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monstrifex-art · 1 year

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Malka Bat-Sheva - Original character & short story inspired by the Chainverse series by Maria Ying.

Killing a vampire with your hands is not a simple matter. There are several important steps to the process.

The first step is to understand that you are outmatched. A vampire kills and eats humans. That is its nature, its default state. Every fact of its physiology is bent toward this aim. It is stronger than you, faster than you, and possessing of a hunger that eclipses its fear of death. To match the lowest vampire, a human must train to be strong, to be fast, and to numb themselves to mortal fear. In this sport, hesitation will kill faster than recklessness.

Second, you must craft of yourself an effective weapon. Folklore suggests a dozen dozen anathemas that harm vampires, some of which even work. But there are only two weapons that harm vampires across all bloodlines: sunlight and human hope.

While sunlight can be weaponized by arcane means in hand-to-hand combat, it is a difficult and often fleeting resource to harness. Do so if you are able, but do not rely on it as your only weapon.

Hope is a more dependable asset. Vampires are creatures made of fear. The faith and courage of their prey harms them at a metaphysical level. To this end, religious symbology and artifacts of human belief can be instrumental. I have tattooed myself with the faith of my ancestors, as their religion runs most strongly in my blood. If your ancestry leans toward a particular creed, I suggest you do likewise.

The more eclectic reagents espoused by folklore can be effective against particular vampire bloodlines, often because of the properties granted them by human belief. I take a scattershot approach. I wrap my arms in bandages lined with smoked salt, purified silver wire, various cleansing herbs, and a mix of shredded holy texts. If you know the lineage of your target, you can tailor these ingredients to them. Do your research.

Third, one must force the vampire to remain in corporeal form. There is merit to emotional manipulation in pursuit of this goal– challenging a vampire to physical combat will often amuse them enough to humor your request. But it is an unreliable method best used only when other options are unavailable. In my experience, one is better off relying on magical means of trapping them in their body of meat and bone. Smoked salt disrupts the black mist, drawing them back to physicality. Coat your fists and shins with it. Certain charms and benedictions ward off intangible evils, forcing them to materialize in order to approach you. With these the key is to not only force them to start a fight, but to prevent them from escaping.

Fourth is to unmake them. Know that no human martial art is sufficient to prepare you. Martial arts are designed with defense in mind and honed through the use of sparring. In order to kill a vampire, you will have to perform actions that are impossible to practice without maiming your sparring partner. It is a sad reality that in order to kill vampires with your hands, you must first have killed humans.

Supernaturally augmented though they may be, a vampire still needs eyes to see. Tendons to move. A jaw with which to bite. Your goal is to deny them these resources.

It is not enough to strike your opponent or grapple them into submission. You must ruin them. You must tear muscle fibers, crack joints, snap bones with carefully placed force. Vampires feel pain less intensely than humans, but they will still be stunned if you mangle their flesh. Your attacks must rupture the machinery of their bodies, inflict enough damage that they are unable to tear out your throat and drink your lifeblood. No single martial art can prepare you. Study them all. Use the parts you find effective. Reduce your opponent to a husk of broken meat. Then the killing blow will be trivial.

Fifth, you must eat the vampire’s heart. Mere moments after ruining a vampire’s body, it will begin to repair itself. You must act quickly. Tear the heart from its rib cage and devour it. Take the power it would use to remake itself and channel it into your own flesh. This is the truest defeat of a vampire: to inflict on it what it was born to inflict on you. There is no sweeter triumph for humanity than to dominate the beast at its own game.

Consuming vampires will change you. The magic that strengthens them will fuel your body, but alter your flesh. You will not be human, not in the traditional sense. But you will remain human in the eyes of your prey.

And that is all that matters.

#art #oc art #vampire #monster

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iona-xiv · 10 days

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— B A S I C S

Name: Iona Edelweiss

Nicknames: Little Sparrow, Edelweiss, Rabbit.

Age: 30+

Nameday: 13th Sun of First Umbral Moon

Race: Viera, Veena

Gender: Female

Orientation: Bicurious

Profession: Retired Dancer, Adventurer, Barkeeper

— P H Y S I C A L A S P E C T S

Hair: Chocolate brown hair, natural hair color is white

Eyes: Light Violet

Skin: Fair skin

Tattoos/scars: a few scars from martial arts training but nothing to write home about.

— F A M I L Y

Parents: unknown, but believes they are dead - has an adoptive father whose whereabouts are unknown as well.

Siblings: No siblings that she's aware of.

Grandparents: None that she's aware of

In-laws and Other: She's in a complicated situation with her estranged husband, who's been missing in action for a while. She's torn between waiting for her husband and embracing the Pirate who's managed to mend a piece of her heart. Juggling between waiting for his return and exploring this unexpected new connection. She's caught amid tangled emotions. (lol I got carried away)

Pets: not really her pet but a small sparrow that appears once in a while.

— S K I L L S

Abilities: Dance, Martial arts, Mixing drinks, making people feel comfortable.

Hobbies: performing morning callisthenics, crafting new drink recipes, shopping.

— T R A I T S

Most Positive Trait: open-minded, imaginative and creative, empathetic and compassionate towards others, energetic and enthusiastic.

Most Negative Trait: restless and quick to feel dissatisfied, can get emotionally overwhelmed, impulsive.

— L I K E S

Colors: Hunter Green, Jet Black, Pearl White, Dalamud Red, Gloom Purple

Smells: Vanilla, crisp air of the forest, Rain, Fresh bread, and sea air

Textures: smooth, soft, slick and fuzzy

Drinks: Gridanian and Coerthas Coffees, Doman Tea, Ishgardian Mulled Wine

— O T H E R D E T A I L S

Smokes: No, but doesn't mind if others do it around her.

Drinks: Yes, she is a social drinker and can be an emotional drinker (It's a rare happening when she feels she is in the depths of despair and needs an escape)

Drugs: Has had no reason to want to try or do any.

Mount Issuance: She prefers to walk, but It would be her Chocobo - Melonge

Been Arrested: Yes but escaped before booking

------------------ Thanks for the tag! @ardberts (I've been wanting to do an updated one of these!) Tag your it! @onburdenedwings, @zanse-the-gunner @candideangel @hydaelynshimbos @ciel-xiv @sparto @sie-sharp @peacock-mooncat @aethericfist @eorzeanflowers @uldahstreetrat @starforger @nyxvaledoeswriting @vazaymir @glendurgrodar @alixennial @kyrie-kahkol @sunneflower @notarchonzachlol

Sorry if you've been tagged :O and if anyone sees this and is inspired to try please do so tag me :D I'd love to learn more about your character/s!

#ffxiv #ff14 #final fantasy 14 #final fantasy xiv #iona #viera #veena #ffxiv oc #ffxivmeme

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yujo-nishimura · 6 months

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The Escape - Part 4

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

This is the part I wanted to write so badly - rescuing little Buggy from the sea. This is a long read! :)

Later all the three of you are standing down by the beach, a little raft is laying ashore, probably crafted by these two small human-like creatures. Buggy, brimming with enthusiasm, has packed a small bag containing provisions to sustain him during the upcoming days. His trusty knives, gleaming in the sunlight, are carefully secured within the bag.

As you stand beside Buggy, a spectator to his departure, a mix of emotions swirl within you. Your gaze sweeps across the island, taking in its beauty and the endless expanse of the sea that stretches out before you. Last night and this morning, you experienced a profound sense of freedom in this place, not solely because of the solitude, but because of the unexpected companionship of these two outsider pirates who embraced you as one of their own. As you reflect upon the kindness shown to you by the clown pirate over the past 24 hours, a flicker of curiosity and adventure ignites within you. You recognize the allure of following in his footsteps, of embarking on a journey alongside someone who has extended their hand in friendship.

The decision weighs heavy on your mind, torn between the desire to stay and the pull to venture into the unknown. “Buggy, may I come with you?”

His eyes widened as you say these words, he seemed to misunderstand you for a moment, stuttering “Coming with me…? Joining my crew?” You shake your head. “No, I need to be independent for a while. But I want to move on and get to the next island. And I lack the skills and power to make my own boat to get away from here..”

Buggy shows you a sly grin - “Of course you can come with me for a while. I think this can be a win-win. Until I have my body parts back anybody taller than 1,20 is welcome on board.”

You chuckle and show him an appreciating smile. Gaimon just nods in agreement. He seems to be used to people coming and leaving his island so he feels no remorse or sadness for the two of you leaving at the same time. “I wish you both the best of luck, hopefully we will meet again someday and have some more wine!”

