#and i can't believe i'll say this but please go back to our country this one is mine

[mariverses]

my relatives are coming over and i will hate every second of it

#what was good before about immigrating was the fact that we were the only ones who left #and i can't believe i'll say this but please go back to our country this one is mine #in my defense my uncle said he wanted to knock my jaw out of place and his wife keeps calling me ugly fat & lazy and the kids are from hell #also for some fucking reason they decided yea. theyre gonna bring a fucking dog. to our house. im going to kill you #i will ship you back to romania in your coffins

[nrdmssgs]

HC for Nikolai, pls!! Love it how you describe him! ☀️

Masterlist

First of all, thank you so much since I wasn't sure, anyone would find my interpretation of this character pleasing in any way, because he is... not the nicest guy out there in some situations. I never wanted him to be a saint and I'm happy, we are together in this boat with you)

Second, please next time let me know if you need only sfw or also nsfw versions, because when it comes to CoD, especially to this man - I need to be restrained, otherwise things might happen... I'll try my best to behave this time.

TW: a bit of swearing.

So our guy is a fixer. No, wait, he is The Fixer. Nikolai comes from the culture and time, where everyone saw each other as a vital source of information, services or goods, that one day may help or even save them. That's why Nik always knows a guy, who knows a guy - it's just his nature.

What's in there for you? Let's say, you were deployed for a longer time, you've initially planned, and you are out of some medication, you normally buy in your home country. It's not a matter of life and death, but you would feel nicer, if you had it. But here is the problem: in this part of the globe, no one ever heard of such a medication. Of course you can always go to Price or even Ghost for help, and they will go above and beyond to get you what you need by the very next day. But if you need it in the next few hours? Yep, Nik is your man. He can get anything, anywhere, anytime.

That be said, his most significant weapon is not his body or friendship with Price, not his heli, not even Chimera - it's his tongue. He may never read a single book on psychology, but he feels, what and when to say to push all the buttons, he needs.

Believe me, you want to be on his side, when he starts talking, because he can be cold, manipulative and ruthless in negotiations with his enemies.

Nikolai tries to guard you from this side of him (no matter if you are just his squad mate or love of his life), but it's not always that easy. And if it happens so that his words hurt you in any way - he will feel disgusting. Guilt will torment him for a very long time, because Nik will be sure that no apology is enough.

Ok, before this gets too dark, let's talk about the other side of this skill of his. He loves to fluster you. It amuses him, how just a few words and an occasional touch can paint your pretty face red.

Can and will flirt with you just to see, where your borders are. Will start it in private, only to allow himself comments on the verge of flirting when the rest are around. He can't help it: panic, that he awakes in your eyes is too cute and endearing.

Of course, he will stop it right away, if he sees, you are really uncomfortable with such interactions. Nikolai wants to be a friend, not a terror.

But if you actually answer back? Buckle up, because Nikolai is not the one to back away easily. His commentaries will become more explicit to the point, where he leans over your ear for just a couple of seconds, but you are suffocated by the heat that hit your head for the next hour.

Don't even try to make him blush and lose his concentration in return. Or try, but be ready to fail. Your fingers tucked under his shirt, wide grin accompanying some frivolous joke leaving your lips, all for the sake of making him flustered? Won't work. All you are going to get is a smirk and a sly squint. "Go on, show your pilot, what you have on your mind."

Nik will notice and remember every reaction on his words and actions. Btw, let's hope you don't have a thing for accents, because he may play it cool, be he definitely will remember, how you hold your breath for a short moment every time you hear his voice right above your ear.

Your personal space is a relative concept to Nikolai. He respects it, but keeps changing his opinion on how wide it is, sorry.

One of the best, most loyal friends, you could ever wish for. Always on your side, even if you are wrong.

If anyone hurts his friends and loved ones - Nikolai doesn't give a flying f*ck about laws or moralities. If anything endangers you - it is to be dealt with, even eliminated. If anyone takes you from him?.. Well, they better have a d*mn army ready.

Because Nikolai not only pulls his many strings and has the support of war heroes like Price - Nik may come after his enemies with the Chimera. And this is where things might really get sinister, since... Not all Chimera mercs are famous for their compassion and law-obidience.

Putting it in a very light wording: those who manage to survive an encounter with this organization will soon envy those who did not see their next dawn. And Nik won't hold himself or his men back until you are safe in his hands again.

I don't want to end on a sad note, so here are random fluff hcs.

Of course Nikolai can take 'no' as an answer, but if you are that 'unsure, need a bit convincing' type, he'll gladly proceed. You will be surrounded by his attention and small manifestations of care.

Expect to be constantly wrapped in his jacket if you accidentally mention that you're freezing in a helicopter.

Little presents, knick-knacks from all over the world. But there is a story behind every single one. A story, he whispers to you, after he dragged you to a far table, away from prying eyes.

Light touches. Not suggestive ones, but comforting. Because despite his jokes and flirting, he offers not only his body - most of all, he wants to share his warmth with you.

He loves to make you laugh and will develop inner jokes with you.

If you feel, you are slowly but surely falling for him - make sure to not tell anything to Price, because those two have no secrets between them.

Nikolai will cook for you every time you visit him. Not because his food is something worth of a Michelin restaurant, it's just an old habit: guests must be fed. Don't forget, he comes from a place, where people often had to cook a full 2-3 course lunch from a scrap, so feeding you is not a challenge for this guy, even if you show up at his door at 3 am.

Nikolai will invite you for walks in the forest. In summer and spring, you can agree without worries. In autumn and winter, it is better to be careful. Early autumn is the mushroom picking season (then your walk can drag on for hours). Winter... Do you feel safe in a forest covered with snow with a big Russian guy? Do you? Well, I have 2 words for you: snowball fights.

Don't blame me for not warning you, when you end up with snow in every single piece of your clothes and Nik hovering over you, not letting you rise from a snow pile. Of course, he'll help you get dry, warm and cozy afterward.

#cod #cod modern warfare #cod mw2 #cod x reader #call of duty mw2 #call of duty #mw2 x reader #modern warfare 2 #call of duty modern warfare 2 #cod mwii #mw2 fanfic #cod nikolai #nikolai cod #nikolai x you #nikolai x reader #nikolai cod x reader #nikolai headcanons #cod headcanons

[sourbinnie]

he was sunshine | jeongin x gn!reader heavy angst | i was midnight rain

"why did you do this?" 

the question haunted me every day and night as time passed by. his face engraved in my mind, i could not forget a single trace of him and what left a big impact on my heart. breaking hearts was never an easy task, one does not desire to simply go and do that to someone you love. he was nice, too nice maybe and maybe i was too determined on what i wanted and it wasn't him (at least not at the time).

he dreamed of getting big, fancier every minute as we walked by. he wished he would marry the one, leave this country behind and not take a look back at the life he was taking a step back from. i didn't dream, i lost the will to dream and think of luxuries for my own life when my heart got broken too many times to count. i didn't want a wedding or kids, i just wanted someone to wake up to every morning and to hold me every night. was that too much to ask? or was i being too naive thinking he would change?

i changed with every drop of rain as i forgot my umbrella. it was hard on days like these not to remember him and to think of the life that i could've had. maybe it was easy to forget everything we went through at first but right now? it's hard to not remember. hard not to think of the hidden kisses and frequent smiles that we shared, the love that everyone thought would last forever. maybe i was too blind at the time with love that i didn't notice things were going too fast for my own liking. maybe that's why when he pulled out a ring, i had to say the dreaded "no" and watch his face fall.

when i remembered him i tried to think of good times and not tears. i tried to think of positive things the ones he reminded me of like the sea, the clouds, the summer breeze but right now it all just crumbled apart with the rain. now every drop that landed on my car window brought me back to that very moment.

"why did we ruin everything we have? it was going so well." he said and i had to shake my head in disbelief. i couldn't be the only one seeing the damage that this was causing, that everything was moving too fast, that we had to stop before it all went to waste.

"it wasn't! we're too young to do this!" i exclaimed as i got in our house, soaking wet and leaving my jacket behind me as i put on the heater. i needed some warmth, anything to distract me from what was going on in my mind and my heart.

"oh you're gonna give me that excuse huh? with all the times we've talked about getting married?" he insisted and i couldn't believe him at all. this wasn't the man i fell for or the one i wanted to be with right now.

"you talked about getting married! i told you so many times that i did not want this jeongin please..." i was pleading and i didn't even know what about. i wanted him to process what he was saying, how he was making me feel like i was irrational or in the wrong about everything. 

"is it always about what you want and need? why can't you understand that i have things that i want in my life too! i always have to understand you and you never do the same for me." it was like everything around me stopped, like we pressed the pause button. i didn't want to fight anymore, i didn't want to beg and i definitely did not want to stay if he was feeling this way. he was right, what did i ever do to make it up to him? to actually follow what he wanted and needed? nothing.

"you're right. we want different things, i'll pack up my things and let you be. you won't hear from me ever again and i'll let you go." i said firmly and holding back the tears as i looked at him and how everything in his facial expression and movement changed. he couldn't believe my words, couldn't process what i was doing (or what i was gonna do) but he understood very clearly, this would be the end. 

"babe no. i was messing, we don't have to get married and i don't wanna let you go." he said, his voice slightly choking on the sobs that wanted to leave his body. "come on, say this isn't true and that you're gonna stay. i can't live without you (y/n)!" 

even his yelling wouldn't change the decision that i was making, even him on his knees pleading and begging for me to stay was not gonna make a difference. i wasn't lying when we said we were too young, too in love and too naive to notice that everything was falling apart and felt wrong in the end. 

"i'm serious jeongin, i can't do this. if we're not on the same page then we shouldn't continue." i said and i headed towards the bedroom to pack my things. he didn't move, didn't chase after me, didn't say a word. he couldn't do it because he knew i was right in the end. he also knew that i wasn't gonna change my mind, i was always stubborn like that and i was gonna get away from him either way.

remembering it now felt like the worst kind of memory. i could see him holding on to the ring in his coat pocket all the time, how his hair was wet from the rain but nothing compared to the tears leaving his eyes. they flowed like the rain in my window as i drove and tried to forget what i went through.

should i've stayed? should i've move on? even now as i tried to move on, meet new people who i knew would eventually break my heart, i couldn't seem to fall in love with any of them. i knew he had moved on, his fiance was stunning yet there were similarities in them with me and how they looked. but this time he was getting married, there's no turning around on that. i think to myself as i get back home and look at my phone background of that same night where he was gonna propose, the two of us together before it all crumbled apart.

#sourbinnie #skz drabbles #stray kids drabbles #skz imagines #stray kids imagines #skz x reader #stray kids x reader #skz angst #stray kids angst #jeongin x reader #skz scenarios #skz short imagines #skz #stray kids #stray kids short imagines

[joyswonderland1108]

Nanda kore?

I'm not even fully back yet and i already see shit on my TL (Or shared by my friends)

Hi hello how are ya? It's me Joy back at it again with dealing with the fandom's bullshit (actually still not back yet but here i am i guess)

You'd think that now that all 7 of our boys are in the military this stupid fandom would take time to learn more about the Korean culture and the K-pop culture in general to have a better understanding of things that are going on or things K-army do, say or share but no. It's 2024 y'all and you can't bother unwesternize your goddamn opinion on a non-western culture.

How about this time we make the "New year new me" resolution come true shall we? Can't we just all agree to do better for our boys? We have enough time to either learn the language, learn more about the culture, learn more about different aspects that are not the same everywhere in the world, learn about the way things are in South Korea, etc..

