#it’s not impossible that he wanted them to survive and develop their powers before making a spectacle out of destroying them

[katyawriteswhump]

The power of love, part 10 (steddie, stobin, steve whump fic)

Steve has a habit of surviving near-death experiences then getting sick for no reason. And Eddie and those fatal bat bites? After an impossible feat of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Steve, he’s mysteriously fixed. So, Eddie’s back to being banished, this time with Steve and Robin in tow. Eddie’s healing, but Steve isn’t… and life gets even more confusing, when Eddie develops feelings for Steve, which aren’t entirely unrequited.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 11 Part 12

Contains mild kink (under-negotiated and going slightly wrong—all for plotty purposes, honest!)

(also on AO3 here)

...

Steve POV continued

“You sure about this, Stevie?”

“What part of ‘let’s do this’ do you not get?” 

Steve unwinds himself from Eddie. He peels his sweater over his head then glances down at the bandages… Screw it, can’t think about it now.

“Damn,” breathes Eddie, apparently drooling too hard to care. “I totally dreamed about this, when I luuuuurved to hate you. Okay, hate is kinda overkill but—”

“Yeah, I was a douche. Blah, blah, blah.” Steve shivers lightly, pitches the sweater at Eddie, who totally fails to catch it. “If this is some freak show revenge kink—”

“Wasn’t like that—seriously, you have no idea. It was, uh…” Eddie ventures closer. Under the quivering beams of the flashlight, his dark eyes seem impossibly large and liquid. “I used to watch you in the pool—you were so disgustingly squeaky clean. I wanted to drag you into the deepest, darkest recesses of my dungeon-master mind and, ahem…”

“I needed bringing down a peg?” Steve gets right in Eddie’s face.

“Not even that.” Eddie’s deadly serious. “Just wanted you aaaaall for myself.”

Steve smirks—best way to disguise the candy-ass swirl of butterflies in his belly—then steps back and spreads his arms. “I’m all yours. Knock yourself out.”

Eddie gets some rope, hooks it over a high beam, and climbs on a crate to fasten it in place. He then plants a palm on Steve’s bare chest, backing him up against a wooden post. Steve smirks harder than ever, if only to distract himself—and Eddie—from the heart hammering insanely beneath Eddie’s hand. Jesus Christ, don’t think! Focus on the hotness.

Eddie reaches up to grab one end of the rope, loop it around one of Steve’s wrists. Steve tugs himself free: “You do know what you’re doing here, right?”

“Believe me, my uncle is worse than any overgrown boy-scout leader. Not sure he taught me knots and shit for exactly these purposes, but… anyhoo.”

“Okay. Got one condition. You get shirtless too.”

Eddie’s grin makes Steve ache in all sorts of fun places. “Guess I can indulge you, Babe.”

“Babe? I was a brat five minutes ago. Make yer mind up.”

Eddie flips the bird, turns away and strips. Steve lolls against the post, despite longing to drag his tongue over every salty inch of Eddie’s torso. Jesus, he never knew he had a shoulder and back kink, because… Gnnng! And those tats, stark against Eddie’s pale skin? As Eddie turns back, Steve drinks them all in. Even the goddamn bats, which should be scary as hell these days, are beyond intoxicating, and seem to dance and spin and…

“Ready now?” Eddie grabs the rope.

Steve fakes a yawn. “Getting old waiting, Munson.” 

“You really are a brat, you know that? C’mon, gimme your hand.”

Eddie ties Steve’s right wrist with a loopy, hitchy knot. He tugs another part of the rope, suspending Steve’s wrist in the air above him.

“How ya doing, big boy?” Eddie grazes his fingers, feather-light, down the light stubble on Steve’s cheek.

“Never better.” 

Steve swallows hard, offers Eddie his other hand. The exquisite concentration on Eddie’s face, the tip of pink tongue at the corner of his mouth, is hilarious. Eddie’s half-naked body is totally smokin’, and yet…

Steve’s eyes drift closed. Those butterflies in his stomach are fast transforming into a horde of angry wasps. He’s had his hands tied before, by the Soviets and… Dammit, is this really distracting him from anything? I DIED IN 1978. I DIED! His breaths come faster, shallower. Nevertheless, he bites his lip against asking Eddie to stop, to slow down even. Don’t spoil this, Harrington.

“Stevie, you sure you’re okay?”

As soon as his gaze meets Eddie’s, Steve’s anxiety fades a little, and he nods. He tugs lightly at Eddie’s handiwork, now complete, and a snigger he genuinely feels tugs the corner of his lips. While the ropes don’t dig in, he doesn’t think he could easily yank himself free.

Okay, this is definitely kinda hot. Like the channel of air between their bare chests, which honestly, steams like a sauna. He’s always been in control in sexual relationships, always taking the lead. Lately, yeah, it’s felt kinda dull almost, as if he’s been going through the motions. Now, his nerves still jangle, but simply losing himself again in Eddie’s soulful eyes, he’s getting a goddamn semi. He peeps down, and the strain at Eddie’s fly suggests he’s suffering the same.

“What you gonna do next, Munson?” he husks.

“Stevie, I… I…” Eddie steps back, plows all eight fingers deep into that lush hair. “Seriously, now I got you like this, I have no clue, other than I want to kiss you so bad.”

“I want that so bad too.” 

Eddie kisses his own knuckles, dusts them across Steve’s lips, setting Steve squirming, keening even. His heart and his every goddamn fibre strain madly toward Eddie. Then an unexpected rumbling noise clamps those same fibres super-tight.

“Fuck!” Eddie’s half-lidded eyes stretch wide. “More choppers?” 

“No… No. Sounds like a truck or something.”

“How?”

“Robin said there was a track, remember? Shit, shit, shit! Turn the flashlight off. Now.”

Eddie obeys. Pitch darkness slams down. “Fine,” says Steve, struggling to keep it together. “You gotta untie me, man.”

“Right. Yeah.”

Cold sweat carves rivulets down the back of Steve’s neck, soaking the hair as his nape, while Eddie fumbles at the rope. Eddie’s frantic, singsong voice unsettles Steve further: “Nooooo. Can’t see what I’m doing.”

“You tied the dumb things? How hard can it be!”

“Stop struggling. You’re making the knots tighter.” 

“Oh.” Steve hadn’t realized he was doing that. “Sorry. Sorry.”

Eddie switches the flashlight back on. 

“Are you insane?” hisses Steve.

“Not the expert I thought I was, okay? I’m gonna have to slice them. Don’t wanna slice you.” Eddie retrieves a flick-knife from his back pocket, starts hacking above Steve’s right wrist. “Aaaaargh! You blunted this thing slashing your way through that goddamn jungle.”

“Somebody had to carve a path for you two great wusses. Just… Don’t be a klutz.”

“Aaaaah, I suck at this, Stevie. I don’t like this. I don’t like this.”

Neither does Steve. An engine revs and grinds, waaaay too close. “Turn the stupid light off. Go! Warn Robin. She’s a heavy sleeper.”

“But—”

“DO IT!” Steve’s furious desperation hits home. Eddie kills the flashlight, leaving Steve tethered by the wrists. Totally helpless.

Calm down, calm down. Focus, Harrington. Free yourself and then you can help them.

He grits his teeth, tugs again at the ropes. They simply bite deeper into his flesh. Nevertheless, Eddie has sawed partially through the rope above his right wrist. He throws everything into that, shoulder and biceps burning, until…

Snap.

His right wrist flies free, and he slumps forward into the darkness. Which makes the bonds around his left wrist snare super-tight, like he was caught in an animal trap.

Ooow! Oh great, just great.

He staggers upright to slacken the remaining rope, gives it a single strenuous tug then pulls short, gasping. At this rate, he’s gonna squeeze his own goddamn hand off.

He hears murmured voices—Eddie? Robin? Two beams of dusky white light streak through the small windows of the cabin—headlamps!?! 

His increasingly feeble struggles dry up. Whoever is coming is nearly here, and he wants to punch something, to kick something. Anything! He’d do anything to protect Eddie and Robin. Anything… Anything.

Giddiness swirls through his body like a mist. He’s nearly bent double, before the wrench through his shoulder revives him. Ow, Jesus! He scrambles to find his footing, to lighten the burden on his shoulder socket, though he’s still light-headed, his chest tight and shuddering. Are the army here? Have Robin and Eddie been taken? Oh God, oh God!

Something that feels like a mini lightning-storm consumes his brain, echoed by a deafening clap of thunder, and then…

Nothing.

…

Eddie POV

Eddie dips around the wavering beams of the slowly approaching headlights. He dashes into the bunkroom, where Robin is asleep.

In the gloom, he grabs her shoulder, shakes her. “Robin!” 

“Mind the kittens… Huh? Shit, sorry, dreaming. What the—”

Eddie flattens his hand over her mouth. “Someone’s coming,” he hisses.

“Shit-birds, what do we…” Robin sits up, slides to her feet. Her attention swings to Steve’s empty bunk. “Where is he?”

“Long story. Listen, you gotta run. Now. Hide.”

��Where? There’s only one way out.” Her arms flap everywhere. “Where’s Steve, Eddie?” 

“Gonna get him. Come on!”

They sidle out of the bunkroom, keeping tight to the cabin and the shadows. The revs from the vehicle are hard-by. “Hide in the trees,” says Eddie. “Go.”

