#chapters 188 and 189

[gofancyninjaworld]

OPM Manga Review: Schemes and Heroes

Yup, this is the long-delayed review of updates 235 and 236, variously numbered as chapters 190-1 (Cubari) or 188-189 (Viz, Tonarinoyj). I've made several starts but somehow, never got far.

Summary: Slowly, then all at once

That's how bankruptcy is supposed to happen: the trouble sneaks up on you, and then suddenly, it's all falling apart. When it comes to the crisis of confidence that the Hero Association is facing, they've realised that they're in some bother since they're now struggling to get new recruits. However, things are about to get a lot worse.

We have Child Emperor, spurred by disgust and frustration at the Hero Association's faults and unwillingness to address those flaws, all topped with rage about discovering the pun that his hero name is, who has left the organization for the Neo Heroes. He's announced his new hero name, now known as Wild Emperor.

Zombieman has gone to consult Dr. Genus about possibly removing his limiter like Saitama has. He's concerned for Isamu's well-being and Genos's testimony is one he can't afford to ignore. The doctor has agreed to show him something interesting in the basement.

There's no question that the Hero Association is in deep trouble. We'd seen in earlier chapters that they were struggling to recruit new heroes. Now, we're beginning to see how they lose existing heroes. We see Snek given a brief to investigate a monster attack on a donor, only to learn from Isamu that the monster is long caught as it's one of the many monsters sold as exotic pets. Far from being an investigator trusted to handle a delicate cold case, Snek has been given some busy work. To say he's unimpressed is an understatement.

They still seem to imagine heroes grow on trees the way they're treating the most loyal ones.

More seriously, as Amai Mask tells the executives gathered to discuss the problem of heroes defecting, the executives have ignored Isamu's recommendations to address the shortcomings. He's got an idea other than ditching the HA: raise a hero to serve as a standard-bearer to inspire heroes to join and recommit. It's a great idea, but his choice of Saitama is going to be a hard sell from the get-go. Still, he gets the go-ahead.

We know that 'perfect' and 'Saitama' do not go together. Amai is about to find that out the hard way.

The next chapter starts at another meeting of the executives. And another shock defection. This time, it's not a hero, but Sekingar, who returns his HA-provided artificial eye and hand. He says that he's going to the Neo Heroes as their organisational details and plans for hero development are superior. He stands his ground and counters McCoy's accusation of his jumping ship to sell HA secrets to the Neo Heroes with some shade of his own, saying that he's a company man and knows no one trusts a traitor.

All starts to make sense once Sekingar picks up his new equipment and establishes comms with Wild Emperor. This is all part of a plan to infiltrate the Neo Heroes, find out what they're up to, and assess whether it poses a threat to heroes. Sekingar exits the lift to go out to the pick-up helicopter, only to find Metal Bat waiting for him. Metal Bat will be joining him as his body guard, after having been asked to do so by Sicchi as a favour. Since Sekingar is someone who has earned Metal Bat's respect -- not to mention going into danger like a hero -- he's only too happy to do so. The pair make their way to the Neo Hero chopper.

The earned trust and respect between those two is wonderful to see.

Changing topic, there's another not-quite-a-hero guy we've yet to hear about. Garou. We start out with a glimpse of what the Bang dojo dynamics must have been like. Toxic! He's back, and he's starting right where he's left off, terrorising Charanko. Bang quickly puts an end to it with a knock to his head and puts him to wiping the floor. Working his way up from the bottom of the pecking order is the only way to be accepted anew, Bang insists. Soon, it's time for Garou to head out to his court-ordered part-time job. Even as he grumbles about having too much to do, there's an eagerness and lightness to Garou as he heads off to earn money. The dojo sees him off.

Charanko settles down to relax at last, only to be shocked to see King come pay a visit. Inside, King tries to explain his current predicament to Bang, telling the old man about the near-miss he had with Atomic Samurai the day before. Unfortunately, between the old man's hardness of hearing, King's roaring heart beat, and how much King is muttering, Bang can't hear it. Finally, desperately, King shouts, 'Please make me stronger.' And that is where we end the chapter.

Shall we have some meta then?

META

Self-Efficacy

I love it when characters help themselves. There was a time that I nearly quit watching One-Punch Man: it was in episode 9, when despite everyone's efforts, the Deep Sea King had not been checked, and then Saitama dispatched it with one punch. I felt acutely depressed rather than elated or relieved: what was the point of a series where only one character's actions mattered? Thankfully, I gave it one more episode and the other S-Class heroes started getting introduced, with Tatsumaki showing that she was far from chopped liver. Good. The manga has more space, and it has given characters the opportunity to try more ways of understanding and trying to solve their predicaments, and I. LOVE. IT.

Carefully weighing up the threats and any opportunities this new thing poses rather than simply reacting.

I've Got My Eye On You

Sorry, I'm allowed one Dad Joke a day and today's your turn for me to set it upon you. The sight of the two one-eyed men casting sidelong glances at each other, sizing each other up, and each daring the other to come clean was splendid. McCoy has put himself in a great position to do harm to the Hero Association. He's the vice chief of operations and has made himself seem indispensable in these frightening times. He may be up to evil dealings -- and in chapter 188 we've seen that he's actively set up Amai Mask to fail and is colluding with the Neo Heroes, but he's nowhere near as untouchable as he thinks he is. It's good to see Sekingar and Isamu working together to thoroughly understand what McCoy is really up to and what the Neo Heroes' true intentions are, rather than simply jumping on the first evidence of wrongdoing and losing their leads. I'll come back to this in a sec.

However, McCoy knows that Wild Emperor is onto him, and what with having suggested the Neo Heroes to Sekingar in the first place, is sure to be wary about Sekingar's true intentions. This isn't going to be an easy mission for either of them. I have no doubt in the strength of Metal Bat's arm, but man, he's a little too open for a mission, isn't he?

They know each has dirt on the other. Who will crack first?

​

A Hero Is As A Hero Does

What I love about the cover of 189 is that it features people who act heroically whether or not it's in a capacity traditionally known as 'hero'. This pair of chapters has really been bringing that out. Sekingar's frustrated heroism is finding an outlet in looking out for heroes, even at risk to himself. Sicchi may not want to be a hero, but his unwavering concern for the well-being of humanity and willingness to find ways to use his position to help those who can make a difference shine here. He's a good boss. King and Saitama over in the distance need no explaining. And as for Garou, even as he's not willing to admit it yet, he's a hero through and through.

Speaking of Garou...

​

The Years Come Off, What New Experiences Will Grow?

It really disconcerted a lot of fans to see Garou be the slightly immature teenager he actually is rather than the young man he's been posturing as. Despite how he's being knocked around, there's a lightness to Garou which just goes to show how heavy the burden he'd placed on himself as Fixer of the World was. I've ranted before about Bang's style of dojo management -- the idea of being able to punch down definitely came from him.

Apples don't fall far from trees, after all.

It's not just Garou who has gotten a second chance to do better, but Bang as well. Between Garou and the former disciples who have started coming back, there are a lot of people looking to see if he'll do right by them this time. I hope he's up to it.

King? Eh, I'll leave his tale of woe to the next review!

​

Small Note

How did you know that? Why are you telling me this? These are questions that ONE takes the time to scrupulously ask: knowledge doesn't come to one just because one is smart. It has to have a source, and that source has to have a reason for sharing it with you. It's really nice to see that Phoenixman's knowledge of the Hero Association's backroom dealings comes from having been a previous captive.

I spy with my little eye, a little monster not all growed up yet

#OPM #review #long #manga #chapters 188 and 189 #Child Emperor #Zombieman #Amai Mask #Sekingar #Metal Bat #Sicchi #McCoy #The Neo Heroes are aggressively setting out their pitch #but the Hero Association has people within it who aren't sitting idle #I'm excited to see how it this cat-and-mouse game pans out #Garou isn't having the toughest time ever: sure he's been busted down to scrub but there's a lightness in him having a chance to rebuild

[certified-boyliker]

These chapters have just been.

They've just been Reo and Nagi's relationship.

Their romance, right?

#blue lock #bllk #reo mikage #mikage reo #seishiro nagi #nagi seishiro #bllk chapters 188 and 189 #and chapter 190

[wildpawshecat]

Really hoping Bard makes it out alive, people have pointed out it seems him and Lau could have the same blood type. And with Ronald Knox not making any major contributions to the plot yet, it made me wonder…

What if the presence of Ronald isn’t to foreshadow Bard’s death, but rather his change of death record?

Many, many chapters months years ago (ch125 from 2019 omg), Grell and Othello made an appearance and explained that the music hall blood collection was making a number of people who were supposed to die end up living longer.

Due to the time period and its human medical knowledge of the time, obviously this prompts their Shinigami investigation.

The Sanatorium was obviously going to be a hot spot for a Shinigami to appear, since patients there are obviously living past their death day with all the medical advancements there. But when it comes to Bard, and the many suspicious panels with Ronald…

…it may be that Bard will also, rather than just die like this, live longer than fate may have previously written for him.

#kuroshitsuji #black butler #kuroshitsuji 188 #kuroshitsuji 189 #bard #lau #ronald knox #baldroy #baldo #yana toboso #chapter 188

[twice-inamillion]

Master List 2

Twice Dome Arc

Chapter 174: First Day in Osaka

Chapter 174.5 Side Story: Flashed

Chapter 175: Second Day in Osaka

Chapter 175.5 Side Story: Overdue Punishment

Chapter 176: Meeting Her Parents

Chapter 177: Mina’s Birthday Gift

Chapter 177.5 Side Story: Family Trip

Chapter 177.6 Side Story: New Trainer

Chapter 178: Tokyo Dome Surprise

Chapter 179: Eating Out with Momo

Chapter 179.5 Side Story: Drunken Date

Chapter 180: Tokyo Trip

Chapter 180.5 Side Story: Relaxation

Fancy Arc

Chapter 181: Sana’s News

Chapter 182 Side Story: Teasing 2Yeon

Chapter 183: Tzuyu's Congratulation Gift 

Chapter 184 Side Story: Pushing Boundaries

Chapter 185: Showcase - Fancy You

Chapter 186: Chaeyoung’s Birthday Wish

Chapter 187 Side Story: Award Show

Chapter 188 Side Story: Protector

Chapter 189: Children’s Day

Chapter 190: Jihyo’s Concern

Chapter 191: Twice’s Future?

Chapter 192 Side Story: Prepping

Chapter 193: Play In Future Home

Chapter 194 Side Story: Jealousy

Chapter 195: A Special Date

Chapter 196: Nayeon’s First Night

Chapter 197: Nayeon’s Morning Sex

Twicelights World Tour Arc

Chapter 198 Side Story: Viewing Party

Chapter 199: Dahyun’s Birthday Sex

Chapter 200 Side Story: Bratty

Chapter 204: Member/ House update

Chapter 201: Member Practice

Chapter 202: Sana’s Appointment

Chapter 203 Side Story: Doctor’s Orders

Chapter 205: Tzuyu’s First Time in Bangkok

Chapter 206 Side Story: Addiction to you

Twice in Hawaii Mini Arc

Chapter 207: Happy, Happy

Chapter 208: Night With Mommies

Chapter 209 Side Story: Poolside Chat

Chapter 210: Forever Jihyo

Chapter 211: Shower Sex

Chapter 212: Honeymoon in Hawaii 

Chapter 213: Children Adventures

Chapter 214: Family Trip (Jihyo, Jisoo, OC)

Twicelights World Tour Arc

Chapter 215: Lips

Chapter 216: Momo in the Studio

Chapter 217: Side Story- Clothes

Sana Mini Arc

Chapter 218: Ambush

Chapter 219: Sorrow

Chapter 220: Twisted Reality

Chapter 221: Side Story- Confused

Chapter 222: Without Sana

Chapter 223: A Change in Sana

Chapter 224: Side Story- Imagination

Chapter 225: Childhood Dream

Chapter 226: Reunion

Chapter 227: Side Story- Stretching

Chapter 228: Side Story: A Rough Ride Home

Chapter 229: Bunny Nayeon

Chapter 230: Feel Special

Chapter 231: Side Story - Green Room

Chapter 232: Sister Talk

Chapter 233: After Jimmy Choo

#twice smut #kpop smut #male reader #twice #twice fluff #kpop fluff #twice nayeon #twice jeongyeon #twice momo #twice sana #twice jihyo #twice mina #twice dahyun #twice chaeyoung #twice tzuyu #tm smut

[mcytcontent]

(4/4) over parts on my profile

Shelby's Instagram

Despite the fact that Shelby said that she and Wilbur started dating in 2022, it seems to me that this is slightly wrong. And their relationship began at the end of 2021. I think so because of the photos of Wilbur and Shelby together on her Instagram. (1-1,5, 2, 3)

In all the photographs (except the last one) absolutely everyone is marked except her and Wilbur.