You'd find a random Patricia from the US for example posting a "heartfelt" message on Twitter about how she "sadly has to let go of her moots" because they're involved in "bad activities" meanwhile the bad activities in question are considered very normal in South Korea and the only ones complaining about it somehow are the non-Koreans (Color me surprised). Believe me Patricia you're doing your moots a favor by letting them go cause if you're not gonna move forward and educate yourself then they're better off without you.

That's like that whole situation happening where the dude ambassador sent an ENGLISH letter to the KOREAN government telling them that this and that is illegal according to the AMERICAN law.. (Not gonna get into the details of that one either if you know you know) Like my brother in Christ be fucking for real.

I don't even have time to make a very detailed post but for the love of God for the love of whatever you believe in, if you're incapable of stanning a group from a whole different country a whole different culture without respecting said culture or at the very fucking least educate yourself more about it before giving a very biased opinion based on your own beliefs then please just leave that group be. Either that or don't get into the fandom, listen to the songs and that's about it don't involve yourself further into that group, those opinions are unwelcome that's just lots of disrespect and entitlement.

With that being said, hope y'all are doing good, hope y'all had a happy Christmas and a happy new year. Take care i'll be back sometime later 💜

[canirove]

The Princess & the Football Player | Chapter 7

Previous chapter | Next chapter

Masterlist

"Are you sure they won't mind if I join you?"

"They won't, Roberta. They probably are celebrating that they made it to the next round, they won't mind having an extra visit."

"Welcome back, your Royal Highness" Kane says as we walk into the changing room.

"Thank you very much. And congratulations. I've brought a friend with me, I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, ma'am."

"I was told there were naked men, tho" Roberta says. "Where are they?"

"Please excuse her. She's Italian and... you know them" I say, giving her a murderous look. 

"Oh, yes, you know us. It's the Mediterranean blood, we all are horny" she replies, giving me a similar look.

"I like Italy and Italian women" Grealish says, looking at Roberta from head to toe. 

"Good for you. What about you, Rashford?" she asks him, giving him her most charming smile.

"It is a beautiful country, and my girlfriend and I love the food" he replies.

"Ouch" Declan chuckles behind us. When I turn to look at him, his eyes are already fixed on me. "Hello."

"Hi" I say, smiling from ear to ear.

"Nice shirt."

"Thank you. I took your advice and gave red a go."

"You look beautiful, your Royal Highness. Though we aren't matching today" he says, pointing at my chest. "Where is your number four?"

"I bought this shirt the other day when I went shopping, and I didn’t have time to put a number on it. If only I knew England’s number four and he could get me one..."

“If only” Declan smirks. "TWas that the day you met my mum?"

"Yep. She was with this girl... I can't remember if she introduced herself or not."

"Yeah... Lilith."

"That's an interesting name" I chuckle. "Who is she?"

"You know who she is."

"I don’t" I shrug.

"C'mon, El... Ma'am. I'm sure you did a deep dive into my life after you met me."

"Maybe” I shrug. “But I still don't know who she is."

"She..."

"Ma'am, Deccers, should we take the photo?" Kane asks us, Roberta already in deep conversation with some of the other players.

"Yes, of course”

"We'll continue this conversation later" Declan says to my ear, making me feel goosebumps down my spine. "I'll dm you.”

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

"You are crazy."

"Roberta..."

"No! I'm not going to help you with this" she says, crossing her arms over her chest.

"C'mon, it is just a little lie" I say, sitting next to her.

"A little lie? Little? You want me to tell David that you aren't feeling well so you can sneak out and go on a date with Declan, putting everyone at risk. What if someone recognizes you? Or him? What if you end up in the press? I'm not doing it, I'm sorry."

After our visit to the changing room, Declan did as he said and sent me a dm on Instagram. It is the only place safe enough to talk without my family somehow finding about him. 

He wanted to talk about Lilith, but he wanted to do it in person. He said it was too important to do it over text. So he suggested that we should meet on his free day, go for a walk around the park, maybe get some ice-cream. He didn't say it, but it totally felt like a date.

"But I need to speak with him. Please" I pout.

"No."

"Ok, fine" I say, getting up. "Then I'll run away."

"How?" Roberta chuckles. "David is at the door, there are security guards everywhere. They will see you."

"I'll manage." 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

"You are the best friend in the world, you know?"

"Yeah, yeah. Let's hope that helps when your dad throws me in a cell at the dungeons."

"We don't have dungeons" I laugh.

"That you know of" Roberta says.

I somehow convinced her to help me meet Declan. The plan is to tell David that I'm not feeling well, that I must have eaten something, and as she leaves to go for a walk to buy me something, she also starts feeling sick, distracting him enough so I can leave the room and escape through the emergency stairs. She loved acting back at school, this should be easy peasy for her. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

"I can't believe it actually worked" Declan laughs.

"Neither do I" I say. 

Roberta's acting skills... Wow. That was better than some things I've seen on tv, and for a moment, I thought she was actually sick.

"Love the outfit, tho."

"We are matching again" I smile.

To kind of go unnoticed, we both chose to wear the most basic clothes ever, a hat and sunglasses, trying to look like two tourists and not like a princess and a football star.

"But you are looking way better than me, ma'am."

"You can call me Eleanor, no one is watching."

"Ok... Eleanor" he says with a cheeky smile.

"I love the way you say my name."

"You what?" he laughs. 

"I'm sorry, I just…" Why did I say that? Urgh. "I've never been a big fan of my name. But when you say it, it's different" I shrug.

"You don't like your name? Why?"

"I don't know. It just feels... Too serious. And I hate that my nickname is Ellie. Eveb though now I am used to it, I still don't like it. It sounds too childish."

"One is too serious, and the other too childish" he says, arching a brow and trying really hard not to laugh again.

"I know, I know. It's stupid, but..."

"No, it's ok. When I was a kid I didn't like Declan that much either, it was too different compared to what the other kids were called."

"Your best friend is called Mason" I chuckle.

"And that's something that made me feel less alone, that he also had a name that you don't hear that often. You should be grateful that you don't share your name with ten other girls."

"I kind of do now. I've been told that many girls are being called Eleanor because of me."

"Perks of being the best royal" he winks.

"Yeah, sure" I chuckle, feeling my cheeks get warm. "So, speaking of names. Lilith?"

"Yeah..." Declan sighs. "She is my ex-girlfriend."

"Then why is she here?"

"That's what I asked her when she showed up with my mum. She said that the other girls had invited her, that since they all were friends and this was a special occasion, they wanted to be all together even if we weren't together anymore. Which, ok, I get it. But when we met at the hotel on my first free day, she tried to kiss me."

"Oh" I say, suddenly finding the floor very interesting.

"She is here to try and win me back. After cheating on me, she wants me back" he chuckles.

"She cheated on you?"

"Yeah. And with a guy we went to school with."

"That's... I... I'm sorry."

"Nah, don't be. Things were already bad between us, so" he shrugs.

"You don't want her back, then?" 

"She's in the past. 100%."

"Good" I mutter. 

"Fancy an ice-cream?" Declan asks me after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence that seem to last an eternity.

"I would love that" I say with a shy smile. Though on the side, I’m grinning. He isn’t interested on Lilith. He doesn’t want her back.

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

"I think we may be in trouble" Declan says while we are queuing.

"What?"

"Don't look, but there are two women behind us whispering and taking photos."

"Shit."

"Move to be in front of me. Let's try and act as if I am your bodyguard."

"My... my bodyguard?"

"Anything wrong with it?"

"No, I just... You..."

"Too sexy for a bodyguard, I know" he says, making me feel a bit less nervous about the fact that someone may have recognized us.

"Definitely. Imagine the headlines. The princess and the sexy bodyguard."

"Forbidden love" he chuckles. "And we should go."

"What? Why?"

"More people are staring, come on" Declan says, putting his hand on my back and making me walk. 

━━━━━━❃━━━━━━      

"How did they find me?" I say when we get into a taxi, trying to catch my breath.

"I don't know. Someone must have tipped them" Declan says, camera's flashing all around us.

"Do you think they recognized you?"

"I don't think so, they were too focused on you. Sir, can we please move?" he urges the taxi driver.

"I'm trying to" he says, cursing under his breath.

After our failed visit to the ice-cream ban, we noticed people following us. We tried to distract them, to lose them inside the park, but it was impossible. A few minutes later, we were running, paparazzi following us while trying to get a photo.

"Who is that?" Declan asks when my phone starts ringing, the taxi finally moving.

"David."

"Do you think..."

"Oh, he knows. He definitely knows" I sigh.

#declan rice #declan rice fanfic #declan rice imagine #football fanfic #football imagine

[cainluvr69]

Literally Just The Cain Parts Of Arc 2 Chapter 19 (half of 19-7, all of 19-8)

Cain: (I hope the Sage is okay… I know they went to Cortes in Western Country along with that person who got turned into a bird, but…)

Western Lady: Fufu… And here I thought Central was just full of the serious and completely boring types… But listening to you talk is so lovely and stimulating, Lord Cain…

Cain: Haha, thanks.

Western Lady: Would you like me to pour you another glass?

Cain: Please.

There are many forms justice can take. For instance, I'd decided that protecting my country and my master is what justice is to me. And so because of that, I think that acting as though I'm going to sell my country out so that I can protect it also qualifies as justice. My mother's justice that she believed in as she raised me, was that she was willing to turn a blind eye to me telling lies.

✦✧☾✧✦

I remember this time when I was a kid, when I latched onto my mom, crying my eyes out. I was one of those way-too-active kids, but it wasn't like anyone had scolded me too hard that night, and it wasn't like anyone was hurt. But still, there were tears rolling down my cheeks, and my mom was gently rubbing my back. Hey! Stop that! See you later! Take care! Oh my! That's amazing! Tonight, my mom's normally bright voice was small and quiet and trembling.

Cain's mom: It's all right… You've been good…

Little Cain: …I'm not good. I told a lie to my friends.

Cain's mom: You didn't tell them a lie, dear. When they asked you if you'd ever met a wizard, you just stayed silent.

Little Cain: That's the same as lying. Everyone said that…they wanted to see a wizard.

Cain's mom: And what did you say?

Little Cain: …"Me too"… …Even though I'm a wizard… Hey, I lied to them. Telling lies is bad, isn't it? That's what dad said.

Cain's mom: That's right.

Little Cain: My swordsmanship instructor said the same thing. That friends shouldn't tell lies to each other. …But I still…

Cain's mom: I know you're upset, but you kept up what I asked you to, didn't you? About never telling anyone about being a wizard.

Little Cain: …Yeah…

Cain's mom: Thank you, Cain. Thank you for making sure I don't worry about you.

My mother sadly stroked my hair. Normally, being thanked was something that made me feel good, but for some reason, today it just made me feel even worse. I didn't want to make my mother sad. But at the same time, I didn't want to make my friends hate me, either. But more than anything else, I was terrified that I'd become a creature that couldn't live with itself. Something that couldn't accept what it had done. I think…that night was the first time I lost sight of what righteousness is. When I was a kid, there was only one kind of justice, and I truly believed that as long as I held to it, I would make it out alright. I wouldn't do anything bad. I wouldn't lose to my own desires. I wouldn't hurt anyone. I would chase my dreams with all my heart without abandoning them. I would be thankful to my parents for raising me. I would treasure the friends that I met along the way. I thought it was as simple as just not giving in to darker temptations. God, I really had no idea. Sometimes, chasing your dreams and honoring your parents and cherishing your friends can come into conflict with one another. And it'll all feel like each has the same sense of righteousness to it.

