#mei would be studying medicine

[waitineedaname]

whenever I think about college aus for fma it occurs to me that there are way too many stem nerds in this series. where's the liberal arts rep

#fma blogging #the elrics are obviously hard sciences. probably chemistry #winry is into engineering #mei would be studying medicine #the closest i can think of to liberal arts is that ling would probably be like. poli sci or something. and that barely counts #WHERE are the liberal arts nerds in this series

[odditycircus-2002]

Medusa! Reader and Shang Tsung in MK 1 (Part 1)

NEXT

SPOILER ALERT FOR MK 1 STORYMODE

A/N: I hope y'all like this as I've been hyped for this game since I heard its release!!! I was so excited for the possibilities that I watched the full storymode cut as soon as it came out to take notes! Be aware, given this is a new timeline, there ARE gonna be some changes from the other hc/s you've known, but rest assured that doesn't mean I have forgotten. Please enjoy!

You were born around the same northern canton as Shang Tsung, yet you would come to know him in adulthood. You were born as the second eldest to your village's apothecary during your childhood. You never knew your eldest sister, who was taken at infancy to become Umgadi; despite this, your mother always spoke highly of the daughter she never got to know. To the point of being grating to everyone around you, including yourself. On the other hand, your father had high hopes for you to someday take over the apothecary of your village, having seen your innate talent and intrigue for medicine from an early age.

You reveled in the pride your father expressed for you. Although, your mother gave you a different time of day despite your best efforts. Because of your frustrations, you would come across to others as prickly and shrewish. Although deep down, you just wanted a chance to make BOTH your parents proud.

That day came, but not in the way you truly hoped, when a plague struck your village from another nearby canton. Thankfully, it wasn't Tarkat, but that didn't make the one that came any less deadly.

You and your father worked day and night to help treat your village, giving them depleting medicine to ease their symptoms. However, that doesn't mean you didn't have your fair share of corpses you had to help burn to stifle the plague from spreading.

When your father became ill from overworking, you took it upon yourself to search for a cure. It took weeks of secretly digging corpses out of the burn puts and cutting them open (something that wasn't so hard for you to stomach, oddly) to find which combinations of elixirs were the most effective before you found a cure. Even then, it took weeks of trials and tribulations before you finally succeeded. However, to others, you seemed to have cured your village overnight by some miracle, making both your parents proud.

From then on, through the grapevine, it wasn't hard for the newly crowned rulers of Outworld, Sindel and Jerrod, to hear the word of an upcoming healer making a name for herself around the northern cantons by healing most ailments and diseases. Eventually, they would invite you to study at the palace to further your knowledge of medicine.

You were already stunned to hear of Outworld's rulers inviting YOU, of all people, to study at their palace. Imagine your amazement when you first saw the luscious and lively city of Sun Do. Yet the city seemed pale compared to the crown jewel of Sun Do Palace.

When you were escorted into the palace, instead of immediately heading into the throne room as instructed, you slipped away from Li Mei's watch to head toward the legendary Hanging Gardens. While exploring the garden's flora, you took the time to sketch out the plant life you've never seen to look up later while listing off the medical herbs you could gather from there. In fact, you were so caught up in what you were doing you didn't immediately acknowledge Empress Sindel when she entered. When she invited you inside for tea, did you finally look up from what you were doing and realize who you had spoken to the entire time.

You quickly bowed as you started to ramble out apologies for not properly greeting your Empress, stating how you meant no offense or disrespect. Sindel only gave a small chuckle and brushed it off, stating it was a relief to know the healer they invited to study here had so much potential. From there, after getting berated by Li Mei about how there won't be a next time for you to slip from her, you meet Jerrod.

Jerrod and Sindel watched you flourish into a benevolent and dedicated healer, eventually the Head Healer for the Palace, often treating the royal family, Imperial Guard, or Umgadi. While there, you were also trained by Li Mei herself to defend yourself, to prove that every member of the Imperial House is capable of defending Outworld.

You and Sindel grew to have a close friendship. In fact, you treated Sindel the most when she was pregnant with twins and watched as both came into the world. You, too, helped with the upbringing of Mileena and Kitana after Jerrod's death. Sindel found she could confide in you, knowing any secret with you is safe, assured in your loyalty to her and the royal house.

However, that's not to say your friendship with Sindel didn't get into trouble occasionally, specifically in matters concerning Tarkat and those afflicted with it, as your role as a Healer conflicts with Sindel's policies.

You took it upon yourself to become one of the lead researchers into Tarkat, including going to the colony of those afflicted in the Wastes. What you saw appalled you and sickened every part of you that is a Healer.

Yet, as Sindel continues to ignore your suggestions on improving Tarkatan's life, a wedge forms between you. Still, that doesn't stop you from advocating giving Tarkatans better treatment than what they currently have. You and Sindel's skirmish reaches a crescendo when Mileena, infected with Tarkart, one day approaches you.

You tried everything you could to treat her in secret from Sindel, fearing the Empress would banish her own daughter. Yet neither of your efforts would be successful as Sindel and Kitana eventually learned about Mileena's affliction. You and Sindel argued about how Mileena's illness should be dealt with, with you calling Sindel a hypocrite for protecting Mileena when she doesn't do the same for the rest of her sick subjects.

Thanks to the new sorcerer, Shang Tsung, that Mileena found, she was temporarily cured before she could go on a bloody rampage. Immediately, you asked Shang how he figured out how to treat Mileena's symptoms. To which he answered by offering a partnership, stating that together, you both had a real chance to cure the princess and all of Outworld. An invitation you were not going to turn down, much to the Sorcerer's delight.

Thanks to Shang Tsung backing your argument, Sindel had a laboratory built near the Tarkatan camp so you could further your studies for a cure. Although, secretly, it may have also been a way for you to put some distance between you and Sindel since you felt you needed time away from her and the city.

Shang Tsung introduced you to Syzoth, who he claimed would work as an assistant. You were unaware of his enslavement to Shang. Although more at ease in your presence, you couldn't help but notice how twitchy Syzoth can be, especially whenever Shang is in the room.

You recognize Shang's mannerisms, dialect, and choice of clothing to be from the same area you're from. Despite the familiarity you two connected with, you were wary of Shang when he refused to indulge in what he used to be. While he finds your caution understandable, that would not stop him from trying to woo you.

At first, he wasn't quite successful in using honeyed words and shiny trinkets since you were too caught up in your work to care for them. Frustratingly for him, you struck a faster friendship with Syzoth over your interests in each other's cultures. Yet, it didn't escape Shang's notice that Syzoth would cringe at your dark humor and be unable to fully understand the theories you would share with him.

Shang Tsung changed his approach to you after taking note of you and Syzoth's interactions (and punishing Syzoth in private). He got this chance when you let slip a dark joke that some would say is in bad humor. You slap a hand over your mouth when you realize what you said. Yet, to your surprise, the sorcerer you saw as pretentious and full of himself let out a genuine laugh to the point he had to step back from his worktable to reorient himself.

Shang Tsung didn't fake finding you humorous, yet he's not complaining about it, especially when it meant seeing you direct your smile toward him. One small but genuine one he scarcely ever saw directed at him. He found himself wanting more.

Such a small moment led to a friendship that intertwined with your partnership. Shang got you talking about your work and what you hope to accomplish with it, occasionally encouraging you. You would find him sometimes jotting down notes when you share with him theories you developed about Tarkat, including how its mutative properties cause an excessive amount of bone to grow from a person and could probably strengthen a person if used right.

"Yet, I would never actually see if that's true. Not only would it be incredibly painful, but it would be an act against nature.

"Of course, yet shouldn't progress be something healers should strive for?

"Indeed we do, but not at the cost of lives."

Syzoth watched as your relationship with Shang Tsung flourished, thus leading you to share a few apothecary secrets your father taught you. The Zatteran wishes he could've told you about the man you looked fondly at, yet he kept his mouth shut for the sake of his family.

Unbeknownst to you, Shang Tsung would take some of your ideas and theories with Tarkat and then make them into a horrid reality, all right under your nose. For all you knew, the basement level of the lab would eventually be used to treat patients.

Yet, you didn't think Shang Tsung could ever be so depraved. Not from the charming and intelligent man you came to know through long discussions and walks near the lab. However, you started to grow suspicious since you saw Syzoth often head downstairs, but Shang Tsung discouraged you from looking around below. This eventually spiraled into a confrontation between the two of you.

You argued that both of you are partners and thus are equals. Just, what was he hiding down there? However, when you confronted the Sorcercer and gave him a piece of your mind, that's when disaster struck.

You were standing under a shelf when a glass jar containing proto-type Anti-Tarkat serum fell directly on your head. You screamed at the searing pain of glass and the serum entering your eyes.

The chain reaction of the shelf then collapsing and causing more elixirs to fall on your face didn't help with the pain. Your skin started to peel away, leaving your entire body in patches of red rashes, and your hair fell out in clumps. Your screams filled the entire laboratory as you collapsed to the ground. You didn't see the panicked look on Shang's face as he instructed Syzoth (who saw the whole thing) to carry you.

A/N: Sorry, that's all for now, folks. I reached the word count limit.😅 Don't worry, part 2 is coming out real soon!

#mortal kombat #mk x reader #mortal kombat x reader #mk11 #oddball writes #shang tsung #shang tsung x reader #syzoth #Reptile mk #mk syzoth #mk sindel #mk kitana #mortal kombat 1 2023 #mileena #mk Lei Mei

[herrscherofmagic]

Maybe it's just me, but the parallels between Dr. MEI and Ruan Mei are getting to be quite concerning at this point...

so I decided to write up an essay talking about Dr. MEI and making some comparisons between her and Dr. MEI!

There are some spoilers for the new Myriad Celestia trailer featuring Ruan Mei, as well as some spoilers for some basic HI3rd Previous Era backstory, and especially spoilers for Chapter 31 EX of HI3rd.

TL;DR:

Dr. MEI and Ruan Mei both have similar origins in their interest for biology and understanding life, but it also seems that just like Dr. MEI, Ruan Mei seem to have shifted her interest towards understanding fundamental principles of the universe. In that sense, the two of them are both geniuses whose ambitions seem to include challenging the very idea of the "divine" itself.

...

Life is so colorful, but... it has nothing to do with me.

-Ruan Mei, Myriad Celestia trailer "Transcendent Ruan Tunes, Blushing Mei Blooms"

First off, I just want to be clear that I'm not going to be talking about whether or not Ruan Mei is a "Dr. MEI expy" or anything like that. I'm not trying to equate the two, but talk about their thematic/story parallels, because even if they were from different franchises, or Ruan Mei's name was totally different (heck even if her name was "John Smith" or something like that), I'd still make this post.

With that aside, there's the obvious similarity in that both are scientists, in particular both are associated with biology to an extent. The myriad trailer shows Ruan Mei being interested in biology when she was younger, and Dr. MEI also started off studying genetics and medicine.

But what interests me is that it seems like Ruan Mei is going down a similar path that Dr. MEI did, where she began curious about life and the cosmos but eventually grew to have different ambitions... including ambitions of what amounts to essentially challenging the divine.

There will be some Honkai Impact 3rd spoilers, including spoilers on the topic of Project Stigma, but I won't discuss specific events as they relate to the protagonists nor will I be covering any major story beats. Most of this will be backstory stuff, with there only being one particular spoiler towards the end regarding the true nature of Project Stigma. So consider this a blanket "spoiler warning" for the whole post, because a lot of the stuff I'll describe isn't so much specific moments in the story nor plot twists, but a lot of general background that can't really be easily blocked off into sections of spoiler-tagged content.

Slightly longer TL;DR:

Dr. MEI's character is that she's basically the Previous Era's version of the Current Era's "Raiden Mei". Similar appearance, and the name is a bit similar as well although there is a difference in the Chinese pronunciation, with Mei being "Yayi" (Chinese reading of her Japanese name, Mei) while Dr. MEI is pronounced just as "Mei". That's why MEI is spelled with all-caps in the English localization, since the difference is obvious in both pronunciation and text in Chinese but completely nonexistent in English.

Dr. MEI was a scientist and became involved with a lot of incredibly important projects in the organization Fire MOTH, but while most people pretty much adored her... she was also a very questionable figure which easily could've been one of Humanity's greatest threats if it weren't for the more pressing threat of Honkai.

The biggest parallels I see between her and Ruan Mei are the way that both of them seem to have their roots in biology, but just as the Myriad Celestia trailer hints at Ruan Mei having bigger ambitions, so too did Dr. MEI move on from a focus on biology and genetics, expanding her research to cover phenomena in physics but especially research on Honkai.

In particular, while the Myriad Celestia trailer hints that Ruan Mei may wish to become an Aeon, Dr. MEI's most ambitious project had the goal of uniting all of humanity into a singular dream, a process that would effectively destroy any sense of individuality and turn the collective human civilization of Earth into a being of pure Imaginary/Honkai energy and thought. Whilst this entity might not have been quite as powerful or universal in scale as an Aeon, relative to the scope of Dr. MEI's research (Dr. MEI being isolated to Earth, vs. Ruan Mei who can travel between worlds courtesy of the Star Rail) I think it's a fair comparison with Ruan Mei's apparent goal. If Dr. MEI were in Ruan Mei's place, I think it's very plausible she'd continue to walk down the same path. This doesn't mean that Ruan Mei will do everything that Dr. MEI did, far from it; but I do imagine there are going to be some serious parallels in what they seek to achieve and the extent to which they're willing to do questionable things to achieve it.

Now that the 4-paragraph TL;DR is done, it's time for the rest of the post; because anyone who's read one of my Honkai/Genshin essays before should know by now that I'm very much a "0 or 100" writer with no inbetween, and this is definitely the latter, lol

Also apologies for the various long texts I'm citing here; unfortunately we don't have a pretty animation with cool music to give us an overview of Dr. MEI, so I'm gonna have to go the old-school route of poring over text-based archive entries and manga pages, since that's most of what we have >.>

My goal is to provide background on Dr. MEI, as well as her relation to Dr. Mobius. The two of them are very alike and yet very different in important ways, and I think the parallels between those two as well as the potential parallels between Dr. MEI and Ruan Mei can tell us a lot about what Ruan Mei could be capable of, and just how far her ambitions may stretch. After all the background on those two HI3rd doctors, I'll describe their relation to "Project Stigma", which should serve as a good transition to talking about Ruan Mei's apparent goal of "becoming an Aeon", or something along those lines.

Kevin and MEI

MEI was a human just like anyone else; she went to high school, she was a smart student, had some friends, etc. She was particularly passionate about science, often talking about the stars or physics, though biology was the interest that she seemed to follow most closely. In particular there was a scientist by the name of Dr. Mobius who she idolized, and was fortunate enough to meet at a convention.

