#during these unprecedented times and the same has not been extended to me

[cess-is-here]

Stars Around My Scars

“Time is everything we have and don’t.”

My life amid this unprecedented pandemic is more like a roller coaster ride than anything else imaginable. Everything from elation to terror to shock to a host of other life-altering experiences. I would not alter any of these occurrences if given the opportunity to do so. If any of those things hadn't happened, I wouldn't be who I am now.

In all candor, I was rather pleased when the lockdown finally began. My academic year had ended early, classes were canceled, and the sun was beaming. I felt good and confident that I would be happy. Really, remaining at home can't be that challenging, can it? Imagine being able to skip chores and lie in bed all day. Given that we own a sari-sari store, I would probably spend most of my vacation there if the lockdown hadn’t happened. Obviously, then, I benefited from the advent of the pandemic. Nothing was done but lie in bed for the entirety of those days. I was thumbing through my phone, checking out various social media apps, and taking in an entire season of shows on Netflix. Just generally wasting time. After some time had passed, the reality of the situation started to sink in.

In those moments, I could only think of how wonderful life was without the burdens of home and classroom obligations. Looking back now, I see how self-absorbed and egocentric I was.  It's like the world is ending, people are dying, many are losing their loved ones, and yet there I was, rejoicing in the fact that a pandemic has occurred. I didn't understand how mundane being at home would be until we started having issues as a family. The expected family drama has finally begun. In most cases, I think families have grown closer together during lockdowns. Since everyone is stuck at home, it's a great chance to spend quality time together as a family. But that is not the case with my family. 

“The longer I stay at home, the more homeless I look.”

My lowest point in life. All the trauma, all the anxiety—I didn't even realize I was feeling them at the time. The connection that I had with my family began to show signs of strain. To this day, I have no idea what the root of the problem was that led to my alienation from them. But I suppose that one of the reasons was that we were not accustomed to being at home with the whole family at the same time for an extended period of time. Before the epidemic, my family and I didn't get to spend much time together because we were all so preoccupied with our individual lives. Therefore, it is really awkward for us to spend time together at home. At least, that's how I felt about it.

I found myself in several disagreements with both my parents and my siblings. It wasn't until then that I realized how little I actually know about my family, and the same goes for them for me. There are a great number of things that set us apart, and you should know that I am not the sort to just give in and back down. I have a theory that one of the reasons we get into disputes a lot is because neither one of us wants to acknowledge our own shortcomings. This was the mere similarity that we all have. 

It even came to the point where one of my family members almost ran away from home. After that it was very hard to interact with that person. He was always in such a bad mood and what’s worse was it came to the point where he physically hurt me. I can still vividly recall the searing sensation that spread across my face where his hands had landed, as well as the buzzing sound that emanated from both of my ears. It seemed as if time had stopped moving, and all of a sudden he was so far apart from me. I believe that it was a depiction of how that one act had resulted in the severing of all of my ties with him.

Since that happened, I’ve been plagued by anxiety. My entire body would start trembling so badly whenever there would be loud noises or voices of people shouting with one another. Suddenly, it would be difficult to breathe, and going outside wouldn't be much of an option because of the lockdown. Being that my family isn't exactly the most open bunch, I had no choice but to keep everything to myself. Not until I figured out how to cope with my anxieties, anyway.

“Healing is not linear.”

There's a common belief that if someone in your family has wronged you in any manner, you must forgive them no matter what. “Pamilya mo pa ‘rin naman sila,” as the old Filipino proverb goes. It drives me crazy when people say things like this to me because it just doesn't make any sense. I stand my ground, and I have some good reasons why that adage is bunk. One thing to remember is that just because they are related to you does not absolve them of responsibility if they cause you emotional distress. Second, your mental and emotional health will suffer if you continue to be with toxic people. Finally, getting out of an abusive relationship is the only way to recover from it. These are the primary reasons why our family members do not have an excuse to dump their traumatic experiences on us. There are still a lot of other reasons why this is the case, but these are the most important ones.

I am not, however, advocating that people harbor resentment or refuse to forgive members of their own families. Despite having made peace with the past, one lesson I took away from this is that you may forgive someone without forgetting what they did. I'm to the point where I can have a regular conversation with that person, but there are still moments when it all comes crashing back in. That's fine, by the way. Healing is not linear. 

Everyone has the option of forgiving, but forgetting might be challenging. To heal, it's fine to take things slowly and focus on one thing at a time. It's ultimately up to you to decide if you want to forgive, and if you don't, it doesn't make you a horrible person. Forgiving someone who has wronged you against your will isn't always the best way to heal from the hurt you've suffered.

After the horrible experience that I went through, I was never the same person again. Despite the fact that it had a positive and negative impact on me, I believe that such things are an inevitable part of life. Everything we've been through up to this point has contributed to making us who we are. Therefore, we shouldn't just stop there but should instead continue to shape ourselves in various ways. Let us not let our suffering be the defining factor of our entire lives, but rather let us use it as the impetus to get better. Sometimes we slip backwards in our recovery, and that's okay; relapses are a natural part of the process, and in no way undermines the progress that we have already made.

“Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

#CNFOutputs #KabataanEssay #StarsAroundMyScars

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

twould be motherfucking spectacular if i could get more than three uninterrupted hours of sleep

#it is genuinely difficult to tell if a person or a dog is walking around the kitchen #ah the fridge opened it's a person #but my landlord watches late night talk shows until like eleven thirty #lets the dog out around one-one thirty #gets a snack around two thirty-three #and wakes up to make a full breakfast at six #like my guy you have classes to teach when do you fucking SLEEP #part of the issue is that the beautiful exposed beams in this apartment are bc the contractor (or my landlord) didn't want to make #the effort to put a real ceiling in #so it's just floorboards no insulation nothing #and bc it's dry and col they have contracted a smidge and sometimes there is grit on my kitchen counters from ppl just walking around #upstairs. and i don't wanna tell them they can't walk around in their own house! #but by god this is a less than compatible living arrangement and it would bother me less if i wasn't trapped here 24/7 #since we're full on whinging now (why are you still reading this) i feel like i have tride very hard to be gentle and understanding #during these unprecedented times and the same has not been extended to me #~*i gotta start regular therapy again but that's a whole fucking conversation with my boss*~ #tbd #frank don't reblog

[getouswh0re]

pairing: gojo satoru x reader

genre: yandere, unhealthy relationships, mentions of violence, blood & gore, mass murdering, obsession, slight manga spoilers

synopsis: he would tear the entire world apart with his own hands, just to keep you by his side evermore.

****************************************************

Love is a lethal bliss.

Bearing semblance to momentary sweetness, it warms the cockles of your heart; yet before one could even savour it for long, in its honey-like aftertaste is a deadly poison — seeping through the branching veins and killing every cell of the living host within its reach. Soundlessly, life is sucked out as one discovers themselves teetering on a tightrope of death.

i) The ambience of the atmosphere between you and Gojo is silent, deadly — akin to the calming weather before a raging storm. As the two of you stand at opposite ends of the living room, eyes refusing to meet with the sorcerer’s as an expanse of sky blue smoulders holes into your soul. Feeling your limbs trembling from the intensity of his stare, cat got your tongue. The words you’ve meant to say are stuck at the back of your throat as the taller male shifts a step forward, and you unconsciously leaning back against the wall.

“Do we have to do this love?” You cringe at the feigned pain interlaced in your ex’s tone. “You know you don’t have to do this. This is painful for both you and I, and knowing how much you love me, you certainly don’t want to put both of us through all of this. Don’t you?”

You bite your lip, eyes downcast. 

You wish all of this isn’t necessary, that everything that has happened is nothing more than your imagination regarding the red flags displayed before your periphery. Still, you have to do it having mulled over it for a while. It is about time that all of this come to an end. 

Ever since a certain man called Gojo Satoru meandered into your life, everything changed as your feelings for the male blossomed, like fresh buds on the bare branches with remnants of snow thawing into tinges of spring. It didn’t take long for the two of you to reciprocate one another’s feelings, yet cracks gradually surface on what seemed like an all-too-perfect fairy tale, breaking the crystal ball of illusion that you had been trapped in throughout all these months. 

For as long as you could remember, Gojo has been acting out of character; sure enough he retains his childish personality and insufferable god complex, yet there are times when you could barely recognise him. On occasions he would whine for hours, desperate to gain your attention, and there were moments when he’d follow wherever you went. Initially dismissing his clinginess as his way of displaying affection, you didn’t think much about it. That was until his demeanour underwent a 180 degree shift; being overbearing was one thing, yet the sorcerer had the audacity to dictate your life and your social circle, stepping his foot way past the boundaries that even you thought was too much. 

It wasn’t like you didn’t give Gojo an opportunity to change for the better. You did; it was him who failed to reflect on his own mistakes, to take things for granted without realising he had been in the wrong all along. With those alarming signs of the relationship spiralling into a toxic one, it occurred to you that you should end things fast before circumstances aggravated. 

Love is a beautiful pain.

To relish its fleeting vestiges between their fingertips, one must endure the torment of its thorns. Not everyone has the courage to sacrifice their sanity for something so transient, but one — or maybe few, who are more than willing to pay for their price, would do anything to hold onto such evanescent reminisces close to their heart.

ii) “Come on y/n. You know you don’t want to break up with me, stop lying to your heart.” 

As if his saccharine smile isn’t enough to make bile surge up your throat, the lovelorn white-haired man stares at you with such adoration, making you revolted than ever; before you could even blink, he is already inches away, bringing up his slender fingers and caressing your cheeks with utter delicacy. 

“From the moment we met, it’s like the red strings of fate intertwining, akin to two worlds colliding.”

Feeling his breath tickling your frigid neck, goosebumps laminate your skin as you shudder underneath his lasting touches.

“Your heart belongs to me, and mine yours. It’s like the universe wants the two of us to be together — forever. Just stop denying your feelings, okay? I can hear your heartbeat ... it’s beating crazy, just for me.” 

“Gojo, you need to stop all of this —“

“Oh honey, don’t say that ... I know the look in those eyes.” He presses on, his insufferable ego refusing to give in. “You might be pushing me away, but your body does the exact opposite. You’re still in love with me. You care for me, I know you do.”

Perhaps that is what makes terrifying about the sorcerer. Wearing his usual smile on a deceptively charming face, his true thoughts are inscrutable beneath the unfazed facade; worst of all, you never know what would drive him off the edge, not until you experience triggering a ticking time bomb by accident.

“Gojo, hear me out.” You push the towering male away, determined than ever to cut ties with him for the sake of your own safety. “What you do is not love anymore. It’s ... obsession! And it’s suffocating me! If you truly cared about me you would’ve respected my wishes and opinions — but you didn’t. No matter how much you love someone, this is far beyond acceptable. I ... we need to break up, for the sake of both of us.”

Stunned, the remnants of hope flicker in the sorcerer’s azure eyes before dissipating into darkness, along with his despondent heart that has plummeted into abysmal depths of a bottomless void. Hands retracting from your skin, you heave out a sigh of relief when spine-chilling chortles echo from Gojo’s throat.

“You think that’s it? That I’ll let you go?” The crazed glint in his burning stare convinces you even more that breaking up with this delusional man is the only option to save yourself. Slowly backing towards the door, you have prepared yourself for the worst, making a potential run with a bag filled with your valuables.

“You cannot run away from me y/n! You know you can never escape from me. I will flip the world upside down to find you — and hunt you down! Want me to prove that? I will tear the entire world apart by my hands, just so that you won’t run away from me anymore!”

You finally make your run, sprinting out of your shared apartment as fast as you could whilst ignoring his shrilling screams, deciding to leave everything behind for good.

Love is an unprecedented enigma.

Like a never-ending Möbius strip, the red strings of fate intertwines people's fates — yet at the same time, it looms over everyone's lives like a doom of death, mercilessly tearing loved ones or those held dear to their hearts apart within the blink of an eye. Callous as it seems, it reminds people how minuscule acts of gratitude allow them to appreciate the present before they lament or carry their regrets later on in life. Unfortunately, with the complexity of destiny, nobody could ever foresee when karma would dawn upon their heads. Not even you.

Little would you know that doomsday would be awaiting you so soon.

iii) For what feels like going through hell and back, you finally manage to rid yourself out of the psychotic sorcerer's hands and his devious manipulation. For what it’s worth, there is no guarantee about your life returning to normal. Knowing that it is nearly impossible to escape from Gojo (knowing that his sixth eyes can instantly locate where you are), you eventually make the decision of moving away with a heavy heart, considering that it would be what it’s best to solve your issues with your controlling ex. 

Having settled the documents and errands, all that’s left is for you to leave the place filled with nothing other than sad memories. As if it seems like a fresh start is extending its outstretched hands towards you, freedom is just within hand’s reach.

Not until all hell breaks loose on October 31st — the day of your departure. 

Copper tinges beckon indigo skies at twilight, remnants of the setting sun shining through the windows as you take a last, rueful look at the apartment you’ve resided most of your life before grabbing your belongings and heading towards the train station. With the day being Halloween, it isn’t surprising at all that the streets would be crowded, flooded with jovial citizens who want to enjoy themselves during the spooky season. All you have to do is make your way onto the designated train. 

Yet that never happened, because havoc descends among the living like a catastrophic plague. 

Just as you writhe your way through the streets and making your way towards the train station, screams erupt when a massive quake demolish the surrounding buildings into shambles, tearing the festive merriment in the atmosphere apart as people turn and run in all directions without warning — leaving you extremely perplexed about the current state of Shibuya. Horror is evident in every onlooker’s eyes whilst they dash for shelter; the city is in absolute chaos — danger looming, asphalt pavements ensanguined with blood, distressed cries resonating into the night. 

“Hey!” You call out, grabbing onto a random passerby. “What the hell happened?” 

“Danger ... curses ... sorcerer —“

Your blood run cold upon the mentioning, and it didn’t take long for you to figure out the entire situation and who has been responsible. In hindsight, you should’ve had followed the rest and ran away from the scene immediately, but you don’t — standing there amongst the quiet streets in utter terror. And before you could even lift your legs and sprint for your life, there he is, stained from head to toe in blood — an inebriated stare full of nothing but infatuation for you. 

“Honey! There you are ...” Skipping over mountains of corpses humming a joyful tune, Gojo happily pulls you into his chest, nestling his face against your squirming shoulders, his grip a vice against your futile efforts of struggling to break free. “I was so worried about you ever since you left! I ... I feel like my world is falling apart, and I just cannot live without you you know!” 

“Get. The. Hell. Off. Me!” 

The sorcerer chortles at your demand, ignoring your protests as he hugs you closer to his throbbing heart. 

“Darling ... we could’ve been so happy together. Yet you have to do all of this. For what? If you had given me your heart and soul, none of this would’ve happened —“

“Oh, so this is my fucking problem now?” You hiss, shoving the taller male off. “You really are crazy — Gojo Satoru. But I never regret the decision I’ve made, and I will do it again and again if I need to!” 

That is when he activates his domain expansion. 

All of your sudden, your mind is a blank — staring into the sorcerer’s cerulean eyes as it overwhelms you like a raging hurricane, sucking you deeper and deeper until your entirety sinks into his infinite void. For once you finally fear the strongest man on earth — of the dangers he possesses and what would’ve happened had he decided to break your mind the hard way. 

“To be honest, I don’t care ~” Silent tears roll down your cheeks once you recognise the drop in the man’s usual carefree tone, feeling the remnants of sanity being ruthlessly stripped away from you as you fall limp in Gojo’s loving arms. 

“The seas can rage, the heavens will rumble. But no matter what happens, I’m never going to let any of this take you away from me — for you and I are the honoured ones, destined to be together ...” 

With his voice dwindling to a hushed whisper, the sorcerer slips a shimmering ring onto your finger, declaring in utmost adoration his vows of undying love. 

“In time and evermore.”

#ri.writes #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jjk #jjk x reader #yandere jjk #yandere jjk x reader #yandere jujutsu kaisen #yandere gojo #yandere gojo satoru #yandere gojo x reader #gojo satoru #gojo x reader #gojo oneshots #gojo drabbles #gojo imagines #gojo scenarios #yandere oneshots #yandere imagines #yandere drabbles #yandere scenarios #reader insert #x reader

[cornballl]

Hello!😁 May I request for joui-4 having an argument with their s/o who has an anger issue, suddenly lash out to them (screaming and start throwing things), then she apologize to the boys for overreacting? if its to much Gin and Takasugi will do. ^^

This took me a while to get to but I wanna be ambitious and do all four!! I'm writing this under the assumption that anger issues have been established

Joi 4 Arguing with S/O

Gintoki

He could already see the direction the conversation was headed the second you lowered your head, but it was too late. The onslaught of the stuff on his desk pelting him had already begun.

Tactless as ever, he dug himself an inescapable hole. He knew better than to provoke you; this was truly avoidable.

"I'M SORRY!! I SHOULD'VE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT I SAID!" Something about that response made it all worse. He could see the guilt and regret set in in real-time. Tears started to well up.

"Gintoki. I'm sorry I'm always like this. I know better than not to take everything you say seriously." Stifling sobs brought him to his knees in front of his s/o

"Y/N, I appreciate that, but you shouldn't apologize. I shouldn't have pushed your buttons. I knew what I was doing and did it anyway; you don't deserve that." He couldn't stand to see you cry

You open your arms wordlessly and he holds you close, comforting you.

Katsura

I imagine him and Sakamoto being more oblivious

It was long since he stepped on a metaphorical mine. You stopped dead in the trail during your walk together. He finally stopped talking to notice you weren't by his side anymore

You grabbed anything you could and started hurling away. He cluelessly called out to you: "WHAT'S WRONG, Y/N?" The nail in the coffin was a rock that hit him square in the face.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" You ran to him, now holding his cheek.

"I'm fine, but what about you? Are you not feeling well? You stopped walking just now." You couldn't help but feel so bad for unleashing havoc, he couldn't even comprehend the reason for it. You simply nodded with tears streaming down your face.

"Actually, I'm really sorry... That was really unprecedented of me, you aren't even aware of what you did." He moved his hand from his face your yours, making quick work to wipe away your sadness.

"You never do anything without a reason, dear. You have all the patience in the world to understand me and my cause; it's only fair if I extend the same kindness to you. Let's talk about this so you won't have to worry anymore."

That infj empathy plays no games.

Sakamoto

This guy is the butt monkey to many people in his life. You don’t always knock the sense into him, however. Sometimes it was never-ending stupidity, you honestly thought it was to provoke you. Today was the final straw

It was that damn laugh. He just had to lay it on thick today of all days. “I wish you knew when to quit.” You got up and left the room, making your way to the deck of the ship.

He followed after you calling out to you; you simply hastened your pace. He grabbed your wrist before you disappeared. “Please, wait! Can you tell me what’s wrong?” You swiped your arm free, “I seriously can’t tell if you take me seriously! I’m sick of it!” 

In the heat of the moment you shoved him onto the floor, he broke his fall with his bad hand, a notable wince escaped gritted teeth. The damage had been done, the reality of what happened sank in and in its wake came the shame from your outburst. You fell to the floor next to him

“Sakamoto! I’m sorry for being so careless, look what I did to you. I was overreacting, I can’t believe I hurt you.” You held him close and wept. He grabbed ahold of your shoulder and pushed you away, a familiar smile on his face

“You and everyone really know how to make a man reflect on his actions. That hurt like hell! It’s gonna be okay. Please just tell me what’s on your mind!” He sat you next to him, you both now leaning against the wall and on each other. It’s gonna be okay!