Sudden facts

Smajor was the very first of Shelby’s close friends to announce himself; he claimed that he saw abuse in their relationship, but for some reason remained silent. The reason for his silence is unknown. ‌

Billzo appears, emerging from his year-long silence with a statement that he, too, saw how Wilbur manipulated him and his friends. At the same time, Billzo, like Smajor, did not talk about this until the persecution against Sut began. The reason for his silence is also unknown.

‌After this, Tubbo liked Bilzo and Freddie's answer

Wilbur's moments

Wilbur and others have repeatedly confirmed and joked about the fact that Wilbur has an addiction to alcohol. Wilbur himself admitted this on Quackity's stream.

Amid Wilbur and Shelby's relationship, Technoblade died. Techno's death could have made Wilbur very depressed, especially considering that Wilbur had frequent panic attacks as a child, as well as severe anxiety.

Wilbur more than once asked not to idealize him, he said a lot about the fact that he was a bad person.

He said that he had been mentally ill since childhood and that he would soon undergo therapy. And for some time Will was so apathetic and depressed that he didn’t even get out of bed and the only one who was at least somehow worried about him and forced him to look after him was Tommy, who was 17 at that time.

Also one of the streams from 2023, where he mentions his problems with mental health and that it has become worse

"Wilbur, if you weren't a little bit handsome, everyone would think you're wrongun" - Tommy's joke (6:25)

Shelby also said that Will doesn't care about his fans, and he only wants fame and money from them. Officially, tickets for his concert cost from 49+ pennies. Tommy talked about this when he went to the cmwyl concert. And Bilzo himself said on Twitter that he would buy Will’s ttrack «The "Nice Guy" Ballad» if he put it up, and Bilzo replied that he could listen to it for free.

Wilbur also supports feminism.

Shelby's cousin

Cousin Shelby said that it was not Wilbur who abused Shelby, but she who abused him. (There is no evidence that this is Shelby’s cousin, so the information is not accurate)

Shelby responded to this within 40 minutes, but at this point, her reply has been deleted.

What Shelby violated

You can read more about Shelby's violations from VikaVivii (RIP♡) on Twitter.

Article 188 - Libel, administrative violation

Article 189 - Insult inflicted in a public speech, or in a printed or publicly displayed work, or in the media. Administrative violation.

Article 203-1 - Illegal actions regarding information about private life and personal data. Administrative violation.

Article 343 - Distribution of pornographic material (intimate photos and videos of Wilbur). Criminal article.

Im actually not sure about this

Article 352 - Unlawful acquisition of computer information (Wilbur’s personal data). Administrative violation or criminal for up to two years.

Article 355 - Violation of the rules for operating a computer system or network. Administrative violation.

Chapter 2 Article 3 - Disrespect for Wilbur's Life

Chapter 2 Article 5 - Dissemination of Wilbur Sweat's personal information without his mutual consent to these actions, thereby violating his integrity

Chapter 1-2 Article 11 - disrespect for the honor and dignity of William Gold, distributing purely personal information and supporting doxxing towards Wil.

Chapter 2 Article 12 - condemnation of Wilbur Soot for his thoughts and beliefs, which have the right to be expressed.

Victims from SupportShubleSquad

Aiden (@VikaVivii) is a 15-year-old child who was subjected to domestic violence and who was one of Wilbur's active supports. He actively looked into the situation, talked about the holes in Shubble's story, and covered the petition (authored by @kinokonyai) which outlines the laws that Shelby violated. Due to bullying and threats of doxxing, on 03/07/24, I jumped from the balcony, before that I wrote a couple of posts on my Twitter account, saying goodbye. Afterwards, Aiden's close friend (@ZaneDeYala) confirmed his death and said that Aiden's mother would speak out about it later.

Miles (@Wilbees_xx) - 16 years old, tried to commit suicide with an overdose of pills. Based on his brother's statement, we know that Miles is currently in the hospital and getting help.

M (@weirdobur) - wanted to commit suicide, but luckily he couldn’t, now he’s decided to step away from the Internet for an indefinite period.

⬆️

Shelby left her Twitter account for the purpose of “resting.” At the same time, deleting messages and banning those people who talk about Aiden and Miles. ‌

“I didn’t ask for threats on my behalf.” Didn’t stop her fans from bullying, but also supported it herself. It has long been known that she liked wishes for the death of Wilbur and leaking his personal information, but as soon as this was noticed, she removed the likes.

On TinaKiten, Shelby was pressured by the supports, forcing her to speak out about the situation and take sides, despite the fact that she was not even Wilbur’s friend, but an acquaintance.

3rd Shelby's stream

On March 24, Shelby streamed after a break of 2 weeks.

16:30 she began to talk about how you can’t trust the words of others, about how people wish death to each other, and how they wish death to her every day. After that, she began to talk about the trust “adult kids” have in adults, and how she felt in the company of such adults.

23:17 she said that children are stupid: “cause they are kids, they are stupid,” and then immediately qualified her statement with how unfairly the younger generation is treated. She then began to talk about brotherly relationships between teenagers and adults, clearly alluding to the relationship between Wilbur and Tommy, but without directly saying so, she talked about the manipulation of children by adults. That when a teenager needs help, this adult will never come. She said that friendships with age differences should be more respectful, especially towards children.

Later she mentions Philza saying that he is a great person and we should follow his example. In “brotherly” relationships there should not be any friendly blows or jabs (More than half of the relationships between brothers and sisters are exactly like that. Especially when someone is older).

She later said that it was terrible to deal with teenagers in friendships: “because they are so young and you are so fucking old. What are you doing."

27:19 “If you ever been one of this people, (cause we saw this happen before too), where you were caught, (where you in massive platform), of violence, over a lot of teenagers and children. And in privet you are being an abusing people, manipulating and abusing teenagers. I just think, if you are one of these people who are caught and say: “I'm sorry, I'm gonna work on myself” - I think that is a lie if you ever come back. I think if you have been caught clearly irresponsible with this position of power over teenagers, that if you actually out of them working in a sorry, you'd voluntarily never come back, if you really were sorry. I just couldn’t ever believe it if you put yourself right back into the same shoes...” At this point, she was clearly talking about Wilbur, accusing him of manipulating and abusing teenagers.

31:08 she started talking about teenagers who commit suicide. She started laughing at them, covering it up with the words that she was laughing at herself, at her situation. She said that these children are lying, because you can look up their phone number and use it to find information or find their parents. And finally ask them about this situation. She said that she found all this and checked it out. But she did not provide any evidence.

32:37 “Because it is a crime to tell people kiil themselves” (She herself does nothing with her team ShelbySupporSquad, who wish people kys (kill themselves) every day)

39:50 “You are waiting for more information, maybe before you call someone a lying bitch”

(I’ve been waiting for more information for more than a month)

At 41 minutes, she began to talk about how many people began to share their stories and that she was proud of them, and that she was glad that many of them found a way out of the situation.

44:22 «I've seen so many excuses, I've just seen so many excuses that I think that not okay and I think that actually disrespect, I've seen people use excuses of depression to excuse some behavior, I think that such disrespect to anyone who felt depressed, because feeling depressed is not a pass to abuse people, because that are you sealing to imply. It's just not an excuse for abuse, no one of this excuse for abuse, mental illness not is excuse for abuse, because for forgetting part that took it to a level where they were abusing somebody else. And that's not okay, that's not.»

Many people began to get angry at this statement, it seems to me that basically there is nothing wrong here, but she still cannot judge depression, since she is not a professional.

55:45 Aimsey joined via Discord call until 1:09:34 (they were discussing cartoons)

1:11:17 she started talking about safety on the Internet (don’t tell your age, if you’re being bullied, tell your loved ones, etc.)

1:12:53 “Important to have a slightly adult to go to, because you don’t want to go to your parents and they can never be able to understand...”

Deleted post

I would also like to note that this post has been deleted from the «Wilbur music» channel.

Tupac posters

A moment that fans noticed. Shelby has a poster of Tupac, the rapper convicted of rape, on his wall.

I checked this and can finally confirm the information. It would be fine if she had only one poster hanging out of ignorance, but the fact that she has two posters is suggestive.

Sorry boys

On March 30, Sorry boys posted a post in which, on behalf of Tommy, they declare that they will go on a break, but before that they will release one video, he also wrote that they have as many as 5 filmed videos, but they will not post them.

Wilbur in Brighton?

On April 9, a video from a LoveJoy fan appeared on TikTok, in which he filmed Wilbur congratulating him (someone) on his birthday: «Just birth, happy birthday to “name”» (I didn’t fully understand what he said, because spoke quickly). This happened at the airport.

They also began to say that Wilbur had become visible again in Brighton. Most likely Wilbur came from New York where he temporarily lived with LoveJoy.

The owner of the video posted a verification post that he had recently meet Wilbur. The video was filmed back in December 2023. And it was filmed by a friend who was flying with LoveJoy on the same rail.

Spotify UK & Ireland

#wilbur soot #wilbur situation #shelby shubble #analysis #shelby situation

[journeytothewestresearch]

Good Source for Trans Monkey King Headcanon

While Sun Wukong is not historically or canonically transgender, I wholeheartedly support anyone with a headcanon portraying him as such. A great example of spiritual gender transition from Buddhist scripture that could serve as a basis for your headcanon is the “Dragon Girl” (Longnu, 龍女) from chapter 12 of the Lotus Sutra (Miaofa lianhua jing, 妙法蓮華經; a.k.a. Fahua jing, 法華經, c. 3rd-century).

She is first introduced to an assembly of Buddhist deities as the eight-year old daughter of the Dragon King Sāgara (Suojieluo longwang, 娑竭羅龍王) and one of an unfathomable number of dragonfolk enlightened by the Bodhisattva Mañjuśrī’s (Wenshu shili, 文殊師利) lessons on the Lotus Sutra. Her teacher describes her as a great student prodigy with a deep knowledge of Buddhist Law, as well as having many advanced spiritual achievements. But this upsets some among the assembly because the notion of a young girl approaching Buddhahood so quickly flies in the face of convention, which normally calls for untold aeons of severe austerities before one can achieve awakening. Her accomplishments are called into question at first, but everyone is appeased when she offers a priceless jewel to the Buddha, and he quickly accepts it as a symbolic gesture. Then:

The girl said [to the assembly], “Employ your supernatural powers and watch me attain Buddhahood. It will be even quicker than that!” At that time the members of the assembly all saw the dragon girl in the space of an instant change into a man (emphasis added) and carry out all the practices of a bodhisattva, immediately proceeding to the spotless World of the south, taking a seat on a jeweled lotus, and attaining impartial and correct enlightenment. With the thirty-two features and the eighty characteristics [of a Buddha], he expounded the wonderful Law for all living beings everywhere in the ten directions (Watson, 1993, p. 188). [1] 女言：「以汝神力，觀我成佛，復速於此。」 當時眾會，皆見龍女忽然之間變成男子，具菩薩行，即往南方無垢世界，坐寶蓮華，成等正覺，三十二相、八十種好，普為十方一切眾生演說妙法。

A drawing of the Dragon Girl and the priceless jewel (larger version). Image found here.

Note:

1) For the Dragon Girl’s story, see Watson, 1993, pp. 187-189.