Dr. Mobius was a leading geneticist who was famous for various groundbreaking discoveries, so naturally MEI was shocked when Mobius met her and showed interest in her, even having read one of MEI's papers. Some time after their brief and curious exchange, MEI would be invited to become part of an organization by the name of Fire MOTH, and it was at this time when she discovered the true nature of Dr. Mobius' work, as well as the existence of Honkai.

Dr. Mobius was famous for her academic research on the global stage, but within the organization of Fire MOTH she was rather infamous. She had seemingly no boundaries and she was often perceived as being unethical or immoral. Mobius was far from sociable, and despite her important contributions to Fire MOTH there were certainly many people who would prefer if they never had to meet her. And of course, she was no stranger to disciplinary notices and threats from the higher-ups. Someone too valuable to dispose of, but too "dangerous" to leave to her own devices. It was this Dr. Mobius that took in MEI and worked as her superior.

One of Dr. Mobius' most notable projects was Project Stigma. The very first version of Project Stigma was initiated by her, and MEI was chosen as one of her assistants. The goal of the Project was to experiment with "stigmata", genetic modifications to humans which can grant them the power to wield Honkai energy. But if a person's body is unable to control that power, they become entirely corrupted and lose their sanity (so in comparison with HSR, kinda like being marastruck, but as a result of an experiment instead of mara). As you can imagine, this didn't exactly help Dr. Mobius' image.

At first it seems that Dr. Mobius is the suspicious one here. Mobius is cunning and deceptive, while MEI is a rather kind and timid person, so while people would fear Mobius most weren't afraid of MEI at all. But Mobius herself became suspicious of MEI, noticing things about MEI that others would look past; like MEI's focus on her work and seeming impartiality towards the condition of the test subject in the above excerpt. This wouldn't be the only time we see this sort of suspicion as well, with Mobius confronting Kevin about MEI at another time:

It's about time you drop the good guy act, Kevin. I'm well aware that I've crossed the line. But what about your dear MEI? Is she any different from me? Oh, there's a difference. She's far crueler and colder than me - because she only makes rational choices. ... Pure rationality... is the real monster. You know that, don't you?

To give an example of why someone like Mobius would be suspicious of Dr. MEI, there's an excerpt of a conversation I'd like to share. The same MEI was once an assistant to Dr. Mobius would eventually rise to become one of the leading authorities of Fire MOTH, and this was not by chance, as this conversation between "X" (left unnamed to avoid spoilers) and Sakura indicates:

X: If I remember correctly, you crossed paths with the MOTHs when you were on a mission to assassinate Dr. MEI. Sakura: Yes. I wasn't holding out on it - you should be able to tell I'm no good at figuring out internal power struggles. Neither was Dr. MEI. She was awake to the tragic coming of Honkai, but she was a scientist. X: So... she wanted to pay them back in the same way with your help? Sakura: No. Dr. MEI was an unmatched genius... she's never fought that kind of battle, yet she was thinking far ahead of others. Her goal was to use me to expand her internal influence. X: I know this is usually done by force, but if she's all alone... Sakura: She had more helpers, of course. My first mission was to rebuild the covert forces. She wanted the darkest powers of the MOTHs for her own. ...To rebuild through destruction. I was officially invited after completing this mission.

This is the part where spoilers begin; the following two dialogues are from Chapter 31 EX of HI3rd.

There's a lot more I could say about Dr. MEI, but for the sake of whatever brevity is left to achieve, I'd like to go back to talking about Project Stigma. I emphasize this not just because of its importance in the story but also how inextricably linked it is with Dr. MEI. Though it was Mobius who first proposed it, Dr. MEI is the one who transformed it into something incredibly complex and world-changing beyond even what Mobius had envisioned for it:

Mobius: Fine, bickering is a waste of time. It's rare for us to get together. So this is a good time to discuss this Project Stigma that's been revised fifteen times. Seriously, MEI... ...Which side are you on? "Vill-V": Huh? Isn't she standing next to me? Mobius: Vill-V. "Vill-V": Come on, that was a joke! I know your question is serious- -That's why we need to ease up on it more than ever! ... MEI: Mobius, I only stand with civilization. Mobius: Hmph, a cliché to shut those old farts up? I'd hate to stress something as stupid as "I'm your senior"... But now that we're touching this topic... Dr. MEI, you're obliged to explain what you want to achieve with this plan. MEI: ...I see. In your opinion, I'm obsessed with Project Stigma. Mobius: Listen to yourself! You've forced me to revise this plan fifteen times! Fifteen times! MEI: As the solution with the highest success rate, it deserves to be taken seriously. We can never have too many entry points in the future, either. Mobius: Oh, really? That popular Project Ember hasn't even been written into a one-page plan. MEI: You know the attributes of that plan dictate that we implement it more specially. Mobius: Perhaps. But how can I not suspect that the other projects are only a foil to Project Stigma when they are treated so differently? "Vill-V": Um. There's one thing I don't understand. Even if that's true... isn't it you who proposed Project Stigma, Mobius? Mobius: I didn't imagine someone would see it as our only hope. MEI: It does sound ridiculous to you. I completely understand that. After all, there are many ways to redefine humanity. But Dr. Mobius... Humanity is only the cornerstone of civilization. I don't think you'll deny that humans are essentially more intelligent survival machines. We aren't fundamentally different from plants, animals, or microbes. Mobius: Heh. To be more precise, our mortal bodies are but vessels that our genes built for ourselves. So what? Whether its genetics or samsara, everyone has the potential to defy the Creator. Civilization? Compared to the miracles created by specific humans, is that thing even important? "Vill-V": But objectively speaking... the vast majority of humans can realize their potential. It'd be arrogant to measure all humans by a special case such as yourself, Dr. Mobius... MEI: Dr. Mobius. As members of the MOTHs, you and I are ultimately responsible for the whole of civilization. In that sense, compared to the life of an individual, the truth brought forth by life is a more essential existence. "Vill-V": In other words... Vill-V's talent is more important than Vill-V's identity? Ah. You can say that. Mobius: That's you. I don't plan on making another Mobius to replace myself. MEI: ...That's not important. Think about the relationship between children and parents, Dr. Mobius. Regardless of whether the inner worlds of two generations collide, human civilization is continued by the next generation. Regardless of whether their parents like it.

So, what did this "Project Stigma" transform into? The short answer would be that it basically became a Hoyoverse version of NGE's Human Instrumentality Project. The complete unification of all souls within humanity, creating a new form of existence far beyond what civilization can accomplish in the physical realm alone.

On the Imaginary Tree, worlds are created from Imaginary energy, and all life emerges from these worlds. Different beings are capable of manipulating Imaginary energy in different ways, with the smallest example being the day-to-day interactions of humans with the physical world, a step up being the Pathstriders which gain traits or power by being aligned with a Path, while the most powerful beings would be Emanators and Aeons which can use vast amounts of power to cause change in the physical world. By unifying all the "dreams" of the people on a planet, this would effectively create an entirely new world that exists within Imaginary Space but which is not bound to a physical location.

If you gather all the dreams of humans, you'll get a giant resembling a planet. A desert sage named it Adam Ruhani- which means Spiritual Adam. Adam Ruhani is one of the gods, but it's extremely far away from the others... That distance is what mortals call time. It's the late eternity, and a rift that can't be crossed with logic. It can't die, think humanly, nor reproduce... It simply exists forever as the ladder leading to divine realm. ...That's the real aim of Project Stigma. Be it gory or psychedelic, physical or spiritual- they're only means, not ends. The plan is essentially a chain that ties people who can't help themselves together. We can let them go with the flow, or help them within our power. For them, joining this dream is being helped- in their dreams, they are Adams, they are gods. The real world will lose its meaning for them, while the eternal dream will become their only reality. They no longer think with time... Their dreams will be connected, which will create a true miracle that transcends finality.

This is obviously a TREMENDOUS leap from where Project Stigma began when Dr. Mobius first started experimenting with stigmata, and this is why I wanted to give the whole story about Dr. MEI's origins. Again, this is "only" on the scale of a single world. Dr. MEI was an unparalleled genius of her time, and her studies across genetics and physics allowed for the creation of what was essentially a plan to rewrite the very existence of humanity into something which can forever sustain civilization in a world threatened by the existence of Honkai.

This is why these parallels with Ruan Mei have me worried. I don't necessarily suspect that Ruan Mei will necessarily be evil, nor do I think she is going to somehow turn the entire population of the Imaginary Tree into sentient orange juice. But there are a lot of parallels between the Ruan Mei and Dr. MEI, and if Ruan Mei ends up even being remotely like Dr. MEI, that could make her a very dangerous person.

They both seem to have had a strong background in genetics and biology, with that being a major focus in Ruan Mei's design and in the Myriad Celestia trailer. But while a lot of people talk about Ruan Mei being a biologist, the trailer also hints that she has further ambitions- possibly at becoming an Aeon. It seems that Ruan Mei is moving beyond what one would achieve staying within the realm of Biology, and just like Dr. MEI, she seems to be focused on higher powers.

I think we're far from being able to determine what Ruan Mei's exact goal is so far, since "becoming an Aeon" is a pretty vague statement, but it still worries me greatly. The thought of Ruan Mei somehow becoming an Aeon isn't concerning by itself, but rather what actions she might take to achieve that goal.

I'm concerned about what the collateral damage would be, and to what extent she is willing to consider others a part of her "experiments" regardless of whether they want to participate or not. Especially because Dr. MEI was limited to what she could accomplish on Earth, while Ruan Mei appears to have access to far more resources and far more opportunities for research. As someone from the Luofu (afaik) she should also have a longer lifespan. Ruan Mei is in a good position to far exceed what Dr. MEI could accomplish... for better or for worse.

I would love to say more on this topic, but obviously we'll learn more about Ruan Mei once she releases, and throughout the story as it goes on. It took years for the full scale of Dr. MEI's plans to be revealed in HI3rd, and I don't doubt the same will be true for Ruan Mei. Perhaps Ruan Mei's ambitions will align neatly with those of the Astral Express and Stellaron Hunters, or perhaps they may become the greatest threat to sentient life across countless worlds, second only to even greater powers like Nanook. We might be forced to put an end to her experiments, or perhaps we might end up aiding her further- willingly or not.

Whatever happens, Ruan Mei is Ruan Mei and Dr. MEI is Dr. MEI. These are two different individuals of different origins and who live different lives, and the story of Ruan Mei is sure to diverge greatly from the story of Dr. MEI. The parallels between them are equally fascinating and worrying to me, but it just makes me look forward even more to Ruan Mei's role in the story.

At first I was rather dismissive of Ruan Mei, especially because I haven't even started the Swarm Disaster stuff yet. I'm sure there are details I'm missing from there, and while that usually would make me hesitant to write such a long post about her, the Myriad Celestia trailer seems clear enough with its foreshadowing (I say now, only to be proven wrong later...) that I wanted to write this up anyways. I'm definitely looking forward to Ruan Mei now, and I would love to revisit this comparison between the two later on as we learn more about her!

#honkai star rail #ruan mei #honkai impact 3rd #Dr. MEI #honkai 3rd #hi3rd #honkai #long post #honkai star rail theory #hsr Mei #hsr ruan mei #this took more than 4 hours to write so please don't flop xd

[morganlefaye79]

BOLD THE FACTS ft Valaire Dercks

→ Tagged by the wonderful @fereldanwench ! 💜💛 → Answers are based on his status after the in-game events

✧˖°. PERSONAL

$ Financial: wealthy / moderate / poor / in poverty

✚ Medical: fit / moderate / sickly / disabled / disadvantaged / non-applicable / would be in great shape if not for the brain worm

✪ Class or Caste: upper / middle / working / unsure / other

✔ Education: qualified/ unqualified / studying / other

✖ Criminal Record*: yes, for major crimes / yes, for minor crimes / no / has committed crimes, but not caught yet / commits more crimes (bribes law enforcement) to avoid charges / yes, but charges were dismissed * it depends on who you ask

✧˖°. FAMILY

◒ Children: had a child or children* / has no children / wants children *he adopted Vicco's son to take care of him and the adoption stands until around 2080.

◑ Relationship with Family: close with sibling(s) / not close with sibling(s) / has no siblings / sibling(s) is deceased

◔ Affiliation: orphaned / abandoned / adopted / disowned / raised by birth parent(s) / not applicable  

✧˖°. TRAITS + TENDENCIES

♦ extroverted / introverted / in-between

♦ disorganized / organized / in-between

♦ close-minded / open-minded / in-between

♦ calm / anxious / in-between / highly contextual

♦ disagreeable / agreeable / in-between

♦ cautious / reckless / in-between / highly contextual

♦ patient / impatient / in-between

♦ outspoken / reserved / in-between / highly contextual

♦ leader / follower / in-between

♦ empathetic / vicious bastard / in-between

♦ optimistic / pessimistic / in-between

♦ traditional / modern / in-between

♦ hard-working / lazy / in-between

♦ cultured / uncultured / in-between / unknown

♦ loyal / disloyal / unknown

♦ faithful / unfaithful / unknown

✧˖°. BELIEFS

★ Faith: monotheist / polytheist / atheist / agnostic

☆ Belief in Ghosts or Spirits: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care / in a manner of speaking

✮ Belief in an Afterlife: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care / in a manner of speaking

✯ Belief in Reincarnation: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care / in a manner of speaking

❃ Belief in Aliens: yes / no* / don’t know / don’t care *he beliefs that there is somewhere life out there, but not as it is depicted in media

✧ Religious: orthodox / liberal / in between / not religious

❀ Philosophical: yes / no / highly contextual

✧˖°. SEXUALITY & ROMANTIC INCLINATION

❤ Sexuality: heterosexual / homosexual / bisexual / asexual / pansexual

❥ Sex: sex-repulsed / sex neutral / sex favorable / naive and clueless

♥ Romance: romance repulsed / romance neutral / romance favorable / naive and clueless / romance suspicious

❣ Sexually: adventurous / experienced / naive / inexperienced / curious

⚧ Potential Sexual Partners: male / female / agender / other / none / all* *He favors males

⚧ Potential Romantic Partners: male / female / agender / other / none / all* *He favors males

✧˖°. ABILITIES

☠ Combat Skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor/ none

≡ Literacy Skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

✍ Artistic Skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

✂ Technical Skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

✧˖°. HABITS

☕ Drinking Alcohol: never / special occasions / sometimes / frequently / alcoholic / former borderline alcoholic turned sober

☁ Smoking: tried it / trying to quit / quit / never / rarely / sometimes / frequently / chain-smoker

✿ Recreational Drugs: tried some / never / special occasions / sometimes / frequently / addict

✌ Medicinal Drugs: never / no longer needs medication / some medication needed / frequently /to excess

☻ Unhealthy Food: never / special occasions / sometimes / frequently / binge eater

$ Splurge Spending: never / sometimes / frequently / shopaholic

♣ Gambling: never / rarely / sometimes / frequently / compulsive gamble

Tagging:

@dreamskug @wraithsoutlaws @vox-monstera @faepunkprince @a-pirate @maimaiapologist @ghostoffuturespast @gloryride @dustymagpie @wanderingaldecaldo @jaymber @cinnamon-mey @katsigian @chevvy-yates @kittenchrissy @sammysilverdyne @rindemption @imaginarycyberpunk2023 @kharonion

If you want, you can tag me back, still have two of my boys and didn't want to make this an endless post 😅

#cyberpunk 2077 #tag game #oc facts #oc: Valaire Dercks

[clonerightsagenda]

My week continues to be a parade of horrors, so anyway, here's Team Xing in the college AU:

First off, fun college fact - American universities love international students because they can charge them out of state tuition. Do they want to create a vibrant international community on their campus? Maybe; but they also want vibrant international dollars. Amestris is more fantasy European but I know American higher ed so that's what you're getting.