He hands you a little bag with food as well and you realize that after the storm and the hardships faced, you have been left with nothing but your own determination. Gratefully, you accept the offered bag, knowing that these rations will sustain you until you reach the next town, where you can stock up your supplies and acquire the necessary weapons for your continued travel.

Buggy unties the raft and jumps on it, you follow him carefully, holding on to your little bag. As you both slowly leave the shore you wave goodbye to the friendly moss-headed creature at the beach. You can't help but feel a sense of reassurance, knowing that Gaimon will be in good hands until the day you all cross paths once more.

Buggy has made the raft quite sturdy and it even has a small sail. You both do not need to row, since the wind is going into the right direction, pushing you both slowly away from the island. You feel that Buggys eyes are resting on you, he probably is pleased that he does not need to do this journey alone. You might have guessed his thoughts right because he is asking now “How well can you fight?” “I can defend myself.”, you say and you remember your martial arts education as a child and the sword lessons you had as a teenager. You are not the strongest fighter, but when push comes to shove, you always know how to defend yourself. “I am also good at running away!” you add and laugh. "Good. Until I am my full self again I depend on your help, Y/n. But I will reward you handsomely if you stay by my side.”

“Letting me join you on this raft is reward enough. As I said, it would have taken me ages to make my own. And I just need to get to the next town. I am sure we will find your crew and your body parts before that.”

Buggy nods, seemingly pleased with your answer. He feels like a captain again, after losing his crew he at least has one subordinate now.

As you decide to catch up on some sleep from last night and make yourself more comfortable on the little raft you suddenly realize a motion in the water, a rumbling like an earthquake. Abruptly, you jolt awake, a surge of adrenaline coursing through your veins, and your gaze fixates upon the agitated expanse of water before you.

“What is that?”, the clown pirate next to you asks, but before you can answer a huge sea king in the form of a lobster is exploding out of the water, reaching towards you two. “Buggy, hand me one of your knives!”, you shout panically, knowing you feel a bit helpless without a weapon. Buggy reaches for his coat, handing you the knife in a second, you await the lobster to come towards you and as he tries to reach for you with its crusher claw, you jump from the raft, knowing that you would need to protect this little flatboat at all cost. In a moment of confusion, the sea king hesitates, unsure of its next target. Seizing the opportunity, you unleash a punishing blow upon its hard shell from the side, asserting your presence with a display of strength. The sea king, enraged by the assault, redirects its attention towards you.

You start an underwater fight where you are definitely inferior, but with the help of the knives you still manage to make some critical hits. The lobster is big, but not strong so you are lucky this time. As you swim up to get some air, followed by the monster you manage to hit him with what you think is a final blow. A strong kick into his shelled face and another brutal attack with the knife, stabbing him between his tiny legs; and the sea king is unconscious swimming on the surface. Emerging from the depths, you forcefully expel water from your mouth, gasping for air as you break through the surface. With a deep breath, you orient yourself, swiftly scanning the surroundings to locate Buggy and the raft nearby.

He waves at you, seemingly pleased with your hard battle.

“Good job, Y/n. That thing had no chance against us!”

“You mean me..” you mumble to yourself as you swim towards Buggy. As you try to pull yourself out of the water you suddenly hear the familiar splashing noises of the lobster behind you, he wasn't unconscious as you had thought. “Buggy, watch out!” you shout, but the monster has already reached for the raft and in an attempt to rescue the boat the clown pirate jumps into the water, making the sea king follow him this time. You remember that Buggy had the powers of the devil fruit and couldn't swim, so you knew you had to be quick.

You gather all your strength and go after the two, underwater you can see that the sea king is trying to squish Buggy in his claws. Furious you start another knife attack, blood mixes with water and your sight is blurred, but you can see it is enough that the monster is letting go of the clown pirate to aim its attack towards you again. You give the beast another blow and kick and you ram the knife with all your might into his left eye, there it gets stuck but seems to be finally fatal - the limbs of the monster go numb and he is slowly drifting up, finally unable to go after your or Buggy.

You can see how Buggy is slowly sinking, unable to move. You immediately go after him, seeing his face in distress, the devil fruit hindering his ability to swim. With a few quick swim moves you are close to him, you grab his whole tiny body and you press it to your chest as you quickly swim up to the water surface.

You both come up taking a deep breath, coughing and spitting water. You are holding his face over water, giving him air to breathe. Buggy's clown makeup looks just like before as if his face has never touched water and you realize for a moment what a handful he will be until he gets his body parts back. You can see his sly grin as you still have him pressed close to your chest, his hands resting on your cleavage. “What a wonderful way to be rescued!”, he declares and you, exhausted and frustrated already with this perverted captain, take him by the neck and throw him on the raft which has been fortunately not damaged at all. Exhausted you heave yourself up on the raft, rolling on your back, gasping for air.

“Do you need mouth-to-mouth?” Buggy asks and you cannot tell if he is joking or serious.

“I need a break you clown. I was so worried the raft would be gone. And this was just a small sea king. Who knows what else will await us…”

“Don't worry, Y/N. I will soon get my full body back and then I will be the one protecting you.”

You sit up looking at him startled. There is a softness in his voice right now as he says “Thank you for rescuing me.”

You feel a sudden warmth in your belly, a feeling of deep connection and affection for this little clown. “No worries. Ima need to protect my captain!” you mumble and smile before you lay down again, resting from this furious battle.

Hours pass by and you are able to continue your journey without any further interruptions. The weather is perfect - sunny and a light wind, it feels like a reward for the fierce battle from earlier when you set sail. Buggy says he can feel that his body parts are nearby, you wonder how this is even possible, but you decide that he might know best. “We might reach the island where I suspect my body parts this evening. Rest a bit more, Y/n, because I do not know what dangers will await us next…”

You nod, taking your little bag and placing it under your head to sleep a bit more. You are trying to imagine what Buggy looks like as a “normal” human being with all his body parts, being tall and maybe even taller than you. With this handsome face and his charming eyes and his sly grin and his tendency to get you into trouble… You smile over this thought, slowly drifting into an afternoon nap.

#one piece #buggytheclown #one piece buggy #buggy the clown x reader #buggy x reader #buggy x you #nanowrimo #long fanfic #creative writing #long reads

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roses-dreams-andthorns · 1 year

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Hello! Could I request something for Silver, Sebek, Jamil and Jack?

They have a female s/o who's skilled at mixed martial arts, swordfighting, archery, and pharmacology (especially poison). But combat is not the only thing she's skilled at, she's also really good at cooking and making/fixing clothes.

Imagine after sparring, she makes them a nice cup of cocoa and cookies. My heart

A bit of a weird request and it's very specific. Hope it's okay.

:0 strong reader!

F! Reader

(Most of this will be about the fighting and stuff because Trey loves writing things about fighting- but the other parts will be included!)

Silver

You two tend to spar quite often, though most of the time with swords. Though you do have a tendancy to throw in your martial arts skills and archery to challenge him a little, your aim is percise, and almost every punch or kick lands, you're good at parrying, countering, blocking, swinging, etc etc. Lilia tends to have you train him now because of your advanvced skills, and it gives ol' peepaw's back a break from it. Silver finds your skills quite impressive, your speed and endurance are also at an advanced level, making some of your attacks hard to dodge or parry, so he ends up with a few cuts and bruises sometimes, because you never tend to hold back during a friendly spar, though it is worth it, because afterwards, you always treat his wounds, and make him some nice warm cookies afterwards. Though he hasn't seen your Pharmacology in action, he's aware that you are able to craft poisons, especially really powerful and fatal ones like Cyanide poison, Mercury poison, VX Poison, Arsenic and many more, but he isn't worried about you poisoning him, because A. Lilia probably trained him to detect poison, and B. He knows you'd never poison him anyway.

Sebek

Like with Silver, you both spar quite often, swords clanging back and forth as you fight, attempting to prove your worth in a fight. While Sebek was trained by Lilia, you were basically self trained, your master later became your student instead, after about a week of your training. Your strength shows no bounds, same with speed and endurance, the speed in which you fight is faster than a fighter jet, sword swings and punches and kicks almost always hitting Sebek in some way, the arrows you fire almost always hit the targets... he would hate to be a target for your archery... he won't admit it, but he's quite impressed, he also won't admit the fact he looks forward to your fresh cookies afterwards. He is completely oblivious to the fact you can make powerful poisons, but he is aware you are a master in pharmacology, you never let anyone use store bought medicine anymore, you just make your own for them to use, and it actually works better than half of the stuff they sell at your local walmart, and, bonus, it actually tastes good.

(do they have walmarts in twst?)