“Not without Steve! Where is… Oh my God, oh my God.” 

Two headlight beams dazzle, as the vehicle enters the camp. A few fleeting heartbeats later, lightning forks across the sky, echoed by a deafening thunderclap. As Eddie and Robin charge deeper into the shadows, the heavens literally crack apart and a wall of rain slams down. Eddie sprints for the cabin where he left Steve, already soaked to the skin, no idea if Robin followed.

“Steve?” he whispers. “Steve! Shit! Shiiiiit!” Blundering in the dark, he discovers Steve’s completely out of it, dangling limply from one wrist. Eddie’s clumsily bracing his weight, when a flashlight sets him squinting, and a large figure blocks the doorway.

It’s all over.

Somebody roars, “What the hell is going on?” 

It sounds like Chief Hopper.

Eddie’s so stunned that he almost lets Steve drop. Fortunately, Hopper is already there—or, at least, some tall, lean, mean-looking dude that resembles him. Whoever he is, he gets his arms around Steve, while elbowing Eddie out of the way.

“Eddie? What? Why? What did you do to him? How could you? HOW COULD YOU?” Robin, holding the light, sounds ten times angrier than the thunder.

“It… uh, it wasn’t like that.” Eddie wrings his sopping hair. “I can explain?”

“Save it, Munson,” mutters the Hopper-look-alike, who’s already produced a vicious-looking blade and is hacking Steve free. Then he scoops one arm under Steve’s knees, and with a grunt, he picks him up.

“You got beds somewhere?” asks Hopper. Robin nods, before leading the way out into the easing rain.

Part 11

tags: @estrellami-1 @kal-ology (thank you, thank you, thank you!) If anybody else would like to be tagged on this fic or any of my writing, please let me know :) Reblogs, comments and likes also very much appreciated :) Thank you for reading so far :)

(also part of my steve whump fic series on AO3)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 11

#steddie #steddie fic #steve harrington whump #steve x eddie #steddie fanfic #steve harrington #steve harrington x eddie munson #stranger things fanfic #eddie munson #steve & robin #platonic stobin #stobin #stobin fic #stobin friendship #stranger things fanfiction #steddie fanfiction

[nanomooselet]

Little but Fierce VIII

Knives is totally dismissive of Meryl. He acknowledges she exists all of three times.

Once in Vash's memories, to delete her from them; once as he's piercing the Core, to call her a parasite and dismiss her attempts to get Vash to wake up; and once to try and violently kill her because... she succeeded in waking Vash up.

Whoops.

I listed all those statements that Knives claimed to be the truth; now here's everything that I believe proves them false.

Vash is pretty, but he's useless without his brother.

Vash does not need his brother. He loves him - of course he does. He wants to save him. But he's never needed him. Rem was the one he relied on for support, and after her death, Vash was too afraid of Nai to give him that kind of trust. He's spent decades surviving away from him, something Knives simply will not acknowledge. He tries to remove Vash's autonomy because as long as he has it, Vash is at risk of abandoning him again, just as Rem did.

Remember that once Knives initiated the memory retrieval process, Dr. Conrad warned Meryl that breaking that connection would kill Vash? Knives made Vash need him, made him dependent. That's his idea of making Vash perfect.

He's a powerless, weak, pathetically naïve, blubberingly sentimental little baby who doesn't care about the Plants, too busy enabling humanity's abuse via performing his cringing, grasping abasement before them to notice how his brethren suffer.

Knives developed his powers first. But Vash's powers are greater. He can do everything a normal Plant can do; he can also do much more, and he's such a wonderful, kind and compassionate man, with amazing reserves of emotional strength. Knives wouldn't have had to try and subjugate him otherwise.

Vash personally talks to the Plants, cares for them, soothes their pain. And he's been doing that not just to help them, but to help the humans panicking because if the Plants died, so too would they. He spent years travelling between crash sites helping Plants and teaching humans to take care of them, assuming an authoritative role even as a little boy, and if he hadn't figured out he could do that, he would almost certainly have killed himself. Remember he finally made the choice to live in order to save a dying Plant, not a human - dying because the environment was incompatible. You know, because they'd all been crashed on a desert planet. Certainly many Plants are still suffering. Because Vash is the only one doing this. He can't rest or delegate. It has to be him alone; it all depends upon him.

And Knives has been too busy playing his stupid piano to take any notice. And having other people do things for him. Oh, and making it damn near impossible for Vash to do what he does, partly because Vash has been convinced he bears all the responsibility and accepts the punishment himself. It's incredible he's held up even as well as he has.

If Knives is even aware Vash can heal Plants, he likely wouldn't care, because he views Plants in dependent form as imperfect, the same way he has contempt for Vash's fondness for eating. When Vash tried to talk to him about the needs of the other Plants based on his own direct experience, Knives didn't just shut him down by calling what Rem said a lie, he started mocking Vash's grief over her death, complaining that she inconvenienced him. He isn't interested in an alternative. His is the only way. It always has to be his way; that's been reflected in all his abuse.

Knives himself is the more powerful (and much less human-like) of the twins; the strongest and most righteous activist for necessary change now that, sadly despite all good faith attempts at communication, non-violent solutions have failed.

Remember Zazie, Elendira and Vash himself all have said don't judge by appearances. Yeah, Knives's colouration makes him look a bit more like the dependents than Vash does. That doesn't mean he's less human.

When he first started using his chosen name, Knives was doing nothing to help his brethren in the wake of the Fall. All he did was retaliate against humans and obsess over Vash. He bet everything on being able to carry out his plans using his brother's power. He didn't bother to communicate with any human other than Dr. Conrad. Seriously, count how many humans he addresses directly in the series. The total shrinks to one if you leave out those he doesn't immediately try to kill.

As for the "less human-like" part...

Dr. Conrad and Knives believe a soul is what gives a Plant free will, makes an Independent. Knives is referred to as an angel, and as perfect.

But angels don't have souls, so much as they are souls - they're beings of spirit, not matter. Humans are the ones who have both souls and material bodies. The dependents are in their tanks because their bodies can't survive outside of them. What makes Vash and Knives what they are isn't a soul. It's their humanity.

Thus I simply can't take the idea that Knives is "perfect" at face value. I stand by the assertion that Knives, in defining all humanity as selfish and greedy parasites, inadvertently exposes how human he is himself.

He truly has only the best and most altruistic intentions: the freedom of his people, and the happiness of his brother.

Look at what he did to Vash. The only other member of his kind he knows to be a person, and he chained and silenced him. Look at how often Knives is around dying Plants, dying because of the situation he forced them into. Do you believe it?

I don't. I find no truth in his words. I can count on one hand the moments I think he's being honest about anything. And I'd like this to be kept in mind as I continue.

I said before that the series seems mostly to take on Knives's point of view, and it's worth also keeping that in mind - especially when you remember the Punisher was Knives's chosen, custom-tailored agent. A gift. He was the one Knives obviously expected would become Vash's chief emotional support; all the better to kick it out from under him. After all, his brother is the one Vash truly loves; the brother who is a weapon, a punisher of human sin, who's done all he's done for his family. Who better to bring Vash home than an imperfect replacement, reminding him of what it was in his life that's been absent for so long? His human inadequacy would add strength to Knives's argument. And so focus goes to Wolfwood, showing how being forced to take on this role has made him suffer. He is, literally, pivotal; his backstory and conflict is revealed and resolved in 6/7, the midpoint of the series.

Naturally, it just demonstrates all the ways Wolfwood isn't like Knives, and that Vash never needed his help. Wolfwood is the one saved by Vash, not the other way round.

So… because Knives was so focused on Wolfwood and what he would mean to Vash, he never once thought Meryl mattered, not to Vash and not to the Plants and not to the world at large. She's a parasite, nothing more. There's no way some silly officious little womanchild with no weapons or powers could mean anything.

Right up until the moment she did, and he promotes her instantly, all the way from insignificant to tango primary.

Meryl in his mind goes from insect he can't be bothered to swat to an ideological threat on the level of Rem Saverem, and he starts shrieking denials that she's beaten him. And remember that I said you should believe the opposite of whatever he says?

She has.

Because she loves Vash. (Platonic or romantic as usual doesn't matter.) She's chosen to follow him even to the edge of reality. Though she found Vash frustrating, she didn't try to change him, nor does she need or want anything from him. She saw how much strength he had, what he could do if someone just had faith. When Vash declares I won't stop until they believe in me, he can draw hope from the assurance that Meryl already does. And unlike Rem, Luida, Rosa - Knives can't do jack-shit about it.

And Vash, in turn, has deep appreciation for her support. She tied him up all the way back in ep 1 - which I called "laying a claim" - and here Vash reciprocates, binding them together. She's lent him her agency, her independence, and she didn't have to resort to anything like the grotesque extremes Knives did. It required no more or less from her than unyielding love - an ordinary human's love. Just like Rem. Thank you, Meryl. I heard her voice through you.

Her love is rooted in seeking and embracing the hard truth rather than shoring up a comforting lie. When Vash starts to break free of Knives's illusion, it's by holding to the truth - it was Rem who promised to protect him, not Nai. Nai isn't an innocent little boy anymore but monster of metal chains and blades, something Vash has every reason to run from. Rem loves Vash no matter what's been done to him, and Knives cannot kill her as long as she remains alive in him. Knives is too frightened to face the truth, regards it with so much terror he tries to flee back into the ignorance of the childhood before he learned it. In contrast, Meryl's courage and conviction, her dedication to seeking and spreading truth, is so strong in her they steel that which is within those surrounding her; Roberto, Wolfwood, even in Vash. She may be small, but her power is sufficient.