The AU equivalent to the Xingese emperor is a wealthy businessman who has a whole bunch of kids via various wives and mistresses. He's getting up in years and hasn't indicated who will inherit control of his privately owned corporation, so many of his children are trying to win his favor and get brought into the fold.

Mei is a dual enrollment student. Do state universities do dual enrollment? I can't remember; I've worked at a community college too long. This one does. Her mother was never married to her father, so they never saw any money from him, and she has no illusions of getting a cut when he dies. As much as the money would help her family, she's not a fan of his business or ethics either. She's planning on studying medicine with an emphasis in alternative practices, even though what she really wants to do is small animal practice with a focus in exotics. Vet med is too expensive with too little returns for her current financial situation. Still, she hangs around the vet school a lot and has a massive puppy crush on Al. (A lot of people have crushes on Al. Ed is bewildered by this but mostly glad it's not him. Demi icon.)

Ling's mother *was* briefly married to his father, so his family got some money in the divorce and is doing better than Mei's. However, he has ambitions. He is, unfortunately, a business major, because he wants to get hired onto his dad's company and rise in the ranks with his expertise in international economics thanks to studying abroad. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised by a family friend (Fu) alongside his granddaughter. I don't know what Lan Fan is majoring in, but she's the undisputed champion of the campus parkour club. You will rarely see her walking to class on the sidewalk - she's roaming the underground steam tunnels, climbing onto the library roof through the 3rd floor annex window, or up on the belltower just cause. She's away from campus a lot because of a health problem Fu develops partway through freshman year. When on campus, if she is not scaling various buildings she is probably in the dining hall getting her money's worth at the all you can eat locations.

Ling also has health problems - hypoglycemia - and has to reach out to his instructors about making up missed classes. Roy is busy using his office hours to plot against the government administration, so instead of offering help he refers Ling to a classmate who knows his stuff and hey, is even in the same residence hall! Not only are they in the same residence hall; Ling's room is directly above Ed and Al's. Ed learns this when the guy he's supposed to be tutoring arrives via the window. Ed endures a month of Ling complaining about his terrible roommate and then another month of Ling bragging about his terrible roommate before he finally sees them in the elevator and goes wait, is that my fucking cousin?? (reprise).

#fma college au #fma

[silverstark]

A White Lie Extra

Surprise for 520, aka “Chinese Valentine’s Day”

Ficlet for A White Lie, a 2ha / The Husky and His White Cat Shizun au where Xia Sini claims to be Chu Wanning’s son. Read it on Ao3 (Registered Users Only). SPOILERS FOR FULL NOVEL.

Auuthor’s Note: This doesn’t necessarily fit into the “canon” of A White Lie because I didn’t think it over carefully enough to see if it messes anything up in my plot. However! I wanted to write something to celebrate 520.

x-x-x-x-x

Mo Ran woke up early so he could go check on his recovering shidi first thing in the morning. Having reassured himself that the child was looking well, he wrote a note of explanation for his absence.

‘I’ll be back soon to give you medicine! I will be with Shi Mei for a little while.’

It was just a precaution: Xia Sini was still fast asleep, and the medication would make him less likely to wake up early. Chu Wanning had always woken up very late when he was sick. Mo Ran expected that Xia Sini would take after his father, as he did in so many other regards.

Mo Ran laid the note upon Xia Sini’s latest boring book. This one was about rare poisons. Mo Ran could only approve of Xia Sini finding a safer way to pursue his ‘win at all costs’ drive than through sword-fighting, so he did not plan on asking about his interest in the subject. He then snuck quietly out of the room and shut the door behind him.

Shi Mei was surprised to see Mo Ran.

“Good morning, A-Ran.”

“Good morning, Shi Mei,” he replied brightly.

“Do we have early morning training today? I must have forgotten,” Shi Mei said apologetically.

“No, no,” Mo Ran said. “It’s nothing related to training.”

Shi Mei’s expression changed. He looked faintly awkward.

“Oh? Then…”

He stopped himself as he realized that he almost asked a rude question.

“I hope I didn’t wake you up early,” Mo Ran said hurriedly.

“No…”

Indeed, he was fully dressed with his hair in near order. It seemed he had been quietly studying in his room, as Mo Ran had expected.

Mo Ran sighed in relief. “I’m glad. I was just hoping to ask you something…”

Here Mo Ran hesitated and scratched his head a little diffidently. Shi Mei seemed unusually reserved. Mo Ran had never interrupted his morning studying before to avoid inconveniencing him. Now he had, and on top of that, he was going to ask him another favor. He wondered if he should check whether Shi Mei had the time before asking him for the favor, or else Shi Mei might agree purely out of politeness.

Shi Mei watched him and suddenly lowered his gaze.

“Want to come inside?” he asked quietly.

“Huh?”

Shi Mei rarely invited Mo Ran into his room. Mo Ran hadn’t been expected to be invited in today of all days.

“So we can speak privately,” Shi Mei said.

“Oh! Thank you, but I don’t really have time,” he said apologetically.

Shi Mei’s eyes widened slightly. Mo Ran couldn’t remember the last time he had declined an invitation to spend time with Shi Mei. Usually he wanted to stick to Shi Mei like sticky candy, as close as Shi Mei would permit, every moment he could get.

Mo Ran explained, “I have to— actually, that’s what I wanted to ask. If you have time.”

“What is it?” Shi Mei asked, puzzled.

“Will you teach me how you make wonton soup?”

Shi Mei blinked in surprise. Then he looked at Mo Ran with an expression like dismay. Mo Ran didn’t understand it until he remembered his poor timing.

“You don’t have to make it with me. If you tell me how you make it, I can just try it on my own.”

“…Why do you want to learn how to make wonton soup?”

“Little Shidi is hurt. I was thinking yesterday, that when I’m hurt, wonton soup always makes me feel better. I want to try to make Little Shidi wonton soup before he wakes up.”

Shi Mei frowned and seemed thoughtful, even a little uncomfortable. Mo Ran blinked at him in confusion. He didn’t understand why Shi Mei didn’t seem to want to want to share the recipe.

“I thought Shidi didn’t like spicy food.”

“I’ll make it without chili for him.”

Shi Mei hesitated another moment. Mo Ran gazed at him in befuddlement, trying to figure out what the problem was.

“Do you…want to keep the recipe a secret?” Mo Ran wondered.

Shi Mei held out another moment before sighing in resignation.

“Shizun will have to forgive me,” he said quietly.

“Um. What does Shizun have to do with this? It’s not like it’s his recipe,” Mo Ran said, laughing a little at the idea of Chu Wanning’s cooking skills.

“It is,” Shi Mei said.

“Hahahahaha!”

Shi Mei watched him laughing. Mo Ran waited for him to drop the serious expression, but as time went on and Shi Mei failed to crack a smile, Mo Ran faltered. Then he stopped laughing entirely.

There was a tired look in Shi Mei’s eyes. The joke had been out of character; perhaps it was his way of distracting Mo Ran from something that was troubling him. Perhaps he had invited Mo Ran in wishing to tell him and unburden himself.

“What’s wrong?” Mo Ran asked gently.

“…Nothing.”

Mo Ran tsk’d and took Shi Mei’s hand intending to lead him into the room so they could talk privately. Shi Mei allowed it.

“Tell me,” Mo Ran urged once the door was closed.

“There’s nothing wrong,” Shi Mei said. “It’s only that I can’t teach you that recipe.”

“That’s okay,” Mo Ran said. “I shouldn’t have asked you out of the blue like that. But that can’t be the only thing that’s wrong. It’s not like you to make jokes at Shizun’s expense.”

“…”

Shi Mei gazed at him with an unreadable expression. Mo Ran looked back at him sincerely, hoping that Shi Mei would see how much Mo Ran cared about him.

“That was not a joke,” Shi Mei said. “It really is Shizun’s recipe. He’s the one who has been making wonton soup for you. I didn’t tell you because he asked me to keep it a secret.”

Mo Ran stared first in disbelief, and then in horrified realization.

“Mo Ran?” Shi Mei asked.

His voice sounded far away. Mo Ran was far away.

Before, he couldn’t think of the wonton soup without feeling a warmth that seeped deep into his bones. And now, he was remembering those wontons rolling across the floor, thrown away by Mo Ran’s own uncaring blow. He remembered the expression on Chu Wanning’s face after. He remembered his own satisfaction in the vindictive cruelty.

“Mo Ran?” Shi Mei asked again.

He sounded concerned. Mo Ran gulped and tried to pull himself together. He couldn’t have a breakdown in front of Shi Mei without explaining.

“Ah, so it wasn’t a joke,” he said with an attempt at a smile. It crumpled into a grimace.

Shi Mei sighed. “Shizun feared that you would react like this. That’s why he didn’t want you to know…”

Mo Ran again remembered the look on Chu Wanning’s face after Mo Ran had strewn his wontons across the floor. Chu Wanning had feared his reaction. But he couldn’t have known…

Mo Ran sucked in a breath. He repeated to himself that he couldn’t have a breakdown in front of Shi Mei.

“Don’t worry,” Mo Ran said. “I won’t tell him.”

He didn’t have time for a breakdown right now. He had to go start making the soup if he wanted it to be ready before Xia Sini woke up. He muttered some polite farewell to Shi Mei and hurried to the kitchens.

x-x-x-x-x

Cooking always settled Mo Ran’s spirit somehow. Cooking for someone he loved was even better. He put special care into every step. He knew very well that he could not fix the mistakes he had made in his past life. What was done was done. But…perhaps he could do better in this lifetime. He wanted to do better by Xia Sini.

The soup was beautifully made. It was nothing compared to the soup Shi Mei had brought him just when he had desperately needed it. The soup that Chu Wanning had made for him and sent to him just when he had desperately needed it. Mo Ran remembered his overwhelming gratitude and the spark of love that had flared in the wreck of his heartache over the way Chu Wanning had treated him. He didn’t know what to make of this now. He didn’t know how to feel towards Shi Mei or Chu Wanning now.

The only thing that was clear was his feeling upon walking into Xia Sini’s room to offer him the wonton soup. Xia Sini was sitting up now seemingly reading the note Mo Ran had left. He startled at Mo Ran’s arrival and tossed the note like he was embarrassed to be caught reading it. Mo Ran grinned, feeling his heart light up with warmth and affection.

“You woke up early,” he noted.

Xia Sini looked at him warily. Mo Ran was a little surprised that he didn’t make some cranky comment.

“Does your wound hurt? Don’t worry, I’ll give you medicine soon, as I promised,” he said cheerily.

“It does not hurt,” Xia Sini quickly denied. “You can take that away.”

He gave the soup bowl a disgusted glare as he spoke. Mo Ran laughed.

“Won’t you even give it a taste? Your shixiong worked hard to make this!”

Mo Ran placed the tray close to Xia Sini and uncovered the bowl to reveal the soup. Xia Sini stared at the contents.

“What? Don’t you like wonton soup? I promise it’s not spicy.”

Xia Sini didn’t look up.

“You…you made me wonton soup?” he asked uncertainly.

“Of course! Little shidi needs good food to recover.”

“…”

Xia Sini said nothing and made no move to pick up his chopsticks. Mo Ran looked at him in concern, but his lashes were low over his eyes and Mo Ran couldn’t read his expression.

“Do you really not like it? I can go get you something else...”

Mo Ran was a little worried. He would have no time to make something good before Xia Sini got hungry. It would have to be some plain, boring congee.

“No, don’t take it away,” Xia Sini said. “I like it.”

“Oh,” Mo Ran said, relieved. “Then what’s wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong. It’s just that no one has ever taken care of me like this.”

Mo Ran’s heart ached to hear those words. He had suspected it, but now he knew it was true. He reached out and gently patted Xia Sini’s hair. He didn’t understand how it could be that no one had cared for this precious, clever, kind child.

Xia Sini looked up at his touch and finally met Mo Ran’s eyes.

“Thank you, shixiong,” he said sincerely.

Mo Ran smiled even has his heart broke open, overfilled with affection. Light spilled out through the cracks.

“I said I would take care of you, didn’t I?”

Xia Sini blinked and stared. He said nothing, but Mo Ran thought he saw something small and fragile lighting up in his eyes. Mo Ran tucked a strand of hair behind Xia Sini’s ear.

He cleared his throat before speaking to be sure that it wouldn’t break.

“If you want to show your gratitude, you better start eating before it gets cold,” he chided.

Xia Sini lowered his head and obeyed. There was a little smile on his face. Mo Ran couldn’t look away from it.

x-x-x-x-x

#2ha #Xia Sini #the husky and his white cat shizun #RanWan #husky and his white cat shizun #SPOILERS FOR FULL NOVEL #myfanfic #BTW THIS IS ANGSTY BEFORE IT GETS CUTE #I’M SORRY I TRIED TO WRITE SOMETHING PURELY CUTE AND FLUFFY IDK HOW THIS HAPPENED #I will post this extra to Ao3 eventually #first I need to let it marinate a little. i JUST wrote it today.

[senseiwu]

!!

The number generator picked - you guessed it - another mother! This time, Wu and Garmadon's mum, Mei!

Mei studied medicine under her father, and helped him look after people in their village. A shy young woman, she dreamed of adventure and things outside of what she already knew. She liked helping people, and felt guilty at the thought of not doing so anymore, so her dreams stayed unrealised. That is, until she talked about them with a patient she was utterly captivated by and struck up an easy friendship with. She hadn't realised at the time that her father's patient was none other than the First Spinjitzu Master, and that her life was soon to change.

Though Mei was embarrassed at not making the connection sooner, and treating them so casually, the young Master, Izanagi, had been delighted at being unknown. When they recovered from their injuries, they kept in contact with their new friend Mei through letters. When her village was under attack, however, Mei was unable to her friend. Worried, Izanagi returned and helped the villagers fight off their attackers. Mei was delighted to see her friend again.

