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#Everything is a sign. Everything is 'proof' they are just as awful as you want them to be. Every 'good trait' is twisted.
poorly-drawn-mdzs · 5 months
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He was just being a silly little guy!
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lexirosewrites · 13 days
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Wealthy omega Steve going on an arranged date each week to the same restaurant because his parents want him to find a mate.
Alpha Eddie who busks in the parking lot for tips and always offers him a cigarette and a shoulder to cry on after it doesn’t work out.
It takes them a while.
“Another one? That’s the third date this week, pretty boy. You going for a record or something?” Eddie asks, already holding his half-finished cigarette out for Steve to take.
He does. It’s his only reward for doing all of this.
Well, that and Eddie.
Eddie makes this easier.
Steve takes a long draw from it, craving the burn of nicotine more than he cares to admit to himself.
He craves Eddie’s company too, but that’s between him and the cigarette.
“Yeah, my parents are working overtime it seems. They’re bound and determined to have me mated off before spring.”
Steve laughs.
Eddie doesn’t.
“They sound awful.”
They are. Their insistence on old-fashioned values and treating their omega son like a burden to be rid of is proof enough.
“They mean well,” he says. “I think.”
Eddie hums thoughtfully. It’s clear that he disagrees.
Steve passes the cigarette back.
The alpha snubs it out on the sidewalk they’re sitting on instead.
“How long are you gonna keep doing this for?”
“Well, as long as it takes to find someone who’s interested, I guess. There’s not an exact timeline or any—”
Eddie startles Steve when he cuts him off with a growl.
He doesn’t look mad, but his forehead creases, deep frown, and sour scent speaks of irritation.
“Not what I meant.”
Oh.
“I don’t know, Eddie. They’re my parents… and it’s not like I’ve got anyone else knocking down my door.”
Even his dates aren’t interested once they’ve met him in person.
Steve always looks good on paper. He’s attractive and from an upstanding family, a decent investment at first glance.
But then he opens his mouth. That’s where their interest always ends.
Sometime between shaking hands and dessert, their eyes get bored and they start checking their watch more. They don’t bother to hide that they’re running out the clock, eager to be away from Steve.
He thought it would hurt less after a while, but it doesn’t.
“How many times are we gonna do this, Stevie?“
And now even Eddie is bored with him. It makes sense. They’ve been meeting up for months and Steve isn’t worth much for stimulating conversation.
It had to end eventually.
“I’m sorry. I— I didn’t realize I was bothering you. I can leave you to your gigging, man. Let me just—”
Steve reaches for his wallet, pulling out a thick wad of bills to shove in Eddie’s guitar case as an apology for taking up his precious time.
Compensation for the therapy.
“Hey, no— that’s not what I meant, baby. I just— ugh, why is this so hard to say?” Eddie groans, grabbing at his own hair in frustration.
Steve hasn’t the faintest idea what’s ailing Eddie. The guy is normally chill 100% of the time. It’s why Steve goes to him for comfort. He’s hard to shake.
“Sorry?” he tries.
“No, I’m sorry! I just can’t sit here for yet another evening and pretend like there are more fish in the sea for you or whatever,” Eddie explains frantically, his eyes begging Steve to understand.
Ouch. Okay. Point made.
Steve is unlovable, got it.
He stands, brushing off his slacks so his shaking hands aren’t as noticeable.
Keep cool. Breathe.
“Understood. I won’t bother you anymore then. I can park across the street next time too. Good luck with everything, Eddie. I’m sure your band will get signed soon, you’re a talented musician.”
Eddie shoots to his feet, almost tripping over his own lanky limbs in the process.
He grabs the sleeve of Steve’s dress shirt, stopping him from leaving.
“Don’t go on anymore dates.”
Jesus.
“Yeah, I got it the first time, thanks. I’m undesirable. Can you stop repeating it?”
Eddie looks like he’s been slapped, but he doesn’t say anything back. The bluntness must have caught him off guard.
Steve sighs, attempting to pull free from the alpha’s grip.
He almost manages it.
But then Eddie snaps back to reality and his eyes go wide for just a split moment before he kisses Steve right on the lips.
It’s unexpected to say the least.
It’s also probably the best kiss of his entire life. Too bad it’s from someone who just told him to quit dating because nobody will ever want to court him.
They finally break apart and Steve sways.
“Eddie… what in the actual hell are you—?”
“I love you! I love you— I’ve been in love with you for months, but you insist on going on all these dates with alphas who have no taste and they keep breaking your heart and leaving me to pick up the pieces, but I don’t want to keep handing them back. I want to keep you, Steve. I want to be the only alpha you go on dates with.”
Steve stops trying to run away.
Instead, he yanks at the collar of Eddie’s shirt, tugging him into another, longer kiss.
This is love, huh? Makes sense.
His lips are warm and so is his heart. Patched up once more and encased in a body other than his own
No more arranged dates.
“That was a ‘yes,’ in case it didn’t translate.”
Eddie’s face is flushed and his happy smile is infectious.
“I don’t have the kind of money your usual dates have, but I had this really cute guy way overtip me earlier. Can I buy you dinner, pretty boy?”
It’s the first of many.
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madwomansapologist · 15 days
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Hello!!! I was wondering if you could write headcannons of the BG3 companions and a dragon bloodline sorcerer tav? Especially their reactions to their more dragon like tendencies like hoarding things or their wings when they level up (draconic sorcerers get wings at lvl 14 table top and 11 in bg3 ) that would be great ❤️
bg3 companions with a draconic sorcerer!tav
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Navigation | More Weirdos | AO3
synopsis: How would they react to their leader as a draconic sorcerer?
warnings: austim be danmed my girl can study about dragons (lae'zel).
note: that made me want to play as a draconic in the future. thanks for your request, i hope you like it!
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Lae'zel
You got her attention immediately. All other races are as alien to a githyanki as themselfs are for those across Faêrun, but she knew a lot about draconics still. A interest of hers that she wasn't able of shutting down, don't matter how efficient and practical she achieved to be.
She always had a soft spot for dragons. A gith can't waste its time dreaming, but who can control it? She wanted so bad to be a dragon rider. When she learned there were races of people who descended from dragons, it was only natural she would want to learn about them.
Upon meeting you, part of her brain was just trying to analize. To learn from what type of dragon you descended. Her interest on you was purely academic.
She wondered if you had noticed how possessive you are. Lae'zel knows you're one of the most selfless people she ever met, the amount of times you lose something so someone could be safe... and still, you are so possessive.
You would kill Cazador with your bare hands and bring Astarion his head, but would never let him use one of your necklaces. Once she heard you hissing because he touched your things.
Exploring Baldur's Gate, everyone got stronger. When your wings evolved, Lae'zel seemed allured by them. So intricate and strong. Beautiful. A sign of your effort and talent. You deserved them.
"Just another proof of your strenght, zhak vo'n'ash duj. Our enemies will tremble before you. I already do."
Shadowheart
Something about you felt... familiar. Like she already knew you. Maybe she did. Or perhaps it was someone familiar. Maybe it was just the highs from being saved from a nautiloid. Still, Shadowheart couldn't help but to take a liking to you.
She never had a draconid friend, not that she remember at least, so it took her a bit to get used to the differences. It's impossible not to bring attention upon your group with your height and wide body. The teeth were certainly something she was highly aware.
Shadowheart thought it was enduring how you would always ended with the party's gold on your pockets. You say you will deal with the finances, and you really do that and do it well, but she knows mostly it's because you need to have it near you.
When your wings were strong enough, she would always find an excuse to hug you. It was so warm to feel your wings around her body. Shadowheart feels so save between your arms. So at peace.
"Before you I thought I knew what true embrace felt like. I was wrong. Thank you, my sweetest lover. For opening my eyes."
Astarion
Your size was intimidating. You could be an awful obstacle for his safety, but gladly you were kinder than Astarion could expect. You were way more than Astarion could ever expect.
After a while, it was interesting to learn more about you. So wide, and still so delicate. So scary, and yet so good. So moral, and yet so capable of violence.
For a draconic, it was a bit cliche that your go-to spells were fire ones. And he made sure to tell you that.
Once Astarion saw your wings, for some reason Astarion felt... proud. It just felt right for you to be rewarded after everything you did to them. To him. And it also made you look even more alluring.
"Another fireball, darling? Really? In this tiny room? Alright. Whatever feels right to you."
Gale
It was incrible to have another magic bender in the party! There are a few differences in styles and in the path you both want to go down, but at the end you both share the same goal.
Either as a student or as a natural vessel, the weave conects you both. It feels lovely to have someone who can see how the entire world moves because of it. To have someone to go for when doubts about new spells pop up, or that understands that he can't spend a long time in the battle field. Someone that just understands.
Gale was so curious about the limits of your body. Merely academic curiosity! He meet a few draconics before, but never he spend such a long time beside one.
It was mesmerizing to see you sleep in a nest. Not really one, but basically a nest. Everything looks so comfortable. So you. The best blankets, your favorite jewels, some gold.
Gale Dekarios is a student before all. And you quickly became his favorite subject.
"Don't they make you trip, my love? Ah, I see, your body was made for those, dare I say, beautiful pair of wings. If you ever feel the need to rest while you get used to them, just say the word."
Wyll
You weren't the first draconic Wyll befriended. Your race may be not so common in some parts of Faêrun, but he is not one to be surprised by your needs and habilities. Wyll is always ready to help you, don't matter what.
You need more space at camp, every armor needs to be wide enough to fit your wings, swords can't be tiny so your handle turns weak. Wyll is just waiting for you to need him so he may act.
The hoarding turned into a problem so quickly. Every damn thing "could be necessary". Forks? Rotten watermelons? Half-eaten apples??? And don't you try to say those are culture differences. Those are problems.
Once someone aimed at your wings during a fight. You barely were able to see the energy rays before their body burned to ashes.
"The Blade stands at your side, dear one. My duty is with your safety."
Karlach
Our girl on fire saw more dangerous things than a dragon's bloodline. Still, it was good to see a good fighter. She has the muscles, and you the brains. A perfect duo, one could say.
She thought was sweet your tendencies. How you wrap your tail around your companions that are being threatened. Or how the glow of jewels can make you break your neck just for a glance.
Karlach loves the fact you are also build bigher, just like her. It's good to not have to look down at someone, or to not break her back in a attempt to be at the same high as you.
She got so scared when your wings evolved. She didn't knew it was something that could happen to draconics that turned really strong. For a whole minute, she thought you went through some sort of body horror kinda of shit. She knows a lot about it, so it was really good to hear your explanation.
"Fucking gods, soldier! You almost lost me there. Thought my heart would fucking explode."