Source:

Watson, B. (Trans.) (1993). The Lotus Sutra. New York: Columbia University Press.

#Dragon Girl #Longnu #Lotus Sutra #trans #Monkeey King #Sun Wukong #trans Sun Wukong #trans Monkey King #Lego Monkie Kid #LMK #Journey to the West #JTTW #headcanon

[diedikind]

jun wu in-depth character analysis

this is a repost from 2022 from my old acc which tumblr locked.

-

Jun Wu never understood what he truly wanted.

【“You’re right, I don’t understand,” Guoshi said. “It’s been so many years; you’ve been a god and you’ve been a ghost king. All that should be killed are dead, all that you’ve wanted is in your hands, so why are you doing this to yourself? What exactly do you want? What do you want to prove?”

Hearing this, a flash of confusion appeared on Jun Wu’s face. 】 (Chapter 240)

On the surface, it seemed as if Jun Wu wanted Xie Lian to follow his footsteps. After all, the first time Mei NianQing asked Jun Wu what he wanted, "[…] he said that he want[ed] [Xie Lian] to become his perfect successor. If there was anyone in the world who could understand him completely, it was [Xie Lian]. Once he succeeded, then [Xie Lian] would never betray him[.]"(Chapter 219) Indeed, Bai Wuxiang always told Xie Lian to "come to [his] side" (Chapters 187, 188, 189) Because when Xie Lian said "body in abyss, heart in paradise", it was like a stab to the chest for Jun Wu (in fact, "stab to the chest" is what the characters Zhu Xin, his sword, means; Xie Lian also pierced Jun Wu through the heart with Zhu Xin during their ultimate battle) because when Jun Wu's own body was in abyss, his heart could not be in paradise. He desparately wanted to show that he wasn't alone in this. How can anyone, even the most kind-hearted Xian Le, have their heart in paradise when their body is in abyss? How can anyone, having gone trough so much pain and suffering, not make the same decisions he himself did? Jun Wu needed Xie Lian to follow his path to validate himself.

But which self?

You see, that's the problem. Jun Wu didn't have a sense of self. "The God-Pleasing Warrior wore a golden mask, playing the role of the number one martial god of a thousand years who subdued evil: The Heavenly Martial Emperor, Jun Wu.”The real Jun Wu pleased the gods just like his impressionist did. Except when Xie Lian leaped to catch the falling Hong Hong'er, the mask fell off -- it stayed on for Jun Wu. Jun Wu kept wearing the mask, hiding his true face. He smashed all the mirrors in the Wuyong Palace, afraid to meet his reflection; he hated when anyone called him by his previous title after that. He never processed his emotions, releasing them into the early kiln, projecting them onto Xie Lian. The black ghost of Jun Wu on Yinian Bridge asked three questions: What is this place? Who Am I? What is to be done? The white ghost of Jun Wu is Bai WuXiang, wherein the characters WuXiang means "no face". He did not have his own face, his own identity, but that of others -- the human face disease. If the living people of Wuyong placed their expectations on their prince, then the deceased burdened him with their resentful spirits. He had always been for the people: when they adored him, he wanted to save them; when they despised him, he wanted to destroy them. His actions depended on external values. He had no sense of self. Jun Wu never knew what he himself truly wanted.

 His names were Jun Wu and Bai Wuxiang.

The dichotomy that is his identity caused him to go crazy. God and ghost. So much love and so much hate. Half crying, half smiling. The Heavenly Martial Emperor and the White-Clothed Calamity……

The Prince of Wuyong.

Perhaps only Mei Nianqing knew this side of him.【Xie Lian felt when he was addressing the other as "His Highness", he wasn't talking about “Jun Wu” nor “White No-Face”, but that young Crown Prince of two thousand years prior.】(Chapter 217) That young Crown Prince, covered his face up with a mask, protected his body in white armour, froze his heart beneath layers of Mt. Tonglu snow. Lest we forget that "The widespread backstory of 'The Heavenly Martial Emperor' in the mortal realm, his background, his literary references, his interesting hearsays, appearance, character…[were] all fake.”(Chapter 219) "Jun Wu" was the shell of a man. And oh, how Mei NianQing missed the real him, so much so that the characters NianQing means "miss you". The Guoshi of Xianle once told his disciple, “Remember: when humans ascend, they are still human; when they fall, they are still human.”(Chapter 68). In addition to hitting one of the central themes of TGCF head on, Mei NianQing was, in a sense, speaking about Jun Wu. Between all the forms -- god to ghost -- Mei NianQing appreciated the human Jun Wu most. He was the only person who saw him as human.

And perhaps that was what Jun Wu wanted all along.

The Prince of Wuyong could not stand being "accused […] that he'd changed, that he'd forgotten his heart, that he was no longer the Highness of the past. Those words truly executed the heart." (Chapter 218) And if you were wondering, yes, the characters used for "executed the heart" are Zhu Xin, the name of his sword. In the Kiln:

【White No-Face replied quietly, “With his appearance, neither man nor ghost, no one would treat him with sincerity, so staying in this world was suffering in itself.”

Suddenly, Xie Lian said, “Your Royal Highness?”

“...”

In that instant, Xie Lian could tell; that creature probably wanted to answer to that address, but he held back.】 (Chapter 199)

When Bai Wuxiang said "with his appearance, neither man nor ghost, no one would treat him with sincerity", he wasn't just talking about Lang Ying. He was talking about himself. Xie Lian called him by his previous title, and Bai Wuxiang wanted to answer. He didn't because he thought it was too late to turn back. He had already traveled too far down the path of destruction. Yet, when Jun Wu was finally defeated, "[Xie Lian] actually noticed a trace of relief on Jun Wu’s face, as if a heavy burden was let go. He couldn’t help but wonder—perhaps, to be defeated by someone, to end these relentless days of brokenness and madness, was possibly Jun Wu’s wish deep down." (Chapter 240).

That should answer our question -- which self did Jun Wu want to validate? On the surface, it seemed as if Jun Wu wanted Xie Lian to follow his path of destruction. Beneath it all -- perhaps unconsciously -- he wished Xie Lian could be proof that the Crown Prince of Wuyong wasn't so stupid in his dream after all.

He gifted Xie Lian Hong Jing, the sword that can reveal a ghost's true identity. He never bothered to repair the crack in his armour, the area where Xie Lian told Hua Cheng to attack. And when Xie Lian told him that the trick he used to defeat him was called Shattering Boulders on the Chest, Jun Wu replied, "Beautiful."

If Xie Lian gave himself three days to search for a reason -- the man who gave him the bamboo hat -- to not unleash the human face disease onto Yong An, then Jun Wu spent two thousand years trying to convince himself. In the end, Xie Lian became the man who gave Jun Wu the bamboo hat. Xie Lian stared right into the eyes of the abyss and offered a hand.

To quote Zhihu (a Chinese platform) users:

"Xie Lian is a ray of light in the darkness, and Jun Wu is the darkness with a ray of light in his heart. You and I are both born under the Ominous Star and die against the will of heaven. My inner demon is a raging fire, and your rebirth a torrential rain. For thousands of years, no one has been worthy to slay the hatred inside me except you."

"He is glad that Xie Lian beat him, which shows that Xie Lian's path is also feasible.

It works.

I don't have a chance to take that route but you can.

You did it.

You succeeded.

You can create a better world. "

"Jun Wu gives Xie Lian the black sword, and Xie Lian gives Jun Wu the bamboo hat.

I give you the sword that accompanied me when I was the Crown Prince,

You give me the hand that pulls me out of the abyss. "

"You want to use Xie Lian to affirm yourself.

You don't want Xie Lian to follow your broken path to affirm your current self.

Instead, you hope that Xie Lian will still stick to his heart after facing so many things, so as to affirm the Prince Wuyong back then.

In the rainstorm,  we receive a bamboo hat.

Good.

You are unlike me. "

#tgcf #heaven official's blessing #jun wu

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 199. brb x oc

a/n: god he's so cute. one year later and i still am in l o v e with you sir. (comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!! they make my nights they really do<3)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: pregnancy, it's baby popping time ( part 2 the electric bugaloo )

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

/132/133/134/135/136/137/138/139/140/141/142/143/144/145/146/147

/164/165/166/167/168/169/170/171/172/173/174/175/176/177/178/179/180/181/182/183/184/185/186/187/188/189/190/191/192/193/194/195/196/197/198

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

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-

When she was pregnant with Nikki, they were prepared. Things were done with around the sixth month, which was the plan for the twins as well, they’d get things ready by the sixth month and then worry forward…which when he checked his phone,  he noticed that right now, past midnight, she was already in the six months area.

But it was still early.

He inhales shakily while holding Nicole to his chest, eyes forward, face blank of any emotion as he tried to understand what just happened. The doctors,while surprised to hear about the labor, reassured Rooster that she’d be fine…except she’d be alone this time.

It’d be a c-section, its what they told him, and his eyes met Beatrice’s who just stared back up at him horrified, so scared and still feeling small. He reached for her hand, holding her fingers only for her touch to slip away from his when they rolled her into the room. He’d be able to get in there once it was safe.

He called everyone, the guys,Mav,Bea’s parents, her siblings…everyone was aware. Bea’s mother almost fainted over the phone and Maverick did end up breaking something, he heard it…and now he was in the room, with Nikki,waiting for Beatrice’s mother to come because he wasn’t allowed in the room with Bea.

It was an emergency c-section after all.

He looks up when he hears footsteps approaching, soon enough Maverick’s panting face appears on the door, “Rooster.” he breathes out, “Sorry,I came as fast as I could, how’s Bea?”

“She’s having the c-section now.”

He nods, looking to his nephew and grand-niece, “And you?”

Rooster looked away from Maverick, the weight of what was happening clinging on his shoulders, “...I’m fuckin’ terrified.” he whispers, “It’s too early,Mav.”

Maverick puts a comforting hand on Rooster's shoulder, understanding the fear and worry that must be consuming him. "I know, Rooster," he says softly, "But the doctors are doing everything they can to take care of Bea and the babies. She's in good hands."

Rooster nods, his grip on Nicole tightening slightly as he tries to keep himself together. "I know," he says, his voice trembling, "It's just...it's too early. I thought we had more time, you know?"

Maverick squeezes his shoulder reassuringly, "I know." he says, holding back the ‘so am I’ "It's a scary situation, but you have to trust the doctors. They know what they're doing, and they'll do everything they can to make sure Bea and the babies are safe."

"I know," Rooster repeats, taking a deep breath, "I just wish I could be in there with her." he looks at the door she’d roll in any second now, “...I know I have to stay with Nikki,” if his daughter could sense the uneasiness,she wasn’t showing it, too busy with her teething ring.

"I know you do," Maverick says, "But sometimes, all we can do is wait and trust that things will be okay. Bea is strong, and so are those babies. They'll get through this." he sighed, sitting down on the other chair in the room,clasping his hands together, “You called anyone else?”

“I called everyone.”

“Hm,alright…am I the first one here?” Rooster nods, “Alright.”

“I thought Penny was with you.” his nephew says, looking back at Maverick, “You two are living together after all.”

Maverick smiles while holding Nicole’s little hand, his eyes on her, “She was at the bar tonight.” he explains, making Rooster give him a confused look, “She thinks something is off, so she was checking the cameras with Jessie and Shells.”

“Oh,I see.” Rooster was glad they could have this conversation, he was glad he could ease his brain the best he could. He had no idea how long she’d be inside, they got in the hospital about ten minutes ago and since then it’s been radio silence. “...we didn’t even finish the nursery?”

“Hm?”

“The twins’ nursery.” he whispers, “She finished painting it, but…the cribs, everything, it’s still empty.”

Maverick reaches over to pat Rooster's shoulder, offering a comforting gesture once he lets go of Nicole’s hand. "Don't worry about that right now," he says gently, "The nursery can wait, and we'll all pitch in to help you get it ready when the time is right."

Rooster furrows his brows, “You don’t have to do that." he says, but his uncle just smirks, patting his shoulder again. Rooster,knowing he can’t win this, ends up taking a deep breath, "I just can't help but feel like I should have been more prepared."