She joined them on a few adventures, and eventually the two fell in love.

Unlike Iza, Mei was only a regular human, and would not live as long as them, naturally. Mystaké helped find a tea that would keep Mei alive, as she wanted to spend a great many years with her beloved, and going on more adventures.

She and Iza were over the moon when they eventually brought Garmadon, and later Wu, into the world. Mei loved her children dearly. The four lived in a small house near the border of the human territory (the house we see in s11)

The tea would keep her from aging, but not necessarily healthy. Mei fell ill, becoming exhausted. Try as they might, Izanagi could not figure out what was wrong with their wife, nor how to cure her.

Mei passed away while her sons were still young. Garmadon has faint memories of her, but Wu does not. That has been a tense thing between the brothers over the years.

This song, from Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier makes me think of Mei and Iza 🥺

#asks #ninjago ocs #ninjago #mei - ninjago oc #ninjago fsm #my ocs #my art #...sorry. tnis got long. i have a lot of lore for mei and i love her a lot #i wanted to give the brothers a mother and the story of her and iza.... gosh that grew and i love it #when you set out to give your favourite character a mother and accidentally create a great love story

[convenientalias]

Yuletide Fics By and For Me

Yuletide authors have now revealed, so I feel like it's a good time for me to link both the gift I received and the fics I wrote for it, for anyone interested :D

I got a very RTMI King's Affection fic this year, featuring Noh Ha-kyung/Dam-yi, the original crown prince surviving, and twin-swapping shenanigans. Y'all should read it!!

A Lotus Flower, Flourishing in the Dark

What if Lee Hwi hadn't died? Well, some things would have changed, but others would not.

And now, the fics I wrote!

From Moth Back Into Caterpillar, Nirvana in Fire, Jingyan & Lin Shu, 11k, T-rated.

A deaged Lin Shu escapes the Su Residence and runs off to find Jingyan.

wish we could turn back time, Nirvana in Fire, Mei Changsu/Lin Shu, 5.8k, Explicit.

An experimental medicine of Lin Chen's makes Mei Changsu dream his way back into the past. Dream, of course, of Lin Shu.

Marriage, a Wellspring, The Silent Sea, Han Yoon-jae/Song Ji-an, 12k, M-rated.

Han Yoonjae marries Song Jian for better water access. For his daughter's sake. There do turn out to be other benefits

A Basic Test, The Silent Sea, Han Yoon-jae/Song Ji-an, 6k, Explicit.

Post-canon Bad Guys Made Them Do It fic. Four days after the mission to Balhae Station, Han Yoon-jae and Song Ji-an are still in SAA custody. Han Yoon-jae's loyalties are in question, while Song Ji-an's genetic mutation needs to be studied before she can be safely released. Director Choi proposes a test that will serve both purposes.

a fly on the wall, The Radiant Emperor series, General Ouyang/Wang Baoxiang, 2k, M-rated.

“You can go,” Baoxiang said. Ouyang stared at him. He was not the sort to flinch from facing those he hated, or avoid them. And as much as he hated Baoxiang, lately he had developed the habit of wallowing in his miserable company. Baoxiang had developed a complementary habit.

among autumn leaves, Watersnakes, Mila/Agnes, 1k, G-rated.

Post-canon slice of life. Mila still looks at Agnes, maybe with a bit less awe than she used to. Her gaze still hovers on Agnes’s mouth, but she has never asked a second time to touch Agnes’s teeth.

punishment as reward, Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang, Yunzhen/Xuanqing, 1k, M-rated.

Gu Xuanqing gets whipped again, but this time he asked for it.

The Importance of Accuracy in Portraiture, Under the Skin, Du Cheng/Shen Yi, 3k, M-rated.

Du Cheng sees a nude portrait Shen Yi painted years ago. It makes him think about some things.

climax and denouement, Smokescreen, Evan/Link, 3k, M-rated.

At the end of Man in a Car, Evan had praised Link's performance only begrudgingly. Link probably thought that was because they’d disagreed so much on Link’s acting choices. In actuality, it was because he’d known one more successful project would not convince Link to work with him on another. They’d made something brilliant together, and now Link was going to ride off into the sunset and never collaborate with him again. He wondered if that was still the case now.

...and that's it!

I wrote a total of 9 fics, roughly 48k words, mostly in November and December. It was a lot of fun! Yuletide prompts finally gave me the impetus to watch The Silent Sea and read She Who Became the Sun and Smokescreen, and I found some other fun prompts for shows I'd already watched as well. Now I need to get back to my noveling after a month or so off lols.

#yuletide 2022 #i wrote a thing #nirvana in fire #the king's affection #the silent sea

[mabeljonesrock]

Mengjiao

Full/Real name: Xu Mengjiao

Alias(es): son of white snake

Nickname(s): little white snake, medicine boy, Meng, Jiao, Bai and Xian’s disgusting spawn, monster

Species: human/snake demon hybrid

Family: Xu Xian(father), Bai Suzhen(mother), Xiaoqing(aunt)

age: 20

Weapon(s) of choice: snake whip

Abilities: snake demon strength/speed, can transform into his snake form, skilled medic, medicine skills, great sense of hearing, swimming skills

Gender: male

Pronouns: He/They

Affiliation: Hospital, Monkie Kids

Occupation: nurse, demon fighter

Alignment: good

Status: Alive

Personality: Introverted, shy and quiet are three words to describe Mengjiao. He speaks in a sweet, gentle manner but can get very sarcastic in response to others teasing him, though he often acts quite shy. While he is reserved, he does not appear to be concerned about expressing himself. His timidity shows when he uncontrollably transforms into his snake form and tries his best to hide his snake form or try to turn back to his human form. His nervousness, anxiety and shyness come from the fact he lives in a town where people despised demons and many demon hunters live here. This causes his father to become extremely protective of his secret of being half demon and hide it

He is very cautious of how he acts, afraid that he will unleash his snake form at the wrong time. He is very ashamed of and angry towards his snake form for causing huge disruptions in his life. The fear of inadvertently transforming and his father forcing him to stay human all the time makes Mengjiao very anxious and frustrated. This in turn leads to his relationship with his father becoming strained. However, his new friends help him come to terms with his snake form and accept it as part of him, giving him a more positive outlook on it and learn to accept himself about who he was.

Mengjiao has demonstrated a high level of intelligence when it comes to medicine, herbs, acupuncture, medical treatments and first AID. This makes him the medic and healer of the team. According to his father and friends, he used to be one of the ace students and a total overachiever with high grades/top scores. His teachers believe he would one day grew up to become a great scholar. But he chose a career working in the hospital like his father instead baffling his teachers.

He is also shown to be a health nut and usually the one to order the healthiest thing at every restaurant like salad or a light soup. Despite being the most healthy in the team, he has a secret sweet tooth and one nibble of candy, dessert or any sweet can turn him into a frenzy.

Likes: his friends and family, studying medicine and herbs, Monkey cop, reading, books, tea, soup, salad, seafood, congee, anything healthy, the colour blue, playing with his flute, math, history, candies and sweets(secretly), gardening, helping his patients, reptile biology, Yoga, music, swimming, cats, baths/showers, taking long walks in beaches/parks, cleaning, spring, sleeping/napping, fruit, his snake form(currently), traditional Hanfu clothing

Dislikes: being bullied, uncontrollably transforming, his snake form(formerly), hurting others, being called a monster, his patients getting hurt/sick, illnesses/diseases, realgar wine, evil snake hunters, bullies, evil demons, getting late, heavy greasy/junk food, peach wood, black dog’s blood, cold/windy weather

Appearance: Mengjiao is a young man with a rather thin, slender build, a beauty mark near his left eye and is a bit taller than Mei and MK. His eyebrows are constantly downturned in a "worried" expression. In his human form, he is very plain-looking and tied his smooth, long and ankle-length black hair into a tight bun. He wears a simple blue traditional Tang shirt, a pair of blue pants and black tai chi slippers. In his snake form, he grew much taller, gained snake-like fangs and his legs transform into a huge scaly white snake tail. He also becomes more handsome with his eyes turning blue and his hair undone. Once he start to embrace his snake side and finished training to control his snake demon powers, He switched his outfit to a white traditional hanfu robe with blue lining and snake designs, a long blue scarf, a pair of white pants and white boots. He also tied his hair into a single braid that resembled a snake's tail and it become looser in his snake form. At the party, he tied his hair into a bun again but this time he leave his bangs loose. It turn into a partial hairbun. He wore a very baggy, blue and white hoodie with snake designs and patterns. His hoodie is open to show off his revealing, tight dark blue turtleneck crop top with fingerless glove sleeves, two turquoise and silver belts, low-cut skinny white jeans and a pair of blue knee high sneaker boots. For accessories, she wore a pair of white and blue headphones.

Backstory: Before he is born, His father is a human man who fell in love with a snake demoness who is the mother of Mengjiao. The plot is the same as the legend of the white snake. He meets her and her sister, Xiaoqing, at the Bridge during rainy weather. Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen gradually fall in love and are eventually married. They move to another town, where they open a medicine shop.

A Buddhist monk called Fahai(who is secretly a half-Terrapin demon) wants to hunt demons to prove he is human and not a demon. He finds out Bai Suzhen is a snake demon and he plots to destroy her. He approaches Xu Xian and tells him that during the Festival his wife should drink realgar wine, an alcoholic drink commonly consumed during that festival. Bai Suzhen unsuspectingly drinks the wine and reveals her true form as a large white snake. Xu Xian was shocked at first but still maintains his love for Bai Suzhen despite knowing her true nature. Realizing the realgar wine might slowly kill her, He and Xiaoqing travel to the mountain, where they brave danger to find an antidote that heals Bai Suzhen back to health.

Angry that his plan to killed Bai Suzhen failed, Fahai tries to separate them again by capturing Xu Xian and imprisoning him at the Jinshan Temple. Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing fight with Fahai to rescue Xu Xian. Unfortunately, Bai Suzhen’s powers are limited because she is already pregnant with Xu Xian's child, so she fails to save her husband. Xu Xian later manages to escape from Jinshan Temple and reunite with his wife, where Bai Suzhen gives birth to their son, Xu Mengjiao. But Fahai tracks them down, defeats Bai Suzhen and imprisons her in Leifeng Pagoda. Xiaoqing flees, vowing vengeance at Fahai for imprisoning her sister and was angry at Xu Xian for not saving her.

Xu Xian sadly raised his hybrid son as a single father but hope one day his wife will be freed and reunited with them. The town they live in was full of demon hunters and civilians who despised demons. This causes him to become much more cautious and forced his son to stay in human form all the time out of desperation and worry so he wouldn’t be exposed, leaving Mengjiao struggling to control and stay in his human form all the time.

Mengjiao grew up to become a shy but considerate nurse working in the hospital and helping patients. He later meets the Monkie Kids and helps him on his quest to rescued her mother from Leifeng Pagoda.

His arc and goal are not just about freeing his mother but accepting who he is and learning to embrace his flaws in spite of society's expectations. Even if he is a human or demon, Mengjiao is Mengjiao and he is willing to choose his path and choices.

Trivia:

His voice actor headcanons are Zach Aguilar, Andrew Francis, Aleks Le or Dante Basco.

Because he is half human like his father, He cannot fully transform into a snake. This leave only the bottom half, eyes and teeth transformed. This make him resembled a Naga.

His favorite music is classical.

His expressions and personality is similar to Marina from Splatoon.

Xiaoqing will meet him and she end up becoming his mentor who train him how to control his snake form and powers.

Out of all people in his life, MK is the one who support and encouraged him to be himself the most during his journey. He also the one who get him into the Monkey cop Franchise.

His favourite food is a healthy chicken noodle soup with broccoli and Bok Choy, garden salad with strawberries and a hot green tea with honey, ginger and lemon juice.

Apart from being a health nut, he enjoy doing morning exercises. His exercise routine is doing long walks or jogging in the park in the mornings, went swimming on beach or the pool and doing Yoga.

His favorite places to go is the library, bookshops, Gym(they have a pool here), the parks, the zoo, Hanfu clothing stores and beaches.

He enjoy playing with his flute and practiced it every week while listening to flute music.

He own ten first aid kits.

Possibly neurodivergent❤️

His favorite book genre is romance, fantasy, epic, historical, nonfiction and facts, mystery, fairytales, legends/myth, music, cookbooks, children and horror.

He is demiromantic, demisexual and pan.

#monkie kid oc #lego monkie kid #oc #legend of the white snake #xu mengjiao #mengjiao #white snake

[waiting-on-a-dream]

ANDDD 1, 20, 24 for aurora, slyvan, chandani (pink mao mao <3) xuemei and emile! introduce your new ocs to us, aurie 👀

- bree <3

I audibly let out a 'ho hoh!' when I read what the first question was. It's not a deep or weird question that you would usually go for, but it's hard for some of my ocs to answer all the same! @silvoila

1. Who makes up your family?  How close are you to them?

Aurora Puerstella

Aurora laughs, shifting in their seat as they think of their answer. Out of nervousness, embarrassment, or something else, who knows?

"Well, there's my mom, my dad. And two siblings, both younger than me," they bring up a hand to brush some hair away from their eye.

"My mom is uhhh...very mindful of social conduct, etiquette, rules and stuff. My dad likes to talk a lot, but sometimes he doesn't finish his sentences, and I have to ask him to repeat himself." That was all over the place.

"Alanna, my younger sister, is currently studying in RSA. She's very hardworking, and rigid, and edgy. You should listen to the stuff she says sometimes, it's kinda cringe," Aurora laughs.

"Alaric, my younger brother, is very hyperactive, chatty, and playful," Aurora sighed. "He's the only extrovert in the family. Can you guess who lonely he gets when everyone's busy doing their own thing?"

"How close are you to them?"

"Who asks these kinds of questions anyway?" they mumble in reply. "If you couldn't tell, I'm not very close to any of them."

Slyvan Marwood

"My grandma," Slyvan chirps proudly. "She's really friendly, always welcoming to any guests we have. She knows how to cook up a storm, sew, and tell some good dramatic stories! Unfortunately most of her stories are about me..."

"And then there's my mom. She makes the most amazing chicken soup, it's almost as good as any healing potion for when you're sick!" Slyvan giggled. "That was a joke, please don't assume chicken soup is more effective than actual medicine."

"And my dad! You really need to try his apple pie sometime. It's the best food I've ever eaten," Slyvan looked like he was drooling just thinking about it. "He's a fisherman, and would often drag me onto his boat to help him. Yes, he had to drag me. I really didn't like fishing," he chuckled sheepishly. "I found it boring, okay?"