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if you enjoyed, please reblog! i promise it makes a difference ♡
GENERAL TAGLIST: @lovelyy-moonlight
BALDUR’S GATE 3 TAGLIST: @citrusbunnies
@ madwomansapologist.tumblr.
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myymi · 3 months
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“Look. Yer new here, I get it.” Sails grumbled, his mechanical arm resting on the hedgehog’s chest to force him to keep his distance, “But you need to learn our rules and fast.” He growled, eyes narrowing into a glare.
Sonic tried to keep his body from visibly wilting at the rejection. He wasn't used to being pushed away by his little brother, and it seemed to hurt worse the second time around.
Except they aren't his little brother, are they? Nine and Sails don't know him. They shouldn't trust him. But he needs them to. Sonic needs his brother(s?) to trust him to keep them safe, why won't they let him protect them?
That's his job, isn't it? He has to keep them safe from those who are hunting them or whatever awful thoughts are plaguing them. What good is protecting the world when he can't protect his world?
“Whaddya mean?” He decided to ask, firmly ignoring the way his voice wavered even after the fox in front of him raised a brow at it.
“I mean quit stickin’ yer nose where it don't belong.” Sonic tried to ignore the fact that only one of the pirate's ears folded down as he crossed his arms, shrinking into himself. “My tale ain't your business, so quit poking.”
“I didn't mean to offend you or anything,” Sonic said, raising his paws in surrender. He'd never want to push his brother to talk about something he didn't want to. Why didn't he just drop it? “I was just worried, y’know?”
“Don't worry over strangers, landlubber.” Sails warned, his metal arm retreating from the teens chest as he averted his gaze, “it'll only make things harder for ya.” He mumbled, almost too quiet for the other to hear.
“But you're not a stranger, Sails.” The older argued, watching the fox’s movements, “I know everything about you!”
“No, you don't.” The kit frowned, his fur bristling, “If ye did, ye wouldn't be here askin’ questions about a life that doesn't concern you.” Was the last thing he said before turning away from the hedgehog, quickly making his way to somewhere on the boat that wasn't near him.
Sonic's ears flattened against his head as he watched Sails walk away, his left paw holding his right arm in an absolute death grip. He groaned and ran his paws down his face.
This was his own fault.
He's always been one to preach about boundaries. He remembers he used to have to remind a 4 year old Tails quite often that sometimes people just didn't want to talk about or do certain things and that was okay.
So why didn't he keep his big, stupid mouth shut when he saw Sails start to pull away?
Sure, Sails wasn't technically Tails, but they had the same mannerisms. His tails twirling around themselves to appear as a single appendage, his eyes looking down to stare at his crossed arms, his fur proofing up, and his foot tapping against the ground were all signs that someone was pushing him too far. Sonic knew that, yet he wouldn't stop pushing.
Maybe it was the desperation to understand this two tailed fox. Because he wasn't his fox, but he was so close he might as well be his doppelganger. Yet the teenager didn't actually know him.
But he wanted to. He wanted to show the kit that he was the one the kid should trust. He wanted to prove to Sails that he was a free shoulder to lean on if he needed it.
A big brother who would always have his arms open, waiting to comfort the fox should he need it.
It was a need for the hedgehog. He so desperately needed his little brother to understand he was always here that he forgot that Sails wasn't his brother. Not in those blue eyes, anyway.
To Sails, Sonic was a stranger. He was just some guy they found on an island who begged to be let aboard their ship. They had only met a few hours ago.
He was, understandably, overwhelmed by the hedgehog. It seemed like the stranger knew almost everything about his life, except for one key detail; Sonic didn't exist in it.
And that's exactly what made Sonic keep pushing. He wasn't a part of Sails’ life, but he wanted to be. Because he knows what Tails’ life was like before meeting the hedgehog, and he needed to make sure Sails was safe.
Nine wasn't.
Mangey wasn't.
There had to be at least one variant of his little brother that was okay. The kid's safety couldn't only rely on Sonic, surely there had to be one of them that got off easy.
But he guesses that was just another assumption he was wrong about.
“Landlubber!” Sonic's ears twitched at that, swiveling around until they located the direction the shout came from. He turned around to see Batten flying above him.
“What’d ye say to Sails?” She asked, one hand resting on her hip as the other held the hilt of her sword. The bat nodded her head up towards the crow’s nest.
Squinting, Sonic could see Sails was leaning against the banister, his head hung low.
The hedgehog winced and rubbed the back of his neck, “I kinda pushed him about something I shouldn't have.” He admitted, ears folding down against his head. “Do you know how I can make that up to him?”
Batten’s frown deepened as she glanced up to the fox for a brief moment, “Don't do anything. He'll sort it out on his own.” She advised, lowering herself down to land beside the hedgehog. “And don't bring the topic back up again. Ever.”
“Noted.” Sonic tried to smile, but it was very obviously strained. He sighed and looked away from the fox, not wanting to be caught staring.
He wasn't used to leaving Tails alone. When the fox was upset he would always bring him a gift to make up for whatever it was he did.
But maybe it's time to stop treating these two tailed foxes like they're his little brother. It never seemed to work out in his favor.
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benkeibear · 1 year
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☰ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧
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⧫ Character: Sanzu
⧫ Reader: female | AFAB
⧫ Summary: Sanzu being extra gentle with his newborn daughter
⧫ WARNINGS: mentions of pregnancy and abortion
⧫ A/n: don’t want to miss a post? Sign up for my Taglist in my Navi! (This is a repost from my old blog)
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When you first broke the news to your boyfriend that you are expecting a child, He didn’t take it well. It was Sanzu after all, you didn’t expect him to react any other way if you were honest to yourself. He threw a whole tantrum about how He can’t be a father, doesn’t want to be one and you should get an abortion.
If that would have been all you wouldn’t have minded it much but He got a violent fit again, throwing things around and breaking furniture before storming out of your shared apartment. You thought that this would be it… You’re forced to be a single mother from now on.
But Sanzu returned in the morning, reeking of alcohol, eyes bloodshot. He looked like a kicked puppy, holding a small stuffed bunny in his hands.
“Please let me stay… I promise I will get better. I want to be my childs father… I want to be with you” He begged, falling to his knees in despair and you let him back in.
Over the next few months He let actions follow his words, getting clean, not a single drop of alcohol running through his body and He tried his best to improve, not wanting to get angry this fast, at least not with or around you.
He spent less and less time with Bonten, being with you 24 hours in your last month, not wanting to miss a single second of this experience. He felt foolish for ever saying He doesn’t want this child.
Sanzu was right at your side while you gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter, she had your hair and his beautiful eyes. Due to complications you couldn’t hold her right away so He took over, completely in awe as the small girl wrapped her hand around a single finger of his. In this moment He vowed to always be there for his little princess, to protect her and her mother with his life and He will become a better man.
When the day arrived that you could finally go home with her, it felt illegal to take this small human being home with you.
“Are you sure we can just take her home? Isn’t it safer to stay here?” Sanzu asked, voice full of anxiety.
“There is no place more safe than at home with her Dad. She can be so lucky to have you” you reassured him, painting the most beautiful smile on his face. His. It’s his own daughter. He still can’t believe it.
At home He gently held her in his arms, showing her around as if she would understand everything, finding more and more things that He could make baby proof. If it would be up to him, his small angel would never leave his arms again so He can protect her better.
But sleeping time rolled around for her and He put her into her crib, not letting go of her tiny hand. You wondered where He is after a while but you entered the room to the pink haired man singing a lullaby to your daughter, tears on his cheeks as He smiled at the little girl.
She will grow up to be a daddy’s girl for sure. Sanzu was head over heels and dead set on protecting her.
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bangchansgirlsblog · 6 months
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I have a request, you could pick which ever <3!! stray kids (idm the member) making a bet on the reader to get with them, stray kids comforting reader thinking they’re cheating but the reader isn’t. I’m
I saw someone else do this and it was so good, but your one of my favorite stray kids writer , but if your not wanting to I totally understand ><
- 🌷
Silly bet
Warning: None
Pairing: Han x reader
Summary: ^^
!kinda proof read!
Thank you for the request love ☺️
Hope you enjoy the story!
-🩷
**
It wasn't like I should have found out but the truth comes out at the end.
today was a long day at work. There was no lie there. Everything was so frustrating. The day started with my co-worker spilling coffee all over my brand new shoes, then losing the earring Han had just got me for our 2 year Anniversary and then lastly falling down and twisting my ankle when I was rushing down the stairs because my ignorant boss thought it would be "funny" to make me run with stacks of papers in my hand trying to see if I can make it for one side to the other. So yeah my day wasn't going great. At all.
"Han?" I call for my boyfriend but I hear no response. The house was quiet. Was he not home yet?
I put my shoes by the rack and limp over to our room to put everything away before I could start on dinner. All the rooms were dark and had no sign of human activity.
I put my bag down and changed into something more comfortable and head back out to the kitchen.
"What should I cook today?" The thought run through my head but after some time I just realized how tired I was so I just decided to order some Chinese. 
I grab my phone to call my boyfriend to see what he would want from the shop,
"Hey baby?" I say into the phone after he picks up after a few rings.
"Hey my love!" He beams. I could hear a few voices behind. The boys must be with him.
"I've had a long day, I don't think I'm going to cook." A sigh leaves my lips as I play with the collar of my...well his hoodie.
"Awe my love, do you want talk about it now or when I get back home?" His voice is laced with worry, I can hear it.
"When you get back home please, but don’t worry it’s not that bad," I explain to him knowing Han he would literally leave work at that moment just to come home.
"Okay…rehearsals are almost done anyways so I'll see you in like and hour yeah?"
"Okay but I'm ordering Chinese. What do you want? Should I get the usual?"
"Yeah let's do the usual yeah," I hear some laughter and a few screams which cause me to chuckle. “All of you shut up!”
"Okay I'll see you in a bit,"
"I love you,"
"I love you too baby doll,"
A small smile plays on my lips as I wait for him to hung up.
"Who was that?" I hear through the phone. My curiosity took the best of me. Plus he hadn't hanged up yet so I technically wasn't breaking boundaries?
"Just Y/n, she's had a long day at work," Han softly says and rummages through something probably in the studio. "I'm worried about her, she's been so stressed lately,"
"Dude I can't believe you’re actually in a 2 year relationship, remember how this all started?" The other voice says, it was hard to tell who is was.
"Chan, I still haven't told her about it and I don't think I ever will, it'll just ruin things," Han replies to him. What will ruin things? And what hasn't he told me yet?
Was he cheating? Is he doing something behind my back?