✦✧☾✧✦

Cain's mom: Please, Cain. Don't go to the capital. Being a knight here in the Town of Glory is more than enough. Everyone here loves you, and our local lord favors you too.

Cain: But that's exactly why I want to go. It's thanks to everyone that I was able to get this chance in the first place. I want to do as much as I can. I've been dreaming of this day for ages! I'll be fine! I'm your pride and joy and all that, right?

Cain's mom: There's still so much you don't know about society… You're far too young to be doing this.

Cain: You don't need to worry so much.

Cain's mom: The knights in the capital surely can't be as good as they say. The people in this town still…

Cain: Why are you saying things like that?! Haven't you always been rooting for me to follow my dreams, ever since I was little? I'd rather you be smiling as you see me off like usual. It's going to be fine. Don't worry.

Cain's mom: …

Cain: Being able to go to the capital is amazing… Err, I don't really know how to put it, but it's like I got given a luxury gift! I'm really excited about it!

Cain's mom: …Do what you like.

Cain: … Well then, I'm off, mom!

Sometimes we misunderstood each other, and then we'd argue. There's all sorts of things we can't see eye to eye on. Just like how not everyone was always going to agree with me, there were times I couldn't agree with them either. Sometimes I'd make a joke, and someone'd get angry at me for it. Sometimes someone would make a joke, and I'd find I couldn't laugh along. But I could still feel how loved and protected I was despite all of that. I wouldn't say it was perfect, and it certainly wasn't classy, but my world was still one that loved me. The city I was born in had watched over me.

Cain's friend: Hey, good luck, Cain! Go get as famous as you can out there!

Cain's friend: You've always been the best of all of us! So go 'n get 'em, Cain!

Cain's friend: Once I convince my parents to let me, I'm gonna go to the capital too! So go and wait there for me!

Town of Glory citizen: Take care! Keep yourself safe and rack up those medals in the military!

Town of Glory citizen: Those city folk can be touchy, so don't let it bother you no matter what they say! And if you really can't stand it, you can come back here!

Town of Glory citizen: Cain, take care. I hope that no matter how many wonderful people you meet, you won't forget about us…

Cain: I won't forget! Well then, I'm off! Thank you, all of you!

✦✧☾✧✦

I'd thought that there was only one form of justice. If everyone followed the same rules, then no one would ever be hurt. That had been a childish fantasy. There's so many different kinds of justice in the world. And just as there's many different kinds, each person has a different kind of justice they'll prioritize. And as the differences in people change day by day, or even mood by mood, the things that they prioritize in their justice change as well. Like about individual freedom. Or how to assist those more vulnerable. Or how to honor tradition. Or how to have an impartial heart. Or about laws. About liberty. About rights. And how they want to uphold their justice is all different as well. To be peaceful, to be judgmental, to be tolerant, to be an example. But still, I tried to be as good a human as I could possibly be. I wanted to be kind to them, and I wanted to help them. I wanted to understand them, and I wanted to be friends with them. I didn't need anything in return. No one was forcing me to do these things. I just wanted to love and protect people the way that my family and friends had loved and protected me.

Owen: Don't be ridiculous. You're just trying to make yourself look better, my hypocritical Sir Knight.

I bet if I told that to Owen, that's how he'd ridicule me for it. But I'm not lying, I'm not trying to put on an act. The world I've seen really is that beautiful. Wasn't there anything beautiful… …in the world that he saw?

Chapter 8 -- What It Means To Believe

Owen: We're almost there.

Arthur: It sure looks that way. Even from far away, the City of Wealth is still bright with light. Truly, this is a city without night.

Owen: Why did you change your outfit?

Arthur: I figure it's better if no one can recognize my status where we're going.

Owen: Even though you're a prince? I thought that among humans, being a prince was one of the better things to be.

Arthur: What do you mean by "better"?

Owen: Like how strength speaks for itself in the North, doesn't social status speak for itself in Central? The nobles are above the commoners, and royalty is above the nobles. And the king is about as intimidating as Oz or Mithra. So why are you hiding your status?

Arthur: He's not that intimidating. And I don't particularly think Lord Oz or Mithra are intimidating either, are they?

Owen: They are.

Arthur: Are you intimidating too, Owen?

Owen: Of course I am.

Arthur: Like when?

Owen: Hah? Always. Like right now?

Arthur: I see!

Owen: Yeah.

Arthur: Owen. Regarding what we were talking about earlier…

Owen: Keep the conversation moving naturally! Are you going to let me intimidate you? Even though you're a prince.

Arthur: I didn't realize I was being intimidated, so it's fine. I think we're both appropriately intimidating for who we are, don't you think?

Owen: Something about that is pissing me off…

Arthur: Owen. Regarding what we were talking about earlier, could you tell me a bit more about what's going on? Why is Cain throwing away his honor?

Owen: So that the Western army will trust him.

Arthur: Trust him…? Wouldn't upholding his honor be a better way to get them to trust him?

Owen: Hmph… Cain said the same thing. You're just as foolish as he is. That's why I told him. A man like Cain isn't trustworthy at all. The kind of person they can trust is someone filthy with mud. Someone more shameful than they've ever seen. Someone with no heart who'll betray people at a moment's notice. Someone who'll do anything to protect themself and their own interests. That's the kind of person who's really trustworthy.

Arthur: Why?

Owen: That should be obvious. Because everyone knows the rules that way. I said rules, but it's different from laws. It's not anything that ever got written down. It's understood without using words. It's a person's true nature.

Arthur: A person's true nature…

Owen: Yep. When you encounter someone more fortunate than you, you get jealous and envious and want them to fall hard. There are desires you can't admit in front of people, but can indulge in when no one's around. That's a human's true nature. And everyone wants to hide that ugly part of themself. That's why if you can see how ugly someone's nature is, you don't have to worry and can be friends with them. That's trust.

Arthur: …

Owen: …But no one knows what Sir Knight's rules are. So he can't be trusted. He doesn't show his heart to anyone. Haha… How stupid.

Arthur: …And that's why Cain is choosing to throw his honor away? Because he took what you said seriously?

Owen: Yep. Are you disappointed?

Arthur: No… I'm worried. That's not like him. I wonder if something else happened.

Owen: …What do you mean?

Arthur: Ordinarily, Cain wouldn't take what you tell him so seriously.

Owen: Hah? What's that supposed to mean?

Arthur: It means that I believe in Cain. This is what I think trust is, Owen. Cain's concept of faith in others isn't wrong.

Owen: …

Arthur: And don't you believe in him too?

Owen: In who? In Sir Knight? As if. Arthur. The one who tempted him into going down this path was me. And it's something I've been waiting so long for. Ever since the day I stole his eye, I've been waiting for him to show his true colors. He's weak, foolish, cowardly…

Arthur: But you don't seem happy about it at all.

Owen: Hah?

Arthur: Even though Cain is about to fall to depravity, you're not happy about that.

Owen: I am happy about it. That's why I'm bringing you. So I can make the situation he's ended up in even worse. You're the last person Sir Knight wants to see as he sinks into gambling and lust.

Arthur: …

Owen: I just know it'll break him apart. I'm looking forward to it already.

Arthur: …You're very contrary, aren't you.

Owen: A drop from this height will kill you, Sir Prince.

Arthur: Let's say I take you seriously for a moment. As a wizard that loves to be unkind to others, you're looking forward to Cain's corruption… So I thought that if Cain were do to anything even slightly unbefitting a knight, you'd point and laugh at him. That's why you're always following him around.

Owen: Haha… Exactly. I want to see everyone's beloved paragon of virtue Sir Knight drown in his desires once he sees who he really is in the mirror. And I'm going to sit and laugh when he does. …Hmph. There really is no such thing as an ideal knight, is there. Everything in this world makes me sick. There's nothing but my beloved vile and disgusting malice and lies. Serves him right. But he can't fool me.

Arthur: …But in truth… Didn't you believe in him?

Owen: …

Arthur: Which is why you came to me…

Owen: Haha… Don't be stupid.

Arthur: Owen.

Owen: Shut up. I'll rip your tongue out.

Arthur: I feel the same way. I'm thinking the same things you are. I want to believe in him…

Owen: …What?

Arthur: … Owen. You're a Northern wizard who's lived for a very long time.

Owen: That's right.

Arthur: …Do you know… Do you know why Lord Oz is called the Demon King? Is it just because of his strength? Or is it… …Exactly as the stories say? That he once made to conquer this world? If you've seen him that way, then…

Owen: … What did Figaro and the twins say about it?

Arthur: …They avoid the subject. But I get so angry when I hear people dragging Lord Oz's name through the mud… They just comforted me by agreeing with me. And I just took it as them denying those stories without actually asking them. Lord Oz also says nothing of it.

Owen: Fufu… Is that right.

Arthur: But you know, don't you, Owen? Won't you tell me?

Owen: Nope, I don't know. Maybe I'll remember something later, but right now I don't know anything about it.

Arthur: Why… Please just tell me without putting on an act about it.

Owen: I told you, I don't know.

Arthur: Owen. Please.

Owen: Oz was once a terrible Demon King. He was more brutal than the <Great Calamity> itself and crushed the world beneath his heel.

Arthur: …

Owen: Do you believe me?

Arthur: …Are you lying to me?

Owen: Which would you rather? You can pick whichever you like, Sir Prince. Picking what you like means living in a world that you like. You can cover up the pieces so you don't have to look at them.

Arthur: … I wish I could. Serves you right. But you can't fool me. I'm glad I believed in Lord Oz. …Is what I wish I could say.

Owen: Hmph. We're going down. Don't make a fuss since we need to be quiet about it. I'll take you to Cain.

Arthur: We're going to see him quietly? I thought you wanted to get in the way?

Owen: I am. I want to make you feel terrible, too.

✦✧☾✧✦

Western officer: Ahaha! You're an interesting man, Cain. If the general were here, I'd introduce you to him. Too bad.

Cain: General Barnett, right? I hear he's running the Magical Technology Division all on his own. He worked with Nicholas too, didn't he?

Western officer: Yeah. To be honest, he was supposed to be back by tonight, but it looks like that's not happening… Huh? He is back…? Sounds like he's back in the City of Wealth.

Cain: That's good to hear. How soon can I meet with him?

Western officer: He is his Excellency the general. He's not that easy to get a meeting with. But… Since you've been such a good 'n sociable guest, if he drops by this club tonight I'll be sure to introduce you.

Cain: Really?

Western officer: Sure. But y'know, it's already pretty late.

Cain: It's on the days you work the longest that you want to drink the most. Is there anything the general likes in particular? Is he one for dancing? I'm pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Western officer: Ahaha, sure, you can dance. If I'm remembering right, there's this popular novel series he really likes.

Cain: Oh, what a coincidence. I'm probably a fan of it too.

Western officer: Really?

Cain: Sure. Put it in front of me and I'll read it out loud as loud as I can, too.

Western officer: Haha, I'd wanna hear that, too. There's so many risque lines in that thing.

Cain: That's perfectly fine. I wonder if the general heard, he'd be interested?

Western officer: Well, if he's not too tired… But it's definitely something he'd be into. The protagonist is this young maid girl, and…

Cain: Yeah, just lend me one of the volumes. How about I just start reading it here and now?

Western officer: Yeah! Now that's what we wanna hear!

Western lady: Lord Cain is so darling.

Cain: Alright, here we go. That would be the first night of many nights of hands-on experience, my ample breasts bouncing with every motion…

Arthur: Excuse me.

Cain: …?! (Lord Arthur…! Why is he here?!)