"How close are you to them?"

"Hm? I like to think we're close," Slyvan nodded after a bit of a pause. "As far as families go, I'd say we're pretty tight-knit!"

Chandani Kumar

"I'm the middle child in my family. Dad, mom, and two siblings," she smiled. "It gets chaotic sometimes, especially when my dad gets these crazy ideas to go geyser-sliding for a family outing, but I wouldn't trade it for the world." The warm smile stretching across her face proves her genuineness.

Zhang Xue Mei

"I have a dad who makes wonderful dumplings and a mom who insisted on telling me stories every night before bed," she chuckles. "And I also had a wise old grandpa who taught me how to play chess...Had, yeah. I miss him sometimes."

"How close are you to them?"

She smiles with a tilt of her head, resting her chin on a hand. "I'm the only child, so I'd say I'm quite close to my parents. Never had to keep much from them."

Emile Briar

"I have a wonderful mother, and plenty of rumbustious siblings," Emile laughed, eyes closed. "It's a very big family, and some of us had to fight for our fair share of attention, but I can't say we didn't have our fun times~!"

"My mother has this regal air to her, is driven when she sets her mind to something, and an abundance of magic." If one didn't know any better, they would think Emile to be bragging. But sweet, charming Emile wouldn't do that, right?

"How close are you to them?"

"Very close of course! I dare say I know everyone like the back of my hand. Some of my shyer siblings don't like it when I shower them in gifts for their birthday, but I can't help it," he chuckles. "They're just too cute!"

20. Describe your biggest pet peeve.

Aurora Puerstella

"When we do experiments in science class I guess. Partly because it's so noisy and chaotic, partly because the answer is there in the book already anyway. What's the point in doing an experiment if I already know the results?" They sulk like a petulant child, blowing at a strand of their hair. "I'm not a kinesthetic learner, so most experiments are really just boring for me."

Slyvan Marwood

"I don't like it when people yell for no reason," he answers almost meekly, shuddering at the thought of a certain green-haired junior. "It scares some people, and it's annoying for the most part. If they knew how to assert themselves properly, they wouldn't even need to raise their voice so much." Rich words coming from a wallflower?

Chandani Kumar

"How do I put it..." She put a finger to her chin. "It irks me when I see someone's homework, and it's obvious that they didn't put a lot of effort into finishing it. Of course everyone has their circumstances, but certain professors put a percentage of their students' homework performance in their grade, and it's such a shame that some students aren't able to get easy full marks for that."

Zhang Xue Mei

"I hate it when people underestimate me," she shakes her head with a sigh. "When people think I can't win that chess game, or ace that test, or finish fixing that machine. Okay, maybe that last one isn't so far-fetched. But still! Have a little faith in me, geez."

Emile Briar

"Broken furniture," he decides with a nod. "I know that buying and replacing furniture must be quite the hassle, but is that really a valid excuse to drag things out when people could get hurt?" He then shakes his head with a sigh. "Some people can be so inconsiderate."

24. What would you consider your main love language?

Aurora Puerstella

"Gift giving, I guess," Aurora answers with a shrug. "I like shopping, and usually have a bunch of knick-knacks on me that I'm willing to give away to my friends."

Slyvan Marwood

"Quality time, I think," Slyvan smiled. "I love spending time with the people I care about, no matter what they're doing. It's even better when they're showing me what they like, and vice versa. I love to connect with them that way."

Zhang Xue Mei

"I don't know much about love languages," Xue Mei tilts her head with a thoughtful hum. "But I'd say my main one is...acts of service. That's what its called, right?"

The interviewer nods affirmatively, and she continues.

"I've always been a helpful one. My whole neighborhood would be inclined to agree with me," she nodded. "My parents were very busy when I was a kid, and I tried to lessen their burden whenever I could. That's just how I show my affection, I guess."

Chandani Kumar

"Physical touch!" She answers confidently with a laugh. "I'm actually very clingy, but most people don't realize it because I try to keep my displays of affection small. Like holding onto my sister's arm when we're walking down the street, or putting my head on Irene's shoulder when I'm sleepy. Nothing that showy like big hugs or anything."

Emile Briar

"My, that's a rather interesting question to ask in an interview," Emile winked at the interviewer. "And who will be reading this exactly?"

He chuckled after a bit of silence, waving his hand dismissively. "I jest, I jest. Don't worry! I'll answer the question."

He then put a gloved hand to his chin, humming with a thoughtful expression. "Hm...I'd say my main love language, both giving and receiving, is words of affirmation. What can I say? I love praise," he laughed again.

#hey~ the family question helps with writing their birthday suit ups! #oc interview #aurora puerstella #slyvan marwood #chandani kumar #pink maomao~! #zhang xue mei #emile briar

[john3vanmba]

New Hope

A huge part of our requirement to pass Miss Pia’s Lasallian Business Leadership, Ethics, and CSR is to help a chosen non-profit organization. Miss Pia and Miss Mei collectively chose GABAY, an organization that help people with HIV. Honestly, I feel that we’re lucky to have the opportunity to help them an in turn learn from them as well. Our group planned to give them a leadership training and that is what we are preparing for this coming Saturday. While preparing, I can’t help but to do a bit of researching about the history of discrimination aga HIV and AIDS.

So, a few classes ago we had a topic discussing about discrimination in hiring and in workplaces. But I think there’s also discrimination not only because of racial or ethnic backgrounds, but also discrimination because of acquiring diseases. I think we all directly or indirectly experience some form of that in the past. A good example was when COVID struck! Positive people get shunned because of that. Luckily, COVID is not a threat anymore and we are past that era. That is not the case for HIV and AIDS though. There’s even a phobia coined for such disease, serophobia, the prejudice, fear, rejection, and stigmatization of people with HIV/AIDS. Statistically, the most common patients of HIV are LGBTQ+, drug users and sex workers so they suffer a huge part of discrimination amongst the normal people. Because of that, the societal stigma against people living with HIV evolved severely, as HIV/AIDS discrimination actively obstruct access to HIV/AIDS testing and screening worldwide. The most important parts of controlling contagious diseases are testing and screening, so doctors and health experts can manage the spread thereby preventing worse phenomenon. We learned that the hard way during the COVID crisis.

Even in this era, there still lingers misconceptions about HIV or AIDS. I have read that one-third of Americans still believe that HIV could be transmitted through sharing a drink or touching toilet used by HIV-positive individual. Many still won’t be comfortable sharing a room with such disease and many more. I think the solution for this is for health experts and volunteers to spread factual information about HIV. I believe it won’t be that hard anymore since we have access to the internet, a very powerful tool to spread facts and critical information. I promise that I’ll be doing my part to share my newly acquired knowledge from GABAY representatives and this study to share information to my family and friends.

I hope more people can also help HIV people such as GABAY so they can have access to testing and maintenance medicine and prolong their lives as it can be a death sentence if not managed well. As I’ve shared, I have a close friend with HIV, helping individuals like him is like helping my friend indirectly. I know all his troubles and I can imagine the GABAY representative having the same suffering or worse.

Our service learning for GABAY is a few days from now. I am excited. I hope me and my classmates can give them a positive experience even for just a day. I would definitely pray for that.

[the-letter-horror-lover]

Smile Like You Mean it: A Kuroshitsuji Hetalia Story

GothicFrisk

Summary:

Adrian Crevan or Undertaker has a teenage daughter, Alice-Jayne Creavan who takes her in after her mother Regina Kirkland dies from cancer. The mad as a hatter legendary Shikigami, has the girl become an apprentice to the Crimson reaper, Grell Sutcliff.

Also yes Regina is related to the Kirkland family of Hetalia.....let's just say that Alice is the grandchild of Alistair Kirkland seeing as Regina was the representation of Badbea village, she decided to become human after she and Adrian had Alice-Jayne.

Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Smile like you mean it!

Chapter Text

A/N; My twists are Undertaker is the father of Vincent Phantomhive, not Vincent's sister Francis. Francis is the daughter of Claudia Phantomhive's

husband Cedric K. Ros-. Alice-Jayne is not related to the Midford family .

I am going by the canonical theory of the Phantomhive twins as canonical in my book they are named Ciel(real Ciel)and Astre (Boochan)The boys meet her only once when they were 3, Vincent introduced her as their cousin, she looks 17, but is 19 and Grell is around 23. Both Grell and Alice are genderfluid so they both use male and female pronouns interchangeably

My four shippings of my book

Grell and Alice-Jayne, Lizzy and Ciel(Astre), Mei-Rin and Sebastian, Will and Undertaker.

Edited Mat 16th 2021

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Alice-Jayne Crevan pov

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AJ I ask you to please remember these four things

1) Your father is somewhere in London and known as Undertaker, not many will know of his true name, seek him out by age seventeen .

2) You will try your hand as a vocation you wish. If you decide to reveal yourself to your brother's sons Astre and Ciel let your father help and try to help protect them.

3) If you and those who you care for are in danger, think of the name Alistair Kirkland and your grandfather will appear by your side. The last time you saw him you were two, and he gave you the nickname Poppet.

4)Trying to be happy with yourself, but try to socialize and consider courtship with women or men.

I once again read the note Mum gave me a week prior to her succumbing to cancer, I was only fourteen at the time and I managed to find my first job at the time the courier of Elliott Renton the town librarian. I was educated by him and Mum, who was the town teacher, the woman who replaced her was her assistant Sarah O'Brien. I always called my employer Mr. Renton seeing as he had been one to ask me to do so, I knew that I could probably make it as tutor in London from everything that I studied and was taught when in school. Mr. Renton supported me in my studies in anything and everything that was available in the library. I learned to speak French, Dutch, Latin,and Italian, I knew Gaelic and English since I was a baby. I learned about animals, playing chess, sword fighting, how to dance, to assemble a gun and about various medicinal plants, and how to detect poisons.

Ever since Mum died I was looked after by Mr. Renton, the Branson family, and the Sullivan family. The Bransons were siblings the oldest is Davis the brother he is an inventor and he still runs the family's general store. The youngest is Abigail she is a seamtress who often will crochet dolls, scarfs, and blankets for peers and to sell during holidays. The Sullivans were Devon the head of the family he runs the livery and stable I learned about horses and fixing carriages from him. Siobhan who is Devon's wife who owns the bakery and confections shop, she showed me how to bake, cook a bit, and how to make several candies. Thier son is Elric, my best friend he teaches music and is an amateur boxer. I think that for now I would try my hand either a tutor or an apprentice confectioner, as a vocation.

I head off to Mum's grave to say good bye as well as cleaning up any weeds that grew by the hydrangea bush I had planted on her birthday a week after her funeral, I would bring a stone and just talk to Mum while I would sketch a picture that I placed under the stone I placed on her grave. I narrow my eyes seeing someone dressed in the robes of a funeral mute, wearing a rather long top hat placing a white calla lily, on Mum's grave. I noticed that the person was a man and was speaking to Mum in a soft tone. I held onto my croquet mallet that hid a hand held gardening scythe. Davis made it for me along with a few other gadgets that were considered steampunk aesthetic.

I keep my grip on my mallet ready to attack only to realize that I was looking at my father, Adrian Crevan. I growl as I put away my mallet before as I noticed he was smirking, I wasn't surprised seeing as he was a rather complicated man who had a way of doing things. I knelt down placing the an onyx stone on Mum's grave, I tried to leave either an onyx stone or rock that reminds me of how much I missed Mum. I sat down by the grave and followed through my normal ritual as I allowed my father to see what happened when I saw Mum.

"Hey Mum, guess what happened today? Papa showed for the first time in thirteen years. I know that I shouldn't be too upset, I get it.." I bit my lip as I feel the memories of my life after my father left us. " I suppose I will see if you were right seeing as you told me about how much I was like him and my grandfather Al. Mr. Renton finally asked out Ms. Branson, and agreed that my curious nature of everything meant I was better off spending the past year working for Davis," I chuckle "I think it's possible that he will always be my first crush, but Davis is always going to be my benevolent godfather." I went on to tell her that Elric joined the Navy seeing as he wanted to travel to new places and serve the queen.

"We only started courting it was funny watching Davis and Mr. Renton trying to make wagers on which of us would make the first move. I was nervous about when he took me to the hilltop to admit that he was in love with me since the day he saw Papa and I enter his mother's shop." I trailed off to compose my thoughts. " I hope that he may return home, I honestly don't know, I mean ..." I shook before feeling an embrace from my father as he crooned to make me fall asleep.

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Undertaker pov

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I thought only that the death of my dearest Regina three years ago would be the hardest thing for my little Baby Bones to face, sadly that was not the case, my new boyfriend William had been the one to reap Ensign Elric Sullivan's soul. Will figured out the boy was involved with my daughter seeing as his favorite memory had been when my late ex wife and I had settled to raise Alice-Jayne. I knew that Will wasn't sure if Alice-Jayne was going to accept him as my lover. I rode my donkey cart back to my shop in London and arranged for my daughter's things to be shipped to my place .

I kissed my daughter on her forehead as I brought her into the bedroom that I had prepared for her four months ago. I placed her on her bed drawing her curtain closed leaving a note on her table that would explain where she was and my wish to spend time with her whenever she was ready.

I got up to make my dog bone shaped biscuits before the chime of my shops bell caught my attention, it seems my younger grandson the little earl has arrived along with his loyal dog of a butler. I go to greet the two and pray to Lord Hades and God they don't discover my baby bones yet. I appear from one of my secret passages and exit from a coffin to frighten the boy.

I began with the same old routine for a good fifteen minutes when a shrill scream that sounded like Grell was followed by yelling and a smashing noise. I soon discovered that my daughter was holding a croquet mallet while Grell carried a rather unconscious William T. Spears.

"I honestly appreciate you helping me Grell, I am violent if anyone touches my hair if I am asleep. Especially my bangs it tickles. "Alice-Jayne mutter "he's lucky I just used the croquet mallet instead of the hand scythe concealed in it."Alice pushed her bangs to one side as I sob while rolling on the floor laughing hysterically. I only had realized the young earl was still around when he shouts.

"UNDERTAKER, WHAT IS THE ..." the boy trails off as he saw Alice's eyes as she knelt down to his level and hugged him. "I remembered seeing you when I was little, you are Alice, my father's cousin, where did you go?" he asked as I noticed that the butler senses something about my child. I hope to wait until my older grandson Ciel returns to reveal my idenity.

"My Mum, Papa and I went to be with my grandfather abroad, in Scotland for a few months. When I was a small child Papa brought us to a nice village, he had to go away for a while. Mum got really sick. Mum died when I was fourteen, my Papa asked that Undertaker brought me here upon my 17 birthday, a series of events unfortunately waylaid him for two years" Alice whispered "I think it's a good idea seeing as everyone back in the village makes me think of my best friend, who only became my boyfriend, but was lost at sea...."