"I'm just saying Han, she was a stupid bet I don't think she'll really care if you tell her sooner rather than later. Plus your in LOVE for crying out loud. You guys have been together for 2 years! I don't think she'll care about a stupid bet,"
My body freezes as I listened in on the conversation even more. I was a bet? A bet? What the hell? I knew Han was out of my league when we first started to get to know eachother but I thought maybe he liked girls like me….i was wrong the whole time? I was just a bet?
"I know I know but it still feels wrong and she's been so stressed lately so no I don't think I'll ever tell her,"
I remain silent as a screeching sound runs through my ear. A bet? I was a bet….
I had no words literally and the constant voices were running through my head in all directions. Heartbroken was in understatement.
Nausea hits me really hard as the thought of my 2 year relationship was being based on a bet. 
"Anyways what time is it anyway, I need to get home to the wifey,"
The phone goes quiet until I hear Han's panicked voice. Probably realizing I was still on the phone.
"Y/n? You're still there?"
I small 'fuck' in the background made my Chan and whispers start to echo through the room.
"Y/n baby? Did you hear any of that?" He asks again. Panic was very visible in his voice. His breathing getting heavy.
"I was a bet?" Is the only thing I could say and ask. Nothing else could come out. My brain couldn’t scrape anything at all.
"No- I mean- baby- let me explain-" I hung up the phone and drop it to the ground. Everything was a lie.
My heart was aching with pain and the room seemed to become very very shaky.
A heavy breath leaves my mouth before a sob escapes. The vibrations make my body shake and the ground feeling like it was swallowing me.
The floor was cold and the room felt hot. The clothes in my bidy were slowly suffocaying me. i didnt know what to think or what to do.
My phone vibrates over and over. The picture of me and Han popping up with each ring. The feeling of throwing up coming now and again as I clutched my body trying to make sense of everything.
How could a person affect you so much Y/n? Han knew how much I loved him he knew how much I cared for him, if he really did love me why didn’t he just tell me? Why didn’t he just explain it to me?
My stomach started to hurt due to how hard I was crying. As each sob left my mouth a shiver went down my spine.
“Baby?!” A voice causes my neck to snap towards the direction of the door. The love of myself stood before me as he quickly shut the door and put his shoes away.
“Han?” My sore throat is able to make a sound but my voice is hoarse and breaking.
“Babe, don’t cry my love please?” He takes a few steps before he is right infront of me. His hands reach out but my body dodges his touch.
“How could you?” Was all I could say through sobs. “I thought you loved me..”
“I do love you mama, I really do. I just- we were just young and stupid. Please let me hold you. Please let me carry you onto the couch. You’re gonna get a cold.” His eyes are soft. His lips were plump and worry was painted all over his face. He was wearing a hoodie and some sweatpants with a beanie on his head.
I nod my head slowly and his hands work quickly . He pulls me into his embrace. His scent filling my nostrils.
“Are you okay?” He softly asks. I nod in response. It’s all I could do.
We were sat on the couch now. My knees were against my chest as I watched him move back and forth around the house before sitting down beside’s me.
“Can I please explain now?” He asks, “I hate seeing you like this my love. Look at me please?” I refuse to look at him. I was afraid that I would fold, I wouldn’t be strong.
He lets out a sigh before beginning, “Y/n the bet was stupid. The bet was almost 3 years ago my love you have to believe me when I say it only last a month before I noticed I was actually in love with you. I told the boys that I didn’t want the money and that I had fallen for you. They told me it was okay and that we would never have to speak about it again but guilt was eating me alive-“
“Then why did you just tell me?” I look at him looking for answers.
“I- I was so scared of losing you…” he pauses and takes a deep breath in before wiping the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes, “ You are my first love, my first everything, I didn’t want to lose you because of some stupid mistake,”
“Oh…but what about the trust? Has everything been a lie?”
“No no no no, you have to believe me there Y/n. That’s the only thing I haven’t told you. I swear, you know everything about me, more than the boys do-“
“Oh…” a silence falls upon us as I play with the promise ring he had given me when we had gone on vacation to Greece. He had gotten down on one knee when we were on the beach and I started to freak out thinking that he was going to propose but it was a relief when I heard his question. Don’t get me wrong I will marry him one day I just thought we were still too young to get married plus he has his career still building up. It was just horrible timing.
“It hurts, you know?” I break the silence.
“I know my love, please let me make it up to you? Don’t give up on me please. I was stupid and young and my action has no excuse but please forgive me. I love you with everything in me.”
A little sigh leaves my lips as I study his face. His hand was on my lap. The silence fell upon us again. The panic attack that had happened a few minutes ago had now died down.
“I- I forgive you Han but I don’t know maybe it’ll take time to fully forgive you for lying to me,”
“That’s totally okay my love,” a small smile plays on his lips, “I’ll wait for you but just know I really do love you okay? And your my everything,”
“I love you too Han, so much it hurts.”
**
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saltsicklover · 8 months
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Part One - STCHT
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Here's to a new adventure! Enjoy!!
Title: Someone To Come Home To
Pairing: Jake "Hangman" Seresin x Fem!Reader
Word Count: 2200+
Rating: R
Warnings: Talk of Secrets, Swearing, Jake's mothering being A LOT, talks of death and trauma.
Best Friends to Lovers Romance! Marriage of Convenience!
Disclaimer: I do not own Jake Seresin, or anything related to Top Gun Maverick within this piece. Not Proof Read or BETA'd. All mistakes are my own.
I do not consent for my work to be edited, reposted, or translated.
You are responsible for your own media consumption. This is a work of fiction that may contain mature themes. If you are sensitive to those subjects, please do not read.
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The Dagger Squad is good at keeping secrets- they make their living under Top Secret clearance, their fighter jets being a means to an end, really. They fly with a prayer on their lips, they compete their missions, make miracles, and come home. That's the job. 
They do it, and they do it well, because that is the job. From the moment the step onto that aircraft carrier, it no longer matters what they are leaving behind. They may fight for what's behind them, who is behind them, but none of that matters the second they step into that jet. All that mattered from that moment on was the mission, the job, the next step or twelve they had to take in order to get back home. 
Maybe that's why they have so many secrets. 
They tell people it's so information can't be tortured out of them- if they can keep their personal lives a secret, they can damn sure keep professional information from falling into the wrong hands. They say it's because they are just quiet people, they don't like their personal lives out in the open for anyone to see. Sometimes they even say it's so they can focus on the job. If no one is talking about home, there will be nothing to miss on mission, on deployment, or while they are stationed across the country. 
Those were never the real reasons. Each Dagger had their own. Nobody ever questioned each other until they became a permeant detachment out of San Diego and things that were once kept secret slowly began working their way out. 
The secrets, physical fitness standards, uniform regulations, and bureaucracy were just added bullshit on top of the contracted nine to five job that Jake Seresin accepted when he signed on that dotted line. Again, and again, and again. 
The job was good, really good. It brought him all over the world, seeing things that people didn't even think to wish for. From the deepest blue hues of the ocean and their white crested waves that lap themselves up against the sides of aircraft carriers to the clearest sky that surrounded him each time he flew. No matter where he found himself, the world seemed to stretch so far around him and a feeling of absolute awe filled him. 
He swore up and down that there was nothing like it, the feeling that the ever expansive Earth was just beyond of his fingertips, and he ached to see it all. Seresin crossed his heart, claiming there was nothing more beautiful than watching the world form the seat of his jet- the sun cresting over the horizon, the blue from both the sky and sea being interrupted by a streak of brilliant sunlight. 
He knew the sky was where he belonged from the moment his Father's best friend took him up in his private prop plane. It was just a little two seater Cessna, but Jake sat in the back, fighting the the seatbelt the whole time. He wanted nothing more than to push his face flush up against the glass and take in everything the eye could see. It was that moment, his world broke open, his future crystal clear- he belonged in the sky. 
Getting into the Navy was all that mattered, so, he fought like hell to claim his place, to fly with the best pilots, to be a navel aviator. He started young, first with good grades and model planes before moving onto high school, his plucky neighbor in tow. 
Seresin had first met his neighbor, who he affectionately refers to as Spurs, when his Mother dragged him over to their home with a Bundt cake to welcome them to the neighborhood. The gesture was meant to be friendly, the Texans with kind hearts and hospitality to boot. 
The Jett family was less than impressed with the gesture, but, they took the cake anyway in an attempt to seem nice. It's never the best idea to upset new neighbors on the day you move in, even if the cake that Mrs. Seresin held out to Ms. Jett felt more like an excuse to snoop than it did to actually be kind. The thing the Mrs. Seresin didn't know was that her presence was more of an interruption than a welcome party. That, however, didn't stop the wide eyed girl from pushing around her mother's legs, sticking her hand out towards Jake with gusto and self confidence. 
"Good afternoon!" Mrs. Seresin's cheeks bore too much blush and not enough of a smile as Mrs. Jett opened the door about 45 degrees. She stuck her head out onto the porch, her daughter quickly hiding behind the door, a finger laced through her mother's belt loop. 
"Hi," The greeting is short and Mrs. Seresin pulls her lips into a tight line, still trying to keep the corners ticked up to allude to a smile in response to her new neighbor.  
Mrs. Seresin's blond hair is styled tall and proud, no doubt giving her about four more inches in height, adding to the extra couple she gets from her strappy heals. She wears a beautiful dress, one that wraps her upper body before flowing down into a skirt to hide her tummy and hips. Things that, no doubt wouldn't be considered 'lady-like' to show off. The neckline is modest, but there is enough room to layer a set of dainty pearls around her neck. Her blue eyes sparkle against her thick layer of makeup. 
Her son is clad in jeans that are just a hair too long for him, even with the little bit of height he gets from his cowboy boots. A t-shirt is tucked into this jeans, a belt buckle on proud display. His cheeks are rosy with heat, unclear if the cause is from the weather or the embarrassment his mother is subjecting him to. 
"My name is Patricia Seresin, and this is my son, Jacob," She runs her well manicured fingers through his hair. "We live just across the way and we wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood!" The cheeriness laced in her voice is fake but well rehearsed; a tone of voice that would sound wonderfully condescending with the right words. Ms. Jett takes note of the tone and the way her new neighbors lacquered nails stand out against her son's hair, the shining red paint against the bright blond of the boy's too long hair. Jacob's hair falls unceremoniously over his forehead, a hat line worn into his bangs, no doubt from the dark brown Stetson he cradles against his chest. 