"You are prepared," Maverick reassures him, "You and Bea have been preparing for this moment since you found out she was pregnant again. You've been taking great care of her and Nikki, and you'll do the same for the twins." he pauses, “So they came a bit early, that’s fine. They’d still be here, even now.”

“...do you know how big five month babies are?” Rooster asks, holding his hands apart while holding Nicole with the inside of his arm against his chest, “This big…hell they can be smaller than my hands.” he clenches his fists, then closes his eyes, burying his nose on Nicole’s hair, trying to find comfort with the little toddler, “I…”

“It’s okay,Rooster.”

He was going on a spiral. He was feeling guilty and angry with himself, and Nicole was noticing it. She was looking back at him, her tiny hands touching his face, “Dada?’ she calls, “Woops?” and that makes a smile appear on his face, even if his heart feels so immensely heavy.

“Dada is fine,” he kisses her tiny palm, then nuzzles her cheek, “Dada is worried about mama.” and he sighs into her hair, then arches his brows before muttering, “I need some coffee,can you hold her for a bit?” As if he needed to ask, his uncle immediately grabbed Nicole from his lap and walked around the room,showing the different things there enough to keep her distracted.

Rooster stands up and inhales. Deeply. He rolls his neck, then his shoulders as if to break the ‘ick’ that was on his body,digging his hands into his pockets as he walks out of the room to the hospital’s cafeteria. He sees a few patients coming in, a few other mothers and some couples, as he walks slowly on the hallway.

He feels heavy.

And every step echoes.

It’s like he’s moving in slow motion in a movie, but he knows he’s not. This was real life and his wife was undergoing an emergency c-section and he has no idea if she’s okay or not. When he reaches the cafeteria, which honestly felt like a blink of an eye, he looks around until he finds the coffee machine, tucked in the corner, almost hidden. He doesn’t know why, but hospital coffee was always delicious to him.

Whenever he came with his mother, he’d go through four cups of these while chewing on some biscuits. His mother’s treatment lasted a few minutes, so when he was done, he’d walk around the hospital and see the surroundings…it helped his mind and his heart. As he fills his cup, he wonders if that’s what he’s feeling right now: the shadow of a memory, the fear of entering the hospital and waiting for news.

Rooster takes a moment to collect himself, taking slow, deep breaths as he sips his coffee. He knows he needs to stay strong for Beatrice and their babies, but he can't help the overwhelming emotions that are swirling inside him. 

He glances at his phone, checking the time, “...only thirty minutes? Fuck.”. The wait feels excruciating, and he can't help but feel helpless at this moment. He wishes he could do more, but all he can do now is wait and hope for the best.

As he stands in the cafeteria, he recalls the words of Maverick, reminding him that he and Beatrice have been preparing for this moment. He knows they have a strong support system, and he takes some comfort in that thought. He knows they are not alone in this journey, and they have family and friends who care deeply about them.

With his coffee in hand, he takes a deep breath and starts walking back towards the recovery room. He shouldn’t be surprised when he hears the loud voices in the hallway, his smile widening because he knows that everyone else is there.

And indeed everyone was. Bea’s siblings and her parents, alongside the Dagger Squad, all of them sitting outside the room as he sees Maverick talking to them from the door. It was Evelyn who notices hims first, doing a double take then touching Jake’s shoulder to warn him, “Rooster–”

“Bradley!” Claudia walks through the group and meets him, wrapping him into a tight,motherly hug that only his mother in law could give. She cups the back of his head, he has to lower himself a bit so it’s comfortable for her to touch him, “Oh my bambino, is she okay? What happened?”

“I…honestly,Claudia I don’t know, they just…” he shrugged, “Wanted to come out?”

His mother in law eased out a gentle laugh, it was tense and he could see it in her eyes, but she smiled nonetheless. When she met his eyes, her eyebrows lowered and her hands cupped his cheeks, “Bambino, you know neither of you are at fault because of this,right?”

Rooster takes a moment to process Claudia's words, feeling the weight of her reassurance and support. He nods slowly, smiling at her  "I know," he says softly, "But it's just...hard not to feel guilty, you know? I keep thinking maybe I missed something, or I should have done something differently."

Claudia smiles warmly at him, her hands still holding his cheeks. "It's natural to feel that way," she says, "But you have been doing everything you can for Beatrice and the babies. Sometimes, things happen that are beyond our control. What's important now is that we support each other and stay strong as a family. Okay?"

Rooster's eyes welled up with tears as he looked into Claudia's caring gaze. "Thank you," he says, his voice choked with emotion, "I uh…she went into surgery thirty minutes ago."

“When we had Beatrice, it lasted a bit more than that.” Rafael’s deep voice says from behind Claudia and the Schiavoni patriarch hugs his son-in-law just like Claudia did, “She’ll be okay.” he says softly, shaking his shoulder with a small grin, “They’ll be fine,Bradley.”

“I…I know.” he says quietly, clearing his throat before looking behind his in-laws, “Did you all…come here together?”

“Sort of,” Phoenix replies, “Jake called all of us and we just rushed over…so yes?”

“We’ll be here for you guys.” Payback smiles, giving his friend a thumbs up, “Don’t worry about it,Rooster.

And for a brief second, the weight lifted completely.

-

She comes back an hour later, sleeping and quietly snoring as she’s rolled back into the room. Rooster stands up to look at the nurses, his mouth parting as he follow Beatrice with his eyes, “...is…are they all okay?”

The nurse smiles at Rooster, fixing Beatrice’s covers once she’s back into the room. "Yes, they're all doing well," she says, "The twins are in the neonatal intensive care unit, but they are stable and receiving the best care. Your wife did great during the surgery, and she's in recovery now."

Rooster lets out a sigh of relief, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders. "Thank you," he says, "Thank you for taking care of them."

The nurse nods, "Of course, it's our job. And we'll make sure to keep you updated on their progress."

Rooster looks over at Beatrice, sleeping soundly, and then back at the nurse. "Thank you,I…I’ll be with her a bit but can I see them after?” she smiles more, nodding at him and cooing at Nicole when she followed the nurse with her eyes, saying ‘bye bye’ once she was out of the room.

And Rooster dropped on the chair after a few seconds trying to remain upright, with his left hand covering his eyes. He allowed the silence to take over, his family and friends had to leave since it was already late - not after Claudia got him a change of clothes, of course and taking Nicole to stay with her and Rafael for the time being - and Beatrice’s quiet breathing was the only thing he could hear.

He didn’t know if he wanted to cry or he wanted to laugh…or both. His body was still tense from everything, his shoulder muscles hurt immensely, like when you sleep in a bad position for hours and wake up feeling like you were run over by a car. Except he didn’t sleep.

Rooster takes a deep, shuddering breath, trying to release some of the tension in his body. He knows he needs to stay strong for Beatrice and the twins, but it's hard to keep his emotions in check after such an intense and emotional day.

He feels a mix of exhaustion, fear, and overwhelming love for his family. He reaches out and gently takes Beatrice's hand in his, giving it a light squeeze, rubbing her knuckles. "I love you,gorgeous." he whispers softly, though he knows she can't hear him.

He stays by her side, keeping a watchful eye on her as she rests, waiting for any news from the medical staff about their twins. The minutes feel like hours, and he finds himself drifting in and out of anxious thoughts, that and the obvious need to sleep.

After what seems like an eternity, a nurse comes into the room to check on Beatrice. She smiles warmly at Rooster, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Did she wake up?” he shakes his head negatively, “Ah,it’s alright, it was a long surgery, she needs the rest.” and she leans over to check her vitals, all the while Rooster watches from a few inches away, crossing his arms over his chest since he doesn’t know what to do with his hands.

The nurse finishes her check-up and nods approvingly. "Her vitals look good," she says, "She's just in a deep sleep right now, which is completely normal after surgery. She'll wake up when her body is ready."

Rooster nods, chewing his lower lip as his hand comes up to rub his neck. He knows Beatrice needs her rest, but he can't help but worry about her and the twins. “That’s good…that’s good.”

The nurse smiles at the tender moment and gives Rooster a reassuring pat on the back. "You're doing great," she says, "Both of you are. The twins are receiving excellent care in the NICU and let me tell you, your little girl? I think she’s the spunky one of the bunch."

"Oh," Rooster says softly, his voice choked with emotion, "Really?"

The nurse chuckles softly, "Oh yes, she's got quite the personality already. I had the pleasure of checking on both of them earlier, and she’s a little wriggly worm. Your little boy is a bit quieter, but he’s still moving."

Rooster can't help but smile at the image the nurse paints of his babies. His heart feels so much lighter. They are moving, god they are moving already. "And…they are okay? Healthy wise,I mean.”

“Well,” she fixes Beatrice’s gown before looking back at him, “They are preemies, which means we need to keep an eye on them until they can leave. Five month preemies are rare, but not uncommon.” she smiles, “Honestly, your twins are the most active ones I’ve seen in a while and I’ve worked here for over twenty years now.”

“Oh,huh,that’s.” a fucking relief, “That’s great. So nothing out of the ordinary?”

“Nothing we could see,” she says while sliding her hands into her scrubs’ pants, “They are asleep now, so they are mimicking their mama.” she smiles back at Beatrice, then turns her head to Rooster, “Would you like to see them?”

He opens his mouth to say yes, he wants to say yes, but his eyes slowly drop to Beatrice. If she wakes up and he’s not there, he’s scared she might not be okay with it…plus,he’d want to see the twins with her, if he was able to do so. 

"Thank you for offering," Rooster says to the nurse, "But I want to wait until Beatrice wakes up. It's important for both of us to see them together."

The nurse smiled understandingly, "Of course, that's completely understandable. Take your time, and when you're both ready, I'll be happy to take you to the NICU to see them."

Rooster nods again, giving the nurse a thankful little grin as he watches as she leaves the room. Rooster, once alone again, falls back on the chair and holds his head on his hands, breathing into his palms, “...they are okay.” he mumbles, rubbing the bridge of his nose, “They are okay,god, they are okay.” Beatrice makes a little noise in her throat and turns her head towards him, her fingers twitching and he could swear he heard her soft whisper of ‘Brad…’

“Are you awake?” He questions but he gets no reply, only seeing her chest move up and down, eyelids fluttering as she dreams. No, she’s still fast asleep. He reaches out and gently brushes a strand of hair away from her face, his touch light and tender.

He leans in closer, speaking softly to her, "I'm right here, Bea," he murmurs, "You did great, and the twins are doing well too. I love you so much." He places a gentle kiss on her forehead, the little smile on her face - even in her sleep - was the confirmation she heard him. He sighs, now he was the one feeling sleep take over him, he knows he has to sleep so he could be there for Bea when she wakes up…so he pulls the chair closer to the bed, lets his eyes flutter shut and holds her hand as he, much like Bea, fall on a deep slumber.

#bradley rooster bradshaw #rooster bradshaw #bradley bradshaw x oc #top gun maverick #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw x named reader #tgm oc #tgm fic #tgm fanfiction

[at1nys-blog]

The one that left

Pairing: Hanma Shuji x fem!reader

Summary: a little lie is the best option, even if it lets your, and Hanma's heart broken into million pieces

A/N: Tokyo Revengers spoilers chapter 188 I guess, sorry I don't remember the actual chapter but I know is before the Bonten Arc which starts at chapter 189 so yeah; made myself cry...

Masterlist

Shuji Hanma had a safe place, you. Everytime he had a problem, or he just wanted to stay away from whatever was gang's related he drove right at your place.

He would sneak in from the window of your room if it was too early, knowing your parents, read your dad, were still up; if it was in the midle of the night, like today, he would just knock on your front door, just like right now.

But today was different. Everything was, the plan he and Kisaki elaborated failed, Kisaki died, the police was after him now and your dad was the one answering the door.

"She is not home." he simple lied to the boy. Henma tried to get in, he couldn't believe you weren't home at that ungodly hour. "Boy, I said she isn't here." you father yelled-whispered to him.