Chapter 2: Chapter 2:Crimson and Cold

Chapter Text

A/n; Ok so this is taking place after the Jack the Ripper case, it will introduce

some flashbacks.

Edited April 9th 2020

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Last chapter

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"My Mum, Papa and I went to be with my grandfather abroad, in Scotland for a few months. When I was a small child Papa brought us to a nice village, he had to go away for a while. Mum got really sick. Mum died when I was fourteen, my Papa asked that Undertaker brought me here upon my 17 birthday, a series of events unfortunately waylaid him for two years." Alice whispered "I think it's a good idea seeing as everyone back in the village makes me think of my best friend, who only became my boyfriend, but was lost at sea...."

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One hour after Will is knocked out

Grell pov

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"I apologize about using my mallet on you Mr. Spears, I just don't like when random people wake me up or touch my hair."Alice whispers rubbing the back of her neck before adding "I only had realized that you're the one who took the soul of my suitor after hugging and seeing my youngest nephew." she sat on an armchair by her bedside while Will was resting in her bed. I arched my brow after learning that Alice is the child of Adrian Crevan or the most infamous legendary reaper.

"Wait so you're telling me that the brat is related to both of you? I also have a hard time understanding how you are part of a living embodiment of an old Scottish town." I mutter rubbing my chin while the girl Alice rolls her eyes before Will interrupted my thoughts.

"It's quite simple Sutcliff, her mother Regina Kirkland was the child of Alistair Kirkland, or Scotland itself...." Williams was cut off by a booming laugh coming from the back of the room making Will hit his head while Adrian sighs shaking his head before stepping in front of Alice just as a red headed man appears smoking a cigarette.

"Hm, ye know the disturbance of my wee lass Badbea, or as you Shikigami knew her Regina Kirkland had been rather upsetting. Of course she had only paid me a visit this past year." Says the man who was likely Alistair Kirkland. He winked at Alice and me while he blew smoke in Adrian's face "I want you to know Shikigami, she had lost a child she was carrying after she let you go, he was obviously your boyo. She died of a cancer that was set off by depression a city, territory, or country can die if they will it or are forgotten." growls Alistair as he shoved aside Undertaker to kneel in front of Alice while he smiles.

"Are you my Grandfather than? Mum told me about how you let her meet your brothers and that you had seen me when I was small, Grandfather I don't understand what the blue blazes is going on. I am aware my father's lover did take the soul of..." Alice-Jayne trails off sobbing softly as Alistair soon picked up Alice-Jayne while hugging her.

"Poppet it's alright I promise, ye have the Kirkland temper for sure, but you share your Shikigami father's looks, and I think that you knocking out a full grown reaper is bloody amazing. I promise you that young Elric is in a good place, let's just say he's spending time with a few peers of mine." Alistair says before he turns to me "Mr. Sutcliff l have a favor to ask you, tis a simple one at that. The reaper council and meself agreed that you're talented enough to train my daughter's only child." Alistair soon went on to explain further details before he flicked Alice-Jayne on her chin making her calmer. I soon felt the weight of a sleeping Alice-Jayne in my arms when I heard Will and Adrian start talking to each other before I am sent to my home.

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Dream/Flashback

Alice pov

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"Mummy and Papa look I have a friend named Elric Sullivan , he's the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan . I want to learn about horses and baking from his parents...but I know that I gotta take school lessons from Mummy soon."says eight year old me while I held hands with a boy with light red brown hair, tan skin, pudgy cheeks and emerald eyes . I giggled when my father took us to a hilltop to fish and look at clouds while Mummy was teaching back in town. I felt happy and free, I honestly was happy that I made my first best friend with Elric Sullivan .

Five years later

"Shut it,why'd you gotta take it like that it's not fair for you to think of Papa that way, he had to go see my big brother and I was going to invite you to come with me since you are my best friend. " I softly mumbled while pushing Elric while we listened to Davis explain his latest invention to us.

"I am just going to say that I think it's possible that you're dense about things with how your father just broke things with your mother. I think that you're going to be upset but Mr. Renton says your father uses people. Alice you are too trusting of others. "Elric growls before he taps my shoulder "Also tag you're it try to get me Ally cat." Elric ran off making Davis chuckle before he gestures for me to go follow after my best friend .

"Wait for me Elle, you are such a brat at times and I am going to marry either you or Davis when I'm older. You can marry Sarah O'Donnell" I shout before I tackled Elric and tagged him before I managed to hide in a tree behind the school house think it's safe only to feel arms wrap around me to show Elric with a wild smile upon his face. We played for an hour longer until my Papa appeared while Elric ran into his mother's arms.

2 years and Three weeks later

"I think it's funny that you used to brag about marrying Davis, he fell in love with the daughter of Deacon Godwin and I swear that he, Mum, Abby, Sarah, and Mr. Renton were aware that we fancied each other for a while. "Elric taunts me as he soon spins me and pins me against a tree to kiss me before we go to my mother's grave. Two days later he was going to sea and he wrapped a mint green scarf around my neck."I promise as long as you keep this I will be with you. I got it when I was in Edinburgh." Elric whispers before we talked about how much we are growing up, my father sending me gifts and just chatting with Mum. I had watched for him often for the past two years and I soon got a letter from Elric a week ago it told me that he'd be home for my birthday, after two years of bieng apart. Sadly I knew it was not going to happen, I had felt something wrong like water flooding my lungs and screaming. I had glimpses of my best friend and beloved boyfriend drowning and I had denied that he was dead until the day that Papa found me...

"Elle come back, please don't go you're probably can wait for...don't leave me something terrible is going ...." I shot up from my sleep only to take my scarf from around my waist to lift it to my face and cry into it as my memory of the day I was told my dear Elle has indeed drowned after saving his crewmate. I shuddered before I felt someone pulling me into a hug and I smell a scent of sandalwood, roses, chocolate, and mint. I began nuzzling the person as I continued to weep. I have a feeling that I am with Grell seeing as I noticed that was his scent from earlier.

"Alice, shush it's alright I am here you can talk of it if you want..." Grell softly whispers as he stroked my hair. He lifts my chin before adding "I myself lost a dear one or two, well I suppose one I may have killed for a reason..." I cut him off as I told him understood that he had been involved with my nephews' maternal aunt Angelina Dalles-Burnett, or Madam Red and I was aware that he fancied women and men. I shrug as in my opinion love was love it was the person who was your lover gender was never an issue.

"Grell believe it or not Elric was not my first lover let's just say a year before we started courting my friend Georgina was my first and only girlfriend" I shyly whispered recalling the petite hazel eyes auburn haired Scottish and Italian girl "After her father passed her mother and she moved to America to settle in New York in a place known as East Harlem(What is now Little Italy)to assist in an Italian bakery." I cuddle Grell before we both realized a few hours passed while we had been talking about various things . I arched my brow as Grell dragged me out of bed helping me finish dressing for Shikigami training .

"Alice, are you certain that the brat will not question you about his older brother? He may wanted to know that as you, and your cousins are helping tracking him down. I do believe you said he was either in America or Canada's territory"Grell says as I toss him his death scythe before picking up my signature croquet mallet as a death scythe. I giggle a more cheerful version of my father's laugh.

"Truth be told Alfred and Matthew are still tracking leads, even if they find Ciel it may unsettle Astre, he's the one I feel closest to. It's repugnant that Angelina assumed Astre was Ciel. "I mumbled as I kissed him on the cheek adding "besides I have a feeling he's preoccupied with his fiancee." I start giggling as I notice Grell was baffled by what I said.

"I think that William and Papa know of our relationship, I noticed how Will tends to be a tad more lenient when we goof off with Alan and Ronald...." I chuckle as Grell and I exchanged a look aware we mutually saw the pair as an adorable couple. I soon snuggle into Grell after hearing something that may have traumatized me, Papa and Will shagging. Grell carried me bridal style before we head off to check off the to die list.

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A few months later

Grell POV

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"I smirk watching my sweet, cunning and sardonic lover look over her to die list whilst twirling her death scythe, I had been aware that my little rose is carrying our child seeing as Adrian and Will both chewed me out for not using protection with thier daughter. I was not displeased with how Will took on the Mama bear role for my dearest, I honestly think he helps Alice become more centered. I sat upon my death scythe and smirk knowing this was the fifth mission Alice has after becoming an official member of the Reaper headquarters. I watched as Alice swung her mallet and gathers the cinematic record of her final charge

"Gretel Ferguson, age ten years old time of death 2pm. Cause of death from drowning while saving a kitten. Well that's my last one." Alice chuckles as she collects the cinematic record before she leapt next to me and playfully shoving me before she turns away I pinned her against a wall kissing her deeply before I placed my hand on her abdomen and pulled her into my chest as I whispered that her parents informed me of our impending child.

"I think that Will was more pissed off seeing as your father told me that your grandfather told him, while explaining that you apparently are the living embodiment of Edinburgh. I hope a certain brat won't protest, nor an irksome nuisance of a demon harm you both."I say before I shuddered seeing the said demon pulled away my lover away from me before I could properly propose to her. I noticed that the demon grew pale upon sensing the child my lover carried within her womb.

"Sebastian I order you to bring her to Phantomhive manor ..." the brat shouts only to be cut off by an all to familiar laugh and figure lifting Alice from the grasp of Sebastian and placing her beside me. The brat looks dumbstruck as Sebastian bows to Alistair Kirkland.

"Astre Phantomhive, are you aware that your pet disturbed a moment that I approve of..."Alistair winked at me as he signaled for me to explain what he meant to Alice who nods her head as I slip the ring on her finger mentally making a note to inform both Adrian and Will of the actions of the brat.

"WHO THE DEVIL ARE YOU? HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME? SEBASTIAN TAKE AUNT ALICE TO PHANTOMHIVE MANOR AT ONCE." the brat barks only to earn a slap from Will, I honestly don't know when he arrived but I knew that meant Adrian was elsewhere seeing as he usually would handle the brat.

"I suggest you mind your tongue you tainted brat, Alistair Kirkland is the living embodiment of Scotland itself even your dog knows to pay respect to him and his kin. I swear if that vile creature harmed my daughter or the child of her and Sutcliff l will happily fight him..you're lucky that I respect your Aunt, Grandfather, and missing elder brother."Will adjusts his glasses as he gave me a brief grin adding "I think that you're probably going to be a suitable mate for her, both my lover and her grandfather may of influenced my opinion. " Will bows to Alastair who gave a look as he soon whispered into Will's ear making him blush, I had a feeling of what seeing as Sebastian looked disturbed.

#black butler fanfiction

[oopsimbug]

in which... y/n is just trying to put on eyeliner and harry is bored pt. two

a/n: when she’s back from a six month hiatus after making only ONE fic. wow, do i suck. for anyone who cares, school has been pretty rough. i’m actually procrastinating studying for an exam to finally upload this. it’s been pretty hard to balance both school and writing but oh well. anywho, here it finally is. it took so long to write because i wasn’t feeling very inspired by this. a lot of people asked for a part two and even though i kinda wanted to leave it on a sad note, i am a sucker for giving the people what they want, so sorry if this is a bit shit- i definitely don’t like this one myself. i guess i’m not one for fluffy endings. well, at least for this one i wasn’t. i really hope you enjoy it! more stuff to come, if school doesn’t mind fucking off for a little while (or maybe just forever?) xox -(a) bug

pairing: best friend! harry styles x reader

summary: Harry is worried about Y/n. Y/n is worried about Harry. Harry is solving it by thinking of ways to check on her, while Y/n uses cheesy pasta and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air as an excuse to not think. But what will happen when someone is at her door, and it’s not her delivery man?

warnings: angst, swearing, y/n and harry being idiotos, fluffy end, kissing

word count: 5.3k

It had been a week.

One gruelling, painfully long week.

Harry was biting his nails, staring up at the ceiling as he laid in his bed, worrying about her.

About how he fucked up.

He didn’t think that she would be upset for this long. He thought she would scream at him and then text him the following day, wanting to hang out- a silent “I forgive you”, he supposed.

But after two days of radio silence on her end, he decided to call her. The only problem was that her last words to him were “leave”. She wanted space. She needed to think things through- what things? Harry had no clue. But he had to respect her and her choice to not want him around. So with that, he put down the phone.

But a small part of him (okay fine, a big part of him), wanted her to just show up at his house so they could cuddle again, talking about the stupidest of things while they made cupcakes in his kitchen. They would be listening to groovy music and now and then, they’d stop mixing bowls and sifting flour to dance- well, they were horrible dancers, so more so just wave their hands, hips and shoulders around. It would be fun and would always end up with them laughing at one another. He would lick the batter and she would berate him, telling him that “one of these days, you are going to get salmonella and I’ll just laugh at your stupid ass” and he would retort with something witty and a bit flirty like “don’t worry darling, we both know you would be right at my side if I got sick. I know you can’t stand being apart from me” with a wink and a cheeky smirk. He just wants to see her in her oversized Space Jam hoodie and little basketball shorts. Or her short flower shirt and his sweatpants that she has to cuff at the bottoms because they’re too long. Or even-

He’s gotta stop thinking about her, or his brain will soon explode. But he just can’t stop. He tries to think of the happier moments, like her showing him a tour of her very healthy houseplants that she prides herself in, but every time he closes his eyes, all he can see is her teary face telling him to leave. So no, if he was given the choice to think of her flailing her arms around in his kitchen to dancehall tunes while making sweet treats or crying at something that he provoked, you bet your ass he’d choose the former.

But after the seventh day, he knew that something wasn’t right. This was too much “thinking time”. For all he knew, she could be fine, but she could also be positively bawling. She could be living for this free time, but she also could be waiting for him to make the first move. She could be wanting Harry out of her life for her benefit forever, but she also could be feeling lonely and counting the seconds for their makeup, just like he was.

That was it. He had to go see her and make sure his best friend was okay.

He practised what he was going to say to her in his car on the way to her apartment. “Y/n, I’m so sorry for how I acted. I didn’t stop to think about how you were feeling and didn’t take your emotions into account which was unbelievably wrong of me. I’m truly sorry. It’s just that I really care about you and you’re my best friend and I can’t see you choose a tinder fuck over me and if I saw him in the street I would knock his lights out and I just want to kiss you, can I kiss you, oh god please let me kiss you I just want to-“

Fuck, what was wrong with him? Why was he so upset? He had been on plenty of dates with other celebrities and models and she was always on the sidelines, cheering him on. So why was he getting so touchy-feely about a single tinder date? Maybe he was just in desperate need of attention. He hadn’t had a girlfriend for almost one year and casual fuck arounds also stopped about four months ago, so maybe he just needed to fuck someone quick. That would explain why he sees his best friend’s kindness and natural flirty nature as something more romantic. Every laugh at his jokes, every look in her eyes, every graze of her hand on his thighs as she leans over him to get her drink on the side table next to him, he becomes more switched on and awake. She leaves him feeling giddy and excited at every conversation. “This can’t just be because I’m horny right?” he cannot believe he would ever be that horny. What the hell was he going to do?