Patricia holds the cake out towards Ms. Jett expectantly, her eyebrows inching up her forehead as she shakes the plastic wrap covered dessert at her new neighbor. Patricia mutters something about it being a "Bundt" and so, with a sigh,  Ms. Jett pulls open the door a bit further, trying not to notice the way her new neighbor's eyes rake over her form. Her hair is tied back, bandanna tied tightly around her head, almost obscuring her dirty blonde hair. Her white t-shirt is tucked beneath a pair of cutoff overalls, a pair of high tops adorn her feet. 
"I'm Lizzy- Elizabeth Varon Jett" She introduced herself as she took the cake being presented to her. Once she let go of the door, it swung open the rest of the way, her daughter's hand on the knob. Her daughter is still hidden a bit behind her legs. "This is my daughter, Captain," Lizzy introduces her daughter with a little smirk.
"You named your daughter, Captain?" The judgement leaks through Patricia's voice and Lizzy can't help but laugh.
"Heavens, no! But she won't actually respond to anything but Captain, so that's what we go with. My late husband was a Naval Lieutenant, and used to call her Captain because it's a superior rank.  It's silly," She dismisses with a wave of her hand, a light wash of tears flooding her eyes. "Captain, this is Mrs. Patricia, and her son, Jacob," 
"Mrs. Seresin,"
"Jake," 
The neighbors speak at the same time.  Captain's eyes drifted from Mrs. Seresin to the boy standing next to her. He smiles widely at her, a couple of his front teeth missing. She smiles back, showing off a tooth gap of her own. Lizzy laughs at the exchange, Patricia doesn't. 
"Captain starts at the Elementary school just down the road in a couple of weeks," Lizzy says, more to Jake than to his mother, "Fourth grade, a big year! What about you, Jacob?"
"I will be going into fourth grade as well, Ma'am," He informs her, a smile playing on his lips. 
"That's very exciting, maybe you two will be in the same class!" Lizzy nudges her daughter a bit with her hip, a smile on both of their faces. The words go unspoken between mother and daughter, a new friend. 
Captain looks Jake up and down before making a decision. She moved out fully from behind the safety of her mother's legs, a new confidence taking over. She didn't even bother to give her name, real or the nickname she had been using since she was seven, instead opting to ask a question, one that would stick in the back of Jake's mind for the rest of time, "Where are your spurs? I thought everyone here in Texas wore spurs!"
The laugh that escaped his lips sealed the deal for her. Jake would be her best friend. Jake's mother nudged him between the shoulders, apologizing for his inconsiderate attitude. As their mothers continued their conversation, Spurs stuck out her hand again, this time, he took it in his own, grip firm and assured. 
With a few more spoken words between the women, they bid each other a good afternoon, each mother having to pull their own child into the house and off the porch, respectively. Captain knew form that moment on that didn't plan on letting anything get in her way, not the new house, the new school, the new life without her father, nothing. Especially when it came to the green eyed boy who lived across the street, who was in her new fourth grade class. The moment she laid eyes on him life swept them up, tangling them together, whether they like it or not- but little did each other know, they would like it an awful lot. 
---
Over the years, Jake and Spurs came to know lots about each other, probably more than they knew about themselves. Jake's family owned a large ranching business but after his father, Richard, got injured, they moved into town leaving the ranch in their employees capable hands.
Jake learned how Spurs' father, David, died. He was in a helicopter that went down, the ocean swept the wreckage under and no one made it out. They shouldn't have been flying with the storm, but the Navy remains adamant that there was appropriate weather when they took off. Spurs doesn't speak about her father, much to her Mom's dismay. 
Jake loves math even though he would never admit it, and Sunny was fantastic in history. He could spell, she couldn't. She always slipped him her carton of milk in exchange for his grapes. They balanced each other out, the way best friends should. 
Their mothers took photos of them together every year, the first day of school, and the last, posed in front of the large tree outside the Seresin house. They traded birthday gifts and homework. They got caught cheating in the sixth grade as they slipped each other answers for the reading quiz. Neither of them cared for the books they read, so they each read half and swapped answers. It wasn't a fool proof plan, but they didn't find that out until they were sitting outside the principals office, bumping knees and waiting for their furious mothers to get through with the principal. 
The years went by quickly, between school work and first time job, first kisses and parties. Not before long, it was graduation and the pair were happy as could be, posing for photos together. They were clad in cap and gown, hanging off of each other, smiles brighter than the Texas sun. Jake was headed for bootcamp a few weeks later, more than ready to begin his Naval career. 
Spurs was headed north, school in Minnesota calling her name. She didn't really want to go, but she promised her Mother she would give it a try. When she finally made it to the tiny college town, nestled right up against the Mississippi river, she barely lasted through the first winter. Between the homesick feeling that never left her chest and the fact that Jake was due home for Easter before shipping out to his first duty station for Flight School, she was itching to get home. 
She told herself she didn't need the fancy degree anyway- it wasn't what she wanted out of life in the first place. Spurs wanted to travel, to work with her hands, to meet new people and figure out what life was outside of her little corner of it all. She was ready for whatever the world was going to dish her- at least, she thought she was. That was until she walked through the front door of her house, bags in hand, only to find the Seresin's and her mother waiting for her, each wearing a more intense look than the last. Absolutely nothing could have prepared her for the words that left Richard's mouth. 
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completeoveranalysis · 6 months
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Of Yūko's customers, which ones you find most memorable?
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Most memorable customers, you say?
I hope you don't mind me using this as an excuse to make an arbitrary list by way of answer. (Arbitrary lists, my beloved...)
Yuuko's Customers In Order Of How Well I Remember Them
(Though I will exclude all the bigger characters for fairness. So, Syaoran, Watanuki, Lava Lamp, Fai, Kurogane, Doumeki, Himawari, Seishirou, Ashura, Tomoyo, etc, etc. Regular xxxHolic customers only!)
10. Birdcage Customer
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What was this about? Was he even a customer? We just don't know!
But the thing most memorable about this whole situation is the most pressing question: WHY DO YOU HAVE EVIL WOLVERINE'S SYMBOL ALL OVER YOUR HOME? It's even on his front sign!
WHO ARE YOU?????
9. The Liar
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Mostly at the bottom because I can't resist the irony. She's the first big customer we see - but what do we really know about her? Absolutely nothing, because she lied every step of the way!
What can we really remember about someone who never actually told us anything about herself?
Though I guess you could say her ending causes quite an impact.
8. Monkey's Paw Customer
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Did I forget this had happened? Perhaps!
She's one of those cases where the cause and effect are so clear that the rest of the cast might as well not even be there - and I think most of her story IS told through scenes entirely from her perspective.
I think the most memorable thing about her is the Sheer Audacity of hunting down a monkey's paw and being convinced that, actually, she already knows what it does so it can't possibly go wrong. Love that for her. Would kill for this confidence.
(Not literally - but she kind of did that also)
7. Ame Warashi
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Her impeccable style. Her winning charm. She's an icon.
I had just completely forgotten that she was also a customer at one point.
She makes up for it for being absolutely great in every scene she was in, but what are you going to do in a list based purely on how well I remember the customer part? Woops! My bad!
6. Karasu Tengu
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They get huge points for this being a Central Event in the narrative, but also I completely forgot they were in this as customers. The entire plot scenario? Incredible! Character defining! Et cetera!
The actual Karasu Tengu themselves? Woops! I forgot they were there. My fault though!
5. The Computer Addict
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I love this one. She's so ahead of the curve that she was addicted to the internet back when you had to be on the pc to use it. Honestly, relatable. I also went through a phase like this as a young teen, so the struggle was real.
Little did we all know that in the present day the accessibility of the internet would be so rampant that she literally wouldn't even need that pc to indulge her habits anymore. Oops!
But that aside Yuuko is peak during this arc and I love everything about it. Especially the fact that Yuuko just hangs out on message boards in her free time? Wonderful information. I can do so much with this.
4. Oops! All Ghosts
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Another incredible storyline. The twists are preserved by some sneaky panels from Watanuki's perspective and Yuuko's morally grey approach to the whole situation is wonderful. What if you wanted to get rid of the ghost in your home, only to find out that YOU were the ghost all along? It has the DISTRESS. It has the CONFLICT. It has the TRAGEDY. 10/10
3. Haunted Photo
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Another customer with Peak Audacity. Trying to wish away the consequences of your own actions? Committing something awful but being unable to actually look at the proof yourself? The ultimate wish being an anxiety inducing curse that is sure to fail? Love it.
It's also one of those juicy situations where the morality of the situation basically drives itself. The customer causes her own problems and can't actually be saved - and doesn't deserve it either.
And honestly I think CLAMP should get a lot of credit for having the haunting effects of a photograph slowly turning around in a purely static medium. They really pulled that off.
I still love the evil smile in the photograph the last time we see it. PURE memorable.
2. The Twin
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WE LOVE HER? WE LOVE HER.
Being consistently cut off and run down and overwritten and slowly clawing your way out of the situation through the sheer desire to be your own person?
And then the answer is a haircut?
It's another glimpse into the side of Yuuko that really does try cut people a good bargain. The wish could have been taken in any number of ways, but Yuuko went for the easiest and most affordable way that would genuinely help the customer actually fix her life on her own. She didn't specifically need supernatural help for this, but it was the route that presented itself, and it was the one that got her the help she needed when she needed it. Very hitsuzen, very relatable, very identifiable storyline that sticks with you.
Just like the final entry!
1. Kohane
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Listen do I even need to explain this one.
Kohane is like THE storyline. It's THE example of what it's all about. It's not entirely supernatural in nature but completely heart wrenching. It has Watanuki playing a central role in fixing the problem, setting up for his future (or at least, what I assume it will be). It ties xxxHolic to Tsubasa and hints at a secret tool that will help with someone later.
And it has Kohane! You can't go wrong.
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urstarlitharlot · 26 days
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I also recommend leaving if a zionist wants to argue.
If they don't listen, then just leave them be(i mean walking away online). It's very cult like behavior, and yelling/name calling in their eyes only proves that the person who's gaslit them for a long time is right. No really, just give them a link to something as you leave, (and maybe they will or won't change. But getting into debates or arguments won't help. It'll only "prove them right".) Sometimes they'll come around and look into it, or maybe they won't. But if they don't want to listen, chances are they won't ever listen.
Also don't put down people in Israel who want to do the right thing and learn how to become a better person. It's never too late to learn and be a better person, if they want to help Palestine it's not going to be perfect (they'll have to unlearn propaganda that's litterally constantly told to them everyday), but guide them in the right direction. Antizionist groups, how to use a VPN, how to archive lost Gazan media on the wiki (things like media,reports, places, protests (even in Israel because they keep getting removed if it's people who want to help Gaza keep getting shut down. It's why you rarely see anything of it. Like the man in israel bullied/harrased by IDF on a park bench for mourning babies in Gaza when the hospital was bombed.) Direct them to ways to donate anonymously like the click once a day site.