Jack

He quite enjoys sparring with you, though he does end up with a few heavy bruises afterwards because of your strength and how hard you hit, but you always treat those afterwards, and treat him with some food, he witnessed your archery skills while he and walked in on you practicing your aim in the backyard of Ramshackle, you had targets set up around, and you fired with perfect percision, always hitting the bullseye... its almost like you're a sniper... You could fire a bow with your feet, and it would still hit bullseye, you could even not be looking and it'd still hit bullseye, its like you have eyes on every side of your head that tell you "Bingo, this is gonna hit bullseye", and don't even get me started on your swordsmanship, he could never win against you with that... he witnessed you cut a dummy into a million pieces in none but a milisecond! Crazy person, you are... He now fears you, plus a side of respect for you for these skills. He does know about your poison making skills, but he isn't worried about those, similar to Silver, he can detect poison with his wolf senses, and he just knows you'd never poison him.

Jamil

Sir... Sir you're shaking. He doesn't spar with you too often, but when he does, he has to physically prepare himself for HOURS because of how strong you are, he is good at hiding the expression of fear, though the fact he's sweating so much when you're only a minute in tells you otherwise... Honestly, why don't you become Kalim's bodyguard? Clearly you're more suit for the job. Not only is he scared of you, but he's also kinda a simp for you... A Scared Simp? A Scarimp? He would let you crush him, punch him, kick him, anything... and he'd probably Thank you. I guess his type is Strong, kind hearted and attractive. (because that's what you are obviously) He's fully aware of your skills in the poison department, but he's good at detecting poisons himself (like the others) and he knows for a fact you won't ever poison Kalim or him for that matter, so thats not something he worries about often, as for your cooking, he absolutely loves it, and he also gives you pointers to help you improve certain dishes, and the advice always helps you improve more and more everytime!

#twisted wonderland #disney twst #silver x reader #silver #silver twisted wonderland #sebek zigvolt x reader #sebek zigvolt #jack howl x reader #jack howl #jamil viper #jamil viper x reader

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mythicalmisery · 7 months

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Fighter/Artist AU : GhostxSoap

Soap quickly made his way from his last lecture to his motorcycle sitting in the parking lot. Knocking over anyone who stood in his way, earning him a few choice words as he practically sprinted down the halls. He had three midterms that week and was fucking exhausted. One would think that being an art major would be less stressful, but that was wishful thinking.

He slid his helmet over his slightly grown-out mohawk, lifting the kickstand and setting off on that familiar drive to the other side of town he took every week. Soap had a particular affinity for sketching real-world objects and people. He believed that capturing the human form, with all its complexities and intricacies, was one of the most challenging and rewarding aspects of his craft. To hone his skills, he sought out places where he could observe people in their most natural states and one of his favorite places for this purpose was Price's MMA boxing gym.

Price's MMA gym held a special place in Soap's heart. It wasn't just a place for fighters to train and beat the shit out of each other. Soap had practically grown up within the confines of that gym, having spent his high school days cleaning it after hours in exchange for some pocket change. It was during that time that he earned the nickname "Soap" because of the way he scrubbed the floors and equipment spotless.

One of the main reasons Soap loved the gym was the owner, an old family friend, retired military captain John Price. Price had been a mentor to him, teaching him valuable life lessons and discipline. Soap considered him a father figure, especially after his own father had passed away when he was just a child.

Soap’s best friend, Gaz, was among the gym’s most dedicated fighters. Gaz had dreams of making it big in the world of UFC, and he trained tirelessly, leaving no room for distractions. Despite their different paths in life, Soap and Gaz remained close friends even as his career started to take off. Soap often joined in on his training sessions and sketched Gaz as he practiced his punches and kicks, capturing the intensity of the man's movements.

Every week, Soap would visit the gym, finding a comfortable spot in the corner, sketchbook in hand, and losing himself in the world around him. He sketched the fighters as they sparred and practiced. Each line and shadow made with his pencils captured their movements and forms on paper forever. The clanging of weights and the thudding of punches in the background became a form of comfort for Soap over the years. Easy to get lost in the symphony of noise.

This particular day, he noticed something was off as soon as he stepped foot in the gym. It was uncharacteristically quiet. Everyone standing around was talking in hushed voices and whispers. As Soap sat down in his usual corner, he instantly noticed the subject of everyone's attention. A newcomer, and a striking one at that. Blond hair, tall, and with a physique that could only be described as imposing. Soap recognized him from one of the hundreds of fights he was forced to watch every week with Gaz. His name was Simon “The Ghost” Riley and he was quickly becoming a rising star in his weight division. Sports networks raved about him and were labeling him the next big thing in the world of mixed martial arts. He was talking with Price in the corner of the ring, Gaz also joining them off to the side. If he remembered correctly, the man was from Manchester. Price had mentioned wanting to bring in more talent, guess it finally happened.

For three whole weeks, Soap couldn't tear his eyes away from Simon Riley. There was something captivating about him, something that drew Soap in like a moth to a flame. Simon's powerful physique and the way he moved in the ring were a sight to behold. He quickly became Soap's favorite subject to draw, and he couldn't help but blush every time he caught himself focusing too hard on the details of Simon's impressive figure. Gaz certainly never let him forget it after casually flipping through his drawings one day and noticing a recurring theme. He had offered to introduce Soap to the man but he swiftly denied the invitation, painfully aware that the fighter was well out of his league.

It was during the fourth week of his new infatuation that shit hit the fan quickly. Soap had been lost in his sketches like normal when he felt a sudden tug on his sketchbook. It happened so suddenly he was powerless to stop it. Startled, he looked up to find the one and only Simon Riley holding his sketchbook with an unreadable expression on his face. Flipping through the multiple pages filled with sketches of himself.

"Seems like I have a stalker," Simon teased, his lips quirking up into a playful smile.

Soap's cheeks flushed crimson as he stammered, "I-I'm not a stalker. I just... I’m an art student, I come here to practice, I swear”

Simon chuckled, his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, you're quite talented,” he admitted, still studying the sketches. “These sketches are impressive.”

Soap was still furiously blushing as the man handed him back his sketchbook. Soap couldn’t believe he was having a conversation with Riley, he was even more intimidating up close.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry” he managed to say, his voice a tad shaky.

Simon’s teasing grin softened into a warm smile. “No need to apologize. I’m flattered, actually. Not every day I meet an artist who appreciates my…assets.” He winked, making the man's blush deepened even more. How cute. He mercifully decided to let Soap off the hook and started to back away.

“The name's Simon, Simon Riley, by the way.”

“I know who you are,” the man stated, causing that lopsided grin to reappear on his face.

“And does the artist have a name?”

“You can call me Soap.”

“Soap? What the hell kind of name is that?” Simon chuckled.

“It’s a nickname, you haven’t earned the real one quite just yet.”

“I’ll hold you to that, Soap,” the Brit said as he turned to head back to the training mats.

From that day forward, whenever Soap visited the gym, he couldn't help but steal glances at the fighter whenever he could. And it seemed that Simon was just as intrigued by Soap. He began to pay more attention to the artist in the corner, watching him sketch with a keen interest. He would often strike up a conversation with Soap between training sessions, asking about his art and life outside the gym. Soap found himself drawn not only to Simon's physical presence but also to his genuine interest in getting to know him. One day, after finishing his training session, Simon decided to take their interactions a step further.

He leaned up against the ropes of the ring, that stupid smile plastered on his face. “Hey, Soap,” he called out, beckoning him towards the mats with a toss of his head.

Soap blinked in surprise. “Me? In the ring?” He asked, his voice wavering slightly with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

Simon just grinned and nodded his head back at him. “Yeah, why not? Just some light sparring. It will be fun.”

Soap hesitated, but the prospect of getting into the ring with his crush was too enticing to resist. To be that up close and personal with the man. He slowly shook his head and made his way to the ring. Rolling under the ropes and hopping up to face Simon who had that beaming smile aimed at him. It took everything in him not to melt right through the mat.

“If I pin you, you tell me your real name. Deal?”

“Yeah cause that’s bloody fair coming from the professional fighter,” Soap scoffed back.

“Ah, don’t sell yourself short Soap, you seem like you know your way around the ring” Simon embellished with a wink. Cheeky bastard.

Soap watched countless sparring sessions, but had never imagined himself as one of the participants. To his surprise, he held his own quite well, showcasing a natural talent for the sport. Maybe spending years in the gym watching fighters had taught him more than he realized. Simon seemed impressed by his movements and techniques. His usual playful demeanor was giving way to genuine respect, even though he was going easy on the artist. They exchanged blows, both men sweating and grinning as they moved around the ring.