Takasugi 

I feel like, realistically, getting into arguments with Takasugi on the wrong day is the perfect recipe for trauma bonding. This is under the assumption he’s got a little empathy to spare for the day

 The distance Takasugi leaves between you two really gets under your skin. Emotional availability is a bit dubious at times, but he committed to be with you; if only it felt like he was.

The two of you were alone in his quarters. The tension in the air was palpable. He kept pulling away on his kiseru. You couldn’t even be bothered to look at him. An exhale pierced the silence, “There’s something on your mind.” following shortly after.

“You’re only observant when it’s convenient to you. You said you’d be here for me, but you’ve been blowing me off.” You grabbed the bag of tobacco he left off to the side and threw it at him, leaves scattering everywhere. He glared right at you, eyes dancing around the mess everywhere. 

Once he put away his kiseru you couldn’t help but feel embarrassed with your outburst. You swallowed the shame welling up in your throat, trying to control your emotions while you still can. “I-I’m sorry. That was a dumb way to go about how I was feeling. I’m just so frustrated.” He made his way towards you.

“I’m sorry too. I failed to keep my promise to you by agreeing to be your partner. I’m here for you now though if that helps.” He brushed a lock of hair behind your ear, getting a better look at your face. “You do mean a lot to me, I just get caught up in my own world sometimes. I hope you can forgive me.” You just surrendered yourself to your emotions, seeking comfort in his waiting embrace.

#gintama #gintama imagines #gintama headcanons #gintoki x reader #takasugi x reader #katsura kotarou x reader #sakamoto tatsuma x reader #takasugi shinsuke #sakata gintoki #katsura kotarou #tatsuma sakamoto #gintama x reader #chu

[notnctu]

POV | PART TWO

━ ❝ i’d love to see me from your point of view.❞

❀ lee donghyuck x fem!reader ❀ genre - slow burn, fluff! angst, (optional smut is marked with ****) ❀ details - best friends to lovers!au, college!au, ft. best friend mark, slice of life?, inspo by pov by ariana grande ❀ word count - 6.1k ❀ warnings - swearing, dangerous reckless behavior, fingering, penetration, public?sex?, unprotected, slight dirty talk ❀ synopsis - Donghyuck gradually falls in love with you, his best friend, through unprecedented intimate moments that reveal more than what meets the eye and a drunken shared kiss on your birthday makes him realize how hard he’s fallen for you. You’re oblivious to it all, trying to indulge and seek a one true love through bad tinder hookups or men you meet at the club, all to only end in self doubt that Donghyuck has to reconcile. And he always tells you what you need to hear, while also leaving out the part where he so badly wishes you can love yourself the way he loves you.

❀ a/n - make sure you read the first part as it’s a continuation! please please leave me feedback, i would really appreciate it :) this is going to be my last long fic for the time being! thanks for dealing with my spam for the past few weeks after months no of writings <3

READ PART ONE

Donghyuck thought about that kiss every night since it happened, yet knowing you didn’t do the same. How unfortunate it was, when he panicked waking next to you in the morning and wondering if you were to confront him about it. However, there was nothing, no follow up. You didn’t remember it and he couldn’t tell if the sigh that left his mouth that morning was out of relief or despair. 

Regardless, that became his epiphany and the more his love for you grew, the more he wished to be around you for all his days. Donghyuck jumped at every text message, picking up the phone to see if it was you and noting the disappointment in his heart whenever it wasn’t. He found himself smiling whenever your name was brought up, fondly thinking of how you make his heart race. 

The moments that you were together, he swears on every universe that he’s the happiest he’s ever been. There’s something about you that makes him want to believe in love, and it’s not because of your unrealistic desires to find one. As selfish as he came to be, he wanted you all to himself and to be the sole reason behind your smiles.

“No Mark?” Asking as you hop into Donghyuck’s car, the clock on his dash reading the red digital numbers 2:12 A.M. 

“Why can’t we just hang out for once?” He whines, but hopes that it’s playful enough to where you can’t tell that he’s actually serious. Donghyuck hears your melodic chuckle and everything inside him rumbles with glee and satisfaction. 

He steals quick peeks over at you in the passenger seat, greedily taking in your appearance. “That’s not exactly how a throuple works, but I’ll let it pass. Mark never has time for us anyways.” 

There is something so intimate about the late nights; the outside world is dead in its sleep and vulnerable to chaos. The streets are completely empty and it truly feels as if it’s you two against the city. It brings no regulations, easy escapes, staying up all night to feel something the day can’t give you. 

You are the perfect person to spend them with. You’re the very definition of a good feeling, where he’s forgetting all his bad days and soaring through the heavens. The most accurate human form of excitement, the adrenaline and sweetest thrills that run throughout his body. 

“There’s something I’ve always wanted to do…” As Donghyuck pulls into a gas station parking lot, the small convenient store is brightly lit with a blinding white sign that reads a popular chain establishment. 

Hyuck blinks at you curiously, head tilt and waiting for you to finish your sentence. Getting out of the car, you stand on your toes and rest your chin on the roof of his car to speak directly to him, “you know that big intersection over on 34th Boulevard?” He catches the mischievous twinkle that shines in your eyes and a grin so fearless fits your face perfectly.

He nods, spinning his car keys on his finger and walking up to the store. But he’s looking back at you with eyes that ask for you to proceed with him, and you’re running towards him with a sudden youthful energy and a jump in your step. 

Your hand latches onto his arm and his gaze drops momentarily to follow it, “I’ve always wanted to just run down the middle of it. To run down a busy traffic area when it’s empty, knowing that this would be the only opportunity to do it without getting run over.” 

“Is that what you’re suggesting we should do next?” Hyuck opens the fridge and grabs his favorite prepackaged ice cream cone. Your grip on his sleeve tightens, your dazzling eyes never leaving his.

He hands you a random popsicle and you take it mindlessly, your train of thought still trying to convince Hyuck to embark on achieving this new thrill of yours. “If you didn’t have anything else planned…”

“Am I some Fairy Godmother? Granting your wishes to come true?” Using sarcasm to hide his undying desire to scream yes! may be the best thing he’s learned to utilize. However, you don’t need to beg any more when a small smile curves at his lips. He’s more than convinced.

“Ah, a happy couple. You two look great together.” The rather talkative cashier compliments while he rings up the icey treats. 

Just before Hyuck can clarify, you’re pulling him closer by the arm and using your fake saccharine smile. “The best boyfriend ever!” His throat freezes, but he’s following your lead closely. Confusion wandering his thoughts, but heart swelling at your usage of the word boyfriend to reference him. 

The friendly stranger laughs wholeheartedly at your giddy act, completely falling for your overplayed nature of a lovey dovey girlfriend. “He always buys me what I want, like this ice cream. He knows it’s my favorite.” You blink innocently up at him, but he finally understands your malicious motive.

Shooting a glare at you, he complies silently and pulls out his card to pay for both of your treats. “Right. Anything my baby wants.” He says the pet name so easily that it shocks him a bit. 

“Hey, you’re a good man.” The clueless cashier smiles even wider and prints the receipt. With a simple gratitude, you both exit the store and you’re laughing the loudest form of mockery.

Jumping into the car, Hyuck is quick to roll his eyes. “He always buys me what I want.” He imitates your previous statement with a silly voice. “I can’t believe you robbed me.” 

The ridiculous scheme actually managed to work, leaving your stomach to hurt from the intense fit of giggles. “My baby? Where did you learn that?” You say between your spurts of laughter.

Heat rises up his neck, slightly embarrassed. “So what? Nicknames are cute.” He admits bashfully, while shrugging his shoulders nonchalantly. 

Your chuckles die down and you’re leaning over the middle console to get a closer look of his expression. “Really? Didn’t think you were the type. You never used them with your exes.” 

“Around you.” A cringe runs down your spine when you witness Hyuck bite his ice cream, settling back in your seat with a grumble.

“Pet names in private.” Now, his palms grow a bit slick with perspiration. “That’s endearing.” Unwrapping your melting popsicle, you don’t probe him more about the subject. Instead, Hyuck turns up the stereo to drown out any more talk about romantic gestures.

After several rounds of finding street parking, Hyuck finally swerves into a spot situated just before the large six-way intersection. The traffic lights blink in view at the end of the street and in the darkness, there are no cars around. An unfamiliar scene, this place is nothing but a wide open road with five lanes that meet in the middle and lead to six different directions. The white painted lines that divide up the road are as chaotic as it looks during the day filled with traffic.

Nonetheless, you are right. There is no other chance to see it so dead, so empty, so free. 

And you’re already hopping out of the car that Hyuck breaks his daydream and hurries after you. Standing the middle of the road is a dangerous scheme, yet these are the thrill seeking moments that you crave too well. 

Extending your arm out and your palm facing the night sky, you grin enticingly at Hyuck to join you in the middle of the chaotic lines and the adrenaline picks up within him. He, too, matches your smile and lets every form of enthusiasm fuel him. 

“Race you to the end.” Hyuck begins bolting down the long runway, causing you to scoff in disbelief at his sudden challenge. 

The wind that takes flight against his body is crisp on his skin and driving his strands into a wild mess. Turning around, he sees that you’re quick on his tail. However, the one thing that catches his eye… the one thing that makes this moment another one of your most beautiful ones is the utter bliss and peace in your facial expression. 

Eyes are closed and arms are spread out as if you’re letting the wind carry you away. The air slips between the spaces of your fingers and the night is filled with nothing, but your gentle out of breath giggles. 

Donghyuck stops in his tracks right under the colorful traffic lights at your astonishing image. And if you are to open your eyes, you’ll see the marvelous image of your sun waiting for you in the middle of the largest intersection of the city with his mouth slightly agape and marked under a trance.

An exasperated sigh escapes as a puff of smoke and his heart works extra hard to pump oxygen in his veins. In his perspective, the excellent city skyline at the horizon remains your background and you’re running toward him with a breathless joy. Another splitting breathtaking image that will live in his mind for as long as he knows you.

So he throws caution to the wind and though it feels too good to be true, he loves his best friend more than anyone he’s ever come across.

By the end of your rendezvous, you two find a secret rooftop to fully enjoy your silent city. Standing side by side, you both lean with your elbows on the ledge. 

There is something so unspoken and intimate about this very moment, where existing in each other’s presences becomes wholly more comfortable than anything in the world. And this safety allows for vulnerable secrets to spill, for questions that your heart has always been afraid to ask to fall from your lips. 

But you’re not here with just anybody. Donghyuck probably knew what was already on your mind, he just needed you to speak them into existence.

“Hyuck, do you think I’m unlovable?” 

Perhaps, it’s the intimacy that allows for him to talk more confidently about how he views you. Heart over mind, he scoffs in disbelief. “Absolutely not. You’re the most lovable person I know! From your happy giggles to your overall easy going aura. We’re not perfect people, but you’re worth every glance and every praise. I wanted to be with you the very moment you made me laugh.” 

Donghyuck passionately rambles on about your attributes and everything you’ve allowed him to experience over the years of your friendship. While he’s always been there for you, you’re always by his side and making sure he’s living a memorable life. He thanks all his sweetest memories to you, that you are the most impactful person of his entire college experience.

“I came to college thinking I’d have my nose in textbooks all day long, but you fell into my life like an opportunity to escape. I love my nights trying to crush Mark on the leaderboards, but I’d give that up any day to run down a major intersection in the middle of the city with you.” 

With a playful soft chuckle, you say something that practically makes his heart stop and regret oversharing. “You know, from how you describe me… it almost sounds like you’re in love with me.”

“Maybe I am.” He bites the inside of his cheek, unsure what suddenly overcame him. His heartbeat pounds in his ears and he’s anticipating your response, trying every way to decipher the quizzical look on your face. Nevertheless, your hesitation causes him to panic and he intercepts before you can respond. “I meant that as your friend.” 

His heart drops into the pit of his stomach, gaze averting away from you. Lies. Lies. More fucking lies. He should’ve waited to see what you would’ve said. 

Nodding knowingly, you lightly place your hand over his. The warmth of your touch soothes his aching and disappointment. Why is he hurting from a simple look? “I know.” He can’t tell what’s worse, the fact that you truly believe he only loves you as a friend or that you saw right through him and are trying to let him save face. 

“Something happened the night of your birthday that I think I should tell you.” Hyuck sighs out all his frustrations. 

He pulls his hand from underneath yours, “you asked me to kiss you as a birthday favor.” There is no confidence to watch your reaction, his eyes remain focused on the dark city. 

Instead of a painstaking rejection, you laugh wholeheartedly and somehow, he feels much lighter. “And did you?”

“How could I say no to you on your birthday?” Peering over, your fingers softly graze your lips and a wandering look is present in your dazed stare.

“It’s not the first time we’ve kissed, Hyuck.” Smiling at him, Hyuck looks cluelessly at you and doesn’t recall another time. He would’ve remembered. 

“Guess who I stole that same request from?” Your eye lashes bat firmly at him and he gulps at your implied question. There was no way.

“Me? When?” This all causes him to rack his brain of lost files, something he must’ve missed.

Sighing, you bid him a kind smile. “Your birthday party a few months ago. Drunk out of your living mind, you pulled me privately into the kitchen and asked if I could kiss you as a birthday gift.” 

Fuck, no wonder why he couldn’t remember. He didn’t remember a single thing from that night. “It was right after my break up.” 

Nodding, you affirm his realization. “You told me that you felt so lonely, and somehow…. someway… I’ve always made you feel seen. Perhaps, you do the same for me and my drunk ass was bold enough to ask for a similar request.” 

But did you kiss him as if you loved him? With the same amount of love that he did the night of your birthday? 

Nonetheless, you shrug off the topic and move on from it all. “We should go, the sun comes up in a few.” 

Hyuck notes this odd detail. You’re not one to end the nights so abruptly, so it almost seemed as if you didn’t want to speak more about it. 

Perhaps, you did kiss him like you meant it but every fear in your body about loving your best friend stops you from admitting it all. 

Because you shouldn’t love your best friend, but something deep down has always wanted to.

How ridiculous he was to believe that you could ever possibly share the same feelings as him. How foolish he felt the moment you burst into his apartment announcing how you’ve finally found the one after another random Tinder date. 

It’s as the night on the rooftop a week ago didn’t even exist or mean anything to you. But that night ate him up alive, to the point where he sought out love counseling from Mark.

“Oh dude, this is serious.” Mark watches Hyuck pace the room, double around the floorplan with his head in his hands with utter frustration and confusion. You’re the only thing that’s been running through his mind the last few days. 

He grunts and rolls his eyes at how Mark’s face had fallen sullen. “I practically confessed everything I loved about her. It’s pretty serious.”

Mark stands and stops Hyuck by the shoulders, looking dead into his eyes. “I’ve liked her before too and would have done some dumb act to get her to like me back. I get it, Hyuck. So, what do you want to do?”

Donghyuck initially scoffs and tears away from his best friend’s intense stare, “of course you liked her too.” His voice fades out at the end of his sentence. “Mark, I like her so much it’s hard to look at anyone else. She’s…”

“Mesmerizing?” Mark finishes his sentence with a small proud grin on his lips. 

Hyuck couldn’t hold the ridiculous laugh that escapes at how smug Mark looks, but then a silence falls over him. He realizes how perfect that word is to describe you. You are every dazzling trance he’d fawn under. 

“It’s wrong, Mark. She’s our best friend, I can’t ruin us.” Hyuck slumps his shoulders forward and a pout extends. His eyes are wandering the ugly carpet but he’s thinking about every moment you’ve smiled. 

“How did this happen in the first place? I thought you never would’ve liked her…” Mark’s question has Hyuck raking his brain to find his epiphany. “It’s not about your ex, is it? y/n is way too good to be a rebound.” 

“No. This has nothing to do with my old relationships, I genuinely like her… so much.” Hyuck understands the implications in Mark’s sudden abrasive questions. Even it’s difficult for himself to say how it all started and so this has Donghyuck reflecting back on his entire friendship with you.

If only he had noticed your lively smiles sooner, a little earlier, it would have saved him all this time searching for someone who would last. You’ve lasted through every college relationship he’s had and that speaks louder than any confession. 

“I never liked her because I never thought I had a chance. Have you seen her? Our best friend who has 400 matches on Tinder.” Though he blames himself for realizing a little late that he loved you, it was always hard to compete with everyone else. 

“So, what changed then?” 

Hyuck leans against the door to Mark’s room and crosses his arms to contemplate. “Not that I have a chance now, but I can’t hold these feelings back anymore. I want to kiss her until we’re out of breath, to love without any conditions, to be the reason behind her every beautiful moment.” 

Mark raises a confused eyebrow, “but you are.”

“The only reason.” Hyuck speaks his truest desires and Mark coughs aggressively before composing himself. Right, he didn’t stutter one bit. 

So, Hyuck had planned to confess, all until you gave him the very reason he couldn’t. When you showed up unannounced with one of those wide grins that has your eyes shimmering with hope, he just knew something was wrong. All his love and future aspirations were replaced with sheer disappointment and envy.

“I’m falling hard for him.” You begin and your hands are clasped together so innocently. “He brought me to this overlook on a cliff and we just talked for ages. It felt so right and then, he asked to see me again!” Your eyes are completely wondrous and distracted, like the one thought in your mind blocked out everything else. Jumping happily, you’re squealing with excitement thinking about this new person in your life and there is no consideration of Hyuck’s silence.

“That’s… great.” He barely stutters to fill the air and to replace the sound of his heart breaking. He lost you before even getting the chance to even have you. 

“I know right!” You yell joyfully and though your smile is the biggest it's ever been, Hyuck refuses to see this moment as beautiful. He’s no longer looking at you objectively, his bias tainting it all and he sees it in an ugly light. As your best friend, he should be happy for you and rooting for you. He’s known more than anyone else that you have been waiting for someone like this your whole college experience.

However, he can’t feel a single good emotion as you ramble on about your alleged one true love.

“Did you need something?” He cuts you off, growing a bit irritated by your endless praise about a man who never wishes to meet.

Clearing your throat, you take Hyuck’s hand in both of your palms. With begging eyes, you say, “my sister is getting married this weekend and they invited you. 

His hold escapes yours as he walks toward his bedroom, “shouldn’t you invite your new man to your family events now.” It’s difficult for him to hide the bitterness in his voice, but you run up to him and grip his arm. 

“But they think I’m dating you, remember? Plus, my mom referred to you by name. She really likes you.” You snicker, clearly not understanding why Donghyuck seems to be rather distant at the moment.

His ears perk up at the compliment and though it’s a selfish thought, he feels content knowing that he was able to win over your family. So, his heart burns at how your hand slowly travels down to intertwine with his own and how your chin rests on his shoulder lightly. His head turns and he is met a few inches away from your tender lips. For a brief moment, he’s staring at them longer than he should. 

“Come on, Hyuck. Be mine for one more time.” Your whisper is gentle and soft, your breath tickling against his cheek. Despite everything, he loves how you make him feel. It’s always a mixture of happiness and safety. There are no fears with you because you’re absolutely fearless. He can’t imagine how he would’ve opened up without you around, that he puts every form of trust into you. 

So, every little thing that you do. every single passing look. every touch and every spoken word. He falls harder for you every time you simply see him, every time you bat your eyelashes at him. And this love that festers inside of him feels easy and genuine. Perhaps, you’ve been his one true love all along. He’s never felt remarkably seen, where every part is exposed and right at your fingertips. 

And you… have been so patiently waiting for just anyone to steal your heart. How can he let just anyone love you? 