Officer's club staff: Hey, you can't be here. This isn't a place for kids.

Owen: It should be fine if there's an adult with him.

Cain: (Owen…! So you were the one that brought him here!) (For Lord Arthur, this is as good as walking onto a battlefield.) (No matter how much you want to needle me, there's still a limit on what's acceptable!) (I'm never going to forgive him for this one.)

Owen: …

#.mhyktl #.main story tl #cain knightley #tumblr is doing something terrible to the formatting of this post i've edited it so many times and i'm going crazy #if the italicization cuts off weird: not my fault i've tried to fix it so many times :(

[thehotelpod]

DOUBLE STUFF OCTOBER IS ALMOST OVER LETS TALK HOTEL EN ESPAÑOL

All the way back way back when we were just doing Theatre of Tomorrow I had a dream of doing our show in Spanish. Our resources, skill level, experience, and the complexity of ToT made that dream so out of reach it was just something fun to talk about.

"What if!"

Well when I decided to join Bloody Disgusting, I knew with the resources, experience, and the simplicity of the Hotel's production that maybe, just maybe, we could pull it off. And I was sure this show would sound fucking incredible in Spanish. It's a perfect fit.

I'll spare you the boring and gory corporate details (it's mostly me in emails, phone calls, and video meetings explaining, arguing, fussing, and doing my best not to swear for months and months) but when the dust settled and the clouds parted out stepped-

Guillermo Ruiz de Santiago. A hero.

Memo is the Veronica in Mexico. He produces, runs the socials, figures out translation, and does all the casting. (I was involved, I heard the auditions and stuff but the buck stops with Memo.) None of this happens without him, and he understood the project and was very excited to bring it to the Spanish speaking audiences everywhere.

I am blown away that this show exists. I can hardly believe my luck. It's everything I hoped it would be and more. It sounds incredible. Ginette Zavala, Alex Villalobos, and Edgar Cañas are wonderful as the Staff (and Alex and Memo recently got married!) and I am doing everything I can to get season 2 and 3 and on and on produced as well. We're almost at 10,000 downloads and listened to on three continents across 6 countries! Holy cow! is that right? yeah, okay wow.

If you haven't yet, listen to the first episode here (then listen to all the rest then tell a bunch of other people to do that too)

How bout that artwork? I knew for MMMMMMMMMMONTHS that I was going to reach out to @parasitic-saint to do the art for this. It did an incredible job with The Ranch postcard and of course I had commissioned some guest art based on some OTHER guest art it had already posted--look, the art speaks for itself:

I stared at this on my phone for the rest of the afternoon when I first got it. What can I say about it that your already faster beating heart can't tell you better? (but look at the line work on his tie!!!!)

Let's take a look at the rest!

(this one might be my favorite)

Now i reaaaaaalllly probably shouldn't post these high rez images here bc techincally they are Patron perks for our Hotel en español tier, but we only have one patron at that tier and she already has her stuff sooooo please...please look at these. Look how stunning these pieces are. I can't...I can't even do a commentary post like I did for Izzy's, my brain short circuits looking at these. The detail, the color, the angles. Oh my god. The folds?? In the poster??? immaculate. You can see we didn't have the official logo when it made the first few. They also all have title and episode number included because we had worked out a lot of the bugs already.

The dimension's it put in the pieces are incredible. You can almost reach your hand in and grab Botones.

Getting to hire Parasitic Saint as the official Hotel en español artist (and yes you will see more of Rat's art as we produce future seasons!!) is as exciting as getting to have the show at all.

It's a labor of love and I hope you all love it as much as I do.

#the Hotel en español #i was right #it sounds fucking incredible in Spanish #Parasitic Saint #the legend

[viatagrinner]

Gilbert von Obsidian. The Prince is a bodyguard.

Chapter 1

Part 1/1

Recently, I have made a new good friend. I had been isolated by the malice of an enemy prince, but now I have a new friend who is my one and only...

Gilbert: I'm so jealous.

MC: .......

Gilbert: Miss Bunny, I'm your friend.

MC: .......

I was reading a book in the library when I felt a cold body next to me.

I tried my best to read the book and not be aware of it, but when he leaned in close to me as if to rub up against me, my expression turned tight.

The prince of the enemy country shortened his distance before speaking.

Gilbert: Maybe I should kill her?

MC: Please don't do this!

When I turned my attention to these disturbing words, I saw the cheerful smile I already knew shine on his face.

Gilbert: Then, take care of me.

(Why always ...always...)

I have an idea of why Prince Gilbert suddenly appeared and what

suddenly started talking about.

I remain at court as a young lady, hiding my position as Belle, so I sometimes go out to social gatherings.

So, recently I met the daughter of the Earl who is close to my age.

We talked about our mutual love of books; now, because of her father's work, she visits the Imperial Court from time to time and communicates with me.

(Although she should know that the Prince of Obsidian is looking out for me...)

She was the first one, not counting the prince, to talk to me.

I consider her a friend. ...At least, more than my self-proclaimed friend, Prince Gilbert.

Gilbert: Did you borrow this book from the young lady?

Prince Gilbert looks indifferently at my hands.

MC: Yes. I have been reading this book because I heard it was recommended, and it is really interesting.

Gilbert: Hm?

Part 1/2

There was no emotion in Prince Gilbert's voice.

(...Why are you in a bad mood?)

(Isn't it an interesting story for Prince Gilbert to want to isolate me in Rhodolite?)

Gilbert: Tomorrow you're going to a tea party with a new friend.

MC: How do you know?

Gilbert: My eyes are everywhere, right?

(....A quick and scary thing.)

Gilbert: You're reading the book so you can talk about it at the tea party, right?

Gilbert: Now and tomorrow, your head is going to be all about that friend of yours.

Gilbert: Who's more important, me or the young woman?

MC: Both are important.

Gilbert: I was hoping it was me, right?

MC: ........

Gilbert: Sad.... Аcсompanying... Ah

I don't know what to say to Prince Gilbert, who began to imitate outright crying.

(In short, I think it means "don't befriend new friends".)

MC: Isn't that a good thing?

Gilbert: It hasn't been easy for you lately, has it?

Master Gilbert stops the show and smiles crookedly.

Gilbert: I won't stop you, but don't get your hopes up either.

Gilbert: Because your aristocratic "friend" are not what you think she is.

Part 1/3

I thought he was going to ask something, but his next words came out in a serious tone.

Gilbert: Just as my definition of "friend" and your definition of "friend" are different, there must be another definition for this young lady.

Gilbert: You don't understand that yet, do you? I'm worried about you.

MC: .....You can't be friends if you doubt everything.

MC: I believe that trust is the first step to friendship.

Gilbert: Ahaha, you have guts.

(In terms of the situation, I shouldn't trust Prince Gilbert.)

(.... I'm sure he has become more lenient than he was at first, but still...)

I defiantly turned away from the window, then Prince Gilbert pinched me.

It was a little painful.

Gilbert: It's hard to trust a young lady when you can't even trust me, your best friend.

Gilbert: I don't want you to get hurt. As your friend, I want to protect you.

MC: Thank you very much. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your kindness.

Gilbert: Accept my goodwill or I'll make you do it.

MC: .......

When I looked back at him again, I saw that Prince Gilbert had brought his face closer.....

Gilbert: Oh yes, I have an idea!

Part 1/4

(...Always this guy...)

I get up, as if running away from the blood-colored eyes that are closing in on me.

MC: No, I won't listen!

Gilbert: You're so boring!

MC: !?

I feel his hand take my wrist and pull me back into the chair, his cold breath against my ear.

Gilbert: You can't veto it. I'm the one who decided to do it for my friend.

(When Prince Gilbert is like that, there's always something going on.)

(I must be careful...)

(Warning, I tried...)

The next day, Rio and I planned to visit the young lady's mansion together.

Since I was taking a class with Sariel in the morning, I was supposed to join Rio in the afternoon, but when I arrived at the meeting place, I had no words.

Gilbert: You've come at last.

MC: ....Have you seen my butler?

Gilbert: He's here, isn't he?

MC: Where...?

Gilbert: Right here.

Prince Gilbert, with his back to the column, pointed to himself.

I almost lost my blood.

(No, I thought.... you were definitely up to something.)

MC: What did you do to Rio!?

Gilbert: Ahaha, what happened?

MC: ....Prince Gilbert.

Gilbert: It's okay, I didn't do anything violent.

Gilbert: Since your Butler is busy with other things, I'll take his place.

(Prince Gilbert must not lie, so I think Rio is safe.)

(He must be stranded somewhere.)

MC: We cannot have guests from other countries act as butlers.

Gilbert: It's my wish, so it's okay, right?

Gilbert: Come on, lady. If you don't get going soon, you won't make it in time, okay?

MC: ......

Gilbert: Do you want to be threatened?

(Looks like I'll just have to take your hand.)

Part 1/5

MC: I am so sorry Lady Louise.

Louise: No, please don't apologize. I was surprised..... I was really surprised......

(The Prince of Obsidian showed up unexpectedly at the tea party, so it's strange not to be surprised.)

As soon as I arrived at the mansion, I told Lady Louise, who looked pale, everything that had happened so far.

Even though he was only a substitute for the butler, I could not make the prince of a great kingdom behave in such a manner, so Prince Gilbert sat down next to me as a guest at a tea party with a nonchalant look on his face.

Gilbert: Don't worry about me. I don't want to interrupt the conversation between the  young ladies.

Gilbert: I came here to show you how close Miss Bunny and I are.

(We don't have that relationship.)

Louise: Lady MC, you are rumored to be one with the Obsidian Prince..

MC: Wrong!

Gilbert: You don't even know what kind of rumors she's talking about.

MC: I can see how this would not be pleasing to me.

(The only rumours circulating amongst the opposite sex should be about whether they are in love or not.)

Louise: I didn't pay much attention to the rumors either, but what is your actual relationship?

MC: It seems that..

MC: Victim and perpetrator..

Gilbert: Friend.

MC: ......

Gilbert: We are very good friends. ....Right?

All rights reserved by Cybird. Translation is not 100% accurate.

Gilbert's Masterlist

#ikemen prince #ikemen ouji #ikepri #ikepri translation #gilbert von obsidian masterlist #ikemen prince gilbert von obsidian #gilbert von obsidian #gilbert von obsidian events #ikepri gilbert #ikemen gilbert #ikemen prince gilbert #ikepri spoilers

[theatre-of-the-mind]

[Next] [Chapter Index]

Transcript below:

>> The world will begin shortly, please wait.

>> ...

Many dream for the ability to create miracles, to have your thoughts materialised at your fingertips, to produce divine acts at no effort at all but the creation of the thought. None such gifted people exist on earth, if not the entire universe, ...right?

On the edge of a distant galaxy orbits a planet, and on that planet are oceans, continents and countries, like our own. High above a city floats an artificial island, and on that island is a small town. In one of the houses, in an upstairs bedroom, we find our main character. An aforementioned 'gifted' individual, who believes stronger than anything else that this is not the case.

Curled up on the bed against the wall is a young Midnight Shadow, of species feline, resident of continent E, of planet feline, and breathing very very fast. Just before we arrived, he had unfortunately mistimed the trek downstairs, and had to deal with the blaring consequence of such a fateful mistake. On his way down he encountered only the one living thing in the entire world that he fears the most - his mother.

What followed after was an angry shout and a bare miss of a clawed attack, Midnight fleeing back up the stairs so quickly it was as if he was never there at all. Now the footsteps are gone and all is quiet but the crickets outside, but Midnight is still on high alert - his past couple years of being alive have taught him not to trust his over-sensitive hearing and wait at least half an hour or more before safety can be assumed. Now he desperately tries to calm down, to slow down his racing thoughts, but nothing is working.