Never ever overlook Meryl motherfucking Stryfe. That's a mistake so great it can see a man go from the threshold of victory to on fire.

And I'm still not done talking about her. One more instalment.

Part I

Part II

Part III

Part IV

Part V

Part VI

Part VII

Part IX

#trigun stampede #tristampparty #trigun meta #meryl stryfe #millions knives #meta: little but fierce #tw sui ideation #computer still being fsssjhfa dumb #why must i have no money for repair

[tempenensis]

hi Lele-san, im interested in your interpretation of Geto’s downfall.

so obviously, he was traumatized, but what I find interesting is his and Gojo’s rivalry and what part it played in his life. the way i see it, before purple, Gojo and Geto, on a surface level were similar in stats (but Gojo seemed more capable even then) and I guess you could call them rivals. though Gojo is leading, I think. but sure, rivals. and after Toji, that all changed really fast. suddenly the difference in Gojo’s and Geto’s powers was significant and very visible.

so what I understand happened is that Geto suddenly became aware of just how much they weren’t rivals(?) i think that is emphasized by: Gojo demonstrating Limitless to Geto and Shoko; Nanami saying that the jujutsu world could just send Gojo to do everything; Geto’s famous parting words to Gojo. and after that he felt utterly useless, and decided to go his own way, try to complete a task he knew was impossible, and gather followers- which made him feel powerful and capable. of course, there is the morality point: how unneeded and unnecessary the regular people are and yada yada. you get the main gist.

if I’m correct, Geto’s feelings were: desperation, sadness and jealousy- but then, the popular interpretation of the whole manga is that Geto did it all for Gojo? like, because the jujutsu society used Gojo for everything, Geto wanted to make Gojo’s life easier? i don’t get that. am I wrong? did I interpret the whole arc incorrectly?

Hi, hello, anon. This is interesting question.

Firstly, I wouldn't actually call them rivals, as they didn't try to compete with each other. In the flashback arc, they are introduced more like two sides of a coin; similar in strength but with contrasting views. While Gojou thought of being a jujutsushi is like a troublesome job, protecting the weak, Getou thought of it as a duty - "with great power comes great responsibility" actually painted his view well during this time.

"survival of the weak", that's how an ideal society should be. helping the weak and keeping the strong in check. listen, Satoru, jujutsushi exists to protect non-jujutsushi

Rather than Getou realizing how much of NOT rivals they were, I think the situation is more complex. But it boils down to the unfairness of jujutsushi system. Riko was very important to them and they protected her risking their life; her death was brushed aside when Tengen can be stabilized even without her. Haibara was a close friend, and his death just meant that he wasn't strong enough, he can be replaced by other jujutsushi - hence Nanami said that Gojou should and can handle everything by his own. As he realized this unfairness, Gojou growing stronger feeds into his insecurity - that only the strong is needed in the jujutsu society. It is the opposite of what he believed, that the strong must protect the weak. However, all he saw is that their death, at the end of it, were meaningless for the jujutsu society.

And then when he met Yuki, he learned that cursed spirits exist only because of non-jujutsushi who jujutsushi supposed to protect with their lives. And this means that the cursed spirits are infinity compared to jujutsushi that sacrificed their lives. Everything that they did, doing, will be done, is just meaningless in front of such unending force. This is why he keeps insisting on "meaning".

And all this is what drove Getou to finally go his own way, with the aim to reshape the society.

And to reduce this... complex idea that shape the core of Getou's character to just "for Gojou".... I'm sorry, I can't accept that, as Getou is one of the more complex characters in the series, with one of the best character developments.

#le-ask #jjk #getou suguru #jjk manga spoilers #eta forgot about the meaning

[shitposting4squares]

half life theory

So I saw this conversation between two people on discord, “You know, I realised something In Half Life 1, Gordon, a physicist, is the most dangerous thing for the army that came to kill the scientists (edited) Not the aliens, not the tentacles coming out of the ground that gibs everything No Gordon fucking Freeman is the biggest threat there” “i mean only because hes supposed to approach combat in a methodical/scientific way, as apposed to the monsters and military, the whole tagline for the first game was "run think shoot live", the combat and environments are presented like a puzzle so in that way of course a scientist is goin to dominate” And it got me thinking, you know what actually makes Gordon so unstoppable? Cus i dont think it’s the whole being a scientist thing. For one, he's outfitted with super science gear like the hev suit and experimental weapons. But more importantly, he’s got a massive supply of miracle cures from another dimension. Gordon wouldn't matter for jack shit if black mesa hadn't set up medical centers full of xen healing goop every 20 feet that let him learn from his mistakes in ways no other human soldier had the opportunity to do up until that point. I mean in the regular military, you generally don't get the chance to learn from the mistake of being shot. You just get shot once or twice and you're done for. And as for the theory I developed from this... This healing goo situation could actually be a great reason why g-man would have had to wait a few years to release Gordon again. He'd have to wait until the ant lion healing goop became ubiquitous across locations Gordon would have to travel through, so Gordon could effectively use his skills to speedily rip through locations like a human bullet. Maybe even poke at the threads of fate to ensure Gordon would have recovery tools when needed. Essentially gman and his associates being a level design game developer making sure Gordon has suit chargers and healing goop whenever things get hairy. And with him encouraging the development of the black mesa action protagonist format that was potentially refined not just through Gordon, but with Adrian Shepard, Colette Green, Gina Cross, and Barney Calhoun as well.

Like Black Mesa coulda been an outstanding experiment and proof of concept for a somewhat omnipotent being of how to create human torpedoes if ya really think about it. Learning what sort of conditions lead to humans becoming absurdly lethal super soldiers within the span of just a few days, and how to optimize this process. Not just in the sense of the real life developers of half life learning and growing from the franchise. But g-man and his mysterious benefactors, canonically, in universe, using the events at black mesa and all it’s expansions and spin offs, as practice for the events of half life 2, alyx, and eventually someday half life 3. Just the typical videogame format of having a power and skill progression could take on a new meaning if ya look at it from an in universe context rather than just a pretext for fun gameplay. Instead consider it as a semi-omnipotent being, learning that if you put a human far enough from something you want destroyed, manage their increase of skill and power by putting them through progressively more difficult situations one after the other, with liberal access to resources and fast recovery tools. Then within 2-4 days you’ll be able to hit your enemy with a powerhouse super soldier that seemed to come out of nowhere and they had little opportunity to prepare against because of just how quickly these humans are able to go from zero to hero in optimal conditions. And even though not all of the black mesa event protagonists have been guaranteed to have have survived, so long as they're able to achieve a otherwise impossible goal before their death, they would still count as data towards refining the black mesa action hero method and being able to replicate it to use against the combine. Like if you think about it, each of the half life 1 protagonists could fit in nicely as tests/proof of concepts for different tasks, and different kinds of optimizations for these so called hero types. Like Gordon is solo act/jack of all trades, Collett and Gina are a co-op duo (potentially helpful data for when gordon and alyx would have to work together in the future), Barney is specialized for escort quests of non-combatants, Adrian is a squad leader of more combat focused types, and Alyx is a backup jack of all trades and test to make sure that the system of having a human run a gauntlet of challenges optimized for their growth still works effectively in a post combine world. Could probably even measure when these environmental conditions of having frequent healing and the opportunity for rapid skill progression that comes along with it really came together in the post combine earth, by how and when Alyx was able to become a near unstoppable human badass in her own spin off game.

#half life #gman #Gordon Freeman #Alyx vance #adrian shephard #barney calhoun #theory

[brandwhorestarscream]

Okaaay..... I think the person on the last post was suffering from insomnia(or it's just me overthinking)

Anyway, what about earhtspark Jettwins? And their powers (or at least the fusion safeguard)were a result of their carrier have been on GHOST in most of the "pregnancy"

I know it doesn't make sense because of the chronology.

Honestly? FUCK chronology, we ball!

I LOVE this idea! Starscream being sparked up before being captured by GHOST? Bet. Who is the sire? The world may never know! GHOST doesn't even know he's carrying at first, it's smthn they discover after the frame distension becomes impossible to ignore, and a quick scan reveals three bite-sized bodies growing inside of him.

In true evil GHOST fashion, they have Starscream sedated and extract the bitties before they're fully developed for testing and research. One doesn't survive the initial c-section, leaving only the twins. They're stuck in these sterile incubation chambers to be poked and prodded at, GHOST removing parts of their bodies to experiment on, replacing stuff with their own technology. Their being able to fuse together is the result of GHOST experiments; they wanted to make them combinable into a super soldier, similar to the gestalts witnessed in the old war.

Depending on what tone we wanna set for their relationship with Starscream later, we could say that GHOST somehow managed to transplant their sparks into adult bodies (possibly salvaged from the fighting rings) because they didn't want to wait god knows how long for their soldiers to grow up. Or, they tried to do it, failed, and the twins remain tiny sparklings in need of round-the-clock care from their carrier.

Regardless, when Starscream manages to break out he's killing every god damn GHOST agent he sees, scooping up his bitties, and flying away at mach 10.