"Why isn't she home? Is 4 in the morning?" he kept asking questions after questions. He hoped you were somewhere safe, maybe at your friend's house. He wished you were at your friend's house. "maybe she went to party?" he asked. "I can wait her inside. Can I wait her inside?"

You could hear the disperation in his voice, he needed you, he really did. You felt your stomach burn, your eyes started to water at the thought that you couldn't help him. You had to cover your mouth and bit your lips. I'm sorry Hanma, I'm very sorry. You told yourself, back against the wall of the living room.

"She will not be back any time soon, she has left Tokyo." you did not left the city, at least not right now you will tomoroww. I mean, in some hours.

"But... she didn't told me anything." he said, shock painted all over his face. Why didn't she told me? Was it something I did? Said? What? His mind was rushing to find an answer, something to make sense of your non comunications with him but nothing came to mind.

"Oh boy, you didn't notice did you? She tried to tell you but you were so caught up in your gang's stuff you never paid attention to her." said your father, you were silently sobbing now, the light of the tv the only source of illumination in the dark room. You had to suffocate a painfull scream to not let him hear you.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, sir. It won't happen again" he bowed, wishing your father good night and then left. The man waited some minutes and then checked if he was gone from the parking lot of your apartament building. When he came back inside, you let out your pain, crying like a little kid that was denied a toy.

"Shh, shhhh, is okay my kid. I will never understand but I can tell you care for him too much." you kept crying in his chest letting it all out. "you just need to stay away from Tokyo so you can move on quicker." after that no one talked, not even your mother when he reached the two of you in the living room. She kept her distance, looking at you crying in your father's arms as you were 2 once again, and him stroking your back and hair assuring you everything was going to be fine.

You stop after some long minutes, too tired to keep crying and too tired to keep your eyes open any longer. Your father carried you in your room as when you were a little kid; tucked you under the blankets; kissed your forehead good night and left you sleep, wondering what were you going to dream in such a state. He hoped for nothing.

Unbeknowst to the three of you, Hanma Shuji was back in the parking lot, attention at your apartament wondering where you were now and what you were doing. Were you sleeping safe and sound? Were you having good dreams? If only he knew you were in your room, sleeping with a broken heart, as his.

#tokyo revengers #tokyo revengers anime #tokyo revengers imagines #tokyo revengers scenario #tokyo revengers angst #tokyo revengers x reader #tokyo revengers x you #tokyo revengers x yn #tokyo revengers x y/n #tokyo rev #tokyo rev anime #tokyo rev imagines #tokyo rev scenarios #tokyo rev angst #tokyo rev x reader #tokyo rev x you #tokyo rev x yn #tokyo rev x y/n #shuji hanma #shuji hanma imagines #shuji hanma scenario #shuji hanma angst #shuji hanma x reader #shuji hanma x you #shuji hanma x yn #shuji hanma x y/n

[where-theres-smoak-2]

Loki Novel 1x3 Sylki Thoughts

So Loki novel update, I've just finished reading the chapters covering 1x3 and honestly I loved every page, every word of it. For me it was really beautiful watching Sylki's relationship evolve over 1x3 and it was even more beautiful reading it because you had that extra level of their inner thoughts and let me tell you there are some real Sylki gems in these chapters. Fair warning this one is going to be a bit longer than my last post because there is a lot more to cover. Obviously spoilers for season 1 and the novelisation, so lets jump in.

So this first part is less Sylki related and more just Sylvie related but I thought it was a small but interesting insight into just how being hunted by the TVA has effected her. This is a description she gives right after she steps through the timedoor into the TVA.

Circular lights glowed against the dull concrete of the ceiling. They looked like eyes to Sylvie. So many eyes. Watching.

She had finally done it.

She had finally broken into the TVA.

... The voice on the PA system said, All minutemen to the armory. Protect the timeline. The words almost made Sylvie want to scream, but she didn't. Instead, she tied her hair back, as she always did when she was preparing for a fight. (pgs 185-186)

A couple of things caught my attention here, the first was how she describes the lights as looking like eyes and the feeling of being watched. It's a seemingly irrelevant observation but it shows us how after being hunted and chased by the TVA for eons Sylvie is constantly on edge and always feels like she is being watched. Something as normal as lights become something that gives a feeling of being unsafe and threatening.

Then you have the line about how hearing the PA system saying 'protect the timeline' makes Sylvie want to scream. Again its just three little words but they bring out such a visceral reaction in Sylvie because of what they meant to her. Protecting the timeline is what lead to her being taken from her home and family, that lead to her entire timeline being destroyed and to her being hunted her whole life. So its no wonder that those words made her want to scream and got her revved up for the fight that was to come. But this passage did make me feel real bad for Sylvie and it was just a description of her surroundings.

The next part I want to talk about is right after Loki interrupts and confronts Sylvie outside the gold elevator.

He pointed his knives toward her. " A few questions," he said calmly.

Sylvie sighed. "Have you really got nothing else better to do?" She walked slowly toward him, and they circled one another like predators fighting over the same carcass. (pgs 188-189)

This imagery of them fighting over the same carcass is intriguing. I think the carcass is a metaphor for the TVA, that is what they are both fighting over. It's interesting to me because they are both fighting each other, and Sylvie sees Loki as an obstacle to getting what she wants. But really they both want the same thing, are both fighting for the same thing, to get to whoever is behind the TVA (at this point they believe its the timekeepers) and make them pay for stealing their lives from them. They just haven't figured out yet that they are both fighting for the same goal.

I also think it is interesting that in this simile Loki and Sylvie are described as the predators considering they both see the TVA as this all powerful, omnipotent organisation, you would think the TVA would be the predators. But ultimately this simile does come to pass as the TVA is torn apart by Sylvie and Loki, they are the ones that bring HWR and the TVA down making them the true predators and the TVA is indeed the carcass.

Ok next. Sylki have just fallen through the timedoor onto Lamentis-1 and are both scrambling for the tempad and we get this little moment.

He couldn't let her get it. It was the only thing connecting the two of them, his only asset. It was a thing she wanted. And Loki knew that the way to keep someone close was always to hold on to whatever it was they wanted. (pg 191)

Yeah Loki really is down bad for Sylvie he just hasn't realised it yet. Jokes aide though, I do think that this shows that Loki not only still feels a connection to Sylvie but also wants to maintain that connection, he clearly still sees her as his way forward, his destiny.

However this also sheds alot of light on his past manipulations and actions in previous films, and its really rather sad. He's learnt that the way to keep people close to him is to hold onto what they want. Thor wanted to protect earth as it was Jane's home so Loki takes New York hostage not because he wants to rule but so that he can keep his brother close. I think its the same with the tesseract, he knows its something Thor and Odin want so they can keep it safe in Asgard's vaults, so to keep them close he takes it. Obviously I don't think that is his only motivation for doing those things but this line does make me think it was a contributing factor, if so then I think its really sad that Loki feels like he has to manipulate those he cares about into staying close to him, that he doesn't believe that they will choose to be around him because they love him.

Speaking of Loki and Sylvie fighting over the tempad, Loki apparently was enjoying himself to start with:

It was quite fun, he decided. Fighting another Loki. (pg 193)

However he also seems to grow tired of it really quickly and seems to get frustrated that she doesn't want to team up.

"Fine," said Loki, quite tired of being made fun of by a Loki who didn't even want to be called Loki. (pg193)

"Fine!" she said, snapping around and drawing her sword.

Instantly, Loki drew his knives. But exhaustion took over him. This felt like deja vu. He sighed deeply. "Look," he said, "are we really about to do this here? Again?" (pg 198)

"I don't know. A truce?"

The fugitive variant scoffed as if this was the most insane idea she'd ever heard of. (pg 198)

At some point he had put his knives away, uninterested in fighting. (pg 199)

I think him getting tired of fighting her so quickly and being the first one to over a truce goes back to what I said in my last post about Loki seeming to have some level of respect for Sylvie because she is a Loki variant and he feels some kind of connection to her because of that. Speaking of the offer of a truce its, again, interesting that Loki offers one but Sylvie finds the idea insane and how I think that also links back to the difference in the way Loki and Sylvie feel about the Loki identity. To Sylvie the idea of accepting a truce with a Loki is insane, but for Loki its the very fact that they are both Loki variants that he feels he can offer a truce.

The question of what makes a Loki a Loki comes up alot in the first few chapters that cover 1x3. There's also alot of exploration of how Sylvie and Loki are similar and how they are different and how that plays into their individual identities as well as how it relates to the Loki identity.

One of the most obvious differences between Sylvie and Loki is that Loki is proud to be a Loki whereas Sylvie has rejected the Loki identity, which makes sense for her as being a Loki is what led to her being captured and subsequently hunted by the TVA. So of course she would take a new name and make a new identity for herself, however this rejection of the Loki identity by Sylvie is something that clearly confuses Loki.

"Don't ever call me that," she said, circling him like a lioness.

"Tech-savvy?" said Loki, a little confused.

"No," she snarled. "A Loki." (pg 193)

"I'm sorry," said Loki, "but I'm not calling some faded photocopy of me 'Loki'."

"Good," she said, totally unfazed by the insult, "'cause that's not who I am anymore. I'm Sylvie now." (pgs 201-202)

"It's not very Loki-like."

"Yeah? said Sylvie. "What exactly makes a Loki a Loki?"

"Independence. Authority. Style." said Loki, pleased he could sum up his own nature so succinctly. But Sylvie wasn't having it. (pg 202)

"I'd never have done that." Loki stopped walking.

Sylvie didn't pause. "Yeah?" she said. "Well, I'm not you." (pgs 202-203)

It's kind of funny that Loki tries to insult and get at Sylvie by calling her a faded photocopy of a Loki but Sylvie really couldn't care less. It does seem like Loki really struggles with this idea that Sylvie has chosen a new identity and name and I couldn't help wondering why it bothered him so much, why he's so put out that she is not the same as him and I do have a theory on that. I think its because he's been told over and over, and particularly by the TVA, who he is, what his nature is and how that's written in stone and who he is meant to be, how he can't change. But then he meets a variant of himself that has built themselves a whole new identity and is choosing who they want to be as opposed to being told who they are. It's like meeting Sylvie has shined a torch on all the lies he's been told about himself that he has come to believe.

Another way the novel highlights the difference between the life Loki had versus the life Sylvie had is by mentioning several times that Loki feels exhausted whilst Sylvie is full of energy.

Then she kept on running. Where does she get this endless energy? thought Loki. (pg 196)

He tried to catch his breath. He hadn't run like that in a long time. His chest burned. (pg 197)

Loki was exhausted, but Sylvie didn't seem to have lost any of her energy. (pg 203)

This shows how Loki lived a life of luxury and relative safety as a Prince of Asgard. He is used to comfort. Whereas Sylvie has had to learn to always be aware and on the move and thus has a constant high energy, she's never had the luxury of taking life slow or taking a moment to gather herself because for her stopping for a breather could mean death.

As different as their upbringings were though, they are still similar in many ways and being variants of each other means despite being strangers they also already know the other really well. Because of this they are also able to figure out each other's motive's really quickly and we get this interesting to and fro where they are both kind of one upping the other and catching the other out. Like when Loki immediately figures out that Sylvie is trying to enchant him:

Then he felt the fugitive variant's hands around his neck. He flinched, then realised she wasn't trying to choke him. Her touch was light, and a faint thrumming came from her fingertips. When he met her eyes, he saw that she was in a state of deep concentration.

"What are you doing?" he asked her.

"What are you doing?" she echoed.

"You're trying to enchant me?" said Loki. He was still panting. "It won't work." (pgs 197-198)

I really loved this moment when I watched it in the show, there was that underlying energy and tension to it and I loved how their silhouettes made the shape of a heart. Reading the scene in the novelisation reminded me of just how much I loved it in the show. Side note but I do find it kind of funny that at first Loki thought Sylvie was trying to choke him, makes sense so far all she's done is try to fight him. But I love the way he describes her touch and the way her magic feels, it sounds like it feels pleasant to him.