Just wait, it'll all be over soon...

He pulls the bedcovers tighter around himself and closes his eyes.

...Just have to distract myself...

Tonight is as any other night. This moment is a normal occurrence. And as far as Midnight knows, it won't change any time soon.

Surely, he must be the one at fault here, done something in the past to deserve such treatment, made a mistake he's yet to realise and desperately fix - to be seen as a pest his mother cant get rid of. The truth may be hard to hear, but its nothing we aren't familiar with here on earth. This is a simple case of hatred of differences, misunderstanding, and ignorance of learning of other perspectives. His parents, as far as Midnight is aware, happen to have arguably the strongest critical and discriminatory beliefs on anything magical or unnatural or unexplainable by science or cursed or any other things he's been called. Ironically, its a miracle in itself the universe has condemned him to live here.

Of course, its not Midnight's fault at all for having such abilities - it came with him into this world, and is as natural and a part of him as the end of his tail. Let's go back to the scene and watch what's to happen - he's about to use them now.

One thing that calms you down, Midnight has found, is to imagine you're anywhere but here. Slowly, an image comes to mind. Green, blue, and a spray of every colour of the rainbow. He's in a meadow of soft grass, and it's a beautiful summer day. The air is fresh and sweet with the scent of the wildflowers, and there's a gentle breeze blowing. Up above, huge puffy clouds drift slowly across the sky.

Much better.

He lies down and stretches out in the grass.

I think I'll stay here for a while...

The moment stretches on for what feels like hours, and, upon feeling more at peace with the world, Midnight returns to his room, and the vision fades away.

>> PAUSE

[@] But that wasn't magic - anyone with an imagination can do that!

[*] It didn't say he imagined it, it only said where he was in that next moment. It is entirely up to you how you interpret that though.

[@] But he can't have just teleported, right?

[*] ...

[@] ... Right?

>> PLAY

*knock* *knock*

For a moment Midnight freezes, before realising who it is. There's only one person in this house who would knock. The door creaks open and a concerned but friendly face peers in. Enter Lumine.

"Everything alright? I heard shouting..."

"Fine"

"It wasn't magic, was it?"

Midnight shakes his head.

"I see.. just bad timing, then?"

He closes the door and sits next to Midnight on the bed. Midnight slightly loosens the bed covers around himself. All is quiet now. It's not as cold in the room anymore with the two of them there. It's a fairly small room after all.

"I know it's quite late, but.. could you show me that new trick you told me about?"

Midnight hesitates, listens for absolute silence, then once satisfied, agrees.

Due to being scolded for using magic, he's quite afraid to use it. But in private moments like this, he feels safe enough to experiment.

He cups his hands together and concentrates. Lumine watches carefully with eager anticipation, as if he's about to be shown a secret of the universe. Slowly, Midnight opens his hands to reveal a tiny glowing star. Concentrating a bit more, he makes it grow brighter, until it lights up the whole room.

"So cool.."

And he smiles.

Midnight does too.

Showing minor miracles like this to his brother make his abilities seem less frightening than he's told they're to be. And he trusts Lumine will never tell. Despite him being on this planet only 2 years longer than Midnight, Lumine notices the difference in treatment they receive, and tries as best he can to be there for him. He may not be able to help much, but moments like this are Midnight's everything.

"Lumi..."

"Yeah?"

"Is it bad that.. that I wish I didn't have magic? How do I get rid of it?"

Lumine pauses for a few seconds. "There's nothing wrong or bad about your ability. I'm sure that if you use it in the right way, you could change so much about the world."

"But won't they hate me though?"

"Of course not. There are plenty of people out there, like me, that would love to see your magic, and if they take the time to understand it, they'll realise just how special you are."

"Then why does she..."

He sighs. "I don't know... You know, one of my teachers told me that everything happens for a reason. What that reason is, why she— uhm, isn't fond of magic, we've yet to find out."

Lumine takes the star from his hand. It feels warm and light, perhaps even alive.

"Let's just hope that one day she'll see all the amazing things you can do, but until then, I'll be here."

He looks at Midnight with a smile one last time before placing the star gently on the bedside table.

The door closes.

Midnight is alone once more.

>> End of scene I.

[@] It's so cool we can actually see the characters with this thing! But how do we know what they sound like? I can see what they look like, but what kind of voices do they have?

[*] That is entirely up to you. In reality, you wouldn't understand what this character is saying because they don't speak any Earth language. Accent, tone, slang - it is all lost in translation.

[@] Oh, I forgot about that...

[*] In this story, a character can have millions of voices simultaneously, because everyone subconsciously gives the character their own voice. In a way, it's part of the theatre of the mind. Adds to the experience and all.

#comic #comics #artists on tumblr #webcomic #digital art #this is my first time posting and omg its so hard to format things

[darcyfangirlsfrequently]

Okay so I have a reboot theory/headcanon/fanfiction thing

(I never know what to call these… they're not proper fabrics, but they're not entire theories either)

So Penelope has come back to the team, and there is banter, there is flirting, and there's a bit of awkwardness around her and Luke. Everyone on the team knows what happened, but they don't address it since they don't want to make it MORE awkward.

Anyway, they're working on this one case, and it's pretty bad, as their cases are. Something about this case, though, strikes a cord with Emily. She swears she saw something like it in her days at Interpol. "Hey, Garcia," she says over the phone. "I know no cases like this other than our victims have popped up in the states, so could you try to see if you could search Russian databases? Specifically around the St. Petersburg area? Same MO and signature. It might take you a while to cut through the red tape, but tell people I sent you, it should make it easier."

Penelope agrees and runs the search. (I know you all know where I'm going with this, but please pretend you do not.)

About an hour later, it is Luke's phone that's ringing. He finds this odd for two reasons. Number one: she hasn't called him to give him information since she's rejoined. Always someone else. Number two: he hasn't asked her for anything.

"Hey, Penelope, what's up?" (He can't think of her as Garcia anymore… ever since he asked her out she's always just been Penelope to him.)

She is panicking, and you can hear it. She's on the verge of tears. "Luke, it's him."

"Who? What's him?"

"The Russian search, Luke, it's Alexei Stanovich."

*cut scene*

*cut to Luke explaining the Alexei Stanovich situation to the team while he runs around packing things.*

"He was bothering her online… well she said bothering. It definitely more constituted stalking. Messaging her, asking why she wasn't barefoot and pregnant, detailing all the ways he was going to kill her…"

The team lets out a sharp gasp at that.

"It's been going on at least two years. At least that's when I found out. The stalking case of that student of hers. I told her if anything ever happened she needed to keep me on speed dial. And damn if I'm going to let her be alone in a different state now that he's in the country."

"Luke, are you sure that leaving's a good idea?" Emily asks. "I mean, like you said, she's in a different state. And she's at Quantico, she's completely protected."

"Far be it for an unsub to divert us while he goes after his real target. Are you ordering me to stay?"

"No. I am not."

"Then I'm going."

He grabs his stuff and walks out and the team stares out after him. "Wow," Tara says. "He's still in love with her."

"I'm not surprised," JJ says. "I mean, they only got to go on the one date before Covid shut everything down, right? They never really had any closure over anything, and now they're working together again… and especially with this, it makes sense those feelings would be coming back to surface."

Emily sighs, almost wistfully. "I really hope they can work something out."

"Me too," Rossi agrees. "They'd be good for each other."

They stay silent for a moment longer before returning to work. They have people to save.

*Meanwhile, at Quantico*

"Luke, I cannot believe you left the team to keep an eye on me. You do not need to be here, I'm fine."

"If I didn't need to be here, why would Emily and Rossi have let me go?"

"He's in a different state, Luke! How's he going to get to me?"

"He hasn't dropped a body in a couple of days, Penelope. What if he's on his way over here? I'm not leaving you alone, it's not safe."

"I'll just stay here, in my office! I've done it before! When Cat Adams and her group of hitmen were after me I lived here for over a month."

Luke's eyes go huge. "Cat Adams and her group of hitmen were targetting you?"

"Yeah. You didn't know that?"

"No!" He would have killed Cat Adams the first time he met her, had he known. "Then I'll just stay here with you. Rossi has a couch in his office I can crash on."

"Luke–"

"Penelope, I didn't leave you alone when you were crying because Reid was hurt in prison, do you really think I'm going to leave you alone now?"

***

When they finally solve the case and get Alexei into custody, Penelope and Luke cheer in celebration. She grabs his face and kisses him briefly, just a spur-of-the-moment, celebratory kiss. She doesn't even think anything of it, she just keeps on celebrating. Then it hits her exactly what she did. She turns to face him and he's just staring at her. And then he kisses her for real.

Idk I just feel like this would be an emotionally satisfactory way to explain them not being together right away, deal with the AS thing, and get them together for real

#Garvez #Criminal Minds #Criminal Minds reboot #Criminal Minds Evolution #Criminal Minds Fanfiction #Garvez Fanfiction #Luke Alvez #Penelope Garcia #Emily Prentiss #Jennifer Jareau #Tara Lewis #David Rossi

[chloeillustrates16]

Sing To Me (Rise Version)

(My personal head canon is that all the Leos love country music and will unironically blast it in the lair when their brothers are away).

(I wrote a 2k16 version of Leo).

Summary: Leo will die if his brothers find out he listens to country music. He's willing to keep it till the grave.

Warnings: Some swearing, Y/n uses she/her, personal head canons, fluff

To say it was embarrassing was an understatement; if Donnie found out that Leo like country music, he wouldn't hear the end of it. Yet, here he was, alone in the lair. Leo was still healing from the Kraang fight; having to take a lot of damage in the Prison Dimension. It took months for Leo to convince Raph that he was okay on his own.

Leo bounced his foot against the concrete as music flowed from his speakers. Leo hated cleaning, it was one of his least favorite activities, but he had nothing else to do. He needed to get his mind off of the memories that plagued his mind. So, music blasting in the background as his hands roamed around his room and put things into drawers.

---

You've been friends with the turtles for years. It wasn't long after April met them; being friends, April trusted you with the greatest secret known to man.

Your footsteps echoed off the sewer walls as you arrived in the lair; Raph called, saying that they left Leo alone and wanted you to keep him company. You immediately agreed to it; Leo was your friend; you'd do anything for him.

You approached the lair, shock running through your bones as you heard loud music originating from Leo's room. It wasn't the typical music he'd listen to either. Was this country?

You snuck your way near the door of the abandoned subway cart; you saw Leo moving around his room while singing. You lean against the entrance, smiling as Leo spun around his room. He stopped short; he saw your body in the corner of his eye.

His face felt like a million degrees as he turned to you, "Hey, what's up?" he asked, trying to be nonchalantly as possible.

"Since when do you listen to country music?"

"Uh...awhile," crashed to his knees. "Please, Y/n, don't tell Donnie, I hear the end of it!" he begged, "I'll do anything, anything!"

"How about a dance?" he paused,

"Huh?"

"Take it or leave it," he swallowed.

"Sure," you were only fucking with him. This is pay back for all the shit he's done to you, right?

Nervously, Leo wrapped his arm around your waist, the music changed, "Can you sing again? I really liked it."

"You liked my singing?"

"Uh-huh," okay. Now, he was definitely dreaming. Okay, this is okay, if it is a dream then why not, sure. Come on, Nardo, you're the Face-man! Do what you do best and sweep her off her feet.