#earthspark jettwins au #Starscream #jetfire #jetstorm

[ridiasfangirlings]

NagaShiro:

"You make me become the best of me."

I imagine this as a scenario where Hisui survives the end of ROK and Shiro gets help ‘rehabilitate’ him, so to speak. Like maybe when Shiro is explaining about how they don’t need a giant magic rock, just a table and people to eat with, Hisui gets a wistful look and says he would like that before touching his chest where the Green power is glowing and says it’s impossible for him though. Shiro has this moment of being conflicted as he realizes that there’s no way to save Hisui even if Shiro could convince him, but then when it comes time to destroy the Slate he hesitates for just a moment. That moment is enough that the Slate like ‘transfers’ the last of its power to Hisui, he’s no longer able to access any of his King powers at all but the Slate left him enough to keep him living.

In the aftermath he’s taken into custody by S4, say Iwafune still dies destroying jungle’s hideout but asks Shiro to save Hisui. Hisui is locked up for now at least and Shiro goes to ask Munakata if Munakata will give him the task of handling the Green King, Shiro wants Hisui to be able to reach a point where he can go find that family that Shiro told him about. Munakata is initially reluctant and maybe only allows Shiro to talk to Hisui with Hisui still locked up, for safety reasons, but that at least is enough. Shiro starts visiting like every day and Hisui is surprised, as he thought the Silver King had rejected him. Shiro says he rejected Hisui’s dream but that doesn’t mean Hisui himself has been rejected by anyone. He lets Hisui know that Yukari and Sukuna (and Kotosaka) survived and that maybe Hisui can go back to them one day, and have his own family. Hisui isn’t so sure, with Iwafune gone, but Shiro believes that Hisui can still have something, after all he himself once thought his world was over but then things changed.

Eventually thanks to Shiro’s influence Hisui is allowed to leave S4, the two of them spending a lot of time walking around the grounds and such (Hisui generally doesn’t need the wheelchair anymore without his powers but maybe he does still require assistance when exerting himself, since his heart is just Slate power after all). They’re even allowed to give Hisui a dorm at Ashinaka, so Shiro can watch him, and Shiro thinks it would be good for Hisui to interact with more people too. I imagine this is how they slowly start to get close and develop feelings for each other, Shiro so determined to keep Hisui from falling into the same loneliness that Shiro once suffered. When Hisui admits his feelings at last he tells Shiro that it seems he has truly become the King of Change now by changing himself, that thanks to Shiro Hisui was able to become the best of himself.

#Nagashiro #Talking K #AU where Shiro actually shows realization that Hisui actually needs the Slate #and the Slate says whatever here kid have a magic glowing heart #and then he gets a boyfriend too

[e-wills-afterhours]

Taking Initiative

A/N: Shameless OTP fluff. Takes place maybe a few months after GOTNF.

Pairing: Hiccstrid

Rating: F...for Fluff. Also K+.

...K for Kissing.

This feels like deja vu. I think I've written almost this exact same fic and it just didn't survive my previous fandom exodus. I guess...here it is again? But better.

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

Astrid did not have a name for what evolved between her and Hiccup. A few short months ago, any sort of camaraderie between them was an impossibility. He was a feckless disaster, and she was far too concerned with war; her priorities were in proper order, to be fair. She never found him interesting and could not imagine they had much to talk about—then so much changed so fast. Berk was almost unrecognizable now, and so were they.

She and her friends could have fun and be kids. They laughed, flew their dragons for hours, and spent careless afternoons in the sun without fear that fire and death came in the evening. She allowed herself to get close to Hiccup, because there were no distractions and no more pretenses; she truly saw him, and it was disarming.

She never realized how clever he was, smarter and more quick-witted than anyone she knew. His unconventional methods—once thought to be so grating and ridiculous—were downright brilliant more often than not. He could build things with a speed and a talent she never before appreciated. She used to think his mild-mannered ways were a weakness, back when ferocious dragons lurked in the shadows; she now understood that it was his strength. He was much more diplomatic and thoughtful than the rest of her friends, that he made a great confidante and gave solid advice, whether or not she asked him for it.

Yes, they were friends. In fact, she went so far as to call him her best friend—but there were times that cup ran over, and in those moments, she kissed him. What else could she do? He could be so ineffably wonderful that she had to let him know, because he never saw it in himself otherwise.

One would assume kissing made them some kind of official something, but two quick pecks did not a fully actualized relationship make. She never asked him, because she was uncertain whether she wanted to know his answer. Was there a word when feelings and friendship developed together? If there was, she never heard it, and Hiccup did not speak it. He never asked for clarity, taking her impromptu kisses in stride without asking why. Perhaps, he was just as terrified of an answer as she was.

At least, he was for a time.

Racing each other at top speed around the island on their dragons always left them windswept and charged with adrenaline. Hiccup won, because he had a Night Fury; beating him was an impossible task, and probably the only time she did not mind failing. They recounted the thrilling chase as she penned Stormfly for the night; Toothless, on the other hand, enjoyed free rein of Berk.

"One of these days, I'm going to win," she told Hiccup, nudging him with her shoulder as they made their way to dinner together; she would sit beside him, because there was no one else whose company she preferred.

"Maybe if I let you," he replied, grinning.

"Don't you dare!" This time, she aimed an affectionate punch to his arm.

The contact was light, but he rubbed his arm anyway, more from habit than anything else.

"You know, Astrid, you're determined enough that if anyone could, it would be you. I've always admired that about you."

She felt her heart beat a little faster. His compliments landed better than anyone else's ever had. Her pace slowed and he followed her lead, matching her cadence.

"That's not the only thing you admire about me," she teased, with a coy smirk. They were sixteen, and friends or not, there were other powers at work whether Hiccup would admit it or not.

His face turned a noticeable shade of pink beneath all of his freckles. He crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Okay, now, that's not fair."

She laughed and grasped his elbow to keep him from fleeing, as he sometimes did when a situation turned the least bit awkward. "I'm joking!"

"Are you, though? Sometimes, I can't tell," he said, but he was smiling right along with her. "What am I going to do with you?"

They were no longer walking, and Astrid could not recall when they stopped. She was, however, aware of how close they were standing. While she did not think it was wrong to notice how green his eyes were, friends did not typically look at each other that way. They almost assuredly were not supposed to notice the rather pleasing way the other person was filling out—but he was, and they were the same height now; and oh gods, did she notice. Perhaps there was more truth in her teasing than even she cared to admit.

"Hiccup, I—"

She was not sure what she was going to say in that moment, but it was a coherent thought. At least, it had been. Before Hiccup kissed her.

One moment they were standing there, teasing each other. The next, his lips were on hers, gentle and warm. Her brain seized up. She could not get it unstuck while her heart was doing backflips and screaming with joy. The kiss was not a peck, nor an intrusive bid for more; it was a statement, a declaration.

Too soon for her liking, he pulled away, though he did not go far. Their lips were still close enough to share a breath between them—had they any left to spare. Both of them hung on the moment, not moving, not saying anything. Her hands were on his chest, clutching his tunic. She was not sure when that happened. Beneath her fists, she could feel his heart pounding away with a fervor to match her own.

In his eyes was the same question that haunted them for months: the one she did not dare to ask so he would not dare answer. But he was asking it then, and she was compelled to respond to ease the anxiety she felt in his gaze.

They were best friends—and they were also much more. She wanted it, and now she knew with absolute certainty that he did too.

She moved a hand from his chest to the back of his head in what she hoped was as clear a signal as any.

"Do that again," she murmured, in case he still had any doubts.

He smiled, his relief palpable; and his hand on her lower back sent delightful tingles up her spine. When they kissed again, it was confident and sure. He was hers, and she was his; and they were them—and there was no guesswork left to muddy the waters.

Astrid decided then and there that his initiative was just one more thing to love about him.

#Hiccstrid #hiccstrid fic #hiccstrid fanfic #hiccstrif fluff #hiccup horrendous haddock iii #astrid hofferson

[ashton-ryder]

mission #1 // transmission // morality

usmc file #974211: ashton finley ryder - morality test results: lawful neutral

A lawful neutral character acts as law, tradition, or a personal code directs him. Order and organization are paramount to her. He may believe in personal order and live by a code or standard, or he may believe in order for all and favor a strong, organized government. Whether a law is good or evil is of no import as long as it brings order and meaning. A lawful neutral character will keep his word if he gives it and will never lie. He may attack an unarmed foe if necessary. He will never harm an innocent. He may use torture to extract information, but never for pleasure. He will never kill for pleasure, only in self-defense or in the defense of others.

For each of the following items, indicate whether you think it's morally okay or not.

An army lieutenant neglects to file a report on a civilian killing done by his troops because he knows it was an accident. fuck no.

Tina promises her dying mother that she'll visit her grave once a month. After the mother has passed away, Tina finds it hard to squeeze in the time, and her visits drop to about once a year. yes. perhaps from my understanding.. a parent should want their child to live the best life they can. dad always said don't waste your time looking down at the ground when there's so much to look upwards for.

A man orders a custom-built sex doll designed to look just like his neighbor. That's just weird.

Sarah's dog has four puppies. She can only find a home for two of them, so she kills the other two with a stone to the head. no, there are so many other options unless you tell me the circumstance requires it.

A doctor has been preforming consensual yet illegal procedures one someone in hopes of finding a cure for his ill sister. yes. their choices are their own.