As they sparred, Soap couldn’t help but stare at the man's body before him. The taught muscles shifting under his tight black athletic wear. Yeah, this was a bad idea. He glanced up at Simon's face, noticing the mischievous glint in Simon’s eye. Fuck. He definitely had been caught ogling the man's body.

Suddenly, without warning, Simon hooked his left leg around Soap's ankle, sending him sprawling to the mat. Before he could even register what happened, Simon was on top of him and pushing down all his weight. He was trapped.

Soap struggled beneath Simon’s crushing bulk, his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “You… you did that on purpose. I was distracted,” he accused, though he couldn’t hide the hint of a smile on his face.

Simon laughed above him, his eyes locking onto Soap’s with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine. “Maybe I did,” he admitted, leaning in closer until their faces were mere inches apart. “But I have to say, I like seeing you blush.”

Soap’s heart raced as he realized the proximity between them. Simon leaned in, his lips hovering just above Soap’s, leaving no room to wonder about his intentions. When Soap didn’t pull away, Simon closed the gap, capturing Soap's mouth in his. The kiss was electrifying, sending a rush of desire through Soap's body. It was a moment Soap had only ever dreamed of, and he responded eagerly, their lips moving in sync as the world around them faded away.

When they finally broke apart, Soap's face was flushed, and his breath was unsteady. Simon grinned down at him, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he admitted.

Soap’s voice quivered as he replied, “Me too.”

“I expect a real name to call you now since I won,” he cheekily stated.

“You bloody cheated ya wanker!” Soap shouted at the man.

“Don’t be a sore loser now mate,” Simon punctuated with a kiss to the man’s nose.

Soap huffed as he finally accepted defeat, the man was impossible. “John. John MacTavish”

Simon beamed at the man beneath him, hands holding Soap’s face like a prized possession as he leaned back in for another kiss.

“Nice to meet you, Johnny”

Epilogue

As weeks went by, Soap and Simon’s connection deepened. They spent more time together outside the gym, going for coffee and sharing meals. Soap found himself falling hard for the enigmatic fighter, and it seemed that Simon’s interest in him was just as strong.

One evening, after a particularly intense sparring session that had ended with a playful wrestling match on the gym floor, Soap finally mustered the courage to ask Simon a burning question. “Why do they call you ‘The Ghost’?”

Simon’s expression grew somber, and he sighed. “It’s a nickname I got during my early fighting days. They said I moved like a ghost in the ring, that I was elusive and hard to predict or some shit like that.”

Soap nodded, but he could sense there was more to the story. “Is there a reason you chose to become a fighter?”

Simon hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I had a tough upbringing, Johnny. Fighting was a way for me to escape the fucking shit in my everyday life. What started as a necessity for survival turned into my salvation. It gave me purpose and a sense of control over my life. God, that sounds pathetic doesn’t it,” he scoffed.

Soap could see the pain in Simon’s eyes. He reached out to place a hand on his arm and scooted towards the man where they were still sitting on the mats. “It’s not pathetic Si, I’m glad you found something that brought you solace,” he said softly. Eyes never leaving the others, making sure he knew he meant every word.

Simon smiled, his gaze softening. For once in his life, he truly believed Johnny had meant what he said. He was so used to people lying and using him, causing him to always stay distant and closed off. Something about the little artist in the corner had knocked all those barriers down the first time he laid eyes on him. “And I’m glad I found you,” he admitted, leaning in to capture Soap’s lips in a passionate kiss. The man had sketched his way into his heart forever.

#ghostsoap #ghostxsoap #simon ghost riley #john soap mactavish #call of duty #fluff #call of duty modern warfare #artist au #fighter au #my writing

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agentnico · 4 months

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Blue Eye Samurai - Season 1 (2023) Review

Don't think I've ever seen so much human genitalia in animated form all in one go. Makes me wonder if the production team had a designated animator of genitals who literally just spent his time drawing penises for the show. If so, I hope it was Jonah Hill as he already proved in Superbad that he is the perfect artist for this subject.

Plot: Driven by a dream of revenge against those who made her an outcast in Edo-period Japan, a young warrior cuts a bloody path toward her destiny.

Netflix consistently hashes out so much content every week, that it is hard to keep up with any of it, as such many great projects get missed and are forever lost in the streamer's endless library void. Luckily Blue Eye Samurai didn't pass my scrolling and evidently has its fan base, as this is one of the quickest examples of the streaming giant announcing a season renewal after release. Yep, Blue Eye Samurai will be getting a second season which is amazing as this is a superb new series that if you haven't yet discovered then you are doing yourself a disservice and should amend that behaviour immediately and go watch it! Still need persuading? Alright, sit yourself down and allow me to gush about Blue Eye Samurai!...

It’s hard to overstate just how stunning Blue Eye Samurai is to look at. The series uses a mix of 2D and 3D animation styles to create landscapes and characters who seem only a few degrees removed from live-action, even as the form allows for combat on a scale that would cost several large fortunes to craft with flesh-and-blood actors. In fact, looking at the behind-the-scenes the team hired an actual martial arts choreographer to support in creating the combat sequences in real life with real people, and then the movements of those fights were transferred to animation and used in the final product. In one episode (seemingly inspired by the 1978 martial arts film Enter the Game of Death where Bruce Lee had to fight his way up to the tower to get to the last floor) the main samurai Mizu must defeat multiple bosses on each level of the season's big bad Fowler’s impregnable fortress home, and each separate battle is a work of art in itself. Honestly, the show just looks like a moving painting, with every frame absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous. Even without dialogue or characterization, it would be completely engrossing.

Luckily, writers Michael Green and Amber Noizumi are as interested in the people at the center of these crazy fights as they are in the many improbable techniques Mizu uses against her opponents. Mizu is presented throughout as both supernatural and deeply human. She can handle any odds, and come back from every injury that would cripple or kill a normal person. But the series never loses sight of what a life wholly devoted to revenge has cost her, and the ways in which she has turned herself into every bit the monster that her countrymen believe her to be.

It is then also the exploration of how Mizu interacts with the other characters in this world. There's the disabled would-be apprentice Ringo (played warmly by Masi Oka), who has learned to navigate life despite his lumbering size and lack of hands. Mizu has no interest in a sidekick, but Ringo gradually wears her down, as if he’s a peaceful stream flowing against a rock over hundreds of years. There's also Taigen (Darren Barnett), a warrior chasing after Mizu to collect a debt of honour, yet due to this honour he ends up helping her as in his eyes only he has the right to kill her, no one else, so ends up attacking those that attempt to harm her. Brenda Song voices the princess Akemi, who is just as eager to escape the bonds of Edo society as Mizu is, but who uses very different methods to achieve that. We follow her journey through an intimate tour of the area brothels, which is where the aforementioned heaviness of nudity comes in. There is, in fact, a lot of naked flesh on display throughout the season. The series can be just as graphic in depicting sex as it is in violence, yet both avoid feeling gratuitous. And finally, there's Kenneth Branagh as this season's big bad Fowler, a despicable arms dealer who has no sense of morality or empathy and is willing to destroy anything standing in his path. He's a massive presence and seemingly the only one able to hold himself in a fight against Mizu, hence why Branagh's British snark yet heavy tone fits perfectly here.

The whole thing is an incredible, utterly badass example of how animation can be used to create worlds, characters, and adventure every bit as vivid as live-action if not more at times. Even though I would say there are a few areas of pacing issues, which withheld me from binging this season all in one go and instead had me taking regular break intervals throughout, this is still a stellar show and one that you can tell was created by a team of passionate filmmakers and artists. Blue Eye Samurai would never have had the impact it did had it been live-action - using animation as its storytelling medium elevated it to a masterpiece in my opinion. Kudos to everyone involved in such an amazing project and I can’t WAIT to see more!

Overall score: 8/10

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nova--spark · 3 months

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imagining thea (human form) in battle, what is her fighting style? what weapon does she use the most? would she be involved in missions against m.e.c.h.? i would love to draw her (to practice and possibly share it if it turns out good) in action and didn’t come up with a scenario yet!

Alrighty this is a fun question to answer because it's so fun.

Anthea, for lack of a better term, is a cheater in fights.

She fights entirely to what can bring her an advantage, because if she's fighting against bots 2 stories tall or more, she needs all she can get.

Because her opponents won't be fair, they'll fight dirty. So she will too

She aims for the eyes, the joints, neck, anything to get them down on her level. Helps that being a hybrid of sorts also makes her semi immune to certain weapons focused on purely Cybertronian biology.

A lot of her attacks are mixed martial arts, you can thank Plasma's training for it, and he's taught her a variety of weapons as well, being a former assassin and current recon and spy for the Autobots.