“I’m yours for however long you want me to be.” He lightly ruffles the top of your hair before slightly shrugging you off, afraid that your hold will eventually have him saying other sweet implications. “But don’t expect me to enjoy it.” He smirks at your small chuckle, the roll in your eyes.

“At least pretend.” But he really doesn’t have to. He enjoys every moment being yours. 

When the day finally arrived, the grand wedding may have been another day that Hyuck will never forget how beautiful you looked. Prancing out in your bridesmaid dress, you run towards him through the large field of fake grass. He catches you when you jump into his arms, practically failing all over and tripping over the ends of your chiffon dress. He hits the ground, cushioning your fall. 

“Hey..” you grin down at him breathless, hand resting perfectly on his chest as it was the night of your 21st again.

Hyuck gulps and sends you a glare, “I should have dropped you.” 

“That would have been very chivalrous of you.” Sarcasm bites back at him as you push up and off of him. He’s quick on his feet and brushing off any dust from the bottom of your expensive dress, avoiding the long open slit that runs down to expose one leg.

“Donghyuck, you’re looking ravishing.” Your mother steps out, tall and prideful, but with the most delightful expression as she opens her arms to invite him into a hug. 

He leans into it, while cautiously making suspicious eye contact with you. You shrug back, also confused at why your mother has a sudden change in demeanor. “It’s been so long since the holidays.”

“It’s a pleasure to see you again.” He bids your mother a respectful smile when she pulls away, to which she absolutely fawns at and you’re tugging at his sleeve to drag him away.

“The pleasure is all mine. You make y/n a better person.” And there is no context that Hyuck understands this single phrase before he’s walking away from your force. Your mother waves a small sweet goodbye as she watches you two leave behind a cobblestone wall behind the large reception building.

It’s covered in long vines that grow up the old stones, a beautiful background for an outdoor wedding. “Rude.” He whispers when you finally stop pulling him away.

“She was starting to say odd things.” You laugh, quite nervously actually. Nonetheless, you shake out of your nerves and a beaming expression replaces your troubles. “So, guess what? I’m meeting my man afterwards.” Yet again, the curve of your lips at the thought of another rumbles his own yearning heart.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he looks down while kicking at the loose pebbles on the ground. “Good for you.” grumbles Donghyuck mindlessly.

You don’t notice his low spirits again, you’re talking away about this man as if he’s all you’re consumed with nowadays. On and on, the same speech about how you’re practically ready to give it your all and how he fits someone unimaginable. Eventually, Donghyuck becomes fed up by how your eyes blink up to the sun with another reflection in them. “It’s like you forget who you are when you’re with someone new.” 

And you’re in mid-ramble when you hear his harsh comment that picks aggressively at your skin. It stings, “what?” You cross your arms defensively and raise an eyebrow at him. The tone in your voice is jarringly upset and he opened a can of worms that he isn’t ready for.

Donghyuck swears underneath his breath, looking away at the tall trees behind the small parking lot. “Forget it.” He mumbles, rather frustrated at himself for ticking you off.

“What are you implying?” 

“There is someone that actually makes you a better person rather than someone completely different.” He scoffs, his emotions fueling the worst of him. The words flow from his mouth full of anger and spitefulness. 

Your eyes narrow at him, crossing your arms defensively. “Like you can give me the love you think I deserve? This whole fake boyfriend gimmick has gone too much to your head.”

And his heart is bursting at the seams and all he can see is your angry expression, so he says something he never hopes to regret. Every impulse beats his rationality and in the heat of the moment, Donghyuck confesses, “if only you can see yourself from my point of view and all the emotions I feel when I look at you.” 

With a sharp intake of breath, you’re slightly shocked at his bold statement. You blink cluelessly at him, speechless and deciphering how to respond. The anger fades from the both of you, knowing that the connection you two possess is mutual. Somewhere deep down within you, a light switches on and you’re basking in your sun’s radiance in this moment. 

“Tell me about it.” Your curiosity brings much confusion, but he doesn’t wait a second of hesitation. 

“Happiness, you light up my nights in dark cars with your smile. Trust, there is no one else I’d run down a dangerous intersection with. Courage, being bold enough to dance in a crowded room like no one was watching. Love, when kissing you felt incomparable to anything else in the world. Vulnerability, looking at you and knowing everything about you.” 

Donghyuck takes a cautious step forward toward you. A whirl of thoughts and emotions overwhelmingly flood your heavy mind, but fear no longer holds you back from the one person you’ve always wished to love, harder than any person you’ve ever encountered. “Donghyuck.” 

He freezes at the call of his name, waiting patiently for your next words. “I want to love me the way that you love me... because nobody loves me like you do… even myself. So, I’d love to see me from your point of view.” 

Donghyuck releases the sigh that suffocates him and every firework lights up in his chest. His eyes wander across your canvas and absorb everything wondrous about your features. Even though you’re not entirely smiling, you’re puckering your lips cutely out of embarrassment. And he reassesses how pretty you simply look in your expensive formal chiffon dress and the bold color on your lips that has made you feel good before. 

He thinks aloud, the words leaving his mouth before they can be stopped. “This is your most beautiful moment.” 

When you’re looking up at him to meet his dreamy gaze, a new enthusiasm washes over your entire body. Looking rather inexplicably attractive in his suit, Hyuck stares at you as if you’re all he can see. So, you pull him into the only source of gratitude you can give. A kiss that gives every emotion back to him, one that resembles closely to the one he gave you on your birthday and the one you gave him for his. 

An emotional kiss that tells him more than he can see. He feels it on the tip of your tongue and every ounce of love that rushes over the both of you.

***********

Donghyuck’s wandering hands travel down your waist, over your hips, all until it reaches in between the slit of your dress. His hand instinctively grips at your naked thigh, the feeling of your raw skin driving him wild with impure thoughts. Your hands are quick on his tie, loosening it from around his collar and unbuttoning the first few as you’ve done once before.

“Can,-- Is it okay if--?” Hungry eyes search his face for confirmation, but you’re so lust driven that you’re a stuttering mess. “Do you want this?” 

“Yes.” Says Hyuck without any hesitation. Taking his hand, you’re quick to lead him inside to a more secluded part of the venue. The lavish private bathrooms are brightly lit and he lifts you on top of the marble counters.

“The reception starts in 20 minutes.” You moan as Hyuck kisses down your neck hastily, a hand up the slit of your dress to push your panties aside.

“We’ll make it quick then. I’ll show you love another day.” His knuckle lightly grazes against your erect clit and your grip on his shoulder tightens. Whimpers fall from your lips as your hips mindlessly grind into his hand. “Never took you the type to be so loud.” Hyuck raises an eyebrow and tilts his head mockingly at you.

“This isn’t even close to how loud I can get.” Your statement causes him to swallow hard. Being your best friend, he has kept a rather clear mind from any sexual attraction toward you. He had to know he loved you in order to even see you in that way. 

Gathering your slick, he rubs your clit with two fingers before dipping them into your hole. You lean back into the mirror and prop your feet on the counter to spread open for Hyuck to see. “You let all these idiots fuck your pretty pussy? They don’t deserve you, as a person or a potential partner.” He fingers you deeper and with flicking motions, he hits your sweet spot and causes you to jolt.

“Please, just fuck me. I’ve always wondered how good you’d feel.” His eyes twinkle at your bashful confession, but understands your lustful desires even for your own best friend.

“You think about fucking me?” He asks abruptly, taking his fingers out to suck your juices clean from them. A coined flattered smirk appears on his lips as he unbuckles his belt.

You’re averting eye contact, “well no, maybe just once. I get horny when I’m drunk sometimes.” You admit and he’s rushing to take himself out of his restrictive dress pants. His dick hits the air and he adjusts closer to your dripping core.

And he enters, slowly and slowly inching in so you can adhere to his size. You bite back every yell of pleasure and grip the ends of his dress shirt. Hyuck fills you up deliciously, and you two are connected through bodies beyond any way before. He leans in to give you a sloppy, yet passionate kiss before dragging out his hips and pushing them back in.

There is no guilt, no pain, no sorrows. Knowing Hyuck, he fucks you in the same way he wishes to love you. His hips drive into you passionately and quickly. The time crunch being something that causes him great distraction, but his heart is swelling simply feeling your warmth wrap around him so well.

“My baby is so tight.” Pet names in private. A small grin appears on your face at the sound of the sweet nickname and you pull him closer by tugging his shirt.

“Harder, Hyuck. Don’t hold back anymore.” Moan after moan, Hyuck relentlessly drills into you. His arm is hooked underneath your left thigh to keep it up, and your head keeps banging against the mirror.

Your eyes roll back when his thumb rubs circles on your aching clit. The mixture of both pleasures stimulate you until the build up tension in your stomach begins to reach its peak.

“Cum, I know you fucking want to.” He grunts, keeping the same rhythm that pushes you over your edge. Your walls squeeze around him tightly as your legs shake sporadically from your release. You’re smart to cover your mouth, knowing that the bathroom will only echo your erotic sounds. Your chest rises and falls from the momentum and adrenaline that Hyuck helped you reach, breathlessly trying to calm your heart rate down.

After a few more harsh bumps, he pulls out and motions you forward. Jumping off of the counter, you kneel on the ground and suck his tip lightly. Your swirls are enough for him to empty into your mouth, his hot streams of salty liquid hitting the back of your throat. He looks down at you and your wide eyed expression with his cock in your mouth drives him overboard. 

And you swallow, getting up to lightly plant a sweet kiss on his cheek. A lip stain being worn proudly for just a moment. 

“You amaze me.” Hyuck whispers, holding you against his flushed body and fast paced heart beat. 

“Hurry out you two!” A voice startles the both of you with a knock on the door and you two are quick to readjust yourselves. He hopes to love you a little longer next time, without any interruptions.

***********

After the glorious and excruciating long wedding, you’re walking Hyuck to his car in the small parking lot. During the rest of the night, he held your hand the whole way through and the love that he looked at you with was more than real. 

He talked with your distant relatives as if he’s always known them. Hyuck conducted the dinner table, always knowing what to say. There was no doubt in your head that seeing Donghyuck in the aftermath, he was always going to be someone who was going to make things better. 

The love you long searched for, the love that you had been too afraid to touch, intertwined itself so lovingly underneath the white table cloth. Donghyuck is the one and it took needing to see him a bit more to realize. A little more acceptance from the both of you had to be the final straw.

Donghyuck sheepishly scratches the back of his neck when you reach his car, unsure where the path of your friendship will diverge to next. “Have fun on your date then…” His voice trails off, kicking the rocks at his feet again.

There goes your melodic laughter that soothe his aching heart and the familiar gentle grip on his fingertips. You lift his chin up, the both of you seeing each other clearly now.

From his perspective, you’re absolutely dazzling in the low light and butterflies swirl in the pit of his stomach. He can look at you forever, until months turn into years. He can love you until you two grow old. You’re his fearless, beautiful, inexplicably marvelous best friend. And he patiently waits for the day you’ll let him finally be yours.

From your perspective, Donghyuck shines even when the night overtakes the sky and possibly, the warmth in your heart bubbles across your chest. You can stay with him forever, until months turn into years. You can trust him like it’s you two against the world. He is your silly, charming, timidly benevolent best friend. And you’re slowly falling and hoping for the day you get to be his. 

“I’m not going to see him anymore. He’s not the one.” Hyuck blinks at you, full of confusion and shock.

“But you sounded so happy.” His voice gets lost in the stillness of the intimate atmosphere. 

“No, Hyuck. You make me happy and I’ll say it again for you to hear me. Nobody loves me like you do.” Reaching up, your hand caresses his cheek and he falls into your palm lovingly. His heart runs a mile, reaching the greatest high he’s ever going to feel. He hopes his eyes don’t deceive him, but the utter perfection on your face makes him feel whole.

You wish that Hyuck can teach you to love yourself the way that he loves you. 

“Take me home?” 

“How could I ever say no?”

thank you for being patient with me! its finally done and i will be going on a writing hiatus for a bit. housemating and ridin club will come out sometime soon, but i really need to step away from writing for a bit. please understand, thank you for reading :) 

#neowritingsnet #nct-writers #neosmutcollective #kpopscape #neothestars #nct scenarios #nct scenario #lee haechan #haechan scenarios #haechan smut #nct smut #nct imagines #nct #nct dream scenarios #nct imagine

[peoplecallmelucifer]

Every story ever written

“Attention passengers“ A pleasant voice echoed trough the hallways “We will be arriving to Nithra 5 in half an hour. Please prepare to disembark“ John Was excited and nervous. He was a part of the group representing Earth at the art festival of the Galactic Assembly. Considering it was Earths first Time sending representatives and hew as the one giving the speech his nervousness was justified. AS they disembarked the cruise ship they were greeted by a tall and slender “It’s my pleasure to extend the greetings in behalf of the Galactic assembly. I am Nithra Suenn and was assigned as your guide during your stay“

John  stood on his toes so he would be able to look Suenn in the eyes. “ Oh, thank you. I’m Jonathan grace, you can call me John, This here is Antonio Morena..” “Toni for short” the man replied “...And this is Maria Petova“ “I’m Just short” Maria replied baiting a chuckle out of their Guide May I ask something before we start though“ Sam said “Of course“ Suenn replied “Could you tell us where the envoys of the other two newcomer are.“ “Of course. If you wish I could notify their guides and see if they would be willing to arrange a meeting later today“ “That’d be lovely“ “Now If you would follow me to your quarters. I presume you would want some rest before we start the tour“ “Lead the way miss Nithra“ Sam said with a smile AS the trio followed their guide they took in the sights of the Spacedock, during the 10 minutes shuttle ride to the planet surface Toni and John were debating their upcoming speech while Maria quietly hummed a lullaby as she stared out of the window. “Miss Maria“ Suen said as she noticed the humming “oh, yes Suenn?“ “May I inquire about the melody you were... singing“ “Oh that, I was humming a lullaby I usually sing for my daughter. This is the longest I’ve been separated from her so I’m a bit Melancholic“ “Oh,  quite understandable. We Tlii also have a strong  bond with our family ... I’m nearly 40 and I still call my parents daily.“ The rest of the ride was marked by present small talk. When they landed The Group was given an hour to rest before they head out towards the “Palace of Art” The most famous gallery in the Explored part of the galaxy. “So folks“ John said “First impressions“ “Bit too formal for my taste but not bad. The Guide is cute too“ Maria replied “I’m hungry“ Toni replied “Well go grab something from the hotels restaurant. Suenn Said all the costs will be covered“ John said as Tonis eyes widened “So ... Free all you can eat buffet?“ “Yes“ “And we are staying here for a week“ “Yes“ “...Good bye my summer body“

“You’re a pig“ Maria said as Toni was closing the doors A few minutes later Suenn knocked on the doors “hello again. I have contacted the guides of the other two newcomers and their envoys said they would gladly meet you but they also requested we arrive fifteen minutes early so that you can have a proper meeting“ “Thank you very much Suenn. Tell them we agree“ Maria said Suenn nodded and left “Why do you wanna meet them anyway“ Maria asked John “Well they are new here, we are new here, none of  us actually knows what’s going on. It might be easier for all of us if we feel confused together“ “Fair point“ The human delegacy arrived 10 minutes earlier than agreed, mostly because of Johns insistence. “Why were you so adamant on arriving early Mister John “ “Well... I was too anxious for waiting in the hotel“ “And waiting here is... not causing anxiety?“ “No, because here I’m sure I won’t miss anything important“ “I can not say I fully comprehend that logic but if it lessens your anxiety I see no problem with waiting here.“ “Can I ask you something Suenn?“ “Of course?“ “I noticed your First name was the identical to the name of the planet. Is that Just a coincidence or something else?“ “It’s actually Tradition. Tlii name their children after  their Birthplace and a name chosen by their parents. I was born on this planet so My Birth Name is Nithra while my Given name is Suenn.“ “Huh. Interesting.“ After a few more  minutes of casual discussions the two delegations arrived. The D’Dret Delegacy consisted of twelve members all sporting their environment suits. “Greeting fellow children“ the leader of the delegation said as he reached out his hand

“Children?” Antonio asked quietly“ “The D’Dret word for artist is the same as their word for child“ Suenn replied “Kinda fits right“ John shook the delegates hand “It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m JonathanGrace, leader of our delegation. You can call me John “ “I am afraid my name is quite impossible for the translator to handle so feel free to call me Otra, considering that’s the Star system I hail from“ From the other vehicle disembarked a delegation of twenty Beings of Yellow christening appearance. a leader of the group stepped forth and greeted the gathered “In behalf of Veq Hive I speak the words of greeting” the translator read “In be half of Humanity I accept the gritting and send my own“ John said and bowed, Otra mimicking his actions saying “ I do the same on behalf of D’Dret autonomy“ The Veq leader let out a low pitch pleasant click returning the bow “This one is called Ruea“ “My name Is Jonathan Grace“ “Call me Otra, shall we head inside“ “Certainly“ Ruea and John replied While there were no delegates yet there was a descent amount of visitors to the Gallery and the three delegations as well as their guides drew a number of looks. This seemed to make Johnnervous again, but also even more excited than ever. His companions seemed to share this attitude along with the D’Dret delegates. The Veq did not experience emotions, or at lest not in the way  Humans did. They didn’t know fear,Happiness or anger, but could be inquisitive,curious and mistrusting or frustrated. Although the latter was extremely rare and fairly mild. “How come Humans only sent 3 creators“ Ruea asked “Well Humanity is aware of its reputation. Lots of people in the assembly consider us borderline insane due to our contradictory nature. SO our Academy decided that the best course of action here would be to send a small delegation and not draw much attention on ourselves.“ “A reasonable approach Otra said“ “Yeah, but us three decided we have something else in plan for our speech“ “You would... defy your superior?“ Rue said in intrigued Disbelief “to a Veq that causes great pain.“ “Well If i am not wrong, you are biochemically connected, so acts of defiance are extremely rare since your communication is almost instant and complete” John said impressing Ruea “In our case that is not so. We are very Individual even though we are social beings, and sometimes people in authority refuse to listen to suggestions because they see themselves above others. In that case we become defiant“ “You are a weird people“ Said Otra with a little pause “but than again I’m the one in the EV suit“ The lengthy conversation about differences in cultures and approaches to art between all the members of the 3 delegations attracted a crowd of intrigued listeners even Suenn and the other guides were intrigued and occasionally asked a question or two.