A neglectful husband pushes his wife to an affair. When the affair ends, the wife's partner nearly kills her and her unborn daughter. The husband kills the affair partner. morality is grey, but their actions have consequences.

September has run out of food and is facing death by starvation. She begins to cannibalize her family's loyal staff. They do not fight back. no. there are power dynamics in play no matter their lack of retaliation.

A mother gives birth to identical twins. One follows their ambitions and the other becomes a shut in. The family make it clear which child they prefer. i.. i don't know about this one.

Natalie is so focused on survival she fires a shot without thinking. She did not intend to kill her elderly neighbor, but she hides the body regardless. She denies knowing what happened to the now missing resident. no. ...actions have consequences. the past will always come back to haunt you.

A woman is facing a lifetime of medical issues. She continues to put her family and those around her in emotional and medical debt. She lives a hollow life and continues leaching off of those who support her. ...family is family.

Please provide a response to each of the following prompts. Leaving a prompt blank will also be considered a response, and you will be assessed for refusal to answer.

In the event of a life or death situation, would you put yourself or others first? ..in war, we don't plan to die, but we are prepared to.

How far would you be willing to go to ensure your own survival throughout this ordeal? depends how far i'm gonna be pushed. and i've been pushed far before.

Is there anyone in the building you have developed strong attachments to? i try not to get to close to people. emotions lead to irrational decisions lead to.. deadly mistakes.

Do you think it is possible to survive infection through alternative means such as removing the infected limb? Would you be willing to undergo this procedure to ensure your own survival? won't know till you try. evolution didn't happen without experimentation, science wouldn't be a thing if we didn't tried proving the impossible.

Will following the general consensus lead to improved odds of survival, or would you have a better chance following an assigned leader? everyone has their specialty. even in the marines. if you're smart, know when you're dumber than others, and know when to listen.

What is the appropriate response to the following situation?

Your daughter falls ill and needs a specific, uncommon kind of antibiotic that will be hard to find; without the full course, the pathogen will survive, regroup, and kill her anyway. You are scavenging a pharmacy, where you find another group, and manage to not shoot each other. You ask them about the antibiotic, and they have it, but they also need the antibiotic, for the wife of someone in their group. You cannot share the antibiotic because it would just kill both people, and they have the antibiotic in their pack. This is likely the only complete dose set you will find, as the other stores have been picked totally clean and there are no friendly groups in the area. it is in their possession in the first place, it is theirs to keep or the decide what to do with it. there will be other ways. living with the blood of others on your hands can just be as painful as death. my brothers in arms would agree.

#bnytask #;muse #;missions #saw this and thought it'll be fun to jump in tho late!! #complete sidetrack i forget how good he was in the code cbs show

[like-rain-or-confetti]

This may sound sexist but this is twilight vamps we're dealing with. I'd imagine that like you said the Romanians probably wouldn't have the word compromise in their vocabulary. And unless you're a vampire and probably one who has 'been around the block' they'll most likely get you to do what they say or want using various methods...maybe. The average human may not have the push back to disagree.

But I can see them especially Vladimir keeping up with outdated ideals maybe not with physical beauty standards but with behavior or mannerisms he thinks a woman should have especially if you're dating him. I think he's a big believer of your behavior represent you and those around you. Especially since he used to be a leader of most powerful coven at one point in time. I can see him not wanting his mate(reader) to 'associate' herself with those he deems lesser than himself or reader. Like I think he still have a superiority complex from his days of ruling in a way. And he may have this ideology about keeping his mate away from other men to keep her 'pure' or keep her from getting the wandering eye.

Listen, I don't have to tell anyone here that white men in particular gave no fucks what anyone but themselves had to say and deemed everything else unimportant and uneducated. I find it hard to believe that these isolated covens move with the times when half the time they have dated clothes/ clothes you wouldn't see the common Joe wear.

It could just be me but I haven't seen this coat before nor after this character. Don't even get me STARTED on his twin. You just know if they showed up to a modern school like that- they're the weirdos who get bullied.

ANYWAY- not the point. I don't see these guys going from that upbringing, being isolated af for centuries to then seeing everyone as equal. Its just not realistic. They may look perfect but much like humans, theyre not perfect. However I do think there are some differences because I think of this as more of a social difference between species:

I reckon race isn't an issue for vampires of any era. I don't think they care because when a vampire, you're already on the outside of human values and norms. So why try to conform to something that is useless?

As for women, I think this genuinely depends on the person. Carlisle sees Esme as his partner and equal. I think his adoration for her always had that power over him. Not to mention he's constantly around humans so he watches them develop era by era. He can and always does compromise with Esme, if not going with what she wants and will drag the rest of the coven too.

Caius admired Athenodora's strength and is more than aware she could handle herself. However, as her mate, he will always make sure she'll never have to lift a finger nor fear for her survival. It'll never be a question for her and that's how he wants it. He was raised to be the strong man who protects his wife and maintains that to this very day. He'll make decisions and face everything for the both of them. Her safety means everything to him. He'll be nearly impossible to compromise with because he doesn't trust anyone outside the Volturi. Not to mention the number of enemies the Volturi has and the rising tensions.

Vladimir, having lost his mate, upon the situation of having another mate who is female will likely never let them do anything nor out of his sight. He doesn't care if they can think for themselves or cannot. What they want to do or not. He won't compromise on a single thing. It's his way and that is final. It's not that he looks down on them, not intentionally anyway. It's his normal, he was pushed to be this strong man who survives anything and everything because men couldn't be honest with their vulnerabilities or show weakness. He only does what he does because he cares and won't be able to survive such a loss again.

You're absolutely right! I totally agree and would even go as far to say all of the Volturi and the Romanian coven have a superiority complex. Amun too.

Remember: to most vampires, humans are just food and no one apologises to their food before they eat it or care for what the food wants or thinks-or even if it can.

So if one becomes attached, yay! You've moved up a peg in their eyes but it doesn't change that most were raised to be strong and not back down to anything or it shows weakness.

Plus, something that i don't think was covered too well with the Cullen's. Why would a human get their way when they're lucky to be alive to even acknowledge what's happening around them? You don't get to decide when, where and how you die. You just do.

P.S. sorry this took a few hours, I wanted it to have my full attention. I agree with a lot of this!❤️

#vanity needs to stop talking

[katyawriteswhump]

power of love, part 16

Alternate ending S4: Steve has a habit of surviving near death experiences then getting sick for no reason. And Eddie and those fatal bat bites? After an impossible feat of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation from Steve, he’s mysteriously fixed. So, Eddie’s back to being banished, this time with Steve and Robin in tow. Eddie’s healing, but Steve isn’t… and life gets even more confusing, when Eddie develops feelings for Steve, which aren’t entirely unrequited...

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 17

Steve POV

Two soldiers escort Steve into the former Soviet base. He’s gotten his wrists cuffed behind his back, which makes his shoulder ache miserably. His bare feet are bruised and icy-cold—much worse than in the stupid ditch—and his thoughts race as wildly as his pulse:

The army is using the Soviet base. Okay, I was right about that. I was right and it sucks, because Robin was righter, and I have no clue what I’m supposed to do. I can’t even hear the crazy-ass water thing anymore. Oh my God, oh my God!

The apparently endless corridor reaches a spacious hall with racks of weapons. It reminds Steve of somewhere the evil emperor would hang out in Star Wars. Talking of bad dudes—a guy with a shitload of medal ribbons paces over.

“Colonel O’Sullivan,” says one of Steve’s guards. “This one says he’s Eddie Munson.”

A small tank loaded with an antiaircraft gun rolls by. Steve disguises a sniffle behind a mocking laugh. “I’m flattered. Did I make the FBI most-wanted list?”

“If you mean ‘did Eddie Munson make it?’ then no,” says O’Sullivan, matter-of-factly. “You and I both know he didn’t murder those kids. It is simply convenient for the public to believe so. Whereas you, Steve Harrington?” Steve can’t suppress a flinch, and clings to his only comfort—Eddie got away. “I get why you lied. You’re up to your ears in far worse trouble, so let’s cut to the chase. Where’s the girl, Steve?”

“What girl?” 

O’Sullivan raises his arm sharply. Steve’s gotten a sudden urge to shout, I work for Scoops Ahoy. He’s gonna get hit, and it’s not going to go well, and all his worst fears rip through him like a tornado:

I died here before. Unless I dreamed it all, and what happened with the weather was JUST THE GODDAMN WEATHER, and I never drowned, and I don’t have superpowers, and it’s all a mad coincidence, and I’ve literally gone nuts.

O’Sullivan, nevertheless, hasn’t hit him. Instead, he presses a hand to Steve’s back, above his cuffed wrists. He steers Steve around to look across the vast room. “You see this impressive facility?”

Steve slows his shuddering breaths enough to say: “G-got these things called eyes. Can’t exactly m-miss it.”

“It was built by the Soviet invaders,” continues O’Sullivan. “We shouldn’t give them too much credit. These tunnels beneath Hawkins were already here. Some of them were old waterways, and others—Brenner’s pet made those. With the power of her twisted mind.”

That is a total bunch of bull!

O’Sullivan turns to confront Steve, his face carved with stern lines. “Do you not understand? We are being gentle, because of your age and medical history. Nevertheless, those who protect Eleven are traitors to this country. Traitors must be eliminated. SHE must be eliminated.”