Anthea, when in her exo-suit, resorts to all kinds of weaponry.

This exo suit projects her holoform disguise, known as Astrea, as well as creates hard light constructs to craft into weaponry, like this:

That said, as this exo-suit [Sirius M01], can also work a little like Noah's Exo-Suit from Mirage. Anthea's Cybrid nature makes her have some light influence on the teach of the suit, meaning she can will it to construct some weapons if necessary, or added armor.

Mainly, she will summon some gauntlets, or a shield of sorts if necessary.

She did fashion an Energon whip, which is tied to her own energy signature. She's quite versatile with it.

Lastly, Anthea was taught proper marksmanship from her mother, and has years of experience with firearms since she was 18.

Anthea's prosthetic legs also have many weapons added into them, courtesy of suggestion from Wheeljack, Plasma and herself more than a few times.

Within just her prosthetics, Anthea has

Blades that can double as arm blades

2 Energon firearms concealed within her thigh panels of the legs

Ankle Jets

Magnetic soles

Ice Skates

Rollerblades

Reinforced Plating

As for Anthea's interactions with M.E.C.H, yes indeed, Anthea is involved with missions relation to their activity.

As she is a hybrid, the kind that MECH would adore getting their hands on, Thea made a deal with Fowler.

She would help, with Plasma, to hunt down their remnants, so long as any evidence of her condition, and missions, were scrubbed and under the table.

M.E.C.H would not get information they wanted, to create something like her.

She also has volunteered to take on the missions the kids can't or are not allowed. Missions of much higher stakes, that her hybrid/techno organic nature means she can easily survive and is better suited for.

Her involvement can very, from running recon, stealing information, or leveling bases with Plasma.

#transformers #maccadam #maccadams #transformers prime #tfp #tf prime #tf astray verse #stray stars #anthea santos #astrea #tf rid 2015 #tf rid15

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lesbianjamies · 1 year

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“Beatrice is a very guarded individual,”[...] “I think her upbringing and her life up to the point where we meet her in the beginning of the first season has kind of forced her to become protective of herself and her true nature.” [...] “I think she's very logical, very calculating, but also still a real softy on the inside. Though I think that's the part of her that she doesn't really nurture that much until we start to see her going on this journey with Ava [the Warrior Nun] and with the other sisters throughout the two seasons where she can actually start becoming more open and more free and more herself.” [...] “I am not actually sure whether she was originally written to be Asian,” [...] “I suspect so because of the style of martial arts that she does, and I guess that little bit of Asian perfectionism stereotype that was sprinkled in there.” “I think growing up I was very much a know-it-all child. I felt like I had to prove myself all the time to be smarter and be better and be the best in class and do everything perfectly in order for other people to see my value. That I had to bring something useful to the table or just be useful to other people and to make other people proud. And then as I've kind of gotten older, I've realized that, you know, that's not very interesting. You can be a living, breathing, colorful human being and also be all of those good things that you know you can bring from your skill set.” The show itself was not about queerness or race, but it did make striking statements about both topics despite its gentler touch. While Beatrice was both queer and Asian, those aspects informed her character but didn’t define her. At no point was she treated as a simple side character or reduced to a love interest or a stereotype. For actors like Tonteri-Young who are Asian or of mixed race, it is not just their craft they are often recognized for but also the representation they are expected to shoulder whether they want it or not. “It's my pleasure,” [...] “It's a great honor to have played her..."

#warrior nun #avatrice #kristina tonteri young #i avoid twt bec my tl is filled with wn and avatrice content that both fills my heart with glee and searing pain #and this interview is the perfect example....#like dammit fine i take it back im on my KNEES desperate for just one more season and i swear ill finally shut the fuck up alsfkjlsjlk

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galway-bae · 1 year

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well. I finally caved and watched metalocalypse

#metalocalypse #pickles the drummer #toki wartooth #mixed martial arts and crafts #sorry for thinking it's the height of comedy when people draw toki like that miley cyrus meme as if it's my fault #also sorry to my followers for what's about to happen to me

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yellowhollyhock · 20 days

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thinking about. When Hamato Yoshi becomes Master Splinter

Especially 1987 but I think this applies to 2012 as well. maybe not so much Rise, but idk it could in some ways

Extremely traumatic to have your humanity taken from you in that way.

But let's also talk about the fact that this was done to him... by humans. His experience with humanity has been that they are violent, greedy, corrupt. Okay so that was mostly Shredder, but he also spent some time just out in the streets. I mean the story is different and focuses on different things with each Splinter but, rat or human, the base of the story is usually that he fled Japan (where he experiened extreme violence) and landed in New York City where he had nothing. The Splinters who were rats, canon deals more explicitly with their view of humans as.. not evil exactly (except mutant mayhem), but not good. In need of protection and guidance, at best.

But what about Hamato Yoshi rejecting his humanity? It was taken from him unwillingly, and for someone who likes to be in control it would make sense for his coping mechanism to be reinterpreting his situation as an ascent to something purer. And this could explain in a way how he trains the turtles to be heroes. Their family is above humanity, almost like instead of beasts he thinks of them as spirits. There has to be a word, right, for that literary device where the nonhumans are less corruptible? like Smurfs. does what I'm saying make sense

Basically his mutation made him a rat, and in order to avoid the trauma of his body being involuntarily changed I think he chooses to see this as a sacred experience. Rat > Human. He will be more sly, more disconnected from earthly vice, more resourceful, less wasteful.

Now contrast this with the turtles mutation experience.

Generally we don't see them wanting to go back to being regular turtles; they want to become more human. The mutagen didn't even 'mix' them with a human, it enhanced their strength and intelligence and a lot of other random wonky things that made them seem humanoid. For them becoming human-adjacent was the same thing as becoming aware. Without the mutagen, they wouldn't know each other's names, wouldn't be able to enjoy pizza or video games, certainly couldn't learn martial arts. From their pov, humans are above them on the scale. Humanity is something they chase, try to understand and immerse themselves in, and rejection from that world hurts.

Master Splinter, then, to them, took a big fall for them. I could almost compare it to a parent giving up a career in order to be a parent. The older they get the more they realize, first that it happened, and then that it had to happen because of them. They have to give him another chance at that other life, because it's their fault he lost it (from the pov, at least).

And I just. Think about when he scolds them for those human vices he's made himself believe his more animal state will help him overcome. Laziness, gluttony, envy (hoo boy envy. whole other post), selfishness. He pushes them to train, and keep the lair clean, to protect them from becoming what he once was.

And it's really sad because what he once was. Was human. Just human.

And it's the wrong word for the turtles, but it's the same concept. Just let your kids be human. Let them be teenagers. And to his credit, he does try. He allows them their pizza and video games and human friends. But he also seems constantly on guard for their sakes. Not only will the human world reject them, something he experienced himself and doesn't want to face, but it also has the power to ruin them. Like where they are is the ideal and becoming more human-like could make them.. more inherently bad. He wants to keep them in his own little world because he's crafted one where being what they are is an honor, not a shame. But he can't comprehend how, living under his roof, the turtles are still experiencing an entirely different world.

They don't ever truly get it, either, that he doesn't see his mutation the ay they do. And it's not that I don't think he ever sees becoming a rat as a fall from grace. I'm sure those feelings also exist. But he cultivates and acts on this other idea because it's simply more useful to him than self-pity. And that's really cool of him on some level! Empowering to reject humans just as thoroughly as they rejected him; he deserves a story where what happened to him all worked out for the best and was his destiny all along. It's just... he also didn't take the time to heal (how could he, given circumstances?), and that does affect how he treats his children.