I tend to send links of diy reuseable pads, but period cups are great so people in Gaza will never run out of tampons/pads since they can be in rotation and cleaned with rain water. (And tools to filter rain/waste water).
Best thing to do is to end this type of propaganda immediately. I often see people argue with zionists (bad idea. Because others will see that, and already mentioned above). And it just pushes them more into that bad direction.
When you are constantly told and fed propaganda, it's a weird thing to break out of. Goal is (of this ask) to make sure people break out of the cycle, and we end this cycle so no one ever gets hurt again.
Everyone in this situation looses, Palestinians, Gazans, and people who are constantly lied to in Israel who think everything is out to hurt them because the USA/Israel tells them it's the one place they belong or they are fake.
Freeing Palestine is also having to look at what brought us to this awful situation to start with.
(I do kinda hope that this is helpful?...in a way? Not saying people cannot be mad, but these patterns of behaviors of zionists are very cult like. How to approach and to get them to see eye to eye is learning how to talk to them, and just walk away if they ever debate. You'll never win to them, and it'll work them up even more. Like do not feed zionists trolls online ethier. They want that, so others can see it to go "hm! See! I was right!")
Sorry if this is long. And please correct me on anything (hopefully i'm not rude or so on. I just wanted to add to the one post you made, but in a ask so if I gotten anything wrong it can be corrected. I want avoid this situation from ever happening again, so I'm looking at it as if it were a box. There's ways we can prevent this ever happening again,and it's important to learn the signs before we reach the state of genocide that Gaza is in.)
yeah ofc!! from experience most (of course zionists FROM israel have a lot of unlearning propaganda so theyre brick walls) but with ANY zionist they literally don't listen. it's impossible to reason with someone who doesn't want to be reasoned with. even with concrete proof of the idf being bad they'll just spin what you're saying until they can make you seem bad. the only reason im opposed to blocking some zionists is almost all of them are delusional and believe that if they get blocked that means that they 'win and are proven right" 😭
also, thanks for the ask :)
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genshin-obsessed · 1 year
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You know that prompt with the reader being brainwashed and ending up snapping out of it, only to sacrifice themselves for the genshin character (Manipulation was the name of the fic)? I would like that but with either Zhongli or Scaramouche (if you only do Inazuma characters). I adore your angst fics the most. Ignore this if the requests are not open (unsure, have been off Tumblr fpr quite a bit).
Hello! I hope you like it, I think it's a bit more improved since that fic came out ages ago! Thank you so much <3 I hope this lives up to your expectations!
♡ Manipulation (Diluc & Kaeya ver) ♡
➺ Character: Scaramouche ➺ Genre: Angst ➺ Warning(s): Character death
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“Get off-” You were interrupted as Toxin’s hand grasped your throat. You gasped as you grabbed her hands, glaring at her weakly as she leaned in, her nose brushing up against yours.
“Aw, what was that? I can’t hear you.” She taunted, making you struggle against her. “Now, just be a good little minion and listen to me.”
“N-Never…” Toxin moved closer, making you flinch. Her lips were merely inches away from yours, but instead of kissing you, a green-like mist slowly seeped out of them. Toxin released your throat, making you involuntarily inhale. Once her mist entered your lungs, you felt it cloud your mind before everything went dark.
You didn’t pass out though, no. Now you were just under her control. You looked up at Toxin with a submissive look, making her smirk.
“Now be a good little minion and do as I say.”
“Yes, master.”
Scaramouche paced back and forth as his mind ran a mile a minute. He hasn’t seen you in say too long and that was abnormal for you. Sure, he was a busy man but he always tried to make time for you. But for you to not reach out was completely out of character, so he went to your home. But no, you weren’t there either.
As he searched your home for any clues, he felt off. There was uncertainty and concern that nipped at him but from the looks of it, nothing went wrong. Your home was neat and not a single thing made it seem like there was a struggle. But you weren’t exactly the one to just walk off.
Though there was little evidence, Scaramouche declared you’d been kidnapped. Even without proof, he just knew you’d been take away against your will. 
He immediately sent out search parties and they began for canvas the area for you or any signs of you. For three full days and nights, Scaramouche and his team searched for you. With little breaks and little rest, the desperation kept your boyfriend going. He needed to find you and he couldn’t stop until you were safe in his arms again. 
The last thing he expected was to hear what he was told by a subordinate. It was their third consecutive day they had been searching when a man ran to Scaramouche. With a shaky voice, he delivered the frightful news.
“We’ve gotten word that (y/n) may be with Toxin.” There was an uncomfortable silence that fell in between them as the harbinger tried to digest the man’s words.
“… what did you say?“ he asked, making the man stiffen. Lowering his head, he spoke once more.
“We believe that (y/n) is with Toxin.” As Scaramouche thought about it- everything made sense. That woman was the only one who could’ve set up a scene like that. She was one of few that didn’t fear him. Now it was finally time for Scaramouche to panic- he’d heard more than he wanted to about Toxin and she was a menace.
Unshakable, unflinching, unstoppable killer. Those were the words he would use to describe that witch. So the hunt began as he desperately searched for Toxin.
It wasn’t long before he found her. Well… more like she found him out of pity.
“Give them back!” Scaramouche yelled, a look of anger and fear swirling in his eyes.
“Or what?” Toxin challenged as she placed a hand on her hip. “I don’t think you could do anything to me… weakling.”
“I’ll kill you. I will!” He threatened to which she just scoffed.
“Handle this, dear (y/n).” Toxin commanded and within seconds, you were rushing towards your lover. His eyes widened as he noticed you were trying to attack him. He dodged again and again but you were steadfast and strong. You didn’t slow down, you didn’t even waver! After long minutes of running, he felt the mental and physical exhaustion take over. How could he ever hurt you? How could he even think about harming a hair on your head.
Scaramouche fell to the ground and you raised your weapon high in the sky. Before you brought it down on the flinching harbinger… you stopped.
“… what…?” She mumbled as you blinked weakly. The weapon slid from your grip and fell to the ground with a thud. “What’s going on?” Your weak voice trembled through your lips. You weren’t sure where you were or what you had been doing but… you were tired. Your eyes landed on Scaramouche, who was on the ground before you with his arms up to protect himself. Why… was he doing that? Why was he so scared?
His eyes met yours and widened when he saw the recognition in them.
“Kill him, (y/n).” Toxin commanded as a new weapon appeared in your hand. It was a glowing green sword. The magic and power it emanated was… intense.
“N-no…” you said as you turned to look at Toxin. Before Scaramouche could even think to move, large chains appeared around his body and held him down. “I can’t!”
“Well someone has to die.” She said matter of factly. “Either he dies… or you do.”
“No! Don’t hurt them!” Scaramouche yelled as he looked at Toxin. “(Y/n)… do what you have to..”
“I’m not gonna kill you!” You exclaimed with a look of disgust on your face. “Why would you even say that!?”
“You’ll die, you idiot!” He yelled back, “stop thinking and just do it!”
“No!” You yelled as you dropped the sword. “I’m not gonna kill you!”
“One of you has to die by your hand, (y/n). If you don’t want to kill him… you’re welcome to kill yourself.” You stared at Scaramouche before his eyes widened in horror.
“Stop… no- no! (Y/n)! (Y/n)!! Don’t do it! Listen to me!” But his words fell on deaf ears and he watched you pick up the sword and place the blade against your neck. You looked at him and saw the tears and pain. “Please… don’t you leave me too…”
“I love you…” you whispered, shutting your eyes tightly and sliding the large blade against your neck. Scaramouche looked away but he couldn’t stop the screams that escaped his lips as he fought against the bonds. The sword and chains disappeared and the harbinger crawled to your body, pulling it towards him.
“Stop… this isn’t funny…” he said as the tears streamed down his cheeks. He held onto you as the sobs slipped from his lips, filling the empty air around him. 
“How boring…” Toxin scoffed as she turned away. Scaramouche had no strength nor energy to go after her. He just wanted you… that’s all. His glossy eyes watched Toxin’s blurry figure get smaller and smaller but all he could do was hold onto you so tightly that he could’ve killed you… if you weren’t already dead.
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theskeletonprior · 6 months
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This Tav Tale was commissioned by @void-botanist -- thanks again for your patience! Looking for a Tav Tale of your own? Look here for details.
When the invitation comes, Karlach prepares herself for a world of bullshit. The courier’s out of breath, which tells her that the poor bloke has a pretty unforgiving boss, or got paid handsomely to run up to the tavern where they’ve all been shacked up for the last little while. She flicks the courier an extra gold coin for his trouble, and heads up to the cozy—or at least bedbug free—little bedroom she’s been sharing with Niri. That’s been a treat, even if sometimes she gets so warm that they have to kick the covers off at night and sleep with the window open.
“Hey, soldier, got a letter.” Karlach tosses it on the bed, reaching out to grab a hold of Niri’s toes, give ‘em a good wiggle. “Look alive, we’re a going concern!” Niri sits up sleepily; and no surprises there, they’ve been running like it’s the Hells for weeks with no sign of slowing down.
“What’s the concern?” She rubs at her eyes, pretty as emeralds, and stifles a yawn. She’s the sweetest thing that Karlach has ever seen.
“No, no, we’re a going concern. Means people want to talk to us now. Check it out. We’ve got ourselves a formal invitation.” Karlach pulls off her boots, clambering up into bed beside Niri and hoping to fuck that Niri’s not about to tell her that it’s a follow-up letter from Gortash. She can’t help the sigh of relief that leaves her when it turns out to be some noblewoman in the know who just wants them to come by to a little get-together because she’s heard all about the raid on Moonrise Towers. She looks at Niri sidelong, and as she so often is, finds herself surprised that her partner can get any sweeter than she already is. Gods, she’s pretty. Prettier when she looks so excited.
“I’ve never been to a fancy party,” Niri says. Karlach’s still so dazzled by the stars in her eyes, she almost forgets to answer. “Karlach?”
“Oh! It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, soldier. Food’s usually good, though. We’ll line your bag, take a pheasant or two to go.” Niri’s excitement dampens at that, the corners of her mouth turning down, pretty stars fading just enough to make Karlach want to walk her assessment back.
“We don’t have to go,” Niri says, but Karlach knows she’s just being her kind self.
“Aw, c’mon, no need to let me off easy. Besides, how long’s it been since we ate for free?” Niri’s expression brightens again, and it takes everything Karlach has in her not to grab her up and squeeze her. “What’s say we go out on the town, rustle up something to wear, hey, soldier?”