*

This is pathetic she thought.

I’m pathetic.

She let out a huge sigh before shoving another forkful of cheesy pasta into her mouth.

What am I doing?

The answer?

Eating carbs upon carbs upon carbs, lounging on her comfy sofa in the most comfortable, yet daggiest pair of pyjamas ever while watching reruns of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for the fiftieth time, actively avoiding all commitments, housework and jobs that involve moving further than to the kitchen, which even then was an embarrassingly burdening trek on its own.

But she let it slide. How could she not? She was upset and this was how she coped. That’s what she kept reminding herself as she boiled more and more pasta watching the days pass her by without realisation, but now, she’s beginning to question if this was the best idea. Pushing all thoughts of him out of her mind by not looking at her phone just in case he called or texted. But she was beginning to struggle.

It wasn’t his fault. He didn’t know what inner turmoil she was facing. He seemed genuinely hurt when she snapped at him. He truly didn’t understand why she took so much offence to the playground ribbing, it seemed. And she had to go be a dick and ignore him. He was probably worried sick. How many times would he have called to check up on her? 10? 15? The more she thought about it, the more she wanted this stupid feud to be over and just be in his arms again, even if it’s just as a friend. So she caved. Turned on her phone, expecting there to be at least a call or a text asking if she was still alive or not. And although she did receive a message of that likeness, it wasn’t from Harry, no. It was from her daily water tracking app, pleading her to fill in her daily intake of water so as to not die of dehydration after she was suspected to have not drunk any for the entire week when in reality, she was just too in her head to open her stupid phone and log her water.

Wow, she thought.

Now not only has Harry chosen to not speak to you, but you also look like a huge idiot right now. Of course, he wouldn’t want to talk to you! You got pissed at him for absolutely no reason and now he hates you. He’s gonna ask for his cardigan and track pants that he keeps at your house in case he wanted to sleepover. He’s going to take back all of his little knick-knacks that he leaves over, like the cute diffuser that he leaves because he knows you need it for your constant hay-fever that blocks your nose and then he’s going to declare that you aren’t friends anymore and then you will never get the chance to tell him how you feel and then-

Her panicky brooding is interrupted by a knock on the door.

“Who the hell could that be?”, she thinks. It was too late for it to be the postman with her package containing her entire Amazon wish list that she bought on the third day of mourning to make herself feel better. But it couldn’t be Mrs Xiao asking her if she had any holes in her shirts that needed stitching. The sweet old lady fell asleep at 8:37 pm sharp after her medicine that she’d take at 8:30 pm would kick in (which she learnt after spending nights over at her apartment where her niece, Mei, took care of her. Y/n would learn traditional recipes like baozi and watch movies with her two friends all the time). It couldn’t be Mei either, she was always in online uni lectures from 8:30-10:30 pm, locked away in her little study, so as to not bother or be bothered. So now, a little panicked, Y/n wondered who was truly at her door?

Another two knocks come, echoing off the walls of her little apartment as she turns down the volume of the program she was watching. She stares at the door from her couch, debating whether she should risk getting stabbed by a possible murderer or not, before ultimately deciding that life was too short. She was also getting sick and tired of the knocks that kept arriving in threes. She swings her legs off the couch and onto the floor, pushing them into her slippers so that her feet wouldn’t touch the cold floor, waddling her way to the door before shyly opening it, peeking at who it could be through the tiny crack in the opening, hoping whoever it was wouldn’t mind her current state: belly filled with pasta, hair knotty, giant shirt with sweatpants on and Harry’s patchwork cardigan hanging off her shoulders- which she had been wearing all day, cherishing the pretty piece of clothing and his scent imbedded in it, taking it all in just in case he asks for it back. She peeps at the torso of this mystery person, realising that Harry owns the jumper worn by them, before looking up and locking eyes with a worn out and tired eyed Harry, one hand in the pocket of the familiar hoodie and another extended out near the door, ready to knock again before freezing when it opens up all the way to show herself to her best friend. He doesn’t eye her up and down cheekily like he normally does when she is wearing pyjamas, wolf-whistling at her relaxed state, claiming that “You look runway-ready, my love! Do a twirl for the crowd, will you?”. Instead, he stares her right in the eyes with what looks like almost relief, before smiling a weak and broken smile.

One of them needed to break the silence or both would have just stared at each other in her doorway until the world exploded. So she starts.

“Hi.” her voice hovers a tinge above a whisper, almost as though if she dared to speak louder, this probable illusion of the one she loves would fade away. He lights up a little bit, probably relieved that she started the conversation.

“Hey,” his soft voice matched her volume and tone as if he too didn’t want this to be a dream. “May I come in?” The words sound awkward to her coming out of his mouth. Harry never had to ask for permission to be invited in- he usually just strolled in without so much as a holler to indicate he was present, finding amusement in scaring her instead while she was doing whatever she was doing, whether that be reading, watching a movie, cooking or napping. They were the best of friends and never had to inquire about entry to each other’s domains, along with other small things like if they had anything in their kitchens to eat or if they could sit somewhere, so hearing it was a little disheartening and provoked Y/n to think about how serious this situation was.

“Okay”, she replied after the pause of contemplation, opening the door fully so that the lanky boy could follow along behind her, like a little puppy. She didn’t like how awkward the situation was. She just wanted things to go back to what they were.

But then you wouldn’t be able to tell him you love him... her inner voice argued. And she agreed. She knew that yes, this will be awkward, but it’s an opportunity for him to listen to her and know that she isn’t joking.

“Would you like some tea?” She enquires. They’ll need to handle this like proper grown-ups (which in all honesty, isn’t their dynamic- it’s more like first-year uni students who are mature enough to have deep conversations but still laugh at dad jokes and anything remotely serious, like a painting with boobs), and from what she knows, or has seen in movies when the characters are being serious, is that you need tea or a drink of that sort and a sit down on the couch where you talk stuff out. So that’s exactly what she does.

“Yes please,” Harry’s soft voice replies as he toes off his boots that most definitely cost more than her apartment. Y/n nods and heads to the small kitchenette and flips the switch on the electric kettle before going into her cupboard that housed the mugs. Harry stood awkwardly near the sofas, and to save him the embarrassment of waiting while standing, Y/n invites him to sit with a small, “You can take a seat,” and a quick glance at him before returning her gaze to the mugs to make herself look busy. She didn’t want to look him in the eyes for more than three seconds in fear of bursting into tears and the worn out and tired sight of him. She shakes the thought out of her head and begins to prepare the mugs.

Y/n put two teabags in her mug while putting one in Harry’s. She was raised in a household of avid tea drinkers and she inherited her strong tea quirk from her father who would always keep two teabags with only a dash of milk, and the only difference between her tea and her fathers was that Y/n wasn’t strong enough to take her tea without sugar, unlike her father, who thought that drinking unbelievably concentrated leaf juice with milk was a fun and relaxing time. On the other hand, Harry liked to keep one tea bag in his mug while he drank it, but just like her father, he too took little to no sugar with his cup, being the health freak he was. And early in their friendship, when she mentioned it to him, Harry chuckled and chirped, “Your father is a smart man. He has to be for raising amazing and talented people like your siblings. I’m not sure what went wrong with you though...” while booping her nose as they laid together under a tree for a little picnic. And though she rolled her eyes at him and punched his shoulder for the sly dig at her, she was practically beaming at the fact that he thought her family was smart. Harry had no idea how much that meant to her. Y/n loved her entire family, and she was unbelievably close to them, so it made her entire week to know that Harry, someone she respected and loved so much, recognised how talented and smart each of her family members were. Don’t get her wrong, she didn’t need the validation to know that her family was amazing, but she felt so special knowing he took the time to notice. He did that a lot though. Doing things that meant a lot to her without batting an eye. Saying things that only a person as observant as he could notice, like complimenting her eye colour in the light and asking her to read for him because he constantly mentions how much he loves her voice.

Y/n looked over to the same sweet guy she fell head over heels for, who was sitting on her couch, fidgety as ever, and wondered if they would ever be the same after the very next moments to come. She didn’t want things to change between them, but she was dying inside knowing that he wasn’t hers. And getting over him was not in the question, after the fiasco that happened last week. She just wished she could get inside his head to sate her painful curiosity.

What is he thinking about?

**

What is she thinking about?

It’s the million-dollar question running through his mind. What was she pondering over as she made them tea? Did she want to talk to him? Was she mad that it took him so long to find the balls to face her? Was she as nervous as he was? Was she worried that they would never be the same again like he was?

He was going into panic mode, questioning everything, while probably looking stupid as ever. As much as he regretted how awkward things were now, and the fact that he instigated her to lash out at him a week ago, he was realising that he was not regretting the fact that he did it. He didn’t want her to go out with someone else, and she didn’t. And yes, of course, he feels bad-beyond bad, in fact- for making her cry, and wishes he could take it all back, he also sees this as an opportunity to tell her how he feels about her. He could finally tell her that he thinks about her all the time. About her soft smile, her bright eyes, her melodic laugh, her speaking voice that brings butterflies to his stomach. He could tell her about how he loses himself at work, the grocery store, fuck- even at events- thinking about what she was doing at her house. Was she under her blankets on her couch, watching some corny tv show? Was she baking her signature choc chip cookies that taste like the gods blessed every single biscuit on the tray before they were put in the oven? Was she knitting her cat, Chesnut, another rug to plonk herself down on, with her feet up on the ottoman as she listened to the 7 o’clock news on the radio? Was she writing a paper for another deadline? Something so sophisticated, like the exploration of white and male privilege and how it is ingrained in our society? Something that Harry tried to understand and research so that he could stay in the loop with his smart girl’s interests, but he always struggled with.

It was a huge insecurity of his. Not that his best friend was smarter than he was, no way. He treasured the fact that she could and would whip his ass at a debate on things like the state of the world, or human rights. She could school him on global politics, languages, maths, science, history and literally anything else, and he would be cheering her on. What he was insecure about was her realising that he was probably slowing her down in life. Y/n was well within her rights to kick him out of her life for being nothing but a freeloader and stopping her from reaching her full potential, what with him constantly stopping her from her own life to help him go through shit happening in his. Whenever he was sad, or confused, or upset, Y/n was the first person he would talk to and he feared that she would realise that he was probably taking advantage of her and stop talking to him. And that scared him. It scared him because he knew that she didn't need him at all, but he needed her to do anything in life. Every major and minor decision in his life has been approved by Y/n first, and not because she was a controlling friend who didn’t trust him with his own life, but because Harry needed her validation. Harry Styles, a world-famous superstar, had girls, guys and non-binaries at his feet, following his every beck and call. Harry Styles, who was on the cover of every magazine, known by every celebrity, dated only the most perfect of women, required validation from Y/n, a psychology major at a small university. Y/n, who liked to plan her day out on a to-do list, end up not doing anything on that to-do list and cry about it afterwards. Y/n, who breaks it down to “Murder She Wrote” by Chaka Demus & Pliers like it’s her last 4 minutes and 5 seconds alive on this Earth while making pancakes. Y/n, who cries more when she’s laughing while watching Tik Toks than she does during sad movies.

To celebrities, Y/n was nothing but a regular. But to Harry, she was all. She was the warmth of a sweater that you toss in the dryer for a few minutes to make it extra toasty. She was the pad of butter that you spread onto your pumpkin sourdough toast and it ends up being exactly the amount you wanted. She was the feeling when you are driving home from a long day of interviews and premiers, and you’re on the freeway and the windows down and you just… exist. She is the feeling you get when you watch Pride and Prejudice, and the relief of when you find the perfect word to end a lyric. She is when your shoes fit perfectly, and when you finish a book so utterly fulfilling that you lie there in a trance, looking up at your ceiling at 3 am, wondering how you could have been so lucky to be able to be blessed with an ending like the one you just read. Y/n was all those things and more.

And that’s why he had to tell her he loved her. No matter how scared he was.

***

The electric kettle is finished boiling the tea all too quickly as the bubbling comes to an end and the distinct click of the switch turning back off echoes around the silent apartment. Y/n had poured the scalding hot water into the two cups she had prepared stared into them.

It was time. She had tried to avoid this for as long as possible, but now it was the moment to face the music. She picked up the two mugs of tea and brought them to her lounge where Harry was sitting on her worn in green sofa, staring at her coffee table, eyebrows scrunched, pouted lips, deep in thought, before looking up at her with wide green eyes, and followed her to where she stood in front of him. She passed his mug to him before sitting on the comfy chair a few feet away from the sofa and from him, putting some distance in between them for her sake, so that she wouldn’t try to hug him and say sorry without saying what she needed to say first. Which she needed to start talking about now, so as not to sit in the awkward silence created by the two.

Say something!!

“So…’

Jesus fuck…. was that all you could think of? Wow. I am going to lose my best friend.

Y/n was choking.

“I am so sorry,” Harry’s voice intercepts, raspy from the lack of use, looking up from the coffee table he seemed so interested in. “I am so fucking sorry Y/n. I have no excuse as to why I was making fun of you that day. I pushed too far and I am a shit friend for not noticing that you were already on edge. It was so wrong of me and I am so sorry.” He stopped himself before he started to ramble, looking at her with eyes filled with an emotion she couldn’t decipher.

Y/n felt… unsatisfied. Why did she feel this way? He apologised, right? So why does she feel unfulfilled? Why does she want him to say more? He hit all of the points he had to for a standard apology, so why did she think he hadn’t done enough? Was it that little optimist in her brain hoping he would maybe reveal a slight attraction to her? Maybe tell her that he loves her, and has loved her forever and ever? Confess that she has bewitched him, body and soul so that she didn’t have to? God, was she an idiot. But a lovestruck idiot at that. She bites her tongue and replies.

“Harry, I forgive you. Although you were annoying as ever,” She rolls her eyes and smirks, while he lets out a breathy, half-assed chuckle, showing his acknowledgement at her attempt to ease the lowered yet still prevalent tension. She continues. “ I understand that you were just trying to have fun. I guess I was the one who irrationally lashed out . I am always okay with you poking fun at me, but I was just frustrated and tired and I took it out on you. I’m sorry for the improper communication and I’m sorry for pushing you away when we should’ve just talked…”

“I forgive you too. I think this was just miscommunication on both parts.” He stared into her eyes, almost as if he could sense the discontent in her, but chose to ignore it.

“I guess so.” She halfheartedly answered, not really knowing where to take the conversation next. They had both apologised, but evidently still had things to say. Well, Y/n had things to say, that’s for sure, but she was pretty sure that Harry wanted to say something too. He had that look on his face where he wanted to say something but was forcing himself not to.