After A an hour Suenn spoke up “Excuse me delegates, but the Ceremony is about to start. Would you please follow your respective guide to your seat“ “Oh certainly.“ John said “Ladi Ruea, Otra It has been a pleasure. Hopefully we can continue this discussion sometimes soon“

Suenn Lead her delegation to a circular room with many levels. filled to the brim with delegations from thousand of species. Humans were somewhere around the middle,Maria Noticed the Veq being almost at the bottom and one of their delegates apparently noticed her waving and looked curiously at her. she than put her opened palms on her troth imitating a traditional greeting they taught her. John noticed Otras suit about two levels above them sat juxtaposed to them and covered one eye with his hand greeting his new friend with their greeting to which Otra replied with a peace sign. “hello and welcome everyone to the annually art festival of the Galactic Assembly.” said a small alien “He looks like a plushy” Toni whispered and baited another chuckle out of Suenn. ” This year the assembly welcomed three new species The Pedantic Veq hive, The crafty D’Dret autonomy and ... Diverse Alliance of human worlds. As is tradition the newcomers will hold their speeches first. Starting with the Humans.“ John stood up “I think you for this opportunity but before I hold my speech I must ask, on behalf of our new friends of the Authonomy  and the Hive. would you allow them to speak before us, as they asked me if I would be willing to swap places with them“ “Well... no one ever turned down the offer of being first to speak before, A kind gesture indeed. I don’t see why not. Verry well. Who of you wants to speak first“ “The Authonomy children will gladly hear out our comrades of the Hive before we speak ourselves“ ”I thank our new friends for granting this request of mine.” Lady Ruea replied as she slowly walked to the podium. Suenn turned to John “What you just did was unprecedented. May I inquire why have you done this“ “As we were about to go our separate ways lady Ruea noticed that her translator was running out of battery and her spare was left in their hotel. considering she didn’t want to miss any of our speeches so she asked if I would let her talk first so she can switch her power cell after her speech. and considering I’m nervous as hell right now I decided to give myself a bit more time to relax and see other speeches before I step down there“ “Coward“ Maria teased him “and proud of it“ he replied

The speech of Ruea was simple it briefly described the way her people think and the way they approach art, or as they call it creation. How they prefer writing in strict form but are also constantly looking for new forms to write. how their statues are  trying to be symmetrical in every way and yet innovative. After her Otra came down doing the same talking about how Their culture sees artists as people who never lost their child imagination how every new creation is a new unexplored wonder, just like every next step is a new experience for a toddler. Than came John’s turn. He was still a bit nervous but he kept his cool. “As you know. lady Ruea asked me if I would do her a favour and let her speak first. I let my new friend Otra speak second because I was too nervous to do it myself“ a few chuckles were heard among the crowd “AS you know Humans have a reputation and  I was given a ready speech by the people who sent me here to read and stay out of trouble so that I can alleviate that reputation. But than again That’d be to deny human nature.“ Nick said as he ripped a sheet of paper with a written speech “Oh boy here we go“ Toni commented “What is he doing“ Suenn asked “Being true to himself ... and being a jackass“ maria replied “Our leaders only allowed us artists one speech, and a small delegation. I can live with that. But if they want me to speak I will speak however I see fit. And yes I will get in trouble for this if you were wondering“ A few more chuckles and murmurs started among the crowd “I am know that whatever stylistic figures, whatever topic I can think of, someone else in this room will think of as well. The  Ka’ran are called the masters of Romance and yet some of their poets wrote works of horror I find exquisite.  The Hevar are proud of their odes and marching songs and yet I find their lullabies to be incredibly soothing. So I don’t see a point in pretending that you are going to find something new in our works.“

This statement caused shock, intrigue and utter confusion. Are humans really so self destructive they would sabotage their own nation for an act of defiance? But the whispers and murmurs didn’t bother John

“In our statues, in our poetry, in our novels or paining ... all the motives we use I have seen with one quick stroll trough this gallery. So on this day I claim every story ever told has already been told. we just mixed up the words a bit differently.

A silence fell upon the room

I am looking forward, my fellow delegates, to read how you layed out the words we use.“

*Tink* a sound of two crystals hitting each other was heard from the lower levels *tink* as John walked off the podium and the Veq delegacy tried to imitate human clapping with their christaline limbs. *tink,tink,tink* Soon the D’Dred joined in, followed by the Ka’ran and Hevra that John Mentioned. after a few seconds most of the delegates gave a hearty applause.

“Well...“ the  alien small alien from before stepped back on the podium. “... I guess that a lot of rumours about the humans are true. They certainly are unpredictable and reckless... But If more of them are like their delegation I can only imagine how their artwork looks like. I suggest we take a half hour break before we continue“ The rest of the festival passed in a breeze. with the human delegation being followed by numerous new fans wherever they went. after a week and the conclusion of the festival several species decided to take the “scenic rout home“ as Humans said. and stopped on Cyrenca prime, Nueva Galizza, Earth and other human worlds, buying novels, visiting art museums and observing statues... Jonathan Grace was financially penalized for his “insubordination”, but considering he refused to return to earth, proffering to travel the Worlds of the assembly in search of new ideas to write about, that debt was never prayed. _ _

If you managed to get this far congrats, and thanks for reading.

I wrote this because I’ve noticed a lot of stories under these tags ... even the 2 I wrote are always going towards military and conflict situations. SO I turned it around to something I like much more

#humasn are space orcs #humans are space orcs #humans are space australians #humans are space oddities

[provide-milk]

Dazai x Chuuya: Pride and Prejudice Au

Word count: 2,347 Rating: General

A graveled road led to an somewhat unassuming estate residing in the countryside of Longbourn. The estate, known to be the home of the Nakaharas, had its windows uncovered by the drapes, even though it was already nearing dawn.

Through these windows, the flickering lights from candles could be seen, along with constant passing of figures, most notably that of Mrs. Nakahara.

“Kouyou! Please tell me that you are wearing the dress that your father brought home from the seamstress yesterday!” said the currently frantic Mrs. Nakahara.

“Yes, mother!” Responded a voice from up the stairway.

“Good, good… Gin, would you be ever so kind as to ask if Kouyou needs any assistance?”

Gin sighed, disgruntled. “Yes, mother..” she muttered before heading up the stairs.

Mrs. Nakahara then caught sight of her youngest daughter Kyouka who was lounging at the dining table, reading a book.

“Oh, my dear Kyouka!” She exclaimed. “Why is there no ribbon in your hair?”

“The ribbon is an unnecessary addition, it takes the attention away from my braids.” Kyouka stated.

“We have no time to spare for your stubborn attitude! Come, bring the ribbon, I suppose I’ll have to tie it on for you.”

Kyouka turned to her father who was sitting beside her. He nodded towards her mother, a nod that told her to obey her mother’s wishes. She sighed and closed her book, rising from the chair towards her mother, a displeased look on her face.

Chuuya, the first son of the family beside his younger brother Akutagawa who was currently studying law at a university, walked down from the staircases, adjusting the cuffs of his waistcoat.

“Chuuya, adjust your collar, for goodness sake didn’t your father ever teach you how to properly dress?”

“Ah, I apologize...” He responded, giving a look to his father who also seemed to be taken aback by the aggression of her words.

He headed towards the dining table, and leaned close to his father.

“What has her so vexed?” Asked Chuuya quietly.

“Mr. Sakunosuke, is said to be at the ball, along with his good companion Mr. Osamu.”

Chuuya paused, “Not only Mr. Sakunosuke, but also the nephew of Lady Watanabe are to be expected at the same ball as us! That is unprecedented!”

“Unprecedented indeed!” Interrupted his mother who was pulling at poor Kyouka’s locks of hair. “I have only heard rumors of them! To think that your dear sister is to be introduced to the two of them! My! That’s a dream come true! That is why you must act in grave propriety this evening!”

She eyed Kyouka and Chuuya, “Because if any of you were to cause our family to be looked in ill regard, you should expect no forgiveness waiting for you in the future! Is that understood?”

“Yes, mother…”

Mrs. Nakahara huffed as she finished tying Kyouka's ribbons. “Good, now we must make haste before any of the other ladies catch their eyes! Kouyou, my dear! You must come down at once! Oh, and Chuuya, it is said that the sister of Mr. Sakunosuke is to be there! You must offer her to join you for a dance! You must!”

Chuuya felt a shadow of dread hanging over him, for when would his mother finally realize that he had no interest in taking any woman’s hand in matrimony. His wish was to be a lifelong bachelor and focus on his personal studies and perhaps one day get a well-paid job in journaling. Yes, that was the dream.

Yet, being a man in the household, his mother would never approve of this, it was his duty to carry on the family name. Yet perhaps, he could join in matrimony with a woman for convenience..

Chuuya conversed with a young lady who had approached him first. Her looks were nothing to write home about, neither was her attire. But none of those things mattered in the end, even if she caught the eye of every gentleman in the room Chuuya would still have no interest in her. It also didn’t help that their conversation consisted only of Mr. Sakunosuke.

“How generous of the Sakunosukes to open up their home to us! Truly is one of the most magnificent estates I’ve ever stepped foot in! Have you had the honor of speaking to Mr. Sakunosuke yet? Ah, he is such an agreeable man! We conversed much more than he did with the woman before me! I believe that I can expect to join him in a dance! Oh, Mr. Nakahara, you will find him to be-”

Chuuya watched Mr. Sakunosuke from afar as the maiden continued to babble in his regard. He was undoubtedly a handsome young man, his features complemented his good manners, putting him on everyone’s list to speak to.

He watched as he spoke to none other than his oldest sister, Kouyou. He was unaware of how long they had been conversing, but it seemed to be going more than good.

Kouyou hid her blush with her fan, a smile on her face that nobody could take away. Meanwhile Mr. Sakunosuke didn’t seem to plan on retrieving from the conversation as he continued on.

He was delighted to see his sister so pleased by the company of Mr. Sakunosuke. Yet there was a man beside him that brought his attention away from them.

A tall, fine gentlemen with dark hair whose looks exceeded the ever so dashing Sakunosuke. Chuuya knew the man had to be Mr. Dazai. He was surrounded by three ladies who competed with each other to grab his full undivided attention.

He caused each woman to blush by his words, yet as soon as another lady approached, he completely ignored the women speaking to him. The women glanced at each other before disappointedly walking away.

“How ill mannered!” Thought Chuuya. “To entertain three women and shun them off entirely once another woman comes along!”

The woman that was speaking to Chuuya excused herself from the conversation to speak to another lady.

Gin waltzed over to him from the window seat.

“What has gotten your attention?”

“Mr. Dazai.” He muttered. “Did you witness how he completely disregarded those three women as soon as another woman spoke to him?”

“I did indeed. I have heard that he is quite well-known for that. Entertaining women, yet never speaks a word to them after. Quite a contrast to his friend Mr. Sakunosuke.”

Chuuya looked at her puzzled. “How did you come across that information?”

“You’d be surprised at what you can hear from others' conversations.”

“Perhaps you could have your own conversations sometime.”

“I have no interest in such trivial things.” Huffed Gin.

The orchestra’s slow paced music became much more lively. He watched as Mr. Sakunosuke offered his hand to Kouyou. She accepted it shyly and joined him on the dance floor. Many soon followed, yet Mr. Dazai avoided any potential suitors that he could dance with.

“Seems he appreciated his own company instead.” Chuuya scoffed.

He then saw Mr.Sakunosuke's sister was without company. He decided for the good of his mother to invite her for a dance. She watched him head towards a dissatisfied expression on her face. Yet nonetheless he extended his hand to her.

“Would you allow me to join you in a dance?” He asked.

She hesitated, glancing towards Mr. Dazai who did not acknowledge her in the slightest.

She sighed, “I suppose so…”

During the dance they conversed, yet the conversation’s topic was of another man, Mr. Dazai to be precise.

“I cannot conceive why Mr. Dazai has not invited me to dance! We were both without a partner and we even met eyes! Well… Perhaps I’m being too presumptuous. Perchance his legs are not in the best of shape. Oh dear! If that’s so I will feel awful about my assumptions. You do know… please pardon me but what is your family name?”

“Nakahara.” He replied, wishing that he could change partners soon.

“Well, Mr. Nakahara, you are aware that Mr. Dazai is such a magnificent man. He-”

Chuuya began to drown her voice in with the music, the conversation being of no appeal to him.

Chuuya had danced with a few women before they were all preoccupied by another man. He sat down at his seat, observing his sisters who were still dancing. Mr. Sakunosuke had removed himself from the dance floor and followed Mr. Dazai who was passing by Chuuya.

“Dazai, do you not want to join in for a dance?”

“I do not fancy dancing.”

“I have seen you standing alone the whole night. Is there not at least one girl in whom you’d like to dance with?”

“There is not one girl in whom I’d have the pleasure of dancing with.” Mr. Dazai responded. “Perhaps if your mother had better taste in the women she had invited, I might find some enjoyment in dancing with them.”

“Ah, but you seemed to be in great spirits when conversing with the women here. Do they not give you some urge to dance?”

“I did find speaking to them to be entertaining in the very least. But dancing with them might give them the sense that I find interest in them. Now, we wouldn’t want that, would we?” He spoke smugly, a smirk gracing his face. Chuuya had never encountered someone so disagreeable.

Mr. Sakunosuke took a deep breath.

“I am unable to even conceive the way your mind works at times. If you don’t want to cause misunderstanding among the women, why don’t you dance with Mr. Nakahara?”

Chuuya straightened up, surprised by the mention of his name.

Dazai shot him a disgusted look.

“I have no such taste in men.”

“That is not what I am trying to imply. But for God’s sake, it would give me much enjoyment to see you participate in at least one dance.”

Dazai scoffed, “Why should I? To show pity to the fact that not a woman here has shown even the slightest bit interested in him?”

“Dazai-”

They both turned to look back at Chuuya at the sound of a chair being pushed to the side. He stood silent for a moment, before meeting the eyes of Mr. Dazai.

“Would you care to enlighten me in what you mean by tha-”

Kouyou, seeing this, excused herself from the dance floor and rushed to Chuuya’s side.

“Chuuya!” She exclaimed, pulling him back by his arm. “Have you seen the pastries that Mrs. Sakunosuke has set out! We must indulge in some to pay gratitude to her hard work!”

She pulled Chuuya away from the situation. He watched as Mr. Dazai grinned at the sight. He scowled, wanting Kouyou to release her grasp on him, but she did not.

She turned him to face the assortment of desserts.

“Oh, Chuuya! What a delightful arrangement! The raspberry tart looks magnificent! Oh, grab a plate, will you?”

She then leaned close to Chuuya and spoke quietly.

“What ever has gotten into you? You almost made a complete mockery of yourself. What would happen if word were to spread that Mr. Nakahara couldn’t control his emotions and spoke degradingly towards Mr. Dazai. Why, you would be looked down upon with contempt and perhaps our whole family along with you!”

“It is Mr. Dazai that should be looked down upon.” Grumbled Chuuya.

“Do not attempt to redeem yourself! And you better pray to God that mother did not catch sight of the situation!”

“Yes…”

“I hope that I can trust that you will control yourself for the rest of the night. I’d rather not have to watch over you for you are a grown man, not a child!”

She then released Chuuya’s arm and headed to compliment Mrs. Sakunosuke on her desserts. Chuuya stood aimlessly, anger still running through his veins. It was final. Mr. Dazai was the most disagreeable man he had ever met.

“Now wasn’t that the most remarkable ball that we have ever had the honor to be invited to?” Exclaimed Mrs. Nakaraha in the carriage. “Perhaps we may expect more invitations as Mr. Sakunosuke seemed to take notice of our dear Kouyou!”

Kouyou smiled shyly, “Mother, you shouldn’t assume such things!”

“Ah, but did he not speak and dance with you the most out of any other young lady there? I knew my Kouyou would easily entertain Mr.Sakunosuke, I just knew it! As for Chuuya, I saw that you danced a few times with his sister. My goodness! Do tell! What was she like? Did she pay you any interest?”

“She… most definitely did not allow the conversation to come to a halt..”

“Chuuya! Why do you speak with such reserve? Did you not find her to be handsome?”

“She is… handsome, I assume.. Yet her attention was fully taken by Mr. Dazai.”

“Ah well at least I have one child who may become a resident at Netherfield. Perhaps you will come into contact with Mr. Dazai’s sister. I hear she is quite lively which would fit you well!”

Chuuya grimaced at the idea of it.

“Perhaps I would take that into consideration if her brother wasn’t so taxing to be around.”

“Beg my pardon, but what do you mean by that?”

“Did you not see him reject dancing with every woman there?”

“I assumed it was because he had a bad knee.”

“No, it was because no women there stroked his fancy.”

“My goodness… Is this true?”

Gin joined the conversation.

“To add to that he also entertained many women in conversation, yet still offered no one his hand to dance.”

“To think that Mr. Dazai, who is a companion of Mr. Sakunosuke, could act in such a way!”

“Indeed!” Chuuya cried. “And that’s not even the worst of it, he- Ow!”

Kouyou pinched him, giving him a look that told him to retrieve from the conversation.

“Perhaps Mr. Sakunosuke will give him a stern talking to. I can’t imagine that he would allow such behavior.”

“I hope that he does… But it would take effort to change such behavior.” muttered Chuuya.

#dachuu #bungou stray dogs #fanfiction #fanfic #soukoku #dazai x chuuya #soukoku fanfiction

[tcm]

“Much More to Movie Monsters Than Meets The Eye” By Raquel Stecher

With his latest book Fright Favorites: 31 Movies to Haunt Your Halloween and Beyond, author and horror expert David J. Skal provides readers with the perfect guide for watching spooky films throughout October and the year. The book takes a look at 31 different horror films from NOSFERATU (‘22) to GET OUT (2017). Skal offers insights into how German Expressionism and WWI influenced early horror classics, how Val Lewton threw out horror conventions with CAT PEOPLE (‘42), how DRACULA (‘31) was a financial gamble and how more recent films like HOCUS POCUS (‘93) achieved cult status. If you’re worried that 31 horror films are not enough, don’t despair, as each of these films is paired with a bonus recommendation on a similar theme. Fright Favorites is now available from Running Press and TCM.

Raquel Stecher: Can you tell us a bit about your background as a cultural historian and horror expert?

David J. Skal: I was one of the original “monster kids” of the 1950s and ‘60s, who discovered the old Universal horror classics when they were first released to television, and for a while I couldn’t get enough of them, or of the fan culture they set in motion. I was an avid reader of magazines like Famous Monsters of Filmland, and when I came back as an adult to write about the history of horror entertainment from an adult perspective, it would never have happened without those photo-filled periodicals that engaged and obsessed me as a kid.

RS: In the book you discuss the connection between Hollywood and Halloween. Tell us a little about how that came about and how the two have become so intrinsically tied with one another.

DJS: In the golden age of American horror movies in the 1930s and 1940s, there was no supplemental merchandizing or other tie-ins to Halloween. It was still a pretty homespun holiday. The holiday’s potential wasn’t fully exploited by the film industry until after World War II, when we saw Universal franchising its monster characters as Halloween masks and costumes. In the ensuing decades, October became the major month for horror movie premieres, including studios other than Universal, and all the major theme parks got on the bandwagon, profitably extending their summer seasons with Halloween nights that are almost always tied in to some horror franchise or another, frequently of the slasher or chainsaw variety.

RS: What was the research process like for writing Fright Favorites?

DJS: Over the years I’ve done much more research for my books than I’ve been able to ever use, so Fright Favorites was an ideal opportunity to make use of information and anecdotes I’d never had room for in previous projects. As a result, it took about six months rather than the usual full year I most often devote to completing a book. Although the final selections were mine, the people at TCM are also—no surprise—very knowledgeable about movies with many favorites of their own that I was able to incorporate. There weren’t really any disagreements, just a bit of a juggling act to maintain a balance between the films included.

RS: In the book you wrote “Some early commentators on the medium worried that film might be nothing less than the arrival of living death. It is in horror movies that this pervading sense of the uncanny still speaks to us.” Were studios worried about making horror films? How did Universal's success with the genre affect the film industry as a whole?

DJS: In a way, the film medium itself is the very definition of the uncanny, bringing dead actors back to life, or its convincing simulacrum. This strange fact is always there, staring back at you. And remember, actors themselves have amounted to a species of shapeshifters, slipping in and out of identities in the manner of movie monsters. Film is a dream-like medium that has been irresistibly drawn to the fantastic and the bizarre from its very beginning, at least in Europe. American movies didn’t approach truly fantastic subjects until Universal took a chance with DRACULA in 1931. Previously, American films observed the tradition of explaining away any ghostly occurrence as a criminal conspiracy or ruse. But DRACULA, along with FRANKENSTEIN the same year, became two of the most influential and imitated films of all time.