It’s game on after that. Everyone in their merry band has something to say about fancy dress, and what to do at a party. Gale knows his way around quality textiles; Astarion knows a tailor. Lae’zel, bless her, knows how to kill a man with a fish fork, and Shadowheart has tips on how to look like you’re putting away as much wine, or more, than your fellow guests. Wyll has advice on dancing, though he likes to pretend he’s not any good (this, Karlach knows, is a play in order to exceed expectations). All of Minsc’s advice comes to them by hamster, but Jaheira has a lesson about the virtue of good shoes—“Just in case you need to make a run for it.” And perhaps most valuably, Halsin has a concoction he swears will hangover-proof them. Karlach tries to get that recipe off him, but he’s canny, that old druid, and he’s never written it down.
If she were in Niri’s shoes, she’d probably be overwhelmed, but their fearless leader takes it all in like an absolute champion. It’s a whirlwind of a day, and they haven’t even gotten to the meat of it yet. Karlach’s more worried about what she’ll do when she sees Niri in that dress she picked than what will happen at some ponce’s little party. Just the thought gets her ticker a little fired up.
“All right, you can open your eyes,” Niri says gently, and Karlach dares to look. It feels like a soul coin’s been dropped in her engine. Niri has her hair pulled up into a loose tail, and the dress, oh gods, the dress. It’s cut low in the front and back, just barely clinging to Niri’s shoulders, a shimmery pale blue like the sky in midsummer.
“Fuck yeah.” Karlach can’t contain herself. She closes the distance, lifting Niri and spinning her gorgeous self in a circle. “It’s perfect, baby. Ready to go? Lady What’s-Her-Name sent us a ride.” Niri smiles warmly, throwing her arms around Karlach’s neck, leaning in close so that their horns knock lightly together.
“Might want to put me down first.” Karlach gives Niri a squeeze, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek, and much as she’d rather hold her forever, she sets her back down.
“All right, soldier. Let’s go get fed.”
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With the afternoon they’ve had, it’s too easy to get excited, which makes the come down even worse as Karlach begins to realize this is not the kind of poncy party that at least has dancing and an open bar. It’s a dinner party. The kind with talking and an entire compliment of forks to kill a man with, let alone one just for the fish. They’re both out of their depth on this one, nodding along in their own way. The discomfort is palpable, and only gets worse when some over-dressed peacock decides he has something completely asinine he wants to say in front of the entire gathering.
“I must say I’m surprised to see such mettle from two tieflings. Why, I thought your people only cared for themselves.” Niri starts up in her chair but Karlach puts a hand on the back of her wrist, patting gently twice.
“I got this one, baby,” she murmurs, plucking up a bottle of wine from the table. “Suppose, sir, you’ll have to re-evaluate that one.” She pads around to the blithering jerkbag who’s decided to run his mouth, topping up his glass. She lets her fire warm the wine. Not too hot; it’d be a real trouble to kill the man here in front of everyone. Just enough to scald a little. She ignores him when he tries to indicate that that’s enough, pours the glass full up and then some, steaming hot wine slopping onto the tablecloth. “Whoopsie-daisy!” The rest, she dumps out right across his lap. That’ll give him something to yip about. In a moment that she’ll later call a ‘full-on stroke of genius’ she snatches the roast bird off the table and bolts around to Niri, who’s already on her feet.
“Leg it!” As it turns out, Jaheira’s advice had been the soundest. It’s almost like she knew this could happen to them specifically. The good shoes give them a huge advantage. With the pheasant under one arm, and Niri’s hand in hers, Karlach makes a run for it, laughing madly. This isn’t the first time they’ve had to flee for their lives, but it immediately becomes Karlach’s favorite occasion for such an urgent hustle. After escaping a nautiloid, and an actual mindflayer hideaway, this is easy as pie. Almost second nature. Niri’s grip tightens on her hand, dragging her into an alleyway where they pass a couple of moments, crowded too close, breathing softly together as the guards rush past them. Niri breaks first, covering her mouth to smother a laugh.
“Well,” she sighs, “that was a bit of a let-down. Guess I should have taken your word for it.” Karlach’s expression crinkles with immediate regret for her forewarning. Had she set them up for this?
“Hey, live ‘n’ learn, right? It’s not on you. That was an especially shitty party.” She’s about to open her big fat mouth to apologize, but that’s when she hears it. The stomping of boots in a tavern, and the raucous voice of a bard. That’s a sound that can save the night. She leans in to knock horns, meeting Niri’s bright, bright eyes. “Fancy another go?” Niri smiles back up at her, opens her bag, and says something that reminds Karlach that true love isn’t just something made up by poets.
“Put your pheasant away. Let’s go dancing."
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hollowed-theory-hall · 3 months
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Dumbledore is a Manipulative Piece of Shit: Part 2/?
The second installment in one one of my favorite subjects when it comes to Harry Potter theories. And this time:
Fidelius Charms, Secret Keepers, and Sirius Black's Trial
So, in my former post in this series, I mentioned I had more to say about the question of why would Dumbledore want Sirius to be arrested and placed in Azkaban? How could I even make this claim that Dumbledore planned Sirius' fall?
Well, here we are, me and my collection of book qutes:
Exhibit 1: He planned for Harry to go to the Dursleys
‘Give Harry ter me, Hagrid, I’m his godfather, I’ll look after him —’ Ha! But I’d had me orders from Dumbledore, an’ I told Black no, Dumbledore said Harry was ter go ter his aunt an’ uncle’s. Black argued, but in the end he gave in. Told me ter take his motorbike ter get Harry there. ‘I won’t need it anymore,’ he says. “I shoulda known there was somethin’ fishy goin’ on then. He loved that motorbike, what was he givin’ it ter me for? Why wouldn’ he need it anymore? Fact was, it was too easy ter trace.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 206)
I quoted this already, but this is very damning evidence. It means Dumbledore planned for Harry to live with the Dursleys completely disregarding Sirius, even when he wasn't guilty.
"But wait!" You might cry, "he thought Sirius was the secret keeper so the moment he knew James and Lily died he figured he was guilty"
That could explain it, well, except...
Exebit 2: Dumbledore Knew Sirius was Innocent
He didn't think Sirius was a threat:
“Hagrid,” said Dumbledore, sounding relieved. “At last. And where did you get that motorcycle?” “Borrowed it, Professor Dumbledore, sir,” said the giant, climbing carefully off the motorcycle as he spoke. “Young Sirius Black lent it to me. I’ve got him, sir.” “No problems, were there?”
(Philosopher's Stone, page 13)
He shows no concern over Hagrid meeting Sirius, nor is he worried Sirius would go after Harry (considering he left him on the doorstep of the Dursleys. Outside. In November. Merlin, Dumbledore's awful)
Throughout Prisoner of Azkaban, Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent before Harry and Hermione told him. In Prisoner of Azkaban, after Harry and Hermione reveal everything they learned about Sirius in the shack to Dumbledore in the Hospital Wing, he believes them immediately. He does not ask for proof. He does not question them further. No, just their word is enough:
“But you believe us.” “Yes, I do,” said Dumbledore quietly. “But I have no power to make other men see the truth, or to overrule the Minister of Magic. . . .
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 393)
Dumbledore is lying here twice. Once, because he always knew Sirius was innocent and always planned to send Harry and Hermione to save him. and twice because at this point in the books he is the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot — the highest court and legislative body in magical Britain — and he doesn't have the power to get Sirius a trial?
And how do I know he always planned to send them back in time? Well, when Harry and Hermione do go back in time, there are two interesting occurrences I'd like to mention:
They were still ten feet away from the forest, in plain view of Hagrid’s back door. “One moment, please, Macnair,” came Dumbledore’s voice. “You need to sign too.” The footsteps stopped.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 401)
“Where is it?” said the reedy voice of the Committee member. “Where is the beast?” “It was tied here!” said the executioner furiously. “I saw it! Just here!” “How extraordinary,” said Dumbledore. There was a note of amusement in his voice.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 402)
Both these scenes happen during the hours Harry and Hermione went back to. And, due to how time travel works in Harry Potter, you don't really change anything when you go back in time because you already went back in time, so everything happens the same.
The fact Dumbledore is aware of Harry and Hermione time traveling earlier in the day before he told them to do so and even helps them suggests he always planned this. He always planned for them to set Sirius and Buckbeak free. Which is why he never worried for either.
So Dumbledore knew Sirius was innocent, which actually leads nicely to a big question:
Who cast the Fidelius Charm?
Let's start by collecting all we know about how the Fidelius Charm works. I explained this in the first post as well, but I'll give an overview here anyway.
As Professor Flitwick says:
"an immensely complex spell ... involving the magical concealment of a secret inside a living soul. The information is hidden inside the chosen person, or Secret-Keeper, and is henceforth impossible to find -- unless, of course, the Secret-Keeper chooses to divulge it." 
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 205)
The Fidelius Charm was a complex spell that sealed a phrase, a secret within a person. As I already covered, the phrase that hid the Potters included only James and Lily, as Harry was yet to be born. We also know for certain Peter Pettigrew was the Secret Keeper. But we are left with a very important question— who cast the spell?
Peter Pettigrew wasn't known as the most talented wizard and we are supposed to believe he succeded in casting a complex and advanced spell like the Fidelius Charm to a satisfactory level under the pressure of already being a spy?
“Pettigrew . . . that fat little boy who was always tagging around after them at Hogwarts?” said Madam Rosmerta. “Hero-worshipped Black and Potter,” said Professor McGonagall. “Never quite in their league, talent-wise. I was often rather sharp with him. You can imagine how I — how I regret that now. . . .” She sounded as though she had a sudden head cold.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 207)
Professor McGonagall blew her nose and said thickly, “Stupid boy . . . foolish boy . . . he was always hopeless at dueling . . . should have left it to the Ministry. . . .”
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 208)
No, I don't think that's likely. I think someone else must have cast the spell. And who could it be if not Dumbledore— the man who offered the use of the spell in the first place and who we know continues using it years later?
“Naturally,” said Professor McGonagall. “James Potter told Dumbledore that Black would die rather than tell where they were, that Black was planning to go into hiding himself . . . and yet, Dumbledore remained worried. I remember him offering to be the Potters’ Secret-Keeper himself.” “He suspected Black?” gasped Madam Rosmerta. “He was sure that somebody close to the Potters had been keeping You-Know-Who informed of their movements,” said Professor McGonagall darkly.
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 205)
It means Dumbledore was in on the plan for the beginning, at least, according to what he told to McGonagall.
