculous chat noir #miraculous tikki #mlb adrien #mlb marinette #mlb fandom #mlb 2021 #mlb au #mlb confess #mlb spoilers