"I'm booking myself a one-way flight; I gotta see the color in your eyes. Telling myself I'm going to alright, without you, Baby, is a waste of time. Yeah, our first date, Girl, the seasons change, it got washed away in the summer rain. You can't undo a fall like this, cause love don't know what distance is. Yeah, I know that's crazy." he chuckled, "But I don't want good, and I don't want good enough; I want, can't sleep, can't breathe, without your love!"

You stare into Leo's big obsidian eyes; you felt your heart race. "Front porch and one more kiss; it doesn't make sense to anybody else. Who cares if you're all I think about? I searched the world and I know now, it ain't right if you ain't lost your mind! Yeah, I don't want easy, I want crazy! Are you with my, Baby? Let's be crazy!" He laughs along with you, "Well, I don't wanna be scared; don't wanna know why. Wanna feel good, don't have to be right; the world makes all kinds of rules for love; I say you gotta let it do what it does! I don't want just another hug and a kiss good night!"

"Catchin' up calls and a date, sometimes I love that we're rebels, and we still believe; We're the kind of crazy people wish that they could be, and I know we're crazy, yeah! But I don't want good, and I don't want good enough; I want, can't sleep, can't breathe without your love! Front porch and one more kiss; it doesn't make sense to anybody else! Who cares if you're all I think about? I've searched the world and I know now, it ain't right if you ain't lost your mind; yeah, I don't want easy, I want crazy! Are you with me, Baby? Let's be crazy!"

Your bodies dances together, almost harmoniously. Your arms were tight around his neck as he spun you around his room, his hands tight on your hips.

"No, I don't want good, and I don't want good enough; I want, can't sleep, can't breathe without your love! Front porch and one more kiss; it doesn't make sense to anybody else! Who cares if you're all I think about? I've searched the world and I know now, it ain't right if you ain't lost your mind; yeah, I don't want easy, I want crazy; Yeah, look at us baby; tonight, the midnight rules are breaking. There's no such thing as wild enough, maybe we just think too much. Who needs to play it safe in love? Let's be crazy! Who cares if we're crazy? We gotta be crazy; I know that we're crazy, so let's be crazy, yeah!"

You covered your mouth as Leo felt like he was on cloud nine. He pulled you so close to his chest while dancing, he didn't realize how bold he was being. Leo swallowed thickly as he stared down at your lips, you stop laughing and look at him.

Both hearts racing in sync. Leo pulls you closer, his lips softly pressed against your own. It was unsure, you hum against his lips as you press forward. Leo smiled against the kiss before pulling away.

"I told you I could sweep you off your feet," he chuckled.

"Yeah, yeah; whatever you say," you whisper. Another song came on; he began singing again.

"Duffle bag, backseat; my dash, your feet. Those other side of the highway, headlights making you shine." You thought why not to join,

"My hand, your leg; playlist, playing; even though I haven't made it yet; I'd draggin it, droppin it, in my mind. You're a drive real slow; down no lane road; to a house on a hill where the wild things grow! You're a wake up in pajamas; not a trace of makeup on ya! You're a help fix her it; having breakfast with my mama; you're a take back home, home, home girl! Home, home, home girl; take back home, home, home girl; home, home, home girl!"

You started, "You're the kind I wanna take a ride with; sit by on a Friday night! In the stadium; lights side by side. All the lady's like, Yeah, she's doing just fine."

Your smile as Leo joined back in, "Everybody in the bleachers; they all gon' wanna meet ya from my teachers to my preacher! My little crowd pleaser; parading with you feeling homecoming cool, yeah! I wanna drive real slow, down a no name road; to a house on a hill, where the wild things grow! You're a wakeup in pajamas; not a trace of makeup on ya! You're a help her fix it; having breakfast with my mama! You're a take back home, home, home girl! Home, home, home girl; take back home, home, home girl; home, home, home girl!"

You gasp as Leo pressed you closer to his plastron, "You're a take back; You're a take back! You're a take back home; you're a take back home! You're a take back home girl. You got that down home homegrown, found on good ground soul; that down home homegrown, found on good ground soul. You're a drive real slow, down a no name road to a house on a hill, where the wild things grow! You're a wakeup in pajamas; no trace of makeup on ya. you're a help her fit it; breakfast with my mama! You're a take back home, home, home girl; home, home, home girl; take back home, home, home girl; home, home, home girl! You're a take back; you're a take back; you're a take back home; you're a take back home! you're a take back home; you're a take back home."

Chewing on your lips, Leo smiled, "Who knew you could sing?" You scoff,

"You're better."

"As much as I agree with you; you're not too bad yourself." You blush, as Leo pulled you over to the bed.

"Can I just lay on you?" he asked, you nod. His head pressed against your chest; you hum softly to him as you scratched his shell. It wasn't long before Leo fell asleep with you in his arms; unwilling to let go.

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

Songs used:

I Want Crazy (Encore)--Hunter Hayes

Take Back Home Girl--Chris Lane ft. Tori Kelly

#x reader #fanfic #reader insert #fanfiction #tmnt leonardo #rise of the tmnt #music fic #leonardo #rise leo #teenage mutant ninja turtles #head cannons

[eviltiddyproductions]

Vincenzo : Episode 17

please be fucking real with me rn. y'all are professional lawyers aware of the rules and go around murdering people on a whim, you just killed a mafia personnel's mother. a person who has been killing people too??? 😭 and you just killed his mother he hadn't met for 30 years ??? what was going to happen to you exactly ??? did y'all think this was a chess move 💀

get out of my face

please kill her, she's too vital for him

how does she have the audacity to squirm be serious omg. you were just celebrating killing his mom? 😭💀

no no no please you gotta take one of them out tonight I'm so tired of these excuses

well they do deserve a painful death but the (little brother deserves a little slack but birds of a flock 😟)

goodbye little brother 😔

lmaooo goodbye to his ear as well

my man looks so good walking out but I'm so so so tired of letting the bad guys live for longer. should've shot everyone in the leg at least idk 😭 (the villain from alchemy of souls making it to season 2 without a scratch still keeps me up at night 💀)

both of you deserve a big hug. my babies 😭

say goodbye to your mom

oh I'm about to break

I know you're the good guys and you have rules but y'all play a chess move and these evil bitches KILL someone instead like how is this fair 😭

he won't be grieving alone <3

probably the first time my martial artist is beanie less

i love that they're so honest and real about their feelings 😭

hug him

a mother's love is just built different 😭

oh he still has his ear

the audacity. LOSERRRR

slapped his brother too!? junior get him for once in your life

i hate these losers so much

back on this dumbass chess game that i am really tired of 🤩 mom come pick me up i am tired of this 😩

family's here <333

i mean my girl's sort of a part of this giving a voice thing too but yes, Vincenzo has led the slayage

LMAOOOO my pseudo italian gang is here !!!! They all look SOO good. park saeroyi is giving park seo joon fr here 😭

the crystal ball men still working for them 💀

what happened to that prosecutor anyway

one thing about Babel, they cannot hire good security for their life lol

like how did my building people even make it there 💀 want to rule the country, can't hire good security to save their life. I don't think they've had a single momen where there security has worked

you just got told your death will be excruciatingly slow and all 4 of you are in the room, do you actually believe the bomb threat?

they're going to kill these two after the party aren't they 💀 it's been so long that I've forgotten when and where they caught them

anyone can make anything explode if pre planned but if it scares are 4 evil horsemen I'm down

damn he's dead dead isn't he

even i wasn't ready for it

lmaooo even the Wusang guy is tearing the contracts. him and junior CEO really are dying because they're a part of the group 💀 they've had like negligible contribution in the evil arena i do feel for them. imagine dying because you have 2 psychopath losers with you

at least the evil CEO has the guts to face a gun to his head, our lawyer lady has murdered people left right centre and still is the first one on the ground everytime a threat arrives BE SERIOUS 😭

are they playing ice hockey for real or is this a dream? I'll enjoy my junior brother crumbs however i can

he really said is that chayoung to distract him LMAOOOO. Vincenzo if you have a crush just say so

I want to ice skate so bad

IT'S REALLLLL

I finally won for once in my life

not this romantic ass music playing as my little brother falls into Vincenzo's arms i thought he was finally getting a brother figure, i guess he's getting a boyfriend

that was so mean and funny lmaooo

got my man giggling and ice skating here. I'm kinda happy it can be a good place for him 😭😩 i will never recover from the beating he took here

she's so insane actually, practically murdered this guy already. watch her duck and hide again when someone threatens her

SLAYYYY they look so good

I just realised I was on the verge of tears in the beginning of this episode. Feels good to see them doing their thing :')

him and his obsession of wearing hoodies under suit jackets...

little brother i beg you rn to not let this man get into your head istg

Elizabeth Holmes like the fraudster ?! 💀

by the end of this show every villain will be made aware of Vincenzo having access to the gold and the files lmao

the director is in it y'all 😭

he's team us???!! (the writers were throwing anything and everything on the board lmao but for once I'm happy that someone's on our side) found the director shifting to the dark side confusing but believable. the prosecutor switching up was so 💀???

slay director slayyy

welcome back Mr. Cho (why did my brain assume Gilbert was going to come out, why am I forgetting people 😭)

omg random bad guy GAGGED evil CEO lmaoooo 'you've got a big mouth for someone who murdered his father' evil CEO :

even if this happiness is temporary, I love it. gagged those two losers !!! what is more funnier is last episode the lawyer lady and ceo were flexing their muscles and look how the tables turn 😍

hella worried for the little brother though he either keeps slipping from my good graces or i worry that his brother is about to kill him

they are so fucking unserious

Vincenzo about to be shot by the brother but for once I am putting faith in him (do not embarrass me please, I do that enough to myself)

bae why did you get a gun if you were going to be scared of the other person pulling one out. he’s from the mafia 💀

one thing Sherlock taught me was that if you aren’t shot in the head you can make it out alive and this has ruined my TV watching experience because I keep waiting for people to come out alive

#vincenzo #episode 17 #What a roller coaster of emotion #Little brother PLEASE #written update

[lemonlovemeanslove]

What do you consider to be middle class in 2023? Do you think it's solely based on income (USA class system) or based on culture, traditions, morals and connections and some of it on income etc (Europe)?

This is quite a difficult thing to answer since I'm not an expert on topics like this and I'll let you know right now that I'm very iffy when it comes to the USA class system. And everything I'm saying now is based on my own experience, obvi.

Today, I'd consider a middle class person to be someone who can afford taking part in middle class culture. Going on vacation, doing a sports activity for years, being able to fund other hobbies, like the arts and model building or whatever. And while we don't, a lot of middle class people in the country also own two cars, so I guess that as well. Basically when you can comfortably partake in whatever is considered to be middle class culture in your country, that is when I consider you to be middle class. Morals also change, for sure, and while I don't think you have to adopt whatever the middle class morals are for your country, I think most people who become middle class end up believing in then eventually.

Like, my dad was a bus driver/UPS driver growing up, he worked both jobs. My mom was a kindergarten teacher. We didn't do any of the middle class activities back then. When we moved countries, we started earning more, and this opened up a whole new culture, going to the cinema for example, which used to be a once a year activity, was much more available. Through our fathers job we also got access to a sports facility. And vacations, which we literally went on once back when I was younger, became a once a year thing. I could suddenly be part of conversations about what movie I'd seen in cinemas, what sports I did and where my family were going on vacation. This is why I define middle class as taking part in middle class culture. That's what I noticed as a kid, which has shaped my way of looking at class today. I haven't mentioned education in this post, but only because the state pays for your education in Sweden. My dad could get the education that got him that higher paying job because it was basically for free. And it's the same for me and all my siblings, my parents never had to think about education in that aspect. This is obviously very different from the us, which is another reason as to why I can't tell you what makes an American person middle or working class.