Another instance of them being able to suss each other out pretty quick is when Sylvie figures out Loki's motive for saving her when they were running from the falling asteroids.

"Well you're full of it because you need me to get that thing recharged. That's the only reason you saved me out there."

Takes a Loki to know a Loki. (pg 199)

Them knowing each other so well also means they know how to get under the others skin. There are a few instances where they take digs at each other and are put out by the others comments.

"But now I see," he said panting, "you lack vision."

The words got under Sylvie's skin. She did not lack vision. She had never lacked vision. Vision was what had gotten her this far. (pg 189)

"So naturally," she said, "you went to work for the boring, oppressive time police."

"I don't work for them," said Loki, a little wounded. (pg 202)

"Okay," she said, holding out one hand and wriggling her fingers. "Hand it over."

Loki laughed. "Pitiful," he said. "I'm not giving it to you. You're going to have to try harder than that."

He seemed to have gotten under her skin. She marched past him, her mouth tight. (pg 204)

I think them being so different in some ways and coming from very different backgrounds whilst also knowing themselves and therefore each other so well and knowing how to push each others buttons, creates this really interesting dynamic and fun banter between them. Eventually even they begin to notice the similarities between them.

Sylvie watched. It didn't seem like Loki could resist a good fight. Maybe they weren't so different after all. (pg 226)

Ok now we are at the really good part, the train scenes. Trust me when I tell you as amazing as these scenes are in the show they only get better here in the novel, there are parts that made me feel all warm and fuzzy and there were some parts that stabbed me right in the heart. This is also where I think we see a big shift in the dynamic of Sylki's relationship and this shift comes when the subject of their mothers come up.

They sat forward, their elbows on the table, staring each other down, their eyes in a duel that neither could break.

"My mother," said Loki, not able to stop the tenderness from leaking into his voice.

This seemed to disarm Sylvie. She glanced away. She swallowed. Then, slowly, she turned her head back to Loki and looked at him- really looked at him. "What was she like?" she asked. Softly. Sincerely. (pg 214)

I love that line about their eyes in a duel neither could break, it really captures that intense chemistry and eye contact they have in that scene. But I also do think its interesting that its the mention of Loki's mother that makes Sylvie drop her guard a little and actually look at Loki, to see him as more than just an obstacle in her way. I think hearing that tenderness in his voice, which by the way is so adorable and sweet I always loved the relationship he had with his mother, makes Sylvie see him as a person, he's not just an annoying Loki but a son who clearly loves his mother. In response to this she herself then becomes softer and more sincere when talking to him. Then the subject of Sylvie's mother comes up.

"Hang on a second. So, tell...tell me about your mother."

"I barely remember her," said Sylvie wistfully. "Just blips of a dream at this point."

Loki looked into her eyes. There was real sadness there. Real grief. He remembered his own mother. Just like this train was hurtling toward the ark, he was hurtling toward losing her. (pg 215)

Just like Loki talking about his mother made Sylvie really look at Loki and really see him for the first time, hearing Sylvie talk about her mother makes Loki stop and really study Sylvie, he sees her sadness and her grief and that makes him think about his own sadness and grief, that line about how he was hurtling towards losing his mother really is a gut punch, I mean pull my heart right out because it would've hurt less. However it is interesting because here we are seeing Loki relate to Sylvie, empathising with her and it also makes him reflect on his own life.

"You know," he said, "when I was young, she'd do these little bits of magic for me. Like turn a flower into a frog. Or cast fireworks over the water."

This time Sylvie did not look away.

"It all seemed impossible," he continued. "But she told me that one day I'd be able to do it, too, because..." He paused, his voice trailing off. "Because I could do anything," he finished. Yes, he had been lucky. He knew that now. (pgs 215-216)

Seeing Sylvie's sadness and her admit she no longer really remembers her mother makes Loki realises how lucky he really was, he had a mother that doted on him, that believed in him and who took the time to teach him magic. This next bit I really do love and that is Loki's reaction to seeing Sylvie sad.

Sylvie nodded, but she looked sad. She stared off into the distance.

"You wanna see?" said Loki, hoping to cheer her up. He held up a hand. Out of his palm, fireworks crackled and exploded in miniature, making a delicate bouquet of light and color. (pg 216)

When I saw the scene in the show I thought that Loki made the fireworks because he was thinking of his mother and also because he wanted to show off a little because he was trying to impress Sylvie. I loved the scene because it was just so sweet and tender and was a side of Loki we hadn't really seen before. Seeing, here in the novel, that he did the fireworks because he could see that Sylvie was sad and wanted to cheer her up adds a whole new level of 'aww cute' to the scene. I'm really looking forward to going back and watching that scene again with this added context. I think that is what makes reading the novel so fun is it is giving me all this new context to scenes which makes rewatching the show feel like a new experience again.

But Loki using the fireworks to attempt to cheer Sylvie up is also interesting because, firstly, it shows that he is capable of feeling compassion and empathy for another person despite being portrayed as being a very selfish and uncompassionate person in the past. Secondly it shows that even in this short amount of time that Loki has known Sylvie he has come to care about her enough that he doesn't want to see her sad. Already he just wants her to be ok.

A couple of other small details to note, is that throughout this bonding scene there is quite a bit of focus on them keeping eye contact and them looking at each other. The other thing of note is the way the fireworks are described as a bouquet, this makes me think of first dates and how you might give someone a bouquet of flowers, maybe its just me but this train scene always gave me first date vibes.

So now lets talk about love. Yes we are at the Love is hate, Love is Mischief conversation Sylki have and again this a scene that only gets better when you read the novel and get that insight into what the characters are actually thinking and feeling.

"What was that?" He pretended to write. "Love is...Love is... hate."

"Oh, shut up," said Sylvie.

Loki smiled with amusement and disappeared the paper and quill in a spray of green light.

Sylvie looked like she was trying not to find his joke funny, but she still smiled, ever so faintly. (pg 218)

It's nice to see Sylvie starting to let her guard down a little. As I said earlier, it really is during the train scene that we see Sylki's dynamic begin to shift. Whereas before they were very hostile towards each other and would look for ways to get under the others skin, here we see them actually enjoying each others company. What is even more interesting is that right before this we get this inner thought from Loki.

Sylvie stared at him. She looked unimpressed. Did she have to be so serious all the time? He thought a change of subject might help. (pg 218)

Just like how when he saw her sad he tried to cheer her up, now Loki is actively trying to get her to loosen up, to relax and have some fun and again I just find that interesting that even at this point he cares enough about her to want her to be happy and to feel safe and relaxed. Its also interesting that the subject that ends up being brought up is Love. Especially as this conversation seems to lead Loki to a bit of a realisation about his feelings.

"Managed to maintain quite a serious long distance relationship with a postman whilst running across time from one apocalypse to another."

Loki laughed. She was- genuinely- very funny. He almost...liked her. (pgs 218-219)

Loki has this realisation that he might actually like Sylvie, with the emphasis on the word like it makes me think its less like as a friend and more like in a romantic way and what's fascinating is that not long after this revelation he begins to become uncomfortable with the subject of love.

Sylvie didn't take her eyes off him. She raised her eyebrows like a question. "Love is mischief, then," she said.

Loki swallowed, the bubbles burning down his throat. "No," he said. "Love is..." The train rumbled along its tracks. The diamonds of purple sky had darkened slightly. "Uh... something I don't want to think about."

If in doubt, he thought, avoid the subject. That tactic had always served him well. (pg 219)

Now quick disclaimer, alcohol does not exist in this novel, if they were drinking alcohol in a scene in the show then it is substituted for something else in the novel. Because of this the line Loki says in the show 'something I might have to have another drink to think about' has been changed. Obviously they would had to have substituted it with a line that had the same meaning and sentiment behind it. They could have gone for something like 'something I need more time to think about' but they went with 'something I don't want to think about.' So Loki has had this realisation that he might like Sylvie, which is followed by a very personal and intimate conversation about love and then a flirtatious line from Sylvie and in his panic and confusion over these new feelings he is experiencing he slams on the brakes hard. It's straight to avoidance. I also think the imagery of the train rumbling and the sky darkening really shifts the tone of the scene, almost like Loki is turning away from the possibility of love and back to the lonely darkness of self isolation, but I could also be looking far too deeply into that.

It's after this that, in the show, Loki gets drunk and sings the Asgardian song to Sylvie, though in the novel he's not drunk just having fun, which not going to lie does come across as a little silly but I can look pass that. Sylvie has an interesting reaction to the song which she describes as 'mournful' and as something that sounded like a lullaby or funeral song.

"He had a beautiful voice, and the melody stirred something in Sylvie's chest, but she pushed all of that to the side. (pg 222)

This actually tells us alot about Sylvie and is another instance that shows the difference between Sylvie and Loki and their lives. Sylvie has this emotional reaction to the song Loki is singing and yet she pushes those feelings to the side, we see her do this alot, whereas Loki is often driven by his emotions such as attacking New York because of how hurt he was by his Father's lies etc, Sylvie very much is the opposite and will push those emotions aside so that she can focus on her mission. This is how she survives.

The atmosphere turned lively and jolly again. Loki smiled widely.

It must be fun to be so oblivious, thought Sylvie, glancing around the room nervously. (pg 222)

I get the sense that here, Sylvie is feeling some envy towards Loki, towards the fact that he can let loose and have fun, even when in the situation they've found themselves in, because he hasn't gone through the same experience and trauma that she has. I think she is envious of the life he had, the life that she could have had but missed out on because the TVA stole it from her.

Next I'm going to talk about the Love is a Dagger scene, and yes I've said it before, I'm saying it again, the novel only makes this scene better.

"Hey!" said Loki. "Change of subject. I thought of an answer." Suddenly he was standing closer to her, staring deeply into her eyes.

She bristled. "To what?"

"Your question." Loki stared into her eyes and the silence stretched on between them. "Love," he said, "is a dagger." Just like that, a dagger appeared in his hand, magicked and beautiful, the blade straight and shining. "It's a weapon to be wielded far away or up close. You can see yourself in it. It's beautiful." He turned the dagger's point toward his chest. "Until it makes you bleed. But ultimately, when you reach for it-"

Sylvie did reach for it. The handle was beautiful. It was right there. But it disappeared before she could take it in her hand.

"-it isn't real," she said, finishing his sentence. (pgs 224-225)

Let's talk about Loki here first because I think this metaphor he uses to describe love is very telling given the new context learned of him having the realisation that he may have feelings for Sylvie and then becoming uncomfortable with the subject of love. He clearly kept thinking about it after their conversation. But really what this metaphor says about Loki's view on love is really sad. Ultimately he sees love as a weapon that can be used against him, something that can make him bleed, something that will turn out not to be real. Something beautiful sure, but something dangerous none the less. It's sad because I think he has always felt unloved by everyone but his mother. Everyone has always seen the worst in him and he has felt like love is something you have to earn especially when it came to his father's love. I really do think that learning he was adopted, that his father lied to him, that he was a tool to be used, a monster in the tales Asgardian children were told. This all really messed with his head, he wanted his father's, his brother's love and instead he got wounded. If we go back a little, for a moment, to when Sylki were talking about their parents and how they were adopted, we have this:

"What? They told you?" He couldn't believe it.

"Yeah," said Sylvie. "Did they not tell you?"

"No," said Loki, trying not to get emotional. (pg 215)

Loki is so traumatised from learning that he was adopted the way he did that even just talking about the subject makes him emotional and he struggles with the knowledge that Sylvie's parents did tell her the truth. So it makes sense that he has a warped idea of what love is. It also makes sense that because he sees love as a weapon that can be used against him, that when he realised he might be catching feelings for Sylvie he rejected it and instead reminded himself how love can wound you.

When I first watched the episode I'll admit that I got a bit annoyed at Loki for getting drunk and breaking the tempad, as I didn't really understand why he would do that and the 'I'm hedonistic' excuse didn't really fly with me. But now I can't help but wonder if the real reason why he got drunk on the train was because he was so shaken by this realisation that he had feelings for Sylvie that his tactic for avoiding those feelings was to drown himself in drink and distract himself. It was a way of coping for him.