Does any of this make sense? It's just a very interesting dynamic

#tmnt #tmnt 2012 #tmnt 1987 #1987 splinter #2012 splinter #character analysis #can't believe i brought up smurfs on a tmnt post #someday yall will learn about my dormant special interests #also a lot of unexpected bayverse feels in this post. but why? their splinter wasn't ever hamato yoshi #maybe because of how close they specifically were to being able to become human #which is also a thing in 1987 #2012 it's splinter being close to returning to human which is also big oof

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solipseismic · 2 months

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ty for the tag @thesunlikehoney !! <3

a band you don’t like that many others do:

the mountain goats lmao (i like a few of their songs but i dislike the rest)

a childhood memory that you remember vividly:

i have permanent nerve damage on my right kneecap from fucking up a mazurka (very basic figure skating step/half-jump kind of thing) and falling in such a manner that i bashed my knee into the ice w like 3x my body weight behind it in force lmao

least favorite animal and why:

lord. i dont really dislike any animals so i guess one i've had personal experience w? i will never ever want an akita (relative had a poodle-akita mix and dear god). they're like the less smart and more evil cousins of huskies.

hot fandom take:

satine and obi-wan would be 200% more interesting if they were some kind of fucked up non-romantic relationship. "i would have left the order for her" we all know the tcw writers just put there bc ppl wanted a blonde woman cardboard cutout love interest for white fans to project onto (as if romance is what "humanizes" characters, huge jerk-off pantomime). "this is duchess satine whom i have an intricately crafted and decades-old rivalry with to see who can pick up the most morosexuals in our personal entourages" the crowd goes wild. satine herself is 200% more interesting when writers allow her to stand on her own and not just as a prop to obi-wan. also ppl who ship obtine are missing out on the most illustrious joy of padme/satine.

do you wear any jewelry, if so, what’s your favorite piece:

yes, i have one ear pierced (default diamond stud; some of my fav earrings are from noonmade like the suncatcher and wind chime, most others r just whatever i've picked up over the years) and i'm almost always wearing a raven skull pendant i got for my bday from a friend :)

a movie others liked but you didn’t:

13 going on 30 ... clueless ... 10 reasons i hate about you ... i just don't have the romcom/chick flick spirit in me :(

three things you love about yourself:

typing speed, great core strength, big cat

a place you hope to visit in the future and why:

i would like to climb 설악산/seorak mountain, my mom grew up in that area and i like mountain climbing :)

an actor that gets on your nerves and why:

crisp rat. he's bad.

things you’re excited for in the nearby future?

설날 / lunar new year on feb 10 :)

least favorite ship in a fandom you’re in:

dinluke and obtine lmao though it's less a ship thing and more the certain Kind of people that do a specific Flavor of shipping that are unfortunately hugely prevalent in dinluke and (more recently) codywan :(( however like 85% of the obtine shippers ive interacted with are just white assholes lmao

what’s the most toxic fandom you’ve been in?

mcu/marvel comics graphics community on instagram. i will drop my phone in lava

list three things you find beautiful about life:

big cat, mellow post-rock, krylon workable fixatif

any dreams for the future?

finish my thesis babey

how are you really feeling today?

i need to do more wrist stretches

tag games taglist (ask to be + / -): @47crayons , @sleepy-night-child , @bladeverbena , @drippingmoon , @vellichor-virgo , @writing-is-a-martial-art , @wiz-is-sorta-a-writer , @thelaughingstag , @mj-is-writing , @hellowkatey , @asbestostrain , @gayskywalkcrs , @lorspolairepeluche , @coarsely , and anyone else who wants to do this !!

#tag games #ty this was fun!#croidhe

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acosmicblizzard · 1 year

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Sorry for requesting so much 😭

May I please request headcanons for Yu, Chie, Rise, Naoto, and Kanji finding out about their female S/O training in mixed martial arts and being an accomplished fighter?

No need to apologize! You're basically the only one requesting for Persona 4 currently and it makes me happy that you enjoy my writing and want to request me this much! Hope you enjoy!

Yu, Chie, Rise, Naoto, & Kanji finding out their Fem!S/O is trained in mixed martial arts

Warnings: Mentions of fighting/sparring, mentions of water, possible ooc

Story type: Fluff

Pairings/Characters: Yu Narukami, Chie Satonaka, Rise Kujikawa, Kanji Tatsumi, Naoto Shirogane.

(it's 1 am and i still can't sleep so i'm writing this help me-)

Chie

While slightly shocked at first Chie is absolutely hyped once she finds out her girlfriend is skilled in mixed martial arts and is a accomplished fighter. Expect her to ask you like a million questions about the specific martial arts you've practiced in. She'll be bugging you with a ton of questions for awhile, incredibly curious and hyped about your combat abilities.

Since she trains quite often too make sure her kung fu skills stay in tip top shape she'll invite you to join her in the training. Secretly she wants to spar with you but also really hates the thought of hurting her girlfriend, watching how you practice and carry yourself in fights eases up the thoughts as Chie knows you can handle and protect yourself.

Once she does get comfortable enough to ask you to spar just know she'll be going full force!

After training sometimes she'll suggest you two go to the amagi inn and relax in the hot springs together to help ease your tired muscles. Chie holds your hand and practically drags you into the warm water, somewhat jokingly offering to massage your muscles if you want it. If you actually agree her face will light up slightly red as she laughs it off but gets behind you to massage your arms.

After Yosuke broke it Chie had to buy another copy of the trial of the dragon but will often sit down and rewatch it over and over. Because you two share similar interests she thinks you'll enjoy it! She'll feel slightly awkward if you don't but isn't mad or upset and will try to find a different movie to relax too.

Very supportive in your studies and would legitimately learn a specific type of martial arts you're studying as well just to be able to train and study with you.

Honestly he most likely found out either through Chie blabbering it out one day, you casually mentioning it in conversation, or your fighting style in the tv world.

In all honesty he's pretty impressed and wants to learn more about your skills but in a more casual way compared to Chie's hyperness. He's amazed comparing his skills to yours, yes he knows how to swing and use a cool as hell sword but he's not able to ground pound and immobilize enemy's in 2 or 3 strikes.

Though he's slightly interested he's not the type to want to learn any types of martial arts and more of just sits by the side watching you train. Mentally thinking "wow... I have one badass girlfriend-" at literally any impressive move you do.

Due to knowing origami from the origami crane folder job he knows how to do origami and knows how to create a variety of things other then cranes. One time he was thinking of a certain move you were doing and decided to create a origami version of you in the pose. it took about a good few weeks of careful crafting but it eventually was done, using a massive variety of colors to create the origami sculpture.

He gave it too you during lunchtime at school, saying that you give him a lot of inspiration in his life and mean a lot too him. Being taken slightly off guard when you kissed his cheek as a thank you.

Also very supportive, while not being completely involved like Chie he'll cheer you on from the sidelines!

Kanji

My guy is a blabbering stuttering mess, he already loved you but finding out you're also physically strong and adept at combat makes him fall in love with you a whole other level. A blush coats his face as he compliments you because ngl he finds the fact you can fight the way you do super hot.

Kanji is similar to Chie in that he's incredibly curious of your skills and abilities. Wanting to know everything he can about them and how they work, he may even ask to go into the tv world with you to go bully some random shadows together. It's mostly so he can see you in action and oh boy he's loving every minute of it and how cool you look.

While i wouldn't say Kanji has experience in any kind of martial arts he does know how to fight pretty well and honestly he may wanna learn. He finds watching you practice and train extremely fun and wants to learn the kind of things you are, so one day he may ask you if you can teach him.

Due to your reputation of a accomplished fighter bruises and injuries from training, spars, and other things can be common. For this reason Kanji always makes sure to have a medical kit easily accessible at his place and will often patch anything up for you. Reminding you to be careful but continue kicking ass.

Another very supportive boyfriend who will gladly kick ass with you

Naoto

At first Naoto was slightly worried but then she remembers how you kick shadows ass in the TV world and complete disregards those thoughts. On a logical stance she finds the skill of being a mixed martial artist useful and beneficial. But on the more emotional end of the spectrum she absolutely adores your fighting skill and spirit but more silently expresses it compared to the others.

Naoto out of the entire cast likes watching you train the most, barely outclassing Chie. While Chie is more of loud encouragement Naoto is more of shows her feelings through body language and those lovestruck eyes staring at you as you train. Of course not to stay Naoto won't compliment you with words, she actually does it quite often. But you almost can always she her gazing lovingly at you.

While she doesn't have any physical combat experience she can still decently hold her own especially with that gun of hers, but she may ask to try your fighting styles out and then almost back out cause you're extremely close to get and your hands are different places on her body to correct her stance. Naoto tries her best to stay composed though and knows you're just getting her into the right stance for the move but can't help but get flustered at how close you two are.

Naoto will often have bottles of water and a towel ready for you so you can rehydrate and wipe off any sweat from the training session. Saying that if there's anything else she can do, she'd be glad to help.

She's not as curious of your fighting abilities as the others but anytime she see's you use them she gets reminded of how much of a girl boss her girlfriend is and stares lovingly.

Another supportive girlfriend who'll back you up in battle no matter what! Even if brute force isn't her style.

Rise

Absolutely amazed whenever she first finds out. To Rise it feels like she's fallen head over heals in love again with you. Like most of the others she'll be asking a ton of questions about where you learned it, when you did, what types of martial arts, etc.

Carry her rn, bridal specifically. She wants to be held in her girlfriend's strong arms and also just wants a chance too check out your muscles-

Rise ties for 2nd place with Chie in watching you. She's like the number 1 cheerleader and will have waters and other snacks nearby her for whenever you finish your training routine. When watching you she can't help but think, "how did I get so lucky with you?" Absolutely adoring you as you train.