But like I said, I find this to be a really difficult question to answer lol, and am not sure if I'm pleased with my answer. But thats what I got for now so 🤷🏽‍♀️

#when I was a kid i defined middle class as owning several computers #maybe i should've just written that lol #sorry for long rambling post #don't think i did a good job of answering #but I tired #also #working class in sweden #working class in the us #verrrry different things #well im pretty sure their very different lol

[dream-meister-translations]

100 SLEEPING PRINCES & THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS

HERCULES | MOON PATH #4

━

I took a step into the abandoned house with immense trepidation. Looking around for any sign of Hercules. EMMA : Hercules? HERCULES : WAAAAAAAHH!!! EMMA : !!! The loud roar echoed off the walls and sent shivers shooting down my spine. EMMA : Hercules….

I cautiously took a few in the direction of the roar. As I approached him, his head snapped up and those sharp golden eyes landed on me. His body was shaking as he clung to one of the rundown countertops. HERCULES : What the hell are you doing here? Knowing he didn't want me here, made me feel discouraged. HERCULES : It's better if you stay away from me. The way I am right now…I might…Kill you… As long as I'm not with you, you should be safe to walk away. No monsters will come after you. Please leave. Releasing his grip on the countertop, he took a step away from me. EMMA : I want you to come with me… HERCULES : No. I'm staying here. EMMA : Eh…!? HERCULES : My plan was always to come here. This is where my mother used to live…When I was born, my mother was driven out of Olympus…It's all her fault, that wretched woman!! As he spilled his heart out, his voice cracked and he covered his face with his hands. His entire body shaking and tears welling in his eyes. (Is he talking about Her Highness Hera…?) -FLASHBACK- MAN : You are correct. It was given to me by Her Highness Hera as a gift, when she ordered me to kill you. EMMA : Your mother wants to kill you…? HERCULES : She's not my mother. She's my father's new concubine. So, should I assume that all of the monsters have been sent by you? -END FLASHBACK- (Her existence has hurt Hercules so much…) HERCULES : An abandoned house like this is a good place for someone like me, isn't it? I'm nothing more than a thorn in the side of this country… EMMA : You shouldn't say that… (How sad it must be to think of yourself that way…) Without thinking through the consequences of my actions, I approached Hercules and wrapped my arms around his body from behind. Squeezing him tightly and burying my face in his back. EMMA : If you're staying here, then I'm staying with you. I felt his muscles tense beneath my touch. HERCULES : ….Are you a fool? His voice danced with disbelief and laughter. HERCULES : You saw what I just did to that man, didn't you? I can't control my emotions and sometimes…I hurt people… I could hurt you too, Little Emma. EMMA : I'm not scared of you, Hercules. I know you are a kind and gentle man. I've seen it. I care about you and I refuse to leave you here alone. HERCULES : Little Emma….

EMMA : I don't want to leave you… Then, without warning, Hercules twisted around in my arms, grabbing at my face and lifting my chin before planting a heated kiss directly on my lips. EMMA : Mmn…. His lips were bruising against mine. Because of how those strong hands were holding me in place, I could do little but clutch at his shirt and kiss back. Eventually, needing oxygen, he broke the kiss and stared directly into my eyes… HERCULES : I can't believe you care so much about me… His face was filled with distress suddenly. HERCULES : Even kissing you like this…I might actually crush you, you know? I can't control my strength… He was holding on so tightly I could feel pain shooting through my skin. HERCULES : You've become so important to me… (He sounds so sad…) EMMA : Hercules… Dropping my hands from his shirt, I circled my arms around his back so that I could gently stroke his spine. He was trembling. I wanted to help in any way I could. EMMA : It's my choice. I want to be by your side and I trust you not to hurt me… Just breathe, it's going to be okay. HERCULES : Then I will love you with everything I have and I promise to never hurt you! I gasped as he flipped our bodies around and pinned me against the wall. His body pressed right up against mine. HERCULES : I'll never let you go…Ever… Since meeting him, this was the brightest those golden eyes had ever shone. (Hercules…) Before I could respond he leant down and crashed our lips together again. It was so hot it felt like the sun was washing over my body.

#Otome #yume100 #yume100 translations #夢王国と眠れる100人の王子様 #夢100 #100 sleeping princes and the kingdom of dreams #Dream Meister Translations #Hercules

[thewoodbine]

Hello there,

I have come to you before and you always gave me the best of advice.

I am female, unhappily married, I have a small kid, and I began an affair with a woman almost 5 months ago. We had our fair share of drama, she is 23 and I am 30. I wanted to leave my husband but I am from a small European country where the life of a woman that divorces her husband for another woman would not be easy. I would most surely lose custody of my kid...

After I asked for a divorce my husband made a 180 turn and has become so affectionate, so attentive... but I feel as if I lost all love for him. I battled with a bad case of post-partum and he was also depressed as life changed with a New born kid...

I invited her over recently, and we were not intimate in that instance because I don't feel I could do it in his and i's home... but I had a moment when she was sat at his chair in the kitchen when it all became real to me... the posibility of losing my family if it all came out... how small she is... how in that moment I missed him so much. And it did not make sense to me. I thought I hated him since he was so absent in my time of need... how selfish he had been...

Ever since that moment I kept feeling this: get out of this affair.. and I keep hearing in my head: this is your Last chance... As if someone is holding something from crashing but the weight is wearing them down ... This morning I woke up at 5:55... numbers don't catch my eyes most of the time but this time... it just felt different. This morning my husband informs me he would like to switch from a 3(mornings, noon and nights) shifts to 2... so we would be always opposite shifts and be able to enroll the kid into kindergarden... if he doesnt work nightshifts I will no longer be able to swing by her place once a week. The kid would be starting in the fall but I jumped the gun and told her and basically called it quits...

I dont understand myself... if I hate him and love her... why do i keep getting the fealing that I need to leave her... like... like I am on a sinking ship but no one else is seeing that... she is lovind and carting and protective and all I could want in a partner ..she has flaws, we all have... but why? Could it be something leading me...?

Please help me... any piece of advice... I always listened to you.

Well, I can't pass any judgment here. I don't know what your experience is like...but I'll do my best to try to give my opinion. Remember though that you already have all of the answers you need, and this is a choice you have to make. I only have this little piece of your life story and this tinnnyy bit of information is the only thing I can weigh in on, so I speak without the full picture. Use your own compass here.

It sounds to me like you've overthought yourself to death. You no longer see the forest for the trees. You've talked yourself into up is down and down is up and then back again and now you don't know anymore- except your gut hasn't been fooled. You already know what you should do.

If it were me, I also think you need to immediately end this affair and go back to your family- and if you're not coming clean to your spouse you should immediately. I'm sure she's very nice but you've made a family. You should think about your happiness, yes, of course, but you should think about your child and your husband too. If they are serving their roles in the family and making you happy and trying their best and you are the one wanting to have both, then that is selfish and will lead to your own suffering. I don't say this to shame. I say this because I truly genuinely believe that selfishness and expectations are the roots of all human suffering. Look how much you are suffering now because of this choice, and how much pain you have caused others. An affair is a horrible thing to do to someone else. I'm trying not to let my personal bias for women and LGBTQ couples get in the way and imagine how I feel about men who have affairs because they are unhappy without communicating that unhappiness to their spouse. I would not be very patient with that person.

Instead, I'd recommend you to speak to your husband about what made you seek out this affair in the first place and try to work on that. What needs were not being met? In what way did you fail him? How did he fail you? Fix the relationship you have if it can be fixed.

That's my two cents anyway. I really appreciate your trust and honesty and vulnerability here and I really hope it all works out for the best for everyone involved here.

[anon-ndrs]

A perspective on growing up in Israel, and the reality of propaganda

This post is meant to explain to outsiders of the current genocide what goes on in the mind of Israeli citizens. My voice shouldn't be more important than Palestinian voices right now. But I wanted to help, and I believe there's something to be learned from my insight on the situation, for people who are unfamiliar with it.

Please, if you don't already, seek Palestinian accounts on current events. They are, first and foremost, the most important accounts to listen to.

If you don't know already, you'll understand why Israeli Zionist accounts and official Israeli statements aren't reliable.

I'd also like to add that you should take my own point of view with a grain of salt, as I'm myself still learning and unlearning what I've been taught. And I don't want to delude myself into thinking I haven't been ingrained with extremely racist biases from my environment.

I'll give a short explanation on my background because it's important for understanding my point of view of Israel in general. My parents arrived to Israel after the fall of the Communist dictatorship in their country. They chose Israel because they knew of the laws about Jews and their decedents receiving financial aid from the government. They themselves are Christian, and have strong belief in their religion.

In short, they came to Israel for money, a better job, a better life for their children. And because of that, they weren't interested in the Zionist dream of a Jewish ethno-state. That made them teach me a different version of what Israel is. And so, from a very young age, I didn't believe fully in what I was taught. That led to several memories of mine, that looking back at, are horrifying.

One very strong memory is from age 10, 4th year. The teacher of our "Tradition" class didn't arrive on that day, and instead a substitute teacher filled in. She decided to have a debate in class. A debate on the Israeli-Palestinian "conflict".

I say Palestinian, but in reality she said "Arab". When I was young, they wouldn't talk about Palestinians. They talked about Arabs.

Back then I preferred to read in class rather than participate, so for the first half, I was quiet. I heard bits and pieces of what the kids said, and it all boiled down to a similar final verdict:

"We don't want to kill the Arabs, we just want them out of our country."

I put my book down eventually. I remember that statement felt wrong, but back then I couldn't place why. I started arguing with them, "you say you want them to leave like that's easy for them. Do you know how hard it is to leave your home, everything you ever knew, behind?" I thought about my parents. How hard it was for them to move, how they were, and still are, ridiculed for having an accent, for being so obviously different. I obviously didn't know much if anything about the harsh reality. But even as a 10-year-old, I understood you can't just banish an entire ethnicity like that.

The other kids, my classmates? They argued back with me. Not a single one was on my side. All of them saw their point of "making the Arabs go away" correct and reasonable.

And I think this memory reveals a lot about the way Israeli children are grown.

What kind of parents did they have, to make them so emotionally detached from who they deem "other"?

As a kid, I preferred not telling others I wasn't Jewish. I knew it would just give them another thing to bully me with. But my little sister, who went with me to the same school at the time, was more outspoken than me. She challenged the school principal when she said all the kids in our school are Jewish. And she got her results, of kids making fun of her on Christmas and tearing her drawings of santa apart.

Regardless of that, all the bad things that happened to us, we were one of the lucky ones. Those incidents are nothing compared to what others go through.

Because me and my family? We're not outwardly "other". We are not Arab. And even with all the laws against non-Jewish people in Israel, we don't experience the same treatment Palestinians and Arabs do.

Because those laws aren't meant for us. They are meant to oppress the Palestinians. And my family is living proof this was never about religion.

Religion is just another tool to set the boundaries between "us" and "them". It is by chance me and my family fall between it.

I went to the honorary class of my middle school, made for children with exceptional grades. Supposedly, we were the smartest kids. I found a lot of like-minded people there. Since then, I decided to not go to the army, and to live abroad the moment I could. I had no connection to Israel, I didn't feel Israeli. I owed the country nothing in my books.

My friends mostly agreed, and had similar notions. But they didn't have the disconnect I had with Israel.