What does he want to say? Why can’t he say it to my face? I mean, sure, I’m also hiding shit I wanna say, but I have an excuse. This could ruin our friendship. What does he have to say?

“Great,” Harry replies, trying to fill the awkward pauses and conversation that is being held. He still looked like he had something to say, but seemed like he was not budging.

Well, if he’s not saying anything, I’m not either. Why do I have to confess my feelings and put our friendship on the line if he isn’t even going to say what’s on his mind?

“So, are we good?”

“I don’t know. Are we? I mean, I forgive you and you forgive me, right?”

“Right… No yeah, we’re alright. We’re completely fine!” Y/n replies quickly. Why the fuck would you say that? You’re not fine.

There is a pregnant pause and Y/n has half a better mind to just get up, walk to the bathroom again with her head down and lock herself in there till he leaves again, because she cannot take this awkward conversation. Not with him. She shifts, ready to stand up to get some water, when Harry looks at her, confusion and slight panic setting into his face.

“Wait. I don’t think I’m fine…” She looks up at the boy sitting in front of her, reading the words from her mind like they were scribed on a piece of paper in the blackest of ink, permanent and bold. Her heart stuttered. What else did he want?

“Is everything okay, H?” she tentatively asks. He loses eye contact with her, gaze lowering towards the table in front of him

“I-” he pauses, trying to collect his thoughts while simultaneously trying to explain to her why he wasn’t okay. “I just- fuck” his head falls down, his face inches away from the hot tea in his hands, the humid steam billowing out of the mug and warming his elegant face as he takes a deep breath and tries once more to convey his thoughts. “I don’t want us to be friends again.”

Her heart stops. This could go one of two ways. He could either be confessing his hatred or his adoration for her, and either one would probably end with her imploding. She tries to take a neutral tone when she replies.

“What does that mean, H?”

He looks at her once more. “It’s not enough, Y/n... “

“What?” She is confused. Her friendship isn’t enough? How is she supposed to reply to that?

“I want more. I don’t want us to just be friends. I want to be more with you. I want to do more with you. I want to do things that friends… they shouldn’t do together…”

Is he trying to confess he likes her? Why, in all the ways you could speak, would he choose to speak like that?! She has had enough of him dawdling around his feelings. “Harry, stop being cryptic and fucking tell me what’s going on?!”

“I love you, Y/n! I fucking love you, Y/n. So much. And it is eating me from the inside out. I hate that we can’t be normal anymore, and I hate that you don’t love me the way I love you, but I cannot sit here and pretend everything is fine, because I love you.”

Y/n is stunned. Frozen in her spot. Can’t move, can’t speak, can’t breathe. Stuck in space, and stuck in time.

Holy fucking shit… he loves me…

While Y/n processes the life changing knowledge that her best friend loves her, her best friend conveniently sits next to her, wishing that he was dead for the letdown he was about to receive.

“Say something… please, for the love of God, say something!”

****

She looks up at Harry. Not Harry Styles, playboy, whore, singer, millionaire, but instead; Harry, her best friend of five years, reddened face out of embarrassment. She sees the mortality in his eyes. Feels his presence so heavily in the moment. She is in awe. True awe of him, and his ability to love her. And with that awe- and that stupid look on her face, she reaches up and cradles his face in her hands, brushing her thumbs softly over his plush pink lips. He stands just as still as her, barely breathing, as if it would shatter the fantasy to stardust and he would wake up in his bed, cold shivers running down his spine, as has happened previously whenever he thought of this moment, staring up at his ceiling at 3:40AM wondering why he thought of his best friend in such a way. She creeped closer to his face before stopping a breath away from him, and whispered.

“Is this okay?”

She looked into his eyes, and he looked into hers, both never feeling so alive before. He wishes to tell her that she needn’t ask for his permission, and that he wants to kiss her forever. Eternally locked in an embrace that holds their souls together. But all he can muster is a weak and broken whisper back.

“Please,”

She can hold it for no longer, and leans in the rest of the way, their lips moulding together, for the very first time, eyes fluttering close, as his hands reach to grab her by the hips to straddle him, deepening the kiss even further. And when they part for breath, panting for air with slightly moist lips, they touch foreheads, eyes still closed. Words needn’t be exchanged- everything that yearned to be said was useless, as it could never describe how they truly felt for each other. So hopelessly besotted with one another, that all they could do was breathe together before kissing once more, hoping that their actions could provide even an iota of an idea of how much they love one another.

Two best friends, turned lovers forevermore.

#by bug #harry styles angst #harry styles x reader #harry styles x y/n #harry styles imagine #harry styles #harry styles fluff #hope you have a wonderful day my little pots of sweet tea!

[spaceflower07]

College Majors I think Hetalia would take:

Feliciano: Fashion Design

Lovino: Fashion Design

Kiku: Industrial Design

Francis: Culinary Arts

Arthur: Journalism

Alfred: Mechanical Engineering (to make robots and space shuttles or nerdy things like that)

Ivan: Mechanical Engineering

Yao: Human Physiology and Child Development

Matthew: Veterinary Medicine (that's a major right)

Ludwig: Environmental Studies

Gilbert: Automative Engineering

Roderich: Music Theory and Composition

Antonio: Natural Resources Management and Horticulture

Mei: Fashion Business Management

Lien: Law Enforcement

Yung Soo: Computer and Information Sciences

Leon: Finance

Emil: Marine Biology

Lukas: Journalism

Matthias: Marketing

Berwald: Interior Design

Tino: Veterinary Medicine

Extra Headcanons (might add more later)

-The ones with the same major are dormed together

-Alfred seriously debated over whether he should major in Mechanical Engineering, Natural Sciences or Astronomy. After Ivan decided on Mechanical Engineering he did too because he wanted somebody to compete with

-Lukas and Arthur sometimes sneak into theatre classes. They don't actually want to major in the course, but they find it interesting.

-Emil is dormed with Leon and he has to constantly stop him from setting off firecrackers in their room

-Alfred wanted Kiku to be in the same major as him so they could be together, and Kiku was well versed in robotics anyway but he enjoyed industrial design more. Alfred was stingy about it but let him go

-Lukas says Matthias is too dumb for marketing but Matthias is oblivious to this

-Gilbert constantly kept switching majors. His last one before Automative Engineering was Natural Sciences.

[bitchapalooza]

Nordics Pokémon au

Berwald

Berwald is a Johto native, originating from Mahogany Town. He began his own journey at the standard age of ten, completing his journey at age fifteen— he took breaks in between as well as backtracking once his brother Mathias(three years younger) began his own journey. Regardless of the duration, Berwald still managed to reach the Johto Elite Four and even beat the champion on his third try. He defended his champion title for 5 months and two weeks exactly. He met this nice trainer visiting for holiday from Snowpoint City, Sinnoh. Of the two weeks he knew him he fell completely head over heels for him. Timo was set to leave in another week but Berwald didn't want to forget about him and his beautiful smile and nice laugh and fun stories. So naturally he quit being the Johto champion and left for Sinnoh! ….much to the disapproval of the Johto league members.

Although he impulsively left Johto vulnerable, what with no champion and all, Johto still considers Berwald to be one of their top 5 best and strongest champions; especially considering how young he was when he won the title and how rare it was for someone under 18 to defend the title so responsibly. (note: he was not their youngest champion, but he was among them. Their youngest ever was thirteen and defended her title for six and half years; this was thirty years before Berwald was born.)

Now he's retired with two kids and owns an inn called The Piloswine Inn. He runs the inn while his husband Timo runs the Snowpoint gym next door. Many are pretty surprised to learn this gentle giant of a man was once the Johto champion, often finding this out from the display of badges and rewards in the lobby.

Berwald no longer battles competitively but he still keeps his prized team together. His team consists of Feraligator, Slowking, Noctowl, Ampharos, Azumarill, and Mamoswine.

Timo

Timo is the Snowpoint City gym leader, specializing in ice types of course. He uses a Dewgong, Glalie, Glaceon, Snowrunt, and Abomasnow.

He briefly went to Johto for holiday at age 16 with his cousins Edward and Erzsébet before they could all start their journey in Sinnoh together. Timo met a nice local willing to show him and his cousins around and he was very surprised to find out he was the region's champion. For the three weeks he was there Timo and Berwald grew quite attached to each other, even with how close they'd gotten Timo was very shocked when Berwald dropped everything to move to Sinnoh with him.

Back in Sinnoh after his Johto vacation, Timo went around challenging gyms with Edward and Erzsébet, Berwald following along as support. Within a year's time, the journey was finished and they all faced off against the Elite Four. But none of them got very far. Timo was stopped at the third member and was never given a chance to rechallenge them because his mother decided it was time to hand her gym down to him. She saw his strength during their battle as well as how far he'd gotten in the Sinnoh League so she figured it was time. Timo wasted no time in accepting. He's waited for this day his entire life.

Now gym leader, husband, and father Timo is known to be very efficient and his looks very deceiving. He makes a big deal about the trainers that make it not only through the previous gyms but also through his personally selected gym trainers. His gym trainers are just as strong as he is. They don't hold back just like Timo, especially to the trainers coming in to retry after a previous loss.

Mathias

Mathias is a lab assistant in New Bark Town, Johto. He assists young Professor Xiao Mei in her research of Pokémon behavior. He periodically looks into fossil restoration and the slow growth of mega evolution [in Johto] on the side for fun.

Many honestly doubted Mathias could actually make it as a researcher due to his attention span or lack thereof. However he's proved them all wrong a significant amount. Mathias has always been curious and extra attentive when it comes to pokemon. The reason his journey took so long and why he held his brother up so much is because he'd always stop for days at a time to study a pokemon or two. He has over forty journals of notes on every pokemon he's encountered, often more detailed than a pokedex.

Mathias is trying to convince Mei to endorse his research into mega evolution in Johto and how different the phenomenon is to Kalos' and Alola's bustling community of mega evolution. Mathias has the theory that mythical pokemon Xerneas' and Yveltal's power are somehow expanding in its reaches, not just residing in Kalos and Alola but now in many other regions, which would explain Hoenn's recent, still slow, integration of mega evolution as welk. There's already evidence found by one Professor Brianna Kirkland that mega evolution stones are not only native to Kalos and Alola but can be found elsewhere such as the Hoenn region; in her time before retirement she excavated over 30 mega stones identified to match several different pokemon species native to Hoenn. There's further evidence suggesting there may be more mega stones located in the depths of Johto's grounds, thanks to one late Professor Anippe Hassen who excavated three different mega stones. Mathias has full confidence that mega evolution will become a very regular and easy accessible phenomenon in the Johto region within the next 10 years, even if he has to go behind his superiors back to confirm this.

Lukas

Lukas comes from Valencia Island, located within the Orange Archipelago. He grew up on the island with his half brother, father, and step mother. His parents are researchers that go around the various islands to find out why the native pokemon have such peculiar colorations to the mainland pokemon. Meanwhile Lukas just lives an easy life taking care of any injured or tired pokemon that come across the lab.

Lukas trained himself in pokemon medicine as well as making pokemon food from the most natural of ingredients he can find. He also gets packages filled with dried berries he can't get from islands. These packages come from his brother Emil in Alola.

Emil

Emil had no desire for research growing up. In fact, he's sick of the islands. He was born and raised there and knows every single island like the back of his hand— he's completely tired of it. So at age 15, he moved to Alola. Not exactly a vastly different location but it has more to offer at least.

He set out for the Island Challenge after attending the trainer school for a year to familiarize himself with the many different pokemon and island locations. He befriended Ka Lung during his studies and later took on the Island Challenge with him. The two are currently still participating in the challenge. They have two trials to go and two grand trials left before they take in the Elite Four and the champion.

#hetalia #hetalia pokemon au #hetalia nordics #hetalia finland #hetalia sweden #hetalia denmark #hetalia norway #hetalia iceland #im still trying to figure out ice's team; theres so many good pokemon i think would match him #but i cant decide who'll go on his team >-<

[flyinbanachab]

Comfortemeber 6: Afraid to Sleep

Everyone gets insomnia from time to time. It's just part of life. Sometimes bodies misbehave.

Al tells himself this, over and over.

You have a body now. You can feel the cold air coming through the window, the softness of the cushion underneath you, the warmth of your arms wrapped around your legs. You're breathing. You will sleep eventually. It's okay.

Read on AO3 or...

But the memories overwhelm his attempts to stay grounded. Years, YEARS of not sleeping, of trying to stay sane through so much darkness, pile on top of each other, threaten to suffocate him. He'd been SO happy the first time he woke up--he hadn't meant to fall asleep, hadn't even noticed it happening, but it was morning all of a sudden!! He’d cried tears of joy that morning. So many years later, sleeping no longer surprised him.

But insomnia still terrified him.

What if I never sleep again?

Quiet steps echo down the hallway. Mei. It was a courtesy, making noise; she could be silent if she wanted. Al uncurled himself and hastily wiped his eyes.

"Al? What are you doing?" Her voice, fuzzy with sleep, full of concern. How did she even know he was up?

"Nothing, nothing!" She worried about him way too much. "Just some random insomnia." She didn't need to know how scared he was at such a silly thing. She didn’t need to worry about him.

She crept into the room then, stood in front of him tentatively. There had been a lot of tentativeness between them lately. They lived in the same house, studied and researched and practiced together, and... spent a lot of time avoiding each other’s eyes.

Mei produced an ink pot from a hidden pocket. "Can I help?" She was offering to use alkahestry. But what, how.--?

"Oh, I'm so stupid!" Al exclaimed, as the pieces fell into place. Of COURSE you could use it to cure insomnia. Totally obvious.

Mei looked perplexed, rightfully so, but it made him laugh. "Sorry, I just realized what you’re going to do." He unbuttoned his shirt and slid the sleeve off his left shoulder. "Thank you."

She sat next to him, then. Light as a feather. So close. And she smelled like jasmine, so nice... she dipped her finger in the ink and started drawing on his shoulder. It was... it was... it was good it was dark. She didn’t need to see him blushing like this over something totally medicinal.

Then a new terror struck him, and he blurted out before he stop himself: "But what if it works and I can't ever fall asleep normally again? What if I always need alkahestry to fall asleep?" 

She stopped drawing.

Grabbed his chin and turned his head so he see the fire in her eyes. Al shivered at their intensity.

"Then, Alphonse Elric, I will put you to sleep every night!"

Normally this would be the moment they jump apart, look away, stutter apologies...

But tonight, she leaves her hand on his cheek. And he stares into her huge dark eyes and says, "thank you."

#comfortember #comfortember 2020 #fma fanfiction #alphonse elric #mei chang #fanfic #my writing #almei #post promised day #comfort #insomnia