Incredibly and I mean incredibly curious of your fighting abilities, she's basically asking questions everyday even if she's already asked them before. Wanting to know your progression everyday in your passion.

Rise gets really upset the second she see's a single bruise on you, worried her dear girlfriend could've gotten permanently injured. Rise is a bit overdramatic about this but after the wound is treated she becomes a cuddle bug and asks you if you won a fight or if the bruise came from training.

Another supportive girlfriend who'll be your number 1 cheerleader giving it her all!

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uzumaki-rebellion · 1 year

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“Sinner & Saint: Creed III” Chapter 6

Need to catch up? Of course you do! Masterlist HERE.

youtube

"Don't stick around Don't stick around Don't stick around…"

Terrace Martin – "Turning Poison Into Medicine"

Athena wanted more time with Damian.

Long work hours and responsibilities to her management team had her on the go, but as it came closer to the holidays, there would be vacation time due that she could use to see him longer. They kept the relationship lowkey because he worked graveyard hours. He finally had his own transportation thanks to his grandmother leaving behind a decent and reliable ten-year-old SUV. Damian told her if he hit rock bottom, he could at least sleep in his own vehicle and not on the street.

They talked twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and their in-person contact stayed limited to her drives to see him work out on the beach because he grinded at his job on the weekends. She didn't mind, though. Watching him run around the beach and pump iron half-naked was a feast for the eyes. She brought him a workout parachute to tie onto his back for resistance training while sprinting. He was a thing of beauty, digging his feet into the sand, thick thighs rippling, arm muscles glistening, and that heated look of determination powering him across the sand with the parachute blown open behind him.

She took pictures and videos to show him his form and gave him pointers. He acted shocked when he playfully threw jabs at her in fun and she tagged him a few times with fast combinations, striking him in the lip and the side of his head. She ended him with a roundhouse kick from her mixed martial art days.

"Do that again," he said, staggering back on his feet and raising his hands up to block her.

She demonstrated some new moves and showed him things she learned from watching private home videos of her father. Damian acted like she had given him the secrets of the lost ark.

"You should get back in the ring yourself, Athena. With those hands… the speed alone… think about it," he said.

Sitting on a beach chair, she shielded her eyes to gaze at his magnificence running full speed across the beach. He stopped to catch his breath, holding his hands on his hips as he watched waves roll in sea foam. Damian had to jump back to keep the salt water spray from touching his ankle monitor. He had another month to wear it before it could come off. Until then, he didn't want to go into the water. When he was truly free, he planned on swimming for hours.

Athena handed him a fruit punch Gatorade to replenish his electrolytes. She longed for a kiss, but since their first proper date, Damian shied away from doing that again. He held her hand after running, and she luxuriated in the contact.

"You better get going," he said, glancing at his watch.

"Rushing me off," she whined, pushing his shoulder.

"I gotta hit the gym. Smokey's letting me spar today and I want to get there early," he said.

She admired his discipline and dedication to the craft. His body was jacked beyond belief and she could only imagine what he had been like when he won the Golden Gloves, beating out grown men nearly twice his age. Damian spoke to her about keeping a tight regimen in prison, exercising every day, no matter if it was day or night. His voice became soft and unsure when he shared that part of his past. The intestinal fortitude it must have taken to keep a methodical mind full of hope had to be tremendous.

"My grandmother used to bring me out here," he said.

She glanced at his face. He stared at the ocean.

"Most of the kids on my block just stayed on the block, but Big Mama used to pile us up in her car and drive us out here so we could see how big the world really was. There were places far beyond all that water. I felt bad when I let her down. She saw so much for me even when I couldn't see it for myself. Bringing me out here was an escape that I needed. Taking me in was her way of saving me…"

His voice drifted, and she turned her head to watch the small curling waves.

"My Dad loved the beach," she said.

Athena took a big inhale of sea air and tilted her neck.

"He liked to run up and down the sand like you. I would try to catch up, but I never could, even when he slowed down for me. He'd throw me and A.J. up in the air so high and the fall would be so exhilarating before he'd catch me in his arms again. I miss that so much. Sometimes when I'm falling out here in life, I'd give anything to have my father catch me and make everything better."

A lump swelled in her throat, and she stood up from her chair.

"Time for me to run," she said, picking up her purse.

Damian stood next to her, and the sheen of sweat on his body made his skin look oiled up for a photo shoot. She waited a beat to see if he would ask her to stay longer, but he wiped sand from his large hands and glanced at the water again.

"I have something for you," she said.

She pulled out a small white envelope with his name scrawled on it. Damian took it from her and opened it. Donnie and Ricky Conlan's faces were on the top of a fight ticket worth a mint to fans desperate to be in the arena watching the title bout of the decade.

"It's time to see what you're working toward up close," she said. "You'll be my guest."

She expected more of a reaction from him than what she was getting. Damian held the ticket with a passive expression.

"Damian?"

"Thank you."

"If you don't want to go—"

"I do. You've given me a lot already with your friendship, and I don't want you to feel obligated."

"Obligated for what?"

"Caring about me. Feeling sorry about my situation and trying to make it up to me by giving me stuff. I'll turn into a guilty burden for you, and I don't want that."

"I don't see it like that, Dame."

"I want to be the one to give you things when I'm in a better position. You coach me, check on me, fill my head up with ideas… just like my grandmother."

He grinned at the thought and then his face turned serious again.

"The women in my life have always given until there was nothing left. It makes me feel like a parasite and I don't want that dynamic anymore. A man is supposed to hold a woman down no matter what. Not the other way around. I want better for myself and when I get it, I can be a better man on equal footing."

Damian reached for her hand.

"You make all the hard work I do worth it, Athena."

She nodded and didn't know why she wanted to cry. Damian kissed her cheek, then folded up her chair, handing it to her. Looking at his ticket, he sighed.

"I suppose I have to get dressed up for this," he said.

"You better. I already have my dress ready."

"What should I wear?"

"Surprise me," she said.

She flounced away from him, secretly thrilled he was going. Her drive to work was upbeat and stepping into the lobby brought her face to face with a flurry of excited co-workers. The Creed-Conlan fight was a corporate bonanza and all the lucrative tie-ins available made her company money, primarily because she was related to two heavyweight champions, was a former champion herself, and carried the Creed name proudly on her desk.

Her assistant Max rushed into her office with a list of projects she needed to sign off on. He brought her coffee and a raspberry danish while running his mouth as she settled in. There was an afternoon meeting with her new clients and a quick check-in with her boss later. Athena's mind shifted to work mode until she noticed the oily presence of Buddy Marcelle slinking past her office window, heading toward the conference room. She jumped out of her executive chair and chased him down the hall.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

Buddy stopped. The suit on his back was worth more than a few thousand dollars, and the diamond and silver cufflinks screamed even more. Polished like a sharp knife aimed to kill, Buddy's vulpine smile was charming toward her.

"Athena Creed. I was hoping to see you before I leave here today."

"Answer my question, Buddy," Athena said.

His eyes raked across her form.

"Damn, I wish things had worked out differently for you and me," he said.

She rolled her eyes.

"Think of the money you could make if you came to work for my company. The offer is always open. Your name, talent, and intelligence are wasted here," he said.

"And yet you still use this place. Funny how that works."

"Only because of you, my dear… only because of you."

He patted her arm.

"Excuse me, I have to see your boss."

"Don't play with me. You only come here when you have something up your sleeve to capitalize on."

"You know, it's all about the C.R.E.A.M. in this business. Your brother is about to hand over a bonanza with his retirement."

Athena's eyes darted around the open floor plan. The office staff hummed along, ignoring them. She grabbed Buddy's hand and dragged him to her office, slamming her door shut.

"How do you know about that?" Athena said.

"Close sources told me."

"Donnie would never tell—"

"He was my close source. With his permission, I was given the task of teasing out rumors of this being the last fight of the great Adonis Creed. It'll stir up a ticket frenzy and broadcasters will reap the rewards of new subscriptions for streaming revenue… oh yeah, big sister, your brother is going out it in style. Who else to promote and publicize this momentous occasion but me?"

"He doesn't even like you."

"Like has nothing to do with making money. Your brother is about to fill my pockets up with gold. I could retire if I wanted to."

Buddy strolled to her office door.

"When you're done making chump change with these white boys, come holla at me, Athena. A Creed belongs at the top, not in middle management."

He stopped and turned around.

"Whenever you're ready to bounce, call me," Buddy said.