In every ceremony, we would finish it by singing the national anthem. I wouldn't really sing, but I mouthed along to the words. I felt like I would get in trouble otherwise.

My friends looked at me weirdly one time, and after it ended asked me "why do you sing when there's a line about Israel belonging to the Jews?"

I said I don't know. But I knew it was part of the "show". Sing the anthem, don't ask provocative questions, don't mention you're not Jewish to everyone. Don't say what you really think.

Towards the end of my middle school, I was bombarded with military flyers in the mail. Soldiers would come specially to the honorary classes to promote special units, show how cool they are.

I would hear this sentence over and over throughout my entire school years, that going to those units meant "you would have a significant service in the IDF".

Me and my friends would make fun of that. But some would later on find their way there.

I went to a different high school then the rest of them, and lost touch. It was in a kibbutz, which is a sort of village, that used to be a communist community of sorts. Those villages are known for being either dirt poor or extremely rich, often closed communities with strong patriotic sense. There you would find the rare third generation Israelis, people whose grandparents were born in Israel.

The majority of Israelis I've met are second generation, meaning their parents were the first to be born in Israelis. Many are like me, first generation, the first of their families.

In that high school, the pressure of military service was getting stronger on me. For the average Israeli teen, at 16 we would get a letter from the military. An invitation to get tested, sorted and eventually placed in a unit. The whole process is in theory efficient, but I lived far from the capital, so our area was worse.

When I got the letter, I knew I was starting a race with the IDF. I really didn't want to go to the military, so I had to find a reason, anything to get me out.

Luckily, I was depressed enough to get a release. Apparently, the IDF doesn't like taking suicidal people. It looks bad when they kill themselves while in service. I hear now they've changed that, because too many teens were faking mental illness and not going to service. 50% of Israeli teens don't go to the army, for a verity of reasons.

While that was going on, we had discussions about this in school. I would always state I don't want to go to be a soldier, and I would ask others "why?".

They would say, "to protect my country." I'd tell them the country didn't do them anything, that a country isn't something you give your life to. I didn't understand the connection they had, but I understood Israel isn't worth it.

In response to me questioning the army, they would say, "you're Christian, you wouldn't understand."

I will hear this sentence again and again whenever I would question Israel. I'm not Jewish, so I wouldn't understand. I'm different, so I can't understand what Israel and the "conflict" is. It was the ultimate excuse to not listen to me.

One day, my homeroom teacher was talking about a law. The nationality core law, a law driving the boundary of "us" and "them" further. A law that, among others, makes Arabic not an official language in Israel, and allows closed communities, like a kibbutz, to refuse housing for non Jews.

That's right, it is legal to be racist towards families who wish to live in certain communities. There are places me and many others can't live in. And it's by design.

That was in 2018. I don't want to mention my age, since I mentioned too much already, but I'm not that old. These are not things of the past. My schoolmates are still soldiers. If me and my sister didn't find a way out of the army, we would've been in the war right now.

When I was 17, another "operation" began. Operation is what the Israeli government calls when a small scale war happens. It was the first in 7 years, since 2014.

I was too young to understand the full horrifying details of what happened in 2014. But at 17, I had full access to the internet. And I found the truth. The actual history, not what I was taught. More than what I father would mention sometimes.

I found out what Apartheid truly means. And that Israel fits in perfectly within that.

I stayed up awake all night, thinking "whose land am I sleeping on?' and "who's dying so I can be at peace right now?"

I tried finding out. All I could find is that some rich Zionist bought my city 100 years back. What was here before was erased.

There's a notion within Israeli citizens that before Israel there was nothing. A desert. Palestine and the remnants of it are forgotten, or actively erased. It is one of many ways to make Palestine seem like a pipe dream at best, a fanatic delusion at worst. In history classes, there's a gap. We are taught about WW2, about the Holocaust. Before that, about Jewish history. But between those? 1000 or so years that are left unmentioned, and what is boils down to "we fought the Turks and Brits for Palestine and we won."

I talked with my dad about all this, about what horrible country we live in, and he said he was proud I wasn't brainwashed like the rest.

He also said if we ever talked like this in public, we would be beaten up. And I sadly have to say that's not far-fetched at all.

Being called a leftist in Israel is as good as a curse. A leftist is a traitor, a leftist is a terrorist supporter. My sisters would call me radical, an extremist, said I was like since I was a kid. They said that with no malice, and I take pride in that, but I'm no extremist. Outside of Israel, I would be called normal.

It's just that this country lives in a bubble. Somehow, we are both the victim and the strongest army in the world. Somehow, we must all join the army at 18, but when 3 soldiers younger than me disappear all it leads to is war crimes after war crimes, their bodies never recovered. Because They wanted Israel to release prisoners, and that's too high a price. Looking at it from an outsider's view, it doesn't make sense. Why would they still follow this? Why would anyone believe this?

This is why I needed to talk about the context. Israeli citizens are raised to be racist, to be hateful of the "other", in the name of preserving Judaism.

And if anyone reads all this and thinks "well, they're just antisemitic, why would I listen to someone like this.". My great-grandfather almost got murdered by Nazis. My grandfather fought them, and it left him traumatized for life. My mother got traumatized in return, and she passed it on to me. I am not against Israel because I hate Jews. I considered converting for a while, I know more about Judaism than the religion I was supposedly born into. I have deep appreciation for the kindness many teachings promote.

But that kindness isn't present in Zionism. "ואהבת רעייך כמוך", "love thy neighbor as you love yourself", can't exist alongside Zionism. There's a certain cruelty, an unempathy that must be present in order to be Zionist. And That goes against what I learned of Judesim.

After I finished high school, I kept reading on the subject of Israel's ongoing genocide of Palestinians. I taught my little sister what they lied about. I talked with people online about it, and explained what they should listen to. Because as the first Israeli they've met, I felt an opportunity to lead them to the right direction, before they sink in the same lies I was pushed towards as an Israeli citizen.

I met my friends, both Arab Muslims, and one by one we breached the topic of Israel. Turns out they've met 2 Israelis before, and got into fights. They agreed to not talk about politics after that, but one of them told me they didn't want to be close to them. I obviously can't blame them.

They were happy I wasn't supporting Zionism or Israel. And we talked a lot about politics and the situation. One of them is from a country bordering Israel. And from him, I got an insight on what they think over there.

And we were great friends. I had a fallout with one of them, but the other is my best friend. The so-called "other" turned out to be one of the best people I've ever met, someone that understood me more than most. And this part isn't for the outsider, this is for Israelis-the "other side" is much more like you than they'd like you to believe.

For outsiders, the reason I took a minute to talk about this is the general feeling of separation in Israel between Arabs (specifically Muslim and Christian) and Israeli citizens. Some people (many, this isn't a tiny minority) believe I, as a non-Muslim non-Arab, shouldn't have friends of "the other side". And they would blame my friends for "brainwashing" me.

Too bad, I was already a brainwashed traitor before I knew they even existed.

I am showing you, Israelis, that the separation we live in is actively making things worse. Who is the separation good for? The Zionists, the government, anyone who has an interest in keeping Israel alive and killing Palestine. And that might align with your needs and wants, to keep the status quo, to keep your well paying job and your children "safe". But tell me, how much blood are you willing to have on your hands? How many lies are you willing to let out of your mouth? How many kids need to die for you to be comfortable?

I find any number beside 0 repulsive. I rather have everything change then see the number of children, women, man and elderly dead go up by the thousands.

And there are those who will say "but Hamas kills too! But if Israel doesn't exist the Jews won't exist! but but but-"

First of all, you're comparing what you call a terrorist organization (and I personally don't like calling it that, because it comes from a very Zionist point of view) to what is supposed to be "the most moral army in the world". And I'd call the IDF a terrorist organization, if you look at their actions.

And in this current war, and yes, Israel does recognize this time it's a war, which I haven't seen since 2006, more Palestinians have died than Israelis. Much, much more. So if we compare with an objective eye the two, Israel is the bigger evil, no?

And yet they say Hamas was more cruel, killing babies in front of their parents, burning people alive, using the cries of 10 months olds to attract more victims (that particular story by the way, ends with "our brave soldiers" killing the awful "terrorists" and saving the babies. And when I heard it, it sounded as fake and propagandist as it probably sounds to you). And they say, "Israel at least just bombs them. They die quickly, and no soldier goes in and takes pleasure in the killings. They are necessary. There is no other way."

All the talking points come from real arguments I had with my mom. My mom isn't as well versed in politics as my dad, so when she hears these wild stories about pain and hate, she believes them and starts hating whoever did it. Because my mom declares times and times again that she is on the side of love, and any war is bad and she hates it. When I buy a book with a skull on it, she tells me to rip the cover off, and when I play a violent game she doesn't like it. But when asked about the war, she says, "I don't see another way than this".

And I argue and argue, and my sister and dad take my side on some points, but in the end she says "you're not here, you still don't understand".

She convinced herself I believe in lies. She tried to bring up my friends, saying she doesn't know what they told me, and I tell her to not dare to use that against me.

My mom knows, in general, that what Israel does is bad, towards non Jews and Arabs. But in this war, she sides with the murderers. Because her emotions were used against her.

And this might be you, or your friends, or even your parents as well. And I'm here to tell you, that sometimes you have to be alone in your belief. Sometimes being right goes against those around you.

And to the Israelis that read, this is the least you owe all these Palestinians, dead and living, whose lives our so-called army compromises so we can have a safe childhood, so that our sisters can go to school and not look at the sky worrying about missiles, so that our parents can provide use with food, so that our grandparents can live to see grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. So that we can be here, in this place of great, immense privilege, discussing this on the internet, in the comfort of our home. Recognizing the facts as they are, and fighting the lies you've been told, is truly the least you could do. If you want to be a better person, of course. You can stay ignorant, but know you're complacent in a genocide, the murder of so many innocents.

And I know I myself am not doing enough. But I'm hoping by doing this, sharing my perspective, more of those on the fence will hop on the right side. Because if I, someone who was born and raised in Israel for 19 years, and has family there that yes, for a while I was worried about their safety and were in actual danger, can look at the other side, listen to the voices of the people living through it, and understanding that Israel existing is wrong?

Then you, outsider, or Israeli like myself, can do it too. You don't have an excuse.

And a message in Hebrew, for those who are fluent

אני יודע שכל זה נשמע מתנשא, שאני מגיע ממקום שך פריוילגיה בזה שאני לא יהודי ואני אומר "ישראל לא צריכה להיות קיימת". אבל כמו שאמרתי, המשפחה שלי חוותה אנטישמיות בצורה שפוגעת בי עד היום, ואני יודע שכל החיים שלי, בתור מישהו שנולד ישראלי, יחשבו שאני יהודי. ותאמינו לי, אנטישמים לא יבואו ויבדקו אם אני יהודי או לא אחריי שהם ישמעו את המבטא הישראלי שלי.

אני אומר, שאין צורך בלהתחשבן על חיים בצורה שישראל מתחשבנת. עם אחד לא צריך לסבול בשביל שעם אחר יחייה בשלום.

יש דרך אחרת. תמיד יש דרך אחרת. ואתם חייבים לראות את זה בעצמכם, ואני רוצה להאמין, בתור מישהו שלפעמים תמים מדיי, שאתם תבחרו בדרך אחרת.

ואם אתם פה רק בשביל לקקל אותי, אתם מוזמנים. אני לא הולך לענות לכם.

I hope this is something that helps, if it isn't, you're welcome to criticize this. I've learned long ago that criticism is a great way to grow.