RS: Stars like Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Vincent Price, etc. became known for their horror roles. How did some of these horror stars embrace the genre or how did it typecast them?

DJS: By definition, any “horror star” is already typecast, although some deal with the pigeonholing better than others. I once had the privilege of sitting in on a classroom visit by Vincent Price with a group of acting students who asked him if he resented being considered a horror star and how they could avoid being typecast themselves. He told them in no uncertain terms that show business was already a difficult way to make a living and that being typecast would be the best thing that could ever happen to them professionally. Most horror stars I’ve met or interviewed are grateful for their fame and the attention of their fans.

RS: Many horror stories have been revisited in remakes, new adaptations and re-imaginings. Why has Hollywood been so keen to revisit horror classics?

DJS: Horror is a genre with financial profit baked in from the get-go—it’s almost impossible to lose money even on a poorly made scary movie, which is why so many prominent directors have gotten their start in the genre. It’s a fairly risk-free way to take a chance on new talent. In terms of remakes, if a formula has worked before, why not do it again? Fortunately, the remakes usually veer substantially away from the original stories in ways that keep the legacy of one monster or legend perpetually alive. Horror evolves the way anything evolves—through endless change and adaptation.

RS: What are some of your personal favorite horror films?

DJS: I don’t have a number one, or number two favorite. I admire many films for individual reasons: directors, scripts, actors. People most often ask me what my favorite version of Dracula is. I tell them that it doesn’t yet exist, but it would be a master version of the story edited together from all the major adaptations, with actors from different versions interacting with each other. It would be a huge job, but if done with the right flair would be hugely entertaining and probably bring out important aspects of each version that you wouldn’t notice watching them individually.

RS: Some of the films you feature in Fright Favorites are also considered science fiction classics. How do the two genres of science fiction and horror complement each other?

DJS: Literary horror and literary science fiction are fairly separate categories, but on screen the genres tend to blur together. For instance, ALIEN (‘79) is a haunted house story set in outer space. INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (‘78) is an alien invasion story that’s also about zombies. Being a visual medium, movies tend to spotlight science fiction’s bizarre and grotesque imagery and end up emphasizing the horrific over the cerebral.

RS: How do horror films tap into the pervading anxieties and fears of their respective eras?

DJS: This is the through-line of most of my books: that horror entertainment amounts to a secret history of modern times, with each new cultural upheaval or trauma setting in motion identifiable kinds of stories and characters. The anxiety and fear need to be processed, but it’s always easier to deal with real-world horror if you don’t have to look at it too directly. WWI tore about human bodies like no previous war, and all through the 1920s and 1930s we looked at one disfigured face after another, even though the films weren’t about battlefield combat. Unprecedented numbers of mutilated men were returning to society, and they were being shunned. Nonetheless, they popped up in our cinematic dreams. During the AIDS epidemic, there was an explosion of books and films about another mysterious, blood-related scourge: vampirism. Repress awareness of an uncomfortable fact, and it will always rise somewhere else in a different form.

RS: What do you hope readers take away from the book?

DJS: So far, the book does seem to be engaging readers who have a general knowledge of horror entertainment but are curious to know more. The most important thing a reader might take away is the simple revelation that there’s much more to movie monsters than meets the eye.

#Horror #halloween #Fright Favorites #scary movies #classic horror #old hollywood #old horror #Vincent Price #dracula #Bela Lugosi #nosferatu #cat people #TCM #Turner Classic Movies #Raquel Stecher

[kickingitwithkirk]

Rain pt II

Summary: After Supernaturals end Jensen’s life turned upside down. A year later an unexpected movie offer gives his career a second chance but it comes with an unexpected surprises.

Pairing: Jensen Ackles x OFC Lili

Word Count: 1034

Warnings: cursing, nervous Jensen

* This is a slow burn series

Part I

A/N: This story has components from my favorite W. Somerset Maugham short Rain and Lace by Shirley Conran.

“I swear.. your..trying to...fucking kill me,” Jensen gasped as he falls onto the grassy knoll. Jared looks down at him laughing. He had been running with Jensen four times a week for the last month, pushing him to go further each week.

“We’ve only gone five miles…”

“I’m not training for a fucking marathon!”

“You said you wanted to do this and told me not to go easy.”

Jensen lays back on the grass, “I know and I appreciate it Jay, I’m just cranky cause..”

“Your menopausal?”

“Funny. No, I’m fucking hungry! Last night I couldn't stop dreaming about those damn double bacon cheeseburgers Dean used to eat.”

Jensen’s new diet was similar to what the Marvel actors did and he swore he’d never do again.

He normally watched what he ate, exercised regularly and was lucky he didn’t have to push too hard to stay in shape but he’d gotten used to nibbling on sweets, thanks to Jared’s addiction, always having something surgery on set. It was the first time he envied his friends hummingbird metabolism, would’ve made this reduction so much easier.

The absolute worst was no alcohol at all ‘cause dammit, he likes his drink.

Jared sat down next to him stretching, “You're doing really good, I can see the changes already.” Jensen’s cheekbones were more prominent and the soft overlay on his abdomen was gone, his toned abs more noticeable, giving him the lean, muscular look like he had in his early twenties, even though he hadn’t put on any muscle mass.

“I still can’t wrap my head around why me? I don’t physically look the part, Davidson’s described more like you Sasquatch, all hair and rangly.” He smirks earning him bitchface.

“I read the book and yeah, you're not exactly type but by the time you lose the weight, makeup and wardrobe, you’ll pull it off. How much you down?”

“Eighteen.”

“That’s good, you’re slightly ahead. Once your there, it’s maintenance.”

Jensen sighed remembering how much Jared had to put away, on top of his already huge daily caloric intake, to bulk up and kept on for demon blood and soulless!Sam a decade ago.

Jared gets up extending his extra large hand and pulls a groaning Jensen with him.

***

October

Jensen's sitting by himself in the green room waiting for the press junket to start texting with Chris Kane about getting together while he was in California.

His other co-stars were seated close together chatting amicably, having either previously worked together on other projects or through events they’d attended.

“Cheer up mate, we’re not all a bunch of snobby assholes, well...some of us aren’t.” He looked up as David Tennant draped his lanky self over a nearby chair. He’d gotten to know the Scotsman a bit when his wife Emily guest starred as Kate the werewolf on Supernatural.

“Just watch yourself around Dockerty,” he says in a staged whisper making her glance over at them. David flashes his signature smile making her roll her eyes, resumes her conversation with Sally Hawking, Jamie Dornan and Jay Laga’aia, “she’s been known to make a porcupine look positively cuddly.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jensen remarks, “since she’s playing my wife,” the comment makes David chuckle, “Sally’s seems genuine, you lucked out there.”

David rubs his chin thoughtfully, “Since we don’t know who the leading lady of our ensemble is yet we might be better off cuddling up to the porcupine.”

Jensen remained noncommittal, figuring it’d be better not to antagonize anyone since they would be stuck together for the next four months; three weeks of rehearsals to shake any bugs left out of the script. costume fittings, makeup and hair while work was being completed on the island thousands of miles from the U.S. where they’d be filming during the region’s rainy season.

A PA walked in, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to face the firing squad.”

***

Jensen nervously tapped his fingers against his thick thigh backstage waiting for his name to be called. This junket was making him uneasy, not knowing what the press would ask since Zimmer, who preferred to keep everything close to the vest with his projects, had only released minimal information about this production. 

He hoped the coverage would be favorable since in this ensemble he was not only an odd man out but leading sticks out like a sore thumb man out.

They could hear Zimmer thanking the press, briefly answering questions about the minimal info in the press packets. The announcer went right into a bit of background filler about each of their carriers before introductions.

“At this moment we would usually introduce both leading actors together but unfortunately the lead actresses flight is delayed due to mechanical issues and is on another flight, hopefully to be here soon.”

There’s a brief pause, “This gentleman is better known for his previous hit television series, the longest running of its genre, ending last year after an unprecedented fifteen seasons. Please welcome Mr. Jensen Ackles.”

Jensen counted to five and stepped out onto the stage.

***

“Ms. Dockerty, how does this part compare to that of Lady Mary, since both characters are from roughly the same time period.”

“I’m not sure if we can compare…” Michelle was answering when David picked up his glasses putting them on distracting Jensen. Squinting at someone across the ballroom chucks softly to himself.

Jensen notices a woman dressed in a well worn leather jacket leaning against the back wall. He couldn’t make out her face clearly with the size of the hall but something was familiar.

It starts in the back of the room: a buzzing murmur along the last row of journalists, word spreading, people turning around to gander at the mysterious lady in the back turns into pandemonium.

It’s complete chaos as the whole press core got their full attention on her, some standing up on chairs shouting her name trying to get her to look their way for a coveted shot.

“It appears our leading lady has arrived.” David bemusedly yells to be heard as Michelle was caught saying “fucking hell,” over the open mic. Jensen can do nothing but sit in shocked silence.

Lili.

tbc

Tagging: SPN @donnaintx​​​​​​

Dean/Jensen: @flamencodiva​​​​​​

Rain @stoneyggirl​​​​​​

#Jensen Ackles #jensen ackles x ofc #Jensen Fanfiction #rpf fanfic #rpf #jesen ackles au #slow burn

[ingek73]

Duchess Kate wrote the foreward for the ‘Hold Still’ coffee table book

March 29, 2021

By Kaiser

The Duchess of Cambridge honestly doesn’t get that many unqualified “wins.” Usually her projects are just made up of asinine busy work, pie charts without data, half-assed surveys she stole from other sources, or it’s dumb, obvious embiggening schemes like her stupid “garden” which she barely had a hand in designing, and which she promoted endlessly like it was her most important project to date. One of the very few projects which seemed like a genuine “win” for her was Hold Still, which she did in conjunction with her patronage, the National Portrait Gallery. It was an open-entry photo competition for photos about or around the pandemic. They got thousands of submissions and culled it down to a final 100 photos. It ended up being a pretty moving project, which means that I’m pretty convinced that Kate didn’t actually come up with it. Still, she got credit for it and so be it, it was fine and good for her.

Now the Hold Still photos are being turned into a coffee table book, the sales of which will support charities. Kate decided to write the introduction for the book. Gee, a book with an introduction by a royal duchess, and the proceeds go to charity? Single White Female, thy name is Keen. The Palace also arranged for Kate to pose for a portrait by Matt Porteous, with Kate holding her own camera, just so you know that she’s a photographer too. Sidenote: I checked and that Porteous photograph of Kate was part of the same photoshoot as the Cambridges’ “logs” Christmas photo last year. She’s so lazy, she wouldn’t even organize a separate photoshoot or change her clothes. You can order the book through the National Portrait Gallery. Here’s Kate’s book intro:

When we look back at the COVID-19 pandemic in decades to come, we will think of the challenges we all faced – the loved ones we lost, the extended isolation from our families and friends and the strain placed on our key workers. But we will also remember the positives: the incredible acts of kindness, the helpers and heroes who emerged from all walks of life, and how together we adapted to a new normal.

Through Hold Still, I wanted to use the power of photography to create a lasting record of what we were all experiencing – to capture individuals’ stories and document significant moments for families and communities as we lived through the pandemic.

In May 2020 we asked the public to send in photographs which showed their experiences of life in lockdown and we were thrilled by the response. Over 31,000 submissions were received from people of all ages and backgrounds, and all parts of the United Kingdom. One hundred final images were chosen, creating a collective portrait of our nation. From photographs of NHS staff caring for those battling the virus, to families sharing tender moments through closed windows, each of the images gave an insight into what others were going through during this unprecedented time.

For me, the power of the images is in the poignant and personal stories that sit behind them. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to some of the photographers and sitters, to hear their stories first-hand – from moments of joy, love and community spirit, to deep sadness, pain, isolation and loss.

A common theme of those conversations was how lockdown reminded us about the importance of human connection and the huge value we place on the relationships we have with the people around us. Although we were physically apart, these images remind us that, as families, communities and a nation we need each other more than we had ever realised.

Thank you to Nicholas Cullinan and our fellow judges for the time they invested in the project, and their thoughtful consideration throughout the judging process. I would also like to extend my gratitude to everyone at the National Portrait Gallery for embracing Hold Still so enthusiastically, and for their dedication and support in helping to bring this project to life. My thanks too to the Co-op, for all that they did in helping to take the final portraits back to the communities and people who created them, through our community exhibition and this book.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an image – your stories are the most crucial part of this project. I hope that the final 100 images showcase the experiences and emotions borne during this extraordinary moment in history, pay tribute to the awe-inspiring efforts of all who have worked to protect those around them, and provide a space for us to pause and reflect upon this unparalleled period.

[From Harper’s Bazaar]

Did she actually write this herself? Doubtful. I think a team of people likely wrote this on her behalf, which just underlines the point that there were a lot of people who wanted Kate to have “her own” big project, like Meghan’s Together cookbook. The problem has always been that Kate doesn’t actually care that much and she’s profoundly lazy. So this whole project was organized around her and she gets to just sign off on it. That’s the way everyone wants it to work, apparently.

#I have a hard time believing she wrote it herself #kate middleton #duchess of cambridge #national portrait gallery #royals #hold still #celebitchy

[mammonslefttoe]

One Brain Cell Theories: Chapter 17 & 18

There are a few things that may confirm my suspicions and the new chapters have reinforced it. 

SPOILERS AHEAD, please click at your own risk and any input/more theories are welcome! I’m going to try and make this a series. 

This is also a relatively long read so grab some snacks! We diving in boys!!

(This is one of my many theories. One day, I’ll be able to write down what’s happening in my head.) 

TLDR; HUNNY we have to talk about the other human 

A few things to remember before I dive in: 

Solomon has a pact with Barbatos. Solomon has a ring of wisdom and is known to make a pact with larger and more powerful demons. We all know he lowkey wants a pact with Lucifer. 

Lucifer told us not to trust Solomon in Chapter 2 

There’s a possibility Barbatos has tried to poison us with tea, a Mandragora blend. Mandragora has the potential to be fatal, one of the most notable symptoms are hyperactivity and hallucinations. 

When Barbatos sent us back in time, we found out he is extremely OP. He even has the power to look into the past and future. 

Okay now onwards to the only viable explanation I can think of: Barbatos and Solomon are scheming a takeover. (or this really is a messed up “prove yourself” challenge from Diavolo) 

Let’s begin to when shit started to get real. 

A sorta shortened (?) recap of everything that has happened thus far, please feel free to skip if you don’t need it:  

After almost confessing your love to Lucifer and dying in the process Belphie comes down the stairs and its the big reveal, everyone essentially gasps in shock. Beel, Belph, and MC run away to Luke’s joint only to get busted by Dia & Barbatos and they drag away Belphie to throw him in jail for treason (and its implied he gon’ die). Lost and afraid, Beel and MC run back to the House of Lamentation. There we have a really heartfelt scene with all the demon boys and we are determined to storm into Dia’s castle and solve the situation. 

Arriving at Dia’s castle, the pair say they were expecting us. Lucifer stood up to Diavolo & he says please, LOUD AUDIENCE GASP. No matter how much we try to reason, the only way Belphie will be released is if MC goes back into the past alone and figure out who actually opening Belphie’s door. No reason is truly given to this. Diavolo explains that Barbatos has multiple abilities, some of this includes viewing the past & future and, most importantly, time travel. 

As we continue to Barbatos’ room, he is super happy (and creepy) but gives us a very dire warning - do not interact with the past in any way or it will alternate the current timeline. This includes speaking to anyone or being involved in any type of action. If we want to come back to the present, we have to go through the same door that we end up entering through. Then off we go and we land in the middle of Mammon’s room with ALL OF THE BROTHERS sans Lucifer and Belphie. And things go haywire.

As we are running to go up to the attic, we are forced to hide in Lilith’s room, where we have a flashback (or hallucination) of playing hide and seek. Flashback Levi reminds us to go find Belphie. During this time, it is revealed that MC may have been the one to open Belphie’s door and tldr; Belphie kills MC. 

As we lay dying, we are somehow saved by Lilith (our long lost aunt twice removed apparently) and we are outside of our own body...in another one. Dia and Barbatos stroll in saying they knew this would happen & Barbatos did us a favor and revived us using an alternate timeline MC (what). Everyone is pumped we have like 1/10,000,000 genes related to human Lillith and this is their closure. 

Everything seems to be looking up and MC patches things up between Belphie and the other brothers. They throw her a joint party with Diavolo’s birthday party & give her the sweetest gifts. At the end of Chapter 18, Belphie creates a pact with MC. 

This is all fine and dandy but...is it really? 

A few things really popped out during these two recent chapters: 

Belphie is by our side the entire two chapters. Whether this is supposed to signify a new start or something else, it isn’t entirely clear.

Beel and Belph are the only ones that text us during this time. Belphie texts us after every chapter moment. 

Solomon runs into Belph and MC while shopping, randomly asking Belph if he plans on making a pact with MC. Then brazenly offers to make a pact with him instead. Belph refuses vehemently but looks at MC for a reaction. Solomon notices this. 

As Belph gives us a gift of himself (lol same), he mentions how he’s doing this for us and not because of Lilith. 

In the game itself, there’s a completely different game style. MC has more options to speak and the dialogue options have become more brazen. Almost as if...this is a different personality (or could signify MC is more comfortable with them in general). It felt off playing the last two chapters though, for me at least. 

Now onwards to the theory: Solomon is our main antagonist.

In Chapter 2, we are formally introduced to Solomon, the other exchange student. Although the interaction is rushed, we can sense out two things: he’s insanely smart and he’s already comfortable around demons. As he runs off to class, MC runs into Lucifer and we learn a bit more about this mystery boy. 

Apparently, Solomon is a wizard and has a ring of wisdom, which makes him incredibly dangerous. He has pacts with more than 70 demons (I think the exact number was 78 but I might be wrong). Among these demons are Asmodeus and Barbatos. At the end of Lucifer’s explanation, he adds that MC shouldn’t trust Solomon. 

Historically and culturally, Solomon is most known as the “Wise King.” He is also regarded as a fantastical figure, someone who is known to have powers over both angels and demons. 

“According to the Rabbinical literature, on account of his modest request for wisdom only, Solomon was rewarded with riches and an unprecedented glorious realm, which extended over the upper world inhabited by the angels and over the whole of the terrestrial globe with all its inhabitants, including all the beasts, fowl, and reptiles, as well as the demons and spirits. His control over the demons, spirits, and animals augmented his splendor, the demons bringing him precious stones, besides water from distant countries to irrigate his exotic plants. The beasts and fowl of their own accord entered the kitchen of Solomon's palace, so that they might be used as food for him, and extravagant meals for him were prepared daily by each of his 700 wives and 300 concubines, with the thought that perhaps the king would feast that day in her house.” 

Additionally, he was given a ring, known as the “Seal of Solomon,” which gave him the ability to trap demons under his control. 

A magic ring called the "Seal of Solomon" was supposedly given to Solomon and gave him power over demons or Jinn. The magical symbol said to have been on the Seal of Solomon which made it efficacious is often considered to be the Star of David. Asmodeus, king of demons, was one day, according to the classical Rabbis, captured by Benaiah (my note: Benaiah is a human, he was a soldier that helped Solomon rise to power) using the ring, and was forced to remain in Solomon's service. The Seal of Solomon, in some legends known as the Ring of Aandaleeb, was a highly sought after symbol of power. In several legends, different groups or individuals attempted to steal it or attain it in some manner.