But lets go to Sylvie because her thoughts during Loki's love dagger speech were so interesting to me. It really does seem like she becomes mesmerised by the dagger, she is thinking about how beautiful it is and she wants to reach out and grab it. It really is like she's under a spell, bewitched by this dagger. The reason why that's interesting is because the dagger in this metaphor represents love. Love really isn't something Sylvie has experienced before, I'm sure her parents loved her, but she was taken from them so long ago that she barely remembers them so likely doesn't remember their love either. Because she has never experienced love she's never been wounded by it like Loki. So where Loki sees a dangerous weapon, Sylvie sees this shining new thing and its something that in the haze of the moment she is desperate to reach for.

Unfortunately this dagger metaphor tragically comes true for the both of them come the season end at the citadel, but I'd rather not think about that so lets move on.

Since the show aired I've seen too many posts in the main tag talking about how Mobius changed Loki but arguing that Sylvie didn't change him, that she didn't have any effect on his character growth at all. I always called bull on that personal but these next few parts I'm going to talk about, I think show just how Sylvie did influence Loki's growth. The first comes right after they have been thrown off the train and the tempad is broke, Sylvie is very understandably upset.

Did Loki feel a tiny twinge of remorse? Maybe a tiny one. But he wasn't going to stop arguing. (pg 229)

It's a very small moment, but its an important one. Remorse isn't really something Loki often feels so the fact that he is feeling it now when seeing Sylvie upset is significant. And there is more. After Sylvie screams and walks off to sit by herself Loki has this thought.

"Okay," he said, under his breath, walking to her. It wasn't in his nature to feel compassion, to see the perspective of another person- especially another Loki. It wasn't in his nature to feel remorse, either. But hey, it was the end of the world. Maybe the end of the world did something to you. (pg 230)

Earlier I talked about how Loki trying to cheer Sylvie up showed that he was learning compassion and learning to empathise with another person. Here we get the next step because now he is recognising that he is feeling compassion and that he is feeling remorse, he is also now able to see things from another person's perspective, he's able to understand why Sylvie is upset with him and actually feel remorse. Of course he blames it on the end of the world but really its Sylvie that has brought these new emotions out of him.

Here's another small but important moment.

He sat down tentatively beside her, on the mound of gravelly stone. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but he could endure it. (pg 230)

Loki is someone who enjoys comfort and who is very unlikely to put himself in any kind of uncomfortable position for the sake of someone else. Yet here we see him not only putting himself in discomfort but saying he'll endure it and once again it is for Sylvie, this is again a case of Sylvie being upset and for a reason that Loki himself can't yet fathom, he wants to make her feel better, even if that means sitting on an uncomfortable rock and trying to comfort her.

And the character growth just keep on coming with this next part.

"I just... need to know if I can trust you."

Again, Loki realised he was telling the truth. Not saying something to get his way. But saying something because he truly meant it.

It was a new feeling. (pg 233)

During his time with Sylvie not only has he experienced what it is to feels compassion, empathy and remorse he is also now learning truth. He says something because he actually means it and not just to manipulate someone to get his own way. What is also interesting is the potentially first meaningful thing he's ever said is on the subject of trust. Something else that I think is a bit of a foreign subject to Loki. He is rarely trusted and I don't know how much he trusts others, I think he's more of a rely on himself kind of guy. But here he is wanting to trust and to be trusted. Again he is feeling something new and again its Sylvie that has brought it out of him.

The subject of trust comes up again when they are entering the city, trying to get to the ark.

"Do we trust each other?" asked Sylvie.

"We do, and you can," said Loki. Trust wasn't normally something Loki thought about very much. But for better or worse, he and Sylvie were a team now. They needed to trust each other to survive. (pg 237)

Again this is showing the beginnings of change, not only is he thinking about trust, what trust is and what it really means to trust someone, but he is also actually choosing to trust. Right now its because he knows that they need to trust each other to survive but it is still a huge step for them both. He is also seeing them as a team now.

Something really interesting happens after this, when they are fighting their way through the city trying to reach the ark, and that is that Loki seems to become really tuned in to where Sylvie is often mentioning the feeling of her presence and they also often seem in sync with each other, one stops so does the other etc, not only that but he takes comfort in having her there, in having her on his team.

Loki stopped. He looked around, surveying which way would be best, and Sylvie did the same. Somehow they had really become a team. Even in this chaos, this comforted Loki. (pg 238)

Loki stared at it, feeling Sylvie's presence beside him. He wondered if she was thinking the same thing he was thinking. (pg 238)

People started screaming, running, and Loki ran too, feeling Sylvie's presence as she ran beside him. (pg 239)

To his right, Sylvie was fighting off yet another guard. "Just go," she said to Loki. (pg 240)

Loki ran the same way as the man, and Sylvie followed him. (pg 240)

Loki stopped. Sylvie stopped beside him. (pg 242)

Considering how much chaos is around them it would have been really easy for them to be separated and to lose each other. But there really is alot of focus in this passage on showing them side by side, or mirroring each other, of them being aware of where the other is and staying in sync with each other, they really are shown as a team and as working together.

Ok we are nearly at the end, I promise, just a couple more things I want to talk about. So this also caught my attention and that is that it seems like the more Loki gets to know Sylvie the more in awe and impressed he is of her. Like when she tells him how her enchantment works.

Loki shook his head. He was at least a little bit in awe of her. "And you call me a magician," he said. (pg 234)

He couldn't help but be impressed with the way she fought. She was all elegance and grace, all skill and fire. If they hadn't been in the middle of an apocalypse, he might've stopped to watch. (pg 241)

I mean he seems pretty whipped if you asked me, but I do find it amusing and sweet that he's so in awe of her that even in the middle of an apocalypse he is tempted to just stop and watch her fight.

The last thing I want to talk about is Loki's reaction to the ark being destroyed.

He didn't want to look at Sylvie. He couldn't stand to see the look in her eyes. All their hope- gone.

They were going to die here.

On Lamentis-1. A doomed moon. In a strange, otherworldly city surrounded by dust and fire.

Well, Loki found himself thinking, at least we're not alone. (pg 242)

I really do think this is the culmination of all the growth we see over the episode/chapters. Not just Loki's own personal growth but the growth of the Sylki relationship. At the start Loki was someone who thought about himself, Sylvie was a tool to help get him what he wanted. Sylvie saw Loki as an obstacle to be removed. Here though when the ark is destroyed Loki's first thought is of Sylvie. Not only that but he has come to care for her so much that he can't bear to look at her and see the look of despair in her eyes, just like he didn't want to see her sad, but here I think the emotion is deeper and more intense. Loki is also now talking about 'their hope' not his hope showing that he really does now see them as one unit, as a team. But I think the most significant part is the line about how at least they aren't alone. They believe they are going to die here but Loki is still taking comfort in having Sylvie with him.

I really did enjoy reading these chapters, there were so many moments that I loved and it felt good to be excited about Sylki again, it really did remind me of why I love them. I know this was a long one so if you have made it to the end thank you for reading. As soon as I finish reading the chapters for episode 4 I will post some more thoughts but for now let me leave you with this.

Her eyes were daggers, and she growled a little, like an upset puppy. (pg 213)

No notes I just thought it was really funny that Loki compares Sylvie to an upset puppy when she's angry.

#sylki #loki #loki x sylvie #sylvie #loki novel

[goodwhump-temp]

Ichigo; Bleach Whump Zanpakto to Arrancar Finale Arcs

Arrancar Arc (S6-S8) Bount Arc (S4-S5) Shinigami Arc & Soul Society Arc (S1-S3)

The New Captain Shūsuke Amagai Arc

9x02 / Ep 169 New Development, the Dangerous Transfer Student Appears! - Pancaked 9x03 / Ep 170 Desperate Struggle Under the Moonlit Night, the Mysterious Assassin and Zanpakuto - Blinded/lost consciousness multiple times 9x06 / Ep 173 The Appearance of the Great Evil! The Darkness in the House of Kasumioji - Elbow to the head multiple times, piled on 9x07 / Ep 174 Break the Mirrors Boundary! Ichigos Captivity - Blinded unconscious, paralyzed 9x10 / Ep 177 The Reversal of Rukia! The Rampaging Blade - Blinded unconscious 9x11 / Ep 178 The Nightmare Which is Shown, Ichigos Inside the Mirror - Trauma, emotional pain, choked, hollowfied, knocked back 9x13 / Ep 180 The Princess's Decision, the Sorrowful Bride - Kicked off the roof, panik 9x14 / Ep 181 The 2nd Division Sorties! Ichigo is Surrounded - Stabbed, bleeding, punched multiple times, wanted 9x15 / Ep 182 Amagis True Strength, the Released Zanpakto - Soloing the new captain 9x21 / Ep 188 Duel! Amagai VS Ichigo - Thrown, fireballed to the ground twice, hollowfied/Rukia reaction, trapped by fire rods, pain, fall, mask sliced 9x22 / Ep 189 The Fallen Shinigamis Pride - Knocked back, hit with fireball, briefly unconscious, exhausted, collapse

Arrancar vs. Shinigami Arc

10x01 / Ep 190 Hueco Mundo Chapter, Restart! - Hollowfied, exhausted, shot, bloody, stabbed, dies (recap episode), stabbed, leg punched, knocked down 10x02 / Ep 191 The Frightening Banquet, Szayelaporro Theater - Exhausted, headbutted, knocked down 10x03 / Ep 192 Nels Secret, A Busty Beauty Joins the Battle!? - Kicked, knocked back multiple times, weak, punched multiple times, arm slowly broken, extreme pain, carried, squeezed unconscious 10x06 / Ep 195 The Ultimate Union! Pesche's Seriousness - Knocked down, unconscious, back stomped on, limp, knocked down multiple times, painfully squeezed, passes out, thrown against a wall, head squeezed, arm snapped 10x07 / Ep 196 Joining the Battle! The Strongest Soul Reaper Army Appears - Weak, kicked in the gut, kicked in the face multiple times, almost passes out 10x10 / Ep 199 Holy Birth, The Resurrected Szayel Aporro - Weak 10x12 / Ep 201 Nnoitra Released! Multiplying Arms - Hand electrocuted 10x14 / Ep 203 Karakura Town Gathers! Aizen VS the Shinigami - Thrown

Arrancar: Decisive Battle of Karakura Arc 12x14 / Ep 226 Fierce Fighting Concludes? Towards a New Battle - Knocked down, sliced

Zanpakutō Unknown Tales Arc 13x03 / Ep 232 Sode no Shirayuki VS Rukia! Confused Heart - Knocked down, half frozen, pain, bleeding forehead 13x04 / Ep 233 Zangetsu Becomes an Enemy - Thrown around, pinned, soul taken out of body, pain, knocked against a wall, blasted, weak, hollowfied, sliced multiple times, convulsing, tearing himself from the inside, exhausted, passes out 13x05 / Ep 234 Renji Surprised?! The Two Zabimarus - Unconscious, paralyzed, arms pulled outside of him, extreme pain, collapses unconscious 13x06 / Ep 235 Clash! Hisagi VS Kazeshini - Hollow form restrained/pain 13x09 / Ep 238 Friendship? Hatred? Haineko & Tobiume - Knocked down, briefly restrained 13x10 / Ep 239 The Awakening Hyorinmaru! Hitsugaya's Fierce Fight - Trapped 13x11 / Ep 240 Byakuya's Betrayal - Restrained, betrayed 13x16 / Ep 245 Pursue Byakuya! The Confused Gotei Divisions - Inhales toxin, collapses unconscious, panic of treatment, still sick, restrained 13x17 / Ep 246 Special Mission! Rescue Captain Commander Yamamoto! - Chained/restrained, burned hand 13x18 / Ep 247 Decieved Shinigami! The World Collapse Crisis - Plot to trap Ichigo/In danger, exhausted, trapped by fire 13x19 / Ep 248 Dragon of Ice and Dragon of Flame! The Strongest Showdown - Trapped by fire, attacked by the fire multiple times, caught on fire, pain, trapped in fireball 13x24 / Ep 253 Muramasa's True Identity Revealed - Entrapped 13x25 / Ep 254 Byakuya and Renji, the 6th Division Returns - Trapped 13x26 / Ep 255 Final Chapter: Zanpakuto The Alternate Tale - Trapped, unconscious, restrained, knocked down multiple times, bloody forehead