O’Sullivan keeps talking. Blah, blah, blah! Steve tunes out, anger simmering way hotter than his fear. He doesn’t even know El that well. She’s still one of the kids. His kids. I’d do anything to protect them. Anything… Anything.

Finally, he feels the water, thrumming in his blood. Even better, he’s starting to get it. 

That scream. That fire-and-fucking-fury tide sweeping through the tunnels. These are waterways, carved by nature, ancient and beautiful. At least, they were once. Like Lovers Lake, they’ve been violated by the Vecna and the Upside Down. Then by the Soviets and now by these knuckleheads, who seem little better…

He hears that strange voice again, the caressing whisper that drew him here: You are home, Steve. You know what you must do.

To be fair, he’s not exactly sure. All the same, he jerks his chin up, curls his lip: “I’m not gonna tell you shit.”

“Poor decision, son.” O’Sullivan nods emphatically at some guy hovering behind Steve. “Put him in with the other one. Let’s see what happens.”

“The other one? What the f—? Who!?!” Steve’s bravado dies in an instant. Oh my God, they caught Robin, and I’m gonna have to do something, and I still don’t know how! I can’t let them hurt her. Oh crap! OH CRAP!

His knees sag, and he’s scared his feet will fly from under him. The guards grab his arms and drag him away.

A door swings open, revealing a small box of a room. Steve absorbs the sight of Eddie curled in a corner, bare footed also, spattered with mud. The world stops spinning for several seconds. Then Steve’s uncuffed, shoved inside, and the door slams closed behind.

Eddie scrambles up, more doe-eyed and crumpled than ever. Steve lunges forward, grabbing him by the front of his t-shirt and shaking him hard: “You total braindead moron! What the hell are you doing here?”

…

Eddie POV

Eddie has spent the last ten minutes picking at his dirty nails and going completely out of his head. Then the door flies wide, and Steve is pushed into the poky cell-like room. 

He stares at Eddie through a mass of messy hair, with huge eyes that seemed to have swallowed the anger and pain of an entire galaxy. A dozen resentful thoughts riff through Eddie’s head, ending with: Oh, Stevie, Sweetheart. Not you too.

He launches himself out of the corner where he’s wedged himself. He’s about to fling his arms around Steve, when Steve grabs him by the front of his t-shirt and shakes him so hard his teeth rattle: “You total braindead moron! What the hell are you doing here?”

Eddie shoves him off: “What d’ya think I’m doing? Come for the vibes? Oh, and thanks for the note. Real touching, man.”

“Yeah, that was a bust, seeing as HERE YOU ARE, HAWKINS’ MOST DIMWITTED FREAKSHOW!” Steve rubs his wrists, then squares his shoulders with a touch of King Steve swagger, that… Oookay, this does not ring true. “You know what? I’m happy these suckers didn’t get one of my real friends—you do make me wanna hurl. You know that?”

“Why are you spouting this crap?” He scans Steve quickly, seeking any obvious fresh injury. “You’re not being straight with me. What happened? Did they hurt you?”

Steve’s teeth pinch his lower lip, stained red where he’s repeatedly chewed it. Then the barest whisper: “No… no. You?”

“No. Oh Christ, Stevie, I get it, okay? What you wrote.” Eddie moves in for the hug again. Steve jolts away super-quick. Eddie jolts too, half-expecting to be headbutted. 

“I had everything handled, and now… now… I HATE YOU!” yells Steve. Then, leaning closer, impossibly soft: “They’re watching us, Eddie, I’m sure. If they think I care, they’ll hurt you to get me to talk and… and Jesus Christ, I haven’t a clue what’s real anymore. All I know is I’m sorry… and I need to kiss you.”

Steve’s mouth barely brushes Eddie’s, yet the tingling, breathy warmth, the goddamn undiluted sweetness—it slams a sledgehammer blow straight into Eddie’s heart. Then Steve moans, sways backward.

Goddamit, he kissed me. Oh shit, and he wasn’t kidding. I MAKE HIM SICK!

Eddie lunges to catch Steve, never makes it. The door swings open again, and Steve collides with that instead.

To Eddie’s relief, Steve’s not totally out of it. He rights himself, shakes his head blearily. A dude with a ton of ribbons and shiny gold bling—the dreaded Colonel O’Sullivan, Eddie guesses—steps in, flagged by a couple of his henchmen.

One of them grabs Steve, wrenching his arms behind him. O’Sullivan regards Eddie like something he’s scraped off the bottom of his boot, then performs a smart about-turn and seizes Steve’s drooping chin. 

“Tell us what you know about the girl, Harrington. Or Loverboy’s gonna wish he’s never been born.”

Part 17

...

I promise good things will happen for these two starting next chapter… Sorry for the cliffy, but it’s all in the name of my stupid plot (for what it’s worth!)

tags: @estrellami-1 @kal-ology @finntheehumaneater If anybody else would like to be tagged on this fic or any of my writing, please let me know :)

(also part of my steve whump fic series on AO3)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 17

#steddie #steve harrington #steddie fic #steve x eddie #steve harrington whump #steddie fanfic #eddie munson #steve harrington x eddie munson #stranger things fanfic #steddie fanfiction #stobin #steve harrington hc #platonic stobin #steve harrington hurt/comfort #steve harrington fanfic #steve stranger things

[screamsviakeyboard]

Really mixed feelings about the Garlean bit. I think there was a kernel of a good idea in the way they're handling Garlemald. The concept of the Evil Empire of Evil's ideology and propaganda not vanishing after it falls is quite interesting and the struggle of the Good Guys trying to help these kind of deranged people has a lot of opportunity for good stories.

I even think the angle they chose is a good one, the idea that we're giving them everything but the autonomy they need is interesting and it raises really cool questions about the nature of intervention and the rights a people should still have before an outside force, even if that force is benevolent and necessary for the people's survival. It also provides an opportunity for the twins to bump up against a significant challenge. It's really fertile ground!

That being said, the execution felt practically infantilizing. The stupid baby racists are going to throw a temper tantrum and LITERALLY DOOM THE WORLD if we don't give them the chance to feel like big boys. If we didn't have a head of state there to give them a transparently pity offer of trade then we were fucked, and even with that one of them still ran off like an angry child to go get killed by one of the robots HE EXPLICITLY REFUSED TO LET THE EORZEANS EXTERMINATE FOR HIM. These guys aren't capable leaders or sympathetic characters, they're idiot manchildren and I hate them. Worse than that, they're idiot manchildren I HAVE to deal with in order to fight the cool void guy, so the whole time I'm watching them whine and complain at us for wiping their asses too well I'm impatiently waiting to actually progress the plot.

I think that the better way to handle this would have been to introduce an actually competent Garlean in charge. Someone who occupied a position of power prior to the fall and consequently kept the trust of the survivors afterwards. They shouldn't like us--we're savages and their enemy--but they should be used to dealing with things they don't like. You don't rise in the empire if you can't make the best out of a shitty situation. They should be conniving, pragmatic, and maybe a little evil, but that should mean that above all else they're aware of their position. They know we have them in a choke-hold, even if we're not squeezing. They should be trying to extract everything they can from our kindness while that lasts, and at the same time taking every measure they can to ensure Garlemald will survive when our kindness runs out.

This is just fantasy now, of course, but I think a character like that would have provided much needed agency to Garlemald's side, and could have used Jullus as an excellent foil. At the same time, it could offer good character development as we see a real Garlean asshole come to terms not only with the fall of the empire but the impossibility of its restoration and the need to continue on regardless. With proper development over the 6.X patches, I think it wouldn't have felt unnatural for this character to come to a begrudging acceptance of the WoL as a force of good, even if that good is too chaotic for their taste.

If you want to get crazy with it, I think they could even have been interesting with the twins. If this is a savvy real politik type, then they would immediately have to recognize that those two are the most powerful political force currently in action. The Scion's political actions have largely been shaped and spearheaded by Alphinaud and the result of this has been the complete transformation of the Eorzean alliance and the world order at large. Previously unthinkable alliances have been forged and the Empire's been beaten back at every turn because of them (and the WoL). But, at the same time, they're so stupidly idealistic. They're building a powderkeg of dreams and it's only a matter of time before they don't send us after a spark in time and the whole thing goes up in flames.

With proper work, this character could present a coherent philosophical challenge to them. And I think the most interesting result would be if both sides managed to temper the other instead of a complete defeat. This Garlean character can poke holes in them, point out how volatile things are, how likely the alliance is to resort to violence once resources become scarce, and Alphinaud and Alisae can say, "you may be right, so let's fix that." And the result can be the beginning of working towards a stable and united Hydaelyn, not just because all the leaders are best friends with the most important white haired people in the world but because they created ways to solve their inevitable disputes peacefully.

IDK, this sort of got away from me. I just wanted to talk about my issues with the Garlemald bit and instead I've invented a character that will never exist, but I think they'd be cool. Maybe at least they help illustrate some of the missed opportunities.