And this is a potential plot in our story.

MC is, of course, the main protagonist of the story. We typically are. But there was never a clear antagonist. Or maybe he was playing along with our situation, a wolf in sheep's clothing? 

We all know Levi’s strangely long anime names are a strange foreshadowing of the future. We have: 

Though all titles seem to have a connection with our current plot, I’m going to focus on the first one, which seems to have the most implications regarding our current situation. I also have a sneaking suspicion that the second image with the two titles might be a backstory for Barbatos but that’s another story that I cannot fully prove yet. The third title also refers to a legend regarding Asmo and Solomon.

The first title seems...has quite obvious implications when recounting the events of chapters 15 - 18. Halfway through our journey, here we are, thrust into an alternate timeline, alone and scared but we end up making a pact with...our sixth demon? And this isn’t just a regular demon, this is one of the deadly sins. So now we have 6/7 demon brothers under our power, some of the most powerful demons in Devildom. It’s alarming how quickly MC is able to gain the trust of these demons, effectively creating pacts in the course of...maybe a few months? 

What alarms me the most is how fast Belphie turned from, quite literally, killing us to making a pact with us in a course of 3 chapters. This brings me to my first suspicion in SoloBarb’s plot: This timeline is the only timeline where MC is able to make a pact with Belphie. All other timelines do not reflect this. This placement was 100% intentional from the start. 

It is a known fact that Barbatos is able to view time and its events. It’s revealed this extends to alternate timelines when saving MC. If he is this powerful, wouldn’t he be able to simply look back in the past and find out who opened Belph’s door without the need for MC? This would be the easiest and most direct solution. 

SIDENOTE: Keep in mind, part of the reason Barbatos could not stop the Belphie situation from happening is due to Diavolo’s restriction. Barbatos states that “Diavolo has forbidden him from using his powers freely.” HOWEVER, it then leads to the question: who really has the most control over Barbatos, Diavolo or Solomon? Traditionally, when pacts are made, it means that the demon is completely under the control of the individual but does it outweigh an authority figure? In my opinion, Solomon technically has the most power fo Barbatos. Solomon’s pact with Barbatos = a magically restrictive bond while Diavolo’s rule over Barbatos = a matter of respect of authority. There is no physically restrictive bond Diavolo has on Barbatos.

Also considering how cunning Solomon is, he could have easily manipulated Diavolo into this entire plan as well.

In addition, Solomon’s strangely direct question, asking Belphie if he was going to make a pact with MC, was alarming. It was as if he was proving his own theory: the demon brothers will make a pact with MC and never him. He seemed almost satisfied with this answer and didn’t seem to protest against it too much. Couple this with Solomon’s constant approval when MC makes pacts with the demon brothers during her stay, its...disconcerting. 

Omg he even says “If you change your mind” what kind of creepy

If we consider all of this, it truly does seem as if Solomon is our potential antagonist. It seems to me that everything is pointing at him. He’s quiet enough for us to overlook and disregard as a side character, though he seems to have a certain unnerving edge to him. My god, the demons are even wary of him. If that wasn’t the biggest tip-off, idk what is. 

Also physically, we have yet to hear his entire backstory in the game or have a chapter dedicated to him. So far, in terms of side characters, we have ample interaction with Diavolo and Luke (still waiting on Simeon) but no deep dives into Solomon and Barbatos. (Which means >.> we’ll get them in later chapters) 

This brings me to the next question: so how is MC a chess piece in his plot? 

Hey, remember that RANDOM moment Solomon lent out his power during Diavolo’s house party. AND NO ONE QUESTIONED IT. Honestly, what the hell was that all about?

In regards to this, why did he do this? Some answers include: he did it for shits and giggles, he wanted to test out the theory of us having powerful magic in our bloodline, or he wanted a test run. Yeah. You heard me. A test run. 

Prior to this, MC was unable to truly summon a demon on their own. The most she could do was give out a pretty strong verbal command and the demon (Mammon lol) must carry it out. However, MC cannot fully utilize the pact’s potential due to her lack of innate magic ability. 

This is both an affirmation and leverage for Solomon’s situation. On one end, it’s confirmed that MC has huge magic potential and can properly use it when needed. On the other end, this can be a bargaining tool for the future...

Which could lead to a large plot development: Once MC gains all seven pacts (c’mon, it is going to be impossible to not make a pact with Lucifer), what will they use it for? 

MY PREDICTION: Solomon will attempt to manipulate MC into his control. Magic is powerful in this game but so are humans. A human was the reason Lilith was going to be punished by God. Solomon, a human, has power and control over 70+ demons. Belphegor was set on destroying only the human world. MC has pacts with the, arguably, the strongest demons in Devildom who are also formerly fallen angels. 

From what I’ve seen so far, nothing is more powerful than a pact. And nothing is more powerful than human manipulation. 

What will he use MC’s powers for? ...I have a sneaking feeling it might be to overthrow Diavolo based on Solomon’s cultural legend. Solomon famously has power over Asmo, the king of demons. Of course, we know the Asmo in our game is not the king but Diavolo is. Obey me! has a funny way of interpreting these legends in a unique way. Who knows if they split up Asmo into two different entities. 

but who tf really knows what’s going on

BUT

I guess we’ll have to see what happens in later chapters. Of course, this is all really a far fetch theory but there seem to be so many underlying connections to Solomon in the game. I mean ffs, he’s the only other human here and he’s SOLOMON. The very character itself is so suspicious. 

THIS ENTIRE THING COULD ALSO BE A MESSED UP CHALLENGE FROM DIAVOLO 

OR SOME CRAZY HALLUCINATION CAUSED BY BARBATOS GIVING US THAT SUS TEA BLEND

But tbh who really knows what’s happening. The only confirmed thing is that we’re still on this alternate timeline (that MC totally messed up) and we haven’t returned to our OG timeline. lucifer please pick me up I’m scared 

If you made it this far, you are SUCH A TROOP. I hope this actually has a consistent flow and it makes sense. If you have any questions or observations I didn’t include please feel free to message me! I’m open to discussion! 

A big s/o to wikipedia for the quick info on Solomon (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon#Seal_of_Solomon) and a thank you to @the-orizon​ for the screenshots & amazing info! Love you!

#i need to sleep #i did this instead of work #lol #obey me shall we date #obey me #obey me! shall we date? #obey me theories #obey me! theory #Solomon is sus #obey me solomon #obey me! solomon #obey me belphegor #obey me belphie #obey me lucifer #obey me lucy #obey me diavolo #obey me barbatos #its always the butler #obey me leviathan #obey me levi #one brain cell theories #obey me spoilers #long post

[triviallytrue]

Going to elaborate on my post with @degenerate-perturbation since I feel like I made things kind of vague.

For reference, I am a math major at a university well known mainly for STEM stuff; in particular, it has one of the best CS programs in the country. Its problems are not caused by a lack of resources, is what I’m getting at.

A lot of what I hate is just standard faceless bureaucracy things, though my university does it all claiming it’s for our benefit. I have two particularly juicy examples: freshman fall, we had a mandatory, graded “welcome to [university]” course that was supposed to help us get settled in. It met at the same time as math club, possibly the most important extracurricular for math majors. Attendance was mandatory and a major part of the grade. I asked if I could switch sessions to go to math club, since that seemed like an important part of getting settled in. I could not.

Later on, we had another mandatory, graded, “mental and physical wellbeing” course that was basically just a multi-page essay we had to write. About our mental health and wellbeing. Which definitely wasn’t being negatively impacted by having to make up some bullshit for a graded paper that we never fucking signed up for. Oh no, this was helping us.

There’s also one moment that happened a couple years ago and still makes me livid: one of my friends had one of their parents die and had to take time off school and finish their courses later. My university marked this is a violation of academic standards and took away their financial aid. They managed to get it back after explaining the situation, but I can’t imagine that a system that would take away your financial aid without checking “hey, did something horrible happen to you recently” first is a very good one.

There’s some other bureaucracy stuff but I can’t really get into it without doxxing myself - it was enough of a thing to have news stories about it, suffice to say.

And then there’s COVID stuff. We get all sorts of emails about how We Are Living In Unprecedented Times and there’s all this emphasis on staying mentally and physically healthy during the pandemic, but god forbid we extend the same favorable grading options that we had during the spring when the pandemic started. Perhaps I’m in the minority here, but this shit is still making my grades suffer! I should have taken a fucking gap year, but I didn’t really have anything better to do.

But what really got me was the transition from being a tutor to being a grader. Being a tutor is delightful - I love talking about math, I love teaching math, I love helping people with math. It’s a great experience, and you get the feeling that you’re Really Making A Difference, and in a certain sense you are. I quit tutoring this fall because my university restructured the position of my lovely boss right out of existence (in the middle of a global pandemic!). Might as well add that to the tally.

Being a grader was torture. Not because I didn’t like grading - I’m a sick freak who actually doesn’t mind it that much. It’s because every week, in the very entry-level math class I graded, the same four students (out of 30ish total) would get significantly worse grades than the rest of the section. They did not improve as the term went on, and I suspect at least two of them failed the course.

And I realized, since this was the exact same class that I had tutored for over a year beforehand, that I had never helped a student who was struggling as much as these four were. The tutoring system failed to help them because it required them to ask for help. The set of students who most need help and the set of students who are capable of asking for help is almost entirely disjoint, because needing help is very heavily correlated with being unable to ask for it.

Taking this class was a waste of their time, and whenever I graded their work, I made a mental tally of the key concepts they weren’t getting and thought about how I would fix that if they were one of my tutoring students. I left notes I thought were helpful and did my best to be generous with my grading, but there’s not a whole lot you can do as a grader. Certainly, reaching out to struggling students and offering to personally help them is a bit of a no-no, for obvious reasons, so I just kept giving them shitty grades on their homework.

But I just feel like it wouldn’t have been that hard! They’re paying a whole lot of money to be here, so get a bunch of tutors and have them reach out to the students who are struggling, or something. Make some kind of safety net! Especially for a class which is so fundamental, not just to STEM education, but also to loving math. I took that class my fall freshman year, and if I hadn’t already been planning to go into math, I think it would’ve convinced me to at least consider it. It’s a great class!

The whole thing hammered home for me how much of this school is constantly claiming to care about students and want to help students succeed, but in practice there are so many things they could do to make things better for students that they simply choose not to do. I hate it.

Anyway. @[university] give me and ten of my friends $15 an hour for ten hours a week and we will improve the pass rate of this class to 100%.

#schooling #long

[misssunflowersandsangria]

How Lovely Are

Hello my lights!  I have a quick fluffy holiday story.  I was going to wait till it was closer to Christmas but I think we all collectively need some happy holiday fluff. I’m tagging this as a modern AU but it could occur in the Narutoverse with some adjustments. 

Summary:  Christmas was rapidly approaching and a last-minute purchase at a flower shop would completely change Sai’s life.

*

** How Lovely Are

Ino happily rearranged the flowers humming a familiar tune as she worked.  Working at the family flower store had always been one of her favorite jobs, but especially during this time of the year.  She always took great care making the arrangements that would be the centerpieces for so many wonderful celebrations.  It was like putting a little bit of herself into what she created.  It was almost the big day so it was simultaneously slowing down while speeding up.  There were just a few orders left to fulfill but not too many being placed.  The shop itself was pretty quiet after a morning rush so now it was just her, the flowers, and Christmas music.  A pretty perfect afternoon if you were to ask her. 

“Welcome,” She announced after hearing the bell at the door jingle.  

She turned to look at the customer before stopping dead in her tracks.  He was gorgeous, tall, pale skin with deep, ink colored eyes.  

He brushed the snowflakes from his coat before looking up his eyes widening in surprise. 

“Hello.”

She cleared her throat before finding her voice. “Hi, welcome. Is there something I can help you find?”

“Yes, this might be an odd request but do you happen to sell Christmas trees here?”

She shook her head. “No, unfortunately, we don’t.”

“Oh, it was a long shot anyway. I’ve just returned home and being so close to the holiday most places have sold out.  Thank you…”

“Ino.”

“Thank you Ino, I’m Sai. I guess that I’ll be going-”

“Wait, uhm.  Give me a second.”  She panicked at the idea of him leaving so quickly from the store and subsequently out of her life. 

Ino ran to the back where she had decorated the office in a slew of ornaments and holiday cheer.  She grabbed the small tree from the desk hoping that the handsome man wouldn’t think it was an odd choice.

“Here.”  She pushed the potted tree into his hands and he gazed surprised at the small decorated plant.

Ino began to feel foolish at his stare.  She knew it wasn’t exactly what he was looking for. 

“I’m sorry, I know that it’s not very large.  It’s probably not what you’re looking for-”

“No, Ino, thank you.  This is perfect.”  He assured her genuinely grateful for the tiny tree in his hands. 

She was floored by the sincere gratitude.  “You’re welcome.”

“Is this for a party or a dinner?”  She asked curiously hoping that it wasn’t a gift for a significant other. 

“No, I'm not typically home during this time of the year so this is somewhat unprecedented.  I’ll just be by myself so I thought that it would be good to have some decorations to make it a little less lonely.”

“Come to my house!”  The sadness and heartbreak in his striking eyes led to the impromptu invitation. 

He looked at her surprised.  “Ino?” 

“Come celebrate with me.  My parents are a little ridiculous, and we celebrate with my aunts and uncles too.  There’s a lot of food and everyone probably has a drinking problem.  It’s loud and messy but it’s fun in that kind of chaotic way.  No one should be alone during this time of the year.”  Family time was inescapable during the holidays but she knew that she was luckier than most. It was impossible to imagine the season without her family and their precious traditions. 

Sai gazed at her curiously completely floored by the invitation.  The plan to get a Christmas tree was completely on a whim.  He didn’t want to admit but he’d been staring at couples and families longingly as they rushed through the town buying gifts or heading to their celebrations.  It made him want some semblance of warmth and holiday cheer.  He couldn’t have ever expected the gorgeous blonde offering to spend such a special season with him. It was by far the kindest gesture that had ever been extended to him. 

Part of him wanted to politely decline as socializing had never been his strong suit. The idea though of disappointment in her dazzling blue eyes would be far worse than any awkwardness he might have to endure.

“Thank you Ino, I would love that.” 

*

**

Sai surveyed the annual Christmas dinner.  It hadn’t changed too much over the years.  It was still far too loud, everyone most definitely had a drinking problem but it was warm and familiar and represented the best part of the holidays.  His son was busy playing with his new toys along with Shikadai and ChouChou.  

He recalled fondly that first Christmas that he and Ino had spent together.  Everyone had welcomed him in with open arms teasing Ino that it was about time that she’d brought someone home.  Her two closest friends had been bringing along their significant others for years now and were happy to ease Sai in.  He loved all the traditions, helped where he could, and participated in the family games. All the while Ino laughed and celebrated alongside him.  It made him realize just how much he’d been missing. And how badly he wanted to hold onto that feeling.

In just a few years he’d gone from being completely alone and now he had his own family and was a Yamanaka.  In addition,  he gained a huge extended family.  They were all far too close and way too invested in each other’s lives. And he couldn’t imagine life without them.  Ino had given him everything that he’d never allowed himself to believe could be his. 

On the table was a small potted, decorated Christmas tree. It had become a tradition of his to bring one along.  

Ino slid up next to him and his arm wrapped tightly around her. 

He kissed the top of her head affectionately thanking life and the universe for giving him the greatest gift that he could have ever asked for.  His wife, their son, and this family.  A kind of holiday miracle if there ever was one. “Merry Christmas Sai.”

“Thank you Beautiful.”

“You know I still owe you a gift.”  He peered at her, they’d both agreed not to get each other gifts, which of course he didn’t follow.  

“My love I have everything that I could ever want.”  She grinned knowing that he genuinely meant that. 

Those sky blue eyes that he adored took on a joyful quality.  “Well, this one might take about 9 months to come?”  His eyes widened in realization.  

“Really?”  He asked, surprised with tears lining his eyes. 

She nodded brushing away her own tears.  “We’re going to have another baby.”  Saying it out loud made it all the more real. 

Sai gathered her into his arms.  Excitement and joy hitting him all at once.  Early in his life, he couldn’t have imagined having a wife, let alone a son.  Now he would be a father of two.  It was worth it all to be at this point.  

“Mommy, is daddy okay?”  Ino nodded while picking up Inojin. 

“He’s just happy Jin.  How do you feel about being a big brother?”  She asked her son affectionately brushing his hair back. 

Inojin stared not quite sure how to respond.  “So I would have someone to play with all the time?”

“Yes, you’ll get to watch over and help us take care of the baby.”

“I guess that’s okay then.  Shikadai seems to like Yoshika even though she’s little and can’t do anything.  I bet that I’ll be an even better big brother than he is.”

Ino and Sai smiled hugging him tightly.  “I’m sure you will baby.”

Once they told Inojin the word spread and her parents were inconsolable as tears rained down from their eyes. Inoichi was joyful beyond compare at the idea of his baby having another baby. Being a grandfather had easily become his favorite role. He’d become jealous that Shikaku had two grandchildren and had been dropping not so subtle hints that the Yamanakas needed to catch up. Their family was growing and everyone was excited at the idea of a new baby joining them next year.  

*

**

Mikino came into the world like a soft gentle snow. Ice blue eyes that looked as striking as a snowflake, with jet black hair.  She was happy, playful, and a true reflection of the meaning of her name.  She was already a daddy’s girl.  If she cried or fussed one hug from her father was enough to ease those tears and Sai adored his baby girl.  

Inojin was so much like his mother, Fierce, intelligent, loyal, and strong. Sai wondered if his daughter might take after him.  Perhaps she’d be more quiet, contemplative, and grow to be as gorgeous as her mother.  He never imagined he could love anyone more than Ino and now with his two children, he easily discovered that his heart could carry so much more. 

That first Christmas Inojin held Mikino showing her the brightly colored lights on the tree. The lights reflected in her deep eyes as she curiously took in all the new sights and sounds. 

“When you’re bigger Miki you can help me decorate the tree.  It’s a big deal in our family.”  Inojin explained to his little sister as he showed her the ornament he’d painted to commemorate her first Christmas with them.  

Ino held onto her husband, both of them quiet and thoughtful watching Inojin and Mikino. This time of the year had always been Ino’s favorite but her family brought her joy all year long. 

She kissed Sai as the images of shared holidays and happy times played in her head.  He always thanked her for welcoming him into her life. For bringing him a certain kind of completion. He never quite understood that he’d done the same for her. 

Peace, love, and joy all present in that room.  Who knew that a search for a tree could have led to all of this?

*

**

I hope that a handsome man comes into your place of business, sweeps you off your feet and you live happily ever after :D

Also, everyone say welcome to my new OC, Mikino, Sai, and Ino’s baby girl.  If you’ve read my story “Nursery Rhyme,” that introduced my OC Yoshika, Shikamaru and Temari’s daughter.  I haven’t written anything yet but Chouji and Karui also have a daughter and her name is Chouchi.  They are a badass all-girls team of InoShikaCho.  I hc that they all go by nicknames, Miki, Yoshi, and Chi.  Maybe one day I’ll expand on this idea but for now, let’s all just imagine Sai having a sweet daughter.

Last year I did a 12 days of Christmas thing for InoShikaCho, “My True Love Gave to Me,” but I don’t know that I can do that again this year, but we will see.    (If ya’ll have some cute fluffy holiday prompt ideas message me :D)

Thank you for reading my loves!  I know it’s crazy this year and things are really tough for a lot of people so I hope that you can find some joy and light in all of the chaos. Love you all.