"Dumbledore's Secret-Keeper for the Order, you know -- nobody can find Headquarters unless he tells them personally where it is" 
(Order of the Phoenix, page 115)
We know Dumbledore cast the spell on Grimmauld Place and was the Secret-Keeper for it.
Even if Dumbledore wasn't the Secret-Keeper...
There was evidence Sirius is innocent...
Prior Incantato can be cast on wands to show an echo of the last spell they cast. It was so easy to prove Sirius' wand didn't cast a spell. This seems to be a known ministry procedure as Amos Diggory has shown.
“Prior Incantato!” roared Mr. Diggory. Harry heard Hermione gasp, horrified, as a gigantic serpent-tongued skull erupted from the point where the two wands met, but it was a mere shadow of the green skull high above them; it looked as though it were made of thick gray smoke: the ghost of a spell.
(Goblet of Fire, page 136)
Furthermore, a Blasting Curse just doesn't work like that. It would not leave a cleanly cut-off finger. It is described as exploding the target, so the crater Sirius was found in matched, but if Pettigrew was blasted with it, nothing would have been found of him — definitely not a finger and bloody cloths that would've burned.
Not to mention Dumbledore is an accomplished Legilemanse. It's impossible to believe he could've seen Sirius and not know he wasn't the Secret Keeper even if he didn't cast the Fidelius Charm himself.
Exhibit 3: Sirius Didn't Have a Trial Because of Dumbledore
Sirius says in Goblet of Fire:
“Oh I know Crouch all right,” he [Sirius] said quietly. “He was the one who gave the order for me to be sent to Azkaban — without a trial.”
(Goblet of Fire, page 526)
Meaning Sirius has never gotten a trial. To him, he was shipped off to Azkaban without even being questioned. I don't think Sirius knows Dumbledore always knew of his innocence.
“It is your turn to listen, and I beg you will not interrupt me, because there is very little time,” he [Dumbledore] said quietly. “There is not a shred of proof to support Black’s story, except your word — and the word of two thirteen-year-old wizards will not convince anybody. A street full of eyewitnesses swore they saw Sirius murder Pettigrew. I myself gave evidence to the Ministry that Sirius had been the Potters’ Secret-Keeper.”
(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 405)
So Sirius may never had a trial, but Dumbledore has given evidence against him, at his own admission. Most likely he went straight to Crouch and put the final nail in the coffin to throw Sirius to the Dementors.
And again, Dumbledore is Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Fudge is hanging off his every word, and this man — arguably the most politically powerful figure in the British Wizarding world during the end of the First Wizarding War and Prisoner of Azkaban — can't get an innocent, falsely imprisoned man a trial? A man who's an heir to a fortune of an old and noble wizarding family? Who are you kidding, Dumbledore?
But why would he do that?
Because a weapon with no ties is a better martyr. Because Harry is more likely to be willing to die without a real support network. And yes, Dumbledore knew he'd need Harry to die since day one. Dumbledore, at least, suspected Harry was a Horcrux, and knew he'd need him malleable and controllable when the right time comes.
“Is that where —?” whispered Professor McGonagall. “Yes,” said Dumbledore. “He’ll have that scar forever.” “Couldn’t you do something about it, Dumbledore?” “Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground..."
(Philosopher's Stone, page 14)
"Scars can come in handy" — What an odd phrase Dumbledore. .
So, he knew, or at least, suspected Harry had a Horcrux in his scar, and when Chamber of Secrets came around:
“You can speak Parseltongue, Harry,” said Dumbledore calmly, “because Lord Voldemort — who is the last remaining descendant of Salazar Slytherin — can speak Parseltongue. Unless I’m much mistaken, he transferred some of his own powers to you the night he gave you that scar. Not something he intended to do, I’m sure. . . .” “Voldemort put a bit of himself in me?” Harry said, thunderstruck. “It certainly seems so.”
(Chamber of Secrets, page 299)
He knew for sure.
Harry's life since that Prophecy was made about two months before he was born was tailored for Dumbledore's ultimate plan to end Voldemort. Sirius being sent to Azkaban was part of what needed to be accomplished to get him off the board and put Harry in the position Dumbeldore needed him in.
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mlobsters · 3 months
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supernatural s13e23 let the good times roll (w. andrew dabb)
well, carry on my wayward son has lost pretty all of its emotional punch that it once had for me back in the early seasons.
the moment we see sam in front of the corkboard and "the ice caps are melting" i felt like i was going to combust. what is this nonsense. our-earth 101 catching them up to speed even though we're just here to regroup and arm up before a showdown with michael? and how long was the apocalypse apocalypsing over there? longer than it would have without the boys to stop it in 2010 or whatever? mortifying. i fast forwarded. i don't need the spn cliffs notes on awful things here too
you want to hear some nonsense? i was sort of looking forward to yesterday's episode. i don't know why. well, it disabused me of that notion right quick.
why are we on some rando werewolf hunt
man mary is beautiful. and sure, she and bobby get umbrellas
MARY So what are you gonna do now? BOBBY Honestly, I got no clue. Everyone seems to be settling in okay in town. Ketch is out doing Ketch things. Rowena and Charlie are road tripping it through the Southwest.
i get that it's for production reasons they're not gonna have the whole cast around but hokay.
BOBBY Anyways...without an archangel, it's not like we can go back home. And I'm not sure I'd want to.
all right then. obviously, shit's gonna happen with lucifer and michael though right. don't have a lot of episodes left (lol) and i know michael gets all up in there at some point
DEAN Hey, you remember...remember when you asked if we could stop it? All the evil in the world? SAM Yeah. DEAN If we could...really change things? Well, maybe with Jack, we can. SAM Maybe you're right. But then what will we do? DEAN Mm. Yeah. This. (Dean holds a beer he has been carrying and Sam looks down at his) A whole lot of this. But on a beach somewhere, you know? Can you imagine? You, me, Cass, toes in the sand, couple of them little umbrella drinks. Matching Hawaiian shirts, obviously. Some hula girls. SAM (scoffing) You talking about retiring? You? DEAN If I knew the world was safe? Hell, yeah. And you know why? 'Cause we freaking earned it, man. SAM (holding up his beer) I'll drink to that. DEAN Yeah. Hell, yeah.
being optimistic is surely a sign for everything to turn to absolute shit. is cas gonna wear the trench over the hawaiian shirt? he's awfully commited to that look
tired of myself talking about this show.
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DEAN Jack? Hey. Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Easy. You're just having a bad dream. JACK Sorry. DEAN It's okay. You don't have to apologize. I have 'em, too. All the time. JACK You do? DEAN Sure. JACK You, um... What do you see? DEAN Well, depends. Mostly... mostly people I couldn't save.
thanks for saying that i guess, pretty sure he's only gonna talk to someone that's zoned as a kid about it. but without specifics of course
DEAN Jack... it's not about being strong. I mean...Look, I don't know what you saw over there, and I don't know what you went through. I know it was bad. But I also know that you came out the other side because you are strong. But even when we're strong, man, things are gonna happen. We're gonna make mistakes. Nobody's perfect. Right? But we can get better. Every day, we can get better. So whatever you're dealing with, you know, whatever...whatever comes at us, we'll figure out a way to deal with it, together. You're family, kid, and we look after our own.
needed some Quality Dad Bonding time between jack and dean, i guess now that he's not convinced he's gonna go evil and blow up the world. also always slightly amused that jack's actor, alexander calvert, is 27 at this point
didn't take long for lucifer to show up
jack flitting off to basically kill this guy with no proof of wrongdoing, like. it's such a weird character because he's an adult, i think in world he's supposed be i dunno, late teens? and he's got a very childlike view of events. it's like infantilizing except that he is basically a baby with extremely limited life experince so?? i dunno. doesn't really work for me on the regular
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in a way i wish pellegrino had a different role so i could like the character he's playing. i want to believe this thing with jack because he's just so good at being sincere and horrible. like, some fucking random play at getting jack on his side is making me cry??? because the idea of starting over and him actually leaving everyone alone is just so... i wish.
MARY Sam, even if we find Lucifer, how we gonna stop him?
did they lose their archangel blade over in au world?
MAGGIE Does it matter? Kinda seems like you have bigger, you know, Satan-y problems. SAM Yeah, but -- but we're -- we're dealing with those. Mostly.
the little muttered "mostly" did get a chuckle out of me
CASTIEL Yeah, angel radio is nothing but static, which is disturbing.
i mean there's only what, 9 angels left anyway lol
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laughing at this ridiculous slow float downstairs while they shoot at him, knowing nothing is going to do anything
well. that big reveal of lucifer is actually evil to jack thing, well played by pellegrino as i'd expect. did not expect him flashing out of there with jack and sammy in tow.
DEAN No. What if...what if you had your sword?
well. i wondered what on earth could get dean to say yes.
LUCIFER Wow, Daddy Sammy coming to the rescue. But your little Jackie, the nougat-loving boy that you had before, he's killed people. He's got lots of blood on his hands. SAM (standing) I don't care. He's family.
i mean, so has sam and the rest of their family so?? not exactly a convincing argument :p
DEAN (to Castiel) Lucifer has Sam. He has Jack. Cass, I don't have a choice! DEAN (To Michael) If we do this, it's a one-time deal. I'm in charge. You're the engine, but I'm behind the wheel. Understand?
i'm sure that'll work out fine
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mmmk.
convenient that michael and lucifer brought the archangel blades with them so we can have a little showdown
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lol reminds me of the matrix training with morpheus fight but cheesier. and we're just gonna have a fist fight in the air. oy
are they actually committing to killing lucifer? his character was more than done but sad to see pellegrino leave, but glad that plotline is over finally
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SAM You did it. DEAN No. No, we did it. We did it.
and dean immediately hunches over in pain and it's like s8e23 all over again
and now michael has his special sword vessel and he broke the deal and they can't go killing him while he's wearing dean, right. wonder how long that's gonna drag on in the next season. i haven't seen a lot of gifs of michael!dean so lol i figure it can't be that long??
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blackjackkent · 5 months
Text
OK. So, obviously that was a pretty upsetting experience for Hector, but it does finish up (as near as I can tell) everything we can do on the main floor of Moonrise Towers, so it's time to go upstairs and see what Z'rell wants to talk to us about.
This is a bit nervewracking because we overheard some of the Absolute guards talking about how Z'rell has been summoning a lot of True Souls up to her office lately, and none of them have come back down. So there's reason to believe this might be a dangerous prospect.
(Amusingly - mechanically, Hector still has a dislocated shoulder; from a story perspective I assumed Shadowheart probably healed it up already but I can't figure out how to make it go away in-game without a long rest so it's just kind of there for right now.)