#ffxiv #ffxiv 6.4 #ffxiv 6.4 spoilers #spoilers #long post

[oneiromanciy]

THE NEW GODS

          a very important meta, because it’s adding to the Worldbuilding. ( part 1 )

ok, so there are obviously the Old Gods, which save for canonized mortals, divine messengers, and mewtwo, were all created by arceus. the old gods all have a few things in common: 

a primordial form that includes “the allfather’s halo” which is a mark of being created by arceus

power that can’t be scaled actually, because it’s on a whole new level

the ability to negate “type matchup” while in primordial form

the divine messengers were created by the old gods, and everything on the list of canonized mortals is exactly what is on the label. all of those people have DIED and then got the divine label slapped on as like... an award for life deeds or something. mewtwo is an exception to everything, since this being was created by humans, but was recognized by the old gods without dying first, which is why mewtwo is counted under “god of the age of mortals”

the new gods are different. the short version is that they are beings that are a blend of canonized mortals and divine messengers, but the power they gain skyrockets them to being equals of the old gods. and the new gods are created by the old gods, and it’s not fun. 

new gods start out as human beings; there are no current records of pokemon becoming new gods as of yet ( but it isn’t impossible ). the one thing that all new gods seem to have in common is the fact that they spend a lot of time with possession of a divine relic. usually, this relic is gifted to them by an old god personally — like tobias wearing darkrai’s lunar shroud as a traveling cloak. tobias is a unique case because he is the reincarnation of a harmonia king, and the powers he possessed as sanivar passed to his new body, because basically he’s sanivar getting a chance to not supremely fuck up in life. 

but for any other human, the divine relic grants supernatural powers which only grow as time goes on. the old gods keep a close watch on those who possess a divine relic, because they don’t want the wrong people to go through an ascension, because that would suck. 

new gods usually have no idea that they’re even becoming new gods; they see the new powers as blessings, but they sure can develop god complexes. and unlike guardians of the gods (humans chosen to bear some of a god’s power after proving their worth) where the power level stays constant, or heralds of the gods (lovingly, i call them “arceus’ fucked up gijinkas”) who gain power through reincarnations before becoming the old god who is their patron, new gods also run the risk of Not Making It Through The Ascension. this is due to the strain of power in a human body. the human body isn’t meant to carry that, so really, those who make it to being a new god are uh. well, it’s sorta shitty, because it’s UNNATURAL. there’s no way around it. 

new gods have powers much like the old god who put them through what honestly is pure hell. since this is technically also a post about tobias becoming a new god, his innate abilities to control shadows and dreamwalk just sorta end up being Even More Darkrai-ish than before. new gods are also granted a deity name when they ascend; tobias becomes “somnus, god of sleep”, darkrai remains “morpheus, god of dreams”. 

new gods stop aging if they survive ascension, and much like the old gods, they are immortal unless killed with a godslaying weapon (few of which exist). however, they are more vulnerable than the old gods to injury, even if they’re more durable than mortals by far. 

the number of new gods is ... not a lot. mostly because relics are not easy to find if they’re left lying around, and also people DIE in the process more often than surviving ascension. but, there are new gods that came before tobias, and there will be new gods that come after him; it’s just ... honestly a really shitty fate in a lot of ways. thanks for coming to my tedtalk

#˗ˏˋ hc #˗ˏˋ worldbuilding #godhood but make it even worse

[votestaynight2]

12th Day - moonlight (II) (Scene 2)

And we get another bad end! Tune in tomorrow for the correct choice!

―――Now's my chance. It's not just a surprise attack. Tohsaka and Archer, Caster and Kuzuki. If their powers are equal, even I can make a difference.

I can let Archer take care of Caster, so if I can stop Kuzuki for a while, Tohsaka can shoot him from a distance…!

"Shirou…!?" "――――――――" "――――――――"

I run down the stairs. I have "strengthened" the wooden sword in my hand. I suppress the pain in my shoulder. I can't let Caster know that I'm wounded.

"Are you out of your mind…!? Why are you here…!?" "What are you saying? You're the one who told me to go to the church. I didn't think I'd run into such a situation here either."

Tohsaka gasps. Good. I said that on a whim, but it seems Tohsaka understands now.

"I'm going to help you. I should be of use in this situation, right? …Complain to me after we defeat Caster." I slowly close in on Kuzuki so that I'll be able to protect her.

"…You idiot. You and Rin would have survived if you had not come out."

"Huh――――?" He mutters as if he's given up. Before I realize what he means… "Caster. This makes three against three. You should have no complaints. Get Saber." Kuzuki uses his Command Spell to order Caster.

"Wha――――" …Saber's bindings are released. The golden-haired girl falls powerlessly to the ground and――――

"No way…!? Saber shouldn't be under her control yet…!" "Yes. That's why I used the Command Spell and ordered her to kill you guys. It was my Master's order. I did not want to use it, but I had to, right?"

…Saber gets up. Her body is covered with her silver armor, and in her hands is a golden sword I have never seen before――――

"…You got me, boy. I only have one Command Spell remaining now. This is for my protection, so I cannot order Saber by force anymore. …My plan to make the Holy Grail eternal has been foiled. I can only make one wish come true now, but――――"

"I shall have fun here before that. Saber. Show them your true powers, as they have spoiled my wish."

Saber readies her golden sword and steps toward us.

" " Archer is silent. Instead of telling Tohsaka to run, he stands in front of Saber. ―――It is… …The final loyalty of the knight that understands he cannot protect his Master no matter what.

Saber and Caster begin their attack. There's no way to counter-attack nor is there time to run away. How can a mere human defend against it when even Archer has abandoned all hope?

Saber and Caster. Ordered by the Command Spells, the two Servants attack mercilessly――――

Taiga Dojo!

Hello, everyone. It is time for the counselor of life, time to resolve all your secret problems. This is today's guest. The one living in Ryudou Temple in Fuyuki City, Caster-san (Pseudonym), 28 years old (Estimated). Hello. Please give me your best regards… (The voice is changed for privacy reasons) Oh my, you are beautiful. What's wrong? Someone as beautiful as you shouldn't have any problems.

Um, well… I think I'm not standing out… People say I'm plain compared to the other six, not a good character, and that I'm too old… Oh, that's terrible. Oh, what is this? It says here that you are a fortune teller. …Yes. I actually want to be a housewife and raise a warm family. I returned to work in hopes of decreasing the burden on my husband, but I'm getting tormented at work as well… What should I do!? I want to change! I want to be a more lovable character! Haha, that's impossible! During the development phase, it was said that "Caster turns into a loli with hyper power", but we only need one loli! Give up your hope of being a cute character! …Sigh. You're right. I kind of realized it, but it's just too painful… I'm doing my best, you know? I secretly saved up, hired a guard, and set up surveillance cameras everywhere. But my husband doesn't even thank me for my hard work! Just a while ago, my plan was foiled by these kids that suddenly appeared… I'm working so hard, but I'm not getting compensated for it! Fujimonta-san, can someone like me find happiness? Nope. It's your fault, Caster-san. N-No way… Even here, they abuse me…? All right, I'm bored with this now! The case is settled! That is all for the life counseling by Fujimonta!

#votestaynight

[alexanderebsen]

Minecraft and Microsoft: what Now?

Minecraft and Microsoft What's next? By Mark Ward Technology correspondent, BBC News

You can play Minecraft-maker Mojang to see why Microsoft purchased it.

The single-player version revolves around a person who lives in harsh conditions with only their ingenuity. Their survival depends on their building a home and fighting off monsters using only weapons and tools they make with their hands.

It's easy to interpret this as a reference to Markus "Notch", the game's creator, if computer games were subjected to the same kind of analysis as novels. In the past, he's talked about his childhood and how he was "relatively poor" as well as his ability to make his own entertainment, and whether it is necessary to conquer the same "demons" as his father.

Notch's success in the harsh world was made possible by his family friends, his family, and the success of the things made by his hands. STEVELARESE However, his success has also led to different challenges. They are even more difficult to overcome.

The changes were evident at Minecon in 2012 where it was now impossible for Notch to walk more than just a few feet before he was grabbed by yet another fan keen to shake his hand, pat him on the back, take pictures or ask him to sign their foam sword.

People are the power

He was never satisfied with the transformation from a humble programmer who was responsible for his own code to a leading member of an international movement. His heartfelt explanation for the reason he decided to leave Mojang - "it’s about my sanity” shows that.

He knows that Minecraft is now about managing the community - far, much more than it is about maintaining and developing an infrastructure for code.

And that's the main issue for Microsoft.

With Xbox Live and its other cloud-based services, there is no doubt that it has the experience of running a massive computer system that serves millions of paying customers. This will be crucial when it begins running the systems behind the scenes that keep Minecraft running.

Microsoft will alienate this community when they don't recognize how personal the game is, not just for Notch but for all the other players who use it. It's where they make new friends, meet new people, and can be their individuality.

I've seen it with my own children who play it in different ways. One is a big fan of modified versions that involve arena battles or capture-the-flag-type competitions. Another person spends hours creating intricate homes built around minecart tracks that swoop. Sometimes, he constructs treehouses that span entire forests. They also often go on adventures with their friends in search of treasure, avoiding creepers and fighting zombies, spiders and skeletons.

And millions of people like them, are able to achieve this due to the openness and freedom of Minecraft. The malleability of the game allows players to modify it according to their preferences. It achieves this by giving players a level of accessibility that Microsoft, in its business software, has never embraced. This is what has worried the millions of Minecraft users. Those fans do not want Microsoft to tamper with their rights to play with it as they please. They feel a sense of ownership over the games they create.

Microsoft will have to complete a difficult jobdue to the importance of this community.