#saiino #inosai #sai x ino #ino x sai #sai #ino #inojin #inojin yamanaka #mikino #naruto #naruto fanfiction #naruto fanfic #boruto next generation #family #Family Fluff #HOLIDAY FLUFF #christmas fanfiction #i've only imagined minikino for a day #but i love her #also my other inoshikacho baby girls

[spacetimewithstuartgary]

NASA and USGS Launch Landsat 9 Powered by an Atlas V 401 rocket, Landsat 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base on September 27, 2021. The satellite will extend a five-decade record of observations of Earth. Since 1972, eight Landsat satellites have been launched into orbit (including today’s launch and excluding Landsat 6, which failed during launch). This joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has provided an unprecedented and nearly continuous visual record of Earth’s landscapes, icescapes, and coastal waters. Landsat satellites have collected more than 9 million scenes and provoked more than 18,000 research papers. At 11:12 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time (2:12 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time), a United Launch Alliance rocket blasted off from the California coast and ascended toward the satellite’s near-polar, Sun-synchronous orbit. The animation below shows the shadow of the rocket plume as it was cast down onto the marine cloud layer around 11:14 a.m. Pacific time; the images were captured by the GOES-17 weather satellite (band 2/red) at a rate of one frame per minute. GOES-17 is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); NASA helps develop and launch the GOES series of satellites. Norway’s Svalbard satellite-monitoring ground station acquired signals from Landsat 9 about 80 minutes after launch. The satellite was performing as expected as it climbed toward its final altitude of 705 kilometers (438 miles), the same as its sister satellite, Landsat 8. Working in tandem, the two satellites will collect images spanning the entire planet every eight days. “The Landsat mission is like no other,” said Karen St. Germain, director of the Earth Science Division at NASA. “For nearly 50 years, Landsat satellites observed our home planet, providing an unparalleled record of how its surface has changed over timescales from days to decades. Through this partnership with USGS, we’ve been able to provide continuous and timely data for users ranging from farmers to resource managers and scientists. This data can help us understand, predict, and plan for the future in a changing climate.” The instruments aboard Landsat 9—the Operational Land Imager 2 (OLI-2) and the Thermal Infrared Sensor 2 (TIRS-2)—will measure 11 wavelengths of light reflected or radiated off Earth’s surface in the visible spectrum, as well as other wavelengths beyond what our eyes can detect. On each orbit, the instruments will capture scenes in a swath that is 185 kilometers (115 miles) wide. Each pixel in a Landsat scene represents an area of about 30 meters (100 feet) across (roughly the size of a baseball infield). Once operational, Landsat 9 will add more than 700 scenes of Earth to the mission archive each day. “Launches are always exciting, and today was no exception,” said Jeff Masek, NASA’s project scientist for Landsat 9. “But the best part for me as a scientist will be when the satellite starts delivering the data that people are waiting for, adding to Landsat’s legendary reputation in the data user community.” The USGS Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center in South Dakota processes and stores data from the instruments, continuously adding that information to five decades of data from all Landsat satellites. All of the images and their embedded data are free and publicly available, a policy that has resulted in more than 100 million downloads since its inception in 2008. “Working in tandem with the other Landsat satellites, as well as our European Space Agency partners who operate the Sentintel-2 satellites, we are getting a more comprehensive look at Earth than ever before,” said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for science at NASA. “With these satellites working together in orbit, we’ll have observations of any given place on our planet every two days. This is incredibly important for tracking things like crop growth and helping decision-makers monitor the overall health of Earth and its natural resources.” NASA managed the Landsat 9 mission. Teams from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center built and tested the TIRS-2 instrument, while NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center managed the launch. Ball Aerospace built and tested the OLI-2 instrument. United Launch Alliance was the rocket provider. Northrop Grumman built the Landsat 9 spacecraft, integrated it with instruments, and tested it. USGS EROS will operate the mission and manage the ground system, including maintaining the Landsat archive. NASA Earth Observatory animation by Joshua Stevens, using GOES 17 data from NOAA and the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Photographs by NASA/Bill Ingalls. Story by Tylar Greene, NASA Headquarters, and Michael Carlowicz.

#space #science #earth observatory #nasa #usgs #landsat 9 #environment #earth sciences

[newstfionline]

Friday, April 9, 2021

The $50 billion race to save America’s renters from eviction (Washington Post) The Biden administration again extended a federal moratorium on evictions last week, but conflicting court rulings on whether the ban is legal, plus the difficulty of rolling out nearly $50 billion in federal aid, means the country’s reckoning with its eviction crisis may come sooner than expected. The year-old federal moratorium—which has now been extended through June 30—has probably kept hundreds of thousands or millions of people from being evicted from their apartments and homes. More than 10 million Americans are behind on rent, according to Moody’s, easily topping the 7 million who lost their homes to foreclosure in the 2008 housing bust. Despite the unprecedented federal effort to protect tenants, landlords have been chipping away at the moratorium in court. Treasury Department officials have been armed with nearly $50 billion in emergency aid for renters who have fallen behind, and are racing to distribute it through hundreds of state, local and tribal housing agencies, some of which have not created programs yet. The idea is to get the money to renters before courts nationwide begin processing evictions again.

A court filing says parents of 445 separated migrant children still have not been found. (NYT) The parents of 61 migrant children who were separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border by the Trump administration have been located since February, but lawyers still cannot find the parents of 445 children, according to a court filing on Wednesday. In the filing, the Justice Department and the American Civil Liberties Union indicated slow progress in the ongoing effort to reunite families that were affected by a policy to prosecute all undocumented immigrants in the United States, even if it meant separating children from their parents. Of the 445 remaining children, a majority are believed to have parents who were deported, while more than 100 children are believed to have parents currently in the United States, according to the court filing. The government has yet to provide contact information that would help locate the families of more than a dozen children.

N Ireland leaders call for calm after night of rioting (AP) Rioters set a hijacked bus on fire and hurled gasoline bombs at police in Belfast in at least the fourth night of serious violence in a week in Northern Ireland, where Brexit has unsettled an uneasy political balance. Youths threw projectiles and petrol bombs at police on Wednesday night in the Protestant Shankill Road area, while rioters lobbed bricks, fireworks and petrol bombs in both directions over the concrete “peace wall” separating the Shankill Road from a neighboring Irish nationalist area. Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts said several hundred people gathered on both sides of a gate in the wall, where “crowds ... were committing serious criminal offenses, both attacking police and attacking each other.” He said a total of 55 police officers have been injured over several nights of disorder. The recent violence, largely in pro-British loyalist areas, has flared amid rising tensions over post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland and worsening relations between the parties in the Protestant-Catholic power-sharing Belfast government.

Biden seems ready to extend US troop presence in Afghanistan (AP) Without coming right out and saying it, President Joe Biden seems ready to let lapse a May 1 deadline for completing a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Orderly withdrawals take time, and Biden is running out of it. Biden has inched so close to the deadline that his indecision amounts almost to a decision to put off, at least for a number of months, a pullout of the remaining 2,500 troops and continue supporting the Afghan military at the risk of a Taliban backlash. Removing all of the troops and their equipment in the next three weeks—along with coalition partners who can’t get out on their own—would be difficult logistically, as Biden himself suggested in late March. “It’s going to be hard to meet the May 1 deadline,” he said. “Just in terms of tactical reasons, it’s hard to get those troops out.” Tellingly, he added, “And if we leave, we’re going to do so in a safe and orderly way.”

One in six Latin American youths left work since pandemic’s start (Reuters) Across Latin America and the Caribbean, one in every six people aged 18 to 29 has left work since the coronavirus pandemic began, forcing many to abandon their studies, a report said on Thursday. The precariousness of employment for young people rose across the region, according to an investigation by Canadian charity Cuso International based on data from a U.N. commission and a poll by the International Labour Organization. “It’s extremely difficult for young people to access the labor market due to issues around specialization, lower wages, and poverty,” the advocacy group’s Colombia director Alejandro Matos told Reuters. More than half of those who stopped working since the start of the pandemic were let go by their employers, the report said, while others saw their businesses close and those employed in the informal sector could not work due to lockdowns.

Myanmar ambassador in London locked out of embassy after speaking out against military (Washington Post) Myanmar’s ambassador to Britain, who has spoken out again the military coup in his country, said he was barred from the embassy in London on Wednesday by officials loyal to the military junta. “They are refusing to let me inside,” Kyaw Zwar Minn told the Telegraph. “They said they received instruction from the capital, so they are not going to let me in.” Kyaw Zwar Minn told the British newspaper that when he left the embassy during the day, colleagues and officials linked to the military stormed the premises and kept him from reentering that evening. In early March, the ambassador, a former military colonel, spoke out against the military’s detention of the former British colony’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi, drawing criticism from the junta that had orchestrated her ouster and praise from the British government for his “courage.” The London-based ambassador was recalled, according to Myanmar state television, after he posted a statement on the embassy’s Facebook page demanding “the release of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint,” but he did not return to Myanmar.

Merkel tells Putin to pull back troops as Kremlin accuses Ukraine of provocations (Reuters) German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday to pull back the Kremlin’s military buildup near the border with Ukraine, while he in turn accused Kyiv of “provocative actions” in the conflict region. Ukraine has raised the alarm over an increase in Russian forces near its eastern border as violence has risen along the line of contact separating its troops from Russia-backed separatists in its Donbass region. Russia has said its forces pose no threat and were defensive, but that they would stay there as long as Moscow saw fit. A senior Kremlin official said on Thursday that Moscow could under certain circumstances be forced to defend its citizens in Donbass and that major hostilities could mark the beginning of the end of Ukraine as a country.

China builds advanced weapons systems using American chip technology (Washington Post) In a secretive military facility in southwest China, a supercomputer whirs away, simulating the heat and drag on hypersonic vehicles speeding through the atmosphere—missiles that could one day be aimed at a U.S. aircraft carrier or Taiwan, according to former U.S. officials and Western analysts. The computer is powered by tiny chips designed by a Chinese firm called Phytium Technology using American software and built in the world’s most advanced chip factory in Taiwan, which hums with American precision machinery, say the analysts. Phytium portrays itself as a commercial company aspiring to become a global chip giant like Intel. It does not publicize its connections to the research arms of the People’s Liberation Army. The hypersonic test facility is located at the China Aerodynamics Research and Development Center (CARDC), which also obscures its military connections though it is run by a PLA major general, according to public documents, and the former officials and analysts, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter. Phytium’s partnership with CARDC offers a prime example of how China is quietly harnessing civilian technologies for strategic military purposes—with the help of American technology. The trade is not illegal but is a vital link in a global high-tech supply chain that is difficult to regulate because the same computer chips that could be used for a commercial data center can power a military supercomputer.

Indonesia landslides death toll rises to 140, dozens missing (AP) The death toll from mudslides in eastern Indonesia has risen to 140 with dozens still missing, officials said Wednesday, as rain continued to pound the region and hamper the search. East Flores district on Adonara island suffered the highest losses with 67 bodies recovered so far and six missing. Mud tumbled down from surrounding hills early on Sunday, catching people at sleep. Some were swept away by flash floods after overnight rains caused rivers to burst their banks. On nearby Lembata island, the downpour triggered by Tropical Cyclone Seroja sent solidified lava from a volcanic eruption in November to crash down on more than a dozen villages, killing at least 32 and leaving 35 unaccounted for, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.

Reversing Trump, Biden Restores Aid to Palestinians (NYT) The Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it would restore hundreds of millions of dollars in American aid to Palestinians, its strongest move yet to reverse President Donald J. Trump’s policy on the protracted Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The package, which gives at least $235 million in assistance to Palestinians, will go to humanitarian, economic, development and security efforts in the region, and is part of the administration’s attempt to rehabilitate U.S. relations with Palestinians, which effectively stopped when Mr. Trump was in office. The restoration of aid amounted to the most direct repudiation so far of Mr. Trump’s tilt toward Israel in its decades-old conflict with the Palestinian population in Israeli-controlled territories.

Royal rift ends (NYT) Jordan’s King Abdullah II said on Wednesday that the “discord” that has roiled the kingdom for days has “been stopped,” signaling a resolution to a rare royal rift that resulted in the house arrest of Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, the former crown prince, and the detention of several Jordanian officials who were accused of plotting a foreign-backed coup against the monarchy.

Conflict and COVID driving record hunger in DR Congo, warns UN (Al Jazeera) A record 27.3 million people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are facing acute hunger, one-third of the violence-wracked Central African country’s population, largely because of conflict and the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United Nations has warned. The DRC is “home to the highest number of people in urgent need of food security assistance in the world,” the World Food Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization said on Tuesday in a joint statement, describing the scale of the crisis as “staggering”. “For the first time ever we were able to analyse the vast majority of the population, and this has helped us to come closer to the true picture of the staggering scale of food insecurity in the DRC,” Peter Musoko, WFP’s representative in the country, said. “This country should be able to feed its population and export a surplus. We cannot have children going to bed hungry and families skipping meals for an entire day,” he said.

Beware The Carpet Cleaner (The Guardian) Parkinson’s disease is the fastest-growing neurological disorder in the world, and the US is experiencing an explosion of cases. In the last decade, the number of Parkinson’s cases in America has increased 35%, and a neurologist at the University of Rochester Medical Center thinks over the next 25 years it will double again. Most cases of the disease are considered idiopathic—without a clear cause. But researchers now believe one factor is environmental exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical compound used in industrial degreasing, dry-cleaning, and household products like some shoe polishes and carpet cleaners. TCE is a carcinogen already linked to renal cell carcinoma, cancers of the cervix, liver, biliary passages, lymphatic system and male breast tissue, fetal cardiac defects, and more. Several studies point to a link between Parkinson’s and workplace exposure to TCE. The US Labor Department issued guidance on TCE saying exposures to carbon disulfide (CS2) and TCE are presumed to “cause, contribute or aggravate Parkinsonism.”

‘Tantalizing’ results of 2 experiments defy physics rulebook (AP) Preliminary results from two experiments suggest something could be wrong with the basic way physicists think the universe works, a prospect that has the field of particle physics both baffled and thrilled. Tiny particles called muons aren’t quite doing what is expected of them in two different long-running experiments in the United States and Europe. The confounding results—if proven right—reveal major problems with the rulebook physicists use to describe and understand how the universe works at the subatomic level. “We think we might be swimming in a sea of background particles all the time that just haven’t been directly discovered,” Fermilab experiment co-chief scientist Chris Polly said in a press conference. “There might be monsters we haven’t yet imagined that are emerging from the vacuum interacting with our muons and this gives us a window into seeing them.” If confirmed, the U.S. results would be the biggest finding in the bizarre world of subatomic particles in nearly 10 years, since the discovery of the Higgs boson, often called the “God particle,” said Aida El-Khadra of the University of Illinois, who works on theoretical physics for the Fermilab experiment.

Unlikely chauffeur (Foreign Policy) Kevin Rudd is best known as a former Australian prime minister. Last Tuesday night in Queensland, he was mistaken for an Uber driver. The former Labor party leader became an unlikely chauffeur when a group of revelers—described as “tipsy” by Rudd’s daughter—piled into his car as he sought parking at a local restaurant. Rudd obliged the passengers, reportedly driving half the journey to the town’s main drag before being recognized by his would-be customers. “Four young Melburnians getting drenched in a Queensland subtropical downpour at Noosa last night with no Uber in sight … So what’s a man to do?” Rudd later wrote on Twitter.

#headlines #news

[chiaki-translation]

Stray Devil Blues - Eng Translation

And so I decided to translate Stray Devil Blues, the newest theater/stage play from A3! as my first project. I love the story and I don’t think I can do the translation justice because the words are just beautiful, especially the prompt and the ending.

I have uploaded the theatre/stage play from the game for the everyone and below is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Xm4xPmByjI&t=90s

Translator’s Note:

Bear in mind that my translation is not perfect, I’m doing this for my own growth and if you’re looking for professional translation, this is not the place. I do believe that my translation can obtain a passing mark though, so do check out my work if you’re interested~

There is a word directly translated to ‘divine protection’. I actually translated it to ‘blessings’ here to make it consistent with the initial prompt and shorter for conversation.

Any other question, feel free to DM me or leave a comment~

Translation will be below (1st Proofread and will be updated accordingly) ~

Stray Devil Blues

Version: 4th Proofread (27052020) - Some sentences adjusted for the flow of the story, Fixed a mistake on sentence said by robber

Casts:

Nanao Taichi as Mark

Tsumugi Tsukioka as Lucifer

Tasuku Takato as Satan

Izumida Azami as Cliff

Guy as Beelzebub

Fushimi Omi as Walter

Narration:

In the time of industrial revolution. As the economic inequality becomes more widespread, the unemployed youths resorted to crimes and the town is filled with a lot of the so-called street children.

One day, Mark who was accused of a crime he never committed, was freed from his imprisonment and he was finally released from the prison.

The radiance of the soul that has travelled through thousands of years, shining brightly towards the surface of the earth. Bringing to distraught, the accursed heaven’s blessing.

Mark:

I won’t come back here again.

Thank you for your care.

…… Fyuh ……

Robber:

Give me your money!

Mark:

---- I don’t have any money.

I just came out from the prison.

Robber:

I don’t care, just hand me over your bag!

Mark:

---- Ugh

Robber:

Ha, ha …...

It’s not my fault you’re such an easy prey!

Mark:

This is a lie isn’t it…

My life, is it just going to end like  this…...?

Lucifer:

Do you resent your own fate?

Do you detest yourself who has fallen?

Mark:

Eh……?

Lucifer:

I can give you the power.

The power to overturn your fate, a sword to accomplish your revenge.

Mark:

A devil……?

Lucifer:

If you let it be this way, you won’t accomplish anything.

You’ll rot away and everything will end here.

You’ll end up alone, not being acknowledged by anyone.

Mark:

…… I hate it.

Lucifer:

Then make a contract with me, in exchange for your soul.

Mark:

A contract……

Lucifer:

In one month time, you shall give me your soul as the compensation.

Mark:

One month?

Is this the only way for me to stay alive?

Lucifer:

No one can escape from the contract’s term.

Mark:

What!

If it’s like that, then there’s no meaning to it.

Lucifer:

There’s actually one method to break free from the contract.

You can hunt the soul of another who has contracted with a devil.

That way, you can replace your soul with that of another.

Your soul will then be released from the contract’s term.

Mark:

Another contractor’s soul ……

Lucifer:

So, what are you going to do?

Mark:

……

Alright, let’s do the contract.

Lucifer:

Then with your soul, the success of your revenge shall be guaranteed.

Mark:

What I want is not revenge.

I just want the proof of my innocence.

Lucifer:

…… That’s alright.

And here, the contract shall be established.

Narrator:

After the unprecedented assault by a hoodlum, the demon Lucifer appears in front of the injured Mark.

The devil promised to bestow him a power to exact his revenge, and in exchange, his soul shall be taken away as a compensation when the contract ends in one-month time.

When Mark found no meaning in the limited time-span, Lucifer offered him the only method for his soul not to be taken away. That is to hunt for another devil contractor’s soul and by doing so, Mark’s soul will not be taken away when the contract ends.

With that in mind, Mark finally accepted the contract with the goal of proofing his own innocence.

Mark:

No way, that guy is the culprit ……

And I thought he’s my friend.

Lucifer:

Humans are such a fragile being. They fall into despair and corruption so easily.

Mark:

Speaking of which, devils are also very persuasive, huh.