Arrancar: Downfall Arc 14x02 / Ep 267 Connected Hearts! The Left Fist of Certain Death - Hit by powerful blast 14x03 / Ep 268 Hatred and Jealousy, Orihime's Dilemma - Hit by powerful blast 14x04 / Ep 269 Ichigo and Uryū, Bonded Back to Back - Knocked down, sliced, collapse, bleeding 14x05 / Ep 270 Beginning of Despair… Ichigo, the Unreachable Blade - Huge explosion, mask shatters, weak, absolutely beaten up, thrown/kicked/punched multiple times, choked unconscious, shot through the chest 14x06 / Ep 271 Ichigo Dies! Orihime, the Cry of Sorrow - Shot through the chest, dies, true hollow form, Orihime + Uryu reactions, badass oh my GOD 14x07 / Ep 272 Ichigo vs. Ulquiorra, Conclusion - Rukia/Chad/Renji reactions, horn sliced, mask breaks, collapse 14x21 / Ep 286 Ichigo's Return! Protect Karakura Town - Mask evaporates, squeezed, falls, Kenpachi panic, scared of Kurotsuchi 14x27 / Ep 292 All Out War! Aizen vs. Shinigami - Getting absolutely disrespected by Aizen 14x31 / Ep 296 The Shocking Truth…The Mysterious Power Within Ichigo! - Hollow shocked right out of him, headbutted, kicked off the roof, smothered 14x32 / Ep 297 The Extending Blade?! Ichigo vs. Gin! - Knocked back, sliced 14x36 / Ep 301 Ichigo Loses His Fighting Spirit!? Gin's Expectation! - Face sliced, mask knocked off, weak, bullied x3, headbutted, depressed 14x37 / Ep 302 The Final Getsuga Tenshō!? Ichigo's Training! - Drowning, thrown, sliced, knocked down, stabbed, hollow ripped out of him, pain, blood 14x41 / Ep 306 For the Sake of Protecting! Ichigo vs. Tensa Zangetsu! - Knocked down, bleeding in real life 14x43 / Ep 308 Goodbye…Rangiku - Holy badass im freaking 0ut 14x44 / Ep 309 Fierce Fighting Conclusion! Release, the Final Getsuga Tenshō! - Caught in nuclear-explosion, burned arm, choked, sword broken, knocked back, bleeding, thrown, weak, stabbed in the chest, makes Zangetsu cry, sacrifices his powers, collapse 14x45 / Ep 310 Ichigo's Resolution! The Price of the Fierce Battle - Sad, collapses unconscious, extreme pain, wakes from 10-day coma

#bleach #bleach whump #bleach anime #anime whump #whump #whump list #whumplist #emotional whump #ichigo whump list #ichigo whump

[shadowlover523]

Unlesstale chapter 2

Now part 188. Next part 189

#art #undertale #undertale au #undertale comic #undertale fanart #undertale fandom

[drstonetrivia]

Ace of Spades

Cards come up a lot in Dr. Stone, such as joker cards, trump cards, or even the whole deck, but the concept of aces, specifically from the spade suit, come up a lot more.

We'll start by considering aces as a whole...

...Or aces in the hole, as Ginro and Suika have been referred to in the past. chapters 107 and 108 have matching ace-related titles thanks to them hiding away on the Perseus. Together, the pair make the double aces that save the day!

For those not familiar with the term, an ace in the hole means "a hidden advantage or resource kept in reserve until needed", which suits the way the Kingdom of Science operates. They wait until the last moment to reveal their plan, to dramatic effect.

If it's not spoiled beforehand, that is.

On the topic of double aces, the poker game that occurs in chapter 144 results in 5 aces being shown at the end.

The doubled card? The ace of spades.

(If you were wondering who had the imposter card, it looks like Senku had it. The size of the middle spade is smaller than the other cards, comparatively.)

So who was the ace? Senku, for winning the game? Ryusui, for getting what he wanted with the casino? Both of them had the ace of spades card, which is generally considered the highest card in the whole deck, but everyone involved in that game is an ace in their own right.

The only one who didn't get what they wanted in that particular instance was Gen, who was frustrated by his loss.

So let's look at one of Gen's ace-related wins: the gambit against Moz on Treasure Island.

Gen's opening move was to distract Moz momentarily using the still-unstabilised drone. The drone here is an ace for two reasons: first, to draw Moz's eye away from Gen so he can sneak closer, and second to make the Kingdom of Science seem more powerful than they actually are.

Gen uses his weak card against Moz, who is the strongest card in the Treasure Island deck.

Gen may have bluffed his way forward, but ultimately Moz never stood a chance against Gen, the man whose entire skill set revolves around manipulating cards...

Being the highest and most valuable card in the deck, the ace of spades isn't immune to superstition. One of the main superstitions marks it as an omen of bad luck.

This seems to follow in Dr Stone too with those associated with the card: Moz's loss against Hyoga, Ryusui's 5 petrifications, Senku's constant bad luck, the fate of the drone, ace pilot Charlotte crashing, Tsukasa's deaths*...

(*I'll get to that last one in a moment)

The other superstition around the card is how the ace of spades became known as the "death card". Military units used to use it as their symbol as it was the highest in the deck, and during the Vietnam war scattering the cards was used as a fear tactic.

The origin of the suit is also military in nature: the design is based on the pike or halberd, two European polearms.

The name itself likely came from the word for sword, similar to Spanish's "espada".

So now we have the final question:

Who in Dr Stone encapsulates the ace of spades card best? Who is simultaneously the strongest, unlucky, surrounded by death and also has roots relating to warfare?

If you guessed Tsukasa, you're right!

He was introduced as the Strongest High School Primate by Taiju, has a sad backstory and is constantly being separated from Mirai, has died twice now and uses an enormous sword wider than a shovel (that sword is the real spade here).

In case you still have doubts, even Stanley agrees! In chapter 189, Stanley's mind conjures up the ace of spades for Tsukasa, along with the ace of hearts for Kohaku and the ace of clubs for Hyoga.

Interestingly, cards with enemy faces printed on them were issued during the Iraq war (most-wanted Iraqi playing cards, if you're curious), so I wonder if this is why Stanley was thinking of them in terms of playing cards...

Also going back to the Vietnam war connection, both the battle in c.188 and the Vietnam war used guerrilla warfare tactics: launching attacks from hiding and using the terrain to your advantage.

In conclusion, the ace of spades repeatedly comes up in Dr Stone, but the only person it truly suits (haha) is none other than Tsukasa Shishio.

#dr stone #trivia #misc #tsukasa shishio #gen asagiri

[its-to-the-death]

Some notes from the list of songs:

MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS

For the Death Note: The Musical songs, are you using the original Japanese versions or the English concept album? I know I submitted "Where is the Justice?" and "Hurricane" specifically from the English version, but I'm not sure what others did.

"It's Gonna Get Weird" (74) was cut from Gravity Falls. It never actually featured in the show :(

"Prince Ali Reprise" (106) and "You're Only Second Rate" (Aladdin 2: Return of Jafar) are both from the same series/franchise (Aladdin) and therefore should be color-coded.

What villain did the submitters say "Megalovania" is associated with? Not disputing it per se, but I am curious if they're saying it's a Villain Song for Sans, Chara, or The Player.

"The Hammer" (181) and "The Smell of Rebellion" (182) are both from Matilda, and therefore should be color-coded.

I'm surprised "There's a Platypus Controlling Me" got in. It is a song by a villain (Doofenshmirtz), but it's not about his villainy, it's just him confusedly rapping about him getting glued to a turntable while being mind-controlled by a platypus.

I believe "The Devil's Song" (126) and "Die House" (190) should be put together and color-coded, since you did the same for songs from Tangled and Tangled: The Series. Also surprised that Cala Maria's song apparently didn't get any submissions.

"God Shattering Star" (194) and "The Edge of Dawn" (202) are both from Fire Emblem: Three Houses and therefore should be put together and color-coded.

SINGLE SUBMISSIONS

Also surprised that "When the Chips Are Down" only got one submission (which I think might be mine).

"Kidnap The Sandy Claws" (33) and "Filthy Finale" (259) are part of the same franchise, and therefore should be put together and color-coded.

"Rest In Peace" (51) and "Sweet's Song" (52) are from the same episode of Buffy and therefore should be color-coded.

...Is "Sympathy for the Devil" (60) referring to the Rolling Stones song? The source is just listed as "Christianity."

"Against the Black Knight" (89) and "Beauty is a Mad Mistress" (90) should be moved up next to "The Black Knight" (85). Also in both of those you spelled "Path" as "PAth."

Holy shit "One Step Ahead" only got one submission? :(

"With Me" (115) and "What I'm Made Of" (116) are both from the Sonic series and therefore should be color-coded.

"I Want the Good Times Back" (142) and "Les Poissons" (143) are both from The Little Mermaid franchise and therefore should be color-coded.

"Get In the Water" (188) and "Ruthlessness" (189) are both from Epic: The Musical, and therefore should be color-coded.

Workin' Boys, the source of "Made It Work" (215), is also a Starkid production.

Nightmare Time is also a Starkid production.

"Queen" (247) is from Deltarune. The submitter may have gotten confused because she is from Chapter 2 of Deltarune, but it's the same game, not a sequel.

"Your Love Will Kill Me" (281) and "I'm a Priest" (282) are both from Notre Dame de Paris, and therefore should be color-coded.

Since all of the eliminated Starkid songs are very definitely Villain Songs, I'm going to guess that there were just too many damn Villain Songs from Starkid, which is unsurprising. I didn't expect "Cup of Poisoned Coffee" to get in over something like "Show Stoppin' Number" or "America Is Great Again," though.

In hindsight, a lot of the eliminated songs from The Mechanisms don't really qualify as a Villain Song. Curious about why "Ragnarok II: The Calling" didn't make it, since it's half a Villain Song for The Void and half a duet between Loki and Odin (the other main antagonist).

Lusamine really got shafted when you had to make cuts for Pokemon, huh?

All the links to Death Note songs were for the English version so those are the ones I'm going to link in the polls

For Megalovania, one person said Sans and another said Chara or Sans

I'm surprised more than one person put in There's A Platypus Controlling Me as well. We'll see if it makes it past the preliminary.

For Sympathy for the Devil, yes it is the song by The Rolling Stone (I will note that) but the submitter linked to the Guns N' Roses cover so.....I'll deal with that if it actually gets in the bracket. Yeah most people tell me if it's a song from a band and I unfortunately did not look more into that.

Starkid musicals keep coming out of the woodworks. Yes, there were so many Starkid submissions and I had I made a compromise since there are so many but not all the productions are related. So, each Starkid musical that has multiple submissions will get one song in the bracket.

RIP Lusamine. If you got one more submission, I would have had to make a Pokemon preliminary.

I have fixed all the color coding too.

#pulling from the pot of asks #villain song showdown

[storylinedev]

StoryLine

An open source novel-writing and e-publishing app

Features

Separate parts, chapters and scenes

Various tools to help with structure and flow

Grammarly integration

Insights on structure and productivity

Import from a growing number of formats, apps and platforms

Export to ePub, docx, pdf and more

Download

#storyline #writing tool #nanowrimo

[this-blog-is-untitled]

'Untitled' Chapter 12: Ezekiel

187 & 188

189

190

191, 192 & 193

194, 195 & 196

I think it should be noted I'm not pro weed, quite the opposite actually but that's all I'll say on the matter

I think it should also be noted that around the time I was writing these pages I was coming to terms with being assaulted

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#untitled #original character #my ocs #oc #original characters #comic #original comic #my characters #pilgrims #weed #trauma #demons #demon oc #transgender oc #vent art