Going upstairs, we find Z'rell setting guards around the door to the roof, where apparently General Thorm is doing some meditative shit or other.
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"Excellent timing, True Soul."
She meets Hector's gaze with a casual smirk. There's an air of cool violence about her that is quite unsettling; even more than many of the cultists here, she seems as if she would be happy to lash out at him given half a chance.
"The goblins," she goes on eagerly. "Tell me how they suffered - or better yet, show me."
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Narrator: Her mind enters yours abruptly, flickering across your memories in a blaze of excitement. She sees the goblins walking free, and a burning rage fans across your mind like wildfire.
Inwardly, Hector braces himself. He knew this was coming. The prisoners he released - he'll have to account for them somehow. He somehow didn't fully expect, though, quite the extent to which Z'rell's expression has hardened with pure fury at being denied the moment of sadism.
"Explain yourself!" she snaps.
Hector is very tired and really not in the mood to deal with someone who takes pleasure in others' pain to that degree - but the cover must be maintained. So with an effort of will, he remains perfectly still and resists the urge to fidget under her stare. [PERSUASION] "They won't get far," he says, affecting an air of casual disinterest. "Let the curse take them, and save us the job of cleaning up their innards."
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A pause. The disciple sneers. "Very pragmatic. But very boring."
Hector starts to relax, seeing that his story has been accepted, but the ordeal is not yet over. "Let's see if there's *anything* interesting in that brain of yours."
Before Hector can fully register what she means, she is inside his mind.
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Narrator: She parts the folds of your mind again, touching your wants and hopes. Tasting them. Every emotion soaks into her mind's palate, but there is purpose to her exploration - she is searching for proof of your faith.
Hector shudders at the feeling of her slipping through his thoughts. It's a tremendous violation that these people do so casually, but he cannot show his distaste without giving away the flimsy disguise that is all that keeps them safe here.
And proof of his faith...she will find plenty of proof there, but not the faith she wants. If she is allowed to explore too long, she will find his faith in Selune, as bright as the moonlight that still exists somewhere beyond this dark and awful place.
Focus. Show her only what you want her to see.
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[MONK] Empty your mind. Show her a perfect, harmonious soul.
No sign of Selune within him. But not quite deception - no sign of the Absolute either. Balance. Serenity. Peace.
"When you are in harmony, you need fear nothing at all," one of the other monks told him once, early in his training. "For then your path will be unburdened by those who would see you unbalanced."
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Narrator: You feel her grasp within your thoughts for familiar, roiling zealotry. It finds no purchase.
Z'rell blinks, drawing back; he feels her grip withdraw from within his mind and allows himself to tremble inwardly with relief. He feels dirty, marred by this contact, and wishes he could express the disgust that he feels.
"Simply...void," she murmurs, and she sounds legitimately perplexed, the sadistic glee for a moment gone in favor of simple confusion. "Why would you not embrace her? Worship her?"
A pause, and then she goes on, with renewed energy, "I have already been blessed to stand in Her presence. It was bliss." She stabs a finger towards his chest. "She gave me *everything* I wanted."
It's almost accusing, the way she looks at him. The calm and serenity that he showed her was not enough. She wants to see him caught in the web and does not understand the purpose of resistance.
"Everything?" Hector asks carefully. "What exactly do you want?" All the better to keep the conversation off of him and on her as much as possible - both for information and to avoid those questing fingers through his mind again.
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Her eyes brighten with eager, hungry zealotry. "To take without asking, to feel without doubting, and to kill without consequence. In a word - freedom."
Hector swallows uncomfortably. He had expected at least a veneer of some more palatable assertion - unity or something like that. Not this unbridled cruelty without measure, completely unmasked.
"That's a little abstract," he says vaguely, trying to maintain his sense of calm with a little more effort now. "Show me something real."
Her eyes light as if she has never received a happier request.
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"Oh, why not? What's the point in power if you don't get to have a little fun every now and again?" There is a brief moment in which Hector has time to realize that he made a grave mistake by phrasing his comment the way he did. Then she claps her hands together and a flash of light flickers between them.
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"She gave me the power to cut the thread of life with a thought..." she murmurs, rapturous - and without warning, without even a sound, the ogre standing behind her throws her head back...and dies, blood spurting from every orifice of her face.
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Hector stares down at the corpse, then back up at Z'rell wordlessly. He hopes his stunned silence will be taken for awe, rather than the fact that he is feeling suddenly sick to his stomach.
Thorm invulnerable. This woman killing with a snap of her fingers. How do we fight a force like this? How is it possible?
To his muted relief, Z'rell smiles.
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"But I can caress as well as cut," she murmurs with a horrible sort of sweetness. "That's why you should stay on my good side." She reaches out, taps a clawed finger against his cheek. "And the best way to do that is to serve General Thorm. I have a mission for you."
All Hector wants to do is run from the room and never see this woman, or Thorm, or any of these people ever again. But that choice is not on the table. He focuses for a moment on Karlach's presence at his side, his other companions behind him. The dream guardian whispers in his mind, "That's it - play along. The closer you can get to the General, the closer you'll be to the answers you seek."
Calm. Find the center, two beats to the breath. He inhales slowly, lets it out heavily. "I live to serve," he says evenly. "What do I need to do?"
"There is a relic that General Thorm requires," Z'rell says briskly, all business now. "He sent his most trusted advisor, Disciple Balthazar, to retrieve it. The relic is beneath the Thorm family mausoleum. That is where you will find Balthazar. But we have lost contact with him - go there, aid Balthazar if you can, and bring the relic home."
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Ah. He feels on slightly firmer ground now; they know of Balthazar already - and, in fact, already agreed to help him. "What exactly was this relic he was sent to retrieve?" Hector asks curiously, hoping to draw from her some of the answers he was not able to get from the necromancer.
"It is something that General Thorm desires, and that he ordered us to retrieve," she says curtly. "That is all you need know."
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Narrator: [INSIGHT] She's suddenly nervous - on edge. Talking about the relic makes her anxious.
Hector hesitates - then presses. There will never be a better time than this to ask. [PERSUASION] "Talking of this relic makes you anxious," he says carefully. "Why is that?"
She too hesitates - and when she speaks again it is with more sincerity than he has seen from her thus far. "I am in awe of the power the relic must hold to be of such importance," she admits. "General Thorm will not leave Moonrise without it."
Hector senses a stir of unease through his companions. He shares it. What lies unsaid in Z'rell's words is that when the relic is found, Thorm will have no reason to stay at Moonrise. And the only possible reason for that...is that he will be ready to move on Baldur's Gate.
"I already met Balthazar," Hector says.
Her eyes flash. "Then he must have failed to make the urgency of his mission clear. I do not want to see you again until the relic is secure at Moonrise."
Well, thinks Hector, I don't want to see you again ever, so we're at least agreed on that.
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orangetintedglasses · 10 months
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a big glowing neon sign (mentally) // @firsthumandisaster
This... was a lot harder to shove down than he wanted it to be. It felt like this anger was something living inside his chest; snarling and thrashing and clawing at everything as it tried to rush up and out his throat. Begging him to go outside and into the open air... but at this point, Greenie wasn't sure if it was to calm down or scream.
But he wasn't... leaving. He wouldn't, he promised. And he'd make sure there was clear enough evidence of that by leaving a note for Wolfwood--
Needed some air, but I'm just outside. If you can't find me, call out! I'll come running! Promise! - Vash
--pinned to his bag, 'propped up' next to his neatly-folded coat and glasses resting on top of the canvas. A note and all of his belongings should've been enough proof, right?
That awful feeling in his chest said it was definitely enough.
Stepping out into the cooled air of dusk let him feel just how hot his face had gotten. Heat billowed out from underneath his clothes to the point where it felt like steam was coming off of him. It wasn't refreshing, it wasn't cathartic, and the only boon the Plant could really glean was the ability to pace without the squeak of floorboards alerting everyone else in the inn that he was upset.
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Rrgh...! Why did he even come out here...?!
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louisisalarrie · 5 days
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Hope it’s okay that I come here and give my take on BBG. I love that your blog is always open to different opinions and for a pretty new fan that’s great because you don’t try to push your opinion down on your followers, so thank you that!
First of all, my opinion about BBG changes all the time. One day I’m sure F is his son and the next I’m not, so maybe this is gonna get kind of confusion, sorry about that in advance!
No matter what opinion you have about BBG it’s a really messy situation for all parts. If it’s a stunt then it’s an awful thing to put both Louis and the child in (I don’t care for B at all, no matter if it’s real or not, she’s a shitty person and maybe mother!). One of the reasons I believe it’s real is because I think Louis would have handled the latest couple of years very different if he wasn’t his son. He wouldn’t have pushed the narrative that much, because if it sometime along the line finally ends I think this will hurt F even more. And if it’s not real, how the hell do they then explain to a kid that he 2 years in a row should celebrate Christmas (and NYE) with a person who’s not his father and his family? Last year I questioned if those photos was taken at Christmas, but this year we got content for several days and a Larrie confirmed that L and F landed I LAX just after new years. So I guess he really was in England for a week with Louis and his family. I can’t remember if we saw any content from B and her family during Christmas or if they could have been in England too? If that’s the case, then it makes more sense and he might just visited Louis for “photo sessions”.
Also Louis seems to spend a lot of time in LA. Even though he’s mostly MIA, we often got a sign that he’s there and not in London. But when he is there Oli always seems to be there too, I know they are friends but at the same time it screams WORK, because who have their assistant by their side all the time, also when you visit your son. All the clips in AOTV with Louis and F, Oli is there too. Like they are co-parenting 🤣 So yeah, that’s one of the reason I find his fatherhood questionable.
And also just today we again got proof that he’s out partying in LA, when he’s supposedly is there to be with his son? We have seen that a lot of times where he’s either pictured at Barney’s or posting selfies smoking weed.
Well this was a lot of rambling and it probably didn’t make much sense, but I think mostly my conclusion is, that he’s not the farther but he has accepted that he will never get out of this situation and therefore he has also accepted F as his “son” and treats him that way, both public and privately. I think, no matter what, that he care for the kid and therefore he now wants what’s best for him. That’s also the reason he push the story about him, because he wants the fans to drop the talk about him not being Louis son - for the sake of the kid and to get the fans to accept him.
Hope this makes sense, English is not my first language, so therefore these kind of opinions can be hard to explain correctly.
Hi lovely!
never apologise for your English, it’s honestly better than mine and that’s the only language I speak hahahaha.
But yes, I very much understand you and you’ve picked up on some very important points. If you still feel on the fence, I’d recommend checking out this masterpost that covers everything about bbg, and it’s just too weird to be real.
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