Lucifer:

Both are favorable for us, devils.

Mark:

Will you always be by my side, Lucifer?

Lucifer:

With a high-ranking devil like me as the master of the contract, I am not bounded by any limitation. However, I won’t go to the human world without any reason.

Mark:

Heh, so when I call you out, you will always appear before me.

That’s very convenient.

Lucifer:

Don’t treat me like a tool. It’s unpleasant.

Mark:

My bad, my bad.

Lucifer:

Hnn…

Robber:

So, the story goes like that.

But I wonder why.

That time when I heard his word, an unpleasant feeling rose in my gut.

I lost my sight and I could not differentiate between good and evil anymore.

I felt nothing but contempt, and when my friend fell ---

Walter:

Repent for your sin, starts anew, and your crime shall be forgiven.

That way, God will bring salvation to thy soul.

Robber:

…… Thank you very much, Father.

Walter:

……

Beelzebub:

I sense the presence of another devil.

Walter:

I haven’t seen another contractor around though.

Beelzebub:

Smells like a familiar pest.

Walter:

Are you talking about one of your devil acquaintances?

Beelzebub:

Before that, it’s time for a meal.

I want to eat stew today.

Walter:

…… Really, this stew eating devil.

Just listen to me for once.

Beelzebub:

Don’t forget to put a lot of meat inside.

Walter:

I get it, fine.

…… Another devil, huh.

Oh God, I pray to you, extend your hand towards your stray children and bring salvation to their grieving souls. Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil. Amen.

Narrator:

By borrowing Lucifer’s power, the culprit finally confessed to his crime, providing closure for Mark.

At the same time, the devil, Beelzebub, whispered his evil to Walter. With the intention to purge evils, he formed a contract with Beelzebub and took the name as one of the devil’s contractor to hunt for other’s souls.

Mark:

Long time no see, Cliff.

Cliff:

Mark!

When did you come out from the prison?

Mark:

A week ago. Thank you for a lot of  things.

Cliff:

Nah, I was powerless.

It was such a misfortune.

Mark:

Not long ago, the true culprit just surrendered himself.

Cliff:

Really, if he’s going to surrender himself, he should have done that earlier.

Regardless, I’m glad that you are finally proved innocent.

Mark:

Yep.

Cliff:

So, have you decided on what are you going to do next?

Mark:

I’m looking for a job, currently I’m just doing day to day work to get by.

Cliff:

Then, why don’t you work in my place?

I’ll be very delighted if you join.

Mark:

Thanks for the invitation, but Cliff’s ‘work’ is impossible for me.

Cliff:

If it’s not because of our ‘work’, there will be a lot more children dying on the street!

Mark:

I know but, I still can’t do it.

Cliff:

Then, when you change your mind, come and find me. I’ll listen to you anytime.

Mark:

Thank you, Cliff.

 Lucifer:

Why do you refuse to depend on Cliff?

Mark:

Cliff’s work revolves around threats and blackmails.

It’s a lot of illegal works.

Of course, if it’s not like that, I know that more people will suffer from starvation on the streets.

But I don’t want to do that kind of thing.

Lucifer:

Then quickly find an honest profitable job that you can do.

I don’t want to be summoned to this dirty room again and again.

Mark:

For a devil, you sure are fussy about cleanliness.

Lucifer:

That’s none of your business.

Mark:

My bad, my bad.

Then, since it’s impossible for me to move out now, let’s start by helping me with the cleaning.

Lucifer:

Why do I need to do this kind of thing……

Narrator:

Mark met Cliff, who was his childhood friend from the same institution.

He offered his gratitude, for Cliff had provided him with a lot of assistance during his imprisonment.

Cliff was glad that Mark was finally proven innocent. He offered for Mark to join him in his work, but Mark was unable to resort to illegal activities.

Since his contract with Lucifer, Mark notices that the world is filled with little devils called demons and he became able to see them.

Mark:

What’s that?

Lucifer:

Demons.

They like to meddle with the little corruption in human’s heart.

The so-called evil deeds are actually their doings.

Mark:

…… even in Churches, there are demons around.

That looks really strange.

Walter:

Anything troubles you?

Mark:

Eh, nothing---

Walter:

Please, come in.

We will listen to any kind of worries you have.

Mark:

---

Walter:

Maybe, you are troubled by the barrier?

Mark:

Eh?

Walter:

You seem to be in need of a consultation.

Mark:

You know something about the devils?

Walter:

I guess you can say that.

We can purify people who has been possessed by inferior devils.

We also accept consultation for those who have made a contract with a devil.

Mark:

Contract with a devil ……

Walter:

They demand the soul of the contractor as a compensation for granting wishes.

Don’t you want to find a way to break free from them?

Mark:

Such thing, does it actually exist?

Walter:

Anything can be achieved with God’s power and protection.

More than this and we will attract the public’s attention.

This way ……

Mark:

……

This place is ……?

Walter:

It’s a place where the devil’s power won’t reach.

Mark:

Then, about the way to break free from the contract ……

Walter:

We have to provide salvation to your corrupted soul.

Mark:

--- !?

Beelzebub:

There’s no mistake, Walter.

This guy is a contractor.

Mark:

A devil!?

Walter:

A God’s envoy working hand in hand with a devil, what a surprise right?

But this is a necessary evil.

Mark:

Lucifer, come!

Lucifer:

You sure cry loud for someone who just went inside a barrier.

Beelzebub:

As I thought, it’s you, Lucifer.

Then, this is the one you mentioned before ……?

Lucifer:

If you get it, just release him already.

Beelzebub:

Unfortunately, that’s not for me to decide.

I won’t get my lunch if I don’t work properly.

Lucifer:

So you’ve been had with food, huh.

Mark:

You tricked me?

Walter:

You want to break free from that devil right?

Then there’s only one way.

Mark:

--- Tch

Walter:

Ha!

Mark:

Guh.

Beelzebub:

It’s alright.

No need to worry, there are a lot of other people out there who are willing to sell their soul to become a contractor.

Don’t be sad.

Mark:

So you’re hunting for other contractor’s soul.

Walter:

I’m not hunting, I’m just providing salvation.

Mark:

That’s the same thing isn’t it ---!

Walter:

You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you.

Beelzebub:

As expected of Lucifer’s contractor.

Lucifer:

Break the barrier, Mark!

Walter:

I won’t let you ---

Mark:

Ha!

Walter:

Beelzebub!

Beelzebub:

What do I get?

Walter:

Quiche.

Beelzebub:

Contract established.

Mark:

--- Ugh

Beelzebub:

Playtime is over.

Before Lucifer appears ---

Lucifer:

You’re too slow.

Sorry for the wait, Beelzebub.

Walter:

Tch, so troublesome ---

Lucifer:

Ha!

Walter:

Ugh---

Beelzebub:

---Ugh

Mark:

Stop it, Lucifer!

Lucifer:

Why.

Mark:

Anymore than that and they’ll die.

Walter:

--- Beelzebub, retreat.

Beelzebub:

…… I guess I won’t get lunch today.

Lucifer:

Why do you stop me?

Mark:

I’m not going to hunt for the soul of other contractors.

Lucifer:

You want to break free from the contract’s term, don’t you?

Mark:

Of course, I can’t just agree to die in one month.

But, that’s exactly why I refuse to hunt other people’s soul too.

Lucifer:

As usual, you’re such a naïve guy.

Narrator:

That day, Mark was called out by Walter in front of the Church. Lured by his story, Mark went into the Church, just to find another devil appeared before his eyes.

Mark was put in a bad position because of the barrier, his soul was hunted in a two against one fight, but Lucifer managed to break in and helped in time. After Walter’s retreat, Mark asked for a way to break the contract with Lucifer.

Mark decided that he won’t hunt Walter’s soul just to achieve his freedom.

Mark:

Father Walter is dead? What is happening  ……

Lucifer:

How am I supposed to know, I’m not that free.

Beelzebub:

There’s another contractor who hunted for Walter’s soul.

You guys too, be careful around here.

Lucifer:

Huh, you meddle too much.

You even took your time to transform into a fly to warn us, what’s the deal.

Beelzebub:

He left behind the last quiche he prepared before his death, I came here for that.

Lucifer:

If that’s the case, just go home already.

Mark:

……

Lucifer:

Nothing is going to change if you just do whatever you’re comfortable with. Other contractors are going to target you.

Mark:

I know that.

But regardless, I ……

Lucifer:

Do whatever you want, I don’t care anymore.

Mark:

Whatever it is, as long as I can hand over the soul, is it.

Lucifer:

…… That’s exactly the point.

Mark:

What are human souls for you, devils? A fodder, food, what is it?

Lucifer:

It’s akin to a source of power, I guess you can call it our nourishment.

But, it’s not something that we can’t live without.

Mark:

Then what would be the reason for you to go out all the way to establish contract with humans?

Lucifer:

It’s just an activity to pass time.

Mark:

You’re just bored!?

Lucifer:

Don’t you know what kind of existence a devil is?

We are an existence who seek pleasures from human’s misfortunes, we found amusements in people’s sufferings.

Mark:

Somehow, I cannot really see it that way.

It’s my first time staying with another person for a long period of time and it’s surprisingly easy to get along with you, even though you’re a devil.

Lucifer:

Like I said, you’re just too naïve.

…… Human souls are, bound to Heaven otherwise it’s forsaken.

Mark:

Forsaken?

Lucifer:

When it is out of reach.

When your soul’s conscience no longer desires the God’s blessings.

Mark:

…… Basically, your soul won’t be able to reach Heaven anymore.

Lucifer:

No matter what kind of good places there are out there, you won’t be taken into consideration anymore.

Mark:

Lucifer, are you actually not a devil before?

Lucifer:

I have nothing to say to you.

Mark:

Eh, why.

I mean, just now ---

Lucifer:

Anyway, you won’t remember it anymore.

Mark:

Eh ……?

Narrator:

The day after, Walter’s body was found. Beelzebub who has turned into a fly, went to see Mark to warned him about another contractor who was hunting for souls.

In the street, noblemen were seen to be oppressing the orphans. Cliff looked at the scene with hatred as he glared at the noblemen with a piercing gaze.

Mark:

The demons are behaving weirdly today ……

They seemed to be gathering at the mansions in this area.

Nobleman A:

Have you heard about it?

The masters and the guards of the mansions around this area were massacred recently.

Nobleman B:

That’s very scary.

Nobleman A:

But, what kind of thing can possibly pull that off. It doesn’t seem to be a simple falling off between the noblemen.

Mark:

……

Cliff:

Serves them right, that’s what they deserved.

Mark:

Cliff?

Cliff:

Oh, it’s you, Mark.

Such a coincidence, are you working now?

Mark:

Ah, yeah.

Cliff:

Good luck to you.

Mark:

……

Narrator:

Mark who was following the trails of the demons arrived in front of a row of big mansions.

Afterwards, he heard from the people passing by, that several people including the masters and guards of the mansions were found dead due to unnatural causes.

Cliff who was passing by was heard to be laughing, while muttering sinister things and Mark who witnessed the scene was left with nothing but uncomfortable feelings.

Mark:

That is ……

Lucifer:

It’s Satan.

Mark:

--- Huh!

Cliff:

Ha!

Mark:

--- Cliff!?

Cliff:

…… Mark?

Mark:

Cliff, you are Satan’s contractor!?

Cliff:

Mark, you too.

Lucifer:

So, it’s you guys who hunted Walter.

Cliff:

Walter? Oh, that old man.

I don’t really remember but I think that’s his name.

Mark:

That’s a lie, Cliff, why would you ---

Cliff:

If you’re also a contractor then you should have known why. With other contractor’s soul you can exempt your own soul from being taken.

Mark:

Then, in exchange for your own, Walter’s soul is ……?

Cliff:

Yeah, with just a soul, your wish can be granted.

Mark:

---

Cliff:

It’s very convenient that Mark is also a contractor.

Do you want to help me with my ‘work’?

Mark:

Your ‘work’ is ……

Cliff:

Using the power of the devils, I will change the world.

It’s time to turn things around, I will destroy this world.

Mark:

Using the power of the devils ----

The one controlling the demons were you, Cliff?

Cliff:

Controlling them, I guess it’s only correct to a certain degree.

I can only lead them around; they don’t have their own will after all.

They won’t listen to any order.

Lucifer:

Don’t you realize that it was because of those demons that your friend was imprisoned.

Cliff:

I don’t really have a choice but to use them.

I have limited hands on my side you see.

Mark:

That kind of thing ---

Cliff:

Hey, Mark, you’re already fed up with this world aren’t you.

You will never gain control no matter how hard you work.

Every single time, they exploited us, only throw us away after they’re done.

Mark:

But, that’s kind of thing.

There’s no connection between that and people’s misfortune.

That way of thinking is wrong.

Cliff:

Enough with that bullshit.

Since long time ago, I really hate that childish thinking of yours --!

Mark:

--- !

Cliff:

Ha!

Mark:

Stop it, Cliff!

Lucifer:

---

Satan:

There’s no need to rush.

How many years have it been since I last clash with you?

Lucifer:

I don’t remember.

There has been no chance in the past thousand years.

Satan:

You’re right.

I’ve always been waiting for this time to come.

Finally, after such a long time, come and face me seriously.

Ha!

Lucifer:

--- Ha!

Give it up.

You can’t win against me.

Satan:

It won’t be interesting if that’s the case.

Brother.

Mark:

Ha!

Cliff:

Ha!

--- Tch!

Mark:

Cliff, please listen to me.

Cliff:

It’s useless!

No matter what, you won’t understand!

Ha!

Mark:

--- Tch!

Cliff:

Retreat ---

Satan:

See you again, Lucifer.

I’m grateful that you introduced me to a good contractor.

Thanks to that, every day is not so boring anymore.

Mark:

Eh ……?

Lucifer, you were the one who introduced Satan to Cliff?

Lucifer:

I only found him as a suitable person.

Mark:

Why, that kind of thing is ---

Lucifer:

I remind you, Devils are beings that lead humans to fall into corruption.

Mark:

---

Satan:

Human, I’ll teach you something good.

Even if you hunt for other contractor’s soul, you can’t break free from the devils.

Mark:

What?

Satan:

Humans who formed a contract with a devil will already be devoid of God’s blessings.

For devils, human souls without blessings are such a pleasant treat.

No matter what you do, you can’t escape from the devils.

Mark:

---

Lucifer:

Stop meddling too ---

Satan:

Oh, it seems I’m called by my contractor.

Mark:

That talk just now, was that true?

Lucifer:

If it is, then?

Mark:

So you tricked me.

Lucifer:

I only did not say the truth.

Mark:

But, you tricked me.

Lucifer:

You don’t exactly expect honesty from a devil.

Mark:

Enough, go away already, I don’t want to see your face anymore.

Lucifer:

If I’m gone, Cliff will soon come back for you.

Mark:

Go away.

Narrator:

Mark was surprised to see that Cliff has formed a contract with the devil, Satan.

Cliff had been hunting for other contractor’s soul to overwrite his own contract. He wished to change and destroy the world which oppressed the weak. Taking into consideration Walter’s soul who has been hunted, Mark refused to give his cooperation.

The refusal has brought Cliff into a rage and he rushed in to attack Mark. At the same time, Satan rushed in to attack Lucifer. After realizing the difference in power, Cliff pulled off a retreat.

 When Satan passed his gratitude to Lucifer for his encounter with Cliff, Mark started to question and doubt Lucifer’s action. What would be the reason for Lucifer to pull people into despair and corruption.

 At that time, Satan whispered to Mark.

Even if Mark is to hunt for other contractor’s soul, he would not be able to break free from the devils. The sin for being a contractor was to be devoid of God’s blessings, to be exempted from the cycle of rebirth. Mark who just realized that he was being deceived, casted Lucifer aside.

Lucifer:

Tch.

Satan:

You seem to be having a rough time.

Lucifer:

Don’t come near me.

Satan:

Again, you’re going to run away aren’t  you.

This time I will hunt him for real.

Lucifer:

---

Satan:

Hoo, are you going wreak havoc in Hell?

If you are banished from here, you’ll really have nowhere else to go.

Lucifer:

Get out of my sight.

Narrator:

In the realm of Hell, Lucifer was caught by Satan in a bad mood. Satan announced that he will be going to collect Mark’s soul and Lucifer was brought to rage.

At that time, Mark went to see Cliff. One more time, he wanted the chance to talk to him.

Mark:

Cliff, let’s talk.

There must be other methods for us to change the world.

Cliff:

You, the only thing you do was being a hindrance to me.

Mark:

That’s not my intention!

Cliff:

Shut up! I don’t need any lip service!

You will never save anyone that way!

Mark:

--- Ugh, uhh

Cliff:

Glad aren’t you, Satan.

This way, Mark’s soul will now be yours.

Satan:

Yeah, I’m going to enjoy looking at Lucifer’s resentful face later.

Cliff:

Damn, brother complex.

Satan:

Do you even listen to what you said?

Even this guy was someone akin to a brother to you right.

Cliff:

You’re right.

In the past, this kind of thing is ---

Satan:

Thanks to you, I really get to enjoy this.

Cliff:

In the end, only devils will follow me ……

This is goodbye, Mark.

This time, it will be farewell for real.

Mark:

Tch --- Lucifer!

Lucifer:

You’re late.

Cliff:

Tch.

Satan:

--- Ugh.

Mark:

Ha!

Cliff:

Ugh!

Lucifer:

This time, finish him off, Mark!

Mark:

---

Satan:

Do you think you have the time to look away?!

Lucifer:

--- Ugh.

Mark:

Lucifer!

Cliff:

Satan, obliterate that guy!

Lucifer:

--- Tch.

Mark:

---

Cliff:

Arrghhh.

Mark:

I’m sorry, Cliff ---

Satan:

Damn it, I’m running out of time.

At least your head ---

Mark:

Stop it!

Lucifer:

Wha ---

Satan:

Tch, he took all the damage.

Lucifer:

What are you doing?

Who in the right mind will try to protect a devil?

Now you’re badly injured…

Mark:

…… Is that so.

But that’s alright.

Regardless, tomorrow will be the end of the one-month time period.

 My soul is yours.

Lucifer:

You hunted Cliff’s soul.

According to the term of the contract, your soul will no longer…

Mark:

Ah, is that so ……

It’s no good.

My head’s spinning from the loss of blood.

Still, to lose something like blessings.

You can still hunt my soul, can’t you?

It’s okay you know, you already helped me a lot.

I was angry for being deceived, but I really enjoyed the time I spent with you……

It was fun……

Lucifer:

You really are naïve.

Mark:

Goodbye, Lucifer ……

Lucifer:

Your soul won’t be saved by sacrificing yourself.

If God’s blessings really exist, I won’t let go of your hands.

Again, everything’s falling apart under my hand.

No matter how many times the cycle of rebirth continues to repeat itself, your soul will no longer……

Oh God please, if you have to save someone, please save him.

Don’t let him be just a sacrifice, a victim in this cruel world.

Oh God please, if you can show your compassion…

Voice from The Sky:

Lucifer, we heard your call.

The Heaven cannot excessively intervene with the Earth as it violates the law of Heaven.

Lucifer:

Things like the law of Heaven, how am I supposed to know about that ---

If even God won’t be willing to save that person.

 There is no need for any blessings.

Narrator:

The radiance of the soul that has traveled through thousands of years, shining brightly towards the surface of the earth. Bringing to distraught, the accursed heaven’s blessings---

And when it’s finally freed from the crime it was accused for, his one and only light will be saved.

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