Athena stood near her desk and watched Buddy make his way to her boss. Although pompous and irritatingly smug as he could be, the man made a ton of money. She looked around the office. Middle management was a cushy gig for her. Unlike the higher executives, she negotiated for a higher salary with the use of her name in their corporate promo in a middle-tier position, for fewer responsibilities that would free her up. The best part of her job was that she could enjoy the perks of access while influencing their decisions, without all the drudge work. Of course, she was luckier than most as a trust fund baby and having a mother who knew how to quadruple coin. Money wasn't a need. Power and influence were, and that was something she wasn't willing to give up to be under Buddy Marcelle's thumb as his prized possession. The man was obsessed with the Creed family and salivated at the chance to have her by his side in any capacity. Even sexual if she allowed it.

Donnie must've been pulling out all the stops if he linked up with Buddy's flashy operation again.

Athena checked her computer tablet. She could spare a few minutes to snoop.

"Max, I'm going to a meeting. Have my early lunch ready when I return," she said, whisking down the hall.

She wanted to know what Buddy Marcelle was up to with her brother.

His taped-up boxing shoe was on its last leg. Damian didn't care. He was inside a ring for the first time in years, and the feel of the floor under his feet centered him. Smokey sat on the sidelines with Tony and a few spectators, forcing Damian to shake off his discomfort of so many eyes on him. Prison made him overly cautious of looks, tones of speech, and sudden movements. He didn't think he had PTSD, but his body reacted like it did when he grew nervous about being stared at by so many.

The fighter in front of him was a cocky Mexican dude with a slow drawl to his voice when he spoke. They nicknamed him Sleepy because of it. Damian ducked through the ropes to get into the ring and Sleepy took one look at his ankle monitor, pointed a glove at it, and said, "That's cute." A few chuckles went around, but Damian ignored the soft ribbing. He punched his gloves together and shook out his legs waiting for the bell to ring. The clang rang out, and he shuffled forward. Sleepy danced around him with a wide, maniacal grin on his face and threw the first punch. Damian ducked and protected his midsection, letting the other boxer get in a series of quick hits.

"Show me what you got!" Sleepy yelled, feeling himself.

Damian chomped down on the mouthguard protecting his teeth and gums and leaned into Sleepy. In his mind, everything around him blacked out, and all he could see was his hands pummeling his opponent. The man was in his way and the only goal was to remove him. His glove struck right, then left, a jab, a lead uppercut, a cross smash to the face. Sleepy tumbled back and scrambled to hold his bearing, but Damian pounced, making the man's body tender like a cook beating a slab of meat.

A bell rang, but Damian ignored it.

"Hey! Hey! What you doin', man?!" Tony shouted.

Donnie ran down from his loft office.

Sleepy thrust his chest into Damian's.

"You trying to hurt me?" Sleepy yelled.

Damian pushed him hard, and three other men jumped into the ring to separate them. One grabbed Damian by his waist to prevent him from moving. Another held Sleepy back, while the third stood between them both with his hands spread out.

"Little bitch," Damian mumbled.

"Fucking lunatic. You see this, man?" Sleepy shouted to the appointed referee.

Smokey called to him from one end of the ring as Tony approached the center to confront him.

"The fuck are you doing, Damian?" Tony spat out.

"Boxing," Damian said.

"This is a sparring session, not some street brawl," Tony said.

"My bad. Just getting used to being in the ring again," Damian said.

"You need a time out then, homie," Tony said.

"Dame."

Donnie waved to him from the side. Damian leaned over the ropes.

"What's going on?" Donnie asked.

Smokey intervened.

"He's rough around the edges. We'll tighten him up," Smokey said.

"I got this," Damian said.

"You good, Sleepy?" Donnie shouted, still staring at Damian.

"Yeah."

Damian rolled his neck around and waited for them to decide about continuing. The bell rang again. Sleepy was leery of moving in on Damian. The sass in his footwork toned down once he knew Damian was a solid mountain to get past, not dance around.

"Look alive, Damian," Smokey shouted.

Other boxers in the gym crowded around the ring. Donnie stood with his arms crossed, observing every move by him. Damian held back the full power he could've unleashed. Sleepy's breath became a gaspy hunt for a reprieve as the better boxer gave him that work. A second bell rang ending the round and Sleepy gulped down water in his corner, sending Damian cool looks.

"Drink," Smokey said.

Damian took a sip from the water bottle offered and waited for the bell to ring again. Smokey called out combinations and forced him to be conscious of his footwork and form. Muscle memory came back to him with his old rhythm as the techniques he learned from Smokey came into play.

"There you go, Dame!" Donnie shouted in support.

They went five rounds until Smokey stepped in with padding for his hands and chest to work on combos with him. Damian continued watching Sleepy lick his shattered ego in a corner outside of the ring. Tony's grim reaper glare bored into Damian's face and he whispered to Donnie.

"You have the talent, Damian," Smokey said. "We gotta manage that brutal nature."

"Brutal nature?" Damian said.

"You wanted to hurt that dude. Sleepy is a little punk in the ring, but coming at him that hard wasn't necessary. You don't want to develop a reputation for bad gym behavior."

"I clock fools," Damian said.

"But you want to be paid to do that. Right?" Smokey said.

Damian clamped his mouth shut.

"You're better than most of the fighters in here. I saw that on day one with you. We'll get you ready for an actual fight soon… just respect the folks in here while we work toward that," Smokey said.

"I'm not here to make friends. This is my livelihood."

Smokey scratched the back of his head and sighed. He pinched the bridge of his narrow nose and closed his eyes.

"Son, I'm trying to get you to understand the lay of the land. You are in a unique position to know and have the support of the heavyweight champion of the world. He's in your corner. The table is set before you and I promise you will eat. Just wash your hands first. Feel me?" Smokey said.

"I hear you."

"Good. Come with me."

Damian stepped out of the ring and Smokey assisted him with cutting off the tape from his gloves. He followed him to a small office on the ground floor.

"I got your amateur license, passbook, and your first fight scheduled," Smokey said.

Damian picked up his license.

"You wanted to move fast," Smokey said.

"Five fights and I can go pro."

"We need three winning ones to make that step."

"I'll win all five," Damian said, lifting his passbook.

"Good work today. Let's meet up tomorrow an hour earlier to look over your opponent."

"Bet."

Damian shook Smokey's hand and carried his gloves to his changing room locker. He showered, changed into new clothes he bought, and stuffed his sweaty gym clothes into a blue duffle bag for washing. Checking his cell, he missed a message from his probation officer.

"Shit."

Damian secured his locker and rushed out of the gym to his car.

"This is Damian Anderson," he said into his cell.

"Damian, this is Mr. Lucas. Tried to reach you earlier," Lucas said.

"I was in the gym working out with my trainer."

"Can you come by here within the next half hour?"

"Is there a problem? I've been following all the mandates of my probation."

"They filed a motion for your case to end your probation early. For now, we can take your ankle monitor off today."

"I'll be there right away!"

Damian shook his hands before pressing his face against his car to weep. At last. The visible link to his incarceration was leaving him.

"Dame."

Damian wiped his eyes and turned around. Donnie stepped forward.

"You alright, man?"

"Yeah. My P.O. gave me some good news. This damn thing is coming off," Damian said, kicking up his heel.

"Nice. Do you have time to get together later? Dinner with me and my wife? We're trying out a new place that's supposed to have bomb ass food. My treat. I want to talk to you about some things I'm cooking up that I'd like you to be a part of," Donnie said.

"You feel comfortable bringing me around your wife?"

"You plan on acting a fool?" Donnie joked.

"Nah, man. You know how it is."

"Smokey told me he has your first bout lined up. I'd like to come see it. Show you some support."

"If you have time."

"I'll make time."

Donnie touched his lip with his thumb and studied Damian's face.

"That thing in there with Sleepy—"

"It was nothing. Just getting my sea legs back. Eager to prove myself and I came on a little strong with a weaker opponent."

"Weaker? Sleepy is pretty badass."

"Not really."

Donnie grinned.

"I'll send you the address for tonight. Let's say seven-thirty," Donnie said.

"Cool."

"Smokey's a great trainer. Follow his guidance and you'll go far."

Donnie's cell buzzed in his hand. He headed back inside the Delphi.

Damian's stomach churned. Pangs of envy shot through his body often whenever he was around Donnie. It was hard not to see the life that should've been his. He opened his car door and hopped in. He kicked his ankle monitor with his free foot.

"Getting this shit off and then I'm going to swim naked in the ocean," he said out loud to himself before starting the motor.

True freedom was almost there. He could taste it.

Chapter 7 HERE.

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