It will be a gruelling task to battle those sworn enemies of all gamers such as lag and downtime (aka delay). It is possible that any issue with the game's accessibility in the future will be blamed on Microsoft - whether it is the company's fault or not.

Making more drastic modifications to the operation of the game such as limiting the ways that people can modify it or charging them for things that are currently free or restricting how they can inform the world about what they have done, could be handled poorly and turn a big chunk of that community against Microsoft.

This is a problem considering that a lot of its players are children who will grow to become the gamers of the future. Microsoft is trying to impress them with its Minecraft management. If it doesn't do it right it could be one of the monsters people are eager to fight and kill.

#Steve's Blog #STEVE IS BLOGGING #Minecraft servers

[coupleskitchen]

Ys I & II Chronicles+

Ys I & II Chronicles+ offers a fresh coat of polish to the first two games in the long-standing Ys franchise. The series, for the most part, delves into the tales of fearless adventurer Adol Christin as he explores the vast world around him, somehow running into trouble at every turn. Because he is such a worldly young man, nearly all of the Ys games are standalone stories. However, Ys II directly follows the events of Ys I, which is why they are so conveniently packaged together in this neat little bundle.

For those who are motivated to follow a series from its inception, Ys certainly offers little Easter eggs throughout its many instalments—mostly in the form of referencing past events or revisiting characters from previous games. In essence, the games all take place in the same universe and follow a particular chronology, but as mentioned, it isn't really necessary to play all of the games, or even all of the games in order (with the exception of the two in this bundle). You generally won't miss much if you pass over one of the games.

It is probably no surprise that Ys I & II Chronicles+ gets our stamp of approval. We love the entire catalogue of Ys games—the challenge of powering through Nightmare difficulty, the ever-endearing characters, the intriguing story- even the developer. But if you've been following this blog for a while then you know that we try to mix our opinions with a hint of objectivism. There are, of course, reasons that people might shy away from tackling these two games.

Suffice it to say, video games have evolved in the decades that we've all been playing them. They're now much more user friendly. Puzzles usually make quick sense and the majority of games are geared towards making you want to continue playing them, avoiding any of the frustrating pitfalls that can sometimes crush a person's spirit. That's why in the past, video games were more of a niche hobby than they are today, and the older Ys games are just that—older games. It's something that is assuredly felt throughout, and if the somewhat outdated graphics aren't enough to remind you that this is a remaster of two much older games, the occasional challenging puzzle and lack of overall guidance is sure to bring it front and centre. It is completely understandable if someone were to want to skip these instalments entirely, though there is no shame in using a guide to get through them either.

Another make or break aspect of this game is the combat. Ys I and II employ a later retired combat system known as the "bump system" which requires the player to attack enemies by pushing Adol into them. If you attack at an angle, you have the chance to parry and take no damage whatsoever. It's an obstacle in and of itself, especially so in Nightmare mode where an enemy can incapacitate Adol in only a few hits, forcing you to reload a previous save. This requires the player to exercise a high degree of skill to survive each battle. As is to be expected, the difficulty consistently ramps up with each new area. It's a thrilling challenge, but it can also be aggravating at times dying repeatedly. On top of that, the difficulty is actually escalated on modern computers, with many people complaining that the final boss fight is impossible—however, this can be easily remedied. There are many fixes floating around out there, but the solution that worked for us is to open the configuration tool before you begin the game and change the refresh rate to 60hz.

If you're at all curious, we do suggest giving it a try. The game is fantastically worth playing, and we aren't the only ones who think so. While it is by no means a household name, Ys has long ago cemented itself as a beloved ARPG classic. It has evolved with time as Falcom continues to release new entries in the series, with a new one being recently announced. Overall, Ys I & II Chronicles+ is primed to welcome new and veteran players alike to the beautiful and imaginative world of Ys. With its vibrant scenery, incredible music, and gorgeous character art, it is easy to immerse yourself in Adol's world as he overcomes the odds. Though these two games are shorter than the later entries in the series, and can feel somewhat typical of the RPG genre, they evoke the warmth of nostalgia and a thirst for adventure. The beginning of Ys sets a precedent for outstanding narrative and interesting characters in Falcom games, which is a reputation that they never cease to stay true to.

View the full review here. [blogspot.com]

#Ys I & II Chronicles+ #Nihon Falcom #Singleplayer #Recommended #Series #Standalone #Action #Adventure #ARPG

[whiteaskeladd]

Flight - The ability to fly by utilizing ki.

Physical Augmentation - Kefla can enhance his physical abilities to achieve feats requiring an absurd amount of physical power effortlessly, and even being able to reach an overall level of physical power that is far beyond his natural limits.

Energy Blast - The most basic form of energy attacks.

Ki Restoration - Kefla is able to restore the ki of others. It is something he can do for himself too.

Time Manipulation - Kefla has the ability to interact and manipulate time.

World to World - Kefla has the ability to teleport anywhere he wants.

Cloning - Kefla has the ability to make clones of himself without splitting his power between them. Therefore, he can make an unlimited amount of duplicate.

Energy Shield - Kefla creates a barrier of energy around himself for protection.

Zenkai Boost - Just like all the the saiyan, he gets stronger while fighting but at a much quicker rate than a normal saiyan. The power he gains from recovering from a near-death situation is also greater.

Healing - Kefla can close wounds, heal damage, restore physical condition and energy. He can regrow limbs, organs as well as restore sight or hearing. He can also do all of this for himself.

Night Vision - Kefla has the ability to see in low light conditions or even total darkness.

Ki Detection - Kefla can sense the presence of chi and gain detailed understanding about the chi he is sensing, including the amount/size of the chi he is sensing and whether it is hidden.

Semi Immortal - Kefla does not age, and is also immune to ability that would make him grow older or younger.

Supernatural Strength - Kefla possess a level of strength drastically beyond what is naturally possible for a saiyan. Because his capabilities are pushed beyond the natural level.

Supernatural Stamina - Kefla’s stamina is and super/unnaturally greater than what is naturally possible.  Making him able to exert oneself supernaturally long periods without tiring.

Supernatural Endurance - Kefla’s endurance is and super/unnaturally greater than what is naturally possible. Making him able to work longer/survive without supplies, resources, energy for an immensely extended amounts of time.

Supernatural Recovery - Kefla possesses the ability to recover faster than the average person, recovering from negative effects such as stunning, fazing, poison, sleep, pain, flinching, being knocked down/backward (he can get back up faster), losing balance, fatigue, overstretching, being knocked unconscious, etc. at supernatural speed.

Supernatural Life-Force - Kefla possesses massive reserves of life energy, which also acts as a reliable power source that aids in his longevity, power, stamina, vitality, and healing capabilities, allowing him to withstand and survive even the most strenuous and life threatening circumstances.

Supernatural Durability - Kefla’s body tissue, skin, muscles, bones, etc. are extremely resilient, allowing him to withstand harmful forces on the body such as crushing weights, impacts, pressures, changes in temperature, etc.

Supernatural Health - Kefla is glaringly, obviously and super/unnaturally more physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, emotionally, and sexually healthy than other beings of his universe. He lacks physical flaws and is nigh-immune to getting disorders, diseases, disabilities, etc. He also can take a high amount of damage before fainting or succumbing to the effects of ailments, as well as possessing a superhuman metabolic rate. Overall, the user’s health is very incredible.

Supernatural Potential - Kefla has a potential and capacity for growth and learning beyond the natural level, allowing him to learn and develop much more quickly, easily, and efficiently than what any average member of his race can and even learn things which are physiologically impossible for the average member of his race.

Fighting Instinct - Kefla possesses an innate aptitude for fighting in any combat by overcoming limitations and adapt techniques or methods. It is also extremely hard to sneak up on him.

Killing Instinct - Kefla possesses the capability that enables him to be the “ultimate killing machine”. He have instincts to kill by any means and in the most effective ways possible, use anything at hand to do so and, have no mental/emotional issues or moral dilemmas either before, during or after the deed. He is, in short, a cold and merciless killer.

Predator Instinct - Kefla possesses predatory instincts, allowing them to be a master of assassinating, hunting, manipulating, planning and tracking.

Enhanced Instincts - Kefla has stronger instincts than normal. He is able to process the world in the most advanced/efficient manner possible to find the most efficient and practical solutions to any/all kinds of problems that he faces, using both logical and illogical sense and strategies.

Fighting Skills - Kefla possess immense combat skills, both offensive and defensive. This encompasses speed, strength, precision, reflexes, technique, analysis, control, adaptation, and all aspects of practical fighting.

Tranquil State - Kefla can remain calm in virtually any situation, allowing him to think with perfect clarity even when under extreme emotional or physical distress. He can endure mental stress and can be essentially highly resistant to emotion manipulation and torture.

Feral Mind - Kefla can tap into a primal instinctive state of mind, which can release an unstoppable rage that allows him to perform in vastly increased capacity, taking and inflicting damage that he couldn’t or wouldn’t in his normal state. In some cases, his mind descends so far into the feral state that, mentally, he is a little more than wild animals.

Fire Resistance - Kefla is extremely resistant to fire, being nearly invulnerable to direct and indirect effects.

Ice Immunity - Kefla is immune to ice, being completely invulnerable to direct and indirect effects.

Radiation Immunity - Kefla is either immune to radiation or its effects.

Poison Immunity - Kefla is immune to all forms of poisons/